Villain's Second Heart: Trapped in A Fantasy Novel (BL)-Chapter 54: System of Desire

Ezra, wearing just a pair of underwear, stumbled out of the room for a glass of water.

As he did, he took stock of his System notifications that he'd long ignored.

[FP 30/100]

"Wonder what I can do with that much," Ezra said groggily, still caught in post-nut euphoria.

Ezra exhaled slowly, the warmth of Oberyn's body still fresh in his mind. But even now, even after everything, the real world crept back in. The weight of the Second Heart. The title of Harbinger. The fact that, despite how good today felt, his problems hadn't disappeared.

[Would you like to know?]

Alcor's voice came snaking into his mind. The last thing he wanted to hear right now - he'd nearly forgotten Alcor even existed.

'Get out of my head, I'm busy,' Ezra groaned.

[Ah, but then I would have missed your delightful performance. Perhaps you were right to keep the Nephilim around - you've found quite an obedient little paramour. It almost felt like he was pleasuring my own body...oh, wait...]

Ezra poured himself a glass of water, trying to ignore the slithering voice.

It was hard to ignore when a large window appeared in front of him.

[5 Points - Obfuscation

10 Points - Override

20 Points - Rewind

30 Points - Manifest

50 Points - Evolution

75 Points - Steal

100 Points - Alter Fate]

'So these are all the powers I have?' Ezra couldn't help but glance over the window. A menu of impossible choices, each one dangling the promise of something greater. Power he couldn't ignore.

[I thought that might get your attention. Yes - the full suite of your power. Though I would be remiss if I didn't keep one or two things hidden away for my own amusement.]

Ezra took a big gulp of water, still recovering from earlier.

'Override, that's the one I used on Oberyn, isn't it?'

Even thinking the words sent a chill down his spine. He hated that he used the ability and everything it stood for. With just a thought, he could take someone's will and twist it into something new. Something convenient. But what kind of person would he be if he relied on such power?

[Yes. For only 10 of your Fulfillment Points, you can override any one thought and replace it with one more convenient to you. It might be my favorite of your abilities.]

'I don't like manipulating people, so excuse me if I disagree. So what do these other abilities do?'

[Obfuscation. 5 points. You may tell a lie, and anyone that hears it will believe it as truth.

Rewind, for 20. You may go back in time, up to a minute, retaining all your memories. Ah, and Manifest, for 30. An incredible power. You may create any object you wish, from thin air - to become yours and only yours.]

Ezra thought about it. He had thirty points to spend now - was there anything he needed?

He brushed off the thought. He should save up his FP, in case of an emergency.

'What about the others? Evolution, Steal, Alter Fate?'

[Alter Fate is one we've already discussed.]

The voice crept through his brain, activating memories of an earlier conversation.

Alter Fate. That was the power to change anything about the world he wished. He could even use that power to undo death.

[As for Evolution and Steal...maybe I can leave that a suspenseful mystery?]

"Absolutely not!" Ezra said out loud.

[Fine, fine. Evolution, for 50 FP. You can use it to unlock new powers. And Steal? Exactly what you imagine. You can steal - anything. An item. Even someone else's powers. Devilish powers, aren't they?]

'Yeah. So if I want to become stronger, getting FP is definitely the way. If I focus on Evolution, I can unlock all sorts of power. Plus, it's cheaper than having to steal from others.'

[You may find that depriving someone of power can be even more valuable than having it for yourself.]

Ezra gritted his teeth. Stealing, lying - they weren't powers he enjoyed the thought of. And yet, the Storyteller seemed far too intelligent to give him powers he'd never need or use.

But the other powers carried great promise to Ezra. If he had the strength and the conviction, he could become untouchable. He could rewrite the entire world.

There was so much about the world Ezra still didn't know. Even as the extent of his powers became clear, he still had no way to curse Oberyn's curse completely. And that was only the start of his woes - the purple Apocalypse Engine beating in his chest was his own curse. As long as he had it, and was considered a 'Harbinger', he would never be free to roam the world in peace.

Others would do anything to steal his Second Heart. But he couldn't let that happen. Oberyn needed it. Oberyn needed him.

'Alcor, I hate to ask for your help, but...'

[Ah? This should be interesting. Better not let old Rav hear you.]

'I need to do something about these curses - Oberyn's, and mine. Is that something I can do with 'Alter Fate'?'

[I suppose so. Do you think you can even gather up 100 FP, Ezra? You can't just milk your boy for it.]

Ezra clenched his fist. "I get it by fulfilling the desires of others, isn't that right?"

He spoke aloud again. He needed to hear the words out loud - hear the strength of his own conviction.

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"Then that's what I will do. Everyone has something they want more than anything, isn't that right? Then that's how I'll live my life. No more getting pushed around. No more playing the Storyteller's games. I'm going to forge my own path."

[How very passionate of you.]

Ezra took in a deep breath. The Storyteller. She was supposed to give him the world he always dreamed of, but instead, she brought him here.

But he had power in this world. Power strong enough to alter fate itself. It wouldn't be easy, but he could create the world he always wanted - with his own two hands.

And he'd already started that day - his relationship with Oberyn was no longer a musing. It was real. Realer than anything he'd ever felt - if he had any doubt about whether this fantasy world was just a fabrication created by the Storyteller, today assuaged all doubts.

"You'll see, Alcor. And maybe, just maybe...I can fulfill your desire, too."

[Oh? But my desire directly conflicts with yours, does it not? I want my body back.]

Ezra stilled. That was true. Alcor's goals were at odds with his. But that didn't mean there wasn't a way forward. There was always another way forward.

His grip loosened, his smirk sharpening into something almost defiant. He lifted his glass to his lips, taking one last, slow sip.

"You'll see."