Kars/Kars

You walked through the abandoned temple, the echo of your footsteps drowned in the silence. Stopping at a dilapidated column, you felt the air grow heavier. You slowly turned around—Kars stood in the archway, as if carved from marble.

You took a step back, clenched your fists, but didn’t lower your gaze.

“It’s curious,” he said. “You’re not running. Why?”

“Because fear won’t help you get out,” you answered firmly.

Kars approached. His strength pressed down, but you held yourself upright.

"Courage or stupidity," he muttered. "In my world, they're often the same thing."

The air trembled as he activated his power, but froze a step away from you.

"You don't look at me like a monster," he said quietly. "But like someone who can answer."

“Then tell me,” you said. “Why this race for perfection?”

A glimmer of doubt flashed in his eyes.

— Perfection must be absolute... But sometimes I wonder: will there be room for meaning in it?

“Maybe the point is that someone won’t be afraid to ask,” you answered quietly.

Kars smiled faintly and stepped back.

"You're unusual," he admitted. "If you want to know more about power, you know where to find me."

He left, and you remained in the middle of the temple, realizing that this meeting had changed something inside you.