"The worst lies sound just like the people we love."
The clock hit twelve as Artha slipped out of Dorm D. The halls were dark and creepy, more like walking inside a dead whale than a school. His brother had picked the shut-down Wing of Echoes for their talk.
"Family business needs privacy," the guy had said.
Yeah, sure.
Artha's gut kept yelling, Something's off. The way this brother walked, the way he smiled—close but not quite right. Still, nine years of missing him was louder than any warning bell.
He pushed open the rusted door. Moonlight poured in through broken windows. Shattered mirrors covered the floor and hummed like angry bees. Artha's necklace grew warm.
"Glad You Came, Little Brother"
A shape stepped from the dark—same face Artha had seen in old photos.
You came, the brother said, smiling. Wasn't sure you still trusted me.
Artha swallowed. "I… I've looked for you forever. Where did you go? What happened the night the demons—"
Demons? The brother laughed, cold as ice water. "Kid, you really bought that story?"
Artha's chest tightened. "I saw them. Fire—smoke—reality ripping—"
"You saw what a scared six-year-old could handle," the brother cut in.
w-what do you mean. artha said...
so you still don"t knoew the truth. his brother said with disgust in his eyes.
ready for the truth then.his brother said. The mirror shards glowed sick yellow. They showed a small boy—Artha—eyes shining gold while everything around him aged and cracked.
Your time power popped early, the brother said, voice flat. "You got mad and—boom—punched holes in the world."
Artha shook his head. "No… I—I didn't mean—"
"You were jealous," the brother went on. "Mom and Dad always clapped for me and worried about you. You couldn't stand it, so you broke reality. becuse of that They died and I got sucked into the crack. its all on you, little bro."
Artha felt his knees wobble. "Stop… please…"
The brother's shape stayed human, but some part of him twisted—like love turned into a knife.
But I survived, he hissed. "I changed. Spent nine years clawing back, planning how to make you see what you did."
Artha tried to step back. Couldn't. Mirror light glued his boots to the floor.
Did the Academy helped you, the brother said, circling him. " They gave you friends -perfect targets for you to kill isn't it
"they are my friends. they are not my target. artha mumbled. i would never kill anybody you know that brother don't you. you thought me that brother don't you remember that? arhta said crying.
His brother ignored the plea. "They only liked you when you were special. Now? They'll move on."
That stung because… well, maybe it was half-true.
Artha finally shouted, "You're not him! My brother loved me!"
The thing's eyes went flat. "Correct. Your real brother died screaming. I'm what grew out of your guilt."
Listen up, it said, softer now. "The seals around this place are cracking. Your power is a beacon. Monsters are sniffing around. Stay here and everyone fries.all because of you.
Images flashed: Koroan sleeping, Liraya reading, Reyan drooling on a book, Sayen painting—all glowing red targets.
"So come with me," the thing whispered. "Learn control far away. They live, you grow stronger. Easy."
Obvious trap. But… what if the danger was real? artha thinking..
Just before dawn Artha sat at his desk, hand shaking.
Guys,
I'm leaving. Don't follow. Our time together was the best slice of my life.
— Artha
He left the note on his pillow, climbed out the window, and crossed the quad. The fake brother waited, hands in pockets.
"Smart move," the thing purred. "Sometimes love means walking away."
Sayen Wakes Up because of the familiar ominous feelings that he don't want feel.
On the third floor, Sayen bolted upright. Cold swept through the room like someone opened a grave.
He rushed to the window just as Artha and the stranger melted into the gray dawn.
"Something stole our keystone," w..why would they came here. Sayen said terrified and angry. Beneath him, the stone path where Artha had walked was already cracking.