It was quiet when he woke up. Not the peaceful kind. The kind that feels like something already happened and you missed it. Riven stared at the ceiling for a while before even trying to move. His body felt… wrong. Not just pain. That was expected. It was something else. Like everything inside him had shifted slightly out of place. He tried to sit up. Bad idea. A sharp pull ran through his chest and he dropped back down with a low breath. "…yeah… not yet." No one answered. Good. He didn't feel like explaining anything anyway. It took him a few minutes before he forced himself up again, slower this time. His hand pressed lightly against his chest where the hit landed. He could still remember it clearly. Too clearly. The timing. The weight. The way it just… stopped everything. "…so that's the gap…" he muttered. Not angry. Just stating it. He swung his legs off the bed and stood up. It worked this time, barely. The room was small. Wooden walls, a table, nothing special. Someone probably dragged him here after everything. He didn't bother asking who. His head wasn't in that place yet. A faint sound echoed inside his mind. Not loud. Not urgent. Just there. "UI state stabilized.""Usage restricted." Riven frowned slightly. "…restricted how?" No response. Of course. He let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. "…figured." He didn't try to force it. Not after what happened last time. Whatever that state was, it wasn't something he could just switch on and off like a skill. It felt more like… something that used him instead. He stepped outside. The air felt normal. Too normal. People moving around, talking, doing whatever they usually do. No one looking at him like anything happened. That part always felt strange after something like that. He walked without a direction for a bit, just letting his body move while his head tried to catch up. Gun. That fight replayed itself whether he wanted it to or not. Every move he made. Every move that got shut down. Even with UI, it wasn't enough. Not even close. "…I didn't even touch him properly…" That bothered him more than losing. He stopped walking for a second, looking at his hand. It didn't shake. Good. At least that part was still under control. Then something else came back. Not the fight. After it. That presence. Cold. Slippery. Watching him like he was something to study, not fight. Riven's expression tightened a little. "…that guy…" He didn't know the name, but the feeling stuck. The kind you don't forget. And then there was the other one. The one who stepped in. Same world. Same energy. But different. Stable. Grounded. He exhaled slowly. "…this world is getting messier…" It wasn't just a game anymore. Or if it was, it wasn't one he remembered. Not fully. He started walking again. Slower this time. More aware. That's when he felt it. Faint. But familiar. That same presence from before. Not the snake-like one. Not Gun. Something else. Sharp. Observing. Riven stopped. His eyes shifted slightly to the side without turning his head. "…you're not even hiding it anymore?" No answer. The presence didn't disappear either. It stayed. That alone was enough. Riven turned this time. Empty street. A few people in the distance. Nothing unusual. But he knew better now. "…fine." He started walking toward it. Step by step. Not rushing. If it wanted him to follow, he would. The feeling guided him through a couple of turns, past quieter parts of the village until there were barely any people left around. Then he saw him. Standing there like he'd been waiting the whole time. Calm. Still. Like the world didn't matter. Xavier. Riven slowed down a bit but didn't stop. "…you again." No reaction. No movement. Just standing there. Riven frowned slightly. "…you've been showing up too many times to be random." Still nothing. He got closer. Close enough this time. "…are you going to talk or just keep doing this?" For a second, it felt like something might actually happen. Xavier's head tilted just a little. That was it. Then—he was gone. Not fast. Not like movement. Just… not there anymore. Riven stood there, staring at the empty space. "…seriously?" He let out a short breath, more annoyed than surprised now. "…what are you even doing…" No answer came. Of course. He stayed there a bit longer than needed, just in case. Nothing. The presence faded slowly this time, not instantly. Like it wasn't in a hurry. Riven turned away after a while. "…yeah… definitely not normal." He started walking back, slower than before. His head wasn't racing anymore. Just… sorting things out. Gun. UI. That presence. The one from before. And now this. "…too many things…" He stopped for a second, looking up at the sky. "…and none of them make sense yet." A faint breeze passed. Nothing dramatic. Just enough to break the stillness. Riven exhaled and started moving again. "…whatever…" His voice was low, almost to himself. "…I'll figure it out." He always did. Even if it took time. Even if it cost him something. That part hadn't changed. And maybe that was the only thing keeping everything from falling apart. The chapter ends. 🔥
