Date: May 6th, 2024
Location: Touch Grass Town, Belbern Etiht's Residence
The journey to Touch Grass Town was long and grueling, but Kyle didn't care. The message from his future self echoed in his mind: "Time travel back to 2024 and meet a man called Belbern Etiht. He will help you a lot…" It was the only lead he had after the revelation about his father's death. The name was unfamiliar, but the urgency in the message left no room for doubt. Whoever Belbern Etiht was, Kyle needed to find him.
Touch Grass Town was a small, almost forgotten place nestled in the countryside, far from the bustling cities. The town had an old-world charm, with its cobblestone streets, vintage shops, and a pace of life that felt like it belonged to another era. But there was an undercurrent of something else—a feeling that not everything was as it seemed.
As Kyle approached the address given to him, he noticed the house was different from the others in the town. It was a large, gothic structure, with high, pointed roofs and dark, weathered stone walls. The windows were tall and narrow, and the entire building seemed to be shrouded in shadows, even in the daylight. It had an air of mystery about it, as if it had witnessed countless secrets over the years.
Kyle hesitated at the door, taking a deep breath before knocking. The sound echoed through the house, and after a few moments, the door creaked open.
Standing before him was a man who looked to be in his late 60s, but with an air of timelessness about him. His eyes were sharp, piercing through the shadows, and his presence was commanding, despite his unassuming stature. He wore a simple gray suit, slightly worn but meticulously kept, and his gray hair was slicked back neatly.
Belbern Etiht: "You must be Kyle. I've been expecting you."
Kyle blinked in surprise. "You know who I am?"
Belbern gave a small, knowing smile. "Let's just say I'm well-informed. Please, come in."
The interior of the house was as enigmatic as its owner. The walls were lined with bookshelves, filled with ancient tomes, strange artifacts, and oddities that seemed out of place in a small town like this. The air smelled faintly of old parchment and something metallic.
Belbern led Kyle to a large study, where a roaring fire crackled in the hearth. He gestured for Kyle to sit in a plush armchair, then took a seat opposite him.
Kyle: "I need answers. My future self said you could help me. My father, Dr. Bart… Axel told me he didn't kill him, but that it was himself. I don't understand."
Belbern nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Your father's death is indeed a complex matter, one that has been shrouded in mystery for too long. But before I answer your questions, there are things you need to know about the world you're entangled in—the true nature of time and the forces that govern it."
Kyle leaned forward, his frustration barely contained. "I don't care about any of that right now. I just want to know what happened to my father."
Belbern held up a hand, his voice calm but firm. "And you will. But if you are to understand the truth, you must first understand the bigger picture. Time is not as linear as you've been led to believe. There are forces, beings, and devices—like the Temporal Device—that manipulate time in ways most people cannot comprehend. Your father was involved in something far greater than you realize."
Kyle's heart raced. "What do you mean? What was he involved in?"
Belbern sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Your father, Dr. Bart, was part of an ancient order dedicated to protecting the timeline from catastrophic events. They were known as the Temporal Guardians. But during his work, he discovered something—something that drove him to make a decision that would alter the course of history."
Kyle's mind spun with this revelation. "The Temporal Guardians… What did my father discover?"
Belbern's eyes darkened. "He uncovered the existence of a being known as the Chronophage—a creature that feeds on time itself. It was sealed away eons ago, but your father found evidence that the seal was weakening. He feared that if the Chronophage were released, it would devour entire timelines, erasing them from existence."
Kyle felt a chill run down his spine. "And Axel? What does he have to do with this?"
Belbern leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Axel was not your enemy in the way you believed. He was your father's ally, working alongside him to prevent the Chronophage's release. But as they delved deeper into their research, they realized the only way to stop it permanently was to use the Temporal Device—a device so powerful it could rewrite reality itself. But there was a cost."
Kyle's breath caught in his throat. "What cost?"
Belbern hesitated before answering. "Your father knew that using the Temporal Device would require a sacrifice—his own life. He believed that by merging his essence with the device, he could strengthen the seal on the Chronophage, preventing its release. Axel tried to stop him, but your father was determined. He saw it as the only way to protect you, to protect everyone."
Kyle's world crumbled as the truth sank in. His father hadn't been murdered. He had chosen his fate, sacrificing himself to save the world from a threat Kyle could barely comprehend.
Kyle: "Why didn't Axel tell me? Why did he let me hate him for so long?"
Belbern's voice softened. "Axel believed that if you knew the truth, it would break you. He thought it was better for you to channel your grief and anger into something that would drive you forward. He hoped that, in time, you would discover the truth yourself and forgive him."
Kyle's hands clenched into fists, his emotions a tumultuous storm. "And now? What am I supposed to do now?"
Belbern stood, placing a hand on Kyle's shoulder. "Now, you must decide how to move forward. The path ahead is fraught with danger, but you are not alone. You have allies, and you have the strength to continue your father's work. But first, you must come to terms with his sacrifice and find the resolve to face the challenges that lie ahead."
Kyle nodded, his resolve hardening. He had come seeking answers, and while the truth was painful, it also gave him a new sense of purpose. His father's legacy wasn't one of death and betrayal—it was one of sacrifice and heroism. And now, it was up to Kyle to honor that legacy.
Kyle: "Thank you, Belbern. I won't let my father's sacrifice be in vain."
Belbern smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes. "I know you won't. The battle is far from over, Kyle. But with the right allies and the strength you've gained, you can face whatever comes next. And remember, the timeline is not set in stone. There is always hope"