Adrian didn't answer immediately.
He couldn't.
Because the man in front of him wasn't just familiar—
He felt… connected.
Not like the mark.
Not like the Keeper.
Something quieter.
Older.
Like standing near a memory that wasn't his.
You're Veyr's brother," Adrian said finally.
The man smiled faintly. "So he still remembers me."
A pause.
Good.
Adrian took a cautious step forward. "He thinks you're dead."
The man's expression didn't change.
"I imagine that was easier."
That wasn't denial.
That was something worse.
Adrian's eyes narrowed. So you're not dead.
"No.
The answer came too calmly.
Too easily.
A cold realization crept in.
Then why didn't you come back?
The man looked past Adrian, toward the endless pillars.
For a moment—
He looked tired.
I tried.
A pause.
The first time.
Adrian felt something tighten in his chest.
What happened?"
The man's gaze shifted back to him.
The same thing that will happen to you, if you're careless.
That wasn't comforting.
Adrian crossed his arms. You're going to have to be more specific than that.
The man exhaled quietly.
Then gestured around them.
The Threshold isn't a place you visit.
A pause.
It's a place that keeps what answers it."
Adrian didn't like the sound of that.
You mean traps.
The man shook his head.
No.
A beat.
It decides.
Silence stretched between them.
The air felt heavier here.
Not oppressive—
But aware.
Adrian glanced around.
The pillars weren't just stone.
They pulsed faintly.
Like something inside them was alive.
So what exactly is this place?" Adrian asked.
The man studied him carefully before answering.
It's where bonds are measured.
A pause.
And judged.
That word again.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
Yeah. I've been hearing that a lot lately.
The man's eyes flicked to Adrian's wrist.
The mark glowed faintly in response.
Recognition.
Yours is unstable," he said.
Adrian snorted. That's one way to put it.
No," the man said quietly.
It's wrong.
That wiped the humor clean off Adrian's face.
Explain.
The man stepped closer.
Not threatening.
But serious.
Bonds are meant to connect two points.
A pause.
Yours doesn't end.
Adrian froze.
What?
The man's gaze sharpened.
"It doesn't anchor to a second."
Another pause.
It anchors to everything.
Silence hit like a shockwave.
Adrian's mind raced.
That's not
He stopped.
Because suddenly—
A lot of things made sense.
The pull.
The adaptation.
The way the connection kept changing.
That's why it keeps evolving," he muttered.
The man nodded once.
It's not growing.
A pause.
It's trying to stabilize.
Adrian let out a slow breath.
By dragging me into whatever it connects to.
Yes.
That explained the Keeper.
The hunter.
The visions.
Adrian looked around again.
So this place
The man finished quietly.
Is where it tries to complete itself.
That was worse.
Much worse.
Adrian ran a hand through his hair.
Okay. Great. Fantastic. Love that for me."
The man almost smiled again.
"You're handling this better than most."
Adrian gave him a flat look. I'm running out of ways to be surprised.
A low hum echoed through the pillars.
Subtle.
But rising.
The man's expression shifted instantly.
Serious again.
It knows you're here.
Adrian stiffened. The Keeper?"
No.
A pause.
Something higher.
Adrian didn't like that at all.
The hum deepened.
The pillars pulsed brighter.
What happens now? Adrian asked.
The man looked at him steadily.
Now you're evaluated.
The ground beneath them trembled.
Light—dark, cold light—began gathering between the pillars.
Adrian clenched his fists. And if I fail?
The man didn't hesitate.
Then you don't leave.
That was clear enough.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
Then nodded once.
Alright.
He straightened.
Rolled his shoulders.
The fear was still there.
But it had settled into something sharper.
Focused.
Then I guess I pass."
The man watched him closely.
For a moment—
Something like approval flickered in his eyes.
We'll see.
The light between the pillars surged.
The ground split—
Not physically—
But conceptually.
And before Adrian could react—
The world dropped out from under him.
Falling again.
But this time—
Not into darkness.
Into something that felt like a test.
Above the endless pillars—
Something opened its eyes.
And for the first time—
It looked directly at him.