No one spoke.
The hologram's grin lingered in the flickering blue light, casting long shadows over the ancient shelves. The quiet hum of mana filled the library — soft, low, endless.
Noel's eyes didn't leave the figure. Every instinct screamed that what stood before him wasn't supposed to exist. That it couldn't.
And yet… there it was — the same face he'd seen in mirrors long ago, in another world that had long since burned away.
The projection tilted its head slightly, smirk widening. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Noel's voice came out rough. "You're not a ghost."
"Smart," the hologram chuckled, resting its glowing hands in its pockets. "Name's Noctis. It's nice to finally meet you properly, Noel Thorne — or should I say, Noel from Earth."
Charlotte blinked, confusion flashing across her golden eyes. "...Earth?"
Elena frowned, whispering, "That's not any continent I know."
Elyra's brow furrowed, trying to mask her unease. "Wait— you're saying he's not—"
