I closed my eyes, letting the weariness of the day wash over me. As I drifted off to sleep, I felt myself being pulled into a dream. I stood in a familiar yet strange environment. It was my home, the Reizei estate, but it looked different. The buildings seemed older, the trees taller, and the air was thick with an eerie silence.
As I walked through the estate, I saw a figure standing in the distance. The figure turned, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw it and realized... it was myself. But this wasn't the me I knew. This me was older, his eyes worn, and his face etched with lines of worry and experience.
My future self's lifeless eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "You're getting comfortable," he said, his voice low and urgent. "You're starting to believe that this life is permanent."
I felt a pang of confusion. What did he mean? Was I really in danger of becoming complacent? I thought about my life, about the training I'd been doing with my parents. It was true that I'd been feeling more confident, more comfortable in my own skin. But why is that a bad thing?
My future self's expression darkened. "You're forgetting the lessons of your past. You're forgetting the struggles, the hardships. You're becoming complacent, and that's when the real danger sets in. If you don't gain strength, you will lose it all."
I felt a sense of unease creeping over me. What danger was he talking about? What could possibly threaten me? I thought about my parents, about their power and influence. I thought about my own abilities, about the training I'd been doing. I felt confident, but my future self's warning made me realize that I might be overestimating myself.
"Don't get too comfortable, Noah," my future self said, his voice echoing in my mind. "Don't forget the lessons of your past. Remember the struggles, the hardships. Because when you least expect it, everything will come crashing down... and they'll both die."
The dream began to fade, and I felt myself being pulled back into my own body. I woke up with a start, my heart racing, and my mind reeling with the warning.
I lay in bed, my eyes wide with concern. What did the warning mean? What could possibly go wrong?
Why did he say they'll both die?
I thought about my life, about the comforts and security that my parents provided. Was I really in danger of becoming complacent?
But, why do i care so much? Jonathan and Aria were kind to me, but thats because they think im they're child. But I know if they knew the reality of the situation, they too would forsake me.
As I got out of bed and started my day, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I'd been ignoring something important. I thought about my training, about the progress I'd made. I felt confident, but my future self's warning made me realize that I might be overestimating myself.
I decided to keep the dream to myself, not to share it with my parents... Jonathan and Aria. I didn't want to worry them, and besides, I needed to figure out what it meant for myself. I knew I had to gain strength, had to become more powerful. I couldn't rely on my parent's protection forever.
I threw myself into my training with the foci, but I wasn't making any real progress, regardless i kept pushing myself to my limits. I knew I had to be prepared, had to be strong. The warning from my future self still lingered in my mind, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was running out of time.
As the sun began to set, I stood in the training grounds, my young fragile body aching but my spirit unbroken. I knew I had a long way to go, but I was determined to reach my goal. I would become stronger, would become the best version of myself.
I would heed the warning, would prepare for the unknown. I would become the master of my own destiny, would forge my own path.
Which is a very cringe thing to say, but...
The dream had been a wake-up call, a reminder that I couldn't afford to be complacent. I was determined to be ready, to face whatever lay ahead with courage and determination.
As I walked back to my room, dizzy and all, I felt a sense of resolve. I will become strong. I will not let anything hurt my family, because believe it or not, I really like Jonathan Aria.
I will face whatever lays ahead, head-on.
The warning from my future self still lingered in my mind, but I was determined to use it as motivation. I would not let fear hold me back. I would use it to fuel my determination to become stronger.
With newfound determination, I began to make plans for my future.
End of Chapter.