Fate Line

Chapter 6: Crosspoint

City Square was alive.

Massive skyscrapers surrounded the plaza like silent watchers, their glass façades reflecting the midday sun. Fountains danced to soft orchestral music nearby, and the crowd moved in fluid waves — couples, families, kids chasing each other across the pavement. Vendors called out with colorful drinks in hand, and somewhere in the distance, a street performer played mellow chords on a violin.

Kane glanced at his phone, then looked up.

"Silas, Ellian — follow me. The girls are already waiting."

They pushed through the gathering crowd and reached the plaza's central zone — a wide, open space under the sky, where a stage had been set up. Its steel frame gleamed under sunlight, with thick cables and a large digital screen looming behind it.

Linnea noticed them first. "Oh, the boys are here!"

They walked over. Iris gestured to the spot in front of them.

"Let's stay right here. In twenty minutes, this place is going to be packed. The presentation starts in forty."

Mila leaned toward Iris. "Hey... you used to be obsessed with those books about other worlds. How are you feeling now?"

Iris stared off for a moment. "If this turns out to be real… if other worlds exist… then I'd want to see one. Just once."

Silas crossed his arms. "I still think that guy is going to spew nonsense."

Kane grinned. "We'll see. Honestly, I'm just as curious as Iris."

Ellian looked around. "There are way more people now…"

Iris followed his gaze. "You're right…"

The crowd had grown dense — a wave of murmurs, camera clicks, and feet shuffling in anticipation. The energy buzzed in the air like a storm waiting to break.

Their group stood close to the stage, able to see everything clearly. As they chatted and speculated, the forty minutes passed.

Then it began.

Two men in black suits stepped onto the stage, followed by a young man — about twenty-five — wearing a deep violet robe embroidered with silver patterns along the sleeves and collar. He walked calmly, his presence quiet but magnetic. His pale blond hair was tied loosely at the back, and a sleek headset curled along his cheek.

He took the mic.

"Check… one, two… is this on?"

The crowd went quiet.

"Good afternoon," the young man's voice echoed, calm and sharp. "As many of you already know, my name is Nael. Today, I will be presenting my theories on the existence of other worlds — and even offer some proof. For inquiries regarding partnerships, speak with my managers. Now, let's begin."

Applause erupted. The sound of claps and whistles rolled through City Square like crashing waves.

Nael raised his hand slightly.

"First — the theories. Have any of you ever read the old books? The ones written long before the Jade Monument was built?"

Some murmured. A boy near the stage raised his hand and called out.

"I have! There were stories about portals connecting two sides — but only when both were open."

Nael pointed at him, smiling. "Exactly. Those books spoke of gates — but the key detail was that both ends had to be active. Isn't it strange how old those texts are?"

He stepped forward, voice rising.

"Let me ask: have any of you felt anything… unusual recently? A strange, unnatural cold?"

Ellian's eyes widened.

"I… I felt that cold," he muttered.

Nael turned his gaze toward him, pausing.

"That chill… came from the other side. A world brushing against ours. The link is active. All that's left — is the gate."

From the crowd: "That doesn't prove anything! I didn't feel a thing!"

Voices exploded. Dozens shouted at once.

Nael waited, then raised his voice.

"Fine. You want something real? Then here's your proof. Have there been any injuries recently? Serious ones?"

He paused, letting silence fall.

"I'll bet every one of them healed in less than five days — even if they were near fatal. Am I wrong?"

The crowd went still.

Linnea looked at the group. "Krais… remember?"

Iris nodded. "And Ellian said he felt that cold."

Kane added, "Yeah — remember, he asked us about it over breakfast?"

Iris muttered, "Could it all be true…?"

Silas remained quiet. "Let's wait and see."

Nael continued, "That concludes the theory portion. As for proof — true proof — my team and I will return here, same time, two weeks from now. We'll bring evidence then."

Thunderous applause erupted again. People screamed, cheered, called his name.

Nael stepped back with a calm smile. "And then, perhaps… we will witness the light of another world."

Roars of approval shook the air.

That day marked the true beginning.

While the scientific community remained skeptical, dismissing Nael's ideas as delusions, the public thought otherwise. Videos of his speech went viral. His charisma — the certainty in his tone — pulled people in.

Sponsors followed. Journalists requested interviews. A laboratory formed around him. "The Crosspoint Project" was born, and the first time in years, science felt like magic again.

Nael remained quiet, watching everything unfold — his once-ignored theory rising into something far greater.

Meanwhile, Ellian and the others had returned home.

Everyone was exhausted, retreating to their rooms without a word.

Ellian sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

"Why was I the only one who felt that cold…? And what proof is Nael talking about?"

His thoughts churned, but sleep overtook him.

He awoke to a warm, soft glow slipping through his curtains. The clock read 5:30 PM. He dressed, brushed his hair, and headed downstairs.

The house was silent. No voices. No TV. Empty.

He checked the kitchen — no one.

"Maybe everyone's asleep too…"

Slipping on his sneakers and a light jacket, he stepped outside.

The evening breeze was cool, refreshing. Children played across the street while their parents sat lazily nearby, chatting in low tones. The world felt… normal.

Too normal.

He walked along the sidewalk, hands in pockets. The world blurred as his mind wandered.

What if I really came from another world…?

The thought hit like lightning — terrifying in its simplicity.

He shook his head, muttering to himself. "No. That's… impossible."

But he already knew the doubt had taken root.

After walking for a while, Ellian turned back.

He passed through the front gate, noticing the peaceful flowers swaying in the breeze, then stepped into the house.

From the kitchen came the sound of chopping and muffled voices.

Kane and Silas were there, preparing something. The sizzle of vegetables in a pan, the aroma of spices — a comforting, domestic scene.

"Need help?" Ellian asked.

Kane smiled. "Nah, we've got it. Take it easy."

Ellian nodded and left them to it. He wandered upstairs, then, on a whim, walked to the third floor and knocked on Iris's door.

"Come in," came the quiet voice.

Her room was cozy — filled with soft lighting, a faint vanilla scent in the air. She sat curled up on the couch, phone in hand.

Ellian entered. "I was getting bored, thought I'd drop by."

"Same here," she said. "It's too quiet today."

After a short silence, Ellian asked, "Iris… you want these two weeks to fly by, right?"

She looked at him. "Of course. I can't stop thinking about it."

"What if it's all dangerous?" he asked, voice low. "What if there's a reason I heard Nael's name in my dream?"

Iris paused. "I don't know… but we can't really control it, can we? Still… I want to see the proof. I really do."

Ellian nodded slowly. After thanking her, he left her room.

The hallways were dim now — the house falling into evening silence.

Back in his room, Ellian sat on his bed, staring through the window as the sky darkened.

"Too calm…" he murmured. "Like the quiet before a storm."

Memories rushed in.

The dreams. The voice. The girl.

Who is she?

He rubbed his temples as the pressure built in his skull.

Eventually, sleep took him.

First — silence. Then — the dark. A vast, endless void.

Then her voice.

"Ellian… you're thinking the right way…"

The voice felt like it came from within. Like it knew him deeper than anyone else.

And then — light. A glow, familiar and gentle.

She appeared.

The same girl. The same light. Face still hidden, but presence undeniable.

She looked at him.

"Ellian… why are you still trying…? Stop."

Her voice was trembling. Pleading.

And just like that — she vanished.

The light faded.

Darkness returned.

Ellian woke with a jolt.

Sweat on his forehead. Rapid breath. The room silent and still.

Only the dim glow of the streetlight outside kept him tethered to this world.

He sat up, staring into the dark.

Wondering… who he really was.