Gwyn analyzed Emel's state carefully while Silva and Sepide explained everything to the group. In the meantime, Neige went into Iris's world to keep her safe. The leader listened to the story with attention, and unlike everyone, was more worried than happy.

"So she created a new world of her own and became crazy... Can't say I'm surprised..."

"Yeah, but it means it's over now!" Enthusiastically said Silva "I can't wait to take care of the anomaly and live a normal life! Well... As normal as I can."

After a while, Neige arrived, along with the girl in the wheelchair sleeping peacefully. Neige put his finger on his mouth, prompting everyone to talk silently. Emel went toward her friend, completely ignoring the doctor about to put a bandage on her head.

"Is she... Alright?"

"Yeah, she's just asleep. Gwyn will need to take a closer look though."

"I will once I'm done with Emel."

Emel decided to return to the doctor, relieved to see Iris in a good state. As she was about to sit down, she instead went in front of Silva. Emely took Silva's arm, wary of Emel's presence.

"Silva, right? I'm... I'm sorry, I really thought I could change Silv. For me, you were the reason for her madness but... Maybe she was too far gone."

"Maybe?" Asked Silva with a soft smile "She was so crazy that I can't even understand how you believed her."

"Yeah, she's just... Special..." Emel turned toward Iris before facing Silva again "Her world was destroyed, once you do everything you need to, could you send the both of us in my world? I'm sure my friends should be able to take care of her."

"I don't know, you'll need to ask the leader."

"The... leader?" Emel asked, a bit confused "Aren't you the leader?"

"No, it's the nerd there."

Silva pointed at her leader, who clearly looked annoyed.

"I wish you'd introduce me in a better way... If Gwyn says it's alright, I don't have any objections."

"It should be alright." Said Gwyn "I'm sure I could find a cure for the girl's disease, it would just need some time."

"Really!?" Emel's eyes filled with stars in her eyes, barely able to contain her joy "Can you really help her?"

"Maybe, nothing is sure. But one thing is for sure, I'll try." Gwyn stood up and took her notes with her "We should go to my office, can you take her and come with me?"

"Of course!"

Emel took Iris and her wheelchair and followed the doctor. The leader stared at them before turning toward the rest of the group.

"I'm tired... I'll go sleep. You should rest too, it wasn't an easy day." The leader walked away but suddenly stopped. She turned toward the group, a bit hesitant "I'm glad I met you all, you're a wonderful team."

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The group looked at her leaving, a bit surprised by her words. Ina considered following her but stayed with the others instead.

"How strange, is the leader alright?"

"I'm sure she is." Said Emely "Once I finish the time anchor, everything will be even better."

"I'm sure of it." Neige stretched and yawned as if he hadn't slept for centuries "I hope we won't have a mission soon, I just want to sleep all year long."

"Yeah, me too." Agreed Sepide "You should rest too Silva, we should celebrate later."

"Yes, we should."

Everyone split up, going to their own occupations. Silv's threat was behind them now, all they could do now was wait for Emely to finish her project and they would finally be able to get rid of the anomaly.

The night arrived, causing the lights of the ship to turn off and forcing Gwyn to use the light of her phone to navigate in the empty hallways. The ominous silence didn't help the doctor feel any calmer, she could hear the sound of her heart beating as she was heading toward the leader's room. Once she arrived, Gwyn stood in front of the door for a few minutes to calm herself before knocking on the door with confidence.

"Polyetta, it's me."

A bit of time passed before the leader opened the door. Her face was cold, empty of any emotion. The woman let the doctor enter her room and sat on the bed, still a blank expression on her face.

"Polyetta, is something troubling you? It's unusual for you to ask me at night."

"I can't tell Neige... I know he'd try to stop me, even if it's for his own good. Time traveling... It just adds another way for Neige to be in danger."

"So you want to find another way to get rid of the anomaly?"

"In a way... I think it's time for the project snow globe."

Gwyn looked away, trying to hide the smirk on her face.

"You still didn't change the name? It doesn't sound very intimidating."

"It's supposed to bring peace, not fear. You're the only one I can trust, if anything happens, call me."

"... Fine, I will. How long will it take?"

"A few days at most for the first part. I'm not sure how the anomaly will react, but she probably won't be a problem."

Gwyn walked toward her leader with hesitation and sat next to her in silence.

"I'm sorry to put so much on your shoulders Gwyn, it will be over soon."

"I know."

The leader put her hand on Gwyn, giving her a soft smile.

"Gwyn, I owe you so much. I'll make sure that everyone treats you like a hero."

"Don't bother, I go where the waves send me. I'll just help you cover everything but I have to warn you, not as a doctor, but as a friend, you won't be able to go back. You'll have to live with the weight of the world on your shoulders."

"The Goddess chose me, I was the one that received the divine diary. It's my fate, and I accept it."

"Are you sure you don't want to tell Neige and the others?"

"No, I already know what they're thinking. They think they know better, but once they see the truth, they will regret ever thinking about living in this flawed universe."

The leader stood up and headed toward her desk to take the book and the mask she used to wear. She stared at it for a few minutes before putting it on and turned back toward Gwyn.

"I will go now. Thanks for everything, Gwyn."

"What do I say to the others? They'll notice you're gone."

"Just tell them you don't know. Also, you should take this." Polyetta removed the watch from her wrist and threw it at the doctor "I'm no longer a member of the Kronos, you're the new leader now. Not that it really matters, the Kronos will soon be no more."

"Polyetta, is that really what you want? This ship holds so many memories, are you sure you want to leave it behind?"

"We don't need it in our new world... Gwyn, did you perhaps get attached to this place?"

The doctor stayed silent for a moment, carefully thinking before answering.

"Yes, I did. I'm even starting to enjoy being a doctor."

"I'm glad that you feel at home here, but don't worry, the new world will feel even better."

The leader wrote a line in the book before disappearing in a flash of light. Gwyn stayed in the room for a moment, looking at the messy place the leader lived in. All she could do now was wait for her leader to finish with her plan. Gwyn knew she wouldn't be able to sleep that night and instead decided to take one of the games on the desk to take a good look at it.

"Shadow 4? Isn't it the game Cinnamon got trapped in?"

With a bit of hesitation, the doctor put the game in the console and took the controller. It was the first time she ever played a game, and even if she needed to work on Iris's cure, all she wanted to do was forget about her life just for a night.