THE GIFT AND THE FAREWELL

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Chapter 9: THE GIFT AND THE FAREWELL

Nicolas stood still as the two items floated in front of him—glowing softly in the clean, silent air.

The man in white smiled gently.

Man:

"These are for you. The first—a Night Walker Suit. You'll need it in the robot dimension. But it takes time to fully awaken."

The suit shimmered, then vanished into Nicolas's chest like light sinking into water.

Man:

"The second—a Biotic Machine. Don't worry, you'll know what it does… when the time comes."

Another object—silver, small, like a heart-shaped core—floated briefly, then disappeared into Nicolas's chest too.

Nicolas blinked, wide-eyed.

Nicolas:

"B-but… what did you do with the virus? From what I saw, it's not even deadly."

The man let out a laugh—soft, but clear.

Man:

"We don't need a deadly virus, Nicolas."

He paused, then leaned forward, still smiling.

Man:

"And that tiny virus you gave us? It can't kill us. Nothing can."

Nicolas tilted his head, confused.

Nicolas:

"Then… why did you want it?"

The man chuckled again, his eyes glowing faintly.

Man:

"To unlock it. We're going to push that virus to its true potential. And… we'll create an antidote too—for you."

Nicolas stepped back, startled.

Nicolas:

"Why would I need that?"

Man:

"Because, Nicolas…" (he smiled kindly)

"You're going to have a hard time soon. If you ever get infected—you'll need it."

He turned and gestured toward a doorway made of light.

Man:

"Now. It's time. We're upgrading your body—to copy anything it touches. Any material. Any object. Any form."

Nicolas swallowed.

Nicolas:

"Will it hurt…?"

The man laughed softly again.

Man:

"Our technology is painless. It'll be over in one minute."

Nicolas nodded, still unsure.

Nicolas:

"Okay… I'm ready."

Man:

"Then step inside."

The world shifted—before he could take a breath, Nicolas had already been teleported into a silent white room. No sound. No machines. Just… peace.

Nicolas looked around, stunned.

Nicolas (thinking):

"They can teleport just by thought…? This place… they're far beyond us."

As he blinked, everything warped again—and suddenly, he was back in front of the man.

He gasped.

Nicolas:

"Wait… is it already done? I didn't feel anything!"

The man laughed, folding his arms.

Man:

"You must've closed your eyes. Yes, Nicolas. It's done."

Nicolas touched his chest, confused but amazed.

The man looked at him with a soft sadness in his eyes.

Man:

"This is the end of our meeting. I believe… it's time to say goodbye."

Nicolas:

"Wait! Where are my items? The suit, the machine…"

The man nodded.

Man:

"We can't give you much, Nicolas. Destiny doesn't allow it. But these two… they will save you, twice, at the most important times."

He stepped closer, voice serious now.

Man:

"Just think of them—and they will appear. You can make them visible to all, or only to yourself. But nothing more. We are limited."

He looked up, his voice quieter.

Man:

"There are… beings. Greater than us. If we interfere too much, they will trap us. Forever."

A silence followed.

Then, the man smiled one last time.

Man:

"Goodbye, Nicolas."

Suddenly, all the silent people behind the glass stepped forward.

Liquid flowed from their eyes, mouths, and noses—but it wasn't blood. It glowed softly, like light breaking apart.

They all spoke in one voice—gentle, full of peace.

People (in unison):

"Thank you, Nicolas. We will be grateful. Forever."

Then the world bent again—light cracked open and colors spiraled around him.

Time stretched. His body lifted. He flew through that same glowing tunnel, stars and thoughts all around him. Whispered voices sang like echoes from a different life.

And then—he landed.

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Scene: Return to the Dream World

Nicolas stood once more beneath the glowing sky. The ancient clocktower stood behind him. The Head was waiting.

Head:

"Well done, Nicolas. So… they gave you a good skill, didn't they?"

Nicolas (smiling slightly):

"Yes. Very good."

The Head raised a hand.

Head:

"Do you want to see what happened to them?"

Nicolas:

"…Yes."

A massive screen formed in the air, floating like a mirror of light.

Inside it—those same glowing people stood silently. Then… they began to fall.

One by one, they collapsed to the ground, peaceful.

Their voices rang out in unison one last time:

All:

"Thank you, Nicolas…"

And then—a light brighter than stars exploded from their world.

The entire dimension… vanished.

Gone. Like a sigh released after 100 centuries.

A full universe collapsed.

But in its place… came silence. And peace.Nicolas stood still, watching the last flicker of light vanish from the screen.

For a moment, he didn't speak.

Then, softly, he murmured,

"I… kinda feel bad for them."

His voice wavered.

"But at the same time… I feel pity. Like they were already fading, and I just helped them finish the ending they couldn't choose."

The Head, standing beside him under the shimmering sky, said nothing at first. Then he turned slowly.

Head:

"Nicolas. Let me see your items."

Nicolas blinked. Then nodded.

He closed his eyes and thought:

"Night Walker."

In an instant, energy surged around him. Light twisted, then formed into a sleek, dark device—like a suit of armor made from midnight. It wrapped around him smoothly, without sound, like a shadow taking shape.

Then—

A voice echoed inside his mind.

Suit Voice:

"Do you want to make this suit visible to the person in front of you?"

Nicolas hesitated, then replied aloud:

"Yes. Make it visible."

With a shimmer, the Night Walker suit materialized in full view.

The Head raised an eyebrow.

Then the suit spoke again—its voice smooth, calm, and faintly mechanical.

Suit Voice:

"This device will assist you in times like these. In the Dream World, time does not move the same as your physical world."

"For example—when you were in that advanced civilization, only half an hour passed. But in your dream, a full night had already gone by."

"This suit can change that."

Nicolas's eyes widened.

"Wait… time travel?"

Suit Voice:

"Not exactly. It adjusts the perception of time within dreams—allowing you to extend or compress time mentally. But use it wisely, Nicolas. It can only be activated twice."

The voice paused.

"Its second function: I am an AI—connected to universal data across dimensions. I hold the knowledge of every discovered civilization, every known skill, every form of life catalogued."

Nicolas blinked in awe.

Then he glanced at the Head.

Nicolas:

"When we first met… you made me see my whole past life. Everything. Every pain, every moment. Isn't that ability basically the same as what this Night Walker can do?"

The Head smiled.

Head:

"A smart question. But no."

"What I gave you was a vision. A memory. You watched it happen, and you felt it."

"But you didn't live through it."

He pointed toward the suit.

Head:

"The Night Walker doesn't just let you watch. It lets you live. That's why it's called a dreamwalker suit. It walks with you."

Nicolas nodded slowly, understanding now.

Then he frowned.

Nicolas:

"Okay… what about the second device?"

He closed his eyes, focused hard.

Nothing.

He tried again. Still nothing.

Nicolas (frustrated):

"Why isn't it coming out?"

The Head shook his head.

" I don't know, Nicolas. "

Then, unexpectedly, the suit spoke again.

Suit Voice:

"May I reply, sir?"

Nicolas smiled slightly.

Nicolas:

"Of course you can, Mr. Suit."

Suit Voice:

"The second device will only activate… when you step onto the planet you fear most."

Nicolas's smile faded.

He stared at the ground, a chill crawling up his spine.

Nicolas:

"That planet…?"

But he didn't finish the sentence.

He already knew which one.

The Head turned and stepped forward.

Head:

"It's time, Nicolas. Go back to your world"

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AUTHOR THOUGHT

What would you do with a suit that lets you change time and access all universal knowledge?

Feels like cheating… but hey, Nicolas earned it.

The real challenge is yet to come—especially that planet he fears.

Stay tuned, dreamwalkers. The real game is just beginning.

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