Zazm Mystic walked through the cobblestone streets of Stockholm, his long black coat brushing against his jeans with every step.
The early evening chill didn't faze him. He moved with a calm, collected grace, his shredded physique hidden beneath layers of designer fabric. His black eyes surveyed the world with quiet amusement, the corners of his lips tugging into a slight, knowing smile.
He glanced at the glowing screen of his phone and slid it back into his pocket. "Well it's afternoon now," he murmured to himself.
The threads have guided them here but there was a small problem, there were way too many threads in the area and he couldn't exactly pinpoint the location of Catalyst.
Inorder to do that he'll have to go near the space time fabric and if he closed his eyes like that in such crowded places.....things can happen, he decided it would be a better idea to just look for them and once they are close he can simply tell.
'It works in my favor, I can explore a little,' his smirk widened as his speed increased a little. He stopped near a stall and brought a local delicacy, he took a bite and he was genuinely surprised at the flavour.
"Definitely didn't expected that from a hotdog wrapped in bread....what was it's name again," he snapped his fingers trying to think of the name he just read, "Tunnbrödsrulle..." He murmured under his breath.
"The name was harder to pronounce than make the actual food."
After rounding a corner, he found himself standing in front of a bright art gallery, its wide glass windows gleaming with light and color. "Hm," he hummed, tilting his head. "This place seems like the cue."
He stepped inside, instantly swallowed by the warm, bustling crowd. People murmured in soft Swedish and English tones, pointing at art pieces lining the walls. Zazm wandered through the gallery slowly, hands in his pockets, eyes drifting across canvases.
He stopped in front of a painting that looked like a chaotic swirl of reds and blues, surrounded by several different colors.
'That's art?' he thought with a grin. 'Looks like someone sneezed paint on the canvas.'
Next, a black and white painting of a car under moonlight. The painting wasn't extravagant, it was just a car....
"Wow," he mused internally, deadpan. "Incredible. A Toyota. Truly the Mona Lisa of automobiles."
He walked a little more into the halls when his gaze drifted towards a chair hanging upside down.
"Finally someone captured how it feels to exist nowdays."
A giant painting of a banana.
"Behold: Potassium, but make it 10,000$"
A picture of several black and white facing screaming as if they were in agony. He saw two old people standing near it and looking at it like they would never be able to see it again.
He walked closer to them to see if there was something he couldn't see.
"Magnificent, such beauty...won't you agree young man?" Zazm turned around to look at the old woman, who was in awe at the beauty of the painting.
"Beauty? That shit looks like me and my mind on a monday morning."
The old woman clicked her tongue and said in a frustrated tone, "Your generation doesn't know anything about art."
He looked around and saw a completely black canvas with a white dot in the middle. He looked at the old woman and decided to piss her off more.
"Stunning," he clapped his hands loudly grabbing the attention of people around him, the woman looked at him surprised and smiled, "Now you see."
He nodded his head, "Indeed, the raw emotion. The bold statement, the sheer....lack of effort." His voice serious as he spoke this with a smile.
A few people in the crowd started laughing while the others like the old women looked at Zazm with a wierd look.
He chuckled softly to himself and turned a corner. His smile widening at the fun he just had, he was just walking admiring more masterpieces when his gaze swept across some threads. His smile quickly got replaced by slight surprise.
He quickly followed them and reached the main huge hall, Standing before a group of tourists was a girl with soft brown hair tied back in a low ponytail.
She moved with elegance, her voice calm and kind as she gestured toward the paintings.
Zazm's smile returned, but this time slower, more thoughtful. "Found you."
He leaned against a nearby wall and watched. Her presence was subtle, but the energy she gave off—it buzzed against his skin like static. "A new Catalyst, I wonder what powers she would have," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely above a a whisper.
He watched her with growing interest, noting the way she engaged the tourists, her patient tone, her warm expressions. "Why does she looks like I'll have another Kiyomasa on my tail?"
Eventually, she glanced at her watch and smiled politely at her group. "Thank you all for coming. Please feel free to explore more. I hope you enjoyed the tour."
She turned and walked away, disappearing into a door marked STAFF. Zazm waited a few seconds before pushing off the wall and heading for the exit. No need to make a scene. He'd observe a little longer. No rush.
---
Inside the staff room, Jennie Aurelia pulled her hair loose and changed into a cozy cardigan and jeans. She glanced at the time.
"4:50. Finally," she murmured, brushing a loose strand from her face.
She stepped out of the room and moved through the gallery halls until she reached a wide, ornate door at the back. She pushed it open to reveal a spacious studio, walls lined with vibrant paintings and shelves overflowing with sketchbooks.
Inside, a woman in her early thirties sat at a desk, sketching. Her hair tied into a bun, her glasses hung loosely on her ears.
"Hey, Madam Inez," Jennie greeted, smiling warmly.
Inez looked up and grinned. Her red scarf hung loose around her neck, her sleeves rolled to her elbows.
"Jennie! You're right on time."
Jennie walked over and sat across from her, pulling a blank sheet of paper toward herself.
"You still sketching that commission?"
"Unfortunately," Inez sighed. "This client wants a phoenix, but in monochrome. Madness, isn't it?"
Jennie laughed. "That's like asking for a rainbow in black and white."
"Exactly. So, what are 'you' working on today, my little genius?"
Jennie blushed slightly. "Just a landscape idea I had. I saw this lake the other day—it had fog rising off it, and the trees looked like they were melting into the sky."
"Paint it. Make it yours," Inez encouraged. "You have an eye, Jennie. It's been three years since you graduated, and your work still surprises me."
Jennie began sketching, her pencil moving softly. "I just hope one day people look at my art and feel what I felt making it. Like yours does."
Inez leaned back and watched her fondly. "You will. You've got a gift. And more importantly, you've got heart. I've seen a lot of talent come through my doors, but not many who care like you do."
Jennie smiled, brushing some graphite away with her sleeve. Her eyes turned sad for a second as he spoke.
"I guess growing up in the orphanage made me want to create things that make people feel... seen. Like they belong somewhere."
Inez reached over and gently patted her hand. "You always belonged, Jennie. And you're not just my assistant—you're like family."
Jennie looked down, blinking a little faster. "Thanks, Madam Inez. That means a lot."
---
"I asked the receptionist and he said she gets off at 5," Zazm spoke his voice low and annoyed as he glanced at his watch, 8:35.
"Either I'm seeing it wrong or this watch is messing with me," he looked up at the completely dark nigh sky.
For past 3 hours, he has been going around the area in circles, doing whatever weird thing he could find to pass the time.
He helped a lost kid, returned a wallet, bought and drink a coffee and several more stuff, "Why am I doing side quests and where is She?"
He crouched down In irritation as he looked around once more for the catalyst.
---
"Jennie when are you going to make your art public? You've made many great pieces yet you haven't taken one outside." Inez looked at Jennie as she continued to sketch.
Jennie stopped her pencil as she looked up and spoke in a soft tone, "I just think I'm lacking something, but don't worry I'll definitely do it soon."
They talked for a while longer—about art, life, dreams. Eventually, Jennie packed up her things.
"Alright, I better head out before the streets go completely quiet."
"Call me if you need anything, okay?" Inez said.
Jennie nodded, "I will, Thank you for today. Goodbge." Inez also waved a hand at her.
---
The streets were still and painted orange by the glow of streetlamps. Jennie wrapped her cardigan tighter and walked quietly, her steps echoing slightly.
She passed a narrow alley and turned onto a broader street. Her eyes caught on a figure under a streetlamp—a tall boy with dark hair, staring up at the light like it had insulted him.
She slowed slightly, curiosity getting the better of her.
'Who stares at a lamp like that?' She thought to herself.
As she walked past, she stole another glance. His face was sharp, like something out of a movie—calm, unreadable, almost bored.
Then, he spoke.
"You always stare at people like that?"
She stopped, flustered. "I—sorry! I didn't mean to—"
He raised a hand without looking at her. A subtle gesture. Not accusatory. Just... quiet.
Jennie blinked. "Are you okay?"
He finally turned toward her. The streetlight lit one side of his face, casting the other in shadow.
"Yeah. Just... thinking."
She hesitated. "You're not from around here."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Well," she chuckled softly. "You're standing under a lamp like it owes you money. That's not very Swedish."
He let out a low laugh. "Fair enough."
There was a pause. Then Jennie tilted her head. "I'm Jennie, by the way."
"Zazm."
"Zazm," she repeated. "Unusual name."
"It fits. I'm kind of unusual myself."
She laughed. "Fair enough."
He looked at her for a moment, his eyes sharp but not unkind. "You work at the gallery, I saw you earlier."
Jennie nodded. "Oh...yes. I'm an Assistant to Madam Inez. She's brilliant. I learn a lot from her."
Zazm raised a brow, "Madam Inez?" He got lost in his thoughts as his mind drifted towards the painting he saw.
He quickly pushed himself back off the lamp, "You mean the artist that drew that canvas of a pile of shoes stacked in a corner."
Jennie nodded her head in irritation, "No it's called 'exsistential crisis,' it's one of her best pieces."
Zazm nodded in understanding, he didn't knew anything about the art and in the end he shruged his arms, "Well it was deep, nothing says 'exsistential crisis' like Adidas on top of Nike."
Jennie looked at him dumbfounded, she wanted to fight him for saying that about her teacher's masterpiece but it was late and it was best if she went home.
She was about to say something when Zazm spoke, "You're good at what you do, you defined all those artistic pieces to people well, to me they looked....."
A smile appeared on her face, "Well you won't know till you have experience and Thank you not many people notice it."
"Well," Zazm said, hands still in his pockets. "Not many people notice what I do."
They stood in silence for a moment.
Jennie finally smiled. "It's late. You should head home before the cold gets worse."
Zazm shrugged. "I like the cold. Makes people honest."
She gave a curious smile. "Maybe. Good night, Zazm."
"Night, Jennie."
She turned and walked off, the streetlamp behind her casting a long shadow. Zazm watched her go, his smile faint but genuine.
"Yep," he said quietly to himself. "Definitely her." He looked back at her once more and as her silhouette dissappered.
"I look forward to our next meeting Jennie." His smile widened and he started to walk towards the hotel he was staying at.
---
"Oi, you two get up." Jahanox spoke his voice cold as he shove his foot into Caspain's gut.
Caspian crawled towards Kiyomasa and shook him up, "He-y y.o.u al...ive?" His voice barely came out.
Kiyomasa moved his neck slightly to look at Caspian, "I thin-" Kiyomasa fell down again after saying it.
Jahanox walked back a little and sat back down on his seat, he looked at the two lifeless bodies and a chilling smirk appeared on his face, "Are you two dead already? It's only the second day."
Caspian managed to gain enough strength to look Jahanox in the eyes, he stared at him and spoke in a half dead way, "I swear I'll kill you."
"What?" Jahanox put a hand on his ear like he didn't get what Caspian said, "You still have strength left? Okay once more."
Caspian's eyes widened in shock and surprise, his eyes were devoid of life and he knew he wouldn't be getting out.
"Asshole....." He muttered under his breath before finally managing to stand up, his legs shaking.
Kiyomasa used Caspian's shoulder as support to get up aswell, they both fixed their posture and stood up again ready.
Jahanox snapped his fingers and several targets appeared Infront of them but this time the targets were moving left and right.
Kiyomasa carefully observed the movements of the targets before 4 arrows made of wind appeared across his hands, he lifted the arrows further away into the air taking the aim.
He shot all 4 together bursting 4 targets at once. Caspian also did the same but instead of 4 he was only able to make 2 arrows but he also managed to hit the target more accurately.
Clap clap clap
They both turned around and saw Jahanox clapping, "Well done, you both can no rest," A smile appeared on Jahanox's face, 'I didn't expected them to be so commited.'
Caspian supported Kiyomasa as they both started walking towards Jahanox, he carefully looked at the two of them analyzing their condition.
'These two are hella stubborn,' he thought to himself before he walked a little and the entire dimension slowly started disappearing into thin air.
In a few seconds they were standing back at the real world, the moon was shining with all it's might surrounded by several stars.
"The sky's quite clear today," Jahanox spoke as he stared at the moon for a while.
"You bastard, you're treating us like animals," Jahanox turned around to see Caspian and Kiyomasa standing next to him.
Caspian looked at Jahanox and spoke in a frustrated tone, "We've been training since 9 in the morning, you lied yesterday aswell."
Jahanox didn't say anything, he turned around and smiled, "You know you guys are quite lucky you can get powerful this quickly."
Caspian questioned him his voice still annoyed, "What does that mean?"
Jahanox shook his head, "Nothing let's go back, we gotta eat something too."
Kiyomasa lifted his head at the mention of food, "After all that shouldn't you treat us to something nice?"
Jahanox shrugged, "Alright fine I'll treat you."
They were just about to leave when suddenly Jahanox's phone started ringing. He pulled it out and saw the name and quickly picked it.
"You two go ahead I'll be there in a second," Jahanox spoke as he picked up the call.
Kiyomasa and Caspain started to walk back without him.
"Yoo Nox, sup?" Zazm spoke his voice same carefree.
"Nothing much I was just training the two, but what about you?" Jahanox asked Zazm.
"Cool train those idiots, they still have some of my threads covering up their threads, so they'll get stronger at an extremely quick rate but I don't know when the threads would go off." Zazm finally finished.
Jahanox walked a little towards the railing, "I thought it was weird they were learning too quickly but guess there was a reason, anyways there must a reason you gave me a call."
Zazm didn't say anything for a while after a while he chuckled a little, "I found the Catalyst here but she's living a good and happy life chasing her dreams, I don't really know if it's right of me to bring her into our mess."
Jahanox eyes narrowed in surprise, he spoke in a serious tone, "What do you mean?"
"It's just we hurried at the time of Kiyomasa and gave him powers so there was no way for him to return to a normal life, we can't remove powers permanently even if we removed the memories and if someday they accidentally used it then....." His voice darted off in the silence.
Jahanox nodded his head in understanding, "So what you're saying is that we didn't think this through for those two but as long as you don't do whatever with their threads they'll be able to live normally?"
"Yeah, I felt that when we found Caspian, I thought that these people are just living their happy and ordinary lifes and we are pulling them into this."
"I can see where you're coming from and you're definitely right, so are you not gonna recruit her or any other Catalysts?"
"Nah I'll simply ask them and if they say yes then I'll and if they don't then I don't," Zazm finished and he can imagine Jahanox's expression on the other side.
"What the hell? You're just gonna tell them everything out front?" He asked his voice surprised.
"No, I'll ask them like, what would they do if they have powers and I would show them a little stuff."
"Like?" Jahanox raised a brow.
"I'll teleport something from my hand into theirs and then I can shrug it off as magic If they didn't believe me."
"I get it but isn't it too risky, you should take me so I can remove their memories in worst case." Jahanox said in the same serious voice.
Zazm on the other side laughed a little, "Don't worry people are too busy to remember a weird encounter or two."
"Whatever you say, anyways I'm going gotta feed the animals." Jahanox spoke as he bid Zazm farewell. He stared walking back to where Kiyomasa and Caspian went.
"Well then guess I'll ask her tomorrow," Zazm said before he lay down on the bed and closed his eyes, his thoughts still stuck on a few spots but he ended up falling asleep.
---
The streets were still and painted orange by the glow of streetlamps. Jennie exited the gallery after work and wrapped her scarf around.
She passed a narrow alley and turned onto a broader street, before finally taking the same path. Her eyes caught on a figure under a streetlamp—a tall boy with dark hair, once again staring up at the light.
This time, before she could speak, he waved. "We meet again. What a coincidence."
Jennie blinked, then gave a soft smile. "What are the odds, right?"
Zazm nodded slowly. "Either we're in a simulation... or you're following me."
She laughed. "Pretty sure you're the one who's always under that lamp."
"Fair point." He tilted his head. "So, Jennie. Serious question. Have you ever wished you could do something... more?"
She looked at him curiously. "More? Like what?"
He gave a half-smile, thoughtful. "Like if someone walked up to you and said, 'I can show you how to change everything about your world—would you take that chance?'"
Jennie hesitated, her gaze flickering with surprise. "That's kind of a big question for someone I barely know."
Zazm's tone was playful, but his eyes searched hers carefully. "That's why it's a game. A what-if. Just pretend. Would you?"
Jennie looked away, thinking. Then slowly, she replied, "If I knew I wouldn't hurt anyone... yeah. Maybe I would."
Zazm's smile widened slightly. "Good to know."
She narrowed her eyes, playful suspicion in her voice. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Just curious. Games are more fun with the right players."
---
The next day Zazm wakes up early and gets ready, "Alright this is good." He leaves his hotel to come down and have breakfast.
He gets out of the hotel after finishing his breakfast and checks the time on his watch. [12:21], he starts walking towards the art gallery and and after a while he reaches there.
He looks around and smile appears on his face as he saw a familiar face, but he decided to see what Jennie was doing outside.
"Alright is there anything else I can help you with?" Jennie asked the woman as she handed over the old woman's purse.
"No no you've already done a lot, Thank you." The old women gave a smile as she closed the door to the cab.
"Helping the elderly and she even went all the way to cab to escort her?" Zazm stood there smiling at her, "Some people are just unnecessarily nice."
Then after work, Jennie once again found herself walking the same path home. As she turned the familiar corner, her eyes caught sight of Zazm under the same streetlamp. He was waiting, hands in his coat pockets, staring up at the light.
She smiled. "You really like that lamp, huh?"
Zazm turned, a small smirk on his lips. "Or maybe it likes me. Maybe it's destiny."
"Or maybe you're just standing there waiting to scare the life out of pedestrians."
He chuckled. "Harsh. Accurate, but harsh."
Jennie stopped a few steps away from him. "So, what's the game today? More cryptic questions?"
Zazm's eyes sparkled. "Alright, riddle me this. What if you woke up one day and realized the world was holding back everything you could be—would you try to break free?"
Jennie tilted her head. "Is this another pretend game?"
"Maybe. Maybe not. Humor me."
She thought about it. "Depends. Breaking free sounds dramatic."
"Sometimes you need a little drama to find the truth," Zazm replied. "Next one: What if you had a power—something no one else had—but using it meant you'd never be normal again. Would you still want it?"
Jennie folded her arms. "Honestly? If it meant helping people... maybe. But I'd be scared."
"Fear's natural. It just means you're thinking about the consequences."
She studied him. "Are you always like this? Mysterious questions, riddles under streetlamps?"
He gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Only with people who matter."
Jennie blinked, caught off guard.
Zazm stepped back slightly. "Don't worry. Just a game, remember?"
Jennie smiled faintly, then turned to head home. As she walked away, Zazm remained under the lamp, watching her.
"One step closer," he murmured.
The next day, Jennie left work just like before, stepping into the cool evening air. As she made her way home, she was about to turn into the familiar corner as she heard a voice.
She quickly changed her path and saw a kid crying in the middle of the street, she quickly rushed towards her and crouched down, "What happened?" She asked her voice soft.
The little girl looked her still crying, "I-Im l-lost," she held Jennie's hand tightly as if she was scared.
Jennie put a hand on her head, "Don't worry, I'm sure your mom will find you," she said with a smile but the kid wasn't listening.
"Umm, you know what let's play something," Jennie says with a fake enthusiasm as she looks at the kid.
The girl stops crying for a second, "What game?" She asks her voice still on the edge of tears.
Jennie pulled out a coin and tossed it mid air and she quickly grabbed it, she put both of her hands Infront of the kid, "Okay guess where the coin is..."
The little girl stopped crying and quickly became invested, she points towards Jennie's right hand and when she opens it there was nothing inside.
"Oh too bad," Jennie says in a slightly mocking tone with a soft smile.
The little girl quickly points towards the other hand and when she opens, it was also empty.
The little girl looked at Jennie in a surprised way, Jennie smiles as she pulls the coin from her ear, "what do we have her--"
"Marie," Jennie and the little girl looked back at the source of voice and a women quickly cam running.
Marie jumped at her mother and started crying, her mother thanks Jennie and quickly picks yup Marie to leave.
Jennie starts walking home through a different way when she suddenly remembered the mysterious boy, she find his questions quite fun so she quickly walked back to the same route.
She approached him with a raised eyebrow. "What's the matter today?"
Zazm smiled and reached into his coat pocket. "Today, I'm going to show you something."
Jennie tilted her head, amused. "Oh? And what's that?"
He held up a shiny silver coin. "My superpower."
Jennie laughed. "Your superpower is spare change? Impressive."
"Close your fists," he said, stepping closer. "Both of them."
Still amused, she held them out and closed them tightly.
"Now open them."
She did—and the coin was sitting in her right palm.
Her eyebrows rose. "Wait, what?"
She chuckled, surprised. "I didn't know you were a magician."
Zazm smiled, eyes glinting. "I didn't either."
Jennie looked at him for a second longer, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Alright, mystery man. You win this round."
Zazm said nothing more, but his smile lingered as she continued walking home, glancing at the coin in her palm.
The night deepened, and somewhere in its shadows, time quietly twisted and space bent around a boy who smiled under a streetlamp.
The next day at work, Jennie asks madam Inez, "Say Madam Inez what would you do if you see a boy mysteriously staring at a lamp?
"Think he's Weird and stay away," Inez spoke without looking at Jennie as she continued to draw.
Jennie nodded at her words, "You're right but what if he asks some real fun questions and play games?"
Inez looked at her, concerned. "Jennie, you have to be careful. There are a lot of creeps out there."
Jennie nodded. "I know. He doesn't feel like that, though. He's... different."
Inez crossed her arms. "Still. Don't let your guard down."
"I won't," Jennie promised. "He's harmless."
That evening, Jennie followed her usual path, anticipation bubbling just under the surface. And as expected, Zazm was there again.
"You came," he said, smiling.
"Of course. I figured I owed you another round of questions."
Zazm grinned. "No questions today. You asked me for a magic trick, remember?"
Jennie laughed knowingly. "Right, right. Superpowers and all. Okay, mystery man. Show me. Teleport yourself."
Zazm's smirk widened. He remained still, silent.
Jennie giggled. "I know it's too much. Sorry. I just thought it'd be fun."
She glanced up again—and froze.
He was gone.
Her eyes widened. "What the..."
Then, a voice behind her. "Looking for me?"
She spun around, startled.
Zazm stood casually leaning against the next streetlamp down the road.
Jennie stared at him, her mouth slightly open.
"How—?"
He winked. "Told you it was a good trick."
Jennie laughed a little, "Okay that was extremely great but I still don't believe you have superpowers, Me Magician."
Zazm smiled, "Fair enough guess then I'll just have to make you believe me."
Jennie walked home, her steps a little hurried, her thoughts still stuck on the mysterious man—the figure. But this time, she was truly shocked and surprised by how he did that. Jennie was an art student, and she had always had an interest in magic, so she tried to see it like any other magic trick. Still, a part of her couldn't let it go.
That night, she fell asleep thinking about tomorrow. But somewhere in her heart, a question lingered like a shadow—who was he, really?
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