6. Answer
1638 Words
The pale white ceiling had faint patterns, and a dimly glowing chandelier hung from it.
Rivan turned his face away when he heard the soft whisper of the wind seeping through the window cracks.
"Where am I?"
A sharp pain throbbed in his head. He vaguely remembered a man claiming to be from the Aegis Division coming to that place. If Rivan recalled correctly, his name was Nathan Leonce.
"I think it's best if you lie back down," a voice said.
Startled, Rivan turned and saw a man sitting beside his bed, reading a book.
"Who are you? Where am I?" His muscles tensed, ready to strike. His blue eyes sharpened.
The man held up an insignia—a deep blue, round shield with three curved lines across its center. Beneath the shield was a pair of silver wings spread open, guarding a small globe.
Without looking up, the man replied calmly, "Nathan Leonce, Aegis Division. You’ve been unconscious for three days. We’re in a hospital right now. So relax and focus on recovering.”
Rivan slowly lowered his guard. The name Aegis Division was like a pillar upholding the world—a name that made anyone who heard it feel safe.
Even so, Rivan didn’t breathe easy yet. His family’s safety was still uncertain.
“My father? Mother? Elen! Are they safe?”
“They’re fine,” Nathan answered. "They're looking for a temporary place to stay right now."
"Thank God... thank God..." Rivan murmured, tears silently trailing down his cheeks.
Silence filled the room, broken only by the occasional sound of a page turning and the soft sigh of the wind.
Nathan closed his book and looked up as he crossed one leg over the other. “Now, can you tell me what happened?”
Rivan hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should really explain everything. But who would believe his story anyway?
His lips parted, then closed again; he was still unsure how to answer. Yet, something in the man’s calm gaze—the quiet steadiness he radiated—made Rivan feel trusted.
"Hm..." Nathan exhaled softly. "I understand. Thank you for holding on and not giving up. You’re a good kid.”
Rivan froze. Something about that low voice and faint smile made him want to cry again.
Nathan rose from the chair and rested a hand on Rivan’s head. "For now, just focus on recovering. I’ll come by again in two days.”
Then, he walked away. Only after his footsteps faded did Rivan finally lie back down.
Three days of unconsciousness had left his body weak, but his mind was what exhausted him most—still unable to stop tensing.
Nathan was right. He needed to rest and calm down. There were still too many things he wanted to know about his fifty-nine deaths.
"I'll ask Nathan later..." His eyelids slowly lowered and his voice faded into silence.
...
During his stay, his family came to visit often: In the mornings, his mother would come; in the afternoons, Elena; and at night, his father.
They didn’t speak much, but through their gestures and glances, Rivan could tell they wanted to ask about that day.
Rivan was grateful they were too hesitant to ask. He wasn’t ready to tell them. In truth, he still didn't fully understand why any of it had happened.
Two peaceful days passed, as calm as the surface of a still lake. Then came the time for Rivan to meet with the man who might finally have answers.
Hearing a knock on the door, Rivan set the fried mushrooms on the table beside his bed. “Come in,” he said.
His brows lifted slightly when he saw a young woman following Nathan inside.
Her green hair, with a hint of gold, flowed loosely, covering part of her white dress. Her eyes were the same color as her hair.
She smiled and stepped forward slowly, guided by her cane.
Seeing that Rivan was confused, the girl spoke up. “My name is Sera Caldre, Nathan’s associate.”
"Nathan already explained your situation. I’m sorry for what you’ve been through.” She placed a hand on her chest and smiled softly. “Don’t worry. Though I’m blind, I can still clearly see certain things.”
"Oh! I’m sorry if my stare offended you, Miss. I didn’t mean it that way. I just thought your hair color was beautiful,” Rivan said hurriedly.
Sera blinked, then laughed lightly. “Thank you.”
Though Lunara’s hair is still the most beautiful, Rivan thought briefly before refocusing.
“May I ask when the first time you died?”
Rivan didn’t answer right away. He paused, sorting through his memories. "I think it was evening, but I'm not sure exactly what time."
“I see.” Sera continued, "What about the others?"
“The second death happened around noon, and each one happened sooner than the last,” Rivan replied.
Sera’s eyes flickered. “Did you do anything unusual or meet anyone before that day?”
“Nothing strange. I went to school, hung out with my friends, and then went home.”
Rivan tilted his head slightly, trying to recall the day before his birthday.
Then he remembered something and looked down, embarrassed. "I also met a girl near the bridge on my way home. We talked and exchanged phone numbers.”
At that moment, Rivan didn’t notice how the person in front of him froze, nor did he notice how sharp and terrifying Nathan’s gaze had become.
Snap!
A flick of Nathan's fingers broke the tension. Nathan stepped forward, murmuring softly.
"That's enough for now, Sera," he said firmly.
"Ugh." Sera gasped for breath. Her face was pale, and sweat trickled down her temples.
She took a deep breath and forced a faint smile. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that."
Rivan quickly shook his head. “No, don’t worry about that. Are you all right?”
“Yes,” Sera replied. "More or less. I think I understand what's happening."
Rivan tensed, clenching his fists and holding his breath as he waited.
Sera wiped her forehead with a handkerchief. "As I suspected, during your first death, you accidentally activated your ability. I’m fairly certain it’s related to time.”
"That's why you keep reliving your birthday."
Sera paused, then added, "As for the Echo's earlier arrivals..."
"It's because of your emotions," she continued.
“Emotions?” Rivan frowned.
Sera sighed softly. “Yes. After experiencing death and coming back, your emotions grew stronger—fear, anxiety, dread, and so on.”
"Those emotions are like a drug to the Echo. They drive it mad and make it brave enough to break into human settlements."
Rivan fell silent. Every word she spoke struck him like a hammer.
So all this time, the reason my family was in danger was me?
His nails dug deep into his palms, leaving red stains on the hospital’s white sheets.
“I don’t understand,” Rivan whispered. "Why would the Echo be drawn to my emotions?"
"Perhaps not your emotions, but your power," Nathan answered. "Your emotions influence your ability."
"And also—" Sera turned her head aside. "Captain, should we tell him about that?"
Rivan looked up sharply. “What? Tell me what?”
Nathan sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I suspect the reason no Aegis Division members appeared in your previous cycles is because they were obstructed."
“Obstructed?” Rivan's confusion deepened.
“That’s right. Have you ever wanted to protect others?” Nathan asked quietly.
"Yes," Rivan nodded.
Nathan walked toward the window and leaned on the frame, gazing down at the hospital garden. “Your will to protect was so strong that, without realizing it, your power locked you away from the outside world.
"But sometimes, I saw the Echo attack other people too," Rivan protested.
Nathan turned, his voice calm. "Because you were there."
Rivan froze, speechless at that answer.
"Then how did you find me in this cycle?" he asked faintly.
Nathan looked back out the window. "Someone broke the barrier, letting traces of your power leak out."
“Who?” Rivan grew restless, pressing for an answer.
But Nathan remained silent. He approached Rivan and gently patted his head. "Don't think too much about it. You’re safe now, and that’s what matters most.”
"But—"
Sera cut him off. “If you want your family to stay safe, you can’t keep living with them.”
Rivan spun around, his eyes widening. “What do you mean?”
"You still can't fully control your power. It's too dangerous for them," Sera said softly.
"Your power is too vast. Even your emotions can affect it."
“I understand! But they’re my family! My home! Where else could I go?” Rivan’s voice rose, then slowly broke.
Nathan came closer and rested his large hand gently on Rivan’s back, offering warmth.
“Go to the Aegis Academy. Learn about your power. Conquer it. Master it. Once you do, you’ll be free to return to your family without fear of harming them.”
Nathan didn’t deny Sera’s words. His hand stayed on Rivan’s back, steady and reassuring.
“Calm yourself and think carefully about our advice,” he said, placing a small card on the bedside table. “Call me when you’ve made your decision.”
"We can't stay any longer," Nathan added.
Rivan said nothing, just watched their backs as they walked away.
He lay down again, pulled the blanket over himself, and bit his lip to hold back the sobs.
Meanwhile, outside the hospital—
Sera stopped mid-step, her voice uncertain. “Captain, the one who stopped me from seeing further...”
"Yes," Nathan replied. "It was them—the Veldra family."
- Writer
