318 All In My Head?

Isolde hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure how to respond. "Alright, if you're sure," she finally said, her voice tinged with reluctance. "But if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

I gave a curt nod, watching as she turned and walked back toward the common room. As she disappeared from sight, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Why would Isolde suddenly be so concerned about me?

Pushing these thoughts aside, I decided to head to my room. Maybe some solitude would help me piece together the fragments of my memory. The corridors were empty, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle. My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way down the hall.

Once inside my room, I locked the door and sank onto the edge of my bed, trying to make sense of the events. I was certain we had just completed the Phantom Chamber yesterday, yet everyone else seemed convinced it hadn't happened yet. Had I really imagined it?

Blaze, sensing my distress, nudged my hand with his nose. "What's wrong, Ren?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I don't know, Smokeball," I replied, running a hand through my hair. "Everything feels so jumbled. I could have sworn we did the Phantom Chamber yesterday. I even remember losing it. But everyone else says it hasn't happened yet."

Blaze tilted his head, considering my words. "That's strange. You've never been one to confuse dreams with reality before."

"Exactly," I said, frustration creeping into my voice. "And now Isolde is acting all friendly and concerned, which is completely out of character for her."

Blaze's eyes narrowed. "Something's definitely off. Maybe it's not just you. What if there's something affecting all of you, making you remember things differently?"

I looked at him, considering the possibility. "But what could do that? And why?"

"I don't know," Blaze admitted. "But we need to figure it out before the Phantom Chamber. If there's something messing with your minds, it could be dangerous."

"Yeah," I said, feeling a renewed sense of urgency. "We'll have to keep our eyes open and be careful...ugh." I felt my head hurt again. It had been happening a lot.

***

After taking a small nap, I woke up feeling dizzy. I opened my eyes to find Blaze staring at me, his eyes focused on me.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing... just thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

"What are you going to do in the Phantom Chamber? Like, what is it that place can show you, thinking of all possibilities," Blaze explained.

I still think it's trippy as hell that I haven't cleared the Phantom Chamber. The more I think about it, the more it feels like I'm wrong and it was all just a dream.

It was easy to...

Since what I experienced "allegedly" in the Chamber was not comparatively even close to what Adam and the others saw... was my mind just playing games on me?

I sighed, trying to push aside the confusion, when the door to my room creaked open. Isolde stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room before settling on me.

"Hey," she said softly, closing the door behind her.

"....the fuck" I replied, my voice flat. "What do you want, president?"

She hesitated, then walked over and sat down next to me on the bed—closer than I would have expected. I could feel the warmth of her body, and it made me uncomfortable.

"Just checking on you," she said, offering a small smile.

I sighed again, this time more out of annoyance. "Look, Isolde, let's cut to the chase. What are you really up to?"

She blinked, feigning confusion. "I don't understand, Ren. I'm just concerned about you."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't play dumb. I know something's off. If you don't tell me what's going on, I'll kick you out right now."

Isolde's expression shifted, the facade dropping. She looked at me with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. "Since the Chameleon's Maze, I've been... interested in you. I want to know what kind of person you are. Maybe even... more than just friends."

I raised an eyebrow, my voice still calm and bored. "Really? That's what this is about? You suddenly have feelings for me?"

She nodded, her eyes sincere. "Yes. I know it seems sudden, but after what happened in the Maze, I started seeing you differently."

I leaned back, studying her. "And you expect me to believe this? That out of nowhere, you want something more than friendship?"

This has to be something done out of malice.

She bit her lip, looking down. "I know it's hard to believe. But it's the truth."

I sighed again, the confusion in my head not helping. "Fine. But I'm not in the mood for this right now. If you're serious, you'll have to prove it. Until then, give me some space."

Isolde nodded, standing up. "Alright. I'll leave you alone for now. But I'm here if you need anything."

As she walked to the door, I couldn't help but feel a mix of skepticism and curiosity. What was really going on? And why did it feel like everyone around me was acting so strange? Blaze nudged my hand again, bringing me back to the present.

"I'm...tensed, Smokeball," I said.

"Anyways, back to the topic, what do you think, Ren? What could the Phantom Chamber show you that could scare you or be dangerous enough to defeat you?" asked Blaze, his eyes fixed on me.

"I don't know... maybe the death of my parents, both sets from both worlds—maybe Jasmine... I don't think that'll affect me though," I groaned.

"There has to be something—"

"Shut up, dude. I don't know. Let me just think of something else." I got up and walked out of the room, Blaze was way too naggy today.

I made my way into the corridor and left, heading toward the library. Nexus Academy's library was deep within the building, a place I rarely visited. As I traced my steps, I noticed students of Nexus staring at me—some even cursed behind my back, still remembering what I did to members of their team in the Maze.

The whispers and glares followed me, but I ignored them, focusing on my destination. The library was a massive, ancient structure filled with countless books and scrolls, a repository of knowledge and secrets. I needed to find something—

anything—that could help me understand what was happening.

Once inside, I wandered through the aisles, my fingers brushing against the spines of books. I needed to find information on the Phantom Chamber, on memory manipulation, on anything that could explain the strange events. Finally, I found a section dedicated to the various challenges and trials of Nexus Academy.

I pulled out a dusty tome titled "Chambers of the Mind: A Study of Nexus Challenges" and sat down at a secluded table. As I flipped through the pages, I read about the Phantom Chamber: a place designed to test the deepest fears and mental fortitude of its challengers. Each experience was unique to the individual, tailored to exploit their specific vulnerabilities.

Blaze's question echoed in my mind: What could the Phantom Chamber show me that could defeat me?

I continued reading, hoping to find clues. The book described how the Chamber could manipulate memories, distort reality, and create vivid illusions. It was designed to push challengers to their limits, to break them if possible. I read about past challengers who had faced their darkest fears, some emerging stronger, others shattered.

The idea of memory manipulation struck a chord. Was it possible that my memories of the Phantom Chamber were being tampered with? Had I really experienced it already, or was that just an illusion?

Lost in thought, I didn't notice when someone approached until they spoke. "Ren, what are you doing here?"

I looked up to see Erik standing there, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

"Researching," I replied, closing the book. "Trying to figure out what's going on."

I passed the book to Erik, who took it and sat down across from me. He flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the text quickly.

"This is interesting," Erik said, leaning back in his chair. "The Phantom Chamber is designed to test your deepest fears and mental strength. It's tailored to each individual, which means it can be pretty unpredictable."

I nodded, still feeling the weight of confusion. "Yeah, I figured that much. But something feels off, like my memories are being messed with. I can't shake the feeling that I've already been through it."

Erik looked up from the book, his expression thoughtful. "You know, Ren, it's possible that the fear of the Chamber could mess with your perceptions even before you enter it. Maybe the anticipation and fear are already affecting your mind. It could be causing you to mix up dreams, fears, and reality."

I frowned, considering his words. "So, you think it's all in my head? That I'm just confusing myself because I'm worried about what the Chamber will show me?"

Erik shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "It wouldn't be the first time someone got so worked up about a challenge that they started seeing things that weren't there. The mind can play tricks on you, especially under stress."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I guess that makes sense. But it still feels so real."

Erik leaned forward, his tone reassuring. "The important thing is to stay calm and focused. If you let your fears get the best of you now, it'll be even harder when you're actually in the Chamber. Trust yourself, Ren. You're stronger than you think."

His words were soothing, but a part of me still felt uneasy. "Thanks, Erik. I just need to get my head straight."

He nodded, standing up and handing the book back to me. "Take your time. And remember, we're all here to support each other. You're not alone in this."

I watched as Erik walked away, his words echoing in my mind. Maybe he was right. Maybe I was letting my fears and anxiety get the best of me. I needed to focus, to stay grounded.

Blaze, who had been quietly observing, nudged my hand. "Feeling any better?"

"A bit," I admitted. "Erik's theory makes sense. Maybe I'm just overthinking everything."

Blaze nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "Just remember, Ren, whatever happens, you've got me by your side."

".....and what am I supposed to feel about that?" I raised my brow and left.