Nik sat up abruptly, his heart racing from the vivid dream that clung to his consciousness like morning mist. His eyes darted to his forearm, half-expecting the glowing mark to still be there. It wasn’t, but the memory of warmth lingered, a constant reminder of the otherworldly encounter. As he swung his legs over the side of the bed, Nik wondered how a simple dream could feel so intensely real.
Nik splashed water on his face, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep and dream alike. The reflection staring back at him was unremarkable, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted, that he was somehow different. "Why me?" he wondered aloud, recalling Samy's words about being chosen. The question hung in the air, unanswered.
Nik couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, as if the shadows from his dream had followed him into the waking world. Each glance at the crystal in his pocket brought a sense of calm, yet the urgency of Samy's plea echoed in his mind. His resolve strengthened with each step, knowing he had to uncover the truth behind his connection to this other realm.
Nik immersed himself in research, scanning texts on dreams, parallel universes, and ancient symbols. The deeper he delved, the more intricate the puzzle became. His fingers traced over diagrams similar to the mark that once glowed on his arm, and he felt a tug of familiarity. "There must be a connection," he mused, determination setting his jaw.
In a book worn with age, Nik found a depiction of a crystal, its description matching the one in his possession. It spoke of guardians chosen to protect the balance between worlds, of shadows seeking to consume the light. His role was clearer now, and with it came the weight of responsibility. "If the fractures worsen, they'll need me again," he whispered, the words a promise to Samy and to himself.
Nik closed his eyes, feeling the universe's hum beneath his feet. He held the crystal tightly, its warmth pulsing against his palm. The night sky stretched above, vast and enigmatic, a reminder of the worlds beyond his own. In the quiet, he vowed to be ready, to stand firm against the shadows when they came. And as he opened his eyes, the determination within them shone brighter than any mark.
