Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

No matter the circumstances—whether we're drowning in sorrow or basking in happiness—time never stops.

It keeps moving forward, indifferent to everything. 

Right now, I found myself in a dark alley, the cold air wrapping around me like an old acquaintance.

A lifeless body lay sprawled on the ground, unmoving. 

Leaning casually against the rough brick wall, I watched as a man crouched beside the corpse, rifling through the pockets with a practiced ease.

That man... he was the one who killed him. 

"Hmm, Arche, what do we have here?" he mused, holding up a ring adorned with a gleaming gemstone. 

I glanced at it lazily. "A ring with a purple gem," I answered. 

"Purple, huh?" He scrutinized it for a moment before clicking his tongue in annoyance.

"Tch. Worthless! I thought it was some rare diamond or something." 

"Well, it's just an amethyst," I shrugged. "Not exactly prime black-market material." 

He sighed and tossed the ring back onto the corpse before stretching his shoulders. "Anyway, my client wanted him dead for a simple reason." 

I raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Relationship problems?" 

"Bingo." He smirked before grabbing the lifeless body by the arms, dragging it toward a nearby dumpster.

With a grunt, he heaved it inside, slamming the lid shut. 

I wrinkled my nose. "Ugh... That dumpster's going to reek even worse now." 

He chuckled, wiping his hands on his coat. "Not my problem." 

You might be wondering about the man beside me. 

His name is Zack. Or rather, Zack the Killer. A fitting nickname, considering his profession.

Back when I was still a thief, we used to run in the same circles. Now, he's an assassin—one who'll take out anyone, as long as the price is right. 

"You up for a drink at the bar tonight?" he asked, casually twirling his knife before sliding it back into its sheath. 

"Sure. It's been a while, hasn't it?" I replied. 

Before he could answer, a sudden rustling echoed through the dark alley.

A woman rushed in, her breath ragged, her eyes darting around in panic. Someone was chasing her. 

"Well, well. Looks like we've got company," I muttered. 

The woman turned back mid-run—only to crash straight into me. 

"Huh?" She stumbled, wide-eyed with surprise. 

"Hello, Miss!" I greeted with a grin, smoothly wrapping an arm around her. 

She gasped. "W-Who do you think you are?! Let go of me!" She struggled, trying to break free from my hold. 

Meanwhile, the man pursuing her skidded to a halt in front of me. 

Zack? Gone. Typical. 

"Hey, dude," I called out, tilting my head. "Why are you chasing this lady? She owes you money or something?" 

The man sneered. "Step away from her. She belongs to us." 

"'Us'?" I raised an eyebrow. "So you're not alone, huh? And just who exactly are you?" 

"I'm with the Lunar Ascendance organization. That woman is ours." 

"Hand her over now," he continued, voice laced with threat, "or you'll regret it." 

I blinked at his audacity, then—without a word—tightened my hold on the woman, shielding her as I shut her eyes. 

"Zack. Do it." 

The words had barely left my lips when—shhk—the man's head separated cleanly from his body. A second later, it hit the ground with a dull thud. 

Zack reappeared beside me, wiping his blade with practiced indifference. "You owe me, Arche." 

"Come on, there's gotta be a friend discount, right?" I joked. 

He smirked. "Fine. One percent off." 

"So stingy!" 

Ignoring me, Zack dragged the corpse toward the dumpster, disposing of it like a piece of trash. 

Meanwhile, I gently loosened my grip on the woman and looked into her eyes. "You alright?" 

Still visibly shaken, she took a shaky breath before nodding. "Y-Yeah... I think so... Thanks..." 

I smiled. "My name is Arche. And you?" 

The moment the words left my mouth, the woman's eyes widened in shock. 

"...Arche...?" 

She stared at me as if she'd just seen a ghost. Her body trembled, and before I could even process what was happening, tears began streaming down her face. 

"H-Huh?! Did I say something rude?!" I panicked, racking my brain for anything offensive I might've said. 

"Agh, I should've listened to Arthur and learned to hold my tongue more..." I mumbled, internally berating myself. 

Then, without warning, she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around me—this time even tighter than before, as if afraid I'd disappear. 

"I-It's nothing... It's just... when you said your name..." Her voice quivered as she clung to me. 

"It's been so long... I missed you... I'm so glad to see you again..." 

Her words sent a chill down my spine. 

"...Have we met before?" I asked hesitantly. I had no memory of her, yet something about her felt... familiar. "...What's your name?" 

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, then looked straight at me. 

"It's me, Chronia. Your childhood friend." 

My breath caught in my throat. 

Chronia?

That was impossible. 

I saw Chronia die before my very eyes. 

"...Chronia? You're... alive?" My voice barely came out as a whisper. 

She nodded, smiling through her tears. "...Hm! And Arche... you're still alive too!" 

"Of course I'm still alive..." I muttered, still struggling to grasp reality. 

The Chronia standing before me was... different. Her hair was longer, her eyes livelier, and she even looked younger than the woman I once knew. 

What the hell was going on? 

"Maybe we should get out of here first," I said, glancing toward Zack. 

Zack nodded. "Right. Staying here any longer isn't a good idea." 

I exhaled, glancing back at Chronia. There were so many questions swirling in my head, but for now... we had to move. 

After leaving the alley, we made our way to a nearby café. A quiet place, warm lighting, the scent of fresh coffee in the air—perfect for a long conversation. 

I ordered a coffee with milk, Zack went with tea, and Chronia chose hot chocolate. 

"You still don't like bitter things, huh, Arche?" Chronia mused, eyeing my drink. 

"Hm, yeah." I stirred my coffee absentmindedly. My mind was still drowning in questions. 

Chronia took a small sip of her hot chocolate, her expression thoughtful. 

"I assume you have a lot of questions," she said. 

I nodded, taking a sip of my coffee. 

"Hmm… where should I start…?" She tapped her chin, then suddenly perked up. "Ah!" 

Then, with absolute certainty, she said— 

"I am not from this world." 

I choked. 

"What?!" 

Even Zack, who usually didn't react much to anything, raised an eyebrow. 

"What do you mean?" he asked, clearly intrigued. 

Chronia, unfazed by our disbelief, simply smiled. "I mean exactly what I said. I come from a different dimension. A different universe, if that sounds more reasonable to you." 

I was speechless. 

"You're from another world?!" 

I sat up straight, my curiosity skyrocketing. 

"I always thought it was possible, but I never imagined I'd actually meet someone from another world! I mean, I've read about this in books, but to think it's real!" 

Without realizing it, I stood up slightly, slamming my hands on the table. 

"So, how did you get here?! What's different about this world from yours?! Of all the places you could've ended up, why this one?! How does it feel to be transported here?!" 

My barrage of questions made heads turn. The other café patrons were now staring. 

Chronia, looking slightly flustered, sighed as if she had expected this reaction. 

"U-Uh… well, I guess I'll have to start from the very beginning..." 

At that moment, Zack tugged at my sleeve. 

"Relax, Arche," he said in his usual calm tone. "I know you get excited about new things, but chill." 

I blinked, then let out a breath before sitting back down. 

"Alright, alright." I leaned forward again, but this time, instead of bombarding her with more questions, I gently took her hands in mine. "Then… can you explain?" 

Chronia's eyes widened slightly, then softened into a warm smile. 

She squeezed my hands lightly, her face turning a faint shade of red. 

"Of course." Taking a deep breath, she began her story. 

A few days ago, Chronia had been exploring the ruins of an ancient structure. 

"Hm...? What is this place?" she murmured, brushing away the dust as she stepped forward. 

Amidst the crumbling stone and faded inscriptions, her eyes caught something—a peculiar artifact, glowing with a faint blue light. 

Curious, she reached out and picked it up. "Hm... What is—" 

The moment her fingers wrapped around it, a strange sensation coursed through her body. 

Her energy—her very essence—was being drained. 

Alarmed, she tried to let go, to throw the artifact away, but her fingers refused to obey. 

The gem pulsed. Her vision blurred. A sudden wave of dizziness crashed over her, and before she could even cry out— 

Darkness. 

When she woke up… she was already in this world. 

"And that's how I got transported here," Chronia concluded, resting her chin on her palm. 

Hearing that, my excitement skyrocketed. 

"Wait, just because of that?!" 

Chronia chuckled. "Yeah, pretty much." 

She seemed… relieved? Like my enthusiasm was exactly what she needed to hear. 

I grinned. "Oh yeah, you mentioned I was your childhood friend in your world, right?" 

Her smile stiffened. 

"...And that I died?" 

The warmth in her expression faded instantly. 

"Y... yeah..." she admitted, voice quieter. "We were best friends. And yes, you... you died." 

I could feel the weight behind her words. The pain. The lingering sadness. 

But I wasn't about to let the mood drop. 

"Come on, don't be sad! Just think of me as the Arche from your world!" I said, flashing my usual confident grin. 

"But..." She started to protest, only to stop herself midway. 

With a small sigh, she gave in. "Fine..." 

She took another sip of her hot chocolate before shifting her gaze out the window, watching the world move on outside. 

I leaned slightly toward Zack and whispered, "Hey, what should I do?" 

"I don't know," he whispered back, equally clueless. 

Great. So much for backup. 

With a sigh, I stood up and moved to sit beside Chronia. Gently, I patted her shoulder. 

She turned around—only to find our faces mere inches apart. 

Her breath hitched. 

Her cheeks turned a deep shade of red as she quickly averted her gaze. 

"M-Mhm... I—what're you doing?" she stammered. 

I tilted my head. "Why? You were really happy to see me before." 

She turned back to me, her expression conflicted. 

"You *are* Arche… but you're different," she murmured. "I feel stupid for being happy before." 

I blinked. "What's the difference between me and him?" 

Chronia frowned slightly, her gaze drifting back to the window. 

"The Arche from my world and I… we had known each other for years. We spent so much time together." 

Her fingers curled slightly against the table. 

"So even though you have the same face, the same voice… it feels strange. You're technically not the same Arche I grew up with." 

Zack, who had been silently sipping his tea, suddenly chimed in. 

"Childhood friends usually have nicknames for each other, right?" 

Chronia glanced at him, then back at me. 

"Yeah… we did," she admitted. "But it's not that important." 

Not that important, huh? 

That just made me even more curious. 

I tapped my chin, thinking. If I were to give her a nickname, it shouldn't be something too different from her real name… 

Or maybe… I should just give her a silly one? 

"Nia," I called out casually. 

Chronia stiffened. 

Thqen—her face exploded into a deep, fiery red. 

"S-Stop! You can't call me that…!" she protested, looking as flustered as ever. 

I smirked. 

"Oh…? So that is the name the 'me' from your world called you, huh?" 

She immediately turned away, utterly embarrassed. But she didn't deny it. 

"Sh-Shut up!" 

I chuckled, giving her shoulder a light pat. "Alright then. I'll call you Nia—to differentiate you from the Chronia in my world." 

She pouted, clearly not thrilled but ultimately resigned. 

"Fine then! Call me whatever you like!" she huffed, crossing her arms. "I won't complain!" 

Despite her words, the redness on her face refused to fade. 

And honestly… I kind of liked this nickname for her. 

"Alright, let's get serious again," Zack said, taking a slow sip of his tea. 

He set the cup down with a quiet clink and turned his sharp gaze toward Chronia. 

"Why was that guy from the organization chasing you earlier?" 

Chronia's expression shifted instantly. 

The flustered girl from before was gone—replaced by someone far more composed. 

"They want to recruit me," she said flatly. "Because they know about my time manipulation abilities." 

Her fingers curled around her cup as she stared out the window. 

"Time manipulation?!" Zack's voice carried a rare trace of disbelief. 

I nodded. "Yeah, she can speed up time, slow it down, stop it, even rewind it." 

Zack frowned. "Then why didn't you just stop time and take him out?" 

"Because he chased me in a crowded area," Chronia explained. "I didn't want to draw too much attention." 

I took a sip of my coffee, letting her words settle. 

"Nia, do you have any idea who ordered them to come after you?" 

She shook her head, letting out a small sigh. "I have no clue..." she murmured, her eyes clouded with thought. 

"I was just wandering around town, asking for directions… then suddenly, he started chasing me." 

She took another sip of her hot chocolate, but the tension in her shoulders remained. 

Just then, the sound of boots against the floor made us all turn. 

A man in blue robes had stopped right beside our table. 

"I told them to," he said. 

A heavy silence followed. 

The three of us stared at him, our senses immediately on high alert. 

His clothes… 

They were similar to Valtherion's—except his were blue instead of red. 

"My name is Zepharion," he introduced himself. "I am one of the three trusted men of DEATH." 

His sharp gaze swept over us. 

"And, of course, I come from the Lunar Ascendance organization." 

The second those words left his mouth, I acted on instinct. 

I pulled Chronia close, shielding her with my arm. "Zack!" I shouted. 

Without hesitation, Zack tossed a smoke bomb to the floor. 

A thick cloud of smoke exploded into the café, sending people into a panic. 

Then—CRASH!

The sound of shattering glass filled the air as Zack smashed a window open. 

The three of us didn't hesitate. We bolted. The moment we were outside, I released Chronia's arm. 

But this wasn't over. 

I turned to Zack and Chronia, my blood pumping with adrenaline. 

"Nia, Zack," I said, my voice steady. 

"Let's take him down." 

I still haven't gotten a new dagger. 

Which means I'll have to fight with my fists. 

"Tch… Arthur! Hurry up and get me a new dagger!" 

Chronia gave a small nod, as did Zack. 

Meanwhile, Zepharion strolled toward us at an unhurried pace, completely at ease. 

"Oh yeah, you can just call me Zeph," he said casually. "Let's get closer, shall we?" 

I clicked my tongue. "Agreed. Your name is a pain to say, just like that damn Valth." 

Zeph raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You know Valth? I didn't think you'd be familiar with my senior." 

His voice carried a hint of curiosity. 

"Do you have a special relationship with him?" he asked, smirking. 

I scowled. "I'd rather die than have that kind of relationship with him." 

"Heh, fair enough. He is an annoying guy," Zeph chuckled. "By the way, you haven't introduced yourselves yet." 

"Name's Arche," I replied bluntly. 

The moment my name left my lips, Zeph's expression changed. 

"...Arche?! You're Valth's favorite student, aren't you?!" 

I made a face. "Yeah, no thanks. I don't want to be his favorite student." 

All of this was just a distraction—buying time for Zack to make his move. 

Zeph, oblivious, grinned. "Did you know that I'm just as strong as Valth? The only difference between us…" 

His smirk widened. "Is our fighting style." 

Slowly, the air around him turned cold, and in an instant, ice began to freeze on the ground.

His hand rose, and before I could react, a massive pillar of ice shot toward me.

I bit my lip, trying to dodge, but the attacks came relentlessly.

His ice magic was fast and sharp, forcing me to move cautiously, though my body began to grow weary.

"I don't think he's going to stop anytime soon," Chronia muttered, appearing beside me with a serious expression.

She raised her hand, and in an instant, time around us slowed.

I felt my body become lighter, my movements faster, and I realized Chronia had accelerated time just for me.

"Attack now!" she urged.

With the boost from Chronia's time manipulation, I shot toward Zeph at an unimaginable speed.

Punch after punch landed, but Zeph seemed unfazed.

The ice he conjured countered every strike, responding with precision that was just as sharp as my own.

Zeph looked at me coldly. "You think your speed can defeat me?" he said, raising his hand again.

A massive ice storm appeared, engulfing us in a flash of white. I ran to dodge, but suddenly, the ice froze my legs.

Out of nowhere, Chronia appeared in front of Zeph, her eyes glowing with a power deeper than before.

"Try facing this," she said, shifting the flow of time around her, making her movements faster than the human eye could follow.

Zeph paused for a moment, his confusion giving Chronia the chance to strike back.

However, despite the difficulty, Zeph wasn't weak.

From within the ice storm, he summoned a large surge of sharp ice that shot toward Chronia, but Chronia calmly altered her timeline, dodging the attack as if she were moving in a completely different time.

I seized the opportunity, using Chronia's speed boost, and finally landed a strike on Zeph's defenses, though it was a hard-fought hit.

I took a deep breath, the cold from Zeph's ice still biting at my skin even as I kept moving.

Chronia, on the other hand, remained focused, manipulating time to ensure our every move outpaced Zeph's reactions.

We knew it was only a matter of time before Zack completed his plan.

"It's done!" Zack shouted from a distance.

I watched as the special ropes he'd prepared shot out with precision, binding both Zeph's legs and arms.

The ice that had been shielding him began to crack, though he still looked calm, almost unbothered.

"This is your chance, Arche," Chronia said, her voice full of trust.

With her time-enhancing power, my body surged forward at an incredible speed.

My right fist aimed directly at Zeph, carrying every ounce of strength I had.

But just as my punch was about to land, Zeph's cold smile froze me in place.

"You're all so naive," he said softly. In mere seconds, the air around us shifted drastically.

A sudden, intense chill coursed through me, and before I could react, my body became heavy, then unbearably cold.

I gasped. Ice encased me, immobilizing every movement.

I couldn't move a single muscle, only able to stare as Zeph stood unshaken, still bound by Zack's trap.

"Your speed is impressive," Zeph said with a frosty tone.

"But strength isn't just about that." He turned his gaze toward Chronia and Zack, who were frozen in place, watching me trapped in ice.

"Did you really think this was over?"

I struggled against the icy prison, but it was too strong.

My body felt heavier, the cold biting deep into my bones.

The ice that bound me seemed like it would never melt.

I tried to move my arms, but it was useless. All I could do was watch Zeph with his cold smile, as though he had already won the game.

However, Chronia remained calm. Her eyes gleamed with determination, and with a small motion, she raised her hand.

Time around the ice began to accelerate, speeding up the melting process.

I could feel the ice slowly loosening, a drop of water at a time starting to flow from my body.

"Hang in there a little longer, Arche," she said, never taking her eyes off Zeph.

Meanwhile, Zack wasn't standing idle. Agile as ever, he drew his weapons-knives of various sizes-and threw them with pinpoint accuracy toward Zeph.

The small knives flew first, targeting vital points, while the larger knives were used to apply more pressure.

Zeph raised his hand, creating an ice barrier that stopped most of the attacks.

But Zack wasn't the type to give up easily. He continued to throw knives relentlessly, each throw forcing Zeph to expend more energy.

"How long can you hold out, Zeph?" Zack taunted, his voice full of confidence.

A medium-sized knife flew with incredible speed, piercing the ice barrier and grazing Zeph's arm.

Though the wound was small, Zeph's expression started to shift.

"Not bad," Zeph murmured as he reinforced the ice around him, though there was a hint of tension in his voice.

At that moment, I felt my body start to move again. The ice that had been binding me finally melted, thanks to Chronia's magic.

I dropped to my knees, breathing heavily, before struggling to stand.

"Thanks, Chronia," I said softly, though my body was still trembling.

"Don't speak yet. It's time for us to strike back," Chronia replied, her voice full of resolve.

I turned to face Zeph, who now looked slightly overwhelmed by Zack's barrage of attacks.

I watched Zeph's movements, and there is something that makes me realize.

"He can't freeze someone continuously! There's a delay after he uses it!" I shouted to Chronia and Zack.

Chronia nodded, quickly accelerating time around herself to move even faster, while Zack gripped more knives, ready to press the attack.

The three of us charged at Zeph simultaneously, attacking from different angles.

Zack launched a flurry of knives at Zeph, forcing him to raise another wall of ice to block the assault.

Chronia took advantage of his distraction to close in from the side, moving with incredible speed.

Meanwhile, I circled around him, looking for an opening to land a decisive blow.

Zeph retaliated, sending waves of ice in all directions, but we were already too close.

I caught a flicker of blue light in his eyes-it was the freezing ability again. He tried to lock us in place.

"Don't let him see you!" Zack shouted.

I quickly dodged to the side, avoiding his gaze, and that's when I saw my chance.

Gathering all my strength, I spun around and delivered a powerful kick to his head.

My foot connected perfectly with his temple, sending him flying several meters back.

His body crashed to the ground, cracking the ice beneath him.

Zeph struggled to get up, but blood was now dripping from his temple, staining his pale, cold face.

He glared at us with unwavering determination, even as exhaustion began to show.

"You're... quite formidable," he muttered, his voice cold but heavy.

He wiped the blood from his face and stood, though his movements were unsteady.

The three of us were ready to strike again, but Zeph moved faster than we could react.

In an instant, a chilling frost enveloped the air around us, and before we could defend ourselves, our feet were frozen in place.

Sharp ice held us down, immobilizing us completely.

"What?!" I shouted, struggling to break free, but it was no use. My legs were trapped in the unyielding ice.

Chronia and Zack also tried to free themselves, but the frost was too strong.

Zeph stood a few steps ahead, blood still trickling from his temple, yet wearing a faint, mocking smile.

"You're strong, I'll give you that," he said in a low, almost whispering tone. "But I have an advantage you don't."

He turned his piercing gaze to Chronia, his expression shifting into something more calculated.

"I know something you don't. Something about you, Chronia."

Chronia, usually composed, now looked slightly tense.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice calm but with a hint of unease.

Zeph smirked. "I know how you can return to your original world."

I froze, my mind struggling to process his words. "What are you saying?" I demanded, staring at Chronia, but she stayed silent, her eyes locked on Zeph.

Zeph's grin widened.

"We will meet again."

Without another word, he turned and walked away. 

"Wait! Explain yourself!" I shouted, desperate for answers. 

But he didn't stop. 

Before I could even take a step, he vanished into the icy mist he had conjured, leaving us frozen in place. 

I growled in frustration, tugging at the ice that bound my legs. 

Chronia remained silent, her gaze distant, lost in thought. 

Zack let out an irritated sigh. "Damn it, he got away," he muttered, struggling against the frozen shackles. 

I exhaled sharply, my breath visible in the cold air. "He… knows how to send you back to your world?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I glanced at Chronia. 

She didn't answer. Her expression was unreadable, but the confusion in her eyes mirrored my own. 

The ice slowly began to melt, freeing us, but my mind was still racing. 

"How can someone like him wield such power over ice?" I muttered, mostly to myself, though I knew Chronia could hear. 

As the mist cleared, I noticed something unsettling—people were staring at us. 

Their eyes were filled with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. 

Zack had vanished, leaving nothing behind except a small piece of paper on the ground. 

I picked it up. 

The message was simple: "I will go." 

I sighed. "That guy…" I shook my head, stuffing the note into my pocket. 

Turning to Chronia, I gave her a slight nod. "Nia, let's get out of here." 

She blinked, seemingly caught off guard by the nickname, but then nodded. "Okay." 

Without another word, I led her to my hotel—a quiet place where we could at least try to figure things out. 

When I asked where she was staying, she had no answer. 

Which meant I made the right call. 

For now. 

"You really bring girls to your room easily, huh?" Chronia teased, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. 

"Such a womanizer," she added, her tone light, but with a knowing edge. 

I snorted. "You don't have anywhere else to go, do you? Be thankful I'm not dumping you under a bridge somewhere." 

Chronia rolled her eyes but didn't argue. 

Once inside, I flopped onto the bed and gestured for her to sit. 

She hesitated before settling into the chair across from me, her posture tense despite the casual atmosphere. 

Silence stretched between us, heavy but not uncomfortable. 

Finally, I spoke. "There's something I want to ask you." 

I leaned back slightly, trying to sort through the mess of thoughts in my head. 

"When and where did I meet you in your world?" 

Chronia met my gaze, her expression softening. "Me and the Arche from my world… we had the same master," she said, her voice steady but quiet. 

"Because we were slaves." 

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. 

Slavery. 

The weight of that single word pulled me back—back to the days I'd long buried, back to the memories I didn't want to revisit. 

I clenched my fists. The air suddenly felt heavier, suffocating. 

"Ugh..." A low groan escaped my lips as my thoughts clouded, swirling in a storm I had no control over. 

I tried to push them away. But they came rushing back, relentless as ever. 

I had heard the name Chronia before, back when I was still caught up in the trade. The memory sent a wave of nausea through me. 

"What's wrong?" Chronia's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, laced with concern as her gaze locked onto me. 

I rubbed my temples, trying to stave off the dizziness threatening to overtake me.

"Sorry, Nia... my head's a bit... dizzy," I muttered, hoping the pain would pass quickly. 

As the dizziness began to fade, I leaned back against the bed, focusing on steadying my breath. 

"By the way," I started, shifting my thoughts, "when you used your ability earlier, you didn't mention a name." 

She looked at me, confusion flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean?" 

"When you want to stop time, you don't say something like 'Time, stop!' or anything like that," I explained, raising an eyebrow. 

She tilted her head in thought before answering, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Wouldn't that make it easier for Zeph to dodge?" 

"...Y-Yeah, you're right," I muttered, a little embarrassed by how obvious that was. 

That makes sense. "Maybe the Chronia from my world isn't as clever as I thought..." 

"Huh?" She blinked, even more confused now. 

I scratched the back of my head, eager to move past my awkwardness.

"Never mind that... why did he say he knew how you could return to your world?" 

Her expression shifted then, her gaze flickering to the floor for a brief moment before she locked eyes with me again. 

"Do you want to go back to your world?" I asked softly, trying to gauge her emotions. 

She froze, the uncertainty in her face striking me more than I expected.

"Uh... I..." She hesitated, searching for the right words, her voice wavering. "I don't know." 

After a long, drawn-out pause, she sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping. "I guess... I want to, but... I'm not sure." 

Her voice was so quiet, almost fragile, and it made me wonder what was going on in her mind. 

"Why?" She asked suddenly, her voice soft and full of something I couldn't quite place. "Do you want to stay by my side?" 

Her words hit me like a bolt. She blushed deeply, turning away in embarrassment, but I could see the hope in her eyes, the vulnerability she was trying to hide.

"Why did I even choose you to be my boyfriend..." she muttered, almost to herself.

My heart skipped a beat at the words. "Huh?" I was caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

She quickly snapped her mouth shut, her face turning even redder. "Eh...? What do you mean, what do I mean?"

There was a long, awkward silence before I finally broke it.

"Are we dating in your world?" I asked, trying to make sense of the whole situation.

She inhaled deeply, still flushed, but then turned toward me with a look of determination.

"YES! Are you satisfied?!" she practically yelled, her face a bright shade of red.

I blinked, stunned by her outburst. I didn't know what to say, so I just stared at her as she quickly turned away again.

The room was quiet for a moment, and I realized that it had already turned evening.

"Uh... it's already evening..." I mumbled, glancing out the window.

Chronia, still looking away, huffed in response. The atmosphere felt thick with awkwardness. I needed a break from it, so I opened the window.

"Nia, I want to go out for a bit," I said, trying to shake off the tension.

"Huh?" She looked at me, confused.

"Just wait here and rest. I won't be long," I reassured her.

Without waiting for a reply, I jumped out of the window, summoning my broomstick mid-air to soften my landing. 

The cold wind brushed against my face as I dashed through the streets, already knowing where to find him. 

The bell tower. 

Sure enough, there he was—a lone figure sitting on the ledge, cigarette in hand, the embers glowing faintly against the backdrop of the setting sun. 

I made my way up quietly, stepping onto the platform before approaching from behind. 

"Hey, Zack," I called out. 

He didn't even flinch. "Arche, huh? You really can track me down, huh?" he said, his voice as casual as ever. 

I chuckled as I sat beside him. "Come on, who was it that I first asked to watch the sunset with me?" 

Zack smirked. "Well, yeah, you did," he admitted. "You said sunsets are always beautiful." 

I raised an eyebrow. 

"...Not that I can see the color, anyway," he added with a dry chuckle. 

Right. Zack was completely colorblind. 

"So, what did you find out?" I asked, shifting the conversation back on track. 

"Zepharion..." Zack began, exhaling a puff of smoke. 

"I talked to a few of my contacts. Got a little information." 

"A little's better than nothing," I replied, keeping my eyes on him. 

"He's known as the 'Ice Man'—because of his ability to generate and control ice," Zack continued. 

"His job? Scientist. He experiments using his own ice." 

"...That's weird," I muttered. 

Zack shrugged. "It gets weirder. There's nothing on his past. It's like he just... appeared out of nowhere." 

I frowned. "That's all you got?" 

"Yeah," Zack muttered, flicking away the ash from his cigarette. His gaze drifted to the horizon, distant. 

"The people from that organization... they're really something, aren't they?" 

I leaned back against the cold stone, watching as the sky deepened into twilight. 

Zack's past wasn't something I pried into often. 

I knew it wasn't pretty. 

His family had been killed by someone from that organization. That was part of why he hated them so much. 

"...Not that I'm happy about it," Zack added, his voice barely above a whisper, laced with quiet bitterness. 

A heavy silence settled between us. 

Then, after a moment, Zack broke it. 

"Oh yeah, about Chronia... can you explain who she is?" 

His tone was casual, but I could hear the curiosity underneath. 

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking.

"Well, let me tell you about the first time I fought her..." I began, recounting the intense battle, the raw power, and the overwhelming feeling of facing someone with such immense control over time.

"So that's how it is?" Zack said, processing everything I had just shared.

"From your story, she has great power, but why did she seem so overwhelmed when she fought Zeph?"

"Maybe it's experience," I suggested, tapping my chin thoughtfully.

"The Chronia in this world seems a bit older than me, and it's clear she's more aware of her powers. But, Nia—" I paused, glancing over at him.

"—she's the same age as me. Maybe she doesn't fully understand her own abilities."

Zack nodded slowly, his expression contemplative. "That makes sense." But then, his tone shifted.

"But, I'm still surprised Zeph said he knows a way to return Nia to her original world. That doesn't sit right with me."

I furrowed my brow at the mention of Zeph's words. "A man like him... there's no way he could have such powerful ice magic."

"He's like someone from another world!" Zack said, almost in disbelief.

At that moment, something clicked in my mind. The words echoed in my head, and suddenly, I felt a shift in my thoughts.

"Wait... say that again?" I asked, turning slowly towards Zack, my gaze sharpening.

"From another world?" Zack muttered, confusion in his voice, but then his eyes widened as the realization hit him. "Wait...?!"

My mind raced as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

The answer felt just within reach, but I needed time to process.

Without saying another word, I stood up abruptly, determination in my eyes.

"I need to go back," I said firmly.

"Yeah, take care," Zack replied nonchalantly, though I could hear the underlying concern in his voice as he continued to smoke.

I nodded, my expression serious, and then I jumped out of the window, landing gracefully with the help of my broomstick.

I quickly made my way back to the hotel, my heart pounding with urgency.

When I arrived, I didn't want to startle Chronia too much, so I decided to enter through the door instead of through the window.

But as I reached for the doorknob, I felt an unexpected chill run through my fingers.

The doorknob was unnaturally cold.

"Wait..." I muttered to myself, my instincts kicking in. Without hesitation, I pushed the door open, and the sight before me froze my heart.

Chronia was pinned to the wall, her face contorted with shock.

Zepharion stood before her, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

As soon as he noticed me, he turned, greeting me with a calm voice. "Welcome back."

"Hey! Don't make yourself at home in other people's rooms!" I shouted, rushing toward him, my fists ready to strike.

But Zeph was faster than I anticipated, easily dodging my attack with a smirk.

Before I could react, Chronia's power flared, and time itself seemed to bend.

In an instant, Zeph's movements froze. Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and with a swift motion, hurled him out the window.

The glass shattered with a sharp crash, and Zeph's body disappeared from view.

I turned to Chronia, who stood there, breathing heavily. Her face was still clouded with worry, but she nodded when I asked, "Are you okay, Nia?"

She hesitated for a moment before nodding again, though her worry was still evident. "I'm fine."

"Stay here," I ordered, before leaping out of the broken window. My broomstick caught me mid-air, allowing me to land softly on the ground.

I scanned the area, my eyes narrowing as I looked for any sign of Zeph's return.

This wasn't the ideal place for a fight, but I had no other choice.

Zeph raised his hand, summoning a massive wall of ice between us.

I knew it wasn't just a defense-he was preparing something.

But I wasn't about to let him dictate the pace of this fight.

Clenching my fist in anger and determination, I glared at the wall.

"You think I'll stop here?" I shouted, charging straight at it.

With all my strength, I swung my fist high and drove it into the ice with a powerful strike.

CRACK!

The wall fractured and shattered into countless shards, scattering around us.

Zeph, standing behind it, looked genuinely shocked, his cold demeanor breaking for the first time.

"You..." he muttered, his narrowed eyes filled with surprise.

But he quickly composed himself, stepping forward as the temperature plummeted even further, making it hard to breathe.

He raised his hand again, moving faster this time. I tried to dodge, but before I could react, I felt a sharp coldness gripping my legs.

Glancing down, I saw that ice had encased both my feet, rooting me to the ground.

"Damn it!" I growled, struggling against it, but it was useless.

Zeph didn't stop there. With a flick of his fingers, the ice crept upward, locking my hands in place.

I was completely immobilized, unable to move even an inch.

He approached me slowly, his calm expression now laced with a hint of satisfaction.

"You think you can defy my power?" he said coldly, his voice sharp and cutting. "I've given you enough chances. This is the end."

I gritted my teeth, struggling against the ice, but it held firm. "You son of a—"

"I'm surprised you were able to destroy the ice," Zeph said with a raised eyebrow, his tone unusually calm.

"I knew you were trained by Valth, but I didn't think you'd be this strong."

His words only fueled my anger. "But you're still avoiding my question, you bastard!" I shouted, glaring at him.

Zeph gave me an amused smile. "Hm? Oh, so you already know, huh? Faster than I thought."

His eyes glinted with intrigue. "So it turns out that Valth giving you the nickname 'talented kid' wasn't just empty praise, huh?"

I clenched my fists, not in the mood for his games. "Are you not from this world?" I demanded, unable to hold back my suspicion any longer.

Zeph's smile faded slightly, and he nodded. "Yes, I'm from the same world as Chronia, who is now with you," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

"I was transported to this world ten years ago."

I took a step back, processing his words. "In my world, males have the same magical abilities as females," he continued, his tone thoughtful.

"I was actually surprised to learn that males here can't use the same magical powers as females."

"And that makes me happy," he added, his smile returning, this time more sinister. "It helps His Majesty DEATH rule this world!"

He laughed, a sound that sent a chill down my spine.

I couldn't help but scoff at his arrogance. "I'd like to ask, why do villains always want to rule the world?"

"What's your endgame? What will you even do after you rule it?" I asked, my voice steady despite the rising frustration.

But before Zeph could answer, the atmosphere around us shifted. Time froze—again.

I felt the familiar weight of Chronia's power, and when the world came back into focus, Zeph was immobile, locked in place.

Chronia stepped forward, her eyes narrowing in determination.

"Thank you, Nia," I heard her whisper, and I nodded in acknowledgment.

Then, with a quick motion, Chronia sped up time around Zeph. I watched in awe as the ice that had once pinned me melted at an accelerated rate.

It was an impressive feat—she was using both of her abilities at the same time.

I couldn't help but marvel at her power, though I'd save the questions for later.

The moment the time around Zeph started moving again, I wasted no time.

I lunged forward, throwing a punch straight at his face.

His body flew back, crashing into a nearby wall with a sickening thud.

"Quickly, defeat him, Arche!" Chronia urged, her voice a mix of relief and urgency.

"Right!" I grinned, my fists still crackling with energy, ready to finish this fight once and for all.

When Zeph finally stirred, I was already preparing to strike.

But as soon as he opened his eyes, that grin spread across his face, as if he had all the answers.

"I know where your mother is now, Arche," he said, his voice dripping with malicious amusement.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught in my throat. "What do you mean...?"

He laughed, a dark, mocking sound. "Your mother, Iris... I know where she is now." His grin widened as if he could feel the weight of my disbelief.

I couldn't think. My heart raced, my body trembling with anger and fear.

I reached into my pocket for the teleportation gem, the one I'd been saving.

Without hesitation, I crushed the gem in my hand. The world around me distorted as I instantly appeared in front of Zeph.

My fist swung toward his face, but before it could make contact, his hand shot out like lightning, grabbing my fist with impossible speed.

The air around it froze, and I felt a biting chill start to creep up my arm.

Before I could react, he kicked me hard in the stomach.

The force sent me flying, and I would've hit the ground if not for Chronia, who caught me mid-air, steadying me with a worried look in her eyes.

"Arche! Are you okay?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

I tried to push myself up, rage burning through me. "Bastard! Tell me, how did you know about my Mother?!" My voice was hoarse, desperate.

Zeph chuckled darkly, backing away slowly, clearly enjoying the torment he was causing.

I made a move to chase him, but Chronia's hand gripped my arm, stopping me.

"Hey! Don't run away, you asshole!" I shouted, struggling to break free.

"I don't want to lose you again, Arche," she said, her voice shaking as she held me tightly, as if afraid I might slip away again.

Her words cut through the fury clouding my mind.

How does Zeph know where my mother is?

What connection does he have to her?

I felt my blood boil, my hands itching to get a hold of him.

I swore to myself, I will make him tell me everything.

"I will kill that person..." I growled, my voice low and full of venom.

But Chronia's next words froze me in place. "Arche! I love you!"

The words pierced through the haze of anger, and for a moment, everything stopped.

I felt my heart beat louder than anything else. "So please, don't throw your life away," she continued, her voice breaking.

"Don't make the person who loves you feel sad." She clutched me tighter, and I realized just how much she was holding on.

I closed my eyes, taking in a long, shaky breath. Her warmth grounded me, pulling me away from the dangerous edge I was about to fall over.

"Thank you, Nia... I feel calmer now." I whispered, a small, soft smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

She nodded, her grip loosening just a little as she looked at me, her eyes full of concern and love.

"Let's go back," I said, my voice steady now, though the turmoil still churned inside me.

Chronia gave me a gentle nod, and together, we made our way back to the hotel room.

I collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion weighing down on me as I sank into the soft mattress.

Chronia, however, stayed seated on the edge, her gaze distant but soft.

I didn't understand it. Why didn't she feel shy anymore?

In the beginning, there was a clear distance between us, but now, here we were—sitting close, no hesitation between us.

"Arche… in any world, you never change, huh?" Her voice was light, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.

I propped myself up on my elbows, pushing myself up from the bed, and moved to sit beside her.

Her words hung in the air, but I wasn't ready for what she said next.

"When you saved me… I realized that," she continued, her smile growing softer.

"Your kindness, your care for others… it's what made me fall for you." She turned her head slightly, her gaze meeting mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten.

"But sometimes… sometimes, that's also what makes me hate you."

I blinked, not understanding where she was going. The words felt like a weight on my heart.

"In my world… you died," she whispered, her voice breaking just slightly.

"You sacrificed yourself for me." She paused, her hands trembling as she looked away, as if the memory still stung.

"I cried, Arche. For a week straight. I couldn't stop crying."

The air between us thickened. I felt a pang of guilt, regret twisting in my gut.

"But then, I realized something." She turned back to me, her eyes glistening, though no tears fell.

"You never wanted me to cry like that. You hated seeing me sad."

Her words hit me like a slap. I wanted to say something, to comfort her, but the weight of her confession made me speechless.

She took a deep breath before continuing. "So, I moved forward. I tried to forget the sadness, the pain."

"But no matter where I went, no matter how much time passed… I would never forget you." Her voice wavered at the last part, but she kept her composure, her gaze unwavering.

I was silent, a lump in my throat, unsure of what to say. The idea of someone mourning me, even in another world—it was a lot to take in.

It made me wonder... if I had truly understood how much people cared for me, would I have been more careful with their hearts?

I couldn't look her in the eye. Her sadness, her words—they hit harder than anything I had ever faced.

"Nia…" I finally said, my voice low. "Don't worry. Like I said this afternoon… you can think of me as the Arche from your world."

I turned to face her, but the words didn't come out right. There was something inside me, some kind of fear, some hesitation.

"Even though we're different… well…" I trailed off, not sure how to finish.

Chronia smiled sweetly, her eyes softening as she leaned in.

Slowly, she wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer.

"Okay… just today," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Before I could respond, her lips met mine, warm and gentle.

I froze in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden kiss.

Time seemed to stand still, and for a moment, all I could focus on was the sensation of her lips against mine.

The kiss lingered longer than I expected, each second adding more heat to my face, making my heart race faster than it ever had before.

When Chronia finally pulled away, I was left breathless, my face flushed with the intensity of what had just happened.

"You're obviously good at kissing," I managed to say, my voice shaky.

Chronia smirked, her teasing smile only making the moment even more electrifying.

"You taught me," she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I was at a loss for words, stunned by her response. "I taught you..? Wow," I muttered, still trying to process the unexpected turn of events.

A comfortable silence settled between us, and for a while, we just looked at each other, letting the weight of what had just happened sink in.

Finally, I took a deep breath, my heart still racing, and broke the silence.

"Nia," I began, my voice steadying, "there's something I want to ask you."

She turned to me, her head tilting slightly as she waited for me to speak. "Hm?"

"I want you to join that organization," I said, the words coming out more serious than I expected.

Chronia's lips curled into a smile, and she chuckled softly. "I knew you would ask me that."

The atmosphere between us shifted, the playfulness lingering in the air, but now mixed with something deeper.

That night, we spent a quiet evening together. Chronia ended up staying in my room, as she hadn't had time to book one for herself.

The next day, Zack, Chronia—ah, I mean Nia—and I walked through the park, the cool breeze rustling the leaves above us

The park was quiet, peaceful, with the occasional person strolling by, completely unaware of the confrontation we were about to have.

As we passed under the large oak tree, I spotted Zeph, sitting on a bench with a book in his hands.

He looked up when he noticed us approaching, a calm smile spreading across his face.

"Ah, you've come," Zeph said, his voice smooth, almost mocking.

Zack immediately tensed up, his eyes scanning the area before he gave a quick gesture to clear the space, pushing away a few residents who had wandered too close.

Zeph chuckled at the sight of it, clearly amused. Then, he turned his gaze to Chronia, or Nia, with a smug expression.

"So, you guys are going to hand Chronia over to me?"

I couldn't hold back my anger. "Of course I won't hand her over to you!" I shouted, stepping forward.

Zeph just smiled, an almost eerie calmness in his demeanor as he closed his book and stood up, his eyes glinting with cold amusement.

"Well, you're looking for death, huh?"

Zack was the first to move. With a series of knife throws, he created a storm of blades that forced Zeph into a defensive stance.

Walls of ice rose around Zeph, shielding him from the barrage. But this wasn't just Zack's fight.

Nia leaped in, using her time manipulation to increase her speed.

In an instant, she was behind Zeph, attacking with precision.

Zeph tried countering with shards of ice, but Nia was too fast, evading before he could properly target her.

I waited for the right moment. When Zeph's ice walls shattered under Zack's relentless assault and Nia continued to keep him distracted, I charged forward.

My punches and kicks struck his defenses, forcing him to expend more energy to hold us back.

Zeph began to falter. He conjured a storm of ice to push us back, but Nia quickly slowed time around it, allowing Zack and me to move through unscathed.

We closed the distance, applying even more pressure.

"Damn it... you three are a real nuisance," Zeph growled, beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead. For the first time, he looked rattled.

I grinned despite my exhaustion. "You're not beating us that easily, Zeph. This time, it's you who'll lose."

We kept attacking from all angles-Zack with his endless knives, Nia with her speed and time manipulation throwing him off balance, and me with powerful strikes breaking through his defenses.

Finally, Zeph dropped to his knees, his breath ragged. He tried to stand, but it was clear he was overwhelmed.

But then Zeph's expression changed, and his icy demeanor grew colder.

The air around us grew more frigid, and with a snap of his fingers, he summoned an even stronger ice storm.

Ice shot toward us faster than ever, overwhelming us in a torrent.

I ran, trying to dodge, but this time his attacks were too fast and too powerful.

Just as I thought we were cornered, Nia moved with an ability none of us had seen before.

Her eyes lit up, and an aura of impossible speed surrounded her.

With a single motion, she reversed the flow of time. The ice that was about to hit us began to move backward, returning to Zeph.

"Time Rewind!" Nia commanded firmly, and instantly, the ice that was heading for her flew back and froze Zeph instead.

I smiled seeing that. "Very good Nia!"

She didn't answer, only focused on Zeph. "Now we have a chance."

But even as Zeph was trapped in his own ice, he only smirked.

His frozen body began to thaw quickly, and with an even greater burst of energy, he shattered the ice around him.

"Interesting," he said coldly, wiping the blood from his brow. "But still, it's not enough."

Nia tried to control time further, this time slowing it around us.

She accelerated Zack and my movements, giving us a brief moment to strike with incredible speed.

Then, she stopped time altogether, giving us a window of opportunity.

However, despite Nia's growing strength, Zeph was still holding his ground.

More ice surged around him, creating an impenetrable shield.

Every time Nia manipulated time, Zeph strengthened his defenses, creating more ice to block us.

"You really think you can win?" Zeph taunted, his voice now filled with menace. "You're a real nuisance. But I'm not going to let you win."

While Nia continued to slow and accelerate time, Zeph summoned a far larger ice storm, the ice growing stronger and colder with each second.

We continued to press the attack, but it was clear that Zeph's power still outmatched us.

Nia, now fully in control of time, glared at Zeph with unwavering determination.

"This time, I'll make sure nothing stops us," she said, though her voice carried a hint of doubt.

She knew that while she could control time, defeating Zeph's overwhelming power wasn't going to be easy.

Zeph raised his hand, and in an instant, an even greater wave of ice shot toward us. He was deadly serious now.

Zack realized that direct attacks weren't the best approach against Zeph, who could always create ice walls for defense.

So, with cunning, Zack began to attack from unexpected angles.

He moved quickly, taking advantage of every opening in Zeph's defense.

The knives he threw weren't just random flares anymore.

They shot toward Zeph with precise accuracy, striking weak points in his ice barriers.

The walls that had once seemed impenetrable began to crack and shatter.

Zeph tried to freeze Zack with larger waves of ice, but Zack always managed to dodge with impressive speed.

With more confidence, Zack finally closed in on Zeph.

He threw a large knife, and this time, Zeph didn't manage to block it in time.

The blade pierced through part of his ice shield, cutting into Zeph's arm.

"Damn it!" Zeph growled, and for the first time, his expression shifted from cold indifference to anger.

Sweat started to bead on his forehead, and while his body remained strong, it was clear he was beginning to feel the pressure.

Zack, with a mischievous grin, taunted him. "You think we're just going to keep defending, Zeph? We can strike back, too," he said, stepping forward with confidence.

Nia slowed time around Zeph, creating space for Zack to land even more hits.

With incredible speed, Zack dodged wave after wave of incoming ice, then, with perfect precision, threw more knives at vulnerable spots on Zeph's body.

This time, Zeph had trouble creating enough ice fast enough to defend himself.

Zack's relentless attacks were making his defenses falter.

Zack, now emboldened, stepped closer to Zeph, landing another hit as Zeph stumbled back.

"Is this all you've got?" Zack mocked, his grin widening.

Without giving us a chance to react, Zeph shot forward with incredible speed, freezing the air around him.

In an instant, walls of ice taller than trees rose up, trapping us in a confined space.

We couldn't move, imprisoned by the ice that felt unbreakable.

Zack tried to throw his knives, but every attack was effortlessly stopped by an even harder ice shield than before.

"This... can't be happening!" I was stunned, watching how easily Zeph manipulated the space around us.

My body started to feel stiff as ice spread rapidly, preventing us from moving.

Zack attempted to run, but Zeph quickly launched a more powerful wave of ice, forcing him to fall and get pinned under layers of thickening ice.

Nia, who had been so skilled at controlling time, was now struggling against Zeph's force that overwhelmed all of her efforts.

Zeph manipulated the ice with a speed and precision we couldn't keep up with, trapping us as if we were nothing more than puppets to him.

"It's time to finish this," Zeph said, his voice low and full of malice.

With a flick of his wrist, a massive chunk of ice slammed into Nia, encasing her completely in thick, unyielding ice.

Nia tried to move, but her body couldn't fight against the ice's grip.

"Nia!" I shouted, desperate to move, but the ice around me was growing thicker, freezing me in place.

Zeph smiled triumphantly, stepping closer to Nia, who was frozen solid.

"You thought you could defeat me? I control ice. And after this I can control time," he said with absolute confidence, raising his hand to strengthen the ice binding Nia further.

With a single motion, the ice grew thicker, locking Nia in place, immobilizing her completely.

Zeph had captured Nia.

"You have no way of beating me."

"I will always be stronger," Zeph said smugly, leaving us trapped in his unrelenting ice as he walked away.

After Zeph disappeared with Nia, it took a long time for the ice to melt, the coldness of the moment still hanging in the air like a lingering chill.

The silence was unbearable, but eventually, we could move again.

I let out a deep sigh, my breath clouding the air as I tried to steady myself.

Zack turned to me, his expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"Your acting is good, huh?" he said with a knowing grin.

I gave him a wry smile. "I'm sure you have hundreds of ways to take back Chronia."

"Well, I'm good at acting," I replied with a shrug, but my mind was already elsewhere.

"But are you sure? Just handing her over like that?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern, though he was clearly hiding it behind his usual casual demeanor.

I paused before answering, looking in the direction Zeph had gone. "Well, I wouldn't worry. She has great abilities."

The truth was, I wasn't worried. I had deliberately handed over Nia.

Last night, she had made a choice, one that I knew would give me an advantage.

She was willing to be my spy, to gather information from the organization, and I wasn't about to pass up that chance.

She also wants to find a way to return to ber world.

Zeph wouldn't give me any information, even if I tortured him.

But Nia, I could trust. She had a role to play, and I was counting on her to feed me the intel I needed.

"Okay, Zack, let's go." I turned away and started walking, Zack falling into step beside me.

"Hey, there's a nice café nearby. Wanna go there?" he asked, his voice light but with an underlying warmth.

"Oh, that sounds interesting," I said, grateful for the break, even if only for a moment.

The city felt quieter now, but there was still the weight of the unknown hanging over us.

We walked side by side, heading toward the café Zack had mentioned.

I don't trust Zeph to give me any answers, but I know I can trust Nia to find the truth.

Sometimes, you have to give up something to gain what you need.