Chapter 22: The Gift of Time, The Weight of Truth

The glade shimmered under the golden glow of dusk.

Haruto and Airi stood in stunned silence as the Time God and Time Maiden hovered before them — their forms flickering, fragile, as if even time itself struggled to hold them together.

"You two…" the Time God said softly, his voice layered with exhaustion and hope,

"have done more than you realize. And though you're still far from your true selves… the bond you share is already rewriting fate itself."

Haruto's eyes tightened as he noted the Time God's failing strength.

The Time Maiden placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, steadying him.

Airi stepped forward, voice trembling.

"You're… hurting. Why did you come all this way?"

The Time Maiden smiled softly.

"Because time… still believes in its future."

The Time God's golden gaze lifted to them one last time.

"I have one task to fulfill before I vanish into recovery," he said.

"I came to remove the first chains placed upon the Watch."

He raised his hand slowly — and Haruto's watch exploded in radiant light.

Invisible chains shattered one by one, fading into the winds of time.

The air grew still.

"The Watch now holds the more essence of time then earlier," the Time God declared.

"Use it wisely… for though it rivals even my own powers fragment, it was never meant for reckless battle."

Haruto staggered, gripping his wrist.

"It's… as strong as your fragment?" he gasped.

The Time God nodded.

"But hear me clearly…" he said gravely.

"Even with its full power, you cannot defeat the Dark God…

Not until you remember who you truly are."

He turned away — his body already beginning to dissolve into golden mist.

"But now… I have done what I can."

His final words echoed around them, cryptic yet filled with purpose.

"Look to where time stands still…

There, the truth will awaken."

And then —

He and the Time Maiden vanished.

Only silence — and the fading shimmer of divine energy — remained.

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Scene Shift — Twilight, Along the Riverbank

Haruto and Airi walked quietly beneath the darkening sky.

The watch and ring pulsed in rhythm — their light soft, steady, alive.

Airi clutched her hand against her heart.

"You didn't even hesitate when you protected me," she said quietly.

Haruto gave a nervous laugh.

"I'd do it again," he said.

"You matter more to me than anything."

Their eyes met — raw, vulnerable.

Their fingers brushed — lingering.

"I think…" Airi whispered, cheeks flushed,

"I've always been waiting for you to say that."

Before either could speak further —

A ripple tore through the air.

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Final Scene — Kazuki's Hideout

Kazuki stumbled back from the portal mirror, panic gripping him.

"T-That was the Time God…?!" he rasped.

"I thought he was dead…!"

A dark portal opened behind him — pulsing with a hungry, void-like energy.

A voice seeped through like venom.

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"Then perhaps it's time we stop playing."

The next move was coming.

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TO BE CONTINUED...