After consolidation, the world stopped whispering.
That was how I knew something worse was coming.
No flicker.No pressure seams.No convenient tests shaped like morality.
Just road.
Long, straight, unremarkable.
The kind of stretch where nothing happens—because the story is letting you forget it can still hurt you.
Arjun walked with his hands shoved into his pockets, shoulders tense. The girl stayed close, not touching, but aligned with my pace like she'd learned my rhythm by heart.
Aaryan whistled softly.
"Well," he said, "that was expensive."
"It always is," I replied.
The brand in my chest felt… quiet.
Not dormant.
Latched.
[ System Notice: Burden — stabilized ][ Status: Fully internalized ][ Advisory: Deferred activation possible ]
The other Ishaan stood steady within me, no longer reacting—observing.
This is the calm before intent, he said.They're waiting to see if you misuse it.
✦
