3rd Eye

The man in the park wasn't just a guide—he was a puzzle. A riddle wrapped in shadows and whispers. Every time he appeared, I felt the weight of his presence like a storm cloud pressing down on me. His words carried an authority that bordered on omniscience, as if he spoke not just for himself but for something far greater—something ancient and insidious. 

The Third Eye. 

It wasn't just a power or a curse—it was alive. A sentient force that fed on fear, ambition, and madness. And if I wanted to conquer it, I couldn't trust anyone—not even the man who claimed to be guiding me. 

I avoided the park after that realization. Each morning, I woke earlier than usual, slipping out of my apartment before dawn to meditate in secluded corners of the city where no one would find me. The threads responded to my presence now, swirling around me like loyal hounds eager to obey my commands. But they weren't tame—not yet. They fought back with every attempt I made to weave them, testing my resolve, pushing me closer to the edge. 

And still, I persisted. 

Because deep down, I knew the truth. The Third Eye wasn't just consuming me—it was watching me. Waiting to see how far I'd go before breaking. 

But I wasn't going to break. Not this time. 

One evening, as I sat cross-legged on the rooftop of an abandoned building, I felt it—the faint hum of energy pulsing beneath my skin. It started as a tingling sensation, spreading outward from the scar on my forehead until it consumed my entire body. My vision blurred, colors shifting into hues too vivid to be real. The threads shimmered brighter than ever before, vibrating with a rhythm that matched the pounding in my chest. 

And then I saw him. 

The man stood at the edge of the rooftop, silhouetted against the setting sun. His expression was unreadable, his piercing blue eyes fixed on mine. For a moment, neither of us moved. The air between us crackled with tension, charged with the same energy that coursed through the threads. 

"You've been avoiding me," he said finally, his voice low and deliberate. 

"I don't need your help anymore," I replied, my tone sharp. "I can handle this on my own." 

He tilted his head slightly, studying me with an intensity that made my skin crawl. "Can you?" 

"Yes," I snapped, though my hands trembled slightly. "I'm not afraid of the Third Eye. Not anymore." 

His lips curled into a faint smile, almost imperceptible. "That's good. Fear is weakness. But arrogance… arrogance will destroy you faster than anything else." 

I clenched my fists, fighting back the urge to lash out. "What do you want from me?" 

"To remind you of what's at stake," he said simply. "The Veil is weakening. The cracks are growing larger. If you don't act soon, the Unveiled will pour into our world, consuming everything in their wake." 

"And why should I believe you?" I demanded, my voice rising. "How do I know you're not part of the Third Eye? That you're not manipulating me for your own gain?" 

His expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. Instead, he stepped closer, his movements unnervingly smooth. When he spoke again, his voice was barely above a whisper—but it carried a weight that sent shivers down my spine. 

"Because I've walked this path before, Akihen. I've seen what happens when the Third Eye consumes someone completely. I've watched Seers lose themselves to madness, their bodies twisted into grotesque forms, their minds shattered beyond repair. And I've done everything in my power to prevent the same fate from befalling others." 

"But you haven't told me everything," I countered, my voice trembling with frustration. "You keep secrets. You manipulate. How am I supposed to trust you?" 

"You don't have to trust me," he replied calmly. "All you need to do is survive." 

Before I could respond, the threads around him erupted into motion, swirling violently like a storm. He raised his hand, and a bolt of energy shot toward me, forcing me to dive out of the way. The impact shattered a nearby wall, sending debris flying in all directions. 

When I looked up, he was gone. 

The encounter left me shaken, but it also clarified one thing: I couldn't rely on him—or anyone else—for answers. If I wanted to conquer the Third Eye, I would have to do it alone.