Soon Risha regained her sense and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"You don't remember?" Shaan seemed confused. With a pale expression Risha said, "I-I had a nightmare, maybe. But that doesn't explain why you are here."
"The reason is same no matter it your nightmare or me coming to you. You didn't properly closed the door."
"What do you mean?"
"You remember what he said? He told you to keep the door close."
"But I did close it."
"Did you locked it? You see, we're travelling through time. In middle, there are harmful radiation and the room is meant to sheild you from that. And as it was slightly open you were exposed to it. The system of the room shielded you. So you were safe with just a nightmare."
"It was horrific!"
"You remember it?"
"No, but I know it was scary. I don't know how but I know it. Trust me!"
"Hey, don't be hyper. I trust you. Humans tend to forget most of their dreams. And it was just a dream. Although... "
"Although what?"
"Very well, it's not a proved theory but many claims that the slightest radiation connects your subconscious mind with unnatural powers, humans call it supernatural forces or magics. Well, most believe it's a superstition. Although there's technically no prove that can completely exists or deny it."
"Aren't we in a time machine? That means you are extremely advanced in science. And you are saying there are no concrete prove againt supernatural? And what's with you saying human tends to this and that? Don't tell me you aren't human."
Shaan smiled bitterly.
"I wish I was one. Then I could've remained oblivious to everything. I'm in human form only to make sure your little heart doesn't stop. Humans are weak by nature. As for your other question... "
Shaan's smile widened, his eyes were full of mischief. He raised his hand and in less than a second, Risha was floating. At first, she was startled but soon she began to enjoy it. After letting her play a few minutes, he let down. Risha ran and grabbed his hand. Her voice was filled with excitement.
"T-telekinesis! But how?"
"The universe is vaste and there are way too many things for a single being to know. There are always secrets. Now then let's have own little secrets, shall we?"
"What secrets?"
"First we should keep quite about the fact you were exposed to time radiation. We also shouldn't tell him that we met. He would be angry and none of us has what it takes to bear it or cool him down."
"Sounds like you are afraid of him."
"Terrified, traumatised to be exact. He could be really scary."
Risha paused. Was her instinct correct?
"How so?" She asked.
"As if I could ever tell you!" He mumbled and said, "So you agree with us keeping secrets?"
"Yeah okay."
"So let's move on to the final secret."
"There's still one left!" Risha asked in disbelief. Just what was this guy doing? Shaan spoke with a serious expression,
"Yeah, it's the last one and also the most crucial one. I hope you won't ever need it but in a dire situation when you see absolutely no other way, you may get help from it."
"What is it?"
"Let's go to the engine room."
"And die before that! You said it. The moment I get out I'll die. Do you want me dead or what?"
"Arisha,hey. Relax! I got your back. Nothings gonna happen. You'll go there and come back in one piece. Okay? Calm down."
Risha cooled down in some moments and got ashamed, "Sorry, I lost my cool."
"It's okay. I understand. Now shall we?"
"Alright." Risha smiled.
The engine room was not what Risha imagined. She thought there would be countless machines, but a small computer and a box full of tubes filled with green liquids were all the room had. Shaan walked forward and pressed something in the keyboard. A projected screen popped out and he clicked something to make it gone. A blue little was lit. Shaan said, "You know what Arisha, I believe science and magic can coexist. In fact they already does. Sometimes their purposes are perfectly aligned. Like time manipulation magic."
"Time manipulation magic!" Risha was mesmerised in his stories. It felt like fairytales. Shaan, looking at her, smiled.
"Yes, you heard me right. Science had its limits. After all, it has to certain laws. It can go in future. With some underhanded means, it even managed to take us back to past."
"Underhanded!!"
"Yeah, the law of science do not allow one to go back in time. But we are going back in past. So I suspect they have taken help of time magic and nevel revealed it. Anyway back to the topic, going to past or future is all we can do. Different time machines have access to different timelines. But time manipulation magic is different, it can not only help you to travel through any timeline's any time but it also enables you to stop the flow of time. Everything would stop excluding the wielder or the one the one he excludes."
"Sounds fun!"
"Then you should experience it."
"Wai...!" Risha couldn't finish her words as she jolted. She felt like a strom just swallowed her. Regaining her composure, she lashed out, "What was that, you maniac!"
"That feeling implies er came to future. Now let's move."
Before she could say a word, Risha felt a strong push. Something was trying to throw her out. When it stopped, Risha immediately vomited. Shaan's looked with a mixture of guilt and worry, 'You okay, kid? Sorry I forgot how tiring it can be.'
He helped her to sit in the a chair before passing her a glass of water. She drank in a hurry and almost choked.
"Slowly kiddo, no one's gonna snatch it"
Risha looked with an angry expression and threw a punch on his face with all her might. Weak as he seems, all the impact it had on him was that he tilted a little. He didn't complain or move, silently waiting for her to vent. Seeing him like that, Risha lost her anger. She tried to keep a stern expression, "Explain."
Shaan took in a deep breath before saying, "What you experienced was the side effects of beings caught in time manipulation magic. I didn't want to be hasty. But we're in short of time. The final secret I'm entrusting you with is this feeling. Remember it well. And never ever let anyone know about this."
Risha didn't understand. How can two awful feelings save her? But she didn't argue. Shaan didn't sounded like he was joking. She carefully asked, "Does that anyone include Noah?"
"You are smart. In your long journey, there will be a lot of things that will make you dependent on him, trust him. That is reasonable. You can't walk together without having the least of trust. Just be careful enough to not give him your all. Keep your guard up, just enough to not lose yourself. The rest is up to you."
Risha sighed in relief. She thought, 'It feels nice to have someone by my side.'
"All right, I promise you."
"No." Risha was taken aback by his response.
"What do you mean?"
"Arisha, do not make a promise to me. Promises are meant to be broken. As long as you understand your own good and take care of yourself, it's enough. All right, we should go back."
After they reached the room, Shaan watched her enter and smiled.
"Alright Arisha Haydar, this is real goodbye. You got a long journey ahead of you and I hope you pass all the ordeals to get what you wish for. I hope we never meet again." Shaan muttered to himself.
"Did you say anything?"
"No, nothing. I'll get going. Goodbye, kid. Wish you all the best. And don't forget to lock the door properly."
Without waiting for an answer, Shaan left.
'Strange!' Risha thought. She felt a strange feeling in his heart. But still, she decided to ignore it and go to sleep. It has been a long night.