Malik opened his mouth and closed it, appearing unsurprised.
He lifted a hand, a lazy little go on, and the thing spoke.
"A PRIVILEGE. A DOORWAY TO ENDLESS WORLDS. YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT. NOT TRULY. NOT YET."
The air around them thickened.
"YOU THINK IT IS A BURDEN, A CURSE. BUT TO A MIND OF CURIOSTY? A MIND OF ROT?"
A pause.
"IT IS PERFECTION. GIVEN. FORM."
The thing inhaled like IT was tasting him, relishing his reaction, or lack thereof.
Then, softly—almost reverent:
"A DREAM."
Malik's world flickered, pulsated.
"THE WORLD EXISTS AS A SINGLE THREAD, ONE STRAND WOVEN THROUGH A WORLD OF POSSIBILITY. CHOICES. RESULTS. ACTIONS. REACTIONS. IN THIS ORDER, ONLY ONE FUTURE CAN COME TO BE. THE LINEARITY OF REALITY BINDS ALL TO A SINGLE PATH."
A deep, rattling exhale.
"EXCEPT YOU."
It leaned in.
