The Timeless Mirage

Emilie's dreamy and alluring eyes seemed to have the power to captivate those who gazed into them. Adrian, eagerly waiting for Emilie to demonstrate her newfound abilities, displayed a childlike curiosity. Seeing his expression, Emilie couldn't help but chuckle, finding his anticipation endearing.

Emilie gazed up toward the top floor, and her eyes began to move in a peculiar, unseen motion. Although Adrian couldn't witness the specifics of her actions, he could perceive subtle changes in their surroundings, indicating the use of her powers.

After a while, Emilie turned her gaze back to Adrian, her face still bearing the same expressionless demeanor that had become her trademark.

Under Emilie's intense scrutiny, Adrian felt as if he were completely exposed, as though all his secrets were laid bare before her. Oddly, he didn't mind, as he was curious about his own self. However, his unease heightened when he noticed blood streaming from Emilie's eyes, and she abruptly averted her gaze from him.

"What did you sense?" Adrian inquired, his curiosity about dream divers piqued.

Emilie wiped the blood from the sides of her eyes and took a deep breath. "This tower is a relic—a very potent one tied to illusions," she replied, struggling to find the right words to explain further.

"And you, there are numerous irregularities within your body," she conveyed.

"I want to know. As you're already aware, I don't possess any cores, and my method of combat relies on my aura. This cane, the needle, is essentially a relic about which I have limited knowledge. Its current function is to amplify my aura," Adrian explained, concluding his statement and waiting for her to continue.

Emilie took a deep breath and responded, "You see, typically, souls are expected to be either white or silver. That's the norm for everyone. These souls remain unaffected by external factors, whether it's your power, your aura, or anything else. They should be white. But yours, there's something amiss with yours."

Having shared this revelation, Emilie paused, awaiting Adrian's reaction. His response didn't appear significantly different from before, as if he were already aware or simply unfazed by the news.

"What does it look like?" Adrian inquired as he continued descending the stairs alongside Emilie.

"I don't know," Emilie replied, her voice carrying a hint of weariness. Adrian looked at her, silently urging her to continue.

"When I attempted to explore it further, something blocked me. It felt like my own power was preventing me from delving deeper, as if the consequences would be severe."

Emilie fell silent, concentrating on descending the stairs alongside Adrian, both of them acutely aware that something was profoundly amiss within the tower.

"What about this tower? What's the story behind this relic?" Adrian inquired, his curiosity piqued by the tower's ability to bestow Emilie with nine cores that she could potentially harness.

He remained oblivious to how long they had been inside, and his primary focus was to find a way out. As they descended to the ground floor, they were taken aback to find a figure standing there, their back turned towards them.

.

Adrian and Emilie immediately became vigilant, unsure of the boy's identity. He was a young boy, donning a maroon-colored, shoulder-strapped suit, and he turned to face them with a bewildered expression.

Both Emilie and Adrian couldn't help but be struck by how adorable the boy appeared. He seemed to be around the same age as Emilie, around 11 or 12 years old, but there was an aura of disquietude surrounding him that sent shivers down their spines. With their heightened powers, they could now perceive even the most subtle nuances in their surroundings.

The young boy, with his enigmatic black hair cascading in untamed waves and piercing emerald eyes that seemed to hold secrets untold, gazed upon Adrian and Emilie. His scrutinizing gaze appeared to be more than a mere glance; it was a thoughtful contemplation, as if he were carefully considering the reason for their presence in this mysterious place.

His eyes, like pools of ancient wisdom, seemed to carry the weight of centuries, hinting at knowledge far beyond his years. They bore an uncanny intensity, as if they could pierce through the layers of one's soul, seeking answers to questions unspoken.

As Adrian and Emilie stood before him, they couldn't help but feel that they were being assessed not just by a young boy but by an entity whose understanding of their purpose ran deeper than the sands of the desert that surrounded them.

"I recall bestowing you with nine cores. Why do you possess only 8 now?" The boy asked calmly, as if his curiosity was a mere passing interest.

He then shifted his gaze to Adrian, and a small smile graced his face. "I was quite taken aback when I observed you. Your body harbors an abundance of mysteries. It's baffling how you manage to remain alive. I've been meaning to ask you this for some time. Have you ever encountered a relic in the form of a lantern?"

Emilie cast glances between Adrian and the boy, a sense of exclusion creeping over her as they seemed to share a conversation she wasn't part of.

She was aware of the lantern Adrian had encountered, but the specifics remained elusive, and Adrian had been seeking answers.

At the mention of the ominous lantern, Adrian was visibly startled, the memories of his encounter with it flooding back, leaving him taken aback once more.

"Perhaps you could start with an introduction?" Adrian suggested, a tinge of caution in his voice. "Since you seem to know about us, it's only fair that we learn something about you." Adrian was reluctant to comply with the entity's requests, but he remained curious about the mysterious figure.

This adventure in the dream realm was, after all, about unraveling the unknown.

Taking a deep breath, the boy turned his attention to Adrian and Emilie, contemplating how much information he should divulge.

"So, you're not astonished by your newfound abilities? I can't imagine suddenly gaining this level of power without being utterly baffled. It seems the two of you have quite composed minds," he remarked.

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."