Threads of Deceit

The dim light of Zazm's study flickered as the two friends continued their research. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and ink, a comforting backdrop to their intense focus.

Zazm sat at his cluttered desk, his mark glowing softly as he traced the intricate lines with his fingers, lost in thought.

His mark was a complex design with an hourglass in it's center and filled with lines and shapes, forming a mesmerizing pattern.

At its center lay a stylized hourglass, its sand suspended mid-fall, encircled by concentric circles radiating outward like ripples in water. Each circle was adorned with tiny stars.

Jahanox leaned back in his chair, his own mark shimmering in the low light. "You know," he began, breaking the silence, "the hourglass at the center of your mark suggests it might be connected to time."

He put his hand on his chin, "It's a classic symbol, after all. But I can't make sense of the strange shapes surrounding it."

Zazm looked up, his curiosity piqued. "You might be onto something. Time… it feels like a thread that weaves through everything. But what about your mark?"

He gestured toward Jahanox's design, which featured a hand gripping chains, the intricate details mesmerizing in their complexity.

The chains falling down from hand were connected to several different and complex designs and in the center of it layed something that looked like a brain.

"By that logic," Zazm continued, "yours could be related to the mind or consciousness. But what's the purpose of the hand and the chains? Are they meant to signify control or restraint?"

Jahanox furrowed his brow, contemplating the implications. "Maybe it represents the struggle between freedom and confinement.

The hand could symbolize the mind's grasp on reality, while the chains might indicate the limitations we face. But why would we receive these marks?"

Zazm leaned back in his chair, the weight of their discoveries settling in. He spoke in a thoughtful and low tone.

"Perhaps they're not just random symbols. Maybe they're a reflection of our potential, or even a warning about the paths we're meant to take."

Jahanox nodded, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the swirling patterns of his mark. "If that's true, then we need to understand what these marks are trying to tell us. There has to be a reason we were chosen."

Zazm's mark pulsed gently, as if responding to their conversation. "What if we're meant to unlock something within ourselves? The hourglass could be a key to something related to time, while your mark might grant insight into the mind's depths."

"Or perhaps," Jahanox added, excitement creeping into his voice, "they're connected. What if mastering time allows us to explore the mind in ways we never thought possible?"

Zazm's eyes lit up with inspiration. "That's it! We need to experiment, to push the boundaries of what we think we know. If we can tap into the essence of our marks, we might uncover their true purpose."

As they exchanged ideas, the atmosphere in the room shifted, charged with a newfound energy.

The marks on their arms glowed brighter, as if resonating with their determination. "Let's not waste any more time," Zazm declared, a fierce resolve in his voice.

"We'll dive deeper into our research and see what we can uncover. Let's unlock the mysteries of these marks and discover what they mean for us."

Zazm got up from his place and went to another room, a huge room with several bookshelves surroundings it. The delicate smell of old and new books covered the entire Library.

It was the same room where they were sitting together, Zazm went to a certain bookshelf and started moving his fingers through the books placed on it.

"Bingo" Zazm exclaimed in an excited tone before pulling out a book. The title of the book seemed childish, yet, interesting.

Zazm came back to his room where Jahanox was still waiting for him, "Nox, take a look at this. I think, this book can help us"

Jahanox took the book from his hand and brows shot up upon reading the ridiculous title, 'How to use power of Time.'

"What even is this....? No! More importantly why do you even have something this cliche?" Jahanox looked at Zazm with a confused and dumbfounded gaze.

Zazm looked away clearly not wanting to answer but Jahanox's gaze was dead bent on him, "Listen, everyone has their chunii phase... I also had it."

Zazm's tone was embarrassed as he looked at the grin on Jahanox's face. In excitement he had given him a reason and he was sure this will haunt him.

"Forget it all, let's see what's in it" Zazm sat down cross legged next to Jahanox and they both started reading the based on total, "Bullshit!" Zazm declared before throwing the book away.

"Who the hell even wrote it... That's not how time works not even in the slightest." Jahanox who was also looking at the book weird gaze shifted it to Zazm.

"Oh great, Sir. Please, enlighten me... Weren't you the one who brought it in the first place?" Jahanox spoke in a teasing tone.

"I read it back when I was like 11 it has been 6 years since then" Zazm put his hand on his forehead realizing Jahanox won't let him live peacefully today.

"But it wasn't all useless, I think you are not looking at it from the authors perspective." Jahanox stated in an interested tone.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean... Yeah! It may-be true that doesn't time work. But you need to understand.... If one were to suddenly gain powers related to time, you can't expect it to work like it normally do.

There has to something different, and besides it's not like we understand time. It's just a textbook definition, we humans have made. There isn't even any proof that if it exists or not."

Zazm was lost in thought he understood what he meant and he was right the time controlled by a certain someone would be different from the time that naturally flows.

"You're right... I'll look into this, I think I might be able to find something." Zazm said in a serious tone.

"Well... Then that's settled we will discuss this further tomorrow. It's late, I have to go or mom's gonna be worried." He got up from his place.

"Ok man, see ya" Zazm waved his hand in a fun way soon enough Jahanox opened the main door and left.

Just as he left Zazm's head was filled with ideas he decided to continue his research about the mark till he find something.

Both of them were ready to unravel the secrets that lay within their marks and the destinies that awaited them.

______________________