Darkness.
Not empty.
Defined.
Adrian Stands Alone
"…So this is the trial…"
His voice—
Echoes.
But not outward.
Inward.
The Space Changes
Light flickers—
And the world forms.
A Familiar Street
Cracked pavement.
Old houses.
A quiet, worn-down neighborhood.
Adrian Freezes
"…No way…"
Recognition Hits
"…This is…"
His past
The Voice Returns
"…Trial One."
A pause.
"…Origin."
Adrian's Expression Hardens
"…You're really doing this, huh…"
Footsteps
From behind.
Adrian Turns
And sees—
Himself
Younger.
Weaker.
The Version Without Power
The Younger Adrian Speaks
"…Why are you here?"
Silence
Current Adrian Stares
"…Seriously…?"
The Voice Explains
"…Define yourself."
Adrian Scoffs
"…That's the test?"
No Response
The Younger Adrian Steps Closer
"…Are you… me?"
Adrian Looks at Him Carefully
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…Unfortunately."
The Younger One Frowns
"…You don't look like me."
Adrian Replies Calmly
"…I changed."
The Younger Adrian Asks
"…Because of power?"
Silence
The Question Lingers
Adrian Answers Slowly
"…Partly."
The Younger Adrian Steps Closer
"…Then who were you before that?"
The Space Tightens
The Voice Presses
"…Answer."
Adrian's Eyes Narrow
"…Someone weak."
The Younger Version Shakes His Head
"…No."
Adrian Frowns
"…No?"
The Younger Adrian Speaks Firmly
"…You weren't weak."
Adrian Laughs Slightly
"…Yeah… I was."
The Younger One Steps Even Closer
"…Then why did you keep going?"
Silence
That Hits
Adrian's Smile Fades
"…Because I had to."
The Voice Interrupts
"…Insufficient."
Pressure Builds
The Younger Adrian Asks Again
"…Why did you really keep going?"
Adrian Clenches His Fist
"…Because stopping meant losing."
The Younger One Tilts His Head
"…Losing what?"
Adrian Freezes
…
He Doesn't Answer Immediately
The Voice Speaks Again
"…Define your origin."
The World Starts Breaking
Cracks forming—
Reality destabilizing.
Adrian Looks Around
"…Tch…"
Then He Looks at His Younger Self
Long.
Carefully.
Then He Speaks
"…I wasn't strong."
A pause.
"…I wasn't special."
The Space Listens
Adrian Continues
"…But I didn't stop."
The Younger Adrian Watches Closely
Adrian Finishes
"…That's who I was."
Silence
The Cracks Stop Spreading
The Voice Responds
"…Accepted."
The Younger Adrian Smiles Slightly
"…Yeah… that sounds right."
Then—
He fades.
The World Collapses
Darkness Again
Adrian Exhales
"…That was annoying…"
The Voice Returns
"…Trial One complete."
A pause.
"…Proceeding to Trial Two."
Adrian Looks Up
"…Let me guess…"
The Voice Continues
"…Purpose."
Adrian's Eyes Narrow Slightly
"…Yeah…"
A faint smirk.
"…This one's gonna be worse."
Final Scene
The darkness reshapes again—
Something new forming.
Not the past this time
Something else
Something he hasn't faced yet