"You should not be here."
Jude turned sharply, instinctively ready for another fight. But what he saw wasn't an enemy. Not exactly.
A figure stood before him, cloaked in deep, shifting shadows. Their face was obscured, but their presence was undeniable. Unlike the other version of himself, this being exuded something ancient, something that didn't belong in the world he knew.
Jude narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The figure didn't answer immediately. Instead, they studied him, their presence pressing against the very air around them. Then, finally, they spoke again.
"You are not ready."
Jude clenched his fists. "I've heard that before."
The figure remained still. "Then you understand what it means."
Jude didn't respond immediately. Because he did understand, at least on some level. Every step he took in this place felt like it was pushing him toward something, something he wasn't sure he was prepared for. But that didn't mean he would stop.
