Chapter 6: Uneasiness

He stared down the dimly lit hallway, his eyes narrowing as he struggled to make sense of what he was seeing. Just then, a familiar chime rang in his ears.

{System Notification}

[Warning: Time Anomaly Detected]

An unauthorized temporal disturbance is occurring. System stability may be affected.

[Monitoring anomaly...] [Assessing potential impact...]

[Proceed with caution]

His breath hitched. "What the hell?"

Memories of earlier notifications resurfaced in his mind. "So this is what it meant," he muttered.

As he watched, his own figure walked down the hallway—his exact motions, step for step.

The figure turned—its face gaunt, scarred, eyes hollow with decades of war. For a heartbeat, Chronos swore it mouthed: "You'll beg for death when you learn the truth."

Then, with an unnatural flicker, reality glitched. His duplicate vanished, reappeared, then disappeared entirely.

Before he could react, another notification blinked into existence.

{System Notification}

[Time Anomaly Contained]

The detected temporal disturbance has been neutralized. No alterations to the timeline have occurred.

[System stability restored.] [Continuing anomaly monitoring.]

The glowing system screen reflected in his wide eyes.

"What... just... happened?"

His mind raced. "Why did I just see myself walking through the same hallway I already passed?" He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers trembling slightly.

A sudden tap on his shoulder nearly made him jump out of his skin.

"Oh my God!" he gasped, spinning around to find Darius staring at him with a raised eyebrow.

"What's with the reaction, bro?" Darius asked, amused. "You okay?"

Chronos wiped the sweat from his brow, forcing a shaky chuckle. "Yeah, yeah... Just busted out of the toilet."

Darius took a step back. "Eww, bro. Did you wash your hands?"

"Of course I did! What do you take me for?" Chronos groaned.

"Relax, man. I was just messing with you." Darius grinned. "Anyway, I gotta run. Got things to do."

"Wait." Chronos hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "Before you go..."

Darius turned back, curious. "Yeah?"

Chronos exhaled sharply. "I'm sorry about how I acted earlier this week. I let things blow out of proportion."

Darius shrugged, his grin softening. "Don't stress it, bro. I get it." He clapped Chronos on the shoulder. "If something's bothering you, you can always talk to me."

Chronos nodded. "I will."

Darius strode down the hallway, humming a tune as he clapped to an unheard rhythm. Chronos watched him go, then sighed.

"Well, that's settled. Now, where the hell is the principal's office?"

After a brief journey and some directions from passing students, he finally found the office.

"Finally," he murmured, steeling himself. "Hope the principal hasn't changed too."

He knocked firmly.

KNOCK. KNOCK.

"Who's there?" a deep voice inquired from within.

"Chronos, sir. I'm here for a permission slip."

"Come in."

Stepping inside, he found himself face to face with an authoritative-looking man in his early fifties. The principal adjusted his medicated glasses and gestured toward the seat in front of his desk.

"Take a seat. Pristina took the day off, and it's been absolute chaos." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Now, what do you need?"

Chronos hesitated before responding. "A permission slip, sir."

"For what exactly?" The principal peered at him over his glasses.

"To see my little brother. I heard he fell ill."

The principal's gaze sharpened. "And who gave you this information?"

Chronos shifted uncomfortably. "Uhm... just a hunch, sir."

The principal set his glasses down. "But you just said you heard—"

Chronos quickly bowed his head. "I'm sorry, sir. But I need to see him."

A long silence stretched between them before the principal finally relented. "Fine. But you'll need to be accompanied by a staff member."

Chronos sighed inwardly. Not ideal, but better than nothing. "Thank you, sir."

The principal pulled out a form from his drawer and handed it over. "Fill this out and get a staff member to approve it."

Chronos nodded, hastily completing the form. As he handed it back, he hesitated. "Sir... is it possible to go without a staff member?"

The principal studied him for a moment, then sighed. "They're all occupied at the moment... Fine. But don't make me regret this."

"I won't. Thank you, sir." Chronos shook his hand before exiting the office.

Just as he shut the door, a familiar voice called out.

"Chronos?"

Turning, he saw Evangeline, her mage robes flowing elegantly as she approached.

"Evangeline," he greeted, attempting to sound casual.

"What were you doing in the principal's office?" she asked, curiosity in her green eyes.

"Nothing much. What about you?"

"Submitting a permission slip to see my mom. She fell ill again." Her voice was laced with concern.

Chronos's eyes widened. "What a coincidence. I'm off to see my little brother."

Evangeline managed a small smile. "Give me a moment."

She disappeared into the office and emerged shortly after, her permission slip in hand. "Alright. Let's go."

As they walked, Chronos's thoughts drifted. "I wonder if my brother has been... glitched too. What if he's a girl in this timeline?"

"Chronos?" Evangeline's voice snapped him back to reality. "You okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. Just lost in thought. So, how have things been?"

She exhaled. "You wouldn't believe how much has changed. New teachers, new schedules—"

"Wait, new schedules?" he interrupted.

Evangeline nodded. "Some high-ranking mages believe there's been a shift in time and space. It's caused... anomalies."

Chronos's heart pounded. "Anomalies? Like what?"

"They're not sure yet, but they're investigating. Soon, they'll find out who or what caused it." She laughed. "Whoever it is, they're so screwed."

Chronos forced a chuckle. "Yeah... so screwed."

Desperate to change the subject, he asked, "So, what else has happened?"

"The mages say time isn't linear," Evangeline mused. "Sometimes, it folds. Like when you hear footsteps, but no one's there… or see your own shadow waving back."

Evangeline continued, her voice animated as they walked out of the academy grounds, heading toward their respective districts.

And yet, deep down, Chronos couldn't shake the feeling that he was at the center of something far greater than he could comprehend.