Liora led Aren through the ruins until they reached a shattered tower. Inside, endless corridors stretched into darkness, filled with glowing symbols and floating fragments of light.
"This is the Archive," Liora explained.
"A living record of human memories."
Aren felt a strange pull in his chest.
"My memories are here, aren't they?"
"Yes," she replied.
"And you sealed them yourself."
Aren clenched his fists. "Why would I erase my own past?"
Liora lowered her gaze.
"Because you discovered who would destroy the world."
Before Aren could respond, the air trembled.
Shadows poured from the walls—tall, distorted figures with hollow faces and countless eyes.
"The Watchers," Liora said sharply.
"Guardians of time."
The figures advanced.
Aren's watch began to vibrate violently.
Tick. Tick.
Suddenly—
Everything stopped.
The shadows froze mid-motion. Dust hung motionless in the air. Even Liora's hair was still.
Time itself had stopped.