Audience

The reason he was titled The Ancient Watcher was because humans believed he was watching over them—keeping them safe from danger, and allowing the world to flow without destruction. The Ancient Watcher had few remaining believers, due to centuries of lost history. Most of those who had witnessed it died in the cataclysm. The chances of that entity being a true god were slim—yet, there was still a huge possibility that he was close to one.

Should I pray for forgiveness? Have I angered him?

His face went pale. He couldn't find a way to silence the thoughts spinning in his head.

Should I ask the artifact what to do? It's the strongest thing I know of.

"What should I do now? Will harm come from that entity...?" It was a last-ditch effort. He had given up on running or fighting—it would be pointless. Now, he could only wait for an answer.

Silence filled the room. The voices from his surroundings vanished.

Is this divine interference?

He tried to speak, but the voice wouldn't leave his throat.

Then came laughter. It filled the air—not a normal laugh, but exaggerated. A clown forcing a laugh upon himself. Rui had heard that laugh before, but before he could remember when, his body collapsed onto the bed. His eyes turned hazy.

There was a force pulling him into sleep. His veins throbbed. His eyes lost all color. His senses dulled, like those of a corpse.

...

When he regained his senses, he saw a scene he never wanted to face again. It was the same scene Rin had once described—the place where she met that being. Looking up, he saw the entity bend down, standing directly in front of his face. His heart stopped for several seconds before slamming back to life with violent speed.

This was it. A nightmare made real. Rui was a child again.

Tears of fear streamed down his cheeks. His body was covered in sweat. And he... relieved himself on the spot.

"Will I die...?""I don't want to die. I don't want any of this...""All I wanted... was to live a normal life."

Only a silhouette could be seen. The figure looked both male and female—tall, androgynous, with all its features hidden beneath a veil of shadows. It extended its arm forward, reaching Rui's face. A hand gripped his cheek, cold and smooth. As if it were examining him.

"What do you feel," the being asked, "other than fear toward me?"

The shadow covering its mouth pulled back slightly—just enough to reveal a wide, creeping smile.

Thumb.Thumb.

The sound of Rui's heartbeat echoed loudly—through the air, through the void. The space around him shifted. The shadowed plain turned into a bright field, full of flowers, trees, and animals. The figure released his face and began walking away.

Snap.

With a snap of its fingers, calm and peace filled the air. "Stand up and follow the illuminated path," it said, smiling gently. Then, it vanished—leaving behind only a faint afterimage.

Rui gulped, braced himself, and stood. He followed the blue-colored light, afraid of what might happen if he disobeyed. The path led him to a circular table with thirty-six chairs. Nine of the chairs had corpses slumped in them. The figure sat in one of the chairs—randomly placed, not at the center, nor near the path.

"Sit anywhere you'd like. I will truthfully answer any three questions you wish to ask," it said, lowering a hand toward the chairs.

Instinctively, Rui sat in the one furthest away.

"What... or who are you?" Rui asked, eyes locked forward, studying the being.

"I remember humans once called me 'The Ancient Watcher,'" it replied, "though I am not that old. You may call me 'Watcher.'"

The Ancient Watcher was believed to have gifted magic to humanity. The one who maintained balance across the world. But if this was truly him... shouldn't he be far older? Maybe that's why they called him ancient. Rui was confused. Surprised. Lost. He lowered his head and supported it with his arm, careful not to waste one of his three questions.

"What is the reason for bringing me—and Rin—here?" This was something he needed to know. He'd always felt the reason Rin gave wasn't quite true.

"Well... you're a smart one," the Watcher said. "Combining two questions into one. You're right—I lied to her. The artifact you carry is a fragment of a greater relic I control. By giving it to you, I created a connection between myself and anyone who touches it. As for why I brought you here... it was so you could find the artifact. I'm also the one who killed everyone in that town."

Rui's stomach turned.

"And the reason I brought you here specifically...?" the Watcher said. "I felt a force knocking, spying... making an irritating noise. So I checked. It was brave of you to try to ask that of me. I had no real reason to bring you here, maybe just... boredom."

He leaned back in his chair. The shadow returned, covering his mouth. Only his silhouette remained. He looked to be in his late teens—maybe 18 or 19. Pale skin. Very long hair. A male voice, though he might just as easily have been a woman.

What kind of reason was that? Even godlike beings could feel boredom?

And yet... he was giving detailed answers. Rui still felt he was hiding something about the artifact.

He paused—then it clicked. He knew what his final question would be.

"What is my fate in the future?" Rui asked.

The Watcher chuckled and leaned back. "Worse than your friend's. He will die while still in a coma. He'll be able to hear, feel—but not move. His family will starve. They'll eat his body, thinking he's dead. He'll be torn apart slowly—feeling guilt, pain, disgust, sadness…"

The shadow around his mouth disappeared again. He smiled—a soft, comforting smile.

What kind of death was that? And Rui's fate would be worse?

The surroundings grew peaceful again, but his heart raced. He couldn't imagine anything worse than what had just been described.

"It's time for you to return," said the Watcher with a final laugh. "You probably remember what's going to happen." Rui's face went pale as the Watcher tapped the table. He remembered Rin's pain.

His body started vanishing. Gritting his teeth, he bit his tongue—anything to stop himself from screaming. Compared to Rin... this was peaceful. He closed his eyes and felt the pull of a stringlike force.

...

Waking up, Rui felt stiff. He stood and checked his body for abnormalities. Physically, nothing seemed off. Mentally… he couldn't be sure.

How did I get into all this? Is there a way to change fate? If so... what will it change to? I don't trust him in the slightest.

...

Back in the mysterious realm with the circular table, a shattered mirror, a flickering star brooch, and other relics clumped together... the Watcher picked up the star brooch in his hand.

Stomp.Stomp.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the grass.

"Good morni—ah, sorry. You never experienced the outside world," came a mocking voice. It stopped short when the man saw the Watcher's form.

"You're revealing yourself…? I never thought you would. What changed your mind?" The voice was surprised.

"Take it and leave. I'm tired," the Watcher replied. He placed the brooch on the table. It slid across to the standing man.

"Whose fate did you change? Don't forget compensation—I wasted time and materials." The man held the brooch, waiting.

"I'll pay you later," the Watcher said in a calm tone. "When I recover my strength." He seemed... completely different now.

"Send me back as well," the man said. "Preferably with clues about 'Clouds' or 'Trees.' Hope you recover soon."

It was clear he didn't care about the Watcher—he just wanted his clues. His body turned translucent. There was no pain—just disappearance.

Silence filled the realm. The scenery turned back into a pitch-black void, blue light glowing around a massive fountain.

...

How much time has passed? This world feels primitive—lacking in invention. He probably teleported me here... not the artifact.

I'm so dumb. I should've asked about the magic he used. He said the artifact creates a link between him and whoever holds it...

He sighed deeply, lost in thought.

I still asked good questions. Nothing went to waste. If I return to the northern continent... I'll visit the graves of those who died because of me.

Why am I blaming myself? He's the one who killed them.

He clenched his jaw, teeth grinding.

His attention turned to the hides—calculating their worth. Not much. His skinning skills weren't great. Only two hides. Maybe... 2 silver stags?

With that money, he could finally buy a bag—worth around 1 silver stag. The rest could be used for seasonings and herbs—to give fish and meat flavor.

He went downstairs, checking the shadow's angle to estimate time. No windows in the entire building. He didn't dare leave the artifact alone. Stepping outside, he walked toward the inn entrance.

Many gazes turned his way. He stood out—fine clothes, a book always in hand. A blue tunic. White shirt. Black pants. He looked like a young noble.

Relying on shadows to tell the time, he avoided speaking to anyone—those gazes felt invasive. Outside the inn, he looked to the sun and the shadows again. It must be around four or five p.m. In two more hours, the person would arrive.

I should buy the bag after I get the money. Most shops are under or beside houses. If one's closed, I'll knock. No shopkeeper would turn down a buyer.

I know where the bag shop is. I should also visit the doctor. He took care of me without asking for payment—even gave me pocket money.

He retraced his steps toward the clinic. No lanterns or candles lit the town. I need to add a lantern to my shopping list, he reminded himself.

The clinic wasn't far—about a fifteen-minute walk. Rui counted every second. No special buildings or shops. Nothing to distract him.

Even gods get bored. I should remember that, he thought with a faint grin.

He arrived and knocked twice, gently. His hair was messy. He tried fixing it with his fingers.

Also add a brush to the list, he reminded himself—though he probably couldn't afford it yet.

"Coming! Please wait," a voice called from inside. It was clearly the doctor—busy, as usual. The building looked larger than he remembered. It could house at least ten to fifteen patients.

Two minutes passed. The door opened.

"Ah, welcome, Rui," the doctor said, recognizing him. "How are you? Sick or hurt? Please, come in and have a seat."

Rui bowed respectfully.

"Doctor, you don't seem to have assistants. Why not hire help?" he asked, noticing the clinic was empty.

"I used to," the doctor replied. "There were others too. But they followed the money—left for larger towns or cities."

Rui saw an opportunity.

"Could I be your assistant? I know basic healing magic... and could improve with training."

"That's fine by me. Looks like you wouldn't want to work every day, so come only on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I'll pay 2 silver stags. Bonuses too—if you bring herbs or ingredients."

The doctor smiled and extended a hand. Rui shook it quickly.

"Doctor, may I ask your name?"

"Right. My name is Leonard."