I can't say I didn't expect that kind of response from Althea, but her indifference still caught me off guard. Even so, her words weren't exactly unexpected — deep down, I'd already imagined something like this.
To be honest, it was the sort of reaction that suited her perfectly. Ever since I've known her, Althea has always been someone willing to help me... though always in her own way.
"You just want to be pampered" Eryanis remarked, her voice carrying a faint hint of teasing as she slowly approached. Her steps were calm, almost feline, and the soft sound of her bare feet against the floor filled the brief silence between us.
Althea, who was gracefully floating in the air, tilted her head slightly toward Eryanis. A mischievous glint flashed in her golden eyes before a sly smile curved her lips. She let her tongue slip out in a teasing gesture, her voice vibrating with a mix of amusement and challenge as she whispered: "Heh... jealous, are you?" she teased, her tone dripping with playful defiance.
Eryanis didn't bother responding to Althea's provocation. Her expression remained serene, as if she'd long grown used to the eccentricities of the life entity.
Instead, she simply let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head in mild disbelief as she passed by Althea — the gentle sound of her footsteps contrasting with the teasing tone that still lingered in the air.
In the background, Nyara was sitting on the bed like a small, curled-up rabbit, watching everything with keen interest. Her curious eyes darted back and forth, following each movement of Chronas beside me.
Nekra, on the other hand, surrounded by her dolls arranged in a silent semicircle, also watched the scene unfold — though with far less enthusiasm than Nyara, keeping that calm, enigmatic expression so characteristic of her.
As Eryanis drew closer, she shifted her gaze from Althea to Chronas, who was still holding my hand. For a moment, I thought I was hallucinating again — I swear I saw Eryanis's usually serene face falter for just a split second. It was so subtle, so quick, that I have no idea how I even noticed. Probably another one of my visual delusions.
Anyway, setting my wandering thoughts aside, Eryanis turned her attention back to Chronas. Her golden eyes — their geometric irises slowly spinning in a hypnotic pattern — studied her in silence for a few moments. Then her lips moved, and her voice came out firm, yet oddly gentle: "Why do you look so... human? I remember your form used to be much... grander"
Eryanis's question seemed genuine — or maybe it was better to say that Althea, Nyara, and even Nekra shared the same uncertainty. They all kept their gazes fixed on Chronas, who, indifferent as ever, wore a serene, almost cold expression.
It was as if nothing could shake her composure — as if she truly had nerves of steel. Watching the scene, I let out a quiet sigh and, after a moment's hesitation, decided to share my thoughts with my sisters about the current situation.
(Well, I guess you've already realized it... this is Chronas. As for her appearance... let's just say I had my reasons for that) I explained mentally, feeling the faint echo of my own voice resonate among us. My sisters exchanged brief glances and nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world — no surprise, no questions, just that familiar, silent understanding.
Althea circled around Chronas in graceful, aerial movements, almost as if she were dancing through the air. The soft flutter of her wings echoed now and then, accompanied by small trails of golden light that shimmered and slowly faded into nothing.
Her curious gaze swept over Chronas, studying every fragment of her presence. For an instant, her eyes gleamed with a flash of realization. Then her lips parted, and she spoke in a light but intrigued tone: "Hmm... you created a vessel?"
I nodded at Althea's question, then added after a short pause: (That's right. However, for obvious reasons, it's far from perfect. Without a "Soul" to bring it to life, it's completely useless... It only worked because I had Chronas)
Althea nodded slowly before turning her gaze back to me. Her eyes — calm and serene, like a lake under the moonlight — studied me briefly before she spoke: "So... what exactly do you want me to do? Just to be clear, I can't act against the purpose I was created for — nor go against the essence of my own authority. If that's the case..." she crossed her arms thoughtfully: "then I think Nekra would be of more help"
I nodded slowly, confirming her words. Then I projected my thoughts toward her, letting my inner voice echo in her mind: (Don't worry. That's precisely why you're the right person for this. I need you to create a new vessel — one capable of withstanding the weight of time itself. I plan to offer it to the "Flow of Time" in Chronas's place)
Althea nodded once more. For a moment, her gaze grew distant in reflection before her body began to float gently, as if the air itself supported her with ease. She crossed her legs midair, settling into a comfortable position, and a brief smile appeared on her lips before she spoke: "I see... that might actually work. After all, that guy's a total fool — he'd never notice the difference between the real Chronas and a fake one, as long as even a fraction of her power is contained in the vessel we send"
I nodded again, confirming her words with a small tilt of my head: (So... can you do it?)
Althea grew pensive, closing her eyes as if truly weighing the matter. Was there really a chance I'd hear a "no" for an answer? Honestly, this was my backup plan — or rather, my only plan. If this didn't work, then yeah, we'd be completely screwed, just like Victor had pointed out earlier.
After a few mere seconds — which, from my perspective, stretched on for what felt like hours — Althea finally opened her eyes again. Her gaze met mine, and for an instant, a chill ran down my spine. A mischievous smile curved her lips as she spoke, her voice dripping with playful intent: "If I do this... do I get a reward?"
At her question, I blinked. For some reason, I had the strange feeling I was stepping carefully into a trap — one woven from words and subtle intentions. Still, I sighed inwardly and gave in: (Alright, alright... I'll do whatever you want, as long as you help me)
Hearing my words, Althea's golden eyes gleamed — not subtly, but with an intense, almost feverish light. A strange smile curved her lips, twisting the delicate beauty of her face into something dangerously wicked. A thin strand of saliva glimmered under the light as she tilted her head, her voice laced with unsettling delight: "Ehehehe... Anything? Are you sure about that?"
A chill ran down my spine as Althea spoke, leaning closer until her face was just inches from mine. There was something in her tone — soft, yet filled with a strange tension — that set every nerve in my body on edge. For a brief moment, I felt a sharp sense of danger, though I couldn't quite tell why: (... Not anything — only what's within my reach. And besides, it can't be something we shouldn't be doing...)
Althea blinked at me with an almost innocent look, as if she truly couldn't grasp what I was implying. Her tone was sweet, but carried a teasing edge as she asked, lips curling into a faint smirk: "And what exactly is it that we shouldn't be doing, dear sister?"
I gave her a weary look while she flashed that same mischievous smile as always. Of course... how could I forget what she's like? For a second, I almost let her innocent expression fool me. I sighed, feeling time slipping through my fingers.
(Are you going to help me or not?) I asked, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice: (We don't have much time)
Althea let out her trademark laugh at my words — a soft, teasing sound that seemed to dance in the air. Then she brought her hand to her lips and, with a simple yet wicked smile, replied: "Fufufu... of course, I'll do whatever you want, dear sister"
Even though I still didn't fully trust Althea's "help" honestly... what other choice did I have? Either I accepted it, or I'd have to let Chronas return to the "Flow of Time" Besides, despite her appearance — a complete pervert — she's actually a lot more reasonable than she seems. Seriously, I don't think I've ever hoped my memories were right more than I do now.
***
(POV – Victor Hale)
Watching the exchange between the entities, Victor couldn't help but wonder, with growing concern, what was off about the strange rhythm of their conversation. He wasn't naïve; he could grasp, at least partially, the references and cryptic undertones scattered throughout their dialogue.
But more than any intellectual detail, what truly weighed on him was the gravity of that interaction — everything depended on it. Whether Sara, his younger sister, could remain with them or not hinged entirely on this exchange.
Yet the longer he listened, the more he wondered if everyone there was even speaking the same language. Their words intertwined in strange, layered patterns, filled with nuances he could barely catch. After a few seconds of trying to keep up with the chaotic flow of conversation, he turned to Laura, who stood beside him in silence, her eyes sharp and slightly narrowed.
"Laura" he began, scratching the back of his neck with a nervous gesture, his gaze avoiding hers for a moment: "Correct me if I'm wrong, but... the "Flow of Time" isn't a person, right? So... why the hell are we talking about it like it's alive?"
As soon as he said it, Laura's expression grew thoughtful. It wasn't that she didn't understand the topic — the challenge was how to explain it to Victor in a way that made sense. To be honest, the term "Flow of Time" and the concept behind it weren't exactly new.
Ever since the first anomalies were discovered, people had speculated about the existence of a temporal dimension of its own — something that later came to be known as the Flow of Time. The term itself wasn't new; what truly fascinated researchers were the discoveries and implications that came along with it, revelations that challenged everything humanity thought it knew about reality and causality.
"It's not that it's a person, Victor... but it's not dead either" Laura said softly: "The Flow of Time is more like a fabric"
She gestured lightly, as if she could draw her words in the air: "Everything that exists is woven into it — memories, events, even the possibilities that never came to be. It's what connects what was, what is, and what could still be. Every choice, every instant, leaves its mark on it — invisible to the eye, but present in every thread that makes up the world"
Laura paused, frowning slightly. Internally, she struggled to find the right words: (How do you explain something that's just a concept — something that, in a sense, doesn't truly exist? At least, not on the same dimensional plane as humans) She stayed silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts before speaking again: "Well... just imagine that this fabric moves on its own. It reacts. When something tears through it, it tries to mend itself — like a body healing from a wound. That's why so many treat it as if it's alive"
Victor blinked a few times, trying to process what he had just heard. His eyes stayed fixed on Laura, his expression clearly curious: "So... in a way, the "Flow of Time" has a will of its own?"
Laura sighed, letting out a short, tired laugh — almost as if she were laughing at herself: "Not exactly. It doesn't decide anything. It just follows. But... in a sense, following is also a way of existing, isn't it?"
The silence that followed was soon broken by Emily's gentle voice. She had been watching everything quietly, arms crossed: "Think of it this way, Victor" she began, her tone calm: "The "Flow of Time" as we call it, is like an endless road. No one built it; it's simply been there since the moment the universe was born"
She gestured again, as if helping him picture it: "Whenever something strays off that road, the universe pulls it back" she continued: "That's how the road keeps itself stable. It might seem alive, but it isn't. It's just... trying to keep everything in order"