Silence.
The surface of the black water lay completely motionless, yet the sound of every footstep echoed through the endless void like cracks tearing through space.
Noa walked slowly. The beating of his heart was the only pulse of life in this emptiness.
Silence.
The surface of the black water did not stir. Yet the sound of every step ripped through this place with echoing resonance.
Noa walked cautiously. The beating of his heart was the only living thing in this void.
Escape…?
Where to?
???
— Do you think there's no place to run?
Noa raised his head.
— Who are you?
???
— Interesting… I was expecting you to scream.
— Answer me, said Noa.
??? smiled and brought his hand closer to his face.
— The answer is simple. I am you.
Noa fell silent.
??? continued:
— All the things you've swallowed, all the pain you couldn't voice… I was born from that very place.
Noa spoke in a low voice.
— This place… is it inside my head?
???
— Yes.
Noa remained silent for a moment. He examined his own faint reflection and asked:
— Don't you have a name?
???
— No.
— Then… you'll be X.
X gave a light chuckle.
— Very original.
Noa narrowed his eyes.
— What do you want?
X shrugged.
— You already know.
Noa looked puzzled.
— No.
X stepped a little closer.
— You do know. Come on, say it.
Noa fell into thought.
— I don't know.
X raised his voice.
— Come on, Noa. What do I want? You know it.
X continued:
Think, Noa. What do I want?
Noa stayed quiet for a while, then answered after thinking:
— Power...
A satisfied smile appeared on X's face.
— Yes. Exactly that. We are the same.
Noa's eyes grew cold.
— Is that all?
X closed his eyes.
— That's all.
Noa lowered his head, his eyes half-closed, and looked down at his body.
— Take my body.
X's eyes snapped open sharply. On Noa's face was visible exhaustion and the pain accumulated over the years.
— You're just saying "take it"?
Noa looked into X's eyes.
— If you want it.
X didn't respond.
Noa frowned.
— We will merge.
X asked in surprise:
— "We"?
— Yes.
X raised his palm upward.
— And what if I refuse?
He clenched his fist.
Noa said in a calm tone:
— Then we fight.
X smiled.
— Finally.
They moved.
But there was no explosion.
Just… pressure.
As if two minds were not pushing each other, but carefully measuring one another.
[Abyssal Stone]
Second mind: activated.
Mana: +5
A new sense has opened.
Noa opened his eyes.
— This… is not merging.
X looked at his hands.
— No.
Noa turned to X.
— Then what is it?
X scratched his head.
— How would I know something you don't?
Noa sighed.
— So you're still separate.
— Yes, said X.
Noa looked at the stone.
— Here it increased.
X also looked at the stone.
— The black mana won't harm you.
Noa ran his hand across the stone and stopped over the word "mana" written on it.
— Why?
X remained silent for a moment.
— It's our nature.
Noa laughed.
— Wonderful.
Abyssal Stone
Mana sense: activated
5 meters — sensing
30 meters — visualization
Noa raised his head.
— Looks like eyes aren't needed anymore.
Artifact: Abyssal Stone
User: Noa S. Dragon
Age: 5
Strength: 10
Endurance: 5
Speed: 12
Mana: 5
Level: Beginner — Level 2
Abilities:
– False Aura
– Mana Sense
Lightning flashed from one of the clouds in the black sky.
Noa brushed his hair back.
— Finally… I have mana. I thought it would never happen.
He placed his hand on his heart.
Noa clenched his fist; a spark of hope flashed in his eyes.
— So… by absorbing the black mana, I can strengthen myself.
These crystals are the key.
Noa's body lay motionless on the ground.
He slowly tried to open his eyes — nothing was visible.
Only darkness.
But within that darkness… something was breathing.
He inhaled sharply.
The air was cold, yet alive.
Every particle, every vibration — he could feel them.
Noa whispered:
"I can't see… wait… no, I can see. Just differently."
His heart beat stronger.
A gentle flow moved through his body — mana.
At first soft… then reaching farther.
The air around him stirred.
The vibrations took shape — the floor, the stones, even the insects crawling nearby.
He saw everything — not with his eyes, but through sensation.
In the dark hut, blue lines spread along every contour.
He held his breath, listening to the pulse of the world.
— "What… is this?"
"This is the world I created."
From deep inside, X's voice echoed.
— Now you're feeling it, aren't you?
Noa said nothing.
He lifted his head — blind, yet seeing everything.
Every movement was precise, controlled, and resolute.
— "I haven't lost my darkness."
— "I simply gave it a name… Sensation."
X asked with curiosity:
— Then let's go outside, Noa.
Let's feel the hunger for dominance, the thrill of power.
Noa pressed his hand to his face — and laughed.
— "Haha! How interesting."
"The emptiness inside me… it finally feels like it's being filled."