"Just for a moment, I saw glimpses of the future, and each path lead to my defeat. I was caught off guard by that."
"Wait, seriously? Isn't the future supposed to be non fixed? It sounds to me the future you're witnessing is locked in one path."
"The future is not determined, and I believed that whole fully. However, in that fight, when I saw the future briefly, even though I thought to myself the future can be changed, deep within my heart, something tells me the result cannot be swayed."
She then stopped talking, leaving the atmosphere quiet.
"Can you do it one more?"
"I can't control it, it just happened."
"Then there's no point in thinking about it, it's probably just a one time thing."
However, Shun had an indescribable feeling when he said it, he wasn't sure why, but what she said weighed his heart.
"... You're right, this never happened to me before. What I just saw is probably a coincidence."
"Yeah, definitely."
They fell silent for a few moments. The tension was awkward before someone breaks it.
"Ah, forget it. Even if we tried to pretend that this is something small, it's just impossible. It's like hiding the elephant in the room." Shun finally break with a sigh, he then continued, "What you have right now might be more than just a one time thing, Akira. I believed it has something to do with your powers."
"My powers? I don't see anything wrong with it."
"Have you heard of hunters whose ability reached a new stage after a trauma?"
"I've heard," she paused for a moment and quickly said, "So you're saying my power is evolving? But that can't be right, for one's ability to reach a new height one must go through a near death event or something similar.
"Not once we're near death."
"Yes, but remember where we are."
She frowned slightly before saying, "The Tower did this?"
"It's a possibility. Think about it, this Tower is an anomaly. First it literally devoured hunters instead of us going at it. Second, it has different floor outlay than most Tower humanity has recorded. What makes you think it can't ascend your power to a new height without the annoying requirements.
"Still, what I said is just a possibility. We won't know unless we explored more."
Akira tapped her chin a few times, processing his words.
"Whatever the case, it can't be denied I can't control it. What you said is correct, there's no point in thinking about it. I was simply confused and worried about what I just went through.
"The power of seeing the future... I don't think I can handle such a great power."
"Why not?"
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"I know we just met and all, but have some faith in yourself. There's a reason why this power was given to you. You're just special."
Akira suddenly became quiet when he said those words. For a brief moment, her eyes were devoid of live and her expression stiffened.
Those eyes, Shun knew exactly what that meant. He has seen it on hunters that barely survived a mission with high chance of mortality. Eyes that has seen something any sane person shouldn't.
'Crap, did I just said something wrong?' He realized internally.
There were times when certain keywords would surface memories that is locked deep in the memory, or memories one despised.
"I, uh, I'm sorry." Shun abruptly apologized. His words snapped her back to reality. She observed him for a brief moment.
"It's okay."
"Thank goodness. I was worried." He let out a breath of relief.
"Are you not going to ask?"
Shun looked at her, "That's my plan, but I'll just wait until you want to tell it yourself."
"That doesn't seem like a good way to get to know others. Are you not bothered if the other party never asked?"
"It just meant they don't think we're good enough to be part of their lives. Everyone have different stories.
"One wrong move, and their story can lead to a bad ending. No one wants that," he paused for a moment, "Trust, loyalty, companionship, faith. For one to be part of another story, it required tedious patience. The same way goes on the one that's writing it.
"So, I'll be waiting for the day you tell me your stories."
Akira fell silent. Her gaze on the ground, thinking something. Then, she lifted her gaze, "I will tell you after we left the Tower."
"Oh, truly? How exciting." He smiled, "Then we should do our best together to survive this."
He opened his palm. Akira stared before accepting it.
"A pleasure working with you."
"The pleasure's all mine."
After shaking their hands, Shun left the cave and looked at the sky. The sunlight seeping into the valley decreased enormously, making it hard to see more than five meters.
"The night's approaching. Someone has to be on guard duty." Shun returned to the already sitting Akira. Her gaze stuck on the web like crack Shun made.
Upon hearing his voice, she shifted her attention.
"I'll sleep first."
Shun looked at her in shock, "Shouldn't we talk this first?"
"No, being on guard duty from eleven to five is tortuous. So, good night." She lay next to the fire and sleep.
Shun wanted to say something but just give up, no point in arguing. He then sat next to the fire.
Darkness crept. Outside was pitch black, with only the flame that limits the dark. Shun couldn't hear anything but his soft breathing and light ringing in his ear.
Once in a while, the firecamp made crackling noises, filling in the silence.
As Shun was losing in his thoughts, thin mist took form and slipped into the shallow crevice.
It didn't escape his sight as he became wary. He wasn't sure what kind of mist is this. As far as he concern, it could be a deadly gas.
'It doesn't seem to be anything dangerous.'
If it is, his body would react in some way. As a hunter, the System granted them resistance to toxic chemicals.
He observed the mist that gradually filled the crevice. After he was certain it wasn't anything lethal, he just attribute the mist to be just any other old mist. He continued watching.
As the darkness getting thicker, Shun couldn't help but yawned, letting out a good amount of breath.
He then felt the urge to sleep. His eyes heavy, his body weak. It felt like laying down and falling into deep slumber is the epitome of heaven.
'I cannot sleep now, I ne– aahhh, I need to watch.' His words cut in the middle by a sudden yawn.
As he said those words, his body swayed to the side. His eyes closed. Then, in the next moment, he snapped again his eyes.
"Yes! I'm awake!"
However, despite the enthusiastic declaration, he soon fell asleep once more. This time, not waking up.
In the darkness of his mind...
[Welcome to the Dream Realm.]
[Please gather as many materials as you can to build the temple.]
[Time limit: 24:00:00]