[Various x Reader]
[Gender neutral Reader]
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You look down at Scar, the soul of your foot pressed against his chest, so he doesn't move an inch.
"If that is how I get you to step on me, so be it."
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"Thank you."
"Thank...
"You are my Arbiter, and my former master," Jué declares to Rover before shifting its gaze to you. "And you, Old Friend, are someone, one has grown fond of."
Jué's hollow gaze returns to Rover. "In the bygone days, One stood by your side as you established Jinzhou City. You entrusted One with safeguarding its prosperity."
Rover's brows furrow as they cut straight to the heart of the matter. "Then why did I lose my memories?"
"Pardon this one, for it is not all-knowing. All my knowledge stems from you," Jué replies, its tone both apologetic and distant.
"What about the key to the Sonora Sphere?" Rover presses.
"In the past, one was granted the key to that Sonora Sphere by your hand," Jué explains calmly, though its words deepen the crease in Rover's brow. "You said you wished to participate in history, to make choices, and to witness the evolution of civilization."
Jué's gaze lingers on you, and for a fleeting moment, feeling like unspoken words want to pour out of it . The air feels heavier, a creeping sense of dread settling in your chest as the weight of Jué's words sinks in.
You draw a shaky breath, glancing at Rover, who's staring at the ground, lost in thought. Then back at Jué, whose silent communication unnerves you in ways you can't quite explain.
"This situation has been analyzed before," Jué continues, its voice measured. "But the sheer number of variables has made reaching a safe conclusion possible."
Its gaze shifts to Rover's Tacet Mark. "Your Tacet Mark... there is something unusual about it."
Rover raises their hand, inspecting the mark. "You mean Abby?"
The mark pulses, and with a blink, Abby materializes. "Huh? Oh! What's wrong?!" Abby exclaims, glaring at Jué. "Rover, who's bullying you-and my food?!"
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Abby spins around to face Jué, puffing up as if to challenge the towering entity. "Is it you, big guy?! Huh?! How dare you! I'm gonna teach you a le-"
The small creature freezes mid-sentence, sniffing the air. "Wait. Pause." Abby narrows its eyes and glances between Jué, you, and Rover. "I don't think it has bad intentions... but it smells like that 'unnatural' scent I picked up back in Jinzhou."
As their conversation unfolds, your thoughts spiral. You turn off your terminal, running a hand through your hair, trying to quiet the gnawing unease in your chest.
Why did Jué look at me like that? Was it trying to tell me something? But what?
A shiver runs down your spine, the sensation of being watched crawling under your skin. You glance around the space, suddenly hyperaware of its oppressive weight.
I don't feel safe here anymore.
You swallow hard, the unshakable urge to leave clawing at the edges of your mind.
