The silence was deafening as if Fefe were in the endless expansion of space.
Finally, as if the silence was getting her. The knight spoke, "So that's your ability. How long ago did you awaken it?"
"Around an hour bored two before this," Fefe replied, still unsure why they were still standing in the alley.
The knight, catching his worry, said, "We will have to rest for now; the breach will be over by then."
Fefe had the feeling she was worried about how long it was taking.
"Do you know how to check your ability flaws and limitations?" she asked.
As if already knowing the answer, she said, "Close your eyes and focus on the past."
"What do you mean by the past?" Fefe asked.
Not expecting a good answer. Fefe closed his eyes. As the black expanse of his closing eyes took over the background. Fefe still trying to understand what she meant about the past. Fefe was still trying to understand what the past meant, and soon noticed something. As if the world was helping him.
He saw a reflection, it was him, but older, not by much, it looked like. But also, Corresponders aged weirdly.
His older self spoke, "Our past shapes your present. Your present shapes your future. And your future… only shapes what is yet to come."
The reflection's voice echoed in his head, "You can only move for yourself." "Anything else won't react. No matter how much you want to, you cannot save other people. You are the only one with power.
Fefe furrowed his brow. "Is that it? Is that all?
The reflection said, "That is all I can tell you." "The rest, you have to find yourself. Even I am unable to explain or alter some things. Recognize that your actions have boundaries, and those boundaries have repercussions. If you try to push past that, all you will find is failure.
The words weighed heavily on his chest. A door that might save his life, but not anyone else's. A force that responded to surrender rather than bravery.
Fefe took a swallow. For now, at least, he had to accept it. After a brief moment, the reflection vanished, leaving only the pitch-black emptiness behind his closed eyes.
Fefe opened his eyes.
The night was slowing creeping upon the day. In the dimming alley. A small weak fire danced. The knight sat next to the fire . Her long black hair catching the glow.
"You saw it" she stated staring at the fire.
Fefe hesitated " yeah... does that happen often ".
She poked the fire making sparks dance in the air. Finally she said "good then, you understand"
"Understand what?"
She finally turned her head and stared deeply into his soul.
"Your power won't save me..." she paused thinking her next words carefully "and mine won't save itself."
The word were spoken without fear without bitterness.
Only certainty.
Fefe trying to lighten the mood said " Fefe, my names Fefe."
She looked at him then looked back and said "Vouse".
Some where in the city metal moaned before it crashed. Followed but moans of the infected.
Vouse stood up
"Sleep" she said "tomorrow we leave the city"
Leave the city?
Fefe was confused.
Questions piled up, but his body refused to follow.
As he lay back against the cold brick, one thought lingered longer than the rest.
The door had shown him a rule.
And somehow, he knew,
breaking it would cost more than his life