Aura slammed her couch, her voice sharp with frustration.
"What the hell is all this news!"
Tablet in hand, she scrolled through headline after headline, each one dragging her mood deeper into irritation. One report showed Ruciel caught in the background of a photo with Snow and his fans—while allegedly cheating with Kyle. Another covered the public breakup that happened just a day after they exited the dungeon. And now, news was spreading that Snow's brother had been arrested for raising a false alarm.
"What are all these people doing!" Aura snapped.
"Even when he tries to help, he gets insulted and badmouthed again!" she shouted, before coughing from the sudden burst of anger.
Her fury wasn't born from a single reason—it was a storm of them.
First, her mother had confined her at home, sternly forbidding her from stepping outside. Second, Lola—who had been a constant visitor—had returned to China and wouldn't be back for weeks. While her friend Vivian dropped by occasionally, Aura felt far closer to Lola, who had once been her best friend before that abrupt, cold shift in attitude toward her and Snow.
Lola had explained her behavior, claiming it was all to protect Snow. Aura didn't fully believe it... but she was willing to give Lola another chance, hoping she could regain her brother's trust.
Yet every time Aura checked the news, the stories seemed more outrageous than the last. She'd even stumbled upon a headline about Lola and Ruciel's fight, and she couldn't help but wonder—what exactly was her brother doing? And why was he letting everything spiral like this?
A few days later, Aura sat in the living room, the television flickering before her. Benedict, her mother, was buried in paperwork beside her, while Elizabeth stood nearby, ever the composed assistant.
Then, without warning, the channel cut to breaking news—broadcasting incidents from all over the globe. Dungeon outbreaks. Cities under siege. Even China was in chaos.
Spain, however—despite being expected to suffer heavily—had somehow managed to rally its forces, neutralizing most monsters spilling from the dimensional cracks. The country now ranked among the safest, largely thanks to Lady Lola and Lady Clair, who had provided hunters with strategies and support in advance.
Ding.
=======================
A PATHWAY NEEDS YOUR APPROVAL
=======================
Ding.
=======================
DO YOU WISH TO CONNECT TO THE PATHWAY?
YES / NO
=======================
Aura froze. A glowing, game-like interface hovered in front of her eyes.
"Eliz, are you seeing this?" Aura asked, pointing toward empty air.
"If you mean the TV, then yes, my lady. As we speak, Spain is considered one of the safest places in the world thanks to—"
"No, I mean this... holographic screen," Aura interrupted.
Elizabeth's brow furrowed slightly, though her voice stayed level. "I apologize, Lady Aura, but I can't see anything besides the television."
"I see... never mind," Aura murmured. Without another word, she tapped Yes.
Ding.
========================
YOU ARE CONNECTING TO THE PATHWAY
========================
Ding.
========================
YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE PATHWAY
========================
Ding.
========================
WELCOME TO THE PATHFINDER SYSTEM
========================
Ding.
========================
THE PATHFINDER WISHES TO INVITE YOU TO THE SOVERIGN REALM
========================
Ding.
========================
DO YOU ACCEPT THIS INVITATION?
YES / NO
(Please note: Accepting will summon you to a space beyond time)
========================
A space beyond time? Aura thought. Does that mean I'll disappear from reality the moment I accept?
She shook her head. Better do this in my room.
"I'm going to sleep. Fill me in on the details when I wake," she said aloud.
"As you wish, Lady Aura," Elizabeth replied.
"How strange... you're actually taking the initiative to be healthy," Benedict remarked.
"You're planning to bring my brother here, aren't you? So what's wrong with me trying not to make him hate you even more?" Aura shot back, her words as sharp as glass.
"Your tongue is as sharp as his," Benedict retorted. "Fine—just don't forget your medication."
"Yeah, right," Aura muttered, walking away.
Once she shut the door to her room, Aura exhaled. Her gaze returned to the hovering notification. Without hesitation this time, she clicked Yes.
In that instant—her body went limp, collapsing to the floor.
------------
The moment Aura's form materialized in the vast, formless void, a voice reverberated from every direction—calm, yet carrying the weight of something absolute.
//WELCOME... TO THE SOVEREIGN'S DIMENSION.//
Aura's eyes darted across the endless darkness. "Where am I? And who are you?"
//THIS IS A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED SPACE—A REALM YET TO BE SHAPED BY MY LORD'S DESIRE. FOR NOW, IT HAS NO NAME. BUT YOU... ARE THE FIRST TO BE INVITED HERE, FOR SEVERAL REASONS.//
The voice paused, then spoke again with quiet authority.
//I... AM CALLED PATHFINDER.//
"Pathfinder?" Aura echoed.
//YES.//
"Then tell me... why did you bring me here?"
//BECAUSE... YOU ARE SOMEONE THE CIRCLE OF LIFE FAVORS.//
Her brow furrowed. "W-What?"
//AURA... YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO SHOULD HAVE DIED TEN YEARS AGO. IN EVERY VARIANT OF TIME, YOU ARE THE REASON SNOW STRUGGLES TO PROTECT.//
The air before her shimmered. Images unfolded—Snow, standing bloodied before Asmodeus, his body on the brink of collapse.
//THIS TIME... IS NO DIFFERENT.//
Aura's breath caught. Her chest tightened painfully as the scene replayed before her eyes. She had heard about the dungeon incident, but seeing the truth of it—the moment her brother nearly lost his life—was almost too much. Tears blurred her vision, and her knees gave way, dropping her to the ground.
//THE CIRCLE OF LIFE HAS DEEMED YOUR EXISTENCE WORTH PROTECTING. THEREFORE... A TRIAL SHALL BE PRESENTED TO THE CHOSEN SOVEREIGN.//
The voice sharpened.
//AND... A CHOICE... SHALL BE PRESENTED BEFORE YOU.//
Aura forced herself to stand, hastily wiping her tears. "A trial?"
//YOUR DEATH WAS PREVENTED TEN YEARS AGO, DURING THE NEXUS EVENT, BY THE CHOSEN SOVEREIGN. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE CAUSALITY EFFECT HAS BEGUN. IN ONE WEEK, YOU SHALL FORFEIT YOUR LIFE.//
Her voice trembled. "What do you mean?"
//IT MEANS YOU ARE ALREADY UNDER THE CAUSALITY EFFECT. DESTINED TO DIE IN ONE WEEK. YOU ALREADY KNOW THE CAUSE, DO YOU NOT?//
Her heart sank. "Are you saying... my death was always destined to happen?"
The voice fell silent.
"And if that's the case, then what's the point of preserving my life at all?"
//BECAUSE... THE CIRCLE OF LIFE WISHES FOR YOU TO BE THE ANCHOR TO THE SOVEREIGN.//
"Anchor?"
//IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO YOU... THIS WORLD WILL LOSE ITS LAST CHANCE TO BE SAVED.//
//THIS TIMELINE... IS ALL THAT REMAINS OF EXISTENCE.//
Aura's eyes widened. "Are you saying... every other timeline has been erased?"
//INDEED. AND WHAT REMAINS OF THEM NOW EXISTS ONLY AS FRAGMENTS—GIVEN TO THE SOVEREIGN, TO BE RECONSTRUCTED IN TIME. BUT THIS WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE IF HE FALLS TO HIS FOE.//
Before Aura could respond, reality seemed to flicker. The void paused, as though time itself had taken a breath.
She staggered. "W-What was that?"
//THAT... WAS CHRONOS' AVATAR—USING TIME REVERSAL.//
Her expression tensed. "Chronos'... Avatar?"
//A TITLE GRANTED TO ONE WHO BEARS CHRONOS' SUBCONSCIOUSNESS. THEIR DUTY IS TO CARRY OUT CHRONOS' WISH—TO DESTROY THE WORLD OF CREATION AND REBUILD IT IN HIS OWN IMAGE.//
The voice grew colder.
//THOUGH HE IS WEAK NOW—AFTER EXHAUSTING HIMSELF BILLIONS OF TIMES, FACING COUNTLESS VARIANTS OF SNOW—HIS WILL REMAINS. HE DOES NOT REMEMBER THESE BATTLES... BUT HE WILL CONTINUE, AS HE HAS ALWAYS DONE. THIS... IS WHY THE CURRENT SNOW IS THE LAST HOPE. AND YOU... ARE THE REASON HE MUST SUCCEED.//
Aura drew a deep breath. "I see... So what do you want me to do?"
//Snow isn't strong enough to achieve even half of what the previous Snows accomplished... which is why I took a different pathway this time,// Pathfinder said.
Aura narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"
//In previous timelines, I granted the same pathway to other Snows... and each time, it ended in failure,// Pathfinder explained.
//But after regressing several trillion times, I realized my approach was flawed.//
Aura remained silent, waiting.
//This Snow... is different. His life diverged greatly from all the others I've supported,// Pathfinder continued. //And the difference... was you. The bond between you, and his tendency to protect those close to him.//
//However... compared to his predecessors, your brother is considerably weak. Yet, unlike them, he is surrounded by people of immense strength.//
Aura's tone sharpened. "What are you getting at?"
//Snow will, as always, attempt to prevent your death. But in return... you must help him grow stronger,// Pathfinder declared.
"What?" Aura's disbelief rang in her voice.
//As we speak, Snow hovers on the brink of death. But due to a Pathway linked to fragments of other timelines within him, his life will soon be restored.//
Her heart lurched. "What... are you saying my brother will die... and come back to life?"
//Do not worry—he will survive. But... he has lost hope in everything, and in everyone,// Pathfinder's voice softened.
//There are people who could serve as his strength, but after enduring betrayals and heartbreak, he trusts no one but himself... and you.//
//As his Anchor, you must give him reason to trust them—and allow them to become his strength, so that he may save this world.//
Aura straightened. "So what exactly do I need to do? And who are these people?"
//Clair Mirrorfelt. Lola Winchester. Lisa Bright. Maria Franchild. These four have proven themselves loyal to your brother. Your task is simple—ensure he favors and trusts them.//
"I know about Lola and Clair's connection with him... but why is my best friend Lisa on that list? And what does the Saintess have to do with my brother?"
//You will learn in due time. For now, I will bestow upon you a fragment of the Sovereign's power.//
"Why give me power now?"
//You will need it to keep them in check... should they ever stray from his side or oppose him.//
Aura fell silent. She understood enough to know this was no gift—it was a responsibility.
"...Then, is there a reason my brother was chosen as the next Sovereign?" she asked.
//Only the previous Sovereign can answer that.//
"I see..."
//It appears the battle is over. He will find his way to you soon,// Pathfinder said.
Aura's heartbeat quickened. "...Soon?"
//The powers I grant you will reveal themselves when the time comes. Until then... continue what you are doing.//
Her vision dimmed, and her body gave out once more.
When she awoke, Aura found herself lying in bed. Benedict sat at her side, a rare look of worry on her face.
"You..." Benedict began, but her words faltered as she looked at Aura's tired yet innocent expression.
"What is it this time?" Aura asked.
"You've been unconscious for three days," Benedict said sharply. "Are you doing this intentionally? My heart can't take it anymore."
Aura frowned. "Who collapses for fun?"
"Yeah—says you," Benedict muttered, standing up. "Clair will be returning to Spain soon. And your brother... after fighting in Iceland, he's fallen into a coma again."
Her voice cracked with frustration. "Why are you two determined to put me on edge? I'm not young anymore, Aura—my blood pressure keeps spiking watching you both end up unconscious."
"...Sorry."
Benedict blinked. Aura rarely apologized.
"I know you're trying to make up for lost time," Aura continued quietly. "But honestly, my first reason for coming to you was to see what kind of person you were... for Big Brother to hate you so much."
Her words made Benedict tense.
"I understand his feelings now, and... his actions make sense after what you did. But after thinking about it, I think you should talk to him. Properly."
Benedict's composure wavered. "What are you saying?"
"You're scared of him. That's why you've never brought him here, even after threatening to. But... I think you should go to China and bring him here yourself. Use me as an excuse—he'll come. I'm just worried... you might see something you're not prepared for when you do."
A faint smile touched Aura's lips, and Benedict's heart softened at the rare encouragement.
"...Fine. I'll go to China tomorrow. I'll bring him back the moment he wakes up. But while I'm gone—don't do anything reckless. Especially don't go to the Lakan Guild."
"Of course I need to go," Aura replied with a mischievous smile. "Two reasons—one is to be present for my certification and identification."
"And the other?" Benedict asked, planting her hands on her hips.
"You'll find out when you return. But until then... please endure his behavior."
Benedict sighed, half in exasperation, half in fondness. "Fine. Take your meds. Have Vivian stay over. Elizabeth will guard you while I'm gone—if you must go out, take her with you."
"Alright."
The next morning, Benedict departed. Aura, looking pale and frail in the morning light, stood at the entrance to see her off. Benedict's hesitation was clear—her instincts screamed that leaving now was dangerous. Still, she boarded the waiting car, vowing to return with Snow as soon as possible.
The vehicle pulled away. Aura remained at the doorway, her expression unreadable.
-----------------------------------
to be continued...