Serpens arrived home to find Xin waiting for him, pacing back and forth with a mix of anticipation and concern. As soon as he stepped through the door, she rushed to him, wrapping him in a warm hug.Serpens couldn't hide his surprise as Xin took solace in the warmth of his body. He too, instinctively, wrapped his own arms around her and they remained there for a couple of seconds before pulling away."How did the meeting with the kid scientist go?" she asked, pulling back to look into his eyes.Serpens sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It went... well, but also brought more concerns. I'm afraid there's alot going on on this timeline than meet the eye." "What do you mean by that?" Xin inquired, her curiosity piqued."Jeremy showed me a document he found in his brother's room. It turns out his brother is not just working for Jack Brynner, he is a pioneer in one of the deadliest inventions the world has ever known. Xin furrowed a brow, "What is that?""It has to do with what I
The traffic that morning didn't smile at Xin as she made her way to the Brynner's group building in town. Even if she wasn't sure what to expect, she knew she had to at least try.She had stayed up at the computer all night working on her resume. As an expert in computers, she was able to successfully craft out a compelling resume and had been able to create a profile of herself on the internet as a proof of what she claims to be able to do."Please be careful," Serpens had said to her that morning, placing a hand on her cheeks and caressing them gently.They've become closer than they used to be and the past few days have been overwhelming for her. She'd continue to imagine herself as his girlfriend, sharing romantic moments together. Oftentimes, she'd try to shake off the feelings but it seemed as though Serpens was feeling the same way for her too.He'd call her often to check up on her when he's out and would always kiss her forehead before saying goodnight to her."I will," she h
"Good morning. Please, have a seat," Jack said, gesturing to the chair opposite his desk."Good morning, Mr. Brynner. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice," Xin said as she took a seat. She could still hear her heart pound wondering what exactly Mr Brynner was thinking, from the way he kept staring at her."You're Lola Lee, you said," Jack said placing his hand in his chin, still trying to find out what the beautiful lady in front of him was up to."Yes sir, my name is Lola Lee," Xin replied, maintaining her professional demeanor."So, Miss Lee, to what do I owe this your unscheduled appointment?" Jack asked, his own professionalism appearing top-notch before Xin.Even if Jack was kind of a ruthless business man who only thinks about himself and what he stands to gain, Xin couldn't help but admire his professional work and business ethics.From the way the office was neatly arranged, down to the floor coverings, and everything that she saw within the office, she could attest
The excitement in Xin was palpable as she flagged down the first taxi that drove past. She knew Serpens would not just be surprised, but be equally proud of her for having achieved such a feat."Thank you sir," she smiled at the young driver after the taxi pulled up in front of Serpens' apartment. "You're welcome ma'am," the taxi driver replied before driving away.Stepping into the apartment, she found Serpens going through the photo album of his family. There was this feeling of nostalgia that washed over him that he didn't even realize when Xin entered."Thinking about them again?" Xin asked, almost startling Serpens.Oh! You're back," Serpens said, quickly putting the photo album aside and wiping his eyes with hands."You miss her don't you?" Xin asked."Who?" Serpens asked, feigning ignorance."Your sister, Serena. You miss her don't you?""Yes I do. I really do." Serpens replied, tears slowly forming together in his eyes. "I'm afraid... What if I go back to our timeline and I'm
Serpens lay awake all night staring at the ceiling, his mind, a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. He couldn't deny the fact that Xin had become an integral part of his life in the few weeks they've spent together but in the same way, he couldn't also deny the fact that Rose was still there.He thought of what would happen if he decides to commit to Xin and later go back to his timeline and find out that everything he felt for Rose was still very much intact.His thoughts thereafter drifted to Serena, to inspector Lui, Dr. Sun and all those who had believed in his quest to prevent the world from falling into chaos.Unable to sleep, he decided to go to Serena's room where Xin now slept. He found her sleeping soundly, her breaths gentle and steady. He smiled, admiring how innocent and beautiful she was looking even in her sleep. He noticed she had rolled away from the blanket which she had used earlier, and walked up to her to help her with it. He sat by her side watching her and runni
Xin arrived at the Brynner's holdings that same morning feeling so much excited and full of life looking forward to a very wonderful day ahead. After everything that had happened between her and Serpens that morning, her hopes of getting the SFX-chip and helping Serpens with his mission was renewed.As she stepped into the sleek, high-tech building, she was greeted by the receptionist, who promptly called up to the boss’s office to announce her arrival. Moments later, Rose appeared, her expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Since the last time she saw Xin leave her father's office, she had not been able to shake off the feeling of suspicion that had gnawed within her, causing to probe further into who Xin was and why she had come to look for a job in her father's company.“Welcome, miss Lee” she said, extending a hand. “I’m Rose Brynner, Jack's only daughter and Director of Brynner's holdings. I’ll be taking you around and introducing you to everyone.”“Thank you,” Xin replied
Xin followed Rose as she left trying to explain to her what her reason for coming to the company as someone else was, but Rose wasn't ready to listen to her."Please believe me, your father is not who you think he is. I'm sure you've not been part of the company for long. He's planning to wreak havoc in the city. I'm telling you the truth."And why on earth will my father want to destroy an entire city when he's not mad?" Rose snapped at her angrily."I wish I knew, but I really want you to believe me. As I'm talking to you right now the army of dragonic creatures are ready. The reason he hired me was to run a program that could afford him total control of them. He had launched out these creatures before and they were uncontrollable so he had to destroy them all and start a new innovation." Xin explained to the best of their knowledge."That's ridiculous!" Rose fired at her. "My father is a good man and will never do something like this. Brynner's Artificial intelligence Agency is a r
"Are you alright?" Flynn asked Rose, seeing her walk past him, a feeling of disappointment etched on her face.Rose decided to seize the opportunity to ask Flynn what he knew about her father's plans, as she couldn't shake off the feeling of suspicion that came upon her, that Flynn probably knew something about it all."I have something to ask you, Flynn," Rose said, her breath coming out in anger, although she tried to suppress it."What's that?" Flynn asked, his curiosity piqued."Tell me what you know about the robotic dragonic creatures that my father is about to launch," she said, her eyes meeting with Flynn's, demanding an answer from him.Flynn's brow furrowed, "I...I... I don't understand what you're talking about," Flynn stuttered."Don't lie to me, Flynn!" Rose's voice rose with indignation."I am sorry ma'am but your father requested that no one else knows about it. And besides, you're just joining us today." Flynn tried to explain."And you are in support of it. What's goi
The priest stood solemnly at the edge of the grave, his weathered hands clasped around a simple wooden cross. His voice, steady and calm, reverberated through the air as he spoke the final prayers, his eyes reflecting the sorrow of the moment. The soft rustle of leaves was the only sound as Rose was laid to rest, the earth slowly covering her.Serpens stood nearby, tears silently welling up in his eyes, his heart heavy with grief. As the ceremony ended, people began to approach him one by one. Xin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his face solemn. Lan, always reserved, offered a quiet nod of respect. Serena’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered her condolences. Dr. Sun, with a grave expression, grasped Serpens' hand in solidarity, while Inspector Lui, ever the stoic, simply said, "I'm sorry." Finally, Tiara approached, her eyes filled with understanding and empathy, and she gave him a brief, supportive hug.After everything was said and done, as the crowd disper
In an instant, Rose disappeared into the portal, her figure merging with the energy of the Dragon Stone. There was a flash of blinding light, and the portal sealed shut, its power absorbed into Rose’s being. The energy of the Dragon Stone flowed through her, and the stone itself crumbled to dust, its dark power dissipating into the air.Serpens and Xin watched in awe, their hearts heavy with the sacrifice that had just been made. Rose had given herself to save the world, her courage and selflessness breaking the cycle of darkness that had threatened to engulf them all.For a moment, all was quiet, and then, from the stillness, a gentle breeze began to blow, carrying with it the promise of a new dawn."No!" Serpens cried as he rushed towards her. Rose fell on his arms, her form as cold as ice. "Don't leave me, Rose," Serpens cried. "Please come back," The strange lady spoke, "This was bound to happen, greet dragon. She's your fourth sage, the one who would help you win the war agains
Serpens struggled to his feet, his heart pounding with fear and frustration. Winter was too strong, even with the combined might of the dragon lords. They couldn’t overpower him—not like this. But what frightened him more was the sight of Xin, now standing on the rock, her hand trembling as she raised the dragon stone toward the point where the sunlight met the sea."No!" Serpens cried out, his voice breaking with the weight of his despair. But his words fell on deaf ears. Xin, lost in Winter’s spell, placed the stone on the rock. The moment the stone touched the surface, the sunlight intensified, its beams converging on the stone and then spreading outwards, enveloping Bahamut in a blinding light.The light was quickly swallowed by a sudden darkness, a pitch-black void that seemed to emanate from Bahamut himself. The last chain around the dragon’s neck glowed fiercely for a brief moment before shattering into a thousand pieces. The sound of the chain breaking echoed like thunder acro
The Third World Sea stretched endlessly before Serpens, a vast expanse of shimmering waters that reflected the dark, starless sky above. The air was thick with a mystical energy, a sensation both familiar and foreign, tugging at the edges of his consciousness. As he stood on the shore, the quiet lapping of waves against the rocks was the only sound, but Serpens could feel the presence of something ancient and powerful nearby.From the depths of the sea, a massive form began to rise, the water cascading off its scales like liquid silver. Doromu emerged with a grace that belied his immense size. His golden eyes, warm and wise, fixed upon Serpens with a gaze that seemed to peer into the very depths of his soul. The dragon’s scales shimmered with a soft, radiant light, contrasting the dark waters around him."Welcome, Serpens," Doromu said, his voice deep and resonant, echoing across the stillness of the sea. He lowered his head in a deep, respectful bow. "Great Dragon, it is an honour to
The uproar in Draketwon that night increased people ran to find safety from the threats of the dragons which descended upon the city like a flock of birds.It wasn't long after that the armed forces of Draketwon set into action. Helicopters, their blades slicing through the night air, emerged from the darkness. It was a show down of the humans versus the dragons, as fire bathed the entire city like a flood.The roar of the engines filled the cockpit as Captain Marcus Rourke, the seasoned leader of the air force squadron, adjusted his headset. His eyes were steely, focused on the horizon where plumes of smoke rose from the city below. The once-vibrant metropolis was now a war zone, engulfed in chaos as dragons soared through the sky, their fiery breath raining destruction upon the streets.“Echo Squadron, this is Captain Rourke,” he spoke into the radio, his voice calm but laced with urgency. “We’ve got eyes on the target. Multiple dragons are engaged, laying waste to the city. They’re
Tiara sat at her usual spot in the school courtyard, the sun dipping lower in the sky as the hours ticked by. The news of the Zorvath's going through Serpens' locker in school, had become the news of the day, but that wasn't her problem.Her concern was in the fact that Serpens whom he had called to tell what had happened didn't show up in school. She couldn't help but wonder why he didn't show up after he told her he was already on his way when she called him earlier that day.After the first set of classes of the day, she decided to go to the courtyard and hoped that before the afternoon classes would commence, Serpens would show up.Her gaze flicked anxiously toward the school gates every few minutes, hoping to see Serpens' familiar figure stride through. But as the shadows lengthened and the students trickled out in groups, laughing and chatting, there was no sign of him.By now, the courtyard was almost empty, save for a few stragglers. Tiara’s worry had shifted to a gnawing unea
As Serpens pondered Zorvath's enigmatic riddle, a figure emerged from the trees surrounding the lake. It was a young woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She approached Serpens with a confident stride, her gaze fixed on him."Ah, Serpens," she said, her voice husky and mysterious. "I've been searching for you. My name is Lyra, and I possess knowledge about your past and your connection to Xin."Serpens's eyes narrowed, unsure if he should trust this stranger. But something about Lyra's words resonated deep within him."What do you know?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.Lyra smiled, her eyes glinting with secrets. "Let's just say that I can help you unlock the truth about your draconic powers and the reason behind Winter's pursuit."Zorvath, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "Lyra, you shouldn't be here. This is a matter between Serpens and me."Lyra turned to Zorvath, her expression unfazed. "I'm afraid I have a stake in this too, Zorvath. Se
The morning routine was almost automatic. Serpens crossed the room to his wardrobe, where his clothes hung neatly on the door. As he buttoned his shirt, his mind kept drifting back to the urgency of his quest, the need to find Xin and the draconic gem.After pulling on his trousers and fastening his belt, Serpens moved to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the chill waking him up fully. He stared at his reflection in the mirror—his dark hair tousled from sleep, his eyes sharp and alert despite the fatigue that lingered at their edges. With deliberate care, he combed his hair, making sure every strand was in place, trying to impose order on at least this small part of his life.He grabbed his school bag, checking to make sure he had everything he needed: books, notebooks, the pendant that Professor Layton had given him back then, was still there—a small token that served as a reminder of his mission.Before leaving his room, Serpens took a moment to gaze out of the wind
The night was a gentle embrace, soft and inviting, perfect for slipping into the realm of dreams. The sky was clear, a deep velvet canvas dotted with a thousand twinkling stars that seemed to pulse with a quiet, rhythmic light. The moon, full and luminous, bathed the world in a silvery glow, casting long, soft shadows that danced lightly across the ground. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing lullaby that filled the air with a sense of calm and serenity.The world seemed to have slowed its pace, the hustle of the day giving way to a peaceful stillness. The sounds of the night were gentle and comforting—the distant chirp of crickets, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the soft rustle of nocturnal creatures moving about their nightly routines. Even the air itself felt different, cooler and lighter, as if it carried the essence of dreams within it, urging all who breathed it in to close their eyes and drift away.The scent of blooming jasmine and n