The training hall emptied slowly.
No one wanted to stay after that conversation.
The air still felt heavy, like something had changed and hadn't settled yet.
Adrian stayed behind.
Of course he did.
There were still too many questions.
And only one person who could answer them.
You're not leaving, are you?" Adrian said.
Veyr, who had been walking away, stopped.
No.
Adrian pushed himself off the wall and walked closer.
Good.
A pause.
Because we're not done.
No More Half-Truths
Veyr turned to face him fully this time.
No distance.
No avoidance.
What do you want to know?
Adrian let out a short breath.
Everything.
Veyr didn't react.
Be specific.
Adrian frowned.
Fine. Start with this
He raised his wrist slightly.
The mark pulsed faintly.
Why does that thing recognize you?
Silence.
Then
Because I got close to it once.
Adrian blinked.
"…Close how?"
Veyr's voice lowered.
Closer than anyone should.
That wasn't a real answer.
And Adrian knew it.
You keep doing that, he said. "Talking like I'm supposed to just understand.
Veyr didn't respond.
Adrian stepped closer.
Explain it properly.
The Truth He Avoided
Veyr's gaze didn't move.
But something shifted in it.
Something… reluctant.
The last Core wasn't alone.
Adrian froze slightly.
What?
Veyr continued.
I was assigned to him.
A pause.
Like Kai is to you.
That hit harder than expected.
Adrian's expression changed.
So you were his partner.
Veyr nodded once.
Yes.
Silence settled between them.
Adrian looked at him differently now.
Then you went through all of it.
Veyr didn't deny it.
Yes.
A pause.
Every step.
The Difference
Adrian crossed his arms slowly.
Then why does it feel like your story doesn't match Kai's?
Veyr's gaze sharpened slightly.
Because it doesn't.
Adrian frowned.
Meaning?
Veyr exhaled quietly.
Kai told you how it ended.
A pause.
Not how it got there.
Adrian's chest tightened.
Then tell me.
The Moment That Changed Everything
Veyr's voice dropped.
Quieter.
More serious.
He made contact.
Adrian's breath slowed.
With the Source.
Veyr nodded.
Yes.
A pause.
Just like you did.
Adrian looked down at his wrist again.
The mark pulsed once.
And?
Veyr's eyes darkened slightly.
He didn't pull away.
Silence.
Adrian looked up sharply.
What do you mean?
Veyr held his gaze.
He accepted it.
The words hit hard.
No, Adrian said immediately. "That's not the same.
Veyr didn't argue.
It wasn't at first.
A pause.
He thought he could control it.
Adrian went quiet.
Because that
Sounded familiar.
Too familiar.
A Dangerous Reflection
He started just like you, Veyr continued.
Careful.
Controlled.
Confident.
Each word felt like it was aimed directly at Adrian.
And then?" Adrian asked quietly.
Veyr didn't look away.
It got easier.
A pause.
Too easy.
Adrian's fingers tightened slightly.
That's exactly what I said.
Veyr nodded.
"I know.
Silence
The Turning Point
When did it go wrong? Adrian asked.
Veyr's expression didn't change.
When he stopped questioning it.
A pause.
When he stopped resisting.
Adrian swallowed slightly.
And you?
Veyr's gaze dropped for just a second.
I didn't see it in time.
That was the first crack.
Small.
But real.
Why the Source Knows Him
Adrian stepped closer.
That still doesn't explain why it recognized you.
Veyr went still.
Then
Because I tried to reach him.
A pause.
Inside.
Adrian frowned.
Inside what?
Veyr's voice lowered further.
The connection.
Silence.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly.
You mean… you went into the same space I did?
Veyr nodded.
Yes.
A pause.
And it saw me.
Everything clicked at once.
Adrian took a step back.
So you've been there.
Veyr didn't deny it.
Yes.
The Risk He Took
That's insane, Adrian muttered.
Veyr didn't react.
It was necessary.
Adrian shook his head.
You almost got taken over too.
A pause.
Didn't you?
Veyr didn't answer.
But that silence
Was loud enough.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
You did.
Veyr finally spoke.
I came back.
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
Barely.
Veyr didn't correct him.
A New Understanding
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Adrian leaned back slightly.
So that's why you watch me like that.
Veyr nodded once.
Yes.
A pause.
Because I know how it starts.
Adrian let out a quiet breath.
And how it ends.
Veyr didn't respond.
Because they both already knew.
Something Unexpected
Adrian looked at him carefully.
You don't actually want to kill me.
Veyr's gaze shifted slightly.
If I have to
"No, Adrian cut in. "That's not it.
A pause.
You're trying to stop me from getting there.
Silence.
Veyr didn't deny it.
And that
Was enough.
Adrian nodded slowly.
Then help me do it right.
That made Veyr pause.
What?
Adrian's voice steadied.
You've been where I'm going.
A pause.
So instead of waiting for me to fail
He met his gaze.
Help me not fail.
Silence filled the room.
Long.
Heavy.
Real.
A Choice to Make
Veyr studied him.
Carefully.
Like he was measuring something.
Weighing it.
Then
That's not how this works.
Adrian sighed.
Of course it isn't.
But he didn't back down.
It can be.
Veyr didn't respond immediately.
Because for the first time
That option existed.
And it changed everything.
The Beginning of Trust
I'll consider it,Veyr said finally.
Adrian smirked faintly.
That's the nicest thing you've said to me.
Veyr didn't react.
But he didn't leave either.
And that
Was progress.
Not Alone Anymore
As Adrian turned to go
He paused.
Hey."
Veyr looked at him.
"…Yeah?"
Adrian hesitated for a second.
Then—
"…You didn't fail."
Silence.
Veyr's expression didn't change.
But something in his eyes did.
Slightly.
Almost unnoticeable.
I did," he said quietly.
Adrian shook his head.
You came back.
A pause.
That counts.
Veyr didn't respond.
But this time
He didn't argue either.
Adrian walked out of the hall.
The mark on his wrist pulsed once.
Soft.
Steady.
Different.
Because now
He understood something he didn't before.
This wasn't just his fight.
And he wasn't the only one who had faced the darkness
And survived it.