Complete darkness.

  But not the endless, suffocating dark of death—no. This is the familiar, thin, see-through kind. The one I know too well. It’s been a while.

  I’m sprawled out on the lightless ground, my emotions as hollow as the space around me.

  I’m… confused. Watching my men get slaughtered—seeing it—burns worse than rage, worse than sorrow, worse than regret. It’s not just blaming myself for not being able to pull it off. I know it wasn’t real. Just foresight. But that doesn’t change what I saw.

  I don’t—know.

  I figured I didn’t care that much… but maybe I’ve been lying to myself. Wouldn’t be the first time. Hard to tell when I’m not even sure who the hell I am anymore—except as someone who keeps dying for a living.

  Swart looms overhead, head cocked, reading me like a bored vulture circling a corpse.

  “Aww—what’s got you so down, buddy?” His voice is playful, not a drop of sincerity in it.

  I stay quiet. Maybe if I ignore him, he’ll get bored and fade away. It’s going to be a long time before I can beat that mage—if I ever do.

  “C’mon, don’t ignore me. Aren’t I your closest friend? Your confidant? I even gave you all those useful tips. Ungrateful brat.”

  “…”

  “You know—if you’re going to be like this, I just won’t tell you how to beat Mister Vacuum.”

  “…How.”

  “Oh, so now you talk—right after you want something. Great. I’m just a library of information, not a friend—just a tool. Only good for when you need information. You know what—forget it. I don’t wanna.”

  “—Stop—please.”

  “What now? You think you can guilt-trip me? Just because you watched some people die? And your own death? Been there, done that. Shouldn’t you be used to it by now?”

  I give him a resigned look. I truly feel defeated. The power was insurmountable—my strike slid right off him. It’s not like with Voi—there, I could see a way forward once I dragged him into the open. But this mage’s strength… it’s like standing in front of a mountain.

  Swart sighs, long and theatrical.

  “Fine—you win. Looks like you’re not your usual self. The last version of you was pathetic, sure, but this one? This one is plain, utterly, disgustingly, ungracefully, impressively pathetic. Oh, how the weak have fallen. One big hurdle and your confidence crumbles. It’s not even like this challenge is that much bigger compared to your power.”

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “…”

  “Okay, okay—your hint for today is the word MIND. Keep that in mind. Haha. I’m just too funny. Any questions?”

  “Mind?”

  “Yeah, mind.”

  I wait for him to elaborate, but, as usual, he’s cryptic. I don’t bother asking again, but what he said gives me a spark. He’s never lied to me, and if he says this isn’t as impossible as it looks, maybe—just maybe—I’ve got a chance.

  “…where were you?”

  “Umm—busy. Doing busy things. Like a busybody would.”

  “—Swart?”

  “Yes, Empty?”

  “Is the promise I’m supposed to fulfill my father’s?”

  “Well… yes and no.”

  “…Okay, then why me? I’m a man from Earth. Why me?”

  “You are not from Earth.”

  “What? I am. I was born there.”

  “Really?”

  “…Yes.”

  “Then how did you end up there?”

  “I—I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you.”

  “You just did.”

  I stare at him. “That’s not an answer.”

  “It’s the only one you’re getting.”

  I sigh in frustration. I thought I was used to his cryptic nature—and Koln’s—but this is too much.

  “What do you mean, I ‘just did’? What happened, and why won’t you tell me?”

  “I can’t.”

  “You can’t or you won’t? Is this a joke to you?”

  “Almost definitely. But I really can’t. Just get more powerful and you’ll find out eventually.”

  “Yeah. Get stronger. As always.”

  I like fighting, I like getting stronger—but lately I’m wondering where I actually fit into all this. Maybe my easy acceptance of it was a mistake. Still… I don’t want a normal life. I never did. But maybe it’s time to reevaluate what I really want.

  “Fine—what can you tell me?”

  “Not much—but I’ll say this: you are meant to be.”

  “…”

  “Anyway, enough jokes and questions. I’m on a tight schedule. See you in… whenever I want, I guess. Busy and all that.” He taps his bare wrist like he’s wearing a watch—because of course time itself would answer to him.

  “…”

  “Alright—goodbye, Empty. See you.”

  Snap.

  ***

  I awake abruptly, almost naked, in my chambers. Voi lays at my feet on the bed, sleeping like a baby, while Koln sits in a chair beside me. I have to figure out where—or when—I’ve landed.

  “Koln—what happened?”

  “…You defeated the Fire mage.”

  “The one… in the courtyard?” He nods once.

  Two weeks. The thought hits hard. “Two weeks back… that’s new.”

  Koln’s head tilts slightly, catching it. “You experienced foresight?”

  I turn to him. “—Yeah. But I went back two weeks, where usually it’s only a day.”

  “It depends on skill. But in your case, it could just be… your skill is still unstable.”

  “Unstable.”

  Because of my lack of control, I can’t decide how far I see into the future—or when. My death is the only trigger.

  This is too complex.

  “Oh—guess I have to go greet the volunteers again,” I say, only now realizing what that means.

  I wonder if dying again would bring me back to this exact point.

  “Yes. Follow me.”

  Two weeks back. More time to prepare than usual—but no sense wasting it standing around. I’ll have to figure out this “MIND” clue first. Damned cryptic bastard.

  But first, I’m off to inspire.

  I get up, throw on the clothes from the nearby cupboard. The sorrow and rage still clinging to me loosen their grip, slipping away so quietly I barely notice—leaving only a faint trace, like smoke after a fire.

  Voi slips into my shadow as I catch up to Koln, following him down to the courtyard.

  He swings the doors open, and again—hundreds of eyes on me. Fear still clings to them, my infamy doing all the heavy lifting. I stop before the steps and take in the crowd. This time, I know these people better.

  I clear my throat.

  “Hello. Welcome to my army. We’ll be fighting for our lives—yours, mine, everyone’s—so get ready to hit back twice as hard. And, uh… hip hip, hooray. With me now.” Lightning flares. “Hip hip!”

  “Hooray,” they answer—still half-hearted, but louder than before. And that, honestly, cheers me up more than it should

  Now they look more confused than fearful. I don’t have time to waste on a long speech, and their performance in that last battle was fine.

  “Alright, enough fun and games. Get me the majors in front of me now.”

  The crowd parts, brass stepping forward. I appoint Alfrick in charge, give him the same missions as before, and head for the library.

  ***

  Dust.

  Figures. My grand push for knowledge starts with choking on the stuff. The smell hits first—dry, stale, and heavy, like the air hasn’t been disturbed in years. My first stay at the fort—last time I opted for physical training over burying my head in books. But this time around, I won’t be slacking on either.

  It’s a massive library connected directly to the main hall. Judging by the thick layer of dust—worse than Koln’s mess—it hasn’t seen much use. And there are more books here than I expected. A treasure trove, if I can be bothered to dig.

  This is going to take bloody ages.