Threads of Time

The dense forest seemed to stretch endlessly, the trees intertwining above to block out most of the sunlight. Traveling with Aria, Kai found the silence unsettling—like the forest itself was holding its breath. Aria walked a few paces ahead, her silver hair shimmering faintly in the dim light. She moved effortlessly, as though the forest parted for her, while Kai stumbled over roots and loose rocks.

"Where exactly are we headed?" Kai asked, his voice breaking the uneasy quiet.

"The Nexus Cavern," Aria replied without turning around. "It's the closest path to the next layer, but it's also where the veil between time and space grows… fragile."

Kai frowned. "Fragile how?"

She stopped abruptly and turned to face him. "You'll see soon enough. Stay alert."

The Chronicle pulsed softly in Kai's bag, and a faint heat spread through his chest. The last time he felt this sensation, it had been a warning.

Before he could question Aria further, the forest began to change. The air grew colder, the trees twisted into unnatural shapes, and the ground beneath them became uneven, as if the terrain itself was shifting.

Kai felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck. "Something's not right," he muttered, gripping the Chronicle tightly.

Aria raised her hand, motioning for him to stop. "They're here."

Before Kai could ask who, the shadows around them began to writhe. Figures emerged, their forms hazy and flickering like distorted reflections in water. They weren't Shadowbeasts but something far stranger—humanoid figures that seemed to phase in and out of existence, their movements erratic and unnatural.

"Time Wraiths," Aria whispered. "They exist between moments, feeding on the temporal energy of others. If they touch you…"

Kai didn't need her to finish the sentence. He raised the Chronicle, its light cutting through the dimness. The wraiths hesitated, but only briefly.

One lunged at him, its body shifting unnaturally as it closed the distance in the blink of an eye. Kai dodged, narrowly avoiding its grasp. Another wraith appeared behind him, and he barely had time to react before its hand swiped at his back.

"Don't let them surround you!" Aria shouted, drawing a slim, glowing blade from beneath her cloak. She moved with precision, slicing through a wraith as it charged her. The creature let out a hollow screech before dissolving into mist.

Kai turned to face his attackers, but their movements were unpredictable. Every time he thought he had a clear shot, they seemed to vanish, reappearing in a completely different position.

"Phase Break," he muttered under his breath. He hadn't used the skill since the Ruins of Solara, partly because he didn't fully understand it. But now, with the wraiths closing in, he had no choice.

Clutching the Chronicle, Kai focused on the energy within him. The book's pages glowed, and a faint shimmer surrounded him as the world around him slowed.

Time seemed to stretch and warp as Kai activated Phase Break (Level 2). The movements of the wraiths became sluggish, their erratic flickering now predictable. He could see their trajectories, their next steps, as if the future was unfolding before him.

Kai stepped forward, his body moving faster than he thought possible. In a single fluid motion, he swung the Chronicle, releasing a burst of golden light that struck the nearest wraith. It disintegrated instantly, its distorted form collapsing into nothingness.

Another wraith lunged at him, but Kai sidestepped with ease, the slowed world giving him ample time to counter. He swung again, and the creature dissolved.

Aria watched, her expression unreadable as Kai dispatched the wraiths one by one. "Not bad," she said, slicing through another with her blade.

The final wraith let out a guttural screech before vanishing into the shadows. The forest fell silent once more, the oppressive weight of the wraiths lifting.

Kai deactivated Phase Break, and the world snapped back to normal speed. His legs buckled slightly, the strain of the skill leaving him lightheaded.

"You're getting the hang of it," Aria said, offering him a hand.

Kai took it, breathing heavily. "What… were those things?"

"Fragments of time," she replied. "Leftovers from battles fought long ago, trapped in the fabric of this place. They're drawn to you because of the Chronicle—it's a beacon of temporal energy."

Kai frowned. "So, it's my fault they attacked?"

"Not fault," Aria said. "Responsibility. The Chronicle gives you power, but it also attracts dangers most people could never comprehend. You'll need to master that power if you want to survive."

Kai nodded, though he didn't feel entirely reassured. The Chronicle pulsed faintly in his hands, and he opened it to find a new entry:

"Phase Break: Level 2 unlocked. Manipulate threads of time to alter trajectories and foresee moments. Beware prolonged use—time demands balance."

Kai grimaced. "Great. A warning after I've already used it."

Aria smirked faintly. "Consider it a lesson learned. Come on. The Nexus Cavern isn't far, and I'd rather not meet more of those wraiths."

As they continued through the forest, Kai couldn't shake the feeling that the wraiths had been only the beginning. The Chronicle's warning echoed in his mind: Time demands balance.

For now, he pressed on, determined to face whatever came next.