(Percy's POV)
I had the most wonderful dream that night, a dream that filled my heart with happiness. I dreamed of me and Aana in a garden full of roses, where the colours and scents were dazzling. We had a picnic, enjoying the sandwiches and cookies she had made. Cupcake was with us too, barking and chasing butterflies. She looked at me with her brown eyes, shining like stars in the sunlight. I thought Even among so many roses, my rose would outshine them all with her beauty, She smiled and leaned closer to me, whispering she loved me in my ear. I felt a warm sensation in my chest and wrapped my arms around her, feeling her soft hair and skin. we hugged and I still felt I could just wake up and go and embrace her.
I woke up with a smile on my face, still feeling the warmth of our hug. Cupcake was in my room, wagging his tail happily as he listened to me talk.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Cupcake, you stayed in my room last night. But I don't know why Aana looked so sad when she left. You should go back to her now. She must be missing you. I wish I could be with her too," I said, looking at Cupcake with envy.
Cupcake gave a playful bark and wagged his tail as if to say "Aye, sir" in jest. He scampered up the spiral wooden stairs that led to Aana's room, his paws making soft thuds on the polished steps. The stairs were carved from oak wood and had intricate patterns on the railings. They circled a large window that offered a view of the garden and the lake. The stairs were one of the features that made this mansion so unique and beautiful.
I felt a surge of anger as I recalled what Axel had done yesterday. He had used his mind manipulation powers on Cupcake, knowing how dangerous he could be in his mutant form. Axel and I were the only ones who had such abilities, and he had abused them to get to me. He and that bastard Oliver had made my life hell in every timeline, always trying to kill Aana so that I would retaliate. I had to get rid of them once and for all. But first, I needed to have a good morning. I decided to join the others for breakfast in the dining room, where I could enjoy Aana's hilarious jokes and forget about my troubles for a while.
I reached the dining room, where everyone was seated around a large table with luxurious silverware and crystal glasses. The room was spacious and elegant, with a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and a fireplace on one wall. The aroma of freshly baked bread, eggs, bacon, and coffee filled the air. I greeted them from a distance, "Hey everyone, good morning!" They all responded warmly, except for Cupcake, who came running down the stairs and barked frantically as if he had something urgent to tell me. I looked at him curiously and asked, "What's wrong Cupcake?" Then I noticed that Aana and her friends were missing from the table. I turned to Granny and asked, "Granny, where are Aana and her friends? Didn't they come down for breakfast?" She shook her head and said she hadn't seen them since last night after dinner. I felt a pang of worry and said, "It's okay, I'll go check on them." I told the others to continue their meal and headed back up the stairs to the third floor, where Aana and her friends had their rooms. To my surprise, the whole floor was empty. There was no sign of them anywhere. I wondered where they could have gone as I searched for clues.
All of a sudden, the world materialized in front of me and he bore a striking resemblance to me. The world, taking the form of a human, reflected the person who was gazing at him. I understood that the world is shaped by our perception of it. For me, the world was a wonderful place as long as my Aana was part of it.
World: Pethe cries, time has begun to manipulate reality. You have to save me, otherwise, humanity will vanish from existence. The cure is the same principle as how every vaccine is made with a virus, every poison can neutralize another poison. Now you can reveal the truth to Aana and I'll assist her in recovering her memories. And if you make them remember their true purpose, they will become an unstoppable team.
Percy: But where have they disappeared? Where is my Aana? I'm anxious that that scoundrel Axel has snatched my Aana away from me.
World: Axel has executed a clever move, Percy. You need to go find Aana on your own. I and time are both constrained by rules, even though time breaks them, I can't. I know you both don't require my help to be together. It is your destiny. You are connected by heart and mind. And shortly, you will have to confront someone you know, someone you'll have to fight. You'll never wish to fight them, but you have to for their good, to save them.
Percy: Hey, don't keep me in suspense. Tell me who I'll have to fight. Just tell me.
World: I've given you a clear clue. Use your intellect. If she doesn't comprehend, use your powers.
Percy: So you're telling me to bring them back by force?
World: Yes, she won't understand now and we need Della to stop everything. Only she can do that. But Aana and the others have incredible powers too. You'll have to take Della to the timestone. It's a green emerald-coloured stone that looks like a diamond. It has the power to alter time and space. She can make everything go back to how it was and make Oliver and Axel cease to exist. And first, have breakfast and search for her. Use your brain. Cupcake is a dog. He can track them down if you show him something that belongs to her.
Percy: I nodded in agreement. OK, I have letters from the past timeline. I'll have breakfast and then search for my Aana. And then I'll bring all of them back.