Nott walked toward Wilson's room with determination.
~ Knock, knock ~
Wilson: Come in.
Nott opens the door and enters the room, stepping forward to stand in front of Wilson's desk.
Wilson: "Nott… I was planning to come to you. It's good that you came here.
Did you take the notebook?"
Nott slowly pulls the notebook out of his pocket.
Nott: "Why didn't you tell me I could do this?"
Wilson: "So, you entered my room without my permission and read the notebook I forbade you from reading!
You're banned from going on missions with the others from now on! And as for what you just said… You're not ready yet!"
Nott suddenly teleports, appearing right beside Wilson. His eyes burn with restrained anger and pride, his words echoing through the room.
Nott: "I have already mastered teleportation! When will I learn more about my abilities so I can complete my revenge? You promised me!!"
Wilson ran his hand over his forehead as if to remove the fatigue and exhaustion that had overcome him, then said in a sharp voice.
Wilson: "There are severe consequences to using your true power… Things you cannot comprehend... things that are extremely dangerous!"
Nott takes two heavy steps forward, his voice a blend of deep frustration and boiling rage.
Nott: "Two years… Two years I've pushed myself to the limit. I endured pain, broke myself over and over, and waited for this moment alone… The moment I take my revenge. And now… you want to take that away from me?!"
Wilson, steady but concealing his concern, tries to regain control of the situation with a firm tone.
Wilson: "You want to commit crimes and take lives… That is a path of no return. And you will never be ready for what comes after it."
Nott clenches his fist so tightly that his knuckles crack audibly.
Nott: "And what crime… is greater than wasting time?!"
Wilson takes a deep breath and speaks calmly.
Wilson: "…Ethan, listen to me carefully… Revenge is not a path to peace. If it is not calculated and does not match the injustice done to you, it will become a curse with no way back.
Revenge… is just an illusion leading you to emptiness. When you get your revenge, do you think you'll feel at peace?"
Nott's eyes widened and he kept looking at Wilson in confusion, his hands clenched tightly, Killed in a low voice.
Nott: "Look at yourself… You're the one who made me this way. You're the one who planted in my mind that nothing matters except strength… You pushed me to become stronger for revenge, and now you simply say it's pointless?
I was a fool to think you were someone I could rely on.
In fact… I was even ready to consider you the father I never had. But you disappointed me."
~ Teleportation ~
Nott vanishes instantly, leaving Wilson alone in the room, standing motionless… showing no reaction.
Nott stands in his room before his bag, which he had packed the night before, gripping its handles tightly. His destination was clear: Ravenswood Prison... the place where Tharis, the man he believed was responsible for his suffering, was locked away.
He looks at his bag quietly and whispers to himself.
Nott: "This is the final step… After this, everything will be over."
In the cold night, Nott stands at the bus station, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. The city lights shimmer in his calm gaze as a bus pulls up, releasing a cloud of smoke. He boards without a word, sitting at the back, heading toward his distant target... the prison.
The road is long and silent, and the city seems asleep. Nott stares out the window at the passing dim lights, recalling every moment of pain, every moment of weakness that led him to this journey. Every step he took pushed him closer to revenge.
Ravenwood Prison – Before the massive wall separating the inmates from the outside world.
Nott's eyes are filled with determination. This was not just a prison... it was a place to settle scores. The place where his journey, which began on that cursed night, would end.
He spots two guards approaching slowly, their gazes sharp with suspicion. In an instant, he makes his move... teleporting suddenly and appearing on the upper floor, between the cells.
Prison Guard 1, shocked: "Huh?! What just happened?"
Prison Guard 2, looking around anxiously: "Is he a super-powered individual? So… there really are people with abilities like the heroes!"
Prison Guard 1, tense: "Wait… What was he doing here!?... Quickly, find him!!
Inside the prison – The air is dark and damp, the smell suffocating... a mix of mold and rust.
Nott's footsteps are barely audible as he moves slowly down the shadowed corridor. Each cell held a story... tired faces, eyes drowned in suffering. Nott walks past the prisoners in silence, scanning the dimly lit faces, but he does not stop.
Inmate: "Hm? Who's this brat walking around here?"
Another Inmate: "Hey, kid, looks like you got lost."
A third inmate steps closer to the bars, smirking mockingly.
Inmate: "What's this? The warden's son or something?"
But Nott continues walking through the cold, dark hallway, his heart pounding as he searches among the prisoners for the one who killed his mother. He knew the criminal had a distinctive tattoo on his hand... a mark that reminded him of every painful moment he had endured.
Nott suddenly stops moving as he stands before a man, his hand covered with a piece of cloth, as if trying to hide his shame.
Indifferent Prisoner: "Hmm? What?"
Nott's breathing quickens, his emotions erupting in rage.
Nott: "Lift that filthy cloth!"
Prisoner: "What if I don't?
Suddenly, the unexpected happens.
~ Teleportation ~
Nott teleports inside the cell, his abilities manifesting in a terrifying display.
Prisoner, shocked and horrified: "Wh… Wh… What is this?!"
Nott: "Remove that cloth, or I'll cut it off along with your hand!"
Prisoner: "O-Okay…!"
The prisoner thinks to himself: "Damn it, what is a superhero doing here?"
Silence takes over the cell. The prisoner slowly lifts the cloth, an overwhelming fear creeping into his heart.
And there it was... the familiar tattoo, revealed before Nott's eyes. A snake coiled around a falcon. Painful memories crash into his mind like a torrential downpour. As he stares at the tattoo, flames of fury ignite in his eyes.
While terror seeps into the other man's soul, Nott realizes that he is standing before the very person who destroyed his life.
Nott: "You… You!!!…"
The prisoner looks at Nott in confusion, his eyes widening in true fear. Time freezes, as if the world itself has stopped. Nott holds his breath, drowning in the agony of his past.
Nott: "Tharis!!…"
The name lingers in the air like an inescapable curse, while his heart burns with the thirst for vengeance.
Tharis spins toward the bars, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Tharis: "HELP!!! GUARDS!!!
In that moment, Nott realizes that time is slipping away. Without thinking, he opens his jacket and pulls out a dagger, but his arm suddenly feels weak, as if drained of all strength. He must act fast. Nott grips the dagger with both hands and drives it into Tharis's back, piercing through his chest.
Tharis collapses to the ground, his face frozen between pain and disbelief, releasing only a faint, almost inaudible cry... like a scream buried deep within. His trembling hand clutches his wound, as if trying to ward off the unbearable agony, while his desperate gaze searches for salvation.
Tharis: "H… h… help…"
But Nott, standing over him like a looming shadow, feels the fire of vengeance blaze hotter within him. This was only the beginning. Realizing that Tharis was still alive, he strips away the last remnants of his humanity and unleashes his long-buried revenge.
Without hesitation, he stabs him four more times... each strike tearing a piece of his soul apart, each wound writing a new chapter of suffering. Blood spills freely, painting the floor with a portrait of dark justice, embodying the battle that Nott had endured for so long.
His blood boiled in his veins. The world around him became a haze. He could hear nothing but the pounding of his own heart, harmonizing with the screams of his soul.
Moments pass. Silence settles over the room, but this time, it is the silence of justice... a heavy, oppressive weight that makes Nott feel as if the entire world has stopped before him.
He senses that his long-awaited revenge has finally been fulfilled, that he has reclaimed a piece of himself that had been lost long ago. Standing there feels like the end of an internal war, where the spirit of justice triumphs over the wounds of the past, leaving behind a strange sense of peace.
Nott, standing there, feels the weight of the world lift off his shoulders. He had been waiting for this moment since the day he lost his mother, Emma.
The justice that had always eluded him had finally prevailed. A smile, tinged with both sorrow and relief, appears on his face as he realizes that all his pain had become a part of the past. His vengeance was complete… yet it left behind a hollow void in his heart.
Blood pooled everywhere, the ground drinking in the shattered remnants of his tormented life. Nott hesitated, shock washing over his face as a terrifying realization struck him. He had crossed the line... he had become a criminal. The thought consumed him, an abyss of darkness swirling in his mind.
Nott:" I'm a criminal now…"
Suddenly, the heavy silence is shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps.
Police: "PUT YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD NOW!!"
In that instant, Nott feels the world around him collapsing. His instincts take over, and he raises his hands... but that reaction is quickly buried beneath a single thought.
~ Teleportation ~
Nott teleports to the prison rooftop. The sky above is heavy with dark clouds, the wind howling around him, as if trying to drag him down. He stands there, staring at the distant horizon, feeling the weight of his actions binding him like iron chains.
Nott: "Now that I've had my revenge… what am I supposed to do next?"
The question echoes in his mind, ringing like a bell, reminding him that a decision must be made. He finds himself trapped between the thrill of victory and the burden of guilt. He doesn't know how to move forward while carrying this mark on his soul.
Suddenly, a voice resonates in his mind... a voice like an endless echo.
"Your revenge is not complete yet."
Nott: "Huh…? The voice… I thought you were gone."
The Voice: "I was never far, Nott. I am always here, in every shadow that clings to you, in every thought that creeps into your mind."
Nott: "But why now…? My revenge is already over."
The Voice: "Just let fear course through your veins. Let the darkness consume your soul… and I will show you the truth you have been blind to."
A dense, black energy swirls around Nott like a raging storm, swallowing the light from all directions. The feeling of suffocation grows stronger, as if the air itself has turned into quicksand. Every breath is agony.
Nott opens his eyes to find himself surrounded by memories, rising from the dark mist like demons crawling out of the abyss.
The Voice: "Do you see now? Your past reveals itself as shadows drenched in pain. Look around you... watch as the truth of your dark past unfolds."
The shadows begin to take shape, creeping toward him like wretched beings, unveiling glimpses of his past... muffled screams echoing through the air, dim lights flickering over fleeting moments of suffering.
Voice: "Do you remember that day? The day your life turned into hell?
In that moment, vivid images emerged; his mother, who once smiled at him, had now become a defeated figure, fading into the shadows of death. And Rivander stood before him, smiling coldly, his eyes gleaming like those of a beast in the pitch darkness.
Rivander: "Yes, I'm the one who caused this, boy."
His voice echoed in his ears like the buzzing of insects on a stifling summer night, as if the words were sharpened blades carving into his heart.
A surge of madness washed over him as he stared at the scenes unfolding before him, each detail seemingly placed to deepen his torment. Every vision, every glance, felt like a trap detonating inside him, drowning him in a storm of fear, hatred, and despair.
The temperature around him rose, and the feeling of horror swelled like black smoke, choking him, turning his lungs into embers. He fought the urge to run, yet he was condemned to remain in this endless nightmare.
At that moment, a profound madness took shape, as if the darkness surrounding him was a reflection of the chaos within. Rivander's cruel laughter echoed in his mind.
Nott: "No… No!! Did… did I really say that in that moment?!!"
The Voice: "Yes. Imagine, Nott, imagine that the very people you thought would protect you were the ones who brought ruin to your life. They were the ones who took your mother from you. Can you believe that? Can you accept that the heroes you admire are, in truth, the monsters who created all this chaos and destruction? Don't you feel angry? Don't you feel sad? Betrayed? This is the painful reality... one you cannot escape.
Your revenge is not yet complete; it must be as dark as the abyss that has consumed your soul.
Cast aside mercy, Nott. Remember the pain. Remember the betrayal. The darkness is waiting to claim its place in your heart."
Nott remained caught between the discordant voices of darkness and memory, as the oppressive shadows gradually faded, returning him to his harsh reality. In the deep silence that followed, he sat alone, his thoughts rising like smoke in his mind, weaving together memories and events into an endless, tangled web of sorrow.
For an entire year, Nott had been certain that the gang was responsible for his tragedy. He had dedicated his life to hunting them down, convinced that their demise would bring him peace. But now, after facing the horrifying truth, that certainty dissipated like smoke in the wind, dissolving into nothingness and leaving behind only an abyss of emptiness.
A profound sense of despair and disillusionment engulfed him, as if he were falling into a bottomless pit. His entire existence had been built on lies, shattered illusions. Everything he had constructed felt as fragile as an eggshell, cracking under the weight of brutal revelation. He regretted every decision he had made, every step he had taken in pursuit of revenge... each one now seeming like a chain that had bound him to his wretched past.
He wondered if he could have done something differently to escape this bitter fate, but his mind was overrun with thoughts, like a relentless army of ghosts haunting him.
Time itself seemed to blur in those moments, as though his life had been an endless cycle of pain and betrayal. Looking at what remained of himself, he felt like nothing more than a puppet in the tragedy of his own existence, its strings pulled by fate. The pain he had sought to destroy had now become an inseparable part of him, a weight pressing down on his heart, summoning cruel memories that flickered in the darkness of his mind, replaying mercilessly.
Nott's heartbeat pounded in his ears, a deafening rhythm blending with his chaotic thoughts. He delved deeper into his resolve, realizing that he needed to continue on the path of vengeance... not just for his mother, but for himself. Each beat of his heart rekindled the painful memories, a constant reminder of all he had lost.
He struggled to organize his thoughts amidst the storm raging in his mind, searching for a way out of this nightmare that had become his existence. His mother's face emerged in his mind, her gentle smile once shielding him from all pain. But now, a consuming darkness fed on his hatred, driving him forward.
He knew that darkness would be his companion on this journey and that he had to embrace it. He watched as the shadows around him swayed like dancers in a sorrowful rhythm, enticing him to accept them. He realized that his vengeance was not just a means to an end... it was his path to liberation from the chains of his past.
With each passing moment, his weakness was replaced by an overwhelming strength. He faced his fears, letting his anger blaze in his eyes, igniting the fire of retribution.
The Voice: "The darkness thrives on this resolve. Go forth, Nott, and let your nightmares haunt these so-called heroes."
Nott: "Where are they now? Where are they…? They devoured my life and cast me into the darkness. How dare they hide behind their false masks?
I will find you, wherever you are, and I will exact my revenge with all my strength. You cannot escape me. You will pay for every tear shed, for every moment of agony my mother endured."
Thoughts clashed in his mind, tension rising as his plan for vengeance took shape.
Nott: "I will hunt you to the ends of the earth if I must.
I will crush you with all my might. I will do whatever it takes to bring justice.
There will be no peace until I see each of you before me,
pleading as I make you suffer."
The Voice: "Yes, yes, yes, YES! That's what I want, Nott! Be the punishment that haunts them even in their nightmares!"
Yet, a deep despair crept into him.
Nott: "But… with my power as it is now, it's impossible to face heroes like them."
The Voice: ". . . The notebook."
Nott's mind flashed back to the moment he took the notebook from Wilson.
With trembling hands, he carefully pulled it from his bag. He opened the pages, the scent of old paper filling the air like a whisper from forgotten memories.
His breath hitched, a tangled mix of hope and dread swelling in his chest. He stepped cautiously toward a realization that had eluded him for so long.
Nott: "Wait!! That means… I can go back in time and save my mother!"
His words echoed in his ears, as if time itself had paused. But before him, a wall of memories loomed, and the voice manifested as a tangible presence.
The Voice: "And would you leave behind those who made you suffer for all these years?"
The voice slithered through his soul, stirring his most painful memories, twisting his past into something even more terrifying. Nott froze, doubt seizing him.
Nott, shouting: "It doesn't matter! The only thing that matters is saving my mother!!"
The voice grew louder, resonating from every corner of his mind.
The Voice: "Do it…!"
It felt as if his heart shattered from within, releasing all the emotions he had buried.
Nott: "No! NO!!! I won't waste this chance!!"
Despair and fury bled into his scream, but a steely determination burned in his eyes. His body stiffened, a surge of energy coursing through his veins, as if something unseen was fueling him.
The Voice, commanding: "DO IT!!!"
The voice thundered, suffocating him beneath the weight of his own thoughts. The greater the pressure, the fiercer the fire raging in his heart.
Nott: "…Yes. I must take my revenge!"
He realized that he had a choice. And he knew he would not surrender. Taking a deep breath, he gathered his strength, prepared to face whatever awaited him. The darkness swirled around him, embracing him like a long-lost ally.
He attempted to use what was written in the notebook, trying to break through the barriers of time. But the pressure around him mounted, as if unseen forces resisted his will. Thoughts spiraled into chaos, a storm raging within his mind. Each attempt ended in failure, his frustration mounting like a volcano on the brink of eruption.
After countless tries, he let out a raw, anguished scream... one that carried the weight of all his suffering.
Nott, shouting: "Enough! I won't give up now! I need this power!"
As he sank into the abyss of darkness, he channeled every emotion within him, focusing on the agony of loss. Then, something shifted. A force responded.
Opening his eyes, he found himself in a strange place, enveloped in thick fog.
Nott, in shock: "Wh… What is this?"
He looks around with eyes filled with confusion and astonishment, but his emotions fluctuate between fear and awe. The atmosphere is foggy, filled with the scent of smoke and burning, as if a heavy sorrow weighs down the air. He sees the buildings shattered, and ash falls from the sky like black snow, bearing witness to the tragedy of this place.
Nott shouts: "Why does the atmosphere seem foggy?! And why are all the buildings destroyed?! Where am I?!"
Everything is destroyed and burned, and some buildings are reduced to ruins, as if they bear witness to deep suffering. Fear deepens in his heart as he wanders through his memory, where screams of pain and despair echo from the depths of his soul. Their echoes resonate in his mind, playing a symphony of unbearable sorrow.
Nott, worried, in a low voice: "Is... is this the end of the world?!"
He turns toward the ruins, where bodies and blood are scattered, and fear creeps deep within him. It's as if every heartbeat in his chest brings back memories of his mother, her gentle voice that once filled his soul. He is struck with overwhelming terror.
He recalls the notebook that holds the key to returning him to the past, and feels the pressure of reality intensifying on him. He tries to search for a way back and flips through the pages quickly, but his anger rises when he discovers that all he found were completely erased texts.
Nott, screaming in frustration: "Why didn't I find anything?! What is happening here?!"
The feelings of anxiety inside him press down like a flood of anger and despair, as if time is tearing him apart. He feels that this land is nothing more than a mirror of a world destroyed by failure. His thoughts begin to collapse, and he realizes that everything he thought he would do has vanished in the midst of this catastrophe.
Nott, in a broken voice, in pain: "Am I... the cause of all this...?"
Events swirl around him, and he feels trapped between his tragic memories and the screams of the victims. He tries to find an escape, but fails to see any way out. Tears gather in his eyes, and he feels suffocated.
Nott, in anger and despair: "No, no... I can't be the one responsible! I am the one who should be saved!"
With each passing moment, he feels the ground beneath his feet tremble, as if warning of the collapse of his worlds.
The cries of tragedy rise from the depths of his heart, and he wishes he could go back, if only he had the power to change the course of his fate. But instead, he stands amidst the devastation, surrounded by deep sorrow and heartbreaking loss, in a scene that embodies his ongoing torment.