Silence.
The black water's surface lay perfectly still, yet every footstep echoed like fractures ripping through infinite void.
Noa walked slowly. His heartbeat was the only pulse of life in that emptiness.
Noa (to himself):
"Run…?
If there's anywhere left to run."
???
— You think there isn't?
Noa lifted his head.
From the water's mirror, his reflection rose—yet it was not him.
Eyes black with white pupils, skin pallid as a corpse.
Long violet hair framed its face; two razor-sharp horns swayed on its head though no wind stirred.
Noa:
— Who are you? What is this place?
???
— I expected you to tremble… maybe scream.
Yet here you stand, calm. Not afraid?
Noa narrowed his eyes, pointing a finger straight at it.
— Change the subject all you want—I asked: **who are you?**
???
— I am you.
Born from the pain you never dared face.
This place… is your mind—your spiritual world.
Noa, stunned:
— My world… when did it turn black?
When my parents died? When my brother betrayed me?
Or when Marius gouged out my eyes in that cursed forest?
Do you have a name?
???
— No.
Noa:
— Then I'll call you… X.
X (smirking):
— Call me whatever. Or just call me the other you.
They stared.
X was Noa's perfect reflection—yet subtly warped.
Noa, curious:
— What do you want?
X, locking eyes:
— Power.
Noa glanced at the black sun.
— How will you get it?
X, casually turning to the same sun:
— By any means necessary.
Noa, exhausted:
— Why do you crave it?
X, eyes burning into Noa:
— Because that's what I am. Desire itself.
Noa tilted his head slightly.
Noa, bitter:
— You want my body? Take it.
X (soft laugh):
— My body? That easy?
Noa, staring hard:
— Why should it be hard?
You wanted it. The chance was right here.
You didn't take it—because deep down, you know it's impossible.
X (laughing, scratching the back of his head):
— Ha… 120 intellect, of course.
Finally, you sound like the real Noa.
Tell me—what will you do now?
Noa closed his eyes, facing the sky.
— We merge.
X clenched his fists, stepping toward Noa.
— And if I refuse?
If I kill you and take control instead?
Noa (ice-cold):
— You threaten death… to a dragon who's been waiting for it?
X (grinning):
— Interesting. You're changing. That won't work on you.
He relaxed his fists.
Tell me—do you still dream?
Noa, voice cracking:
— My dream? To grow stronger.
To rule this world.
I dreamed it—the night they stripped my title,
the frozen nights I trained alone.
X, eyes blazing with resolve:
— Then it's no longer a dream.
It's a purpose.
Noa drew a deep breath, eyes shut.
— Doesn't matter anymore…
X:
— It does. Because I understand you.
No one ever did—but I do.
Every pain, every loss, every sleepless night—I was born from them.
I am your regret.
Come, Noa. Let's unite.
You're no longer alone.
Two souls in one body will always fight until one devours the other—but I'm fine with it.
I want to grow stronger with you. You on the outside, me on the inside.
Together we fight; together we break our limits. Come—let's grow without restraint.
Noa slowly raised his head.
Noa, breathing deeply:
— Nothing left to lose.
My goal, my dream, my family—all gone.
At least you… my other self… understand me.
X smiled faintly and raised his fist.
Noa mirrored him.
When their fists collided—the black sea exploded.
Waves surged skyward; violet light swallowed everything.
> [ARTIFACT: Stone of the Abyss]
Secondary Mind — Awakened.
Consciousness State: Active
Mana: +5
New Ability Unlocked — Mana Sense
The waves slowly subsided.
Noa, bewildered:
— Huh, I thought we'd become one.
He lowered his hand.
X, smiling:
— So did I.
But accepting me seems to have been enough.
This is my first time, so I'm not sure—but look, we're still separate.
Noa stepped forward.
— Let's check the stone. Something must have changed.
They approached the glowing monolith.
> Artifact: Stone of the Abyss
User: Noa S. Dragon
Age: 5
Strength: 10
Endurance: 5
Speed: 12
Mana: 5
Rank: Beginner — Level 2
Abilities:
– False Aura (appears as a mid-tier creature)
– Mana Sense
Noa:
— Finally, I have mana… I thought I never would.
He placed a hand over his heart.
X, looking at Noa:
— The crystal you took held black mana.
It fused into your body—that's why you're here.
And if you hadn't accepted me, the black mana would have poisoned you.
Noa clenched his fist; a spark of hope flashed in his eyes.
— So… I can absorb black mana and strengthen myself.
These crystals are the key.
X, hand on his head:
— Exactly. Black mana is poison to most—
You had a pure heart once, but betrayal, loss, and pain blackened it.
Your hatred for the world turned you into a true dark dragon.
That's why black mana is no longer poison to you.
For beings of darkness, black mana is power.
Noa gave a faint smile.
— I read about that…
Wait—so you know everything I know?
X, proud:
— Of course.
I am you. Not knowing would be shameful.
Noa, delighted:
— Fair point.
Now… what exactly is "Mana Sense"?
Noa touched the stone. Runes flared and shifted.
> Stone of the Abyss
Ability: Mana Sense
Passive — 5 meters: natural perception without sight.
Active — 30 meters: creates a complete spatial image through mana vibration.
Noa, breathing deeply:
— So… I don't need eyes anymore.
Five meters for movement, thirty for small battles. That's enough.
X, alert:
— But we can't stay here forever.
If the enemy is beyond thirty meters, we're defenseless at range.
Noa placed a hand on X's shoulder.
— You're right, X.
You really… are me.
Noa glanced around.
— But how do we leave this place?
X, jaw tight:
— No idea. Maybe you'll wake up and be free.
Noa, displeased:
— "No idea"? Then stay here if you want.
X:
— Hah, twenty minutes ago you didn't even know what this place was—
and now you're giving orders?
Noa:
— Smirking. Shut up.
Time passed.
---
Noa's body lay motionless on the ground.
He tried slowly to open his eyes—nothing appeared.
Only darkness.
Yet within that darkness… something breathed.
He inhaled sharply.
The air was cold, but alive.
Every particle, every vibration—he felt them.
Noa (thinking):
"I can't see… wait… I *am* seeing. Just differently."
His heart beat stronger.
A faint current flowed from his body—mana.
Soft at first… then farther out.
The air around him stirred.
Vibrations merged into shapes—the floor, the stones, even insects crawling nearby.
He saw it all—not with eyes, but through sensation.
In the dark hut, blue lines traced every contour.
He held his breath—listening to the world's pulse.
Noa (whispering):
— "What… is this?"
"This is the world I've created."
From deep within, X's voice echoed:
> — You feel it now, don't you?
You don't need eyes anymore. Through mana, you can see the world.
Noa fell silent.
He raised his head—blind, yet all-seeing.
Every movement precise, controlled, deliberate.
Noa:
— "I haven't lost my darkness."
— "I've simply given it a name… Sense."
X:
— Then let's step outside, Noa.
Feel that hunger for dominance—the thrill of power.
Tell me… doesn't it feel good?
Noa pressed a hand to his face—and laughed.
Noa:
— "HAHAHAHAHA…!!! How fascinating."
"The emptiness inside me… is finally filling."
"Come, X—let's begin."
---
Hello everyone! We've finally reached one of the exciting parts!
The "mental breakdown stage" ended earlier than planned due to certain requirements, so this chapter is a bit shorter—it focused solely on Noa and X.
But starting next chapter, things will get *truly* interesting, so stay tuned!
Stay active, drop those Power Stones, and add the book to your library! 💫