Chapter Text
“Why is the weather so cold? It's because the guardian's den has opened up nearby.”
“The guardian's den ?”
“Haven't you heard of it ? It's a story that is very common here. A very old story that goes back through the ages.”
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(Once upon a time...
A long, long time ago...
A monster appeared on Floor 88. A monster enslaved by his own fury, who unleashed himself without mercy.
The Shinsu distorted in his presence, and the entire floor shook with his every step.The monster wreaked chaos and destruction, and a single attack was enough to shake the entire Tower.
The Guardian had no choice but to appear in front of the mortals to contain the monster's anger. A terrible battle ensued, and death spread its wings over the entire Tower.
The Guardian perished.
Despair and fear spread, as did the blood spilled on these lands. The terrible fury of the monster knew no respite.
Just when all hope seemed lost, an angel appeared beside the monster, and in his embrace the monster's fury came to an end.
Then the monster said farewell, and the angel became a god.
Brave the winter, and you can meet him. Hear his wish, and your desire will be granted).
⸻✧❆✧⸻
The blizzard was incredibly localized. The snow fell in front of them, forming a curtain blocking their view, almost palpable. The bite of the cold had been felt several miles away. And now that they were ahead, Bam felt the cold penetrate his bowels. If he stayed still, the cold might kill him.
"I can see why few people take a chance when its location is so obvious."
Khun had to speak loudly to drown out the tumult of the blizzard that raged two meters away from them.
"Going through this blizzard is not going to be fun. You can wait here, Khun, and I'll keep you informed via the Pocket."
Beside him, Khun stared at the blizzard as if it were a particularly unpleasant person. He rubbed his arms vigorously, and his hands were shaking.
"I'm coming," the lighthouse bearer replied in a firm, definitive tone.
He turned his head towards Bam and smiled, though his expression remained a little tense from the cold.
"I'm intrigued by this guardian, I want to find out with my own eyes the ins and outs of this story. And if he really can grant our wishes, we should find a way to use it to our advantage."
Bam did not expect Khun to back down. He was both happy to be on this adventure with Khun, but also worried. For some reason, Khun was far more sensitive to the cold than the others, which was rather ironic given his Shinsu's affinity. The impact the blizzard might have on Khun worried Bam.
Khun flashed his lighthouse, as well as Yeon's flame which swirled around them, lazily waving its long, flaming fins.
“Bam," Khun called. Bam looked at the hand he was holding out to him, not understanding.
“Take my hand. In a blizzard of this density, we could easily lose each other.”
Oh.
Without waiting more, Bam joined their gloved hands. With a slight shake of the head, they were ready. With one step they entered the blizzard.
The snow came down so fast that Bam felt as if he had been slapped in the face. The cold was like a pack of wolves pouncing on him, biting him on every part of his body as soon as he entered their territory. Instinctively, his grip tightened on Khun's hand.
The lighthouses formed several protective walls, but they were ineffective, unable to stop the icy wind and snow from passing. Yeon's flame was also struggling to make progress.
As Bam summoned the Shinsu to form a protective dome, he noticed that it was more difficult to manipulate. He then realised that the blizzard was far from being made of natural snow. The snow, the wind, the cold, it was all due to the wild and uncontrollable Shinsu.
Uncontrollable, except for an Irregular.
The Shinsu whirled around them, but did not reach them. A cyclone formed, and they were in its eye. Thus, it was possible to breathe again without discomfort, without the biting cold consuming them. But the storm raging around them was so dense that they felt as if they were facing an opaque white wall trying to crush them. They now had no visibility, and it was unthinkable to send a lighthouse into it, it would be neutralised in an instant.
"Sorry, I thought it would be a good idea," Bam shouted, to make sure he was heard over the raging storm.
Khun nodded to him that it was okay, and brought up his Pocket. He activated the compass function, and it took him only a few seconds to know where they should be heading.
"The heart of the storm must be to the southeast !"
The blizzard raged around them, whirling furiously, as if frustrated that it could not reach them. But neither was afraid. Khun trusted Bam to protect them, and Bam trusted Khun to guide them. They walked laboriously but serenely through the snow, hand in hand, feeling as if they were both alone in the world. As if Bam didn't have to worry about anything else but the snow and the hand guiding him through it. It wasn't a bad feeling.
Inside the cold, white cyclone, time seemed to have no hold. Bam couldn't tell if they had been walking like this for ten minutes, an hour, a day, a month, a year, or just ten seconds. When the thought crossed his mind, he shrugged and decided that it didn't matter.
And then, suddenly, the blizzard stopped, and the silence was deafening. As one, Bam and Khun froze, holding their breath. Around them there was no more snow, no more wind, no more sky, no more sound. But the cold was still there, penetrating to their very core. Instinctively, Bam tightened his grip on Khun's hand and moved closer to him. The floor, columns and high alcoves surrounding them were carved in ice.
They were in a cathedral of ice, as beautiful as it was inhospitable.
Bam's gaze was first drawn to the back of the building, the largest area, where a crystalline veil descended from the ceiling to cover what appeared to be a bed, large enough for Rak to feel comfortable in his true form.
Then his gaze naturally went to the cathedral's ornaments. The ice was elaborately carved, so that the columns, walls, and ceilings of the cathedral were full of detail, and seemed to want to tell them a story. At the top of the columns, there were menacing figures, monsters. And next to each monster stood an angel. Sometimes they fought. Sometimes they embraced. And when you looked from one column to the other, they seemed to dance.
"Bam, look at that," Khun whispered, pointing to the nearest stained glass window.
The stained glass windows emanated a white light, a little dazzling. But once the eye got used to it, one could make out shapes, colours, movements. People. Some were talking. Some were fighting. Others were training, playing, arguing, reading... Each window represented different people and scenes.
"What does this mean?" whispered Bam as he looked around the vast gallery of stained glass windows.
"These are lighthouses. Several hundred lighthouses stored to match the rest of the cathedral, watching hundreds, maybe thousands of people without their knowledge."
Bam had not let go of Khun's hand, nor did he let go as they began to walk around the cathedral. They said nothing, walked slowly, but the religious silence here was such that Bam became particularly aware of the slightest breath, the slightest step causing an unwelcome commotion, breaking the sacred quiet of the place.
As they progressed inside the building, they came closer to the bed, set up there like an altar. And soon the figure of a slightly moving person appeared between the voluptuous covers.
Curled up on a soft, fluffy-looking blanket, his long blue hair cascaded over the cushions, tracing the contours of his sleeping body. They shuddered, and slowly sat up, revealing their face. And it was not just any face. A black band covered his right eye, but there was that thin, angular jaw, that thick eyebrow, those long eyelashes fluttering on his pale cheekbone, then was revealed that oval pupil, and that cerulean iris, which Bam would know between a thousand and one.
The person in front of them looked like Khun, like the distorted reflection of a mirror.
Khun, who thought faster than anyone else, always had something to say no matter what the situation. But not this time. He watched his mysterious double, his lips half-open, as if he had held back an exclamation of surprise.
The other Khun, on the other hand, did not seem in the least disturbed by the intrusion of his double. His single eye flicked from one to the other, its sharp glare betraying no emotion. He sighed, then stood up. The blanket slid down his body, revealing his pale skin. He was wearing only a simple t-shirt and shorts.
"Give me two minutes," he yawned at them, before disappearing behind a multitude of hanging veils on the other side of the bed.
"You didn't tell me you had a twin brother," Bam joked, a futile attempt to suppress his nervousness.
Khun frowned.
"I don't like it."
Bam didn't like it either. That the Guardian took on the appearance of his precious friend did not bode well. He wondered if this was some kind of test. Neither of them was naive enough to believe that a Guardian would agree to hear their wishes without them having to prove that they deserved his attention. And there were tests on every floor of that Tower. But why take on Khun's appearance ?
It was one of those days when there was not much to do until they could take the next test. They had chosen this remote town in the middle area in the hope of finding some peace and quiet. In order to not attract attention, they had agreed to not walk around in more than two or three people, and never alone. Khun had wanted to go to a bar to find out what was going on in the area, to get some useful information, and Bam had willingly accompanied him. That's how they had heard this strange story about the Guardian of this floor, revered like a deity. And Khun's eyes began to shine like those of a child dreaming of a great epic. This story had stimulated his characteristic curiosity and adventurous nature, and Bam could not resist this look nor this smile.
Bam also saw his own interest in this. Ever since the Hell Train, he had been fighting Jahad's forces to protect his friends and assert his right to exist ; hiding to train to become stronger, stronger and stronger to defeat and defend, to kill and save ; passing the tests, to climb, climb and climb and get closer to the top. And what for? To find answers that will only bring him more questions? Who is he and what does he want, why is he and for whom? He knows nothing, not even how to exist without having to destroy. The only certainty he has is that he does not want to be alone, that he wants to be surrounded by those he loves. But to love is also to fear loss and abandonment.
And because he has nothing else and it is up there that everything converges, then he has no choice but to climb to the top. And perhaps then he will be allowed to exist for himself, able to love without fear of further heartbreak.
And while Bam was searching for answers, this fear, this dull anguish pulsed inside him, ever more prevalent. This being that had taken on the appearance of his most precious friend was probably going to try to take him away.
“Khun, we should leave," Bam whispered in Khun’s ear, putting pressure on his hand.
But Khun did not think that way. He shook his head negatively, slowly but firmly. If there was one thing Khun couldn't stand, it was not understanding. And this situation was so implausible, so full of unknowns, that the idea of leaving all these mysteries behind was unthinkable.
As promised, the other Khun emerged from the shining sails two minutes after he left. He was now wearing black trousers, perfectly polished leather shoes, a white shirt, and his hair was tied back in a loose ponytail. The blue locks cascaded over his shoulders and down to the small of his back, and Bam found himself thinking that it looked wonderful on Khun.
"Who are you ? You're nothing like the other Guardians..." his Khun said without delay, unable to bear to remain in the dark.
"Would I have to have scales and be an unbelievable size for you not to doubt that?" replied the other Khun with an amused smile.
His voice, too, was identical to Khun's. He walked around the bed to stand before them.
"I am indeed a Guardian, but it’s true that I stand out from the others."
With that he began to sit down, although there was nothing behind him to hold him down. But just as it looked as if he was going to fall, a lighthouse appeared from nowhere, and he sat down elegantly with his legs crossed. Two more lighthouses appeared behind them, but neither Bam nor Khun pretended to move in.
“If you are a Guardian, why do you look like me ?" insisted Khun.
The other sighed.
"This appearance is also mine. After all, I am Khun Aguero Agnis."
"What the hell..." muttered Khun, scandalized.
"What do you mean?" interjected Bam, "What are you going to do to him?"
The other raised an eyebrow, and was now sporting an annoyed pout, which was quite disturbing. Such an expression on that face was usually never addressed to Bam.
"What do you mean, what am I going to do to him? You 'd better tell me what you're doing here. In case you've forgotten, I'll point out that it was you two who broke in here in the first place and disturbed my sleep."
Following this perfectly justified accusation, Bam exchanged a glance with Khun, and saw that he was just as baffled as he was.
The supposed Guardian huffed in exasperation before addressing them in an authoritative tone.
"It seems to me that you’ve come here because you heard that I would grant your wish. So go ahead and speak, I'm listening."
The way he wiggled his foot in impatience, his annoyed expression, and the intonation of his voice, everything was so... Khun .
Bam opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again without saying anything. Now that he was specifically asked to state his wish, he was unable to formulate it. How could he explain his situation, the purpose of his quest, when his own goals were becoming unclear to him?
It was Khun who broke the silence.
"Why do you say you're me? Things like parallel worlds only exist in fiction. There can't be two versions of the same person. Unless you're some kind of clone?"
"I'm you. And you're me. But my existence is also fundamentally different."
"That's not an answer..."
"Besides, what makes you think this place belongs to your world ?”
Khun frowned, and looked up at the cathedral walls, searching for an answer. Bam did the same.
But there was no answer. Only ice, and silence. The images reflected by the lighthouses were the only links to the outside world. Bam’s anxiety grew as he realised that they might have fallen into a trap.
Khun, on the other hand, did not lose his confidence, nor his insolence.
"It may be that this place is isolated from the rest of the world, but that doesn't mean it isn't part of it. Every guardian has their own space after all. How would this place be different ?"
The other had an enigmatic smile that did not inspire confidence.
"What time is it?"
"What?"
"Look on your Pocket, and tell me what time it is."
Despite his obvious perplexity, Khun complied. His pocket appeared and displayed the time: 5:17.
It was strange. That was about the time they had entered the blizzard. It couldn't have been only half a dozen minutes, could it? Khun's expression told him that he was wondering the same questions.
Bam brought up his own Pocket, and what it displayed amazed him even more: the minutes ticked by so fast that the numbers were illegible, leaving only vague white shapes, and the hours ticked by like seconds.
The other Khun's smile widened, but there was no joy in it.
"So, what's your wish? You can take your time answering, I'm not a second behind," he said wryly.
Bam glanced questioningly at Khun. He didn't understand what the problem was with time, and wasn't sure what to do now.
Khun walked a few metres away, along the gallery of false stained glass windows, looking for something. Bam called to him, but he did not answer. The other absent-mindedly smoothed a lock of his long hair with his fingers, looking deeply bored, as if he was suddenly indifferent to their presence.
When Khun returned, this time he didn't mind sitting down on one of the headlamps offered to them, and crossed his legs in the same way as his double, which was rather disturbing.
"Time has no hold on this place," Khun declared bluntly. Reading the incomprehension on Bam's face, he pointed to a stained glass window. "Third pane on the left."
The more time passed (?), the less control and understanding Bam had of the situation. Since he had little choice, and because it was Khun, he headed in the direction indicated, not really knowing what he was supposed to find. The third pane showed a young man with blond hair and a serious, concentrated look. The face was familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before. There were three other people with him, including another familiar face... A teenage girl with long ebony hair parted in two ponytails, a dynamic attitude, and proudly wearing an accessory representing the three red eyes of the Empire of Jahad.
"These people are Mr. Lero Ro and Yuri!"
Lero Ro and Yuri when they were just Regulars freshly arrived on the Test Floor, over five hundred years ago.
Khun nodded, but he wasn't looking at Bam. His gaze was on his double, and his expression was frozen, as if he wore a mask of ice containing his emotions.
"They say you can grant wishes, provided yours is granted. What is it?"
The guard looked up at them, and let go of his hair. His lips stretched into an unreadable smile.
"You and I are the same person. My dearest wish is the same as yours."
"...So I take it that after all this time, it hasn't come true."
"That's because the main person involved doesn't really put any good will into it."
"Where is he?"
"When?"
"Why aren't you at his side?"
"My time has run out."
If Bam had felt lost before, he was now completely lost and disoriented. He liked to think that he was one of the few who understood Khun, but even he found it difficult to follow the reasoning of his brilliant mind, which perceived and analysed everything much more quickly than anyone else. But at this moment, it was not one, but two Khun who were facing him and whose minds were rising and understanding each other, moving in their reflections at lightning speed, without giving Bam the slightest chance to understand a scrap of anything. He could only stand there, turning his head at every reply as if he were watching a tennis match where the ball was being thrown back so fast that he could hardly make out the players' movements.
"So if you can't grant my wish, can you at least grant Bam's?"
"Only if it doesn't go against mine."
Since they were obviously talking about him, Bam thought it was a good time to remind them both that he was there, and try to steer them back towards a conversation within his reach.
"You were right, earlier. We did come to find you after hearing these rumours. Would you be willing to help us?"
The other Khun turned his one eye towards him. He watched him for a moment, as if gauging him. There was a mixture of gentleness and severity in his face.
"Even if it is you, Bam, I will not grant your wish for free."
Bam. Even the way he pronounced his name was the same, though with a sort of melancholy.
"Actually, I don't want you to do anything. I'm only looking for answers."
"And they have a price. That’s the rules."
"Since when have I been so attached to the rules?" replied his Khun, crossing his arms.
"Since I was the one who made them."
Khun could think of nothing else to answer. If the Guardian was telling the truth, he was Khun, but a very different version. He was probably the worst person in the world for his friend to argue with : another version of himself who seemed to know everything but reveal nothing.
"So, what's your price?" asked Bam. "And what am I supposed to call you?"
"I told you. I'm Khun. But if that doesn't suit you, feel free to call me whatever you feel like."
"Then... you shall be Blue Turtle."
For the first time, the other Khun lost his cool, and the aura of mystery and danger that surrounded him evaporated as his expression broke down.
"What?!" the two Khun took exception in unison.
"Of all the names you can call me, why do you call me like the stupid gator do? Think of something else!" demanded the Guardian.
His face now sported a sulky pout, making him look more approachable, more human. More like his Khun.
And there was also the way he had mentioned Rak. This guardian said he was Khun after all. And Bam was tempted to believe him. But if it was true, he couldn't imagine what it all meant. This other Khun was a guardian. A guardian dedicated to granting wishes and hoping that his wish would be granted. His right eye was hidden under a blindfold, and his left eye masked emotions that Bam did not like to see on that face under an apparent casualness.
"I don't want to hear that from you either, Bam," Khun sighed, which snapped him out of his thoughts.
If Khun also asked him, then Bam had no choice. But what to choose then? Khun 2? The guard might say that he could call him whatever he wanted, but something told him that he wouldn't like it either. And Bam didn't want to upset him. The problem was that Bam didn't really have a creative mind, so he simply proposed what came to mind.
"So... Aguero?"
He heard Khun choke next to him, but the Guardian's expression softened, and he nodded.
"Aguero, what is your wish?"
Aguero stood up, and the lighthouse he was sitting on grew, grew, grew to the size of a room. An opening appeared on it, like an invitation to enter.
"I will receive you each in turn, for I wish to speak with you individually, and I will make a different vow to each of you. If you accept this condition, then I will hear your wish, and do my best to grant it."
Bam turned to Khun, who did the same. Bam could tell by his expression that this condition disturbed him, and Bam knew exactly why. Khun did not want to be separated from him. And a few moments earlier, Bam would have felt the same way. But not anymore.
"That's fine with me," Bam affirmed.
"Bam! It's not safe, it could be a trap."
Khun grabbed his wrist, as if to keep him close.
"He says he's you too, and I believe him. I can't explain why, but I have a feeling he's telling the truth. And... you would never hurt me, Khun. So I trust him."
"That's crazy..."
"I told you. My greatest wish is the same as yours," Aguero interjected. "If you don't trust in yourself, then trust him."
Khun looked down at the ground, weighing the pros and cons. His hand exerted a slight pressure on Bam's wrist, before releasing it.
"Okay," he murmured.
And he returned to sit on the lighthouse.
"See you later, Bam," he added with a smile.
Bam knew that smile well. It was the smile that said I'm worried about you and don't worry about me . Because if Khun was constantly worried about Bam, he didn't accept that the reverse was true either.
"See you later, Khun."
Bam smiled at him too, hoping to reassure him. Then he rushed into the lighthouse after Aguero, and everything turned blue.