"What is that little device you have on your wrist?"

We were calmly walking through the forest of Elenoir, the thick fog working to impede the senses. It did little to hinder my ability to navigate the lush, green wildlife while it forced others to hold someone's hand like a lifeline.

"It's something from my past life, just a simple piece called a watch." I held out my arm so Sylvia could get a better look at the jet-black leather strapped watch, accented with gold and white. The metal was elegantly designed but was simple, having the bare minimum functions. "It was one of my first creations in my career as an artificer, back when I still thought I'd need to keep track of time. All it does is keep track of it."

With a sad hum in my voice, we continue on our hike to the capital city of Elenoir. I was walking with both hands occupied, my right hand enjoying the warmth of Sylvia's hold, while the other was reluctantly placed in Trista's vile grip.

For the first part of my punishment, I am to be held like the child they both saw me as. Sylvia saw me as such from the memories I showed her and Trista, despite everything she's seen so far, treated me as a child out of spite, curiosity, or both.

As Sylvia nuzzles her face into Ellie's giggling form she asks. "Well, do you think you could make one for me? While my homeland had its way of tracking time, we never found the need to create something so accurate." She looks over to me before continuing "But I get the feeling these next few years may get a bit hectic, so having a watch may prove to be useful."

"Sure. Let me know if you want anything specific or if you want an extra feature"

"Extra feature? The only enchantment I can sense on your watch is one to bolster its durability. Is there more to it?" She was radiating a childlike interest in my wrist piece, perhaps wondering if it was capable of stopping time and splitting dimensions, or something ridiculous like that.

"If you want, I can engrave a rune into the chassis to allow it to stop time or split apart a pocket dimension you may find yourself in" She looks down at me, mouth gaped open in astonishment while Trista just looks as confused as ever. "For a simple artifact to be capable of such a thing... I can only wonder what the full scope of your abilities may entail." She said

"Yeah" I keep silent for a moment before asking the question lingering in my mind. "Speaking of things we can't understand, can I ask why you haven't broken your daughter out of her seal?"

"No, you may not ask such a question" Her voice was stern, as if we were strangers passing by. Her face slowly softened as she caressed the multicolored stone Ellie was holding in her tiny hands. "That is not to say I don't plan on releasing her soon, I simply wish to know what the future holds for me. Because ever since you appeared, it's as if every thread of time and fate refuse to weave together, forever changing."

"Are you worried about the reaction from your fellow clansmen? If you want, I can show you the faces they made when they first saw Sylvie-" I quickly jerk my hand away from Trista to cover my mouth. It wasn't necessary, but I didn't want Sylvia to feel pressured to name her daughter after the name I gave her.

"Sylvie... hm, you are quite boorish aren't you?" With a teasing smile that eased the tension of my slip-up, she looks at the stone lovingly "Simple, cute, and completely unimaginative. It fits your persona perfectly."

With a slight blush, I turn away in embarrassment only to be met by Trista's intense glare.

"You know... If you want someone to talk to, I'm always here. And while you're at it, you could explain," She took a deep breath while maintaining a stupid fake smile. "WHY THE FUCK I'M STILL HERE!!!"

"I'm very clearly missing some plot points, and I still can't wrap my head around walking alongside a LITERAL DRAGON! A dragon! Do you even know what that means!?!? They're supposed to be extinct!"

"Wow. I never thought big sis would yell at me like that. I'm a little scared." I stared at her with my best impression of puppy eyes and a childish pout.

She kept screaming for a few minutes, talking about side character status and her relevancy to the making of a future legend. A part of me wanted to indulge her a bit, but a larger part of me wanted her to keep sulking in my spite.

"How about this, you let go of my hand and in exchange, I'll train you to be one of the strongest mages on this continent? Pretty good deal don't you think?" If she stuck around, she'll eventually figure things out, and it didn't hurt to teach her a few things.

"This continent? Wait, what could a child possibly even teac-" She seemed to almost slap herself into reason.

Yes, yes. Think about everything you seen so far Trista. I won't teach you much about aether, but I don't mind making you Dicathen's Godmother of Mana Arts. Or something like that.

"You- but even then-how could-there's a dragon-purple lights?" She seemed stuck in her little world, even tripping over her thoughts.

She looks over to me, drops her hold on my hand with a hopeful expression, and continues to walk forward. I could only hope she eventually remembers she can't navigate this forest without Sylvia or me.

"I would very much like for my watch to resemble yours, just a bit smaller. I'm sure it looked great on you when you were fully grown, but even then I think it'd look as clunky on me as it looks on you." With a soft chuckle, she's about to look away before she stops.

In my free hand, I present to her a watch matching the color and accents of my own. It's smaller, almost delicate looking, the body of the watch thin and simplistic.

She takes it and puts it on without a sound. She twirls her wrist to admire it from every angle, then gives me a soft smile.

"Thank you Arthur, for everything."

My heart was warm. Everything I had been through, if even for a moment, felt like it had been worth it.

I was basking in this warmth. It felt great knowing an old man like me still had something thing to live for-

"I want one too!"

Or maybe not.

✧✧✧✧✧

"Are you sure this is fine? I feel like we're disrespecting The Great Virion by even considering trespassing into Zestier..." Trista was trembling so much, it was as if she wanted to be caught.

"It'll be fine. Virion is a real softy was you get to know him." I stated in a flat tone.

"That's very disrespectful young man! Do you even know who you're talking about right know!? Virion Eralith! THE Virion Eralith! His lack of mercy towards his enemies is legendary." Trista was speaking with passion in her eyes, talking about the old elf as if he was some sort of god.

"His tactical mind and foresight are unmatched! The first and strongest advocate for the unification of the races. The first person in any country to wield all four elements! It literally goes against his elven nature to even be able to do that!" She was screaming to herself at this point, ignoring the reason we were moving stealthily.

"Well big sis, you're in for a rude awakening." She pauses, glaring at me as if I had killed her dog and was wearing it as a hat.

I hesitate for a bit, "Well, lets just say that, you should never meet your heroes."

I ignore her reaction. Sylvia was perfectly content walking quietly at my side, rocking Ellie in her arms as my little sister death gripped Sylvie's egg.

It would have been nice contacting the old elf from the rings on our fingers. However, something must've gone wrong during our jump, preventing the rings from talking to each other.

It was a crucial error.

The whole point of our regression was to set the stage, on every continent but Epheotus. Both Seris and Gramps were supposed to talk with each other and sync up their movements.

For this simple over site, there was now no connection between the two continents since opening a portal at that distance couldn't be masked. I wasn't too worried since they were both intelligent and cunning.

But still, it hurt my pride as a craftsman to see my work fail even in a single aspect.

We walk towards the castle, under the veil of an aether spell form. A bit different than what I used against Cadell, everyone in the crowd could see us but we would remain as important as the floor even if they focused on us.

With a short God Step to jump through the front gates, I barely had time to admire the castle's lack of change before we were attacked.

Two flashes, too fast for Trista's awe-stricken face to follow, flank our sides as they launch sound and life spells at us.

Taking a step forward, grabbing both of their blades with my hands, I cast the absolute stealth spell on Sylvia and Trista. In a single motion, I God Step companions and aggressors alike towards the gardens located behind the magnificent building.

I let out a deep sigh. If it was going to be like this anyway, I could've just directly opened a Gate here.

In an instant they back away while taking in the sudden change in scenery. Clearly confused and weary, they shake off their doubts and once again pounce.

Rushing one at a time in waves, they move with every intent to behead me. I can feel the air around me humming to a tune that isn't my own, trying to disrupt my balance and vision.

The blades of grass at my feet cutting through my cheap shoes and attempting to bind me to the ground.

A long sword and a pair of daggers, were simultaneously in my field of vision, while also behind, and above me.

I weave, block, and throw in between their blade strikes, and kicks.

A sound spell that briefly made my body vibrate like shattering glass was canceled with a wave of my hand.

A life spell, a higher deviant of plant magic, struck my hand with violent velocity. My fingers quickly rotted away, reaching my wrists before stopping.

In my amused stupor, I get careless and lose my other wrist to an invisible and silent wind blade. Cleanly through the bones and flesh, I stopped the spell before it can hit my chest.

With renewed confidence, the elf with pale greenish-grey hair stomped her foot on the ground summoning empowered ancient tree roots to pin down my remaining uninjured limbs.

The other elf reels back one of her arms, ready to slice my torso in two with her enchanted daggers.

Tired of entertaining them, I grab the surprised elf's approaching arms with my newly sprouted ones.

Before either could react, I choose to Burst Step to the other elf, leaving a trail of shattered wood in my wake. With all my strength, I raise the one trapped in my grip into the air before body-slamming her onto her companion.

With the sound of snapping bones and pained groans, I wave my hands to reveal Sylvia and Trista to the average perceptions.

The sound of slow clapping and awkward giggling can be heard from a nearby bench.

"It's very amusing to see you run around like that in such a body."

He was young. Younger than I had ever seen him. The tired eyes sparkled with life and his every movement was full of vigor.

He looked like a man in his late 40s at most.

"Yeah? I told you centuries ago didn't I? I'm no longer the only man who knows what it's like to 'run around' in a child's body." With my arms raised, we both begin to laugh like madmen.

After a few minutes of embarrassing silence and boisterous laughing, Virion pats my back before walking me over to a beautiful elf woman with a very familiar set of features.

"Arthur, I'd like you to meet the light of my life, my lovely wife Lania."

Ahh. She looks just like Tessia.