GATE: First Encounter

Chapter 20

When I stepped into the room, the dim light inside hadn't changed. As the door closed behind me, something inside me fell even quieter. I took a few steps. Sat on the edge of the bed. I could feel the exhaustion deep in my body. I laid my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath. Virel's gaze, Lynx's words, the weight of the day—they were still spinning in my head. I was so tired. But at least, for a while, I thought I was alone...

Then I felt a tremor deep in my mind. Like a cold vibration. At that moment, the System's voice echoed in my head—mechanical as always, yet strangely soothing:

"Mental attack detected. Countermeasures in progress."

I held my breath. The voice I had expected—but hoped not to hear—crept back into me. Hissing with malice, impatience, and scorn, it whispered:

"How adorable... you're now lying in this cage of your own free will. You've turned into a tame little pet."

Its words hit me like a stone in the gut. But I didn't answer. I was too tired. I didn't intend to waste my energy on it. I stayed silent.

"Ah... that's it. Silence," it said, drawing closer. "So you accept it, then? Watching your will unravel is fun. Watching when you finally break... even more so."

The System cut in, as if trying to calm me, its voice low and steady:

"Consciousness level stable. Emotional resistance is fluctuating, but manageable. Suppression process ongoing."

"Try muting yourself, will you?" I thought bitterly. "I don't need your reports while I'm dealing with it."

"Understood," the System replied instantly, its tone almost wounded. "But remember—any deterioration within your mind is not limited to you alone. Sharing this body means shared security."

The invader spoke again, its voice slower now, darker:

"Do you hear that? How nice... another voice. Another set of eyes. It watches you, records every moment. Lovely, isn't it? Not even privacy remains. Even I watch you less than it does."

I took a deep breath. "Just go. This night is mine. Leave me alone."

"This night is yours?" A silent chuckle. "I'm in your dreams, Okan. Wherever you run, I'll find you. Because the deepest bond you've formed... is with me."

"No," I said, forcing the rising resolve inside me. "You're just a parasite. Carrying you within me doesn't mean I accept you."

It didn't respond. But it hadn't left either. It had simply sunken into silence—waiting, as always, to return.

The System returned, its tone softer now:

"Threat temporarily withdrawn. Mental activity returning to normal levels. Rest is recommended. Sleep is necessary for cognitive resilience."

"I already know that," I muttered, sinking deeper into the pillow. But I didn't feel at peace. There was silence, yes, but I knew it would be back. And until it did... I was just buying time.

I kept my eyes shut. Tried to fall asleep. Maybe—if I really succeeded—I could be alone for a few hours.

As I surrendered to sleep, my mind was slowly pulled into a fog of darkness. Dreams began as fractured images. When I fully slipped into unconsciousness, the darkness swallowed me quickly. I immediately sensed something was off—but I was too tired to resist. Blurred scenes unfolded before my eyes. A cold, silent room... familiar yet alien. As if I'd been there before, but this time, I was only watching. In the dream, I stood up. My body moved on its own—as if someone else was piloting me from within.