Tales From The Kronos

Silva and Emely were waiting for Neige to come back. The night was almost here, he should have arrived by now. Emely tried to call him multiple times, in vain. Silva considered searching around for him but felt something crawling toward them like a snake. She turned toward the direction of the sound, alerting her friend as well. The sound she heard was from the dark matter of the anomaly, which formed the body that she was used to. Emely recognized the pure darkness of the anomaly, remembering the time she saw her on the ship that day. She took all the courage she had and pointed her firearm at her, determined to protect Silva behind her.

"What did you do to Neige? Leave us alone!"

The nun approached the two girls slowly, she seemed exhausted because of something. She spoke with a voice that was different from the one she talked to usually, a voice full of desperation.

"Please, you need to help me. Neige is in danger."

"Is it one of your traps, fiend?"

"You have to believe me..."

Emely wasn't going to trust the anomaly so easily, Silva on the other hand made her way toward her but was still on her guard.

"What happened to him?"

"We heard something weird about this world, it was about the great overseer. We didn't know what it was so we investigated in the town near here, everyone was dodging the question! Some men dressed in black attacked us! I don't understand why but... I can't remember what happened after."

"Did they beat you?" Silva asked, with terror in her voice.

"I don't know... Maybe. It's all so hazy."

Emely and Silva looked at each other for a moment. Silva obviously wanted to go immediately and save his friend, but deep inside, she knew it would only lead to problems. She wasn't ready for a fight, and their opponent this time seemed far from what they're used to usually.

"We should... Go back to the ship, the leader will know what to do."

Emely nodded and, along with Silva, jumped back to the ship. The anomaly watched them disappear, a bit confused.

"Should I... Follow them?"

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Emely and Silva arrived on the ship only to see the anomaly already there, waiting for them. She turned toward the two girls and seemed more than annoyed.

"Where were you? I was waiting for you!"

"Jumping to other worlds isn't instantaneous." Explained Emely "It takes a few minutes before we actually arrive."

"I feel bad for you, I don't have such weaknesses."

The anomaly proudly put her hand on her chest, satisfied with her feat.

Two persons approached the group, it was Gwyn and Ina. The doctor was on her guard when she saw the anomaly but Ina on the other hand greeted the woman with a smile.

"Why, hello there. What brings you here?"

The anomaly hid behind Emely's back, visibly afraid. The young engineer explained everything that happened to the two who stayed on the ship. They were shocked to learn about Neige's situation, and even more that the anomaly was willing to help. Emely quickly glanced around, trying to find the others.

"Where is the leader?"

"She left with Remiel and Sepide." Answered Ina "Can you contact them?"

"Yes, I'll hurry and ask her what we should do!"

Emely ran toward her lab, leaving the others together. Gwyn stared at the anomaly with a gaze full of distrust. Still keeping her distance, she asked the woman,

"How can we trust you? Weren't you the one who kidnapped Neige last time?"

"It wasn't really kidnapping, I just borrowed him."

"You caused him a lot of distress. If you truly cared for him, you wouldn't have done so much harm."

"I know it looks like I'm a horrible person... But I swear, I will make a perfect world for him."

"So that's why he asked me that question..."

Gwyn took her notebook and wrote something in it. Ina looked at the anomaly with attention, which appeared to make the nun uncomfortable.

"Why don't you join us?"

Gwyn and Silva stared at Ina in shock, unable to understand why she would propose such a thing.

"She's the reason most of our problems are happening, we're not letting her join us."

"I know Gwyn, but she doesn't seem all that bad. All she wants is to make Neige happy, we could maybe find a way to work together."

"No thanks!" Yelled the anomaly "I'm not falling for that! You just act nice just to stab my back when you can!"

"No... I really meant to be nice..."

A sad and hurt expression appeared on Ina's face. Gwyn tried to comfort her while Silva scolded the anomaly.

"Are you happy? You made her sad!"

"It's a lie! She promised that she'd kill me!"

"She did? You already met before?"

"Yes! I can still remember her eyes when she said those words... They were terrifying."

"I can't imagine Ina saying anything like that, she's always so kind."

Before they could investigate the matter more, Emely came back running toward them. With a concerned expression on her face, she explained what happened.

"I tried contacting the leader, but apparently she's in danger too. Remiel and Sepide are taking care of it but it seems like we're on our own."

Gwyn let out an exhausted sigh. She looked at everyone, constating their low number of available members.

"We'll need to take our time. It's almost night and no one here can take care of a dangerous situation."

"I'm not staying without doing anything." Answered Silva "We could at least try to learn more."

"Yes, she's right." Agreed the anomaly "If I'm here, it should be alright."

"Weren't you with Neige? How did he get kidnapped if you're so strong?"

The anomaly looked away in shame, answering Silva with a barely audible voice.

"I... Can't remember..."

"I'm coming too!" Emely said with enthusiasm "I won't let Silva risk her life alone!"

Gwyn let out a sigh and approached Silva with concern.

"You're not going anywhere. You're too hurt."

"Even like that, I could deal with most dangers."

"I doubt it, you barely can stand up."

Silva took her crutches and handed them to Emely, proudly standing up through the pain.

"It hurt, but I can still fight. It's not a smartass that will stop me."

"Really? I doubt it."

"Then fight me! You'll see that the skills of an adventurer are far beyond those of a doctor!" Silva smiled confidently, hoping to convince Gwyn. But instead, the doctor removed her gown and threw it at Ina.

"Silva, I'm going to help you, whether you want it or not."

Silva wasn't sure if Gwyn was serious or not but was prepared for anything. Emely stared at the two back and forth, clearly worried for them.

"Gwyn, you won't seriously fight? You could both be hurt!"

"Do you hear Silva? You're worrying your friend."

"I'd be more worried about your safety, doc."

Seeing that there was nothing that would stop them, the others stood back. Silva and Gwyn were determined to prove that they were right. In an instant, Gwyn tried to grab Silva's arm but the latter managed to dodge at the last moment.

"Even hurt you're fast Silva."

"What the heaven was that? Since when can you move so quickly!?"

"What do you mean? I'm just a smartass."

"Gwyn, you can see that she's alright! Can't you stop now?"

Despite Emely's words, the doctor still kept her nonchalant face, still staring at Silva.

"If they managed to get Neige, she'll need more than that."

Silva didn't want to hurt Gwyn but knew she would be alright. It looked like the doctor was more agile and tough than she first thought. She quickly tried to attack Gwyn with a kick but was blocked with ease.

"You have a poor stance, Silva."

Silva stepped back from her opponent when she felt that she missed. Gwyn still tried to grab her but barely missed.

"You're not as bad as I thought. If you weren't hurt, I definitely wouldn't have a chance against you."

"I don't understand why you're so quick, I thought you were just a random doctor!"

"I'm one of the founders of the Kronos, you better not underestimate me."

Gwyn dashed toward Silva intending to stop her this time. The blind girl felt that she wouldn't be able to last much longer and took her firearm in a desperate measure. She aimed at the ceiling and shot, blinding the doctor with the flash. It was just enough for Silva to grab Gwyn and make her fall to the ground. Everything stayed silent for a moment until Gwyn stood up again. She headed toward Ina to take back her gown, not without a smile on her face.

"I guess I can't force you after all. Just be careful, alright?"

"I will."

Emely hurried toward Silva to give her crutches back and made sure that she was alright. Gwyn checked Silva to make sure didn't hurt herself during the fight, and once she made sure it was all good let her go.

"Be careful, we'll tell what happened to the leader and the others when they arrive."

"Alright, I will. I hope Remiel and Sepide will manage to help her."

Silva, Emely, and the anomaly all stood next to each other, ready to go into this world once more and save their friend.