***
{Inside The Projection}
Malik looked down at the blade.
The engravings along the steel caught his eye. Old Tongue carved with immaculate precision—a precision he never thought possible.
As anyone would expect, he couldn't read it, so he thought of asking IT to do so instead.
But before he could open his mouth, the being recited it for him.
"AND 'HE' REVEALED WHITE, WHEREIN IS MIGHTY POWER. SULTAN OF THE BRAVE. LION OF SOLOMON. THERE IS NO CONQUEROR LIKE YOU, AND NO SWORD LIKE ZULIFIQAR."
Malik traced a finger along the inscription and smiled.
The meaning of the word inexplicably reached his mind.
{Spine Splitter.}
"...How quaint."
He lifted his gaze.
"Where's the original?"
The being's glowing eyes caught his for a long moment, unblinking.
"IT DOES NOT EXIST."
Malik frowned.
"Then how does this copy exist?"
"THAT IS THE PARADOX."
Silence hung between them for a minute or so before it continued:
