The spectators gathered around the perimeter of the temporal nexus, their faces a mix of excitement, apprehension, and fascination. Among them were fellow students of the Ouranios Haven, eager to witness the outcome of the intense battle between Von and the twins Arin and Arron. Some stood in hushed anticipation, their eyes fixed intently on the shifting energies within the nexus, while others whispered excitedly amongst themselves, speculating on the possible strategies employed by the combatants.
A few seasoned mages, distinguished by their robes adorned with intricate patterns and symbols, observed the battle with keen interest, their expressions betraying their deep understanding of the complexities of temporal magic. They exchanged knowing glances and muttered incantations under their breath, analyzing the ebb and flow of energy within the nexus with practiced eyes.
In the midst of the crowd, a group of young apprentices craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the action, their faces alive with a mixture of awe and trepidation. They listened intently as more experienced mages offered explanations and insights into the intricacies of chronomancy, eager to learn from the spectacle unfolding before them.
From the perspective of onlookers outside the temporal nexus, the battle between the chronomancers unfolded in a dizzying whirl of motion, nearly imperceptible to the naked eye. The youths, their forms enveloped in the shimmering haze of chronomantic energies, moved with blinding speed, their movements a blur of motion as they clashed within the confines of the temporal rift.
Witnesses strained to catch glimpses of the combatants amidst the swirling currents of temporal energy, but their movements were too rapid to track accurately. From the outside, it appeared as if the youths were engulfed in a maelstrom of light and shadow, their forms flickering in and out of existence as they traversed the turbulent currents of the temporal rift.
Occasional flashes of intense light and bursts of energy erupted from the epicenter of the conflict, illuminating the surrounding area with dazzling displays of chronomantic power. Spectators could only watch in awe and bewilderment as the battle raged on, their senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the temporal energies at play.
Indeed, from the vantage point of the spectators outside the temporal nexus, discerning the course of the battle or determining a victor was an impossible task. The swirling maelstrom of temporal energies obscured the combatants from view, rendering their movements indiscernible amidst the chaotic backdrop of light and shadow.
Despite their keen interest and fervent anticipation, the onlookers found themselves unable to glean any meaningful insights into the unfolding conflict. The battle between the chronomancers remained shrouded in mystery, its intricacies and nuances hidden from view by the veil of temporal magic.
As the spectators strained to make sense of the tumultuous scene before them, they could only marvel at the sheer spectacle of the clash, awed by the magnitude of power and skill on display. In the midst of the swirling chaos, the outcome of the battle remained uncertain, leaving the spectators on the edge of their seats in breathless anticipation as they wanted to know exactly what was transpiring before their eyes.
Moving thousands of times faster than those watching, the chaos continued to unfold within the temporal nexus. The three within not caring about those watching, the combatants remained focused on their respective objectives, each striving to gain the upper hand in the relentless struggle for temporal supremacy. To the outside observers, however, the entire spectacle seemed to unfold in the blink of an eye, leaving them breathless and astonished by the raw power and skill displayed by the battling chronomancers.
* * * * *
Within the center of the nexus, the battle between Von and the twins Arin and Arron raged on with unparalleled intensity. In the accelerated flow of time, what seemed like mere moments to the spectators outside equated to weeks of relentless combat for the combatants locked in the throes of the temporal struggle.
As the battle raged on, the combatants were forced to tap into reservoirs of power previously untapped, their determination and skill driving them to new heights of mastery over time itself. The weariness played upon their bodies due to being so evenly matched. Thoughout the battle different techniques were tried despite the strain taking its toll on them.
Straining, Arin attempted to age Von's left side while Arron tried to youthen his right side. This caused even more pressure as Von struggled to maintain his temporal stability. Admittedly, he had tried the same on them but as full individuals not on just parts of them. He thought by changing the age of the two parts, they might become less synced and provide openings.
Again, focusing his aura through the great hourglass, he decided for one last all-out attack. He sent small waves of identical time shifting energies toward the two of them and at the last moment before it struck their shields switched the energies against Arron to move forward in time, allowing their shields to block it, while keeping the other attack toward Arin as moving backwards in time.
As the two energies struck the twins, the two failed to determine the subtle change in the weave causing Arin to be sent several seconds back in time compared to her brother. This created chaos within the minds of the gemini as their brains couldn't comprehend the tear in the formerly collective senses. Both of them set forth a scream allowing Von to finally push Arron several seconds into the future—farther away from his other half.
As the temporal energies struck the twins, Arin's sudden displacement several seconds back in time sent shockwaves through their shared consciousness, causing a rift in their temporal connection. The dissonance created a cacophony of chaos within their minds, as their synchronized thoughts and perceptions were torn asunder by the temporal anomaly.
Caught off guard by the sudden disruption, both Arin and Arron let out anguished screams, their minds struggling to reconcile the newfound separation. Von seizes the opportunity presented by their confusion, channeling his chronomantic energies with precision to exploit the rift between them.
The first thing he did was capitalize on the temporal dissonance between the twins to isolate Arron from his counterpart. He channels his aura to reinforce the temporal barrier separating Arron from Arin, further distancing the twins and preventing them from reestablishing their synchronicity.
He the intensified the temporal disturbances surrounding Arron, amplifying the disorienting effects of the temporal rift. Waves of chaotic temporal energy wash over Arron, distorting his perceptions and disrupting his ability to focus on his surroundings, leaving him vulnerable to further attacks.
In this moment of vulnerability, Von slowed time for the out of sync Arin causing a further rift before stopping it altogether between breaths. Separated from his twin for the first time, panic set within Arron. His thoughts were jumbled causing him to no longer be able to concentrate on the weaves of time.
From the loss of his sister, his ability to think broke; his sanity shattered. Arron fell to the ground sobbing at his loss. He was alone. He had never been alone. Even though he could see his sister frozen before him, there was no contact, his thoughts were his own, he was seeing with only one set of eyes, hearing with only one set of ears, and thinking with only his own mind. This caused not only incredible confusion but terror within his mind. He begged Von to bring her back. He surrendered, he pled with the gods to make them whole again.
Hearing the surrender, Von released his hold on the weaves freezing her in place. She too felt the loss of her other half. She could feel the echoes of his past anguish and fear but couldn't communicate with her brother. She too plead with Von to bring them together.
Master Poralis lowered the barrier protecting the onlookers and moved to help the trio. Von in his spent stage could not seem to get the twins perfectly aligned in time and they were in no condition to assist. He quickly explained everything to elder via telepathy and asked for his help. Drawing in an extraordinary volume of temporal energies, Poralis flung the two into an exact moment twelve seconds into the future from the present and froze them until time caught up with them.
Once released from the suspended time bubble, they were once again able to create a connection to the other, not quite the same as before due to their differing experiences, but so near they were once again in harmonic communication within their minds. The three combatants thanked Poralis in unison before returning to the ground spent.
Looking at Von, the elder let out of breath saying, "This is why you need additional training. Power is one thing, but expertise is another. You will need both to be a true master chronomancer. You also need to learn how to keep your age as you speed time. You are nearly twelve years old physically, yet under two weeks has passed since your arrival. Tomorrow morning, once you've rested, I expect to see you in my study.