Vas nodded, absorbing the weight of the rituals as The Archivist's form began to dissolve into the encroaching shadows of The Void.

Not long after, Vas awoke in a sterile hospital room. The scent of antiseptics and the faint hum of medical equipment filled the air, creating a disorienting blend of familiarity and alienation. He struggled to piece together the events that led him here. His last clear memory was the intense struggle with the monstrous entity, and the next thing he knew, he was lying in a bed, his body feeling as though it had been through a war.

The room's luxury felt like a cruel joke—plush furnishings and soft lighting did little to comfort him. It was an environment too pristine for the chaos he'd just endured. Alone in the room, Vas's anxiety mounted with each passing minute. The silence was oppressive, amplifying his sense of isolation until Anya's entrance cut through the stillness.

Her presence brought a stark contrast to the room's opulence. Anya's face, set with a mixture of concern and authority, offered the first hint of solace Vas had felt since regaining consciousness. She approached his bedside, her eyes sharp and unwavering. "Kid, I'm gonna need an explanation," she said, her tone leaving no room for evasion.

Vas gripped the sheets tightly, his knuckles whitening. He was acutely aware of his vulnerability, his body still weak from the recent battle. "I know," he managed, his voice strained and barely above a whisper. "I know you deserve an explanation. So does Lily. But... it's kinda hard to explain."

"Try me," Anya urged, her gaze unyielding.

Vas struggled to find the right words, feeling the weight of his secrets pressing down on him. "To be honest," he began, looking away, "I've felt really good being with you guys for the past couple of years. It's... been a relief, you know? But telling you the truth about everything—it might change things."

Anya's expression softened, a hint of understanding in her eyes. "Why do you think that?" she asked gently.

"No idea," Vas admitted, his voice barely audible. "I just... do."

Anya took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a depth of empathy that surprised him. "How old are you now?" she asked, her tone softening.

"Seventeen," Vas replied, feeling the weight of his age.

Anya's gaze grew contemplative. "When you're seventeen, it's easy to feel like everyone's against you," she said, her voice laced with experience. "Like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders and there's no one you can rely on. For a while, that was your reality. But I'm asking because I care. I've known you long enough to see how you've grown. I remember the little kid who stood up to us, trying to blackmail us into a deal. You were brave, maybe a bit reckless, but you had guts."

She paused, her eyes meeting his with a sincerity that cut through his apprehension. "You've grown into a young man who's been shouldering a heavy burden, a secret that's weighed you down. And despite everything, you've shown incredible strength and reliability. Look at what happened a few days ago, when Madeline asked something of you. You stepped up, faced danger head-on."

Anya's voice wavered slightly, revealing a vulnerability that mirrored Vas's own. "I'm telling you this because I need you to understand something. Please, have more faith in us. I know your family hasn't been the most attentive, and that's been hard. But you're not alone anymore. We're here for you, and we care about you. More than you might realize."

Vas met her gaze, the depth of her concern beginning to break through his armor of uncertainty. The room, once alien and oppressive, now seemed warmer, more welcoming. Anya's words offered a glimmer of hope, a reminder that amidst the chaos and secrets, there were people who genuinely cared about him.

As he lay there, the fatigue from his ordeal pressing heavily on him, Vas felt a tentative sense of relief. The road ahead was still uncertain, but Anya's words provided a fragile anchor, a hint that perhaps he wasn't as alone as he had feared. With a slow, grateful nod, he allowed himself to sink into the comfort of the moment, even as he prepared for the challenges that lay ahead

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Vas was on the verge of revealing everything to Anya, his mouth opening as he prepared to confess the truths he had long kept hidden. But before a single word could escape, the world around him abruptly shifted. Time seemed to freeze, and color drained from the room, leaving it in a stark, monochrome state.

A chill swept through the air as the silence became almost palpable. "You know," came a voice, cold and detached, "I do not like interfering here."

Vas's heart pounded as he turned his head to see The Archivist standing at the foot of his bed. She maintained her guise of an elderly woman, her presence starkly contrasting the luxurious but now eerily lifeless room. Her gaze, though sharp and discerning, held a hint of irritation.

"But I cannot allow you to tell anyone everything," she continued, her tone laced with annoyance. "You cannot reveal your true nature as a half-Forgotten. Do you understand?"

Her voice, though calm, carried an unmistakable edge of finality. The room's oppressive stillness seemed to press down on Vas, emphasizing the weight of her words. He could feel the pressure of the unsaid truths, the barriers that kept his secrets locked away.

Vas's mind raced, trying to reconcile the gravity of the situation with his desire to confide in Anya. The Archivist's intervention left him feeling trapped between the urge to unburden himself and the rigid constraints imposed upon him.

"Yes," Vas finally managed to reply, his voice tinged with resignation. "I understand."

The Archivist's form began to waver, as if dissolving into the very fabric of the world's altered state. "Good," she said, her voice fading with her presence. "Remember, some truths are not yours to tell."

As her figure disappeared, the room slowly regained its colors and normalcy. The heavy silence lingered, leaving Vas alone with the weight of his unspoken truths and the daunting task of navigating his path forward.

"Okay, so here's the thing," Vas began, his voice steady despite the weight of what he was about to reveal. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts as he recalled the events that had led to his current predicament.

"On my first attempt at the Unveiling ritual, things didn't go as planned. Instead of contacting one of the known gods, I was approached by an entirely different entity," he explained. His eyes met Anya's, searching for any sign of disbelief.

"On my second attempt, the world experienced what's now known as the Green Night. It caused widespread chaos and upheaval. During that time, I formed a bond with this entity. It's been guiding me ever since." Vas paused, weighing his words carefully.

He continued, "Part of my responsibility now is to hunt down the Forgotten. They're malicious beings from a place that's... not exactly of this world. I can't go into too much detail about them, but they're dangerous and they come from a place that defies the normal understanding of reality."

Anya listened intently, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. She could sense the gravity of Vas's revelations and the burden they carried. The cryptic nature of the Forgotten and the Green Night added layers of complexity to the situation, hinting at deeper truths yet to be uncovered.

Vas's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of his secret. The silence that followed was thick with the implications of what he had just shared

Anya took a moment to process Vas's revelations, her mind racing as she absorbed the gravity of his situation. She could see how much this burden weighed on him, and the glimmer of something hidden in his eyes—the fear, the uncertainty, and the unspoken weight of responsibility.

"Vas," she said softly, breaking the silence. "I appreciate your honesty, even if it's not the whole picture. What you've told me is already a lot to handle, and it's clear that there's more at stake than just your safety."

Vas nodded, looking away. "I wish I could tell you everything, but some things are beyond my control. The Forgotten are a serious threat, and their existence is tied to forces that I can barely understand."

Anya's gaze softened as she reached out and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're not alone in this. Whatever challenges you're facing, you've got people who care about you and want to help. We may not fully understand what you're up against, but we can face it together."

Before Vas could respond, the room seemed to shudder as a familiar cold presence filled the space. The Archivist materialized once again, her old woman form emanating an aura of authority and otherworldly power.

"Remember what I said," The Archivist's voice echoed with a stern edge. "Your true nature and the extent of your bond with the entity must remain hidden. Revealing too much could jeopardize not just your mission, but the safety of those you care about."

Vas's heart sank as he faced The Archivist, the weight of her warning pressing heavily upon him. "I understand. I'll keep it in mind."