- Good morning.

- ... - Mat.

- At least say something.

Mat was in the void again, and saw the Hero before him in front of him, again.

- Looks like you were affected by the other time, or am I wrong?

- Well...

- I got it right!

- ...Ah, okay, it did, but... That was a while ago, I'm better now.

- That's good.

- Yeah...

- Ujum...

- ...

- ...

They were silent.

- Well, I think it's time to tell you more. - said the young black-haired man. - I was a "Hero", like you, but I failed in my mission, I died and now you succeed me, heh.

He laughed at the end, I don't know why.

- W-what do you mean you died?

- Yeah, yeah. It's a long story, but it's like this. You're my "successor" and all, but... How do I put it?

- ?

The young man sighed and said:

- You're too weak.

This... Mathias was not shocked, not at all.

- I was somewhat similar to you. I had powers of electricity (also others)... Although I had them after doing something, and you're going to find out what it is soon. Besides, the mark serves to enhance your innate powers and your strength. It has more functions, but you'll know about that. Although... - said the young man and, just when Mat was about to ask him about being weak, he added. - You also get stronger when you use

- it, but... Since it can't be activated at will, you shouldn't rely on it too much.

[https://i.imgur.com/3qmRSpS.png]

- I understand. - He said it with that face.

"Then how do I get stronger?"

- Oh, and it's to tell you if you're the Hero when you wear The Medallion. Also, there are people with similar marks, but these don't react to The Medallion.

- ...What? - Mat said, and thought, "Medallion?" - So... What's that about a medallion?

- You'll find out, that's not something I have to tell you yet.

- I understand, but... Aside from that, does that mean that the... The shiny things were my PSI Creations enhanced by the power of the mark?

- That's exactly right.

- Ah! That's... Unbelievable! If it happens to me again, I'm going to try to prove it better. - Mat said, excited for some reason. - But... I just realized something, how did I get here?

- Yeah... Speaking of which... It happened because you used the power of the mark.

- ...What? When?

- ...A few moments ago, you were passed out but you defended yourself.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

- From who?

- You'll see when you wake up. - the young man replied, and added. - Ah, and because of that you became stronger... So I guess you'll remember this conversation now.

- ...W-what? Oh, I see. - Mathias replied.

- But... Well, if you want, I'll explain some more things to you. Oh, and I'll show you something that will help you. - said the young man.

- That's all right.

The young man began to explain, in a simple and incomplete way, some things, such as spiritual power. He also taught him how to differentiate it from other kinds of abilities. On that...

- Huh? - Mat felt as if he was being pushed. - H-hey, what's wrong?

- It's time to wake up. - he said. - Go.

- B-but!

.

..

...

- *yawn* Good morning...

- You're up at last!

- Mat!

- Uh... Huh? James? Nicole? Where am I?

It was the voices of Mathias, Nicole and James, yes, this same James who almost never showed up; yes, him. They were in a very dark room... Wait, it had bars. The walls were dark brick, they had mold on them. The floor had several cracks. Mathias's mark was glowing faintly and... There were people lying on the floor (their clothes covered a lot of skin, they were also wearing a hood-like thing, and one couldn't see their faces), with not very serious injuries (this was noticeable because of some of their clothes were somewhat torn), at least as I see it... Or I saw them, rather. One of them had a flame similar to that of the victims from the other time, but... This one was somewhat different and it was on their chest. Mat didn't notice it.

I just remembered something important... No, it's not very important, but you have to know it. Despite all the things Mat did with Erin (this sounded weird, at least to me), James was stronger, physically, than Mathias. Ah, they spoke in the order I mentioned earlier: Mathias, Nicole, James.

- You should say we are! But... I don't know either... It looks like we've been kidnapped, but... It looks like we might be able to escape. - James told him and pointed to where those people were lying. James seemed to remain calm, but Nicole was scared.

- Oh! I understand, but... How did we get here? - Mathias asked.

- W-what? Y-you don't remember? - said Nicole.

- Are you serious? - James complained.

"It must be because we were knocked unconscious? Well."

- This... You really don't remember? - said Nicole, who crawled up to him.

- Here, let me remember. - he began to think, sitting on the floor, with his legs crossed.

- ... - the two of them. They just looked at him...