Chapter 287: Regrowth (5)

Inspector John didn't say anything for a short moment. "Inspector John?" I hesitantly spoke. Was he already aware of this?

"We know." He finally said with a sigh. "A pillar made of gold with some inscriptions on it. It's unusual for sure, but the construction began on the day you and the other players first entered the game. It's nothing new."

I drew a sharp breath. "Inscriptions?" I glanced at the TV screen, hoping to catch a glimpse, but the cameras never zoomed in enough. "What kind of inscriptions?" I wondered in which language they were. 

Inspector John's voice sounded rather monotonous as he answered. "We didn't really pay much mind to them, Kai. It's just a pillar – remember, this is the real world. It doesn't pose the same threat as the ones in the game." I heard the rustle of papers. "There is no magic or monsters here."

It was clear from his tone of voice that to him, this conversation was over. There was no point in insisting or prying. "I know." I said with a sigh. "Sorry to bring this up."

I heard a light chuckle. "No need to apologise. Is there anything else that's been on your mind?" 

I hesitated. "I.. I think I was a bit tired today so," I pushed my chair back, got up and let the dining room. I didn't want Aoife to hear the rest of my words. "I thought I saw someone in my room a little while ago. Hallucinations, I think." I added. 

"Elaborate." It struck me as odd – he had taken this more seriously than my words about the Divine Pillar. 

"I felt dizzy," I spoke. It took me less than a minute to elaborate – there wasn't much to say anyways. Once Inspector John was satisfied, he instructed me to get some rest and hung up. I sighed and returned to the dining room.

"You still look pale," Aoife said as I lowered myself onto the chair. I nodded. "I think I need a good night's sleep." I finished my meal with some haste. "It was delicious, Aoife. Thanks."

She chuckled. "Glad you liked it." She got up and started clearing the table and cleaning up. I motioned to help her, but she was quick to send me away with instructions to 'go away and fall asleep in my bed'.

I gladly did as she said. Yet, even as I lay on my bed, waiting to fall asleep, I couldn't get rid of the worries that gnawed away at the back of my mind. Seeing that Divine Pillar had made unpleasant memories surface to the front of my mind once more. Things I'd rather not constantly think about. Events I'd rather forget.

It took me a while to fall asleep, and when I did, it was not a relaxing, restful sleep. Nightmares didn't let me rest, and when I woke up in the middle of the night, panting and sweaty, I felt more tired than before going to bed.

Memories, mixed in with dreams didn't let me close my eyes again. Those vivid images kept me awake for a while. Eventually, I pushed myself upright and climbed out of the bed. The cool night air made me shiver, but I ignored it and headed to the bathroom to wash my face, hoping it would help me clear my mind of those images.

The cold water did indeed help a little, and I returned to bed soon after. I was reaching for the blanket when I caught a glimpse of a shadow at the corner of my eye. My heart skipped a beat my head snapped to where I saw the shadow.

Nothing.

There was nothing here.

A few seconds passed in absolute silence as I remained still, holding my breath. 

Eventually, I took a deep breath and shook my head. This wasn't good. I pulled the blanket to my chin and closed my eyes. I felt cold in my chest. Like there was a lump of ice in place of my heart. I couldn't get myself to warm up despite the thick blanket.

I remained half awake until dawn, though that incredible coldness disappeared after some time.

When the first rays of sunlight shone through the closed curtains, I forced myself to slowly climb out of bed. Not feeling rested at all, I yawned, stretched my arms, and turned to open the curtains. And nearly screamed as I came face to face with a pair of purple eyes on a shadowy silhouette.

I stumbled back, lost my footing, and fell on the carpet as the silhouette followed me with its gaze.

"What- no, wait, who are you?" I asked as I scrambled to get up again. 

The silhouette didn't respond – it simply stared at me before slowly dissipating. Once it had completely vanished, I looked around my room in a state of confusion and panic.

What the hell was that? Was it just my mind playing tricks on me, or was something actually going on?

"Kai?" Aoife's sleepy voice sounded from the staircase. "Are you ok? I heard a crash – did you fall down?" The wooden stairs creaked as she stepped on the uneven ones. 

I stood still for a moment, then replied. "I tripped – I'm fine. I'll be downstairs in a minute." It took some effort to keep my voice from shaking. 

She replied with a hesitant tone of voice. "… Alright, I'll prepare some breakfast." I heard the creaking stairs once more – she was going back down. I sighed a breath of relief and motioned to grab a fresh set of clothes from my wardrobe.

'Lies, huh?' A voice sounded behind me.

"What the hell?" I shouted jumping back and grabbing the sword on the wall. The shadow had returned. A darkness spread from it, covering a portion of the room. Tendrils of darkness reached for me as the purple eyes glowed bright.

'Kai Friseal,' The voice spoke once more, sending shivers down my spine. The shadow had a voice now. A voice both familiar and foreign.

A voice that once belonged to me.