A Moment of Peace

It seemed that while the doctor couldn’t hear anything about Ariel’s Origin Ability, he could still hear details regarding Origin Attributes.

Ariel closed his eyes, focusing inward. The familiar runes shimmered into view within his mind:

-[ Echoes of Origin ]-

[ • Rank – 0 (Dormant) ]

[ • Origin Ability – The Void ]

[ • Origin Attributes – Empty Vessel ]

[ • Echoes Collected – 938 ]

[ • Soul Core – Dormant ]

His attention shifted toward the runes reading “Empty Vessel.”

New symbols surged into being:

-[ Origin Attributes ]-

[ Attributes – Empty Vessel ]

[ Attribute Rank – 8?? ]

[ Description – ???. You are Void, and so are your body and soul. Endlessly vast, eternally empty. ?????. Your body and soul can accommodate even the so-called infinity. Within you and beyond you lie boundless dimensions. You can travel between them freely. ?????. ?????. ??????. ]

Ariel pulled his focus back. His expression was worth a look. ‘Endless? Dimensions? Infinity? What the hell are these?’ Ariel felt like he was experiencing shock after shock. Then he turned to Walter.

“There’s more in the description,” he began, “but I think I still can’t say everything. It’s too tied to my Origin Ability. I think.”

Walter gave a thoughtful nod. “That’s enough. Just tell me what you can.”

“Apparently, I’m… endless? My body and soul hold another dimension? I can move between them?”

Walter’s eyes widened. “Endless? In what sense? I couldn’t catch the sentence before and after that word.”

“Feels like it’s about storage. The name kind of implies it and it’s something related to space and dimensions,” Ariel said.

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Walter rubbed his chin. “Sounds space-based to me. From what little I could hear, at least. Hard to say for sure without more info. But if it’s related to space distortion, maybe I can help.”

He began explaining his own space manipulation techniques. Ariel listened intently, asking a few questions but mostly nodding along.

“That’s all I’ve figured out so far,” Walter concluded humbly.

“That’s already more than enough, Doctor. I don’t even think I will be able to implement all of that. But I do have a question.”

“Go on. I’m all ears.”

“You said if I revealed my true rank, the great clans would come after me. But even claiming Rank 4 feels dangerous. Isn’t that still significant?”

Walter sighed. “There’s a massive qualitative leap from Rank 4 to Rank 5. Think of it as a mortal becoming a demigod. Rank 4s are super rare, sure, but not rare enough to start a war during this war. The clans will wait. For now.”

“Until the war ends?” Ariel asked, brows furrowed.

“Exactly. After that, there are no guarantees. They might come after you. But by then, you might be strong enough to stand your ground… maybe.”

“Maybe?” Ariel echoed.

Walter chuckled softly. “I can’t predict the future. But maybe you can. Enough talk for now. I need to tend to other patients. Rest up. I’ll explain more later.”

He deactivated the isolation field cloaking the room and walked over to Ilya’s side. Hovering his hand above her, he summoned a golden light that enveloped her body, enhancing her already-healed form.

“Her body’s in good shape. Now it’s her mind that needs mending. My healing has limits there. When she wakes up, be her anchor. Comfort her. Shift your bed beside hers and stay close. She’ll likely wake in 5 to 6 hours. Understand?”

Ariel nodded. “I will. And thank you, Doctor, for helping us… strangers.”

Walter smiled. “That’s what doctors do. I’ll be back in a few hours. Get some rest.”

As Walter exited, another doctor entered with a ventilator. He quietly positioned it beside Ilya’s.

“Thank you,” Ariel said.

“Don’t mention it. Just don’t push yourself. Awakened or not, you’re still human.”

Ariel lay down, the fatigue of battle and revelation crashing down on him. Sleep came swiftly.

Hours passed.

Ariel stirred awake. As he opened his eyes, Doctor John approached and handed him a glass of water.

“Good evening. Rested well?”

Ariel accepted the glass and sipped. “Yes. Thank you.”

He rose and sat by Ilya’s side, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“Hmm… hmm!” Doctor John cleared his throat to get Ariel’s attention.

“Sorry to interrupt the sibling moment. Name’s Doctor John. Yours?”

“Ariel. Do you know when Doctor Walter will return?”

“Soon, I imagine. It’s been around four hours. How are you feeling, by the way?”

“Better than earlier,” Ariel replied.

“Good to hear—” John stopped mid-sentence as he noticed Ilya beginning to stir.

“She’s waking up,” he said.

Ariel turned to her. Her face twitched slightly, then her eyes fluttered open—big, jewel-like orbs filling with life.

She let out a startled cry: “Br-brother!!!”

Ariel’s heart felt full again. He embraced her tightly.

“Why are you shouting, dummy? I’m right here,” he whispered, soothing her.

Ilya clutched him tighter and sobbed.

“W-why did you leave me?! I was so scared… I thought I lost you…”

She cried like a child reuniting with a long-lost parent, her tears washing away the shadows of fear.

And for the first time in a long while, they both felt safe—if only for now.