“ Everytime I think of a sun setting, I think about all kind memories I have lived before. But I, Odham, did not have time to enjoy remembering those this time around. Two shadows pushing off everyone in their path had set their sight on my back. Killing intent sharp as a knife.

And I perfectly knew why, I was a Borrower.

A dark alley at my right, I, Odham turned and started walking faster. A man of large stature followed suit, only to be greeted by an empty impasse.

(I’m too old for this. Goddammit… Can’t they let an elder live his life peacefully?)

Stairs I had already climbed started resonating behind me.

(Oh… You found the backdoor? Took you time.)

A single ray of fading light showed itself after a minute of quiet and quick steps. But instead of walking straight into it, I stood still,  a shiver running down my spine.

(Wh-What's this? What kind of person can give such omnious vibes ?!)

The second assailant was sitting between the two buildings, Looking at the sky.

Suddenly, a shadow covered the dreaming man, and without breaking a sweat, a bow materialized in his hand - he shot.

The echo of a scream reverberated at that very moment.

Alterius, that was starting to get drowsy, popped up of his trance and started complaining in a monotonous voice.

“Quit trying to tell me what happened ! Just get out of here already!”

“And then I jumped off the roof of the building I was on and broke your window. ”

Alterius started muttering that he did not care.

“You know I can’t. Your neighbors will suspect something.”

(You’re damn right, I don’t want problems.)

Alterius was sitting down on his bed, and was conversing with Odham, who has woken up and has just eaten.

“When you’re ready to go again, you’re immediately leaving.”

“I have no issue with that, I’m abusing your hospitality right now.”

Alterius stood up, and walked to his desk, taking into his hands the big book at the very left side of the it.

“No…"

Odham started giggling.

" You don’t know what’s hospitality?”

Alterius’s frowned, he was standing still.

“I wanna read a story. ”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Robinson Crusoe in his hands, Alterius leaned on his bed and started reading, leaving the room quiet for a while.

“Hey kid-”

“Here is a rule for you, don’t call me kid.”

He shrugged.

“As you wish. I just wanted to tell you that you’re a good guy inside.”

“Don’t get it wrong, the only reason you’re still here is that there is no other option for me. I won’t hesitate to get rid of you.”

“I wonder if the issue is the mother… Did she not show you love when you were still a child?”

Alterius raised his voice.

“Don’t you dare talk ab-”

Alterius’s eyes widened up, Odham’s eyes were glowing yellow.

“When I was a child, I always wanted to know what was inside people's hearts, I ended up developing an ability that lets me read their actual feelings. “

Odham grinned, and looked straight at Alterius.

”That’s the only reason I’m still alive to tell you this. I can feel what's inside the hearts of people.”

He then looked up at the ceiling, and took a grave tone.

“Look kid… You're alone, and that's no good.”

Alterius's attention was all directed towards the old man,even he hated being treated like a child, Odham has hit a spot.

"Everyone needs to have someone alike. Sharing ideas, experiences... This is what let us grow as individuals."

He closed the book he was reading, throwing it on the shelf. He was lost in a reverie now.

“What did you wish for?”

Alterius popped out of his brief dream, but still stayed as silent as before.

It is not a good idea to talk about your Wish. It's just something we say to the kids at school.

The Wish is what defines your Soul Shard’s form, it has endless possibilities that are connected only to the Wish you did.

“I understand that you won’t tell it to me. Maybe later.”

The old man looked down and smiled, clearly reminiscing of the distant past. He stopped daydreaming and addressed Alterius :

“Have you ever heard of Shard Borrowing?”

“Oh… It’s an urban legend about-”

something clicked inside his hair.

(He has used something to repair the window, and now… He can read feeling? That’s two Second-Hand abilities!)

Alterius, while thinking, felt light but didn’t bother until he felt something hard hitting him in the head.

That was the ceiling.

“What the hell!”

Alterius was trying to push himself back to his bed, to no avail, the gravity was working opposite.

“I just did this to show you that I am a Borrower.”

“Put me down!”

He fell from the ceiling into his bed.

“Want to hear the story of this ability?”

Alterius, that was until now reluctant to listen to anything Odham said was interested for the old man’s stories. He nodded.

“「Dreamless」, was it called. An ability that was possessed by a paraplegic orphan with the dream of walking again. I met him while he was stuck in a tree after trying to use「Dreamless」 to fly. Wanna know what happened to him?

He’s now the only physically impaired pilot in the army of his country.”

Odham’s eyes grew watery, he was moved by the memory.

“But someone’s growing more and more wary of us Borrowers. Judging by how I am getting violently assaulted every now and then, it seems like it is someone who has some control over the world.”

The old man stood up, walked to the window, opened it then jumped.

Alterius rushed to the said window, only to be greeted by a flying Odham.

“I hope I see you later, kiddo .”

Alterius ground his teeth.

“I see the worry in your eyes.”

There was not a single ounce of worry in Alterius’ eyes, but inside, his heart was aching, like to augur for something wrong.

“Well, I hope I see you again.”

Alterius stood at his window, hesitating to tell Odham about his feelings.

After a minute, a beam of light suddenly rose in the air, followed by a ear-piercing scream.

Alterius was right.