Chapter Twelve — Three Gifts
Inside the consciousness of "Unknown," a strange place appeared unlike anything he had known before. It had no color, no fixed shape, but seemed like a space constantly changing, breathing and undulating with every pulse of awareness.
Suddenly, a voice echoed inside his head. It was not a sound heard by the ear, but felt, as if the words were being engraved directly into the depths of his mind:
➤ "I will grant you three gifts."
A short silence, then the voice continued:
➤ "The first is a dream.
In this dream, you can fight people or creatures at the same level of your power. You can even face yourself, any version of yourself at a previous point in time. If you want to fight the self you were two days ago, you can.
But... if there is a risk of losing yourself, you will be prevented from fighting yourself. Then, you will only be allowed to fight other creatures.
As for those creatures, you are currently only allowed to face humans. Other strange creatures require you to reach a certain level of power. Only then will doors open for you that you cannot imagine.
Those creatures... are made of kinds you will not understand now, nor for years to come. But do not worry, you will understand when the time comes."
A majestic silence fell before the voice continued in a softer tone, as if its owner was closer:
➤ "As for your ability, it can be summarized in three main groups:
1. Creating techniques
2. Developing techniques
3. Understanding techniques
There are other branches that stem from these three. For example, copying techniques is part of 'understanding techniques.' You will discover the other branches over time, as you truly master this ability."
"Unknown" remained silent, amazed, but the voice continued as if reading his thoughts:
➤ "I wonder... why did that fight happen after you imagined a certain technique?
The answer is simple: because you must become stronger.
What does it mean to become stronger? Why? And to what extent?...
These questions, I will not answer now. You will understand in your journey. Something in this world, or beyond it, pushes you to grow... pushes events to unfold as they did."
➤ "And this gift I gave you now — the fighting dream — will not stay with you forever. I will take it back after a while.
But until then, if you create, develop, or understand a technique, and want to try it, you can test it in the dream.
And if you refuse... try it anyway, and you will know what happens."
Suddenly, "Unknown" heard the voice muttering something strange, full of sorrow and bitterness:
➤ "How much easier life would have been if I had that... at that moment... but..."
Then "Unknown" felt an evil gaze pursuing him, and a wicked smile spreading from the shadows, silently watching him...
But the scene quickly flipped.
➤ "As for the remaining two gifts..." said the voice —
"I will leave them for another time. Just know... they will change a lot."
Then, for the last time, "Unknown" felt that evil gaze piercing deep within him again.
Suddenly...
A snap of fingers.
And everything ended.
"Unknown" suddenly awoke, sitting on his bed, sweating profusely. He looked around. Yes, this was his room's ceiling. His window. His desk. Everything as it was...
He looked at the clock.
It was midnight.