Basak didn’t give me the time to ask or ponder over what he meant by his words as vertigo hit me, whipping my senses to the present. My thoughts shattered like crystals and I sunk into my seat, feeling its hard surface on my back. I realized my body was stiff unlike before as if I hadn’t moved in hours.

So, he showed me all that through a dream sequence?

Basak had also appeared on the other side, his demeanor weaker than before. It was hard to place my finger around he appeared more…normal and the sophisticated air from before was no longer there. He leaned forward into the table, both his hands covering his mouth.

“The situation outside,” He broke the silence. “What can you remember about it?”

I bit myself off when the thought of asking him why couldn’t he see my memories and instead asked, “I was fighting against the hydra and it was cold.”

“I see,” he sighed. “From what I can gather the hydra has frozen you into a stature of ice. Normally that would mean death even for a rank 1 mystic but my body is stronger than that. Well, slightly that is. You still won’t have more than a couple minutes after leaving this place.”

“I guess you are not going to answer how your body ended up in this half-awakened state?” I said, testing the water.

“I would have if I knew the exact reason,” he leaned back. “In truth, I can only offer you some of my hypotheses. But then again the hypothesis made me a sentient are more like prediction,” he smiled to himself. “Regardless my theory is that your reincarnation has to do something with it. If you had reincarnated while my body was in its proper condition nothing could have stopped your demise. Your current mind isn’t so capable of bearing its power. Remember the core of Mysticism is the mind, not the body. The body is just a weapon. It can wielded but so can it be sheathed. Any more questions?”

I nodded.

“Go on,” he said softly.

“Darren had mentioned that if I didn’t awaken soon my body would become overwhelmed by the bondors. Is that true?”

Although Darren hadn’t specifically mentioned awakening it was close enough. My recent progress has made me less worried over my condition as it seemed better than more according to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had lied to keep me in check. In our scenario, by placing a threat to my survival they could keep me in check. Since they might think I’d lied about my arrival.

“Probably,” he shrugged. “It is very hard to tell as I’ve never heard or seen something like this before. Your friend, Darren-”

“Companion,” I corrected.

“Then companion it is,” he smiled, “Since he is a pathfinder his abilities are way different to mine. Although the earlier ranks of that order are comparatively weak, mystics from the latter ranks can throw some punches. But that should be the least of your worries now.”

He stared at my eyes as they glowed brightly like a panther preying on something and I felt a chill run down my spine. He blinked once and the ferocity disappeared, replaced by a calm gaze.

His voice was quieter now.

“Your appearance in Xavier is quite abnormal. Nobody has stepped a foot here before. It wasn’t I who came here. No, it was you, Zareth. And nature shall react to bring balance. It will bring forth disaster to get rid of your existence. But it has no thoughts like humans. Thus nature won’t know who is and where he might be. Instead, it will perceive everything as its enemy. To put it bluntly, your appearance will put everyone present in Xavier in grave danger, children and adults alike. What do you think of that?” A manic grin spread across his face.

Son of a gun! I bit my tongue to stop myself from cursing aloud.

Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I said, “What do you want me to do?”

“Awaken,” his expression turned serious. “You have no choice but to awaken if you even intend to survive in this world. Threats lie at every corner, seething to harm anyone it deems weak. And you are weak now. Don’t even dream of leaving Xavier without awakening. Just this Corteus Hydra’s appearance has posed such a challenge for all of you. How would you even defeat the creatures that lie ahead? Your half-awakened nature won’t lengthen your lifespan by even a dent.

“If you want you can bid your time and figure out—”

“Why would I even do that?” I asked, confused. “Why would I waste my time like that? That makes no sense.”

“Hmm…Did I guess wrong then?” He muttered to himself. “Well, it’s great that you don’t think like that. There are maybe mystics out there who intend to spend their life in ease and comfort after learning about their longer lifespan and they are nothing but fools. Only someone stupid would let a powerful such as this to go waste.

“Humans are curious creatures and that curiosity is what led to mysticism. Only a curious soul can survive in this world, for he has a mind that desires to learn. The longer lifespan also allows them to pursue these wonders for longer and just as much the physical age doesn’t increase, the mental age doesn’t either. Do you understand what that means?”

I stroked my chin in thought. “The youthful mind allows mystics to pursue their curiosity longer?”

“Correct. Humans tend to get complacent the older they get. The mind gets filled with thoughts that are as useless as the peach stone but alas aging is something nobody can stop. Regardless can you tell me about awakening?” He said.

“It is a natural process. But sprouts are still trained on their perceptions.” I answered.

“Yes, it is a process highly determined by the emotional state of the sprouts. Normally it can end in two ways: the sprout awakening or they die. But I’d stopped your awakening mid-way dragging you to my domain.” He said.

“What?! I was about to awaken. Why did you stop that?” I demanded, slapping on the table.

“You had a flashback before coming here, no? That was your catalyst. And as to why I brought you here, I’d some things to tell you,” he explained.

He was right, I reminded myself.

“Now let’s see…Once you leave Xavier go to Mariken. My senses are telling me that you should…” Basak’s words started to drag longer as if he was really tired, almost to the brink of collapse.

His face turned paler than before like he was sick and hadn't eaten anything in ages. It was way different from how he looked at the beginning. His words slowed down and I had to put some effort to make them out.

“One of your companions, Octus, has been hiding something,” He said.

His words did not surprise me as I’d expected them to hide things from me. It was the same for me as well. I’d hidden my soul’s eye from them after all.

“He is hiding it from the others too,” Basak grinned, but it came out as a dry smirk.

I was surprised but before my mouth could move something clicked as everything disappeared, replaced by darkness. I felt a chill down my feet as I reached my hands around me to grab hold of something-anything. To reassure myself that I was not in some kind of black void. But my eyes perked up when I saw small glowing dots ahead of me. I reached my arms out, trying to grab hold of the little warmth they provided.

“Cathe?” I spoke but my voice was different now.

It was no longer the voice of Zareth Malius. It had returned to the voice of Basak.

I was back.