The Forest Beyond Time grew quieter as the vision of Timeline One faded away.For several minutes, no one spoke until Marcus eventually broke the silence“So, let me summarize”“Please don't” Julius said immediately“Two children made a promise, fate took that personally, and we've apparently been trapped in the world's longest argument ever since”“That is surprisingly accurate” Chronos admittedMarcus folded his arms triumphantly “I knew it”Julius, however, remained focused on the path ahead.The memory of the two boys beneath the silver sapling refused to leave his mind.“No matter where you go, I'll always find you”Those words had survived three million years, thirty-six timelines and countless endings.Luna quietly walked ahead of the group, her lantern illuminating the silver path beneath their feet.“The forest wishes to show you something else”“What?” Aurelia asked“The first time you challenged fate”The atmosphere immediately changed“The first time?” Julius repeatedLuna

No one spoke as they continued walking through the Forest Beyond Time.After witnessing Timeline Nine, even Marcus had temporarily run out of things to complain about.Which, according to everyone present, was a historical event worthy of documentation“I'm still processing the fact that Chronos once declared war against reality itself” Marcus finally admitted“I said no such thing”“You shattered time!”“Technically, I shattered the mechanism governing time” Chronos tried to defend himself Marcus pointed accusingly at him “That's significantly worse”Surprisingly, Chronos didn't argue and the Guardian of Time merely continued walking beside Julius, his expression unreadableThe truth was that Julius didn't know what to say either.He had witnessed Bahamut's sacrifice, watched Chronos destroy time itself and through it all, one thing remained constant.No matter how many times fate tore their lives apart as people continued choosing themThat realization carried a weight he wasn't su

The moment the voice echoed across existence, everything stopped, the stars ceased moving and the Silver Tree fell silent.Even the countless timelines flowing through its branches froze in place.For the first time since entering the Forest Beyond Time, Julius felt something he had never experienced before which was DearNot the fear of an enemy stronger than himself, nor the fear of death as this was something far greater.It was the overwhelming realization that something had been watching them since the beginningMarcus slowly looked around“I would just like to state, for the record, that I preferred fighting dragons”“Noted” Aurelia whisperedThe heavens above the Silver Tree continued splitting apart. Yet, there was no explosion or dramatic display of power.Instead, reality simply moved aside, making room for something that had existed before it.Julius expected a monster or perhaps an entity so vast that mortal minds couldn't comprehend its existence.What he saw instead caus

The question lingered beneath the Silver Tree long after Julius spoke“If you've seen all thirty-six timelines, and you know we'll make the same choice again, then why are you still asking us?”For the first time since her arrival, Fate remained completely speechless.The stars within her eyes flickered uncertainly.No one had ever asked her that, not in thirty-six timelines, not in three million years because everyone had always assumed Fate already knew the ending.Eventually, she answered“Because I was hoping”The confession stunned everyone into silence“Hoping?” Aurelia repeated softly.Fate slowly lowered her gaze.“Every timeline ends the same way, either reality dies or the two of you do”She gently touched the trunk of the Silver Tree“And every time, I am the one left behind to remember”Those words carried an unbearable loneliness and Marcus quietly looked away.It suddenly occurred to him that Fate had witnessed every timeline.Every sacrifice, every goodbye and every pro

The moment Julius placed his foot upon the first step, the world changed. The Forest Beyond Time disappeared, the Silver Tree vanished even the stars themselves seemed to fade into nothingness.For a brief, terrifying moment, Julius felt as though he had ceased to exist.Then, he heard laughter which was soft and impossibly familiar.His eyes slowly opened, and sunlight greeted him.Not the silver light of the Forest Beyond Time nor the radiant glow of the Silver Tree, but ordinary sunlight.Blue skies stretched endlessly above him, while a gentle breeze carried the scent of flowers through the air.For several moments, Julius simply stared.“This is beautiful”He turned to find Aurelia standing beside him, equally stunned.Around them, the others had begun regaining their bearings.Marcus was lying face-down in a field of flowers“I would just like everyone to know that if this is the afterlife, I approve”“We're not dead” Caius replied“Oh, that's significantly less exciting”Julius