"The weight of a single moment can alter the course of eternity. But what if that moment isn't yours to bear? Can you bear if what you see isn't always what is real, and what you feel isn't always yours to bear?"
---
The forest was alive in a way that set Juno on edge. The canopy above shimmered faintly, as though the leaves themselves held a quiet luminescence. Twisted roots jutted from the soil like skeletal fingers, and the air smelled of damp moss and an earthy bitterness that lingered in the throat. The silence wasn't peaceful; it was predatory. Every crunch of her boots on the uneven ground felt like a challenge issued to the shadows.
Juno adjusted her hood, her constellation-stitched jacket creaking slightly as she shifted the weight of the Chronosword on her back. It was lighter now, having shifted into its dormant state—a compact hilt that pulsed faintly with golden veins. She glanced over her shoulder at Selene and Exos, who walked behind her, their footsteps muffled by the forest floor.
Selene was humming, her crescent daggers twirling idly in her hands. The twin blades gleamed under the fractured moonlight, their edges glowing faintly as though reflecting starlight. Her violet eyes sparkled with mischief, contrasting sharply with the dried blood streaking her pale cheek. Her movements were almost too light, too graceful, like she was dancing through the forest instead of walking.
"You're going to attract every beast within a mile if you keep that up," Exos muttered, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. He strode beside her, his massive form making the trees around him look like toys. The intricate armor he wore, forged of blackened steel with faintly glowing blue runes etched along the plates, seemed to absorb the light. On his back, an arsenal of weapons hovered silently, each one shimmering with a faint aura as though awaiting his command.
Selene grinned, unfazed. "Let them come. It's been hours since anything tried to kill us. I'm getting bored."
Juno rolled her eyes but didn't comment. Her focus remained on the path ahead, though calling it a "path" was generous. The ground was uneven, a tangled mess of roots and rocks that seemed to shift underfoot. The deeper they ventured, the heavier the air became, as though the forest itself resented their intrusion.
"We need to find a place to rest," Juno said finally, her voice low but firm. "We've been walking for hours."
Exos nodded, his expression unreadable. "Agreed. The forest is dense enough to provide cover, but we can't rely on it to stay that way."
As if on cue, the trees parted ahead, revealing a small village nestled within a clearing. The sight was almost surreal. Wooden cottages with slanted roofs stood clustered together, their windows glowing warmly against the encroaching darkness. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the faint sound of laughter and chatter carried on the wind.
Selene let out a low whistle. "Well, isn't this cozy?"
Juno hesitated. Something about the village felt... off. It was too pristine, too untouched by the chaos that had consumed the rest of the world. Her fingers twitched toward the hilt of her weapon, but she forced herself to relax.
"Let's not get too comfortable," she said, stepping forward. "Stay sharp."
As they approached, a group of villagers emerged to greet them. They were clad in simple garments—linen shirts and woolen skirts—and their faces were lined with weariness. Yet their smiles were genuine, their eyes filled with cautious curiosity.
"Travelers!" an older man called out, his voice carrying a note of relief. "You're welcome here. Come, rest your feet and share our fire."
Juno exchanged a glance with her companions. Selene shrugged, clearly unbothered, while Exos's expression remained stony. After a moment, Juno nodded. "Thank you. We'd appreciate that."
The villagers led them to a large hall at the center of the village. Inside, the air was warm and fragrant with the scent of herbs and simmering broth. Wooden benches lined long tables, and a fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls.
As they settled in, bowls of steaming soup were placed before them. Juno hesitated, studying the contents. The broth was a deep emerald hue, flecked with bits of what looked like crushed gemstones. The aroma was inviting, yet unfamiliar.
Selene wasted no time, lifting her bowl with both hands and taking a long sip. "Oh, this is good. Definitely not poisoned. Probably."
Juno sighed but took a cautious sip. The flavor was rich and earthy, with a strange, lingering sweetness. It was oddly comforting, and she felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease.
After the meal, the villagers offered them a chance to bathe. The bathhouse was a small, rustic building, but the water was hot and soothing. Juno sank into the tub with a quiet sigh, letting the warmth seep into her bones. She closed her eyes, her mind drifting.
The Void Lord Agredor. The name echoed in her thoughts, a phantom pain she couldn't shake. She'd killed him—or thought she had. But his presence lingered, a shadow at the edge of her consciousness. Her hand tightened into a fist beneath the water. Whatever power he had left behind, it was hers now. She just didn't know how to control it.
Later, as they gathered in one of the cottages to rest, Juno found herself talking with one of the villagers—a young woman with kind eyes and a quiet demeanor. The conversation was mundane, a welcome distraction from the weight of their journey. But as Juno reached out to hand her something, their fingers brushed.
The world shattered.
Juno's vision fractured, shards of glass and violet light exploding in her mind. The air was filled with a deafening hum, a sound that wasn't a sound but an overwhelming presence. Images flashed before her—the villager, standing in a circle of hooded figures, her hands raised in supplication. Blood dripped from an altar, pooling at her feet. A voice, dark and guttural, whispered words Juno couldn't understand.
She jerked her hand back, gasping. The vision ended as abruptly as it began, leaving her trembling and disoriented. The villager looked at her with concern, but Juno forced a smile, waving off the question in her eyes.
In her mind, though, the pieces were beginning to fit. Agredor's power. She'd taken more than his life. She'd taken his abilities—a fragment of the Void itself. But it was unpredictable, uncontrollable. She clenched her fists, determination hardening her resolve.
As the night deepened, they prepared to sleep. Juno lay on a makeshift bed, staring at the ceiling. The images from the vision played over and over in her mind, each detail sharper than the last.
What had she taken from that villager? And what price would she pay for it?
Outside, the wind howled, carrying with it the faint echo of a monstrous laugh.
---
The night in the village stretched like an elastic thread, taut with unease and an unspoken promise of something breaking. Juno hadn't slept. Every time she closed her eyes, her mind unraveled into a kaleidoscope of shattered memories that weren't hers—glimpses of a robed figure, chants echoing in a forgotten dialect, and an altar drenched in viscous, inky black liquid that seemed to pulse with life.
She sat by the open window of their shared lodging, her knees drawn up to her chest. The village's flickering lanterns painted warm golden shapes on the ground below, but there was an unshakable feeling that the light was just a mask—thin and fragile—to keep the encroaching darkness at bay. Outside, the forest loomed, a wall of impenetrable shadows that rustled with secrets.
"Still brooding?" Selene's voice cut through the quiet like a blade—sharp, teasing, but with just enough of an edge to let Juno know she'd been watched. Selene's crescent daggers were in her hands, their silvered edges catching the faint light. She always seemed to be fiddling with them, like the constant motion kept her grounded. Tonight, her usual manic energy was subdued.
"What else is there to do?" Juno replied, her voice hoarse from disuse. She didn't look away from the forest.
"Oh, I don't know. Sleep? Eat? Maybe enjoy the fact we're not currently being eaten by rift-spawned monstrosities?" Selene sheathed her daggers in a fluid motion and crossed the room, plopping down beside Juno. She stretched her legs out, boots scuffed and worn, resting against the wooden frame. "You're not going to figure it out by staring into the abyss, you know."
Juno's eyes flicked to her briefly. "The abyss stares back."
"Ha! That's my line," Selene retorted, grinning. "And if it's staring back, give it something to gawk at. You're the Timekeeper. You've got this."
Juno's gut twisted at the title. Timekeeper. The weight of it felt heavier with every passing day. She wasn't sure if it was the word itself or the expectations it carried.
[System prompt: Mental state criti-ERROR-Cognitive overload detected.]
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Her wristwatch—the strange, liquid-metal contraption that had fused to her skin when this all began—pulsed faintly. A ripple of energy moved through its surface, and the faint tick-tick-tick of its hands grew louder in her ears. She clenched her fist, willing the system to silence itself.
Selene noticed but didn't comment. For once, she showed restraint, which was unnerving in its own way.
By the time Exos joined them, dawn's first light had begun to bleed through the horizon. The stoic man's presence was as commanding as ever, his towering frame silhouetted against the soft hues of morning. His armor, an amalgamation of blackened steel and shimmering onyx scales, reflected the light like a broken mirror. His weapon of choice, a floating array of jagged swords that followed him like loyal specters, hovered silently behind him. Each blade was unique—one wreathed in fire, another crackling with static energy, and a third that seemed to hum with an otherworldly resonance.
"We move," Exos said, his voice low and uncompromising.
Selene groaned theatrically. "Already? Can't we have one day where we're not marching into potential death traps? My boots are crying. Look at them." She lifted a foot, showing off the sole, which was indeed falling apart.
"I'll requisition better gear when we reach the next stronghold," Exos replied without humor. "For now, we're burning daylight."
"Heh. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Ordering me around when I'm the one who can track the void rift here." Selene muttered, but she rose to her feet, stretching with exaggerated movements.
Juno followed wordlessly. Her body ached in ways she didn't think were possible—an accumulation of overexertion, adrenaline crashes, and the toll of her abilities.
The forest during the day was no less intimidating than at night. The towering trees, their bark mottled with strange bioluminescent fungi, seemed to lean inward as if whispering to each other. The air was thick, damp, and carried the faint metallic tang of ozone. Every step they took was muffled by the dense moss carpeting the ground, and the occasional rustle in the underbrush kept them on edge.
"I swear this place gets creepier every time," Selene said, twirling one of her daggers absently.
"Stay focused," Exos ordered.
"Yes, Captain Killjoy," she quipped but tightened her grip on her weapon.
Juno trailed behind, her thoughts a chaotic whirl. The memory—if it could even be called that—of the villager's ritual lingered in her mind. She'd felt the pull of something vast and ancient, a presence that felt too much like Agredor's void-tainted power. But that was impossible. She'd killed him. She'd watched him dissolve into nothingness.
[System update: Chronoenergy fluctuations detected. Synchronization at 87%. Warning: Potential anomaly within-DATA REDACTED.]
The watch ticked faster, and Juno's heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Whatever this was, it wasn't going to unravel her. Not yet.
"Juno," Exos called, breaking her reverie. "Eyes up."
She nodded, quickening her pace to match theirs.
By midday, they reached a clearing. In the center stood the remnants of what looked like an ancient watchtower, overgrown with vines and moss. It was a stark contrast to the pristine forest around it, as if time had forgotten this place.
"We'll rest here," Exos declared.
Selene dropped her pack with a dramatic sigh. "Finally."
Juno approached the tower cautiously. There was something off about it. The air felt... heavier, like the weight of countless years pressing down.
"Selene," Juno said, her voice low. "Do you feel that?"
Selene cocked her head, her playful demeanor fading. "Yeah. It's like... static."
Exos's swords materialized in an instant, circling him like a defensive halo. "Stay alert."
Before Juno could process the warning, the ground beneath them shifted. A low rumble echoed, and the tower's shadow seemed to stretch unnaturally. From within the darkness, a figure emerged. It was humanoid but distorted, its form glitching like a corrupted image.
[System alert: Entity detected. Class: B. Title: The Forgotten Sentinel.]
Juno's blood ran cold.
"Selene!" she shouted. "Get ready!"
Selene grinned, her manic energy returning in full force. "Finally, some action!"
"Celestial Cascade!" she yelled, slashing her daggers in an intricate pattern. Stars seemed to fall from the sky, their light piercing the creature's form.
The Sentinel let out a guttural roar, its body twisting unnaturally to dodge. Exos stepped forward, his swords launching with precision. "Eclipse Barrage," he commanded, and the air around him seemed to darken as the blades struck in rapid succession.
The Sentinel however crushed the ground it's standing on.
And for the short seconds. The place was crushing and falling apart.
Juno stood there as the two was crushed.
Crushed and bloody and dead.
"NO!" she screamed.
But... things paused.
"What?" she uttered.
Then everything cracked.
As if her vision was glass.
Juno felt time paused.
And then everything became red. Then black. Then red.
She must be going crazy. But isn't everything happening is crazy enough?
But her vision continued to darken.
Her eyes closed.
And she felt her body lighter than before, the same sensation of meeting the "eye".
[The void watches you]
[The aspect of time is gone]
[The system is re-calibrating from its errors]
"No..."
[Timeline shattered]
[Emergency rewind imminent]
[I hope to see you again Timekeeper]
---
Juno's eyes snapped open, and for a moment, the world seemed quiet. Too quiet.
Her fingers instinctively dug into the damp forest floor, feeling the soft texture of moss and dirt beneath them. She inhaled sharply, the earthy scent of the woods filling her lungs. Birds chirped in the distance, leaves rustled in a soft breeze, and the golden glow of sunlight filtered through a canopy of towering pines. It was idyllic.
Too idyllic.
The memory hit her like a tidal wave—Exos and Selene crushed beneath the Sentinel's relentless onslaught, their bodies mangled and lifeless amidst the chaos of a collapsing ruin. Her scream had echoed in that cavern, a raw, guttural sound of helplessness. Time had shattered like glass, and then... then...
[The void watches you.][The aspect of time is gone.]
[Timeline shattered.]
Juno sat up abruptly, clutching her head as fragments of corrupted messages pulsed through her thoughts like static. She glanced around, her breath quickening. This wasn't the ruins. This wasn't the battlefield. This was... normal?
A voice snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty, you done hugging the dirt?" Selene's voice was light, teasing, and tinged with mischief.
Juno turned, her heart seizing. There Selene stood, brushing a stray lock of silver hair from her face. Her crescent daggers dangled from her belt, their blades glinting faintly with an otherworldly sheen. She wore her usual constellation-stitched tunic, paired with sturdy leather pants and boots that looked far too clean for someone who supposedly walked through a forest. Her violet eyes sparkled with amusement as she waved a hand in front of Juno's face.
"Earth to Timekeeper? You good?"
Juno blinked, struggling to reconcile the image of Selene now—alive, whole, and very much herself—with the bloody, broken memory that still lingered.
Behind Selene, Exos leaned casually against a tree, his massive form partially obscured by shadow. His jet-black armor absorbed the sunlight, giving it an almost void-like quality. A longsword, crackling faintly with electric energy, rested against his shoulder. His expression was as stern as ever, though his dark eyes held a flicker of concern as he studied Juno.
"You're unusually quiet," Exos said, his voice low and measured. "Did you hit your head when you fell asleep, or are you always this spacey?"
Juno opened her mouth to respond, but the words caught in her throat. She wanted to scream, to shake them, to demand answers. Did they not remember? Did none of it happen? Or was this some cruel illusion crafted by the Void?
"I'm fine," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hands trembled, and she quickly clenched them into fists. "Just... tired."
Selene's grin widened. "Tired? From what? Sitting around while we did all the work?" She nudged Juno with her boot. "Come on, sleepyhead. We've got a lot of ground to cover before nightfall."
Juno pushed herself to her feet, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her. The forest around them was eerily serene, the kind of peace that felt wrong, like the calm before a storm. Her system chimed faintly in the back of her mind, the sound distorted and fragmented. She focused, willing it to respond.
[Status: Error. Data corrupted.]
[Chronoenergy: Unstable. Critical levels detected.]
[Inventory: Incomplete synchronization.]
"Great," Juno muttered under her breath. "Just what I needed."
"What's that?" Selene asked, cocking her head.
"Nothing," Juno said quickly.
As they began walking, Juno's mind raced. The forest—this forest—felt familiar. The towering pines, the winding dirt path, the distant sound of a stream trickling through the underbrush. She'd been here before. But it wasn't just deja vu; it was a certainty. This was all familiar, this realm she'd visited in a past timeline. Or maybe in this timeline? She wasn't sure anymore. Everything felt blurred, fragmented, as if her memories had been scrambled by whatever had happened during the "shattering."
"This place gives me the creeps," Selene said, her tone unusually serious. She glanced up at the sky, where faint constellations were visible even in the daylight. "The stars here are... wrong."
Exos's gaze followed hers, his expression unreadable. "Focus. We're not here to stargaze. The villagers mentioned Void activity nearby. We need to stay alert."
Juno barely registered their conversation, her thoughts consumed by the system messages that had burned themselves into her mind.
[The void watches you.]
[The aspect of time is gone.]
[Emergency rewind imminent.]
What did it mean? If the Aspect of Time was gone, what did that make her? Was she still the Timekeeper? And why was the Void watching her? Had it caused the shattering, or was it merely a spectator to her downfall?
The trio emerged into a clearing, where a small village sat nestled against the base of a jagged mountain range. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, and the faint hum of activity drifted through the air. But as they approached, it became clear that something was off. The villagers moved with a tense urgency, their eyes darting to the skies and the surrounding forest. Armed guards patrolled the perimeter, their weapons glinting ominously in the fading sunlight.
"Welcome to Ephiron," Selene said dryly. "Home of paranoia and bad vibes."
A guard stepped forward as they approached, his armor mismatched and dented but functional. He held a spear with a jagged, obsidian-like tip that pulsed faintly with a crimson light.
"State your business," he said gruffly, his eyes narrowing as he took in their unusual appearances.
Exos stepped forward, his presence commanding despite his silence. "We're travelers. Passing through."
The guard's gaze lingered on Exos's weapon before shifting to Juno and Selene. "Void activity has been reported in these parts. Strangers aren't exactly welcome right now."
"We're here to help," Juno said, surprising even herself with the conviction in her voice.
The guard hesitated, studying her intently. "Help?" he repeated, his tone skeptical.
Before Juno could respond, Selene stepped forward, flashing a disarming smile. "Come on, big guy. Do we look like Void cultists to you?" She gestured dramatically to herself and then to Exos. "I mean, sure, he's got the whole brooding warrior vibe, but I'm practically glowing with good intentions."
The guard's lips twitched, though he quickly suppressed the hint of a smile. "I see. The finally awaited Warriors of Aspects, our hope to close this world's rift. Fine," he said grudgingly. "But don't cause trouble."
As they entered the village, Juno couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Not just by the villagers, but by something unseen, something that lurked just beyond the edges of perception. Her system chimed faintly again, and she glanced at the distorted text that flickered across her vision.
[Timeline deviation detected.]
[Memory fragment recovered: Incomplete.]
She swallowed hard, her heart pounding. Whatever was happening, it was far from over. And the Void? It wasn't just watching. It was waiting.