James

“Has he been located?”

“Yes.”

James raised his brows. “That easily? Although just a pawn, surely they would be more cautious?”

"He seemed alive and well during our initial examinations. Are you certain..." Sam didn't finish the sentence, but the unspoken question hung in the air.

James was not offended by his assistant’s doubt. He, too, harbored a distrust for situations that appeared too straightforward. Flipping the document over, he narrowed his eyes while scanning it briefly. This too? Can they not make such an easy decision themselves?

“There shouldn’t be an issue.” He scribbled his initials and placed it into the other stack. “At least, she’s never been wrong before.”

“Senior, are you alright? Professor Issac has offered to take a look.”

“Him?” James chuckled dryly. “He probably can’t wait to cut me open to see the side effects with his own eyes. Tell him I’ve already sought medical help from the other doctors. There’s no need to trouble him.”

“Oh I assure you it’s no bother, Commander James. It’s agonizing to know of your distrust in my expertise and professionalism.”

James didn't bother lifting his head or acknowledging the eccentric head researcher. Issac made his entrance without knocking, as usual. He had an uncanny way of appearing whenever his name was mentioned. If he didn't know any better, James would have suspected the man had magic coursing through his veins.

“She mentioned your name as well, Dr. Issac.”

"Is that so?" Issac commented nonchalantly, picking up a random form from the pile. "Tssk, your subordinates are as useless as always. I must say, I admire your tolerance for incompetence."

James leaned back in his chair, massaging his sore wrist, and stared at the older man in the white lab coat with narrowed eyes. "Are you implying you have absolutely nothing to do with the loss of the artifact? A disposable pawn managed to snatch something from your lair without consequences? The irony of criticizing others for their uselessness..."

“Am I being interrogated right now?” Issac placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. “Can you believe that, Sam? After everything I’ve done for the organization.”

“Commander James is being rational.”

Dr. Issac gasped, “Not you too, Sam. Do you also doubt your dear teacher?”

James cleared his throat, interrupting the performance. "We appreciate your assistance, Dr. Issac. We are well aware you had other options but chose to join us. There's no need to remind us. We won't forget your contributions."

"Hmm, that's reassuring to hear. Well, I shall get going. Many things await my return." Right before closing the door behind him, he offered James a wide smile. "Please allow me to provide a full medical checkup before you leave today, Commander James. We can never be too sure, can we?"

Silence enveloped the study as the door closed, leaving only the sound of pen scratching against paper for a few minutes before the productive quiet was once again disrupted.

“Did she mention his name?”

“You know she didn’t.”

“You doubt him.”

“He won’t betray. It is just a warning.” James shot a pointed look at Sam. “Your professor is not as good a person as you believe him to be.”

Sam didn’t reply. He picked up the stack of signed documents. “I will send these to their respective departments.”

James nodded. “Let Issac know I will be there in a couple more hours. The cake on the table outside is for you. The scent was giving me a headache.”

The door closed once more. His ankles clicked as he walked over to the side of the room. He pulled a book from the shelf and opened it, revealing a small rectangular photograph nestled between the pages, shielded from external influences.

“I’ve visited him recently. He’s doing well. Don’t worry, I will look after him as promised.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

His gaze was distant as his hand brushed against the cheek of the smiling girl frozen in time. "Happy birthday, Anna. We miss you."

-

David

[David.]

David stirred in his sleep.

[David. It’s time.]

It’s time. David sprang up in his bed, the last traces of sleep vanishing from his expression. Finally. The long awaited moment had arrived. Anticipation tied his stomach into knots. No, more than anticipation.

His alarm bells rang at full volume in his mind, the caution he had engraved into his bones was warning him of the dangerous decision he was about to undertake. I'm aware, he breathed deeply to calm his mind. Witnessing his unwavering determination, his mind relented. Clarity was essential when in this place, and he needed to be as level-headed as possible.

Opening his eyes, he surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings he now occupied. His twin-sized bed had seemingly been transported to the middle of the ocean, suspended above the undulating waves. Fortunately, he harbored no fear of open waters.

[It’s just a dream.]

I know.

The whispers had accompanied him ever since he slept with the tome under his pillow according to the instructions. He had his first lucid dream that night.

{ [David, it’s just a dream.]

His hands hovered over the keys, the room descending into silence as the last note faded in the air. The light conversation and clinking of glasses faded as their eyes turned towards him. He could feel it.

"David dear?" a melodic voice inquired with a hint of concern. A gentle hand landed on his shoulder.

David refused to remove his eyes from the piano, yet he vividly imagined the scene unfolding in his mind. He didn’t need to see. He didn’t want to remember.

“It’s all a dream.” His voice was surprisingly stable as he uttered the words. As if he had guessed the right password, the scene splintered and shattered into a million pieces, leaving behind an empty darkness that seemed to stretch on endlessly.

The uniform darkness is interrupted by the appearance of a door. It was a very familiar door, but from where?

[The Door.]

David’s eyes widened as the realization settled in. Yes, it was the door to the bookstore. Is he supposed to go through it? What lay behind the door? The questions circled in his thoughts.

Raising his arm, he laid his hand on the handle. He tried, but his hand passed through the door that instantly rippled from contact. It’s not real. Was this a clue? Perhaps he needed to use the real door.

There might be other conditions that need to be met. After all, he had been there a couple of times, and neither time did he notice anything special about the door. He hesitated, not wanting to disturb the being in the store by experimenting with his front door. Perhaps he was missing something. There had to be more information he wasn't privy to.

"What are you?" David realized he had almost overlooked a crucial fact, an unusual oversight for him. If his well-honed instincts hadn't alerted him, he might have accepted it as his new reality without question.

[Your guide. Call me O7.] }

Raising his head, he took in the clear night sky full of glittering stars. There was no moon in the sky. A new moon? Rising from his bed, he leaped into the dark waters below.

“It’s just a dream.”

The anticipated sensation of icy water never materialized. Opening his eyes, he found himself immersed in the familiar darkness. The door maintained its steadfast position. David surveyed the surroundings with expectancy. Where?

[There.]

He spotted it—the faint glimmer that hadn’t existed on his first visit. The light expanded as he approached. A lone lamppost, accompanied by a bench, materialized. On the bench, a blurry silhouette of an inebriated man emerged.

Without prompting, David reached out to him, feeling an instinctive desire coursing through his body. Upon contact, an illusory symbol, resembling an eye, blossomed over the man's head.

Aware that the man's fate might not be favorable, David felt a flicker of guilt that was quickly snuffed out. He was in no place to care about others when he could barely take care of himself.

[Well done.]

The scene dissolved as the man rose from the bench. His task completed, there was no need for him to witness the ensuing events. Turning away, he noticed a new book hovering before him—an identical copy of the one he had borrowed from the store.

“How are they selected?” He didn’t specify. He didn’t need to.

[Foolish intruders. Their fate is deserving.]

“Intruders?”

There was silence, and David chose not to press his luck. Unfortunate. He had hoped to gather more information while O7 was in a cooperative mood. Among the pages of the levitating tome, he discovered only a handful of empty sheets. Nothing more.

[Wait patien-]

David felt it before he saw it. The squeezing of his organs as the whole place seems to be condensing and collapsing. Something seems to be trying to rip its way into this space. Before he could comprehend what was happening, he felt himself being expelled. The sensation of floating between wakefulness and sleep enveloped him, but it wasn't swift enough.

The fingertip of a shadowy figure breached the dimension. His mind went blank. Back in reality, David jolted upright in bed, his heart pounding. The familiar room barely calmed his shaky breath. Did something happen?

“O7?”

No answer. Something terrible must have happened. He didn’t remember anything after the discovery of the tome. He saw the book, and suddenly he awoke, fear coursing through his system. Lord Ethrion, please guide your followers to the right path.

-

Unknown

[Is this the attitude of your master?]

[Master Ethrion is neutral, Lord X.]

[It’s best he remains so.]

Silence lingered in the air as the shadowy figure gazed down thoughtfully at the book suspended in the air.

[It is not my place to punish a gift from Him, but I remind you to remember your place. His favor is not eternal.]

The pages of the book rustled in response to the warning.

[Yes, my Lord.]