A visitor was coming into my lonely cottage, one with whom I was rather familiar with.
Have we met before?
No, we have not, but why does that have to matter?
His steps echoed outside, becoming louder the closer he got.
And then...
*Knock*
A knock on the door, one that was very light, almost careful.
"Come in."
Once the words left my mouth there was a momentary pause, one that spoke of uncertainty or maybe surprise.
Then the door slowly opened.
That was when his form became clearly visible in my eyes, becoming something more than the distant noise he had been just moments prior and also becoming a bit clearer than how I've known him before.
The room's single source of light reflected within his crimson eyes, while his long gray hair carried with it the source of his name.
Ash.
"Where am I?"
He asked still confused by the situation.
"Take a seat."
I gestured towards the seat that sat right before my desk.
Though sceptical if he should follow my instructions, he slowly complied moving himself to the seat.
Once he fully sat down I opened my mouth in an effort to answer his prior question, even if I knew the answer would not satisfy him.
"As you've already read on the sign outside, this is my detective agency."
His face showed a shred of confusion, hinting at the fact that he was indeed not satisfied by my answer.
"Then who are you?"
Yet another question escaped his mouth, one that seemed to follow the natural course of things.
It was an expected question.
"I am obviously the detective."
Yet another dead end question he thought.
He was already thinking up his next set of questions when I interrupted his train of thought.
"So... how can I help you?"
"Help?"
He asked with an expression that showed doubt, he questioned my ability to help him.
"Obviously since I'm a detective I can help you with... detective work."
"Detective work? As in investigations?"
I stood up from my seat and moved to the place that was closest to a kitchen area, still well within the confines of this singular room.
"Well investigations can be a part of it, but in your case it would involve something much simpler."
As the words left my mouth I started preparing a cup of tea for myself.
"Would you like some tea... or maybe coffee?"
"No, thanks I'm fine."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Well your loss."
Then I went back to preparing my cup of tea while I continued talking.
"Anyways, what I'd like to offer you is advice."
Ash was still confused by the whole situation, the whole thing felt like a dream yet it's odd sense of vividness made himself doubt if this was truly a dream at all.
Then he asked an obvious question.
"Advice?"
"Indeed advice. That is all I can offer you."
Ash was still sceptical especially since I showed no clear motive for giving out any sort of advice.
Yet Ash still felt like no matter how vivid this space and the person standing before him (me) had to be a mere figment of his imagination... a dream.
As such although slightly hesitant he answered.
"I'd like to hear it... the advice that is."
Hearing his answer I moved back to my seat and looked Ash dead in the eyes.
That was in that moment that Ash realised something.
Despite having sat before him and showing my face without any restraint he never really saw it.
It was as if something had prevented him form looking at my face till now, but now that I looked at him head on he could finally see it.
There was no face there, in the place where it was supposed to be.
In its place was not an empty head like the one the Death Cultist had, but just a deep layer of fog concealing something so deeply that whatever it concealed may not even exist.
"Your face...!"
"Oh, that I'm sorry if I frightened you. That is just the way I am."
Looking at my "face" Ash could barely hide his shock, but still acted somewhat collected.
"Anyways ready to hear my advice?"
But now Ash was different, seeing my face made him question whether this truly was a dream or not as such he spoke up.
"This advice of yours does it have a price?"
"A price, huh? No, no such thing exists."
Hearing the answer his scepticism skyrocketed, feeling like the deal might be more deceptive than he initially believed.
"I can see that you are sceptical, but you have to believe me I have no reason to lie to you."
The reaction wasn't instant, but hearing the word "lie" be mentioned his expression quickly changed.
"How do I know that? How can I be sure that you aren't lying?"
"I don't know such things are for you to figure out."
Hearing my answer he though for a moment before speaking up.
"Then try lying to me."
"Pardon?"
"Lie to me, you can say anything that you yourself know is a lie."
I thought for a moment before speaking up.
"The number that comes after one is actually fourty seven."
A lie so nonsensical, that anyone above the age of four should have been able to discern it's authenticity.
Hearing my words Ash face changed, his Truth Seeker skill clearly reacted to my words.
"Then this deal of yours has no shady underlying reasons?"
"Naturally no such thing exists."
Upon hearing my answer Ash's expression eased into something more open, it seemed I truly was not lying.
"I might be willing to listen."
"Listen to what exactly?"
"Your advice — your information. I'm open to hearing it."
His words were most welcome, as this was the work I have been waiting for for so long.
"I'm happy that you came around, as a... sign-up bonus I'll let you decide between two different forms of advices."
Ash's expression didn't change upon hearing my generous offer, he simply continued to listen waiting for me to continue.
"So for today's advice what would you like to hear. Something that you want or something that you need."
Hearing my words his face changed into one of contemplation before asking.
"If I chose something that I want, how far can the question go?"
It was a smart question one that made much sense.
"That depends entirely on the question. Think of it this way. Some questions I won't answer, while for others I may give you an answer, just not the one you wanted to hear and then there are the questions I will answer."
Seeing as this was still confusing I clarified.
"So if as an example you ask me how to get stronger I might just tell you to train more. If you ask me the meaning of life I might not say anything as I myself don't know the answer."
Ash pondered for a moment thinking of what sort of question he should ask and soon he came to a decision, but before that he asked another question.
"Your ability to answer questions, how powerful is it?"
Hearing his question an invisible smile appeared on my mouth.
"I can answer most of your questions, so long as they are not too vague. I wouldn't worry."
Hearing my answer Ash opened his mouth.
"Then I'd like to ask for something that I want."
"Are you sure?"
"I am certain."
He said with full confidence.
"Then go on ahead, though before then I have to ask for something... sensitive."
"Sensitive?"
"Yes, I need to prick you for a moment. I need it so I can get a good view at your life. This means you'd be giving up information about yourself. Though I can guarantee you that this will not affect you negatively."
Ash seemed unsure at first not really sure of what he was getting himself into, but it didn't take long for him to raise one of his arms towards me.
"Go on."
And so I did I pricked him and a tiny droplet of blood spilled out.
"It is done."
"It is?"
He asked shocked by how quick the whole procedure was.
"Now you can ask the question... Ash."
I mentioned his name which clearly relayed the fact that I already knew what I needed to.
He audibly gulped, but went ahead with his question anyways.
"Is there a way to fix my arm?"
I heard the question and let it sink in for a moment before I opened my mouth.
"Once you wake up, you will be offered a cybernetic arm, take it as a temporary replacement."
Hearing my answer Ash was about to open his mouth in protest since the answer seemed weak, but then I continued.
"Then at during spring of next year you will encounter a giant crater left behind after an altercation between two powerhouses. Approach the crater and use your Delusion skill and then you will receive both a new arm and a newfound strength."
Ash was about to ask a follow-up question, like what I meant by crater and how he'd get a new arm through the use of Delusion, but he couldn't.
His body disappeared from where it sat, like it had never been there at all.
"It's good to see that things are still going as they are meant to."