1460 A Silent Voice
At Enigma's rather detailed but confusing words, Varian's mind spun.
He quickly dug into his memories which were now perfectly stored thanks to his soul powers.
And it's just as she said.
Due to the kind of training he did on wednesdays, he preferred an orange, not a banana today.
But that's something even the young Varian himself did not notice. Nor did Sia who helped him everyday.
The day continued, so did Enigma's words.
Be it in the classes at school with Sia, when an acquaintance asked him for help. Varian tried to refuse but the guy was too pushy, so he accepted with a begrudging expression. Sia asked him if she should help but the young Varian waved his hand and said he'd take care of it.
"Sia, Varian slept in that lesson three weeks ago. Help him out!"
Or when they were in playground, trying to find a third member for a team sport.
"Sia, Varian thinks that pink haired girl is annoying. She reminds him of something bad. His palms even sweat when she tries to talk to him! Get away from him!"
Even when they walk back home side by side, Sia stopping by for a cool drink.
"Sia, Varian wants that dessert but fears breaking his training. Please buy him one. That fool is too stubborn."
And after the evening training and fresh up, when they bid each other good night before falling onto their beds.
"Varian is feeling a bit…odd today. He looks a bit sad." Hugging her knees, Engima muttered with a sad face. "Are you alright?"
"…"
There was a long silence in the white room before dissolved into nothing as Enigma fell asleep.
In a world of nothingness, Enigma floated like an angel.
It was completely dark and even with his powers, Varian could only make out his immediate surroundings.
'So this was the darkness she spoke out. And Enigma spent centuries here…all alone until she woke up with Sia.'
Looking at her sleeping face, Varian couldn't feel anything than pity. He gently rubbed her hair and sighed. "Enigma…"
It was hard to understand why she cared for him so much. He didn't even know she existed.
Time quickly passed and things continued as usual.
One day, when Sia was still sleeping, the young Varian came up to her and gently rubbed her hair.
After ensuring she's really asleep, he said. "Thank you for being in my life. I don't know what I'd do without you. I will get to the top and become the Emperor…but without you, it'd be really lonely."
He said the words he wouldn't utter otherwise. But they were sincere and came from the bottom of his heart.
"Varian, me too," Enigma muttered in a quiet voice. "Thank you for being in my life. Watching you like this everyday…trying so hard…it fills me with hope. Maybe one day, maybe one for sure…I can wake up from this darkness and see the world."
The usually indifferent and cold expression she had on the outside was nowhere to be seen. There's only a heartfelt smile on her beautiful face
"There's a lot of things I want to do. I want to try your favorite cake, train a bit with you…but not as much as you, hehe, I hate blood. Oh and maybe a long walk in the park, just the two of us?"
It was the yearning of a young girl, filled with tender feelings.
"Maybe if I too try everyday, just like you…if I don't give up, if I don't despair, maybe one day, I too can see the bright world."
Tears were swirling in her eyes but she clenched her fist and nodded with a resolute expression.
Like a puppet whose strings were cut, Varian collapsed onto the sofa. He tried to stop but the corner of his eyes turned red. Sadness crashed onto his soul, wave after wave, crushing his heart into pieces.
He tried to hug the young girl on the verge of tears but his arms passed through her and offered her no solace.
Yes...
He was living a normal life, training and living with Sia.
But how were those years for Enigma?
She could see the world but had no one talk to. This whiteroom was the only thing she could create to feel that she's not lost. But she was. It's undeniable.
Not only was she lost in this endless soulspace, she was also locked in a prison she couldn't get out of.
It was a horrible life that would break would drive even the most hopeful to despair.
Yet, here she was.
"But if that day never comes and if I never get to see the outside, if I can never live a life beyond this prison, then that too is okay." There was a trace of serenity in her young voice.
Enigma was born long ago but mentally, she was just a year or two older than Sia. So, it was unexpected for her to speak with that maturity.
"If my hopes are all vanquished, then as long as I still can see you, living your life, achieving your dreams, I can find peace in that.
Your happiness will be my happiness.
Your pain will be my pain.
Your dreams will be my dreams."
These weren't empty words. They came from the heart of her hearts.
If everything he saw formation induced and completely fabricated, if even his memories of Fortune Anvil and its trial were all false, even then, the words she uttered would still be the truth.
The young Enigma wiped off her tears and cheered herself up.
"That day will come soon! Once I'm out, I wonder how surprised you'll be? Hehehe…but maybe you'll be scared. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. How should I…talk to you?"
The young lady lowered her head and muttered. Her back appeared especially frail as she realized something sad.
"I know everything about you and you…know nothing about me.
Will you ever feel what I feel toward you?"
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om