The moment the entity had initiated the conversation, Shauwn was already feeling a slight pressure on his body. But when he dared to ask who he was speaking to, it intensified, becoming almost sharp.
The whispers that had floated in the wind turned into hysterical laughter, accompanying the smile of the possessed Astrid. It was both strange and unsettling—Shauwn could hear the murmurs that distorted the voices speaking to him, yet curiously, he could still understand the main voice.
"I am #€@&+@!#!! Or sometimes +(?&€@#… occasionally people also call me *:;!&€_@€#6+;#8," the intrigued being commented. "Rejoice—anyone is not allowed to ask for my name and receive it. It surprises me greatly… You are becoming more and more interesting."
He only realized it after observing the pained expression on his own face. Every time she spoke what seemed to be her name, a terrible affliction overwhelmed him; his mind tore itself apart.
He himself did not understand how he was still conscious, still enduring the pain. Sitting there, his feet shook, his fingers trembled, while his other hand holding the possessed Astrid tightened its grip.
"Humans… so fragile, so weak, yet so curious and ignorant that knowledge comes at a price," the entity continued, in a haughty, irritated tone. "I thought you were special because you were the last of them…"
Shauwn, aware, did not speak; the pain paralyzing his tongue left him only able to listen, unable to fall or release the tension.
"It seems you don't yet have enough presence to withstand it. A shame… I was wondering how one of you could have survived… Looks like she's slowly regaining consciousness." A laugh echoed through the room.
"I'll help you—give up trying to know my name or understand what I am, and you'll see."
He obeyed her, and in an instant his mind cleared, free of pain.
What's happening? Just hours ago everything was normal, so why, all of a sudden, has everything taken such a…
"Supernatural turn?"
"Are you reading my thoughts?"
"Is that surprising? The whispers told me."
"The whispers?"
The entity shook its head, exasperated.
"Don't try to know more—it's for the best."
"And what about what happened earlier?" Shauwn asked, curious.
The entity possessing Astrid considered her response, weighing whether or not to tell him, and how much she could reveal to protect him.
"You're not supposed to be able to ask me who I am or what I am… the fact that you can is truly strange. That's why I thought I could reveal it to you. It doesn't surprise me much—you are the type to n—oops, I'll stop there."
"What might have happened otherwise? Who are you referring to when you mention me?"
The possessed Astrid burst into hysterical laughter that turned into horror, her wide smile stretching unnaturally. The murmurs accompanying this madness grew louder, brushing against his mind, which almost found a reason to laugh where there was none.
"Oh, my little Shauwn… you don't know? You don't even know yourself… though a human once said something about it—'know thyself' or something like that." Satisfied, she continued: "Too many questions, my boy… you ask too many questions that I cannot answer for you."
Shauwn felt foolish and powerless. He could neither ask more nor try to learn further. Worse, he was mocked by this entity for his lack of knowledge, and it enraged him.
"Don't worry, you'll know soon, since your awakening is near. So listen carefully, and not a word more." Astrid released his hand and placed a finger on his forehead. "I'll give you a gift for the brief entertainment our little conversation has provided. So listen well—even if you forget our talk, remember this: Logic is not a reliable anchor for defining reality; Knowledge has a price; Some truths reveal themselves only to those who discover them alone; Truth is not always apparent, but it is closer than one thinks."
The situation grew ever more confusing, yet he obeyed and asked no questions. Even while confused, he knew the entity he was conversing with wielded a power beyond his comprehension, one that could annihilate him.
"Farewell, my little Shauwn."
"W-wait… is it possible we might meet again?!" the young man asked, hesitantly.
He wasn't asking out of affection for the entity—he simply hoped for a glimpse of what awaited him in the future.
"You're very clever… your persistence has paid off," the being thought.
"Who knows? Better not."
With that, the pale, lifeless body of Astrid snapped her fingers, and in an instant, everything returned to normal. The memory of this conversation was sealed in his subconscious, erased from the world's memory, leaving only two aware: Shauwn, who no longer remembered, and the entity who had manipulated reality at will.
"Knowledge has a price," he murmured, lost in thought as Astrid spoke.
"Hey, Shauwn, I can't hear you. What were you saying? You don't seem to be paying attention," Astrid said, annoyed.
"Huh? Oh, just some thoughts that came to mind… nothing important. You were saying?"
Astrid cleared her throat, signaling an important announcement, and declared:
"Forget Claire Devont—she has no importance in your future."
A laugh erupted in the room. It was Shauwn's. Astrid had never seen him laugh like this, nor ever be so expressive. It was… cute.