Tragedy of Divinity

Chapter 17: The Old Man's Words

The morning after their first night in the cramped room was quiet, almost unnervingly so. The sun's rays filtered through the small window, casting long shadows across the floor as Seraphine sat up in the top bunk. She stared at the walls for a moment, the unsettling dreams of the night before still lingering in her mind. There was something wrong with Jill, something she couldn't quite grasp. And there was definitely something off about Lucian's attitude lately.

She glanced down at him; his bedroll was still undisturbed on the floor beside the bunk, his presence as cold and still as ever. Lucian didn't sleep like a normal person. He didn't have nightmares. He didn't wake up groggy or disoriented. He simply… slept. And it always felt like a slight reminder of how detached he was from everything around him.

"Lucian?" Seraphine called softly, trying to break the silence.

Lucian didn't answer at first, his eyes still shut as if he was in a deep, unbothered sleep. After a beat, though, his eyes flickered open, cold and distant.

"What is it?" he replied in that flat, monotone voice that never gave away anything.

Seraphine wasn't sure why she bothered. It wasn't like Lucian ever gave anything away. Still, there was something nagging at her, something she had to address.

"We need to talk about the old man," she said, jumping down from the bunk with a soft thud. "The one we met yesterday. He knows too much, and I need answers."

Lucian's expression darkened just a fraction, a subtle shift that didn't go unnoticed by Seraphine. His jaw clenched, but his voice remained eerily calm.

"You're obsessed with him," Lucian said, sitting up slowly, his gaze hardening. "You've been too focused on that man. He's nothing more than a distraction."

Seraphine raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "A distraction?" she repeated, almost laughing at the absurdity. "Lucian, he knows things. Things about this place. About the Nexus. You can't ignore that."

Lucian's gaze narrowed as he stood up, his posture stiffening. "I'm not ignoring anything. You're just looking for answers in all the wrong places."

"You've met him before," Seraphine said, her voice gaining an edge. "Haven't you?"

Lucian's eyes flickered, just for a moment, before he turned away, his back now facing Seraphine. "You don't need to worry about it," he said, his words clipped. "There are more important things to focus on."

But Seraphine wasn't backing down. She took a step forward, her voice growing more insistent. "You're not going to get away with dodging this. I've been in the Nexus long enough to know when someone is hiding something. And you, Lucian, are hiding a lot."

A tense silence stretched between them, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts. Lucian's lips tightened into a thin line, but before he could respond, there was a knock at the door.

Seraphine's gaze flicked over to it, a hint of annoyance flashing through her. She didn't have time for interruptions. But when the door creaked open, revealing the old man from before, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of relief.

The old man stood in the doorway, his long, weathered hands clasped in front of him, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His eyes twinkled, though it wasn't a comforting warmth—it was the kind of smile that made you feel like a chess piece in a game you didn't fully understand.

"I see we're having a little conversation," he said, his voice as smooth and cryptic as ever. "I do hope I'm not interrupting."

Seraphine didn't waste time. She stepped toward him, her gaze unwavering. "You're never just an interruption," she said, her tone sharp. "What do you know about this place? About the Nexus? And why do you keep appearing like you're some sort of guide?"

The old man's smile widened, though there was no humor in it. "Ah, I see you're getting to the point now, Seraphine," he said. "That's good. I've been waiting for you to ask the right questions."

Lucian's body stiffened, a silent tension that seemed to grow with every word the old man spoke. He moved to the side of the room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, a clear sign that he wasn't pleased by the interaction. His eyes were narrowed, the coldness of his presence growing.

Seraphine noticed Lucian's reaction, but she didn't care. She was far more interested in the old man's words.

"Why are you here?" Seraphine asked, her voice low but insistent.

The old man chuckled, shaking his head slowly. "Always straight to the point, aren't you? Very well," he said, stepping into the room, his presence filling the small space. "The Nexus is a place of transition, a world between worlds. It pulls in souls and beings from all walks of life, all of existence. It's a crossroads, a place where the fates of those who enter are intertwined. I know many things, Seraphine. But to answer your question… I'm here because you need me. You all need me."

Seraphine narrowed her eyes, trying to make sense of the cryptic response. "Need you? Why? What do you know about Lucian?"

At this, the old man's gaze flicked to Lucian, and for the first time, there was a hint of something resembling amusement in his eyes. "Lucian," he said softly, his tone almost mocking, "is a man of secrets. But even he cannot escape the web that's been woven for all of you."

Lucian's hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening as he glared at the old man, the aggression in his body language unmistakable. "Enough," Lucian growled, his voice suddenly sharp, like a blade sliding out of its sheath.

The old man's smile never wavered. "As you wish," he said, turning his attention back to Seraphine. "But remember, the answers you seek aren't always as simple as you think. Be careful what you wish for."

Before Seraphine could respond, the old man turned to leave, his footsteps echoing as he disappeared into the hallway. The tension in the room remained, hanging thick like a storm cloud waiting to break.

Seraphine stood there, her thoughts racing. What was the old man's game? Why had Lucian reacted that way?

Quintin, who had been silent throughout the exchange, finally spoke up, his voice filled with confusion. "What just happened? What did he mean by all that?"

Seraphine glanced at Lucian, who remained silent, his icy demeanor unbroken. "I don't know," she said slowly. "But something tells me we're about to find out."

End of Chapter 17.