Missing Link X

10
The futuristic white hallway stretched endlessly before them, its sterile, luminous walls reflecting their forms like an intricate maze. A girl and a cat-like entity walked side by side within the confines of the hallway. To the casual observer, it would seem like a friendly chat between two acquaintances. However, beneath the pleasant facade, an undercurrent of enmity simmered.The cat with its existence as thin as a wisp of smoke, was the first to speak. "What are you up to, playing with everyone like this?"The boy chuckled softly, his voice taking on a mischievous tone. "How long have you noticed?""Ever since I asked you what your dream was," replied the cat. Its feline eyes narrowing as it observed her reaction.The girl shrugged casually. "Ah, that. That was just me telling you what I actually remember.""Really?" the cat voice remained calm, but skepticism lingered in its tone."Yes, or don't you trust me?" the girl shot back with a sly grin."It's not that I don't trust you," the cat responded, "it's just that I find the story you told rather odd. Why would your host's mother try to poison the whole family in their meal and drive them away in the middle of the night? She must have had a reason—or rather, she must have seen something. The only thing I could think of that would drive anyone to such an act would be nightmares, and concepts aren't something you can put your trust in, as they are just personifications of abstract ideas."The girl’s facade began to crack, and he sighed. "Was it that obvious?""Yeah, it was plain," the boy admitted, its distrust deepening."ahh… it’s been a while I had surfaced in reality, my body feels a bit stiff"."[Dream] and [Nightmare] sharing the same body. Even the thought of it send shivers to me"."What can I do about? I had no choice, besides I’ve lived in his body for the past 500 years since resurrection"."Choice?""Well, you can't blame me for it," the girl retorted. "It's all in the past, and besides, he desired it. After putting on a brave front for his parents when all he wished for was a happy family, all I did was help him forget those moments ever existed. In turn, I maintain control over his body. If he remembers it all, I would take over him. Isn't it a fair trade?""That's just cruel," the cat remarked, its eyes narrowing with disapproval.The girl chuckled darkly. "Who are you to say that? What about you, 'the concept of time'? You ended up turning half the world into white sands after you got betrayed."The cat's ears twitched with irritation. "Well, that's a different matter. All I'm asking is, what do you plan to do with the boy's body?"Grinning widened. "Well, who knows? I might do something like creating a monster just for fun."The cat scoffed, its tail swishing with agitation. "Ehh... Your taste is as bad as you."A wicked glint entered the cat's eyes. "Why don't we make a bet? This time hes going to win""A bet?" the girl raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite itself. "What should I do?" she paused, “What do you want to bet on?"The girl's smile was positively devilish. "Let's bet that the boy survives the prophecy of [Six Towers of Light, forth comes a god]. If I win, I won't act until the [Fall of Clouds].'""And if he doesn't survive?" the girl inquired cautiously."You can consume my concept," the cat declared, his eyes locking onto the girl's with unwavering confidence.The boy hesitated. Such a bet was dangerous, and it knew that the girl wouldn't abide by the rules if she lost. But it also couldn't resist the challenge. "What makes you think I would trust you to honor the bet?"The cat's eyes glared wickedly wicked. "If I don't, I'll consume you right here."The girl's eyes narrowed, but it couldn't deny the appeal of the bet. "Hahaha... You—consume me? That's impossible for you right now. You can barely maintain your own existence, let alone fight me."The cat simply shrugged. "Well, we'll see.""Okay," the girl finally relented, "I'll let you deceive me, but on one condition—you don't use your concept on him again."The girl grinned as the cat swung it tail sealing the agreement. "Agreed."[Time-Nightmare] concept—[Rewrite] Past Time—[Awaken] Nightmare TrialWith that, the cat-like entity disappeared into the ethereal fabric of time as they reached their mysterious destination. The enmity between these two concepts was masked beneath a veneer of conversation, but the stakes had just been raised. The boy's fate hung in the balance, caught in a perilous game between two entities with their own hidden agendas.