My plan was simple — at least in theory: to create a copy of Chronas and send it into the "Flow of Time" As I've mentioned before, even though I speak of it as if it were a living being, the "Flow" is nothing more than a concept — a paradoxical space, technically unreachable. And yet, it exists, sustained on a plane separate from reality itself.
Actually, I never had the illusion that my plan was perfect — I've been aware of its flaws from the very start. Even so, I can't really bring myself to worry about everything falling apart. Trying to deceive time itself... sounds insane, even to me. But come to think of it, compared to all the crazy things I've done in the past, this one doesn't even seem that unreasonable.
That irritating guy simply doesn't think; as long as Chronas — or anything that resembles her — is around, he tends to stabilize on his own, as if her presence anchors him to reality.
The problem was that this very part — the most essential one — was also the most fragile. One small misstep, and everything could crumble. Moments earlier, my voice had sounded so confident... honestly, thinking about my own words now is embarrassing. Sure, I wasn't lying when I asked everyone to trust me, when I told them they could leave everything in my hands.
But there was a difference — this time, I wasn't going to do everything alone. In fact, I couldn't. If I tried to repeat the same process I used to create Sara, I'd fail miserably. And even if, by some miracle, I succeeded... the result would be weak, nowhere near enough.
Besides, even if the "Flow of Time" exists only as a concept, it couldn't be fooled. It would sense the falsehood instantly — and reject it, like a body repelling something that doesn't belong.
Although it's true that I was the one who created the shell Chronas is using — the human called Sara — that was only possible thanks to the abilities my past self once had. As for now? Well... unless someone needs a walking nuclear bomb, I doubt I'd be of much use.
When I shared with the three of them an overview of the current situation, silence was the only response I got. They just looked at each other, as if seeking silent confirmation that they'd heard me right. A few heavy seconds passed before Victor ran a hand down his face, his expression tired and lost.
"So, basically... we're completely screwed" he muttered with a half-hearted, bitter laugh that did nothing to hide his despair.
Victor wasn't exactly wrong. But let's be honest — I wouldn't have sounded so confident if I didn't have a backup plan hidden up my sleeve — a safety net in case Plan A (which, by the way, never really existed) failed.
(Not exactly) I mentally commented to the three of them, in a confident tone: (It's true that, with my current powers, unless you want to see a nuclear explosion happen, it's impossible to recreate what I did earlier with Sara and Chronas. However, that doesn't mean we're out of other options)
Victor watched me in silence for a moment, his eyes narrowing as if trying to read my face. Then a frown took over his expression, marked by impatience: "Alright, spit it out. That frozen look on your face is getting on my nerves — what the hell are you plotting?"
(It's simple, I replied.) Even though I can't do it myself right now, that doesn't mean I don't know someone who can.
At my words, Victor, Emily, and Laura exchanged silent glances for a few seconds, a mix of doubt and curiosity hanging in the air. Then, slowly, they all turned their eyes back to me. Victor was the one to break the silence, folding his arms and speaking in that half-skeptical tone of his: "So... in short... you're just going to dump the responsibility on someone else?"
I didn't deny it. I just stared back at him quietly, which earned me that same look again — the one he gave me when he seemed to be trying to figure out some otherworldly creature.
"I don't know what surprises me more" he said, raising an eyebrow: "your indifference about this whole thing — or the fact that you seem so confident while pushing it all onto someone else"
I didn't deny Victor's words, but in my defense, while it was true that I was shifting the responsibility to someone else — namely, Althea — it was also true that I knew my sisters well. I knew they loved me and would do whatever I asked without complaint... or at least, that's what I wanted to believe.
In any case, with nearly the entire plan already laid out — or at least most of it — there was only one final detail to take care of before we could go home. It was something simple, yet indispensable.
After all, we had already decided to bring Chronas with us. Leaving her in the hospital's underground made no sense, especially now that she was, at least technically, healed.
Although I initially thought moving Chronas would be a problem, the truth is that it was resolved in an instant — all it took were a few words from Emily. Times like these really show how much of a difference it makes to have someone with that kind of influence and power around.
With that settled, I gathered everyone and led them into the Dark World. As soon as we arrived, I activated the teleportation without hesitation; our destination was clear — the isolated complex in the desert, where my sisters were waiting for us.
The place where we reappeared was the long, pale corridor of the facility. In front of us stood my room — the space where my sister and I spent most of our time together.
Even though our numbers kept growing each time one of my sisters appeared, the room was still large enough to fit everyone comfortably. There was plenty of space to move around, making the atmosphere surprisingly cozy.
Chronas observed her surroundings with careful curiosity, her eyes catching on every detail. Although her face remained indifferent and nearly expressionless, a faint blush colored her cheeks, and a subtle sparkle danced in her eyes — revealing the emotions she kept inside.
While Emily, Laura, and Victor were still trying to shake off the slight dizziness from teleporting, I walked over to Chronas, who seemed a bit distracted, as if lost in her own thoughts.
I reached out and took her hand, feeling a brief tension dissolve at the touch. Chronas lifted her eyes to mine, her gaze a mix of curiosity and mild surprise, holding me for just a moment.
I didn't say a word; I simply guided her to the door of my room. As we approached, it slid open automatically with a gentle glide, releasing a warm, familiar air that seemed to invite us in. Honestly, I never quite understood how it worked.
Inside, no matter how hard I tried, that automatic function never worked. But outside, the door opened effortlessly. Maybe they left it that way on purpose, knowing they'd never really be able to trap me.
Putting those thoughts aside, I stepped into my room with Chronas. My sisters were there, scattered around, each busy with their own tasks, oblivious to our arrival.
Of course, that didn't last long. In mere seconds, Chronas and I were met with the attentive stares of Althea, Nekra, Nyara, and Eryanis. The first to react was Althea, who floated over with her usual grace, her white-feathered wings gently rippling around her like the air itself was embracing her.
"Oh! Dear sister! You're finally back... I missed you so much!" Althea exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy. A radiant, wide, genuine smile lit up her face, reflecting the relief and happiness sparkling in her eyes.
Then Althea's gaze shifted to Chronas, who stood by my side, still holding my hand. For a brief moment, I thought I saw a subtle twitch on her face—a barely noticeable quirk of the lips or eyes—when she noticed the gesture between us.
Maybe it was just my imagination. Either way, Althea took a few steps around Chronas, observing her silently, while Chronas remained impassive, standing still and quiet, as if Althea's presence didn't spark the slightest interest.
"Expressionless as always" Althea commented with a slight arch of her brow and a teasing tone. She paused briefly, frowning as if something puzzled her: "So... why do you look like that? Were you living among humans, like me?" Her lips curved into a small, mischievous smile: "Of course, I was way cuter and fluffier, obviously"
"Ha! Talk about idolizing yourself..." Victor muttered, almost inaudibly, as if speaking only to himself. A faint, ironic smile played on his lips, the mischievous glint in his eyes revealing the sarcasm hidden behind his quiet voice.
"Huh? Did you say something?" Althea asked, slowly turning her gaze toward Victor. The smile on her lips seemed polite, but her eyes told a different story—cold, tense, like a flicker of irritation was about to escape. Despite her light tone, there was something in her voice that subtly weighed the air, making it clear she was definitely not happy.
Victor kept his indifferent expression, his eyes fixed for a brief moment before letting out a soft sigh. Then he shrugged lazily, as if none of this really concerned him, and replied in a calm, almost disinterested tone: "Aren't you hearing things?"
Althea let out a brief, melodious laugh at Victor's words, a light sound that seemed to dance in the air. She slowly lifted off the ground, floating gracefully as her feathered wings moved in a smooth, harmonious rhythm, scattering tiny specks of light around her. A playful smile touched her lips as she replied, in a serene and teasing tone: "I guess you're right"
As for Althea's words... well, it wasn't exactly a lie when she said she was cute and fluffy. Honestly, though, Chronas was not far behind in that regard.
As I mentioned earlier, she looks generally similar to Victor—who, though I hate to admit it, is quite handsome by human standards. And, by the way, that fact definitely doesn't bother me... not at all.
These thoughts made me glance involuntarily at Victor, who had approached recently with Emily and Laura. When our eyes met, he furrowed his brow and arched an eyebrow, visibly confused.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, tilting his head slightly: "Honestly, it's kind of scary"
I completely ignored Victor's words and turned my attention back to Althea, who floated before me with the lightness of someone with no worries in the world. I let out a short sigh before sending my thoughts to her: (Althea, I need you to do something for me, okay?) I asked cautiously. Even after everything, even knowing how much my sisters loved me, there was still something unsettling about the feeling—the slight discomfort of asking them to do something for me.
However, completely different from what I expected, Althea simply nodded — no hesitation, not even a blink. She didn't ask what it was about, nor did she show the slightest bit of curiosity. For a moment, I was genuinely confused by her calm, almost indifferent reaction.
(Aren't you going to ask what I want you to do for me?) I asked, sending my voice directly into her mind. My tone came out a little uncertain, and I imagine she felt the same when she received it.
A light, amused smile curved her lips as she said: "Well, why not? Besides, dear sister, you almost never ask us for help with anything. Usually it's the other way around"
She paused briefly, crossing her arms confidently before continuing: "But even putting that aside, I'd help anyway... after all, it's a request from you" She spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.