Ria opened the book and confidently sat at the table.At first glance, the pages were blank.
"Huh," she mumbled, flipping through them, unimpressed.But then, as a delicate flower petal drifted in through the window and landed softly on the paper, something strange happened.
The book... shifted. Like it breathed.
It gave a slow, almost sleepy yawn—just enough to make Ria freeze in place.
"Unbelievable," she muttered, lightly smacking her own cheek. "I'm dreaming. Definitely dreaming."
But the book responded.Yes. Responded.
"Don't be afraid, my girl. I'm not here to scare you!" it said, voice smooth and oddly familiar.
Ria blinked. "What the actual hell—"
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Why is a book talking to me?"
"I am Kri," the book answered, its voice laced with pride. "I was abandoned by my master… who never used me the way I was meant to be used. I ran away—through rain, dust, garbage—until I finally arrived here, in your lovely home."
Ria narrowed her eyes, trying to decide if she was going insane."Oh, I see," she said slowly.
Kri huffed, clearly offended."That's it? That's your reaction? Everyone else screams and throws me away. But you? Just 'Oh, I see'? Great. So I'm not special after all."
Ria stared at it. "You're literally a talking book that ran away from a bad owner and breathed when a flower touched you. What more do you want from me?"
Kri stayed silent for a moment, then answered her earlier question.
"I contain insight into the future—nothing more, nothing less. I don't care about the past or the present. What I reveal hasn't happened yet… but will."
The pages shimmered. A soft golden glow lit the air around them.As the book opened more fully, the blank pages started showing faint symbols and colors that began to solidify.
Each color had its own meaning:
🔴 Red – Danger
⚫ Black – Betrayal
🌸 Pink – Love
⚪ White – Peace
🟡 Yellow – Innovation
🔵 Blue – Neutral/Unknown
With each flip, the colors began to swirl and pulse. The book's glow brightened.
Ria leaned in, her curiosity outweighing her skepticism. This wasn't just magic—it was information. Power. A way to see ahead.
Her thoughts raced.Maybe I can use it… maybe I can finally see the end of that damn story I've been waiting on for a year.
But before she could get too deep into her thoughts, the book cut in sharply.
"But, but, BUT!" Kri said, raising its tone dramatically.
Ria blinked. "What now?"
"I have conditions," it said firmly. "Certain requirements must be met before you can use me freely."
Ria rolled her eyes. "Of course you do."
"It's the most important step," Kri added. "The one thing you must do to access true power."
Ria groaned internally.Seriously? This stupid book is taking forever to get to the point.