Silence.
The surface of the black water was still, yet each step echoed endlessly — like cracks spreading through emptiness.
Noa walked slowly. His heartbeat was the only sign of life in that void.
Noa (to himself):
"Run... if there were anywhere left to run."
???
— You think there isn't?
Noa raised his head.
From the water's surface, his reflection slowly stood — but it wasn't him.
Its eyes were black with white pupils, its skin pale like a corpse.
Long violet hair framed its face, and from its head rose two sharp horns that swayed though there was no wind.
Noa:
— Who are you? What is this place?
???
— I thought you'd tremble... perhaps scream.
Yet here you stand, calm. Aren't you afraid?
Noa:
— I said — who are you?
???
— I am you.
Born from the pain you never dared to face.
This place... is your mind — your spiritual world.
Noa:
— My world... when did it turn black?
Was it when my parents died? When my brother betrayed me?
Or when Marius blinded my eyes in that accursed forest?
Do you have a name?
???
— No.
Noa:
— Then I'll call you... X.
X (smirking):
— Call me what you want. Or just call me the other you.
They stared at each other.
X was Noa's perfect reflection — yet subtly distorted.
Noa:
— What do you want?
X:
— Power.
Noa:
— And how will you get it?
X:
— By any means necessary.
Noa:
— Why do you crave it?
X:
— Because that's what I am. Desire itself.
Noa tilted his head slightly.
Noa:
— You want my body? Take it.
X (laughs softly):
— Your body? That easy for you to give up?
Noa:
— Why should it be hard?
You wanted it. The chance was here.
But you didn't take it — because deep down, you think it's impossible.
X (chuckling):
— Ha... 120 intellect, indeed.
Finally, you sound like the real Noa.
Tell me — what will you do now?
Noa:
— We'll merge.
X:
— And if I refuse?
If I just kill you and take control instead?
Noa (coldly):
— You threaten death... to a dragon waiting for it?
X (grinning):
— Amusing. You are changing.
Tell me — do you still dream?
Noa:
— My dream? To grow stronger.
To rule this world.
I dreamed of it — on the night they stripped me of my title,
on the frozen nights I trained alone.
X:
— Then it's not a dream anymore.
It's a purpose.
Noa drew a deep breath, closing his eyes.
— It 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 alone no longer.
Noa slowly lifted his head.
Noa:
— There's 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 roared upward, and 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 calmed.
Noa:
— Huh, I thought we'd become one.
Lowers his hand.
X:
— So did I.
Look — we're still separate.
Noa:
— Let's check the stone. Something must've changed.
They walked toward the shining monolith.
> Artifact: Stone of the Abyss
User: Noa S. Dragon
Age: 11
Strength: 10
Endurance: 5
Speed: 12
Mana: 5
Rank: Beginner — Level 2
Abilities:
– False Aura (Appears as a mid-tier creature)
– Mana Sense
Noa:
— I finally have mana... I thought I never would.
Places a hand over his heart.
X:
— The crystal you took — it held black mana.
It must've fused into your body. That's why you ended up here.
Noa:
— So... I can absorb black mana and strengthen my own.
These crystals are the key.
X:
— Exactly. Black mana is poison to most creatures —
but to beings of darkness, it's power.
Noa:
— I read about that...
Wait — so you know everything I know?
X:
— Of course.
I'm you. It would be shameful not to.
Noa:
— Fair point.
Now... what's this "Mana Sense" exactly?
Noa touched the stone. The runes glowed 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:
— So... I don't need eyes anymore.
Five meters for movement, thirty for small battles. That's enough.
X:
— But we can't stay there forever.
If the enemy stays beyond thirty meters, we're defenseless at range.
Noa:
— Puts a hand on X's shoulder.
You're right, X.
Truly... you're me.
Noa:
— But how do we leave this place?
X:
— I'm not sure. Maybe when you wake, you'll be free.
Noa:
— "Not sure," you say? Then stay here if you like.
X:
— Hah, twenty minutes ago you didn't even know what this place was —
and now you're giving orders?
Noa:
— Smirks Shut up.
Time passed.
---
Noa's body lay still on the ground.
He slowly tried to open his eyes — but 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.
It pulsed outward, gently at first... then further.
The air around him stirred.
The vibrations merged, shaping into outlines — the floor, the stones, even insects crawling nearby.
He saw it all — not with eyes, but through sensation.
In the dark hut, glowing green lines traced every shape around him.
He stopped breathing — listening to the pulse of the world.
Noa (whispering):
— "What... is this?"
"This is the world I've created."
From deep within, X's voice echoed:
> — Now you feel it, don't you?
You don't need eyes anymore. Through mana, you can see the world.
Noa remained silent.
He lifted 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 placed his hand over his face — and laughed.
Noa:
— "HAHAHAHAHA...!!! How fascinating."
"The emptiness inside me... it's finally filling."
"Come then, X — let's begin."
Hello everyone! We've finally reached one of the exciting parts!
The "mental breakdown stage" ended a bit earlier than planned due to certain requirements, so this chapter turned out a bit short — it focused only on Noa and X.
But starting from the next chapters, things will get really interesting, so stay tuned!
Don't forget to stay active, drop your Power Stones, and save it to your library! 💫