I tugged my hat tighter onto my head as the wind threatened to let it slip. Everyone in town knew best to stay away from Nox’s tower. It was an old and barely ticking clock tower, just as jagged and jaded as its guardian. But I couldn’t let my curiosity go unsatiated.

He was at the center of it all in my dream, hand outstretched as the entire world fell to ruin. I needed to know why. The door was unlocked, practically falling off it’s hinges. It’s only saving grace being the overgrowth of vines holding it upright. The smell of oil and dust stinged my nose as I stepped into the tower, moonlight seeping in through cracks in the stone to illuminate the center spiral staircase.

I took a deep breath and started my ascent, no turning back now. The top of the stairway led way to something normal, almost homey. The cold light of the stairway was replaced with warm candlelight and the glow of a fireplace in the back of the room. The walls were lined with shelves, cluttered with gears and watches and all sorts of random clutter, except for two solitary windows looking over the town of Forgnox below.

“Writer? I presume?”

I turned towards the low voice behind me, it was him alright. Hair combed back like some sort of Vampire, greying slightly from either age or stress. And the general aura of exhaustion I was all too familiar with. He smoothed out his suit coat, presumably having just put it on due to my unexpected arrival.

“Sorry for the intrusion, Nox.” I said tipping my hat.

He held up a gloved hand, “Not necessary, I knew you’d show up at some point I just wasn’t expecting you quite so soon.” He glanced down at his pocket watch a moment before pocketing it again, “Actually maybe you’re late… you should’ve arrived by dawn.”

I gave him a puzzled look, “Sorry I… was held up. How did you know I was even coming?”

“My dear girl, you’re not the only one with magic that is far too intrusive.” He stepped towards me, “You’re a clever one, surely you’ve figured out that much.”

I took another once over his estate, letting out a small chuckle, “Honestly I didn’t want to believe the rumors. Controlling time? Seems like a tall order.”

He shrugged, leading me to a set of chairs by the fire, “Controlling is a bit much. I monitor, record, inform. But as I’m sure you’re curious about, there could be more to it than that.” He picked up a kettle from a table between us, pouring myself and him a cup.

It was practically scalding hot, but comforting to hold at least, the warmth seeping through my gloves effortlessly. “My magic works similarly, I think. I try to keep records of the world and the people within. Learning about people is an easy feat.”

He smiled, taking a sip from his glass, “Is that why you’ve come my way?”

I tilted my head like a metronome, mulling over the idea, “More or less I suppose. You understand the strength of such a unique magic. Furthermore, my magic likes to show me things that tend to make things… difficult.” He watched me close, “Seeing you, for example.”

“Really?” He said plainly, “Is that all?”

“That and the town being destroyed.”

“Certainly not ideal. You don’t perhaps think I’m destined to carry out this vision of yours do you?”

I shook my head, “It’s never that simple.” I sat back in my chair, “I think my magic just wanted us to meet.”

“Well you’re right about a few things. Perhaps we were to meet. But I wouldn’t discredit the destruction part of that vision just yet.”

I turned to face him, “Do these things happen to you too?”

He sighed, “The only reason I knew you’d be here is because of this.” He pulled out the pocket watch again, “I have one for every beating heart in this realm.”

My eyes widened, “How do you, keep track of that exactly?”

“Call it intuition. I know exactly when someone’s time is about to cross with my own. Like the gears themselves start to speak harmonically. Each one of these has its own rhythm, and when two or more start to sync up, you tend to notice. Or at least I do.” He grimaced, “It’s an odd feeling I tend to want to avoid.”

Strangely I had an idea of how he felt, “So what do you suppose I do?”

“Simple.” He pocketed the watch, “Figure out your magic.”

I sat up, “That’s not exactly a good idea I don’t think.”

“And why not?”

I went silent.

He sighed, “Look. If you want answers, that’s where they lie. The way this magic works is a mystery, and one most people tend to avoid diving into. The closest you can get is learning what makes yours tick.”

“There’s quite a lot of people I’ve found who are having difficulty with their magic.”

“Then maybe start with them. Perhaps a bigger picture is all you need.”

I smiled, finally taking a long sip of the tea in my hands before setting it down, “Thank you for your hospitality, Nox.”

He nodded, “Try not to make it a regular thing.”

I made my way back towards the stairs.

“Oh and one more thing.” He called back to me.

“Yes?”

“Be sure not to fall too far down, El.”

I stiffened, “How did you..?”

He turned away from me, disappearing into another room, “Goodnight!”

I turned back to the stairs, slowly descending one after the other, “Goodnight then…”