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Chapter 6 - The uncertain future

His first destination is the city of Chronos, a place where time itself seems to stand still. It's a city where people come to disappear, to leave their pasts behind and start anew. It's also a place where Eddie hopes to find someone who can help him—a former member of the Order who had left long ago, but whose skills Eddie knows could be invaluable.

He arrives in the city cloaked in shadow, his presence barely noticeable among the throngs of people going about their lives. The city is a mix of old and new, with ancient stone buildings standing side by side with sleek, modern structures. Neon lights flash above, casting an otherworldly glow over the streets.

Eddie keeps his hood pulled low as he makes his way through the crowded streets, his eyes scanning for any sign of the person he seeks. It doesn't take long before he spots a familiar figure slipping into a darkened alleyway.

"Kenji," Eddie murmurs, following the figure.

He catches up with the man in the alley, blocking his path. "Kenji, wait."

The man stops, turning slowly. His eyes are cold, his expression unreadable. "Ryoshi. Or should I say Eddie?"

Eddie pulls back his hood, revealing his face. "Kenji, I need your help."

Kenji crosses his arms, his posture tense. "Help with what? The Order is gone. There's nothing left to fight for."

"There's everything to fight for," Eddie insists, taking a step closer. "Ankin... he's become something else. He's become Dark Matteris. And if we don't stop him, he'll destroy everything."

Kenji's eyes narrow, suspicion etched into his features. "And why should I believe you? You're the one who betrayed us all, who couldn't protect the Order when it mattered most."

"I know I failed," Eddie admits, his voice filled with regret. "But that's why I'm here. I can't do this alone, Kenji. I need your skills, your knowledge. Please, help me make this right."

For a long moment, Kenji says nothing. Then, with a heavy sigh, he lowers his arms. "You always were too stubborn for your own good, Ryoshi. Alright, I'll help you. But only because I want to see this through to the end."

Relief floods Eddie's chest, and he nods. "Thank you, Kenji. We're going to need all the help we can get."

With Kenji by his side, Eddie feels a renewed sense of purpose. They travel together through the galaxy, searching for others who might join their cause. Along the way, Eddie trains, honing his abilities as a Temporal Mage, pushing the limits of what he thought possible.

During one of their stops on a remote, barren planet, they set up camp for the night, the twin moons casting an eerie glow over the landscape. As they sit by the fire, Kenji breaks the silence.

"So, what's the plan, Ryoshi? How do you intend to stop Dark Matteris?"

Eddie stares into the flames, his mind racing with possibilities. "I don't know yet," he admits. "But I do know that we can't do it alone. The Quantum Source is still with us, Kenji. It's weak, but it's there. We have to find a way to strengthen it, to use it against the darkness."

Kenji nods slowly, his expression thoughtful. "And what if

 we can't? What if this darkness is too strong to fight?"

"Then we'll die trying," Eddie says simply. "Because we don't have a choice. This is bigger than us, bigger than the Order. This is about the universe, about stopping the destruction of everything we've ever known."

Kenji watches him for a long moment, then nods again. "Alright, Ryoshi. I'm with you. But don't think for a second that this will be easy. We're up against something that defies everything we understand."

Eddie smiles faintly, feeling the weight of their task, but also a flicker of hope. "I know. But we've faced impossible odds before. We can do this, Kenji. We have to."

And as the fire crackles and the night stretches on, the two former brothers-in-arms begin to forge a new path—a path that will take them deep into the heart of darkness, but one that they must walk if there's any hope of saving the universe from the threat of the Dark Matteris.