transported into twilight with a system

chapter 5

Ethan settled into the guest room Alice led him to, the door closing softly behind her. The space was minimalist, yet elegant, with cream-colored walls and a large window that overlooked the vast forest surrounding the Cullen mansion. It should have been peaceful, but Ethan couldn’t shake the anxiety gnawing at him.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his thoughts racing. The Cullens weren’t actively trying to kill him, at least for now, but the weight of their scrutiny was enough to keep him on edge. And the looming threat of the Volturi? That felt like a ticking time bomb. He needed a plan—something to make sense of his bizarre new reality.

The system’s interface flickered again in his vision, like a notification waiting to be opened. Ethan had grown accustomed to the intrusive nature of it, but every time it buzzed, it sent a jolt of unease through him. This time, the message was different.

New Skill Unlocked: Observation. Use this skill to gather information on your surroundings and allies.

Ethan blinked. Observation? He stared at the notification. “Okay… that’s new.” If this was really a game, then the system was giving him tools to survive. But why now?

He stood up, pacing the room. The Cullens were vampires, sure, but they seemed more cautious than outright hostile. Could he really gain their trust? And more importantly, what would happen if he didn’t?

Before he could dive further into his spiraling thoughts, a soft knock on the door interrupted him. The door creaked open, revealing Edward, his expression still unreadable, though perhaps a bit more relaxed than before.

“Mind if I come in?” Edward asked, his voice low.

Ethan shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Go ahead.”

Edward entered, closing the door behind him with the precision of someone who didn’t want to be overheard. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and eyed Ethan with a seriousness that made the human swallow nervously.

“I know you’re trying to figure all of this out,” Edward began, his gaze sharp. “But you need to understand something. You’re not the only one with questions.”

Ethan tilted his head. “What do you mean?”

“I still can’t hear your thoughts,” Edward admitted, his frustration evident in his tone. “I’ve never encountered a human—or anyone, for that matter—whose mind is completely unreadable to me.”

“Is that… bad?” Ethan asked, genuinely unsure of what to make of it.

Edward frowned, considering his words carefully. “It’s not inherently bad. But it’s unusual. Dangerous, even. You could be hiding something, and none of us would know.”

Ethan felt a pang of defensiveness. “Look, I’m not hiding anything on purpose. Trust me, I wish I knew what the hell was going on as much as you do.”

Edward’s eyes softened slightly, though his expression remained intense. “That’s the problem. You don’t know. And that makes you unpredictable.”

There was a pause before Edward continued. “I spoke to Alice. She told me she’s seen flashes of possible futures involving you—none of them are clear. But one thing stands out: in every scenario, you seem to be playing a role much larger than any of us can predict.”

Ethan’s blood ran cold. “Larger how?”

Edward didn’t answer directly. Instead, he sighed and pushed himself off the wall. “I don’t know yet. But whatever this system is, it’s affecting more than just you. It’s weaving you into the fabric of this world in ways none of us can fully understand.”

Ethan took a moment to digest the information. “So, what? I’m just supposed to… wait until something terrible happens?”

Edward shot him a knowing look. “Not exactly. I’d suggest being proactive. This isn’t just about you surviving anymore. It’s about figuring out your place in all this—before someone else does.”

Ethan nodded slowly, realizing the gravity of the situation. “Okay. But where do I even start? I mean, if you were me, what would you do?”

Edward stared at him for a long moment before answering. “First? Learn. Learn everything you can about this world—about us. The more you know, the better chance you have of staying one step ahead. And if the Volturi do come, at least you won’t be completely helpless.”

The weight of Edward’s words sank in, and Ethan’s mind began to race again. Information was power, and in a world where vampires, werewolves, and possibly worse existed, power was his only hope of survival.

“I’ll do that,” Ethan said. “Thanks.”

Edward nodded once before heading toward the door. “Just be careful, Ethan. Whatever game you’re playing… it’s not one you can afford to lose.”

With that, he left Ethan alone with his thoughts.

Ethan slumped back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Learn everything, Edward had said. That sounded simple enough, but Ethan knew it wouldn’t be. There were layers to this world—things he didn’t fully understand yet. If he was going to survive, he had to figure out not just how to play the game but how to win it.

His mind drifted back to the system and its new skill. Observation. He hadn’t tested it yet. Slowly, Ethan sat up and looked around the room. He focused on the objects, willing the system to activate.

To his surprise, faint outlines began to glow around certain items—a book on the nightstand, the window latch, and a small painting on the wall. A new notification popped up.

Observation: Basic insights gathered. Hidden compartment in painting detected.

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat. Hidden compartment?

Curiosity took over, and he quickly moved toward the painting. He carefully examined the edges, his fingers brushing over the frame until he felt a slight groove. With a soft click, a small panel slid open, revealing a folded piece of paper.

His hands trembled slightly as he unfolded it. Scrawled across the page in elegant, looping handwriting were four words:

“Trust no one. Not yet.”

Ethan stared at the note, a chill creeping down his spine. Whoever had left this message had known he would find it—had planned for it.

Suddenly, the game felt a whole lot more dangerous than he’d ever imagined.