Messed Up Time

Phaenora, who had been silently observing, stiffened, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

'What is this goddess playing at?'

Vastarael's expression didn't betray much. Instead, he inclined his head slightly, his white curls catching the moonlight.

"Visit you?"

Sirithiel nodded, her confidence growing.

"Yes. I will release my pet to your ownership, but in return, you must come back to me three times, once every winter solstice. It's a small price, don't you think?"

For a moment, Vastarael didn't respond, but then a faint chime echoed in his mind. His vision blurred briefly as an ethereal notification appeared before him, its glowing text hovering in the air.

---

[You have passed two of the bridge tests!]

[You have passed the Test of Combat. You have defeated a Divine Creature without fighting it!]

[You have passed the Test of Intellect! You have managed to subdue a goddess!]

[Prepare for your final test, the Test of Teamwork!]

_____

The notification disappeared and Vastarael's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. He glanced at Sirithiele, his golden gaze sparkling with mischief.

"I agree to your terms."

Sirithiele exhaled a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Relief washed over her features as her smile widened.

"Thank you."

Before anyone could say another word, a sudden glow surrounded Vastarael and Phaenora. Their forms flickered slightly, as if reality itself were struggling to keep them anchored. Phaenora gasped, her head whipping toward Vastarael.

"What's happening?"

Vastarael furrowed his brows, the glow intensifying around them.

"It seems... our time here is up."

Sirithiele's expression faltered, panic flashing in her eyes.

"Wait! What do you mean? Where are you going?"

With a calm that belied the situation, Vastarael turned to her, his eyes softening.

"Our time on the mortal plane has come to an end. But don't worry. I'll return during the next year, as promised."

Sirithiele's panic ebbed slightly, though her hands trembled. She pressed them together, muttering an incantation. A soft, glowing sigil formed between her palms, and she extended it toward him.

"Then take this. I transfer the ownership of my pet to you, as agreed."

The glow surrounding Vastarael brightened and he reached out, his fingers brushing against the sigil. As he took it, a faint pulse of energy surged between them, sealing the transfer. Sirithiele's heart raced, but her lips curled into a hopeful smile.

"I will wait for you, handsome god. Alone, as you promised."

Vastarael nodded, his expression unreadable.

"You won't have to wait long. My name is Veneri, by the way!"

And with that, the glow engulfed him and Phaenora completely. The goddess raised a hand, as if to reach for him, but they vanished in a cascade of light, leaving only ripples in the water where they had been.

Sirithiele remained by the lake, her gaze fixed on the empty space where they had been. The moonlight reflected in her golden eyes as she spoke softly to herself, a faint blush dusting her cheeks.

"What a fascinating god... Handsome, confident, and so full of mystery. A man like that doesn't come to my lake every day."

Her fingers grazed her lips as she smiled brightly, her heart fluttering.

"I can't wait for next few millennia... Veneri."

Her laughter echoed over the shimmering waters as she turned her gaze to the stars above, a strange warmth filling her chest. She was alone again, but this time, it didn't feel lonely.

°°°°°°

Vastarael groaned softly as consciousness crept back to him. His muscles ached faintly, and his golden eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light. The first thing he noticed was the distinct scent of aged wood and lanterns that hung faintly in the air.

The room around him was distinctly medieval. Heavy beams of dark wood crisscrossed the ceiling, and stone walls with tapestries depicting ancient battles and serene landscapes surrounded him.

A single lantern hung from a wrought iron sconce, casting a warm, flickering glow. The furniture was simple but elegant: a large, intricately carved wardrobe stood against one wall, and a polished oak table held a brass basin and a pitcher of water.

Thick, heavy curtains partially covered the window, letting in slivers of moonlight that played on the floor.

Vastarael pushed himself up slightly, the soft yet firm mattress beneath him creaking. His gaze fell to the bed itself—a grand four-poster with thick, dark curtains drawn back. The covers were heavy, layered with furs and fine linen, but something—or rather, someone—held him tightly.

He turned his head and sighed. Phaenora. Again.

Her arm was draped over his waist possessively, her face buried in his side as she clung to him in her sleep. Her white hair spilled across the bed like a cascade of light, catching the soft glow of the lantern. Her breathing was steady and peaceful, as if the chaos they had just endured in the lake and beyond had never happened.

Vastarael leaned his head back against the pillow, staring at the ceiling with a small, wry smile. He had grown used to this. Phaenora's habit of sticking close to him wasn't exactly new, and while most would find it unusual—or even scandalous—he barely blinked at it anymore.

Yet, even though it had become a common sight, he couldn't deny the odd sense of reassurance it gave him.

Still, his smile widened as he thought of their accomplishment. They had passed the second test of the Fallen Bridge. He thought, his eyes glinting faintly in the lantern light.

'Two tests down. We're halfway through.'

His gaze wandered back to Phaenora, who murmured something incoherent in her sleep before nuzzling closer. Despite the fact that they were stuck in an unfamiliar room in a medieval setting, he felt a surprising sense of calm. He reached out instinctively, brushing a stray lock of her hair away from her face.

"One more trial. Just one more, and we'll cross the Fallen Bridge."

For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of peace. After all, they had earned it.

But he had his own share of questions.

Spheraphase was the one who told him about passing the two trials. He knew that the three tests were the same Narisva Starisnova went through but he couldn't put his finger around it.

The Test of Combat was meant for fighters only but he passed it. He also passed the Test of Intellect, using his smart brain to win over Sirithiele.

The third test was originally the first test back in the Fallen Bridge; the one where the human army went through. Which meant that this time, the final test would mark the day the Erna Isles would turn into a frozen landscape and the day when the Fallen Bridge would be born.

Which meant...

"Ugh... this thing about time is messing my reasoning."

The issue of time was messing his brain up. He was first sent in the past by the Epoch Cycle, 300 years after the Destras Cataclysm. Then, after accepting EPOCH'S request, he was sent three years before the Destras Cataclysm occurred.

And now, he would spend a day, the Winter Solstice, three times, spending time with the goddess until the Destras Cataclysm.

He didn't know if the goddess would survive the Frozen God but if he didn't hear about her from the Raukerai, whose history were erased by the Frozen God....

But he knew that Sirithiele and the Raukerai were connected somehow. The issue is... how?

He summoned the pearl onto his hand and activated the Time-Season Calendar.

____

[Era: Two years before the Destras Cataclysm.]

[Time: The Winter Solstice, Today.]

___

He got up from the bed and looked out the window.

He was inside the Frozen Ruins. The city was still standing and judging from the way the room looked, it was as if they were here for a few hours.

"Phaenora must have woken up earlier than me. I must be unconscious by then."

He wondered how Phaenora must have felt when he didn't wake up. He knew that something happened to Phaenora at the lake but she didn't say a thing.

He didn't ask because he trusted her. He didn't understand what his purpose in the Epoch Cycle was but he knew that it was related to the Fallen Bridge, the People of the Frozen Sun and Sirithiele for some reason.

And also, the tragedy that would befall the Erna Isles would happen on the third year, during the Destras Cataclysm.

"I don't understand why EPOCH asked me to do this but one thing is inevitable. The Frozen God will be turn this world into a frozen wasteland. Maybe it brought me here to learn more about the god?"

He sighed as he sat on the bed, thinking deeply. There was a lot to do at once; passing the third test, whatever it was, helping the Raukerai migrate, killing the remaining three Winter Labors, defeating the Frozen God sooner or later...

There we a lot to do and he wasn't even in that period of time. He was here to get more information about what happened to the Erna Isles, that's it.

But still... it wasn't bad to get a Divine Creature and the favor of a minor goddess.

So for now, his priority was to talk with the lake goddess and get more information. And if possible, tell her about the Destras Cataclysm and save herself.

"Alright then... my plan is set. I need to gather information that will help me defeat the Frozen Labors and their master. Also, I will know who created the Fallen Bridge in the first place."