Who is watching whom?

Elliot stood frozen in the café, stunned. His thoughts clashed like waves.

You're one of them.

One of what? Who did Jack mean? And how did he know about his ability?

He rushed out of the café, searching for the man. But Jack had vanished like a ghost.

Back home, he locked the door behind him and sat on his bed, trying to calm himself.

Okay... focus, Elliot. This means there are others... people who can hear thoughts like me? Or people who know about us?

He took a deep breath. No time for fear.

The next day, at school, his mind was restless. If someone knows about my ability... I'm in danger.

He saw his friend, Ethan—the only person he could truly call a friend.

Hey, Elliot! What's up? You look pale.

Elliot forced a weak smile. Nothing. Just thinking.

God, I hope he didn't figure out I broke his toy last week.

Elliot stifled a laugh. Even in the midst of his anxiety, hearing these random thoughts was amusing.

But he needed to stay sharp.

During class, he scanned the room. Every person held a world of thoughts inside—simple, boring, silly thoughts. Nothing unusual.

Until... recess.

He was sitting alone when he felt it—a gaze piercing through his skull. He turned, slowly.

Across the courtyard stood a girl with short red hair and cold gray eyes. He'd never seen her before.

But something was off.

When their eyes met... he felt it. Like she was reading him.

He stood and walked toward her. Hi. I'm Elliot. What's your name?

She gave a mocking smile. Lily. Sixteen.

He froze. Before he even tried, her thoughts poured into his mind:

There you are. A foolish kid messing with forces beyond him. If he doesn't stop... we'll have to silence him.

A chill ran down his spine. He forced a casual tone. Lily, huh? Nice to meet you.

Likewise, Elliot. She smirked, turned around, and walked away.

Elliot stood still, blood running cold.

They knew.

That night, he lay in bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

If he doesn't stop... we'll have to silence him.

Lily's words echoed like a dagger in his mind.

Who are they? Why do they care about me?

He got up, went to the window, and scanned the street below. Everything looked normal. But that nagging instinct said otherwise.

He grabbed his phone to call the police. I'm being paranoid... who would believe me?

Just then, a notification appeared:

New message from: Unknown.

He opened it.

Stop playing, Elliot. Front door.

His fingers froze. The front door?

He turned his head slowly toward it.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Soft, deliberate knocks.

He crept to the door, heart pounding like a war drum. Peered through the peephole.

No one.

He opened it carefully.

An envelope lay on the ground. Black. Unmarked.

He picked it up and unfolded the paper inside.

You know the name. You know the age. But you don't know the rules.

A wave of dread crashed over him.

He shut the door and turned around...

...Lily was standing in his living room.

Hello, Elliot.

He stumbled back. How... how did you get in?

We always get in. The problem is you heard what you shouldn't.

He wanted to run. To fight. Anything.

What's your full name? And your age? he blurted, clinging to control.

Her smirk deepened. Nice try. Won't work this time.

She raised a finger and touched his forehead.

We hear you... not the other way around.

A torrent of thoughts exploded in his mind. Too many. Voices overlapping. Words in languages he'd never heard. Laughter that rattled his bones.

And then... he saw something: a black city, faceless figures with hollow eyes, watching him.

At their center stood Lily.

You're just a trial run, Elliot. But... your turn is over.

A gunshot shattered the air.

Pain flared through his chest. He collapsed to the floor, warmth spreading beneath him. Lily stared down for a moment and whispered:

Names and ages aren't everything.

She turned and walked away.

Elliot lay still, eyes glazing over as his mind dimmed.

Darkness swallowed him whole.

Cold. A faint, endless hum.

Am I... dead?

He was certain of one thing: the last thing he'd seen was Lily's cold eyes and the sound of that shot echoing in his chest.

He tried to move his hand. No hand. No body. Just a floating awareness in endless black.

Is this death? Eternal emptiness?

Then... words appeared. Not in the air. In his mind.

[Transferring consciousness to world: Arethia]

Active ability: Thought Hearing (Activated)

Arethia?

Light pierced the darkness. Sensation flooded back—his pulse, the warmth of air on his skin.

And then—

He fell.

The wind roared past his ears. His heart raced as the ground rushed toward him.

I'm going to crash!

But just before impact, invisible forces slowed him, gently lowering him to stone pavement.

He stood in a wide, open plaza, surrounded by ancient arches and towers. In the sky, two suns hung side by side—one blue, one red.

What... is this place?

You! Where did you come from?

He turned toward the voice. A towering man in metal armor gripped a spear, eyes wary.

His name... his age...

I... got separated from my village, Elliot said.

Village? Your clothes are strange. And you fell from the sky like the cursed.

A whisper reached Elliot's mind:

Who is this? Falling from the sky... is he a noble?

His gaze snapped toward the thought's source: a woman by a window.

So the rule still works. I need their name and age.

He looked back at the guard. What's your name?

What? Why?

I just want to thank you.

The man hesitated. Jaren. Thirty-five.

The moment he said it, Jaren's thoughts flooded in:

Skyfallers are impossible. No one passes the sky gates without the king's command.

Sky gates? A king?

Thanks, Jaren. I was scared.

Yeah... sure. Come with me. The queen will decide your fate.

Queen? Sky gates?

This world teemed with mysteries.

Elliot followed the guard with a cautious smile.

Okay, Arethia. Let's see what secrets you're hiding.