The empty space trembled as fragments of light drifted around Ace.
The figure stood before him—silent, unreadable, yet overwhelming.
Ace took a step forward, his white eyes locked onto it.
"Tell me," he said, his voice firm. "What happened to Vargan?"
The figure did not answer immediately.
Instead, it spoke in that same echoing tone—
"Is that all you want?"
The question felt heavier this time, as if it carried weight beyond words.
Ace didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
No doubt.
No fear.
"Just tell me."
---
The figure remained still for a moment.
Then—
The space darkened.
"The one who killed Vargan…"
A pause.
The air tightened.
"…was his savior."
Ace's breath caught.
"…What?"
---
The figure stepped closer.
Its presence felt sharper now.
"The one who once saved him."
A name slowly formed in the air—
Like it was being written into reality itself.
"Vaelros."
---
Ace's mind raced.
Memories he didn't fully understand began to surface.
A past moment.
A life saved.
A figure hidden in shadow.
---
"…Why would he…" Ace muttered.
The figure raised its hand.
The space shifted again—
Fragments of a scene appeared.
A wounded Vargan.
Barely standing.
And a presence in front of him—
Calm.
Unshaken.
Watching.
---
The vision faded.
---
"Vaelros does not seek death," the figure said.
"He seeks power."
---
Ace clenched his fists.
"…He killed him for power?"
---
"He takes from the soul."
The words echoed deeply.
"Traits. Strength. Affinity."
---
Ace's eyes narrowed.
"So… he can steal anything?"
---
"Not without consequence."
---
The space trembled again.
For the first time—
The figure's voice grew heavier.
---
"If he steals from the same soul… twice…"
A pause.
"…he will bear the burden of that soul."
---
Ace frowned. "Burden?"
---
The figure answered slowly—
"Memories."
"Emotions."
"Pain."
---
Ace's expression hardened.
"…So if he pushes too far…"
---
"…he loses himself."
---
Silence filled the space.
That was it.
A weakness.
Not simple.
But real.
---
Ace lowered his head slightly, processing everything.
"Vaelros…" he whispered.
The man who once saved Vargan…
Was the one who ended him.
---
The figure began to fade.
Its form dissolving into the empty space.
"You have your answer."
---
"Wait!" Ace called out. "Why show me this?"
The figure stopped.
For a brief moment—
Its presence felt… different.
---
"Because your will is clear."
---
The space began collapsing.
Light and darkness twisting together.
---
And just before everything disappeared—
The figure spoke one last time:
"Now carry the truth… and its weight."
---
Darkness.
---
Ace's eyes snapped open.
The white glow vanished.
He was back inside the ritual circle.
His breathing was heavy.
His fists clenched.
---
Darian stepped forward immediately.
"…What did you see?"
---
Ace didn't answer right away.
His expression had changed.
Not anger.
Not confusion.
Something deeper.
---
"…Vaelros," he said quietly.
---
The truth had been revealed.
And with it—
A new burden had begun.