Chapter 21: The Limit Was Never Yours

The night was quiet.

Only the soft ticking of the clock on Haruto's wall filled the air.

He lay in bed, eyes half-open, staring at the ceiling.

The glowing watch rested quietly beside him.

But no matter how peaceful it seemed, something inside Haruto remained restless.

The watch blinked once —

Then twice —

Then pulsed.

And suddenly —

Everything stopped.

The world froze — silent and motionless.

Except Haruto.

He sat up sharply, heart hammering against his chest.

"It… worked again?" he breathed, astonished.

But this time — it felt different.

Sharper.

Deeper.

Stronger.

He felt his heartbeat syncing perfectly with the ticking of the watch — as if they were no longer two separate things.

Then —

A vision.

Far away.

Faint.

Otherworldly.

The male Time God — weakened and kneeling in a golden void — reached toward him.

Time God (voice echoing inside Haruto's mind):

"I've lifted the seal… just for a moment.

Your soul… resonated with mine.

That's why the watch responded and u got watch power back and u was able to save Airi from doing suicide.

But be careful, Haruto…

True power lies beyond time's illusion."

The vision shattered like glass.

Haruto gasped, clutching his chest, his heart pounding.

"He... unlocked it for me," Haruto whispered in awe.

---

Scene Shift — The Fractured Realm Between Worlds

Golden rivers of broken time spiraled through the void.

The Time Maiden cradled the weakened Time God in her arms.

Her face was calm, but her eyes burned with sorrow and fierce resolve.

"You're fading faster," she whispered.

The Time God managed a pained smile.

"If we intervene now..." he rasped, "they'll be dragged deeper into this war."

The Time Maiden touched his forehead gently.

"They're already caught," she said.

"And you know it."

The Time God's golden eyes softened.

He closed them.

And together, they let time fold around them — preparing to descend.

---

Scene Shift — Morning, School Courtyard

Haruto and Airi walked side by side along the sunlit path.

Their fingers brushed — once.

Twice.

Neither spoke about it, but both their cheeks flushed.

Suddenly —

The wind twisted sharply.

Light shimmered across the trees.

The sky rippled.

From the heavens —

Two figures descended.

Cloaked in radiance, barely visible to the ordinary world.

Haruto and Airi froze instantly.

The moment their eyes met the Time God's, time paused.

Airi's voice trembled.

"Y-You're the one from my dreams…" she whispered.

The Time God, weak but smiling, slowly knelt before them.

"And you two…" his voice rasped, "are the ones I've waited for."

Then —

He collapsed, coughing golden stardust.

The Time Maiden caught him, her expression firm.

"His body can't hold much longer," she said, urgency in her voice.

"Only your light can heal him."

Without hesitation, Haruto rushed forward, kneeling beside the god.

Airi followed, kneeling close.

The ring and the watch pulsed furiously — brighter than ever before.

Golden threads extended from Haruto and Airi's chests — weaving toward the Time God's broken form.

As they connected —

The Time God gasped sharply, his fading body stabilizing just slightly.

The light around them thickened — heavy, sacred.

---

Scene Shift — Elsewhere: Kazuki's Hideout

In a dim, cracked room outside mortal time, Kazuki watched through a swirling temporal mirror.

His fists clenched.

Sweat dripped from his brow.

"The Time Maiden..." he hissed.

"And him... the Time God...!"

He slammed his fist into the wall, fury exploding inside him.

"I gave them time… just a little time…" he muttered.

"How could this happen…?"

From deep within the shadows, the Dark God's voice slithered into his mind.

Dark God (whisper):

"You fear them."

Kazuki's body stiffened.

"Weakness... is not forgiven."

His golden eyes burned with rage.

Kazuki:

"Then I'll fix it.

I'll erase time itself if I must."

---

Scene Shift — Back at the Courtyard

The Time God's golden irises slowly opened, locking onto Haruto and Airi.

"You're still far from remembering who you truly are..." he said quietly.

"But this light...

It means there's hope."

Haruto gritted his teeth, determination burning inside him.

"Then tell us," he said.

"We want to know.

Who we really are."

The Time God smiled faintly, sadly.

"Not yet," he said.

He looked up at the swirling sky above.

"The clock still hides your memories..."

"But soon..."

He whispered.

"...it will begin to chime."

---

TO BE CONTINUED...