“Rei…Rei…Rei…”
At Ralf’s calls, Rei remained frozen. Ralf’s casual bombshell didn’t just derail his thoughts but vaporized them entirely. Blank-faced, the cogs in his head were motionless.
“Everything…what do you mean by that?” After ten seconds, Rei managed to force out this mutter.
Ralf took a breath and a lengthy account followed. He gave a rundown of the events since awakening his powers till now. Rei was made to understand everything, how Ralf transmigrated over at thirteen, how Ralf was trapped in his body, Ralf’s inability to communicate, and the feeling of erasure that nearly swallowed Ralf whole.
‘I see.’ Head down, Rei's thoughts were sluggish. His heart was in turmoil. The revelation was too shocking to readily process. Even his soul seemed to vibrate.
He wanted to deny it, to find any fault in Ralf’s story, but there was none. The evidence was piled a mountain high, there was no denying the truth of the situation.
‘This explains why he seems to know me so well. It’s ironic really,’ Rei thought as a wry look crept onto his face.
He had built thick walls around his heart and kept a vigilant gaze for all who would approach. Yet, for years, someone had taken up residence inside. It was truly ironic.
Finding himself in this strange position, Rei was being ravaged by a unique set of feelings.
On the opposite couch, Ralf’s face was tense. Seeing Rei’s cloudy expression caused his chest to tighten. ‘This is worse than I expected.'
Since the beginning of their talk, Ralf was apprehensive about letting Rei know about this. Anyone would be uncomfortable to learn that their thoughts and emotions were secretly observed for years, let alone Rei, who kept everything locked up in his heart.
Ralf had been extending his words to delay the inevitable. He tried slipping it in casually among other shocking information hoping to lessen the bombshell's effect, but clearly, this didn't work. The mental damage taken was nonetheless severe.
He could have kept this information to himself to avoid this situation, but Ralf didn’t want to do so. For as terrible as he was feeling now, he knew he would feel a billion times worse if he tried hiding such an important thing from Rei. In his mind, his other self had a right to know.
The seconds passed in silence. Ralf’s expression was crumbling in real time and his body began trembling. With the fear of rejection surging in his heart, his lips quivered. Unable to bear it any longer, he broke the silence.
“Rei…I’m sorry.”
Still for a second, Rei’s silver bangs swayed as he gently shook his head.
“You have nothing to apologize for. Your psionic power forced you into the situation. Your power is really unenviable. You had it hard. Forced to walk in my thorny shoes…if anything I should be the one apologizing. Knowing you were always present…”
Rei’s voice died down as he registered the next words to roll off his tongue.
The revelation stirred up no shortage of unpleasant feelings in him, but at the same time, a liberating feeling washed over him. It was cathartic in a way. The desire to be understood was a common if not universal one. And here before him sat one who could truly understand him. And not just understand him, but also love Rei as deeply as he did even after understanding who he truly was.
Rei’s mind drifted back to their hug and the sea of emotions he was drowned in. There were no mistaking Ralf’s feelings for him. It was as certain as dea- as certain as taxes. Reliving the moment, his heart warmed and his face softened into a smile.
In a weak voice, he continued his previous thoughts.
“...isn’t entirely unpleasant.”
Ralf’s eyes flickered with emotion. His face beamed with delight. “I feel the same. As unpleasant as everything was, I don’t regret it. I got to meet someone as amazing as you, after all.” Ralf flashed a joyous smile as he said these words.
“Ha, you…you should know I’m good with this stuff…damn it.” Rei covered his face with his palms, hiding the crumbled smile that lay behind it.
“Ahahaha…”
Ralf collapsed on his couch, laughing up a storm at Rei’s innocent reaction.
Had the media caught sight of him displaying such behaviour, his moniker, ‘Silver Devil’ would be instantly tossed into the void.
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***
“The shape of the continents is totally different. There are two supercontinents, on either side of the equator. Humanity resides on Inis, the northern continent. It's divided into three major regions, the Western Region, the Central Region, and the Eastern Region. Each of these major regions is further divided into northern and southern parts. Kladek, the town I was last at, is located in Zudrad, which resides in the Southern Central Region..."
"How technologically advanced is my world?" Hmm, this is tricky. There are no computers, no televisions and no internet. If I had to pick a time period, I’d say the 1920s. Though, there are many things more advanced in my world. Weapons, for instance, are way more advanced. So is medical technology…oh, the 1920s only applies to the most developed places. Many places are very backward. The Southern Central Region is the region most behind. Kladek for instance is closer to the 1820s than the 1920s.”
“Valerian and English are almost one to one. It's humanity’s common language. It was one of Bellus’ first initiatives after taking rule. He desired the days before the 'Tower of Babel' fell to so speak and forced the issue. Now, two thousand years later, all of Inis understands each other.”
Hours passed as their talk continued. The Five Divines, humanity’s True King Bellus, the Great Scramble, Raven Tail, the demons and the War of the End…Rei was treated to many more interesting revelations about Ralf’s world and its magical properties.
‘It's like a fantasy novel,’ Rei couldn’t help but comment as he listened to Ralf's explanations.
The two didn’t focus on purely exchanging information. An hour in, the conversation naturally drifted to more casual topics. Thoughts on shows, games, anime and novels…topics that Ralf had wanted to discuss while occupying Rei were brought up. Rei took to these topics. He had long wanted to discuss these topics with someone as well.
The conversation became more jovial. The two’s positions on their respective couches grew more relaxed as time passed, and the area became filled with more and more delicacies.
*Sip*
Reclined back, Rei stared at the black sky. “Hey Ralf, I’ve been avoiding this…but can you get out of this place?”
“Yeah, I can. Since entering this place, I felt that I could. All I need to do is will it, and I can shift to the outside world.”
“Hmm.” Lips leaving the straw, Rei returned his gaze to his other self. “You’re scared?”
Ralf’s face turned bitter. “A bit. Ten years have passed. I know my body isn’t dead, but everything else is unknown. I could wake up to bad news.”
Rei shook his head.
“Your worrying is pointless, just go. And think, the difference between you awakening now and ten minutes later could be the difference between waking up to good news and bad news. Now go.”
“Haa, it's always cold logic with you. Okay.” Ralf got to his feet. “But before that, a matter. I propose a partnership.”
“Partnership?” Rei tilted his head.
“Yeah. A mutual agreement to have each other’s backs and work together to the best of our abilities to pursue our grand goals.” He extended his hand out. “Well, how about it? Wanna join forces, Rei?”
Rei didn’t move, his eyes stared fixedly at the outstretched hand. “Goals, what goals do you have in mind?”
Ralf rubbed his chin with his other hand. “Grand goals like…conquering the world.”
“Conquering the world,” Rei’s eyes flickered for a moment before his calm returned. “Are you really my other self? Your thinking is too small," he shook his head with a faked contempt.
Rei got up and took a step forward, his figure towered over Ralf’s. Bending his knees slightly, his much larger palm swallowed up Ralf’s much daintier one.
Hand firmly clasped, he showed a devious smile and said, “Let's conquer the universe, partner.”
Ralf beamed. “Yeah.”
With this partnership's establishment, the beginning tiles that made up the Silver Path were laid down.
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