[Are you expecting to tell you it’s okay to be scared?
That you can run away from this forever?]
I pressed my lips together, the weight in my chest growing heavier by the second. "I just… I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know what he’ll do when he sees . I don’t even know what I am to him."
[And that terrifies you, doesn’t it?]
I clenched my jaw. "...Yeah."
There was no imdiate response. The silence stretched, cold and suffocating.
Then Damien finally spoke, his voice carrying none of the usual playful amusent. It was calm.
Unshaken.
[Noah, listen to . I am not your babysitter.]
I flinched slightly at the bluntness of his words.
[You’re waiting for to give you an answer. For to tell you sothing that will make it all easier.
But life doesn’t work that way. The world isn’t going to slow down just because you’re scared.
Your enemies won’t pause their hunt just because you’re unsure.]
I swallowed hard, feeling sothing physical holding on to my neck.
[You are scared of the future. Scared of what will happen when you stand before your grandfather.
Scared of what you will beco.
But fear doesn’t stop ti.
It doesn’t stop fate.
It only stops you.]
I exhaled, my breath shaky.
[You keep running, but you can’t run forever. Sooner or later, you will have to stand.
Sooner or later, you will have to fight. Not just for your survival, but for the right to exist as yourself.]
My fingers curled into fists.
[You are afraid because you don’t have power. But tell , Noah—do you plan to stay powerless forever?]
I squeezed my eyes shut, hearing the heartbeat loud in my ears.
[Because the mont you stop being afraid is the mont you start taking control.
And once you take control, once you stop hesitating, the people who hunted you will no longer be the ones in charge.]
Opening my eyes again, I realised that my breath had cald down.
[The world is cruel. It does not wait for you to be ready. So stop waiting, Noah.]
I lowered my gaze, staring at my hands—hands that had already been stained with blood.
[Make them fear you instead.]
Sothing inside shifted.
A quiet, deep realization.
He was right.
Fear wouldn’t stop the inevitable.
Fear wouldn’t protect .
If I wanted to survive, if I wanted to live on my terms, then I couldn’t keep running.
I had to move forward, even if it ant walking straight into the lion’s den.
I clenched and unclenched my fists, letting out a slow, controlled breath.
"...How?" I asked.
Damien chuckled.
[Now that is the right question.]
And with those words, the first ember of sothing new sparked within .
Damien’s words echoed in my mind long after he had fallen silent.
Fear didn’t stop ti.
It didn’t stop my enemies.
It only stopped .
I let out a slow breath, feeling the weight of those words settle into my bones.
He was right—I knew he was right. Running wouldn’t change anything.
No matter how much I wanted to avoid it, sooner or later, I would have to face my grandfather.
Face the people hunting .
Face the truth of who I was.
But knowing that didn’t make it any easier.
I turned my gaze toward the darkened window again, watching how the faint flickers of neon light seep through the edges of the curtains.
The city outside continued as if nothing had changed. But for … sothing had.
I had already started down that path, but it wasn’t enough. The Slave Body Refinent Technique, the training, the battles so far— they were steps forward, but not enough to tip the scales in my favor.
I had to push further.
I closed my eyes. "Damien."
[Hm?]
"I need more. The body refinent technique is a good start, but it’s not enough.
I need to grow stronger. Faster."
For a mont, he didn’t reply. Then—
[You’re finally thinking like soone who wants to live.]
I ignored the comnt. "Do you have anything else for ?"
[I do.]
My heart quickened. "Then—"
[But you’re not ready for it yet.]
I scowled. "You just said—"
[And I ant every word,] Damien cut off smoothly. [But strength isn’t just about power—it’s about control. Your body is still adjusting to the refinent technique. If I give you sothing too advanced now, it could kill you.]
I pressed my lips together.
[For now, focus on your training. The technique you have might not seem flashy, but it’s designed for you.
Your body isn’t ant to grow like others. Your strength is hidden, waiting.
Train, refine, and when the ti is right, I will give you more.]
I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to accept his words. As much as I wanted a shortcut, I knew he wasn’t lying.
Power without control was useless.
"...Fine."
[Good.]
Silence stretched between us for a mont before I spoke again.
"Earlier, when I asked where you’ve been, you never really answered."
The system had gone quiet for a long ti before suddenly giving the body refinent technique.
For a mont, there was no response.
Then—
[I’ve been busy.]
I deadpanned. "Busy doing what?"
[System things.]
"...That’s not an answer."
[Sure it is.]
I gave him a long, blank stare, not that he could see it. "You’re suspicious."
[And you’re nosy.]
"...You’re hiding sothing."
[I have many secrets, Noah. If I told you everything, I’d lose my mysterious charm.]
I sighed. "You’re impossible."
[And yet, you keep coming back.]
I let out a small, tired chuckle. As frustrating as Damien was, I couldn’t deny that I needed him.
Maybe not just for power—but for sothing else, too.
Sothing grounding.
I shook my head, rolling my shoulders. My body still ached, but not as much as before.
I could already feel the difference from the refinent technique, even if it was subtle.
I stood up.
There was no more ti to hesitate.
Sylvie would be back soon, and tomorrow, we would leave for the portal.
The unknown awaited on the other side, but this ti, I wouldn’t face it as the sa hesitant, fearful version of myself.
No more running.
I clenched my fist, feeling the quiet strength beneath my skin.
If the world wouldn’t stop for ?
I would make it.
***
A/N:
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