Chapter 20: Her Light

The battlefield lay silent.

The golden light faded.

Dust settled gently over the shattered ground.

Barzok was dead.

Haruto dropped to his knees beside Airi.

His fists still glowed faintly.

His body trembled.

His breath came in ragged gasps.

Blood trailed from his lips — but his eyes locked onto only one thing.

"Airi..." he whispered, voice broken.

"Please... say something..."

---

Flashback — Moments Earlier

While Haruto raged, while fists broke stone and stars alike—

Airi's ring had begun to glow.

Softly at first.

Then stronger.

Resonating — answering the fury of Haruto's soul.

A golden connection pulsed between them, unseen.

The light wrapped around Airi's broken form — healing wounds, mending flesh — but Haruto hadn't noticed.

His grief had consumed him.

Her body remained still, cradled in his arms.

But the healing glow pulsed steadily — synchronized with the dim flicker of Haruto's watch.

---

Back to Present

Haruto's hand trembled as he touched her cheek.

Warm.

Alive.

Her bruises were gone.

Her breathing, shallow — but steady.

Haruto's voice shook violently.

"You're alive..." he whispered.

"Thank God..."

He bowed his head.

Forehead resting against her shoulder.

Silent tears slipped down his cheeks.

"I couldn't protect you..." he choked out.

"Not in time...

I wasn't strong enough..."

A heavy silence wrapped around them.

Then—

Her hand moved.

Just slightly.

A faint groan escaped her lips.

"...Haruto...?" she whispered.

His eyes snapped open.

He lifted his head sharply.

Airi's eyes slowly fluttered open — confused, blinking against the gentle light surrounding them.

Haruto laughed — a raw, relieved sound — almost a sob.

"Airi...!" he gasped.

"You're okay—!"

She's here.

She's really here.

Not a dream. Not a memory.

Airi smiled weakly at him.

"I told you..." she whispered, teasing through exhaustion.

"I'd always stay close... didn't I?"

Haruto let out a shaky breath — half a laugh, half a cry.

"Don't ever scare me like that again," he said, voice hoarse.

"Ever."

Their hands found each other — trembling, but firm.

The watch and the ring glowed together as they touched.

A soft pulse of light surrounded them — shimmering gently against the darkened sky.

Far above, the clouds shifted — as if something far greater was watching.

A faint ticking sound echoed.

The divine clock... had begun to turn.

Airi gazed into Haruto's golden eyes.

"That light..." she whispered.

"Earlier...

It felt like something was protecting me.

Was that... you?"

Haruto lowered his head slightly, searching for the words.

"I don't know what it was," he said quietly.

"It felt like something inside me just... woke up."

He glanced down at the watch.

The ancient symbols still glowed faintly — but now, there was something new.

A pulse.

A rhythm.

Calling to him.

From deep within.

---

Scene Shift — Above Mortal Eyes

The divine realm swirled in rivers of celestial time.

Two silhouettes stood side by side.

The Time God — cloaked in gold and shadow — knelt weakly.

Beside him, radiant and sorrowful, stood the Time Maiden — his eternal counterpart.

The Time God's body flickered, his energy faltering.

He gripped his chest as his form briefly distorted.

"You're weakening again..." the Time Maiden said gently, concern clear in her voice.

"The curse is spreading."

The Time God nodded slowly, steadying his breath.

"It's fine..." he rasped.

"Not yet.

I must hold on..."

Their eyes turned downward — watching the Earth far below.

Watching Haruto and Airi — their auras glowing in perfect resonance.

"Look..." the Time Maiden whispered.

"They've begun to resonate.

The seal has cracked.

Haruto's rage... brought it out."

The Time God's golden eyes narrowed — burdened, but resolute.

"Yes," he said.

"The Light within him has stirred.

But it's not enough."

He looked away — almost pained.

"Stronger demons will come next time."

The Time Maiden's soft voice carried the weight of prophecy.

"Then we must go to them..." she said.

"Before it's too late."

The Time God closed his eyes.

Slowly, he raised his hand — golden energy flowing from his palm.

A ripple spread across the threads of time.

"The Watch must be unsealed..." he said gravely.

"And only I... can do it."

The portal began to open — light spilling into the divine realm.

The Time God and Time Maiden prepared to descend.

---

TO BE CONTINUED...