Amergar let out a deafening roar of agony as he witnessed the once-promising sparkles in the sky extinguish one by one in a short time. The world around him went back to complete silence and nihility.
“I will...I will...” he shifted quickly between bizarre shapes. “revenge...”
Elara came around and met Kairos's smiley face and rays of the sunlight.
She asked anxiously, “It he out?”
“No, not a chance,” Kairos answered proudly. “You did a great job.”
“I was so afraid the criminal would escape because of me...What happened to him now?”
“He is safely trapped in his lonely zone, destined to wander for another million years. Now, if you feel better, let’s go outside to get some fresh air.”
Elara broke into happy tears.
“You mentioned that I'm a dream bridge?” she asked when they strolled on the meadows.
“One of the Oneirogéfyras. Guess what, you turn out to be, like myself, an alien!”
Elara was shocked by his words for a minute. “So that's also the reason why I can see ghosts while others cannot?”
“Actually, I don't think what you saw are real ghosts.”
“What are they then?”
“They are the avatars of the criminal. He wanted to make your nerves vulnerable so that he could penetrate your dreamland easily.”
“That's horrible.”
“But it's over now,” Kairos patted her on the shoulder. “You're finally free. You are welcomed in vast universe! There are millions of fascinating places for you to explore. Dangrous, sometimes, but you'll like it!”
“I don't know how cope with this information. This alien stuff. Though, I always have the suspicion that my alien parents will collect me one day.”
“No worries. I'll take you back to your home planet. And after that, we can arrange a trip to the White Hole Town in the Central Mega Galaxy. They have the best knowledge fountain in the Chief Library.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“You do know that I cannot understand a single word you said?” Elara giggled.
Kairos smiled, “You'll get used to that.”
Their murmurs were carried away by the gentle summer breeze. A beautiful sunset met their astonishment when a massive bird-like spacecraft suddenly materialized out of nowhere.
“In that your cargo spaceship?” Elara wowed.
A small robot with a round head emerged from the hatch and moved slowly toward the castle.
“Yes. Looks like Circy is going to deliver something to the library.”
The robot reached Mr Greer who was standing in front of the library door, and handed him a package and a form. Mr Greer opened it to find a fridge magnet, which was glittering like the brightest star.
“Only one?” Mr Greer queried. “I think I ordered 100. Well, I guess it's a sample, right? Oh, robot delivery. How nice! Where should I sign?”
“Don't sign the form!” Kairos shouted from a distance.
“What? I can't hear you! Let me sign this first.”
“No! Don't sign the form!!!” Kairos took out a little gadget and pressed a button, causing the robot to freeze.
“It's a trick!” he explained. “You, Elara, are the criminal's backup plan. His real plan is to open the gate with that key!”
Elara gasped. “How did he get the key?”
“He ordered it from the ghost market! That's right, the unknown calling signal!”
“How could you answer that call?”
“I didn't! The spaceship did! Once the order is registered, the goods must be delivered.”
“What can we do now?”
“It's too late to inform the Bureau, I'm afraid...except...”
“What?”
Kairos turned to Elara, hesitated, a soft sentiment flashed in his eyes. Elara rarely saw him making that kind of expression.
“The only way is to reverse the ordering progress.”
“Okey,” Elara said, knowing there was something off. “How can we do that?”
“I already did. Just now, by freezing the robot. I'm really sorry. ”
Elara looked around. Nothing changed.
She forced a smile. “That's alright, then, isn't it? Problem solved, but why are you apologizing?”
“I'm apologizing because...” Kairos paused, seemingly encouraging himself to go on. “I cannot take you back to your home planet for now. To reverse the ordering progress means to make this delivery never happen. It means to go back to the time the spaceship pick up the ordering signal and refuse it. It means to choose another time line.”
“It means you would never come here, and we never met?” Elara followed sorrowfully.
“Yes, Elara, I will forget all the things we've been through like it never happened. I will forget you.”
“Will I forget you as well?”
“I don't think so, but promise me, stay away from that altar,” he handed her a gadget while speaking. “Take this to control your dreams. This is the best I can do now. But hey, I think we will meet again?”
“We will?” Elara tried her best to restraint her tears, and lowered her head to avoid his eye contact.
“Yes. I will still investigate your missing case, and who knows--” his voice stopped abruptly.
“Who knows what?” Elara raised her head again, only to find herself standing alone in the vast plain, a gentle summer breeze whispering a melancholic tune.
“What happened?” Mr Greer pondered to himself, glancing at his pocket watch. “Ah, it's seven o'clock already? I must get ready for my billiards night. Hey, Miss Nova, remember, the gate must keep closed.”