Chapter 7: The Silent Threat

Mitch sat at home, his mind racing with the events of the previous night. The image of the hooded figure, with piercing red eyes, was etched into his memory. He couldn't shake the feeling that the Time God's remnants would return, seeking to exploit his powers. The thought sent a shiver down his spine. To minimize the risk, Mitch decided to limit his time output to 3 seconds. He spent the next few days training tirelessly, honing his skills to maintain control.

As he trained, Mitch realized that his powers were not just a gift, but also a curse. He had to be constantly on guard, aware of his surroundings, and prepared for an attack at any moment. The weight of this responsibility was crushing at times, but Mitch was determined to master his abilities. He spent hours meditating, focusing his mind, and visualizing different scenarios. With each passing day, Mitch felt his control over time growing stronger.

On the remote island of Helvast, the 4 Great Elders of the Haloverse nation convened with the Twelve Stars. Their discussion centered around Sam, who had unknowingly acquired a fragment of a relic. This fragment was a crucial piece in unlocking the secrets of the ancient world, and the Elders would stop at nothing to eliminate anyone who possessed it.

The Elders chose two members, Gladis and Chomba, to retrieve Sam. Gladis, with her ability "Discover," could learn and master skills at an incredible rate. Chomba, donning a half-wolf mask, possessed exceptional combat prowess. Their mission was clear: to find Sam, eliminate him, and retrieve the fragment.

Gladis and Chomba stood before the Elders, their eyes fixed on the task ahead. "We will not fail," Gladis said, her voice firm and resolute. Chomba nodded in agreement, his Persian eyes gleaming with determination. The Elders nodded, satisfied with the pair's confidence. With a final briefing, Gladis and Chomba set off toward the mainland, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Joyce trained with Nora under the guidance of Lady Aria, a skilled swordswoman. Lady Aria wielded a black blade, while Joyce used a silver-like blade passed down from her grandmother. Nora, meanwhile, used a standard sword. The three of them stood in a secluded clearing, surrounded by tall trees that swayed gently in the breeze.

As they sparred, Lady Aria effortlessly blocked their attacks. Joyce's speed and agility proved impressive, but Lady Aria's experience gave her the upper hand. Nora attempted a surprise attack, only to be disarmed by Lady Aria. "Your movements are predictable, Nora," Lady Aria said, offering words of encouragement. "Work on your footwork, and you'll become a formidable opponent."

Joyce, meanwhile, was determined to perfect her technique. She had always admired Lady Aria's skill and sought to emulate her mentor's prowess. With each passing day, Joyce felt herself growing stronger, her movements more fluid. She was determined to become a great warrior, just like Lady Aria.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the clearing, Lady Aria called an end to their training session. Joyce and Nora bowed, thanking their mentor for her guidance. As they walked away, Joyce turned to Nora and grinned. "I'm going to beat you next time," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Nora chuckled, shaking her head. "We'll see about that."

Sam returned from grocery shopping and bumped into Mitch. As they shopped together, Sam noticed a mark on Mitch's shoulder. Mitch recounted the events of the previous night, explaining how he had been attacked by a mysterious figure. Mitch described the intense battle, where he had to use his powers to fend off the attacker.

He mentioned the stranger's ability to rewind time and the task force's timely intervention. Sam listened intently, intrigued by Mitch's story. As they finished shopping, Mitch and Sam parted ways, each lost in their own thoughts. Mitch wondered if he had done enough to protect himself from future attacks, while Sam pondered the significance of the fragment he had found.

The fragment, which Sam had discovered by chance, seemed to be calling to him. He felt an inexplicable connection to it, as if it held the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world. As he walked home, the fragment secure in his pocket, Sam couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change forever.

Oscar walked down the street, his headphones blasting his favorite tunes. He was lost in the rhythm, oblivious to his surroundings, until he bumped into a guy with piercing Persian brown eyes and a girl with curly black hair. The guy's eyes narrowed, and he told Oscar, "Watch where you're going, brat."

Oscar felt a shiver run down his spine as he apologized and quickly moved away. He couldn't shake off the feeling that the guy was trouble. As he turned into an empty alley, he thought of the spoon he had left in his room. On a whim, he said, "Retract and relocate."

In an instant, Oscar switched places with the spoon, finding himself back in his room. He let out a sigh of relief as he emerged from the room, calling out to his mom, "I'm back!"

Saby, his mom, looked up from her cooking, a hint of surprise on her face. "Oscar, how did you get back so fast?" she asked, eyeing him curiously. With a flick of her wrist, she used her ability to levitate a nearby wooden spoon, expertly stirring the stew simmering on the stovetop.

Oscar grinned, feeling proud of his improving abilities. "My ability is getting stronger, Mom," he said, as Saby smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with pride.

Just then, Kaito knocked on Oscar's door, asking if he was around. Saby called out to Oscar, who rushed to the door, thrilled to see his friend. "Hey, dude! What's up?" Oscar exclaimed, laughing.

Kaito smiled, "Not much, just thought we could hit the arcade. Want to come?" Oscar's eyes lit up, but then he hesitated, remembering their quiz the next day. "Don't we have a quiz tomorrow, though?" he asked, feeling a twinge of responsibility.

Kaito waved his hand dismissively. "Come on, let's have some fun! We can study later." Oscar couldn't resist his friend's infectious enthusiasm, and they set off toward the arcade.

As they played games, Beltheza appeared, his eyes fixed intently on Oscar. "Hey, Kaito, care to introduce your big brother to your friend?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

Oscar felt uneasy under Beltheza's gaze, sensing an underlying tension. He excused himself, feeling overwhelmed, and left Kaito and Beltheza to continue playing. As he walked away, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Beltheza's interest in him was more than just friendly.