Nightfall

***********Somewhere Else***********

In the dimly lit room, a mysterious silhouette is perched on the edge of a plush couch, fixated on the captivating anime unfolding on the television.

[TV: Anya knows that Papa and Mama's secret. Papa's a spy, and Mama's an assassin. This is so cool...]

~Click~ The door swings open.

"The preparations are complete, boss," the man reports.

"Already? Ok, inform everyone that the operation starts tomorrow. I'm going to finish this anime today, I'll be bored after that, I might as well engage in something" murmurs the silhouette.

"Ok, boss, I'll inform everyone. Good luck, boss."

"Thank you, you may leave."

†*****Gideon's POV*****†

I...I'm witnessing the WORLD AND BEYOND. Is this real? Or perhaps a trance?

My head throbs, a montage of vivid images flash through my mind, causing an excruciating ache.

It's like multiple arrows are relentlessly piercing my brain.

I collapse to my knees, but I don't sink into the dark abyss.

I'm screaming, but the cacophony is swallowed by the void.

However, the moment I withdraw my hand from the mirror, the chaos subsides.

The information is overwhelming, making me feel as if I know every soul in the world.

It's as if my point of view shifts to that of the "UNIVERSAL".

I can perceive space, the Galaxy, and incomprehensible phenomena.

For that fleeting moment... I become INFINITE.

Everything I've just witnessed begins to fade, leaving behind a hazy recollection. Soon, I won't remember this moment.

Every piece of knowledge I've acquired about every human being on earth starts evaporating, alleviating the burden on my mind.

I pant, though I can't feel the air. I breathe in, and the filtered, refreshing air invigorates me.

Pulling myself together, I rise to my feet. I gaze at my mirror reflection, which has already refracted its hand.

In that moment, an idea strikes me. I contemplate breaking the mirror.

Perhaps, just perhaps, I might be able to rid myself of this frightening, bizarre, and annoying reflection.

I clench my hand into a fist, pull it back, and deliver a forceful punch to the mirror.

~Crack~

~Shatter~

The mirror cracks and shatters.

Why is it that every sound can be heard except my own voice?

Ignoring the shards falling, I focus on the mirror. It's eerie—the broken part of my reflection is missing, and the cracked area displays tiny, distorted versions of my terrifying reflection.

Glancing downward, I notice the broken particles falling in slow motion, as if gravity in this void is minuscule compared to that of Earth.

As the closest particles to the ocean touch the water, they reverse in a fast, backward motion, returning to the mirror.

~Zzzzzp~

It's like time is rewinding, centered on the mirror.

As the pieces begin to mend, the last fragment releases a powerful gust of wind, pulling me into the mirror like a vacuum.

~zummmm~

Before I can comprehend the situation, my point of view changes, and I see the old man standing before me, assuming what seems like a fighting stance. I'm certain his guard is up.

Finally, I'm relieved to be back. I'm not dead. I'm free from that God-forsaken void.

I never thought I would be happy to see this old man in my life. I flash a smile at the old man, feeling my body becoming increasingly heavy.

~Thud~

I lose consciousness...again.

†****Darwin's POV*****†

Approaching Gideon, who lies prone on the ground, I maintain my guard. This might be a feint, after all.

I tap him gently and discover that he's fast asleep.

*What the... he fell asleep in the middle of a fight? You've got to be kidding me.

It's probably due to exhaustion. Anyway, it's a shame—I was just preparing to get serious."

I let myself fall beside his sleeping form.

"Ack!"

My entire body aches as I rest on the smooth grass, gazing at the darkening sky; night has arrived.

I won't lie—the force of impact in each of his attacks is overwhelming, causing immense pain with every blocked strike.

I simply don't want to lose face, so I act composed. But deep down, I'm screaming, battling my survival instincts.

They urge me to strike back if I want to survive, but I hold back as much as possible.

I can't believe I'll ever engage in a fight that makes me endure such pain again.

But this boy not only withstands my attacks; it's as if he can anticipate my every move, moving his body like a seasoned martial artist entrenched in warfare.

He holds his ground against me and even pushes me back. All his movements are unpredictable, peculiar, and astonishingly effective.

I had brushed off this pain earlier, but now it all rushes to me within this brief respite.

Looking at Gideon, who sleeps peacefully at my side, I notice his hair still retracting and getting shorter.

"Just, what in the world are you, boy?"

I mutter to myself, replaying the entire scene in slow motion, attempting to decipher its meaning.