Chapter 6: What Time Took From Me: Temporal Cipher
Chapter 6: What time took from me: Temporal Cipher
Content Warning for Chapter 6 This chapter contains depictions of psychological distress, hallucinations, paranoia, mentions of therapy, and unsettling imagery (including gore-like descriptions, though not physical). Reader discretion is advised, especially for those sensitive to topics related to mental health struggles and dissociation. DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT.
there's fluff despite everything, dw, you're not just a reader! there's aftercare.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another day. Another twisted activity waiting for us.
We were all gathered in a cramped, windowless room today — air thick with tension and the faint metallic tang of stress-sweat. Proctors paced back and forth, handing out assignments, their shoes tapping like countdown clocks against the tile.
Every student had their own task: someone bent metal into intricate symbols; another whispered to a bowl of water until their reflection screamed back; one kid calculated endless numbers, their fingers twitching like flesh calculators.
And me? I got the box.
It sat at the center of the room, black and heart beating, almost alive. When the proctor called my name, my gut twisted painfully — the same way it did when I first learned my mother died. A slow-blooming nausea that whispered, This will change you.
I obeyed anyway. Because what else could I do?
The moment my fingertips brushed the box, everything around me ruptured.
The walls melted, my classmates vanished, and suddenly I was standing on a bridge suspended over nothing. The sky churned with black oil clouds, and the only sound was my own pulse, loud and thunderous, rattling my skull from the inside out.
The first puzzle piece was easy — a small section of the box slid away under my touch, clicking into place like a child's toy. Too easy.
The second piece? It bit into my skin. Razor-sharp edges slid under my nails, prying them up like peeling fruit skin. Blood welled fast and slick, dripping down my wrists — but I couldn't stop. My fingers moved like puppets under some crueler hand, and the more I solved, the more reality warped around me.
I saw my mother's coffin. Even though in reality, I never had the chance to give my mother a proper burial.
It was standing upright beside me — nailed shut, but not enough to stop her hand from slipping through the crack. Bone-thin fingers, nails ripped clean off, reaching for me.
Behind me, Clara stood with her throat slit wide open — petals growing from the wound like some macabre garden, blooming faster every time I blinked.
Worst of all, in the mirrored shards scattered on the ground, I saw myself. Or versions of me.
One had no eyes, just empty sockets filled with writhing, ink-black worms.
One had my lips stitched shut with golden wire, my hands folded politely like a corpse.
One stood with her back bent at a grotesque angle, head hanging loose by a thread of skin.
I should have screamed. I should have stopped. I didn't.
Because the box wouldn't let me.
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With every new piece, the puzzle took more from me.
My left eye burst — or at least, it felt like it. A blinding flash of pain seared through my skull, and something thicker than blood leaked down my cheek. I wiped at it, trembling, and my hand came away soaked in black ink, dripping like melted shadow.
My fingers began to crack and splinter, bone peeking through skin. Every time a piece slid into place, my own flesh unraveled — as if solving the puzzle meant dismantling myself.
But I couldn't stop.
Time twisted in knots around me. The bridge collapsed and rebuilt itself beneath my feet, forcing me to step forward, backward, sideways — every wrong step dropped me into another memory.
I fell into my childhood bedroom, staring at my mother's empty bed.
I fell into the schoolyard, watching Clara wave before a flower pierced her hand.
I fell into my own grave, dirt filling my mouth until I couldn't scream.
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Somewhere, some tiny rational part of my mind knew the truth.
This wasn't real. None of it. This was the test — a psychic simulation planted directly into my skull by the proctors. My body was still standing in that tiny room, trembling, hands clutching the real box.
But the rest of me? I was dying. Over and over and over.
This was how they forced my powers to awaken. Not through training — through terror. Through stress so violent my time magic would activate by instinct.
They were ripping me open, not to teach me, but to see if I could survive it.
When the final piece slid into place, I hit the ground hard. My knees split open against jagged stone, and for a moment I could taste my own blood, bright and sharp like a warning bell.
The bridge shattered beneath me, sending me into a free-fall through my own memories, my own past mistakes. I relived my mother's death in reverse, watching her rise from the grave, heal from her sickness, smile at me once more—
And then I woke up.
Back in the room. Hands trembling over the very normal, very wooden puzzle box. The proctor nodded once. "Good work." My gaze fell to the woman by his side. It was Ms. Renée
She didn't ask questions. Didn't tell me it was all fake, because she knew it didn't matter. My mind couldn't tell the difference. My body still remembered the agony, the trauma. The phantom pain lingered, too deep to scrub out.
She knelt beside me, hands warm on my frozen skin. "Hagarin, You're okay."
I couldn't even answer. My throat felt stitched shut.
She wiped my face gently — her sleeve coming away soaked with cold sweat and tears. No blood. No ink. Just a terrified kid they pushed too far.
The walk home is as though paranoia grips through my skin, it causes me to shiver to no end, no relief, no warmth.
Ms. Renée walked me home, her arm never leaving my shoulders. Every step felt like it existed in three different timelines — one where I fell, one where I ran, one where I stood still until time ate me alive.
When we reached my door, I froze.
It wasn't my house. It was my mother's funeral home, twisted into the shape of my front door. Her coffin was waiting inside — not real, but my brain didn't care.
I collapsed to my knees, trembling so violently I thought my bones would rattle apart.
Ms. Renee held me, whispering, "You're here. You're real." I didn't believe her.
I still don't.
That night, I lay in bed, staring at my hands.
The injuries were gone. My fingers were whole. My eye was intact. My skin was clean.
But when I clenched my fists, the air shimmered, rippling faintly like time didn't fully trust me anymore.
Every time I blinked, I saw the stitched-mouth version of me sitting at the foot of my bed, watching, waiting for me to break again.
Time didn't just test me today. It claimed me.
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Morning light gently seeped through the veil of my curtains, painting fragile gold across the room and...
Sleep didn't come.
When I closed my eyes, I fell into the bridge again. Into the coffin. Into my own corpse.
I woke up gasping, fingers clawing at my throat, convinced it was still sewn shut. I vomited once — black sludge that vanished the moment I blinked, leaving me doubting if it ever happened.
Time magic is supposed to be beautiful. But mine feels like a curse — a parasite gnawing at my spine, whispering, You don't deserve control. We do.
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The next morning—another morning. I saw my reflection.
My face was fine. But my shadow moved slower than me, lagging by just a fraction of a second — like time itself didn't fully trust me anymore.
At breakfast, my cup cracked when I picked it up — age speeding up around my fingertips until the glass simply couldn't hold itself together.
I was unraveling. And no one could see it but me.
They wanted me to learn control.
What I learned instead is that time has teeth — and every second you touch will bite back.
I'm stronger now. But I'm also haunted.
Because every time I close my eyes, I still see that stitched-mouth girl — still sitting at the foot of my bed, still waiting for me to break her free.
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The past five days unraveled like a slow, cruel unraveling of thread — paranoia soaked into every corner of my mind until it left me disheveled, barely standing today. My fingers now brush against the fragile edges of reality, where I could finally distinguish what was real and what was only a phantom born from my fear.
Guilt curled itself around my throat like a noose, tightening with every breath I took. I never gave Hanari the explanation she deserved — I simply pushed her towards Ms. Renée, too ashamed, too fractured to speak for myself.
The school excused me for a month, a mercy disguised as punishment. They said I needed time to recover, as if time alone could soothe wounds carved into my mind. Even now, I'm not sure if healing is something I can reach.
A therapist was assigned to untangle my chaos, but how do you calm nerves that still vibrate with phantom pain? How do you silence a storm that's made a home inside your head?
The day I finally told Hanari the truth, the weight of my own words crushed me. I cried. I broke. I admitted I was not okay — and somehow, saying it out loud made it all feel so much heavier.
When the tears finally fell, Hanari pulled me into her arms — no words, no questions, just the quiet strength of her embrace. It was her way of reminding me that I was still here, that I was alive, even if my mind had long wandered into the graveyard of my fears. Her warmth bled into my skin, thawing the frost left by endless nights of paranoia. And in her arms, I could finally...
Breathe.
And for the first time in days, I drifted — not into nightmares, not into fractured time loops or restless visions, but into something tender and whole.
I slept in peace.
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Days slip through my fingers, and still, my feet refuse to touch the school grounds. I've let procrastination drape over me like a second skin, curling into my blankets as if they could protect me from everything I'm not ready to face. I feel better now, at least my body does — but my spirit won't rise.
Not yet.
There's a whisper in my mind, one that tells me to step forward, to walk into the unknown, because life rarely waits for those who hesitate. But I'm too tired, and for once, I want to be selfish enough to stay still — to let my bones sink into rest without guilt gnawing at me.
So my world shrinks to something soft and familiar: cooking for my sisters, sweeping the floors, folding laundry, turning ordinary moments into quiet lanterns that light my way back to myself. I even let myself imagine a life of simple domesticity.
But no — a housewife I could never be. Not in this life, not in this body.
I was tracing meaningless lines into my sketchbook when the silence broke. A knock — sharp, loud, persistent — rattled the door. A knock so familiar, I already knew whose hand it belonged to.
I wasn’t wearing my mask, so for a brief moment, I caught a small glimpse of the future. It was them — Ezra, Clarence, and Clara. Oddly enough, my mind felt calm, as if the usual storm had finally settled. Maybe it was because I was relaxed, and for once, my powers weren’t overwhelming me.
Perhaps the only real weapon against my own abilities was something as simple as staying calm. Maybe that was the key all along.
I walked toward the front door, and just as my vision predicted, there stood Ezra.
"Oh, my dove! I missed you!" Before I could even process the moment, Ezra swept me off my feet — quite literally — pulling me into a hug so sudden it forced a yelp out of me. Strangely enough, my little glimpse into the future never warned me about that.
The second he set me down, Clara stepped forward, pulling me into her own embrace. There was a warmth in it that made my heart ache in the best way. In that moment, surrounded by people who cared, I felt alive.
"I’m so glad you’re okay," Clara said softly, her voice trembling as unshed tears gathered in her eyes.
"Hey, don’t cry. I’m here — I’m okay now. Sane as ever," I reassured her, though my smile was just a little wobbly.
"Ooh, nice house." Ezra’s eyes darted around, already scanning every corner like a curious child in a new playground.
I let out a quiet groan, fully expecting him to start touching everything he could get his hands on.
"I’m really glad you’re okay now, Hagarin," Clarence said, his voice softer than usual. "When we saw you leaving school with Ms. Renée, you looked... not great."
I nodded, the memory making my shoulders tense involuntarily. "It was hell," I admitted. No sugarcoating, just the raw truth.
I led them into the living room, only to find Ezra already making himself at home, flipping through the movie collection like he owned the place.
"Have a seat, guys. I own the place anyway," Ezra joked, sprawling dramatically across the couch like a king claiming his throne.
Without a second thought, I grabbed a cushion and threw it straight at his face. Clara and Clarence burst into soft laughter as they settled into the room, filling the space with a comforting sense of normalcy I hadn’t felt in a while.
And it was nice — really nice.
I didn’t feel alone.
I had them, too.
They might each carry their own ghosts, their own cracks and sharp edges, but knowing we all had our struggles somehow made it easier to breathe. I wasn’t drifting aimlessly in isolation anymore. I had my people—chaotic, flawed, and human—right beside me.
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2,535 words
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More Posts from Chen-nn and Others
Prologue - Blood Stains Don't Wash Off
Tw: mentions of abuse, and violence. Dead dove, do not eat.
There are countless ways to avoid violence. But avoidance doesn't mean survival.
Violence is stitched into the seams of existence — a pulse running beneath every century, every age. It thrives, adapts, becomes more creative, more cruel. We like to pretend we are better than our past, but reality doesn't flinch under the weight of our illusions. Even in a world infused with magic, people are still monsters. And monsters don't need fangs or claws. Sometimes, they wear the faces of your neighbors. Or your own family.
Hagarin was not the victim that day.
She was the witness.
A child, too young to spell her own name properly, stood paralyzed in the doorway as her mother's body became a canvas for violence. A fist to the ribs, a boot to the spine. Blood, spit, sobs. The kind of sounds that become permanent residents in your skull. Hagarin clamped her small hands over her eyes, praying that darkness would protect her, but the sharp metallic click of a pistol tore through the air.
"Watch."
A command. Not a plea. A curse.
She was forced to see it all — her mother's skin bruised into unrecognizable shades, her breath turned into shallow gasps until there was no breath left to take.
Hagarin's mother died that night, leaving behind three little girls and a silence too loud to bear.
In a world glutted with magic, you'd think there would be a spell for justice. But magic didn't save her. Magic was a luxury — one used more often to destroy than to heal. Power and violence walk hand in hand like childhood friends, both feeding off each other's hunger. Hagarin understood this at an age when most children only understand fairy tales.
Those who crave chaos? They are not misguided souls. They are predators, drunk on their own sense of invincibility, poisoning everything they touch. They rip the seams of peace just to see what spills out.
And Hagarin? She learned young that survival is not a right — it's a skill.
At seven years old, she became a mother, a protector, a builder of shelters, a scavenger of scraps. She wasn't good at any of it. But no one else was left to try.
She used magic to knock down trees because her hands were too weak. She built a shack with trembling fingers and whispered prayers that the walls would hold for at least one night. Her sisters clung to each other for warmth, while Hagarin stood guard at the entrance, eyes fixed on the sky. The moon was too bright — like it was exposing their helplessness for all the world to see.
That night, her lips moved in silent prayer — not to gods, but to whatever force was out there listening.
"Please. Let me be strong enough. Just for them. Even if it breaks me."
Tears traced down her dirt-streaked face, and for the first time, she allowed herself to feel the weight of what had been taken from her. But grief is a luxury you can't afford when you're responsible for someone else's survival.
They walked for days — blistered feet on broken ground — until the steel skyline of Aloy City appeared like a mirage in the distance. Aloy, the City of Metals. A place where survival was possible, but only if you were useful.
"Are we almost there?" the youngest sister asked, her voice soft from exhaustion.
Hagarin squeezed her hand. "Just five more hours." She wasn't sure if that was true. But hope tastes better when you lie with confidence.
"You're just guessing," Hanari, her twin, muttered.
"Obviously." Hagarin shrugged.
Hanari, loud and bright despite the darkness they carried, was everything Hagarin was not. They bickered like breathing — every argument a strange lifeline that reminded them both they were still alive. Still sisters.
Aloy was both salvation and sentence. A city where children like them became projects — charity cases processed and filed into the system. At the help center, they sat across from a woman who asked too many questions with too soft a voice. What happened to your parents? What did you see? How do you feel?
Hagarin wanted to scream. Instead, she said nothing. Hanari did all the talking — filling the silence with half-truths and protective lies, all while Hagarin's hands dug crescent moons into her palms beneath the table.
When they were placed onto a bus, bound for an orphanage disguised as a "facility," Hagarin didn't cry. She just stared out the window, watching her reflection blur against the world passing by.
Life at the facility was not kind, but it was stable — which was almost the same thing. They were clothed, taught to read, trained to summon spells from nothing but breath and willpower. Time passed, and they grew taller, sharper, harder. But Hanari never lost her brightness. The little sister never lost her innocence.
And Hagarin never lost the weight in her chest — the cold iron reminder that peace is temporary, and safety is always conditional.
She watched from the window as Hanari and their sister chased each other through the grass, laughing like the world hadn't tried to crush them under its boot.
For a moment, Hagarin let herself believe it was possible — that they could outrun the ghosts, the memories, the trauma woven into their bones.
But only for a moment.
Because Hagarin knew better than anyone: The past never stays buried.
And the worst monsters aren't the ones hiding in shadows. They're the ones smiling in the light.
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2,731 words.
Chapter 8: Blades and Rivalries
Tw: Mild language
Days had begun to settle into a quiet rhythm once I got the hang of everything—by trying everything. But that didn’t make it any less exhausting.
Now, I find myself walking through the library, where the soft patter of rain against the windows casts a monochrome hue over the space. The dull light filtering in makes everything feel muted, as if the world outside had drained all its color and left only shades of gray behind.
The library is vast, its towering shelves stretching endlessly, yet it holds only a handful of students scattered between aisles. Their presence is barely noticeable beneath the heavy silence.
I wander deeper, trailing my fingers along the spines of old books, savoring the rare tranquility—until it's broken.
A voice rises from the other side of the shelf.
"I still can't believe Hagarin has returned," Liviya mutters, her words laced with something sharp, something bitter.
"Why? Does she bother you?" Another voice responds. Sashenka.
I freeze in place, my ears tuning in despite myself.
"Yeah, she does. I suppose you could say she’s stealing my spotlight." Liviya scoffs, the sound grating against the hush of the library.
My brow arches as I process her words. Stealing her spotlight? I comb through my memories, trying to recall a moment where I had even tried to get involved with her. But I had barely interacted with Liviya—let alone threatened her place in anything.
"What do you even mean by spotlight?" Sashenka asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
"She’s taking the valedictorian spot," Liviya replied, and I nearly choked on my own saliva. Woah. Valedictorian? That was the last thing I expected of myself.
"How are you even so sure?" Sashenka asked, skepticism thick in her voice.
"Because I’ve seen her perform in all aspects, and I must admit—she’s no ordinary student," Liviya said, irritation creeping into her words.
Sashenka sighed. "She’s ordinary. What are you even talking about?"
I heard the faint rustle of pages as she reached for a book, and my stomach twisted in panic. If she pulled that book from the shelf, she’d see me standing right here. Too close. Too risky.
Instinct kicked in—I grabbed the book before she could.
For a second, Sashenka tugged at it, confused, as if sensing an unseen resistance. Then, after a brief pause, she let go with a quiet, puzzled huh.
"You don't get me, Sashenka," Liviya said, irritation creeping into her tone. She was too caught up in her own thoughts to notice Sashenka’s growing confusion as she stared at the book.
"I really don’t," Sashenka scoffed. "You make it sound like she’s some all-powerful, high-and-mighty Hagarin, when really, she’s just doing what any student would do."
"You don’t get me," Liviya repeated, her voice firm.
"Oh, I get you," Sashenka shot back, a grin breaking through. "You’re just as crazy as the rest of them." She let out a hearty laugh, and I stood there, utterly lost.
Crazy? Competing? Me?
I hadn't done anything to rival anyone—I could barely keep up with my own inner turmoil. And yet, somehow, I had ended up in the middle of something I never even signed up for.
Without thinking, I turned and walked away.
I didn’t stop until I was back in the main building. Unlike the quiet halls I had left behind, this place buzzed with life—students moving in all directions, their voices blending into an endless hum.
"You’re here?"
I turned at the sound of Hanari’s voice as she appeared behind me, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"I was bored," I admitted.
Hanari beamed before looping her arm through mine. "Perfect. Come on!"
Before I could protest, she was already dragging me toward the cafeteria.
She pulled me toward the cafeteria, where the hum of conversation and clatter of trays filled the air. The place was alive—brimming with energy in a way that felt almost foreign after spending so much time in the other department.
I glanced around, taking in the familiar scene. It was nice. Comfortable, even. I hadn’t realized how much I missed this until now. Maybe that other place had drained more life out of me than I thought.
Hanari and I grabbed our food before settling at an empty table just outside the cafeteria.
"I kinda doubt that the only reason you're here is because you’re bored," Hanari said, poking at her food before taking a bite.
I sighed. "It’s the truth. Don’t overthink it." I focused on my own meal, hoping she'd drop it.
"Ironic, coming from someone who overthinks everything," she shot back, giving me a knowing look. "Just tell me. I feel like ‘boredom’ is just the tip of the iceberg."
I hesitated but eventually let out another sigh. Fine.
"Someone doesn’t like me," I admitted.
Hanari paused—then burst into laughter. Loudly.
"I can't believe people over there have the time and energy to hate someone when there aren’t even that many of you!" she cackled. "Like, seriously? They had to go out of their way to despise you?"
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.
"So? Are you not gonna share the context?" She eagerly waited for me as I sighed. "She said that I have the potential to take the
"The valedictorian spot? I’m clearly just an average student," I said, rubbing my chin before letting out a sigh. "If I were going to compete, it’d only be if I actually had confidence. And honestly? I just hope she won’t be mean to me."
Hanari scoffed. "You can handle yourself in any situation. I doubt you wouldn’t find a way to shut her up the moment she starts spouting nonsense." She nodded, as if already picturing the scene.
"Yeah, but making a big deal out of everything is just a waste of time. For what?" I muttered, shaking my head.
"That’s their problem, not yours," Hanari said simply. "Unless you actually want to take responsibility for something you never even signed up for."
She had a point. I leaned back, mulling over her words before nodding. "I’d only fight back if I have to."
Lunch passed, and I made my way back to the building where I studied, Hanari heading off in her own direction.
While waiting in the elevator, the doors slid open, and as I stepped out, my gaze landed on someone in the hall. He was refilling his water bottle, dressed in an outfit that could only be described as… adventurer-like.
A sun hat—the kind classic explorers wore—sat atop his head, and a camera hung around his neck. His entire attire practically screamed "traveler," though a subtle detail caught my eye. Somewhere on his clothing, a logo of the school was embroidered, almost like a mark of recognition. My eyes lingered on him for a moment longer before walking back to my classroom.
I settled into my seat just as our professor entered the room, their presence immediately commanding attention.
"We have a visitor today," they announced. "Someone will be offering an opportunity to join the media analyst team."
The door opened, and in walked the same guy I had passed by earlier—the one dressed like an adventurer.
"Good afternoon, everyone." His voice was steady, confident.
"I’m Prince, a member of the media analyst team. I’m both a journalist and an adventurer," he introduced himself, adjusting the camera slung around his neck. "Today, I’m here to recruit students to join our team. In this field, we take on activities ranging from real-world adventures—documenting stories from the outside world—to tackling controversies within the city itself. Everything we uncover, we write and publish in the media."
With a flick of his wrist, a stack of brochures scattered through the air, gliding toward us like leaves caught in the wind. One landed on my desk, and I picked it up, scanning the details.
Almost without thinking, I muttered, "What are the pros and cons of this?"
Silence followed. Did I just say that out loud?
I cleared my throat. "Sorry," I mumbled before quickly lowering my head to read the brochure properly.
A scoff echoed from behind me, sharp and unmistakable. Liviya.
Of course. As if my mere existence offended her. I’ll have to find a way to keep her on her toes.
Prince, however, remained unfazed. "To answer your question," he began, adjusting his glasses with a practiced motion, "the biggest pro is experience—real-world exposure in every aspect. You’ll develop literacy in global issues, gain firsthand knowledge, and sharpen your analytical skills."
He paused before continuing, "However, the cons depending on your personal weaknesses. Some might struggle with the risks, the unpredictability. Others might find the weight of knowledge overwhelming."
I let his words settle in my mind. Exploring the world… that does sound nice.
But leaving home? Maybe that’s where the real downside comes in.
"I’ll return in three days to collect the list of those interested in joining. Please stay tuned for further announcements," Prince said before turning on his heel and leaving the room.
Almost immediately, Sashenka turned to Liviya, who sat behind us. "Are you gonna join?"
Liviya scoffed. "I wouldn’t join if she was in the same room as me. Oh, but let’s be real—I’m too smart to even be there to begin with." She flipped her hair, her tone dripping with self-importance. "Joining a team of journalists to refine political stances and views does sound like a decent choice, but I’m going to be a lawyer. Studying law will sharpen my thinking just fine."
I mentally rolled my eyes so hard I might as well have yanked her hair while I was at it.
"I see…" Sashenka simply nodded, though she stole a glance in my direction. "What about you, Hagarin?"
"I’m considering it," I said casually.
"Ain’t no way!" Clara’s voice shot across the room from the other side. "You’re leaving again?"
I blinked, tilting my head. "I get to leave?"
As if I’d just found a loophole—a perfect escape from this place.
"Oh, but of course," Liviya said, her voice dripping with amusement. "I actually suggest you leave, Hagarin. Maybe people there would find you interesting." She chuckled, her words laced with something just short of mockery.
Sashenka glanced at her but said nothing. No backup this time, huh?
I exhaled slowly, finally turning to face Liviya. "Oh? Was that necessary to say?"
For a split second, her composure faltered—just the slightest crack.
The classroom fell silent. Even Clara, who had been outspoken moments ago, had gone quiet, reduced to a spectator along with the rest. The tension in the room thickened, all eyes flickering between us.
Liviya recovered quickly, offering a play-it-safe response. "Of course, I’m just saying you’d meet more people there."
"As if I’m looking for people to surround me," I shot back, my voice daring her to say what she really meant. "What’s your point, Liviya?"
Before she could answer, the professor’s voice cut through the air.
"That’s enough."
Liviya clicked her tongue. "Tch. Sensitive."
I smirked. "Egotistical.
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The next day, we were gathered in the gym for yet another exhausting activity. Physical combat. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Liviya had somehow decided to turn this into a rivalry—one I couldn’t care less about, yet she still managed to irritate me to no end.
"For the next activity," the instructor announced, "we will be exploring weapons. This exercise is meant to sharpen your skills and help you find a weapon you may prefer. Please take your time testing them before we begin sparring."
I glanced at the collection laid out before us. They were all crafted from wood and other harmless materials—blunt enough to prevent injury but still effective for training.
Reaching into a bag, my fingers brushed against the hilt of a katana. I pulled it out, weighing it in my hands. Not bad. Feels comfortable.
A hushed whisper reached my ears.
"Look at her, using a katana. Isn’t that weird?" Liviya murmured to Sashenka.
Sashenka barely reacted, giving me a quick glance before shrugging it off.
I exhaled slowly, rolling my eyes before casually picking up a small rock and tossing it in Liviya’s direction. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, just enough to startle her.
Without waiting for her reaction, I swiftly left my spot, making my way over to Clara and Clarence, who were deep in discussion about their weapon choices.
"I saw what you did, Hagarin," Clara chuckled, shaking her head.
Clarence adjusted his glasses. "Liviya’s just looking for any excuse to talk bad about you. A katana is just as useful as any other weapon."
I sighed. "Is she really like that? I almost feel bad for her—arguing with a wall must be exhausting."
Clara raised a brow. "Well, this is a first. I honestly don’t know why she has it out for you either." She picked up a magic book, flipping through the pages. It was the kind designed for combat, filled with spells that could be cast in an instant.
"I overheard her in the library the other day," I admitted. Both of them turned their full attention to me.
"She said I was stealing her spotlight. That I might take her throne as valedictorian." I rubbed my chin, still baffled. "Which is ridiculous. I took months off just to pull myself together. I’m not even caught up yet."
"She’s just afraid of being outsmarted. That’s it."
Ezra strolled toward us, seamlessly joining the conversation.
"Really?" I asked, eyeing him.
Clarence sighed. "You’re back from detention. What did you do this time?"
Ezra let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the nape of his neck. "Well… I was supposed to prank that egotistical guy in our class by scaring him—but I scared our professor instead. Dang, almost got him. So… yeah." He sighed dramatically.
Clara stifled a laugh. "You’re impossible.""And yeah, about Liviya—she hates being outsmarted," Ezra continued, shaking his head. "She’s been getting on my nerves, too. As if that pretty face of hers makes up for her problematic ass."
"What’d she do to you?" I asked, curious.
Ezra scoffed. "Laughed at me for being mentally unwell. Man, I should’ve kicked her in the face." He groaned, clearly still bitter about it.
Before I could respond, a sharp whistle cut through the air. The professor called us to gather.
"Now that your five minutes of weapon selection is over, we will proceed to picking opponents."
I straightened, gripping the hilt of my katana. Let it be Liviya. I wanted to see her squirm—just a little, just enough to get under her skin.
"Hagarin and Sashenka."
Oh.
Everyone stepped aside, clearing space for the spar.
"The rules remain the same as last time," the professor announced. "If you stay down for five seconds, it will count as a defeat. However, today, supernatural abilities are strictly forbidden. This will be purely physical combat."
I adjusted my grip on the katana, rolling my shoulders as I settled into my stance. Across from me, Sashenka did the same, raising her sword and small shield. A shield? Nice choice.
"Be ready," the professor warned.
The moment the signal rang out, we lunged at each other.
Steel met steel in a sharp clash. Sparks of friction. A test of strength. I dodged a strike, twisting my body to avoid the blade, only for Sashenka to counter just as quickly. We moved like pieces on a chessboard—attack, dodge, counter, repeat.
Each step, each motion, was calculated.
And neither of us was willing to be the first to fall.
Our blades clashed in a sharp burst of motion. Sashenka struck first, aiming for my side, but I parried with the katana’s blunt edge before twisting away from her shield bash. She was fast. I had to admit that. Each swing came with precision, her balance unwavering.
She wasn't just swinging wildly—she was testing me.
I stepped back, dodging another strike before retaliating, slashing toward her shoulder. She blocked it with her shield, the impact vibrating through the air, and shoved me back with a quick push. I skidded a step before regaining my footing.
Sashenka smirked. She's good.
I exhaled. Fine. Let’s speed this up.
I darted in again, feinting to the right before pivoting left, slashing low. She barely raised her shield in time, but the movement left her sword arm vulnerable. Taking my chance, I twisted my grip and struck toward her wrist.
A clean hit.
She hissed, losing her grip for a split second—long enough. I swung again, forcing her to step back, her defense breaking apart. I pressed forward, relentless, pushing her into a corner.
She raised her sword for one final attempt at striking me down.
But I was already a step ahead.
Ducking under her blade, I swept my leg out, hooking behind her ankle. Her balance wavered. A moment of hesitation—just a moment.
Then she fell.
Her back hit the ground hard, sword slipping from her grasp as I stepped forward, pressing the dull side of my katana against her chest.
"One… two… three…" The professor began counting.
Sashenka groaned, glaring up at me before letting out a small, breathless laugh.
"Four… five! Match over!"
Silence filled the gym for a beat before a few murmurs broke out. I exhaled, stepping back and offering Sashenka my hand. She took it, shaking her head as she got up.
"Damn," she muttered. "Guess you aren't as rusty as people think."
I smirked. Damn right.
I glanced at my friends who were silently cheering then to Liviya with a prose of envy.
That's her problem now.
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2,949 words
Today's Sigma is: being teased
ullo my favorite author-chan and best friend<3
i'm so lucky to have the cutest author-chan there is as a best friend for 2 years already! i love you my sweet raffaello<3
Aww hello pookster!
Thank you for this sweet message im fr happy and lucky too to have you as my bestie yk ❤❤❤
A cutie pie who stuck around with me for years. Im so thankful to you and cant forget your enthusiastic messages on my fic like an awesome and loyal reader you are!
And you certainly do know how to charm authors which is- you will give them a heart attack by complementing them so much with a paragraph... `(*>﹏<*)′
Evil... (love you <3)
Well- Me evil too~ (me dragging half of our friend circle to bsd and getting some of yall obsessed without even watching it with my hyper fixation over Kolya *cough cough* @xxlady-lunaxx )
Im certainly evil too so its a 50 50 with our situation eh ( •̀ ω •́ )y
Doo-joon raised my standards AAAAA
Doo-joon Kang from Positively Yours
Kim Taejoon from "I Can't Get Enough Of You
Cha Gyeol from The Reason I Decided To Die
jo cheong from what kind of rice cake is this
Kwon Beomjin from Just Twilight
Tae Iseop iseop's romance
hyeondo from selfish romance
seunghyun kang from daytime star
chi yan from Flirting by mistake
Chapter 1: Present time
This chapter contains themes that may be sensitive to some readers, including:
References to past violenceMentions of death, Light school stress and academic pressure, Brief mention of dangerous creatures and plants (idk how sensitive are yall but hell yeah), Mild language.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hagarin's POV After many years, we are finally old enough to leave the institution and live independently in the city. My sisters and I are still together and living under the same roof. I also saw several changes in ourselves as we grew up.
And today, both Hanari and I are 15 years old. We spent years studying within the facility and never had the opportunity to attend a regular school. Now that we are living alone, we can finally attend school. I considered staying at home and do houseworks while my two sisters continue with their studies, but Hanari insisted that I should as well.
We all know that education will always be important in many aspects in lives.
Every morning, we follow a certain timetable. I get up early to cook our breakfast, and Hanari and our younger sister will get up early to prepare for school. When they're finished, we'll all enjoy breakfast together. After that, Hanari will wash the dishes as I prepare for school, and our younger sister will assist in putting the plates back in the drawers.
That routine goes on and on everyday.
Sharing what has just happened at the school we attend is stressful, at least for me and Hanari. Our younger sister is stress-free since she is still young and a kindergarten student.
Lately, we have been learning many magic spells, doing scientific experiments, studying a bunch of literature and theses, and many more.
I can say that studying magic spells and doing scientific experiments will help us discover what elemental power we possess.
As I listen to my journalism teacher, I'm fighting the urge to fall asleep. She was now discussing the significance of magic, particularly how it began.
"Magic is important to everyone. No matter how unfair or how much chaos it brings to our lives." she went on to say. "And, in the beginning, the use of magic was legalized as a weapon to defend ourselves, but I have to warn everyone not to be such a prick when it comes to using magic." She giggled, went to the board, and began writing.
"To be exact, 8290 years ago, magic was discovered by a witch," she said, making my focus adjust to her as I listened. I was intrigued. "That witch was none other than Victoria Lemioska." It intrigued the whole class. "Also known as; Victo. Now that you all came to a realization, in all places in the world, her face, and statues are everywhere. As we are all deeply connected with her discovery of the magic," she said before turning to us once again.
"Since Victo is a witch, she first discovered a spell to make a withered plant come back to life." The teacher pulled out a withered rose and used magic to bring it back to a healthy life while it floated in the air. "Victo discovered that spell and named it Resuscitate."
"As time passes by, more spells are discovered by her."
"You can learn it in your spell class."
"But as a journalist, I have seen her notebook filled with magical spells; half of it is forbidden to be used as it casts irreversible damage to anything." She snapped her fingers, making an image of the notebook appear in the air.
We all gazed up, awestruck. It's quite a hefty notepad. Though the object is significantly tarnished due to its age, I can see that the writing on the notepad is still legible and readable to anybody. However, I was attracted by the prohibited magic. I feel that the banned spells are not included in the magic books that are handed to us.
when the image disappeared and the rose landed on her desk. "The notebook was located in our national museum, the Metallica Museum." Our teacher was about to speak again, but then a student raised their hand.
"Ma'am, what about the five major elements?" A student asked.
"The five major elements were discovered by Baili Hermin," our teacher stated. "He was also a journalist like me, and of course, being a journalist requires traveling around the world to explore many things."
"Fun fact, he also used to work under the branch of media analyst, wherein I also work." She proudly claimed. "Moving on, it may sound unrealistic, but Baili met Victoria in a desert. Baili was almost attacked by a lion, but Victo blinded the lion with a spell and took Baili to a cave."
"There's proof, no matter how unrealistic, that Baili's diary was found, and it was also in the museum. He documented his whole journey of travelling around the world, and the most highlighted part of his diary was the discovery of the five major elements."
"He discovered it because of Victo. Baili wrote everything about what Victo said about magic spells, making it more believable that magic spells exist."
"When the article reached many people, the majority of the people started to panic, and out of panic, everyone else planned to execute Victo. The reason is that Victo is nothing but an outcast in the world; possessing magic is absurd and unbelievable."
"And yet, we are here, prone to using magic," our teacher said.
"The elements were discovered when Victo was executed; a light escaped from her chest, making it explode through the sky. It landed on humans, animals, and most importantly, plants."
"Which resulted in why we have species in the forest that are completely dangerous and can harm your life, for example, the flower Rafflesia."
"Before the light landed on that flower, it's just the biggest flower in the world and has a foul odor to attract insects to kill."
"Now it still does its purpose, but it has the ability to stretch away from its position and follow you everywhere in the forest." Our teacher deadpanned making the whole class laughed.
"To make this quick, the five major elements landed on five humans, and those humans are now known to be the gods of those major elements." Our teacher sighed. "We are all aware that the most powerful and rare element to possess is time; in other words, you can control the time, predict what's going to happen, and there are many other signs to feel if you possess one."
"Second is nature."
"Remember, never mess with nature itself, as it was the one that gave us a reason to live in, to breathe in. The ability to possess nature grants you access to control plants and animals."
"But isn't changing the weather also a part of it?" A student asked. "Only the god of nature can do that." Our teacher chuckled. "Come to think of it, the God of Nature has a 15-year streak of absence. Many say that her aura is still around, but many also believe she has passed away, and it's just nature speaking," the teacher sighed.
"Moving on, fire is on the third."
"In my study, fire is always predicted to be possessed by someone who has such a boisterous personality, while the ice one is someone who is...restrained." our teacher summoned her book and it was probably her personalized book. It has a lot of pages and everything that was written in that book was her understanding on how to predict which element do a person possesses.
"ah, here it is." She placed her book on the desk and started reading.
"The element of fire is known to be the most fascinating, exquisite and ravishing elemental of all. It was asserted as one considering a klatsch of people are indulged to play with fire even if it only steers to harm."
"and by all means of harm, it can also be describe as destruction." she finished making the whole class whisper among themselves. "But that doesn't mean to treat someone with disrespect just because they hold that elemental power." She sighed.
THIRD PERSON'S POV
The teacher noticed the change of atmosphere in her class and sighed. "You all probably have forgotten my name but once again, my name is Renée and I hope you all learned something today." Renée glanced at her watch on her wrist.
many students started to protest on her from leaving. They still have a lot of questions with the history but that will all be answered at the next time they see each other again. Renée only stifled a chuckle at the frustrated expression of their students. Curiosity truly made their heads run wild.
"An advance reading on your textbooks won't hurt. Simply just turn your page to chapter 5 and all of your questions will be briefly answered as it provides descriptive explanation to everything." Renée finally exit the classroom.
Once she did, the students in her class opened their textbooks to discover a lot more information. As Renée exit the classroom, she went to the elevator to venture her way to her next class but she was greeted by another teacher; Kyla.
"I see you've gotten your students all pumped up. Quite a headache to deal with." Kyla scoffed as she pressed on the buttons. It only made Renée shrug. "Don't act like you aren't as curious as them when you're at that age." Renée retorted to only make Kyla chuckle and let Renée's tone slide for now. "I assumed you've found someone with a rare element in this class. Hmm?" Kyla's eyes watched Renée's expression from the reflections of the elevator.
"It was such a rare occurrence indeed." Renée remembered Hagarin. "Her eyes are different from the rest. The colors were a lot more dull than the others making it more accessible to assume that she was an extraordinary person." Renée thoughtfully answered. "And this by this she you are referring to, who is she?" Kyla averted her eyes from Renée and focused on the door as it opened. a small ding was heard as they reached the floor. Renée walked ahead of Kyla but spoke before leaving. "Hagarin."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,702 words.
Chapter 1: Present time
This chapter contains themes that may be sensitive to some readers, including:
References to past violenceMentions of death, Light school stress and academic pressure, Brief mention of dangerous creatures and plants (idk how sensitive are yall but hell yeah), Mild language.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hagarin's POV After many years, we are finally old enough to leave the institution and live independently in the city. My sisters and I are still together and living under the same roof. I also saw several changes in ourselves as we grew up.
And today, both Hanari and I are 15 years old. We spent years studying within the facility and never had the opportunity to attend a regular school. Now that we are living alone, we can finally attend school. I considered staying at home and do houseworks while my two sisters continue with their studies, but Hanari insisted that I should as well.
We all know that education will always be important in many aspects in lives.
In the world we live in, survival demands sharp minds—not just sharpened by magic, but by the brutal chaos we humans created for ourselves.
We’re still human, I suppose. Just tainted—twisted by the very magic that makes me wonder: is this still humanity, or were we meant to become something else entirely?
The world has grown far more advanced ever since magic spread across it. Nothing feels impossible anymore. Some have forgotten where they came from. Others cling to old traditions and beliefs. And then there are those who simply don’t care.
Maybe that’s why the world feels so loud. Everyone’s different now, and no one seems willing to accept what we’ve become.
Look around, and you might see flying cars soaring through the skies of this city. In another, people ride enchanted brooms as their everyday transport. Everything and everyone is different—blended together in a strange mix of magic, machines, and habits.
But here…
I live in a city considered the richest in the world. The nation itself—Aloy—owes its wealth to vast oil reserves. Oil money built everything here. Because of that upper hand, nearly everything is accessible. Magic, technology, luxury—you name it. In Aloy, nothing feels out of reach.
What this city values most, though, isn’t oil—it’s metal. Preserved, traded, revered. I think it’s because the city was once ruled by a god whose very touch could turn anything into metal. Not figuratively—literally. Stone, wood, even flesh. Everything he touched became metal.
And that kind of power leaves a mark. On the land, on the people, on the way we see worth.
But that might not matter now. What matters is that every morning, we follow a certain timetable. I get up early to cook our breakfast, and Hanari and our younger sister will get up early to prepare for school. When they're finished, we'll all enjoy breakfast together. After that, Hanari will wash the dishes as I prepare for school, and our younger sister will assist in putting the plates back in the drawers.
That routine goes on and on everyday.
Sharing what has just happened at the school we attend is stressful, at least for me and Hanari. Our younger sister is stress-free since she is still young and a kindergarten student.
Lately, we have been learning many magic spells, doing scientific experiments, studying a bunch of literature and theses, and many more.
I can say that studying magic spells and doing scientific experiments will help us discover what elemental power we possess.
As I listen to my journalism teacher, I'm fighting the urge to fall asleep. She was now discussing the significance of magic, particularly how it began.
"Magic is important to everyone. No matter how unfair or how much chaos it brings to our lives." she went on to say. "And, in the beginning, the use of magic was legalized as a weapon to defend ourselves, but I have to warn everyone not to be such a prick when it comes to using magic." She giggled, went to the board, and began writing.
"To be exact, 8290 years ago, magic was discovered by a witch," she said, making my focus adjust to her as I listened. I was intrigued. "That witch was none other than Victoria Lemioska." It intrigued the whole class. "Also known as; Victo. Now that you all came to a realization, in all places in the world, her face, and statues are everywhere. As we are all deeply connected with her discovery of the magic," she said before turning to us once again.
"Since Victo is a witch, she first discovered a spell to make a withered plant come back to life." The teacher pulled out a withered rose and used magic to bring it back to a healthy life while it floated in the air. "Victo discovered that spell and named it Resuscitate."
"As time passes by, more spells are discovered by her."
"You can learn it in your spell class."
"But as a journalist, I have seen her notebook filled with magical spells; half of it is forbidden to be used as it casts irreversible damage to anything." She snapped her fingers, making an image of the notebook appear in the air.
We all gazed up, awestruck. It's quite a hefty notepad. Though the object is significantly tarnished due to its age, I can see that the writing on the notepad is still legible and readable to anybody. However, I was attracted by the prohibited magic. I feel that the banned spells are not included in the magic books that are handed to us.
when the image disappeared and the rose landed on her desk. "The notebook was located in our national museum, the Metallica Museum." Our teacher was about to speak again, but then a student raised their hand.
"Ma'am, what about the five major elements?" A student asked.
"The five major elements were discovered by Baili Hermin," our teacher stated. "He was also a journalist like me, and of course, being a journalist requires traveling around the world to explore many things."
"Fun fact, he also used to work under the branch of media analyst, wherein I also work." She proudly claimed. "Moving on, it may sound unrealistic, but Baili met Victoria in a desert. Baili was almost attacked by a lion, but Victo blinded the lion with a spell and took Baili to a cave."
"There's proof, no matter how unrealistic, that Baili's diary was found, and it was also in the museum. He documented his whole journey of travelling around the world, and the most highlighted part of his diary was the discovery of the five major elements."
"He discovered it because of Victo. Baili wrote everything about what Victo said about magic spells, making it more believable that magic spells exist."
"When the article reached many people, the majority of the people started to panic, and out of panic, everyone else planned to execute Victo. The reason is that Victo is nothing but an outcast in the world; possessing magic is absurd and unbelievable."
"And yet, we are here, prone to using magic," our teacher said.
"The elements were discovered when Victo was executed; a light escaped from her chest, making it explode through the sky. It landed on humans, animals, and most importantly, plants."
"Which resulted in why we have species in the forest that are completely dangerous and can harm your life, for example, the flower Rafflesia."
"Before the light landed on that flower, it's just the biggest flower in the world and has a foul odor to attract insects to kill."
"Now it still does its purpose, but it has the ability to stretch away from its position and follow you everywhere in the forest." Our teacher deadpanned making the whole class laughed.
"To make this quick, the five major elements landed on five humans, and those humans are now known to be the gods of those major elements." Our teacher sighed. "We are all aware that the most powerful and rare element to possess is time; in other words, you can control the time, predict what's going to happen, and there are many other signs to feel if you possess one."
"Second is nature."
"Remember, never mess with nature itself, as it was the one that gave us a reason to live in, to breathe in. The ability to possess nature grants you access to control plants and animals."
"But isn't changing the weather also a part of it?" A student asked. "Only the god of nature can do that." Our teacher chuckled. "Come to think of it, the God of Nature has a 15-year streak of absence. Many say that her aura is still around, but many also believe she has passed away, and it's just nature speaking," the teacher sighed.
"Moving on, fire is on the third."
"In my study, fire is always predicted to be possessed by someone who has such a boisterous personality, while the ice one is someone who is...restrained. However, this is just a myth. It is still mostly believed that no matter what personality you posses you'd still get whatever." our teacher summoned her book and it was probably her personalized book. It has a lot of pages and everything that was written in that book was her understanding on how to predict which element do a person possesses.
"ah, here it is." She placed her book on the desk and started reading.
"The element of fire is known to be the most fascinating, exquisite and ravishing elemental of all. It was asserted as one considering a klatsch of people are indulged to play with fire even if it only steers to harm."
"and by all means of harm, it can also be describe as destruction." she finished making the whole class whisper among themselves. "But that doesn't mean to treat someone with disrespect just because they hold that elemental power." She sighed.
THIRD PERSON'S POV
The teacher noticed the change of atmosphere in her class and sighed. "You all probably have forgotten my name but once again, my name is Renée and I hope you all learned something today." Renée glanced at her watch on her wrist.
many students started to protest on her from leaving. They still have a lot of questions with the history but that will all be answered at the next time they see each other again. Renée only stifled a chuckle at the frustrated expression of their students. Curiosity truly made their heads run wild.
"An advance reading on your textbooks won't hurt. Simply just turn your page to chapter 5 and all of your questions will be briefly answered as it provides descriptive explanation to everything." Renée finally exit the classroom.
Once she did, the students in her class opened their textbooks to discover a lot more information. As Renée exit the classroom, she went to the elevator to venture her way to her next class but she was greeted by another teacher; Kyla.
"I see you've gotten your students all pumped up. Quite a headache to deal with." Kyla scoffed as she pressed on the buttons. It only made Renée shrug. "Don't act like you aren't as curious as them when you're at that age." Renée retorted to only make Kyla chuckle and let Renée's tone slide for now. "I assumed you've found someone with a rare element in this class. Hmm?" Kyla's eyes watched Renée's expression from the reflections of the elevator.
"It was such a rare occurrence indeed." Renée remembered Hagarin. "Her eyes are different from the rest. The colors were a lot more dull than the others making it more accessible to assume that she was an extraordinary person." Renée thoughtfully answered. "And this by this she you are referring to, who is she?" Kyla averted her eyes from Renée and focused on the door as it opened. a small ding was heard as they reached the floor. Renée walked ahead of Kyla but spoke before leaving. "Hagarin."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,022 words.
Chapter 2
Chapter 10: When the Silence Breaks
TW ⚠️
Emotional and psychological trauma, Implied domestic abuse (Clara’s backstory. Not that detailed tho), Medical scenes and mild body horror (organ-like dream realm), Brief discussion of death, Mild violence and unsettling imagery, Mental disorientation / hallucination & Light profanity and dark humor
It had been days since everything happened. I’d been waiting—hoping—for an announcement that would finally let me take part in the journalism program.
But today… it was raining.
Raindrops tapped softly against the glass of my bedroom window, each one leaving a faint trail as it slid down. I stayed cocooned beneath my blankets, the quiet hum of the rain wrapping around me like a lullaby. For a moment, there was peace.
Then came the restlessness.
I wasn’t sure where the restlessness came from. Maybe it was the waiting. Maybe I just needed to move—to be somewhere else, even for a while. That had to be it.
So, I decided to go for a walk, rain or not.
The pavement shimmered under the drizzle as I stepped outside, the gentle patter of raindrops drumming softly on my umbrella. It was oddly soothing, like the world had quieted down just for me.
As I strolled through the streets, the rain gradually faded to a light mist. Eventually, the clouds began to part, and the sun peeked through, casting a golden warmth across the damp streets of Aloy.
Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the National Museum—Metallica. That’s one thing about living in the city: you can stumble upon places like this without even meaning to.
I looked up at the massive structure towering above me. A chill ran down my spine—not the kind that warns, but the kind that hums with something unspoken. Like clouds rolling in with no promise of rain. Oddly enough, it felt… inviting.
So, I took a step forward, and walked inside.
Inside, dim lights welcomed me, casting soft shadows along the museum’s quiet halls. Every artifact seemed to hum with its own presence—each one whispering a different kind of power. I could feel it in my chest, in my fingertips.
And it made me feel so…
Nice.
Until—
I stopped.
There, right in front of me, stood a statue.
“Oh…” The word slipped from my mouth as it fell open slightly.
My eyes locked onto it—unmoving, unblinking.
The Statue of the God of Time.
“Temureth,” I whispered, stepping closer to the statue.
There was a weight in the air—heavy, ancient. I was still caught in that silence when a familiar voice broke through.
“Hagarin! You’re here too?”
I turned. It was Clara, her eyes bright with surprise.
“Yeah,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I was just strolling, and somehow ended up here.”
She nodded, her voice softer now. “I always come here alone when I feel lonely. My mom used to bring me.”
I nodded, understanding her sentiment. “I don’t blame you,” I said gently. “If there’s any place—or anything—you hold close, of course you’d cherish it.”
She gave a soft smile, then sighed. “Wanna have a drink?”
I deadpanned. ———————————————————————
At first, I thought she meant alcohol.
But now we were sitting in a café. The sun had fully broken through the clouds, casting warm light across the windowpane.
“Y’know, Hagarin,” Clara said, eyes on the menu, “you remind me of my older sister.”
“Oh?” I asked, absentmindedly flipping through a spare menu. “How so?”
“She was… chill. A lot like you. But she’s not around anymore.” Clara’s voice dipped, but she kept talking. “I’ve got a brother too. He’s a doctor. Busy guy.”
She paused. Then, after a breath: “My mom… she died. My father abused her.”
The silence that followed was heavy. I looked at her, then exhaled.
“You don’t have to tell me if it’s too much,” I said quietly. “It’s okay. You’ll find a way to carry it—maybe even grow past the pain someday.”
Clara gave a quiet nod just as the waitress approached our table to take our orders.
“A salad, please,” Clara said as the waitress nodded, jotting it down.
“And a slice of apple pie,” I added with a small smile.
When the food arrived, we fell into easy conversation—talking about anything and everything.
“Speaking of school, I’ve finally caught up on everything,” I said.
Clara groaned lightly. “And here I am, still needing to go back just to pass some things.”
“Really? What is it?”
“Well… I was sick the other day, so I’ve got to hand in everything I missed.”
“I’ll come with you,” I said, without thinking twice.
The good atmosphere lingered even after we finished eating. There was something comforting about it—like we’d both needed that quiet hour more than we realized.
The sun had taken its rightful place in the sky, high and golden, casting long shadows across the street as we made our way toward school. The sidewalks were still damp, glistening faintly, and the air smelled like wet pavement and leaves.
We didn’t talk much on the way. We didn’t need to. There was something about shared silence that felt more intimate than words.
When we reached the school, Clara turned to me and gave a small smile. “I won’t be long.”
“I’ll wait here,” I replied.
She disappeared through the doors, her footsteps echoing faintly down the hall as she made her way to the faculty room. I lingered just outside, near the row of lockers lining the hallway. A few students wandered past, chatting among themselves, laughter echoing in snippets that came and went like passing winds.
I leaned against the cool wall, folding my arms. The stillness gave me too much room to think.
The image of Temureth’s statue flashed through my mind—how the stone felt alive, how his name tasted strange on my tongue, like something forgotten yet familiar. There had been a presence in that room, subtle but undeniable. Like something old was watching. Waiting.
I shook my head a little, trying to bring myself back to the present. Still, the feeling lingered.
The silence around me wasn’t as peaceful now. It felt suspended. As if time itself had slowed, stretching out the seconds into something just a little too long. Just a little too still.
And then—I felt it again.
The same chill I felt at the museum. Faint, like a whisper running along the edge of my spine. Not cold enough to shiver, but enough to notice.
I looked around. Nothing out of place. Just lockers, bulletin boards, classrooms with doors slightly ajar. The ordinary shape of a school afternoon.
But something felt…off. Like a ticking clock had skipped a beat.
That is, until I heard it.
A shriek—sharp, panicked, and startlingly loud. What made it worse was that it came from a man.
The sound cut through the hallway like a blade, jolting me upright before I even had time to think. My instincts kicked in. I didn’t call out. I didn’t hesitate. I just moved.
I followed the direction of the sound, my footsteps echoing softly against the tiles as I passed one hallway after another. The school, once familiar, now felt unfamiliar—twisted slightly by the weight of something I couldn’t name.
Eventually, I reached the stairwell.
The air felt heavier here, like the very space was holding its breath.
I climbed the steps slowly, cautiously, my hand brushing the rail. With each step, the atmosphere grew more tense, more… off. Like walking into a place that time had forgotten.
At the top of the stairs, the hallway was dim. Lights flickered above, struggling to stay alive. A faint hum buzzed from a nearby socket, but it was the only sound besides the soft thud of my heart.
Then I saw it.
A room—its door slightly ajar, pale yellow light leaking from the gap. The windows were completely covered by thick curtains, drawn from the outside. The whole space looked swallowed in shadow.
I approached slowly, heart beating a little faster.
And then I saw the sign on the door.
Faded lettering. Nearly rubbed away by time and cleaning.
But still readable.
“Time Studies - Research Archive Room 3”
“What are you two doing here?!” the teacher’s voice boomed, sharp and urgent—but it sounded far away, like I was hearing it through water.
Everything was fogged, muffled.
“I—I don’t know why she was here!” Clara’s voice cracked, panicked, as she held onto me.
Then—darkness.
I didn’t get to hear what came next. The pain in my chest spread like ink in water, and the world around me unraveled. My limbs gave out. My mind slipped.
And I passed out. ——————
Is this real life? Or is just fantasy?
I heard cackles.
Sharp. Echoing. Wrong. It was Ezra’s laugh. Twisted and distant, like it didn’t belong to him—or maybe like it did, and I’d just never heard it this way before.
“Ezra?” I jolted awake, gasping.
But it was just a dream… wasn’t it?
I blinked. My vision blurred, then settled.
“Ezra…?” I whispered again. His giggle still lingered, soft and persistent, like it had taken root in the walls.
The room around me pulsed faintly, cramped and alien. The walls weren’t made of stone or wood—they were… flesh-like. The color of organs, deep reds and purples, squirming gently as though alive. Veins, maybe. Or shadows.
I couldn’t tell where I was—but it was definitely not the school anymore.
It was disturbing. Claustrophobic.
And still, I could hear Ezra’s giggle.
Light, childlike.
Wrong.
“Hagarin… Hagarin!”
His voice echoed everywhere. Not just once. It multiplied—clashing against itself in distorted waves, rising and falling like laughter buried beneath madness.
It was Ezra’s voice. But it wasn’t Ezra.
Each syllable struck like a drumbeat inside my head, louder, faster—relentless.
I clutched my temples, stumbling back as the space around me pulsed like a living thing. The squirming walls grew tighter, the colors deeper—veins bulging, floors rippling beneath my feet.
My breath hitched. Confusion swelled. Panic followed.
And that’s when I felt it—my powers flaring uncontrollably.
Like a storm breaking inside my chest.
No direction, no form—just raw energy reacting to the fear, the disorientation, the voice.
It was overwhelming. It felt like being stripped back to zero. Like all the control I’d built up until now had been burned away in a second.
I fell to my knees.
“Hagarin…” Ezra’s voice whispered again, this time gentler, but no less twisted. “Why are you afraid of what you already are?”
“Get… get out of my head! Ezra!” I cried out, my voice cracking, heavy with panic. My hands trembled as I broke down into sobs, unable to hold it together any longer.
And then— Silence.
The giggling stopped. The echoes dissolved. Even the room… settled.
The walls no longer squirmed in chaos. They pulsed slowly now—steadily. Like a heart at rest.
And that’s when I felt it.
A sharp sting in my palm.
I looked down— A clean cut had appeared across my hand, fresh blood welling at the surface. It wasn’t from the dream. It was real.
Pain flared. The world snapped into place.
I gasped, sucking in air like I’d been underwater.
My eyes flew open.
Bright lights. A ceiling. The sterile scent of antiseptic.
I was back.
Breathing hard, my chest rising and falling rapidly, I scanned my surroundings—disoriented.
Hovering above me were three figures. Clara—her brows knit with worry. A nurse gently checking the IV line in my arm. And a teacher standing behind them, arms crossed tightly, eyes unreadable.
Sir… Evan?
I blinked. Focused.
His school ID swayed slightly from a lanyard around his neck. Evan M. Soriano, it read. Faculty, Temporal Studies Division.
I was shaking.
Not from fear—at least not just that. It was exhaustion. Discomfort. A heaviness that settled in my bones like I’d run a marathon inside a nightmare.
What the hell was that even? Was that… Ezra’s power?
I clenched the blanket over me, trying to stop the tremble in my fingers, but it didn’t help. My body still remembered the chaos—even if my mind couldn’t fully make sense of it.
And that place—ugh.
I swallowed hard as the memory returned, vivid and raw.
It was like I had been trapped inside a living organ—walls that pulsed, colors that moved and squirmed like tissue under a microscope. The floor wasn’t solid. The air felt alive.
It wasn’t a dream. Not completely.
Because the pain was real. The cut on my palm was real.
The bolt of darkness, Ezra’s eyes, that voice—
I wanted to throw up.
I closed my eyes, steadying my breath. But I could still hear that distant giggle—lingering like a splinter in my mind.
When I tried to sit up, everyone in the room panicked.
Clara practically jumped three feet in the air. “Hagarin, no—lie down!”
The nurse rushed to my side, gently but very firmly pushing my shoulder back against the bed. “You need rest—please don’t make me use tape.”
Even Sir Evan, who looked like he hadn’t blinked in ten minutes, took a step forward. “You shouldn’t be moving yet. You’re still stabilizing.”
“Stabilizing?” I muttered. “I’m not a nuclear reactor.”
But they didn’t laugh.
Probably because I looked like I’d been through a nuclear meltdown.
Still, I couldn’t stay put. I was too rattled. Too… itchy inside my own skin. My brain was spinning, my chest still tight, and every time I blinked, I saw squirming walls and heard Ezra’s creepy little laugh echoing in the back of my head.
“I can’t just lie here,” I said, struggling against the blanket like it was actively restraining me. “I’ve literally been inside a sentient meat room and black magic’d through the chest. I think I earned a walk.”
Clara’s eyes widened. “A what kind of room?!”
Sir Evan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was already regretting ever getting a teaching license.
The nurse finished patching up my palm with a soft sigh, gently placing my hand back down on the bed. She didn’t say anything at first—just turned her gaze to the hospital bed next to mine.
I followed her eyes.
Then Clara looked.
Then Sir Evan.
We all deadpanned.
Ezra was lying there.
Sleeping.
With his eyes open.
Another nurse was tending to him, adjusting his IV like this was completely normal behavior, as if sleeping with your eyes open was just some cute little personality quirk.
“Is… is he dead?” Clara whispered.
“No,” the other nurse replied, unfazed. “He’s sleeping.”
“With his eyes open?” I asked, tilting my head slightly like it would help the situation make sense.
“It’s… been happening since the incident,” she added, as if that explained anything at all.
Clara leaned closer to me. “I feel like I’m in a horror film.”
“You are,” I muttered. “Except there’s no popcorn and I’m the one getting possessed.”
Sir Evan let out another sigh. “Enough. He’s stable—for now.”
“Ezra… his power is highly contagious. Everyone knows that. Everyone should know that.” Sir Evan started, dismissing the nurse with a wave before turning back to us.
“We all grew up thinking that the five elemental categories—nature, air, water, fire, and time—were the main sources of power. But the truth is…” He paused, folding his arms. “Those five aren’t the ‘main.’ They’re just the most recorded. The most understood. That’s why they dominate the books, the schools, the statistics.”
He stepped closer, his tone growing firmer. “There’s no such thing as a true ‘main’ element. Every power is different. Some valuable. Some… completely useless. But even the rarest ones have gods tied to them.”
I furrowed my brows, listening.
“That’s why gods and goddesses exist in so many forms—each representing something deeply specific. Take this nation, Aloy. Ruled by a god who commands metal. Yet ironically, the highest recorded ability among our people? Air.”
He glanced toward the window, briefly, before continuing.
“And then there’s Ezra. We don’t know where he came from. No nation claims him. No lineage traces back to him. But one thing we do know…” Sir Evan’s voice lowered.
“…is that the power he carries is called Pulsebind.”
My stomach turned at the name. That was the thing that put me in the fleshy, breathing nightmare?
“It’s a contagious ability,” he said. “When Ezra experiences intense emotion or trauma, even brief eye contact can infect someone. That’s all it takes. In some cases, he can even cast Pulsebind into an object.”
He looked at me, pointedly.
“It craves flesh and bone, and once it gets ahold of your mind, you’re trapped. Inside a world that’s him. A place built from his instincts, fears, and whatever twisted shape his subconscious decides to take.”
Through an object… My fists clenched.
That’s what he did to me. That’s how it started. And if Clara hadn’t stopped me—damn it.
I sighed heavily, glaring at the unconscious boy nearby.
If it weren’t for his face, I’d have decked him by now.
“Though it’s still taught in basic education that those five—time, air, fire, nature, and ice—are the main elements, truthfully, that should’ve been changed a long time ago.”
Sir Evan’s voice carried a hint of frustration, as if he’d said this before, many times, to ears that refused to listen.
“They’re not the ‘main’ because they’re fundamental. They’re just… common. Well-documented. Easy to explain to children. But the truth is, there are countless types of abilities out there. Some born from emotion, others from ancestry, or even divine influence.”
He took a breath.
“And then… there’s time.”
At the mention of it, something in the air shifted.
“It’s still one of the rarest powers ever recorded. And yet, despite its rarity, it’s counted among the top five strongest abilities known in history—not because of how many people have it, but because of what it can do.”
He paused for a beat, letting the weight of that settle.
“Time itself doesn’t just manipulate moments—it bends memory, rewrites decisions, reshapes futures. That’s why gods like Temureth are feared, even by other deities.”
“But… our rules clearly say never to tamper with the timeline,” I said, brows furrowed. “How can you say it’s possible to change the past?”
Sir Evan didn’t flinch. He simply looked at me, calm but heavy with meaning.
“Rules exist to keep something in place,” he began. “To protect what’s fragile—like cause and effect. And yes… if you do interfere with the past, you’ll likely be stuck in that altered timeline forever. That’s the consequence. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”
He leaned forward, voice low and firm.
“You can change the past. You just might not survive it.”
I swallowed. “But why would anyone even want that? To live in the past… until their soul cracks from the weight of what they’ve done?”
A shadow passed over his face.
“If you don’t belong in a timeline,” he said quietly, “the world will notice. And once it does… you die the moment you’re seen.”
Sir Evan checked his wristwatch and let out a quiet sigh. “That’s my cue,” he murmured. “I have to leave. In the meantime, get some rest. Another proctor will take over from here.”
He stood from his seat, giving one last glance toward Ezra, then at me—like he wanted to say more, but chose not to. With a nod, he turned and left the room, the door clicking softly behind him.
“That was… a lot to digest,” Clara finally said, breaking the thick silence that had settled between us.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, eyes drifting to my bandaged palm. “Yeah. I’ve got a million questions, and zero brain cells left to process them.”
“I think I’ll just ask Ms. Renée later.”
There was a pause.
“Sometimes,” I muttered, “I really want to strangle Ezra.”
Clara let out a small snort. “Same. But he’d probably trap us in another meat realm the moment we touch him.”
“Ugh. Don’t remind me,” I groaned, pressing my palm to my forehead.
“Maybe let’s change the topic then?” Clara offered with a soft smile, trying to lighten the mood.
I nodded, rubbing my temple. “Yeah… good call.”
She glanced out the window for a moment before saying, “Back at the café… I didn’t really finish what I was saying. About my mom.”
The air shifted—just slightly. I sat up straighter, the exhaustion still there, but I gave her my full attention.
“She used to take me to the Metallica museum,” Clara began, her voice gentler now. “Not because we loved art or history or anything. She just… wanted me to be somewhere quiet. Somewhere she could pretend we were safe.”
She paused.
“My dad was the kind of man you never knew what version you’d come home to. Angry. Drunk. Silent. And my mom… she was always trying to shield us. Me, my sister, my brother. But eventually, she couldn’t anymore.”
Clara looked down, fidgeting with the edge of the bedsheet.
“She died. Not all at once. Piece by piece. Until there was nothing left to protect us from him.”
I swallowed hard, unsure what to say, so I just listened.
“My sister left first. She ran. And I don’t blame her. My brother buried himself in school, became a doctor. I… just learned how to disappear when I had to.”
She glanced at me, her eyes glassy but steady. “That’s why I go to the museum when I feel lonely. It’s the last place I felt like she was still trying.”
“I… honestly just wanted a loving father,” Clara murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Someone who would provide love and care for me. The man who created us three—me, my sister, my brother—he used to love Mom so much.”
She exhaled, long and tired.
“I just…” her voice faltered, “maybe the idea of loving someone or settling down—it’s hard to imagine now. The world feels too dangerous for that kind of dream.”
She paused again, her eyes unfocused.
“Life is such a beautiful thing… but sometimes I wonder why we were brought into it, only to live through so much pain.”
“I used to be so fixated on the idea,” Clara said softly, “that somewhere out there, there’s a man who’ll love me forever. I… I hope I’ve already met him.”
She sighed, eyes lingering on the floor.
I couldn’t help the quiet smile that tugged at my lips. “That’s why there’s Clarence.”
Her head snapped toward me. “Where the hell did that even come from?” she huffed, giving my arm a playful slap.
I laughed, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at my bandaged palm. “I dunno. Just saying. He looks like the type to write poetry in secret.”
We both laughed quietly, letting the tension melt into something lighter. But just when I thought we were done, Clara tilted her head with a sly grin.
“Oh yeah? What if Ezra likes you?”
I didn’t even blink. “I’ll shove this dextrose tube down your throat if you keep talking.”
She burst out laughing, clutching her stomach. “You’re so dramatic—he’s not even conscious!”
“That’s the only reason you’re still alive.”
In the end, it all dissolved into quiet giggles and soft chuckles—like nothing had happened. Like we weren’t just talking about trauma, or powers that trap people in organ nightmares, or the terrifying mystery that was Ezra.
For a fleeting moment, it felt normal. Almost safe.
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3,857 words
Chapter 5: Of fights, Farewells, and Fools
I woke to the sharp chime of the bell, the sound pulling me abruptly from my daze and dragging me back into reality.
"Time's up," the proctor announced, his voice cutting through the lingering haze in my mind. Right — the gymnasium. I was still here.
I turned my head, only to find Ezra sprawled unconscious on the floor. Instinctively, I reached out to shake him awake, but before my hand could make contact, a voice interrupted me.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." I glanced up, finding one of my classmates watching me with thinly veiled amusement. "And why not?" I asked. He raised a brow, clearly unimpressed.
"Are you seriously asking that?" Something about his tone scratched at my nerves. Still, I forced myself to remain calm.
"If you can't answer a simple question, perhaps you shouldn't waste your breath."
"A sharp tongue won't save you from your own ignorance."
"And your refusal to clarify only proves your own." I frowned, though he only responded with a careless scoff.
"Enough, Maverick," Clarence cut in, stepping between us with the practiced ease of someone used to extinguish petty conflicts. Maverick shrugged, utterly unbothered, and walked away without another word.
"What's his problem?" I muttered to Clarence. Clarence let out a tired sigh. "He's always like that. Not the brightest socially, but quick to mock anyone who's even slightly out of the loop. Let's just say he finds entertainment in other people's confusion."
"Charming," I said dryly.
"Anyway, what do we do about Ezra?"
"I'll notify the proctor," Clarence said, adjusting his glasses. "And for future reference, you should avoid touching him directly. His abilities are highly contagious — you did learn that from the time-travel session, didn't you?"
"No," I admitted. "I didn't get that far. The bell rang before I could see anything else." "I see." Clarence gave a thoughtful nod before heading off to inform the proctor, leaving me alone with Ezra's motionless form and the unsettling realization that there's far more to this boy than I ever imagined. I watched as Ezra was hurried off to the infirmary, and with his absence came a flood of questions swirling in my mind. Why is he contagious? The thought looped over and over, each repetition tightening like a knot behind my eyes.
Before I could stop it, my head began to ache — a slow, creeping pulse that warned me something was coming.
A vision, maybe. My magic stirring to life. Panic shot through me, and I bolted toward the bench where I'd left my mask, my hands shaking as I slipped it back on. Just in time, too — a fragmented memory was already clawing its way to the surface, blurring my vision and distorting reality. If I hadn't covered my face, I'd probably be the next one dragged off to the infirmary. A sigh of relief slipped from my lips as I sank onto the bench.
Honestly, I can't even overthink without overthinking the fact that overthinking might actually make me pass out. And somehow, just by trying to figure everything out, I end up drained by my own powers. Truly, fate has a twisted sense of humor.
"Hagarin~" Clara's sing-song voice rang out as she skipped over and settled beside me. I noticed her monocle wasn't on her face but dangling between her fingers.
"I saw your face earlier! You're really pretty, you know that?" she said with a bright smile.
"Oh... thank you?" I replied, caught somewhere between confusion and gratitude. She only giggled in response.
"Wait—why aren't you wearing your monocle? Wouldn't that give you a headache if your power activates?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.
She shook her head with a proud grin. "I've managed to control about ten percent of my power now. It's not much, but it's a lot better than having no control at all."
"That ten percent lets me shut down a small part of my ability. It only kicks in randomly if I'm feeling really anxious or overwhelmed," she explained, and I nodded along.
"What about the rest of your power? What can you do at full strength?"
"Well..." She tapped her chin playfully. "The best part is feeling almost normal—for once. No headaches, no sudden visions of doom. It's peaceful."
"But why a monocle? Wouldn't it make more sense to cover both eyes if seeing the future is such a problem?" I asked. She laughed softly. "I only have time magic in one eye—my left. The right eye? That one's all nature. Back when I was a kid, I used to keep my mom's plants alive with a flick of my fingers."
"Speaking of my mom, want to come visit her with me sometime? She's dead, by the way.""...What—oh! I'm so sorry for your loss," I stammered, completely thrown off by her delivery. Clara only smiled, unbothered as always.
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When class hours ended, Clara insisted that Clarence join us, but he politely declined, mentioning he already had other plans. So, in the end, it was just me and Clara. We strolled along the stone pavement, the crisp air mingling with the rustling of trees lining the path.
I found myself enjoying the peacefulness, a rare moment of tranquility. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Clara hopping along the stepping stones, entertaining herself like a carefree child. "Y'know, Hagarin, I have a feeling you'll end up acing the entire class," she said suddenly, her voice light and confident.
"I'm not sure if I should believe that, considering we both have the ability to see the future," I hummed, keeping my gaze forward.
"I'm saying this from instinct, not sight." She spun to face me, sliding her monocle back into place—a clear sign she wasn't using her powers to peek ahead.
"Right," I scoffed softly. "Why won't you believe me?" she pouted. "You're already better than half our classmates, and most of them barely have two functioning brain cells to rub together. Plus, they're just mean for no reason." "Are they?" I raised a brow. "I guess I never really paid much attention to anyone." The scenery was far more interesting, in my opinion.
Clara hopped off the last stepping stone and walked beside me. "Have you not noticed Maverick? Or even Liviya? They're not full-blown bullies or anything, but the mess in their heads is loud enough to drown out whatever kindness they might have had. Honestly, they're so chaotic, it's hard to even see them as normal."
"I suppose they do give me some unpleasant looks now and then," I admitted after a brief pause. "What about the blind girl? I haven't seen her face either. Everyone took off their... stuff during class, but I never caught a glimpse of her," I said, curiously.
"Oh, Alain? She's sweet, just incredibly quiet. But if you ever get the chance to talk to her, you'll like her," Clara said with a fond smile.
"She's blind, yes, but her powers let her see everything—every possibility, every shift in time. That's why she wears a blindfold. Without it, her mind gets overwhelmed. Though, from what I've seen, she's making progress."
"That's... actually fascinating. It's like a blessing wrapped in a curse." I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "Imagine being born without sight, unable to witness the beauty of the world—only to be gifted the power to see everything at once. Still, I'm guessing that's nothing compared to ordinary vision."
I glanced at Clara, my thoughts drifting. "Seeing through the eyes of a time traveler is so strange. For me, it's all washed-out shades of blue, with a slight distortion. Like looking through fogged glass."
"Really? Blue?" Clara tilted her head. "For me, it's this pale brown haze, almost sepia." She laughed softly. "Maybe it has something to do with our actual eye color."
"Could be," I said, returning her smile. "Just another strange part of our lives, I guess."
We finally arrived at her mother's tomb. "Hi, Mom. I brought a friend with me today—another new one besides Clarence," Clara said softly as she stepped closer to the grave.
"We learned how to time travel in class today." The tomb itself was well-maintained, adorned with delicate decorations built into the stone. It felt intentional, almost like a tradition that had been passed down through generations. Every small detail seemed to hold a memory.
I stood beside Clara, quietly listening as she rambled on, speaking to her mother as though she were still right there with us.
I'd be like that too if I ever had the chance to bury my mother—to care for her tomb and visit her like this. But no, life gave me something far more cruel. A memory I can never bury, no matter how much I want to.
When it ended, we both lit candles as a gesture of respect, the soft flicker of the flames dancing in the cool air.
As we slowly walked down the stone path, I broke the silence.
"Clara, if life wasn't so cruel, would you actually enjoy living?" I asked as we slowly made our way down the stone path.She gave a soft laugh, but there was a hint of bitterness behind it.
"I'm content with my life—even if the word enjoy doesn't really fit anywhere in it. If life had been kinder, I wouldn't have met Clarence... or you."
"Everything that happened today wouldn't have happened. That's just how fate works—we either accept it or keep fighting something we can't change." She paused, looking up at the floating lanterns that were starting to light our way.
"I know this world of ours is swallowed whole by magic, and sure, anything feels possible—like we're trapped in some cruel fairytale. Hell, reincarnation might even be real for all we know. But even so, I think I like this life. Just... go with the flow. Maybe you'll find a reason to keep going."
"Right," I murmured. "The power to rewrite my past and change the future is right at my fingertips... yet I didn't take it."Clara glanced at me, her expression unreadable.
"Because you know you'd die if you mess up your timeline."
"Time, fate—whatever people want to call it—it's such a tangled mess," she sighed.
"Sometimes, I wish I had something simple. Like the power to grow flowers or control fire. Something that doesn't make my head hurt."
"I get that," I said quietly. Neither of us spoke after that. We just walked, both letting out a long sigh at the same time, letting the silence say the rest.
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Later that evening, Clara and I parted ways to head back to our homes. Tomorrow was another day, and honestly, I was relieved this one had finally come to an end. When I stepped through the door, the soft murmur of the television greeted me.
"I'm home... sorry I'm late," I said quietly, spotting Hanari lounging on the couch.
"Where'd you even go?" she asked, barely glancing my way as I slipped off my shoes and dropped onto the couch beside her. "I, uh... went with a friend to visit her mom's grave."
Hanari just hummed in response, munching lazily on her slice of apple pie.
"I don't have any friends anymore, you know. You're never there. Maybe you could come to the main building and have lunch with me sometime? I saw your schedule—you have way more free periods than I do."
"Can't," I shrugged.
"Too lazy to walk that far, and the main building's practically on the other side of the campus."Hanari groaned dramatically, flopping back against the cushions like her life was ending.
"What if I just come to your building instead?"
"They probably won't let you," I said, stealing a glance at her.
She groaned again, louder this time, like the weight of her tragic social life was too much to bear. "I look like some lonely loser."
"You'll live," I muttered, grabbing her fork and stealing a bite of her apple pie before she could protest.
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Friday — Sparring Day.
Every Friday, our class dedicates the entire day to sparring practice. It's the only time we're allowed to fully use our powers against each other — under supervision, of course.
We were all gathered at the field, the usual spot for these sessions. I stood at the edge, quietly observing my classmates as they clashed, each person using their abilities in creative or chaotic ways.
Some were flashy, showing off like they were performing for an audience. Others fought with precision, wasting no movement. Then, the proctor called out the next pair.
"Hagarin... versus..."There was a brief pause before the proctor continued.
"Oh, Clara." Both of us froze for a second, equally surprised. From across the field, Clara waved nervously.
"Go easy on me, Hagarin!" she called out with a laugh, though there was a flicker of real concern in her voice. We took our places, standing opposite each other in the center of the field.
All eyes were on us now — classmates whispering, some curious, others already making guesses about who would win. We stood across from each other, the afternoon sun casting long shadows over the field.
The proctor raised his hand — the signal to begin. Clara didn't waste a second. The ground beneath me trembled as thick roots erupted from the earth, twisting and surging toward me like serpents. I leapt back, narrowly avoiding the first strike, but more followed in its wake, branches splitting off and shooting upward to block my escape.
She's fast. Faster than I expected.
I darted between the branches, my body weaving instinctively to avoid getting caught. From the corner of my eye, I saw Clara raise her hand — this time, a single rosebud bloomed at her fingertips.
With a flick of her wrist, the rose shot toward me like an arrow, its petals sharp like blades. It wasn't aimed at me directly — it was after my mask. I ducked just in time, the flower slicing through the air above my head.
"She's really aiming for my mask?" I muttered to myself. Typical Clara move — clever, but predictable. If my mask comes off, my power will surge uncontrollably, and we both know that could end the match in chaos.
"Trying to cheat already?" I called out, though my tone was lighthearted.
"Not cheating! Just creative strategy!" Clara shouted back, a grin splitting her face as more vines slithered toward my ankles.
I stomped hard, shattering a root just before it wrapped around my foot. If I let her trap me, it's over. The rules are simple — whoever hits the ground and stays down for five seconds loses.
"Alright," I muttered, cracking my knuckles. "My turn." Clara raised a brow, unfazed, as she unleashed another wave of attacks — every flower she could summon sharpened into dart-like projectiles, whistling through the air toward me.
I dodged each one with ease, weaving left and right, but just as I landed, something coiled around my ankle.
A vine. Clara snorted, clearly proud of herself, her confidence radiating as she tugged slightly, tightening the grip on my leg.
"Gotcha." But this was exactly what I wanted. I kept my back turned to her as she broke into a sprint, closing the distance between us. I could feel the anticipation rolling off her — she thought this was her win.
That's when I calmly reached up and removed my mask. For the first time, the power I'd always struggled to control worked with me instead of against me.
Clara's eyes widened in shock as my gaze met hers, the air between us thickening as time itself slowed to a crawl. The vine around my leg twitched, then loosened, retracting inch by inch as Clara's body faltered.
She stumbled, knees hitting the grass with a dull thud, a soft curse slipping from her lips. I could feel her discomfort, the telltale headache caused when her own time vision clashed with the distortion I created.
Her powers were fighting mine, and neither of us could fully stop it. Still, all I had to do was keep her down — and slowed — long enough.
"5... 4... 3... 2... 1!"The entire class counted down, their voices echoing across the field.
I took a deep breath, lowering my mask back over my face just as the proctor raised his hand.
"Winner — Hagarin."
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"It's fine, really. You don't have to apologize." Clara reassured me, still comfortably seated on the hospital bed.
"Clara! I'm really sorry." I showed up at the infirmary, holding an apple pie as my peace offering. She just smiled, waving off my concern.
"You really did well back there, but didn't I already tell you to go easy on me?" She chuckled softly.
I sat at the edge of the bed, carefully cutting the apple pie. "Well, I'm glad I lost though. Thanks for the food, I guess." Clara added with a light laugh.
The laughter and chatter from earlier had long faded, replaced by the quiet hum of the evening settling in. The sky outside was painted in soft hues of sunset as I walked down the hall, my steps slow and hesitant.
Part of me didn't want to leave Clara alone in the infirmary, but she had insisted I go home, saying her dad would be there to pick her up soon anyway. The halls were practically deserted now — most students had already gone home, leaving only a few teachers and staff lingering somewhere in the building.
Or so I thought.
That was until I heard soft giggles echoing behind me — the unmistakable sound of someone laughing to themselves. And who else could it be but Ezra?
"Don't touch me," I said immediately, spinning around to face him.
He raised both hands in mock surrender, a grin plastered on his face. "I haven't even done anything!"
"You always tense up when I'm around, don't you? Dove, you gotta ease up a little," he cackled, his voice echoing faintly through the empty hall.
I crossed my arms, trying not to let his antics get to me. "What do you even want? And why are you still here this late?"
Ezra clasped his hands together, his smile never fading. "Oh, I got detention — something about almost killing a classmate earlier!" he said, far too casually for my liking.
I raised a brow, equal parts concerned and confused. "Almost killing someone? How did you even come to that conclusion?"
"Easy! That classmate was Maverick — y'know, the guy who acts like he's the smartest person in the universe but actually reeks of arrogance." Ezra rolled his eyes dramatically before clasping his hands together, voice brimming with exaggerated enthusiasm. "So, to help him fully experience my sincere, heartfelt, emotionally touching anger, I pulled out a pistol when I got close to him."
He even pointed upward like some self-proclaimed intellectual giving a lecture.
I blinked, trying to process the sheer absurdity of what he just said. "Wait—hold on. A pistol? How did you even... What?"
Ezra gasped, clutching his chest like I'd just shattered his heart. "You didn't watch me? Oh, dove, I'm hurt! Absolutely heartbroken!"
I just stared at him, my silence practically speaking for itself. Ezra, on the other hand, stared back at me like a giant question mark had just popped out of his head.
Oh. Right. I forgot — he couldn't even see my face. The mask was still on.
"So...uh, just don't do it again." I finally broke the awkward silence.
"I like whatever is wrong with you — it's fascinating. I'm following you home." Ezra grinned, that usual chaotic glint in his eyes.
"Don't—"
"Too late! Let's go!" Before I could even finish, he grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me along.
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