Filip had no sense of how long it took before Rio finally calmed down. Time had no meaning in this place; it stretched, folded, and dissolved until minutes and hours became indistinguishable.
When Rio's shaking finally eased, Filip spoke carefully.
"So… what do we do now?"
Rio didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the endless darkness, his expression empty and distant—as if even Filip's voice struggled to reach him.
So Filip sat down beside him and began to talk. Not because he had answers, but because silence felt dangerous.
"If what the Voice told us is true," Filip said quietly, "then we're standing at a crossroads. And neither path looks good."
He ran a hand through his hair.
"Being reborn without our memories… that's basically dying. And the other choice—being sent to some unknown world filled with monsters and magic? That's not exactly comforting either."
He let out a quiet, hollow laugh.
"I don't want to relive my entire life from scratch. And I definitely don't want to lose you."
Still, Rio said nothing.
Slowly, Rio's breathing steadied. He wiped his face with his sleeve, though the heaviness in his chest remained. His thoughts drifted between panic, grief, and a harsh sense of reality.
His family.
Would anyone ever find their bodies?
Would anyone even know what had happened?
But dwelling on that wouldn't help. Not here. Not now.
He inhaled shakily and forced himself to think.
After what felt like hours—though it might have been only moments—Rio finally spoke.
"We don't know enough about the second option," he said quietly, his voice raw. "We need more information."
The void trembled, as if sound itself were traveling through water. Then the voice returned, calm and familiar.
"Is there something specific you wish to know?"
Rio opened his mouth—but Filip cut in immediately, his tone suddenly bright, almost excited.
"Yeah! Like—do we get special powers? Starting money? Some kind of guide? Is there a system for magic? Levels? Skills?"
Rio shot him a tired look.
The voice replied with gentle firmness.
"Magic exists, but it must be studied, just as swordplay must be practiced. There are no predefined systems—only talents and paths unique to each soul. If you choose the other world, you will begin in a temple far from civilization. Monsters and dangerous creatures roam the surrounding lands."
Filip's shoulders slumped.
His dreams of becoming an all-powerful hero, complete with wealth, fame, and admiration, collapsed in an instant.
He turned to Rio.
"What do you think now?"
Rio didn't answer right away. Instead, he stared into the darkness and asked a different question.
"How far is the nearest town?"
The voice hesitated.
"The distance itself is not great… but the terrain is unforgiving. It may take several weeks to reach safety."
Rio's eyes widened.
"Weeks? How do you expect two nineteen-year-olds to survive in the wilderness for that long?"
"I can grant you what strength I still possess," the voice replied, a hint of strain seeping into its tone. "Three talents each. I can also provide tools and weapons for survival. My power is not what it once was… but I will do what I can."
Rio swallowed.
"And our clothes?" he asked quietly. "Can we at least keep what we're wearing?"
A faint pause followed.
"No. Your current clothing cannot cross into the other world. However, I will provide enchanted gear suited to your chosen paths."
The voice fell silent.
Rio closed his eyes for a moment, gathering what little strength he had left. When he opened them again, he turned slowly toward Filip.
"Filip," he said quietly.
Filip looked up at him at once. "Yeah?"
Rio hesitated. The words felt heavy, as if speaking them would make everything real.
"I don't know what waits for us," Rio continued. "Another world, monsters, danger… maybe things worse than we can imagine."
He swallowed.
"But I don't want to face any of it alone."
Filip didn't interrupt. He stayed silent, letting Rio speak.
Rio met his eyes.
"If we choose this… it won't be easy. We might never find a way back. We might lose everything we haven't already lost."
He took a slow breath. "So I need to know."
He paused, then asked softly:
"Are you willing to follow me… to another world?"
For a brief moment, the void felt even quieter than before.
Filip stared at him, surprised—not by the question, but by the seriousness in Rio's voice. Then, slowly, a familiar smile appeared.
"You really have to ask?" Filip said.
He shifted closer and placed a hand on Rio's shoulder.
"Wherever you go, I go. This world, another one—it doesn't matter."
His smile softened. "As long as we're together."
Rio felt something in his chest loosen for the first time since everything had gone wrong.
He nodded once.
"Then… let's do this."
Together.