The Eonweaver's Enigma

Without affording them a chance to respond, he went on, "This tower is known as the Timeless Mirage. How it came into existence or how long it has existed, I have no knowledge of."

"Some refer to it as the White Tower, but the true name is what I've just shared," the boy explained, allowing them a moment to absorb the information. When they remained silent, he continued.

"As you've already sensed, this is a tower where time has no meaning. You can stay here for as long as you desire, and time will stand still outside, but death will find its way to you all the same. You won't perceive the passage of time; you may even start noticing white strands in your hair the very next moment."

Upon hearing the boy's explanation, both Adrian and Emilie came to the realization that they hadn't spent a significant amount of time within the tower and that the passage of time outside remained consistent. The boy observed their understanding with a sense of pride and awaited their questions.

Adrian contemplated the potential applications of this unique relic, but his thoughts didn't yield many answers.

"That's all well and good, but who are you?" Adrian pressed, realizing that the tower itself might not be the primary concern. The true enigma lay with the boy's identity.

"I am this tower, essentially its essence. You've drawn your powers from me," the boy explained, then proceeded to take a seat, gesturing for Adrian and Emilie to do the same.

Adrian couldn't shake his sense of mistrust towards the boy. If he indeed had the power to grant them abilities, then his own capabilities must be extraordinary. However, a new realization struck Adrian: this relic had a soul, meaning it was akin to a 9-core core bearer. With this in mind, he decided it was best to make their exit.

"We'll be on our way. It doesn't feel right to intrude upon you unexpectedly, especially when we came here uninvited," Adrian declared, holding Emilie's hand, ready to depart.

As Adrian spoke, he began leading Emilie toward what they believed to be the exit. However, they walked and walked, but the door seemed to be increasingly distant. Adrian let out a frustrated sigh and turned to look back at the boy who remained seated in the same place, maintaining the same distance from them.

"We want to leave," Adrian repeated, his frustration evident in his voice.

As Adrian finished speaking, his aura began to emanate and dissolve the illusions within the tower. Observing this, the boy simply smiled casually and waved his hand, causing the aura to vanish. Adrian checked his own body but found nothing amiss.

"I've granted you these powers, so you cannot employ them in my presence," the boy explained. "Don't fret. If I had intended to do something to you both, I could have accomplished it without your awareness."

With the boy's signal and Emilie's compliance, Adrian eventually took a seat as well, realizing that leaving without the boy's consent might be a challenge.

"What is it that you wish to know?" Adrian inquired, maintaining a neutral expression, eager to address the boy's inquiries and conclude this encounter as swiftly as possible.

Upon hearing Adrian's question, the boy conjured a table with a set of tea cups seemingly out of thin air. He casually picked one up and began sipping, giving no indication of his intentions to continue the conversation.

Adrian glanced at Emilie, and she subtly signaled him to wait. Her uncharacteristic passivity made Adrian wonder if she was going through some kind of rebellious phase, adding to the enigmatic nature of their situation.

"The lantern that you encountered is dangerous," the boy calmly stated, placing his tea cup down.

"Well, that was quite obvious, genius," Adrian responded, untroubled by the prospect of provoking the boy. Adrian couldn't help but reflect on the tremendous strength of these two relics. If they were this potent, he could only imagine the power of the entity that had taken control of the lantern and rescued him from his perilous situation in an unknown place.

"You don't understand. You made a wish for it, and it fulfilled your request. However, you failed to follow through with what the lantern asked of you," the boy explained. This revelation left Adrian with a sudden rush of questions about the events of that fateful night.

As Adrian's thoughts raced, the boy continued, "It's known as the Eonweaver's Enigma. I don't possess extensive knowledge about its origins, but I can tell you this: you are now marked by it." With that, the boy ceased speaking, observing Adrian's reaction closely.

"Great, here I am, marked by yet another eerie presence. Why do I always stumble upon such frightening encounters? I don't even possess any supernatural abilities. Maybe it's time I consider leading a more ordinary life." Lost in his own contemplations, Adrian remained oblivious to Emilie's amused giggles and the boys' shared sense of hopelessness.

"I suggest you stay here until you can rid yourself of this mark, which might be achievable with your unique aura, a property I haven't seen in a while," the boy advised, his true intentions shrouded in mystery. Adrian couldn't discern his thoughts but was certain that placing trust in anyone was no longer a wise course of action.

"I truly appreciate your thoughtful advice, but you see, I have a formidable support system that left that lantern feeling utterly powerless as I made my escape," Adrian proudly proclaimed, as if he were responsible for it.

"What kind of backing are you talking about?" the boy inquired with genuine curiosity, wanting to understand who would be audacious enough to confront that lantern in these perilous times. Encountering that lantern was always a harrowing experience, whether in the past or the present.

"What? You talk as if you're really powerful, but you couldn't even sense her gaze?" Adrian inquired, a surprised expression on his face, yet a proud smirk still playing at the corners of his lips.

"What gaze?" the boy inquired, his gaze shifting between Adrian and their surroundings to discern what Adrian was referring to.

Just as he turned his attention, the entire tower began to tremble, and his emerald eyes welled up with tears, so much so that Adrian feared they might burst at any moment.

"Get out!" the boy yelled, and before Adrian and Emilie could fully grasp what was occurring, they found themselves outside of the tower.