Alastair found Akari sitting by the academy's serene lake, away from the hustle of the day. Her hair caught the sunlight, making her look even more radiant. Taking the opportunity, he approached confidently.
"Lady Akari, you truly know how to make an entire landscape pale in comparison to your beauty," he said with a teasing grin, sitting beside her.
Akari glanced at him, feigning a slight blush for the sake of her plan. "You really don't take breaks from flirting, do you?"
"Not when I'm around someone worth the effort," he replied smoothly. "Tell me, how is it that someone like you, with sharp wit and beauty, is still unattached? It's practically criminal."
Akari smirked slightly, tilting her head. "Maybe I just enjoy keeping people guessing. After all, isn't mystery part of the charm?"
Alastair chuckled. "You're good at this. I see why you've captivated so many hearts."
She leaned back on her palms, looking at him with mock interest. "Oh? And does that include you?"
"Absolutely," he said without hesitation, his expression sincere for a moment before his usual playful demeanor returned. "Though I doubt I'm your first admirer."
"True," Akari replied casually, watching his reaction. "But you're certainly the most persistent."
Alastair placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. "Persistent? I like to think of it as... determined. You know, a man on a mission."
"Well, just make sure your mission doesn't turn into an obsession," she said with a small laugh, standing up and brushing off her skirt. "I wouldn't want to be responsible for any unnecessary heartbreak."
He stood up with her, stepping closer. "If it's for someone like you, Akari, then I think the risk is worth it."
Her smile faltered for a brief moment as she thought about Kuro and Arnold and the guilt of dragging Alastair into her plan. But she quickly masked it with a confident look. "We'll see about that."
Alastair smiled back, completely unaware of the layers behind her words, and offered his hand. "Shall we head back? I'll escort you. It's only fair, given how much you've brightened my day."
Akari hesitated, then placed her hand in his. "Sure. Let's go."
As they walked away, the echoes of their conversation lingered in her mind, even as she maintained her calm exterior. This plan was going to be harder than she thought.
As they strolled back toward the academy, Alastair couldn't help but glance at Akari out of the corner of his eye. Something felt... off. Normally, she'd brush him off or roll her eyes whenever he offered to walk her to class, but today, she'd agreed without a second thought.
"You know," he started, tilting his head, "this is the first time you haven't told me to 'go bother someone else' when I offered to walk you somewhere."
Akari glanced at him with a raised brow. "What, you don't like the company?"
"Oh, I like it plenty," he said quickly, flashing his trademark grin. "It's just... surprising. You're not exactly the 'let someone escort you around' type."
She smirked and shrugged. "Maybe I'm just feeling generous today. Or maybe I got tired of your whining."
Alastair laughed, though his eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion. "Generous? You? Now that's a first."
They reached the academy's main building, and Alastair slowed his pace, still watching her carefully. "So, what's the catch?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"Catch?" Akari echoed, feigning innocence. "What could I possibly gain from letting you walk me to class?"
"I don't know. But you're too sharp not to have some ulterior motive. Don't think I haven't noticed," he said, leaning closer with a teasing grin. "So, what's the plan? Trying to make someone jealous? Or is this part of some grand scheme?"
Akari rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched in amusement. "You overthink things, Alastair. Maybe I just enjoy your company more than I let on."
For a brief moment, he looked genuinely flattered, but the suspicion returned just as quickly. "You're way too clever for that to be the whole story."
"Believe what you want," she said with a small smirk, turning toward the hallway that led to her class. "But don't let it go to your head, Your Highness. I wouldn't want your ego to outgrow that crown of yours."
As she disappeared into the classroom, Alastair stood there for a moment, staring after her with a mix of confusion and intrigue.
"I'm telling you," he muttered to himself, "that girl is up to something."
Alastair found Arnold and Kuro sitting under a tree near the academy's training grounds, both looking unusually somber. Their usual bickering and competitive energy seemed dimmed, which was enough to pique his curiosity.
"What's up with you two?" Alastair asked, hands on his hips. "You look like you've just lost a battle—or worse, your lunch."
The boys exchanged a glance, sighed dramatically, and slumped further against the tree.
"It's Akari," Kuro muttered, staring up at the sky like it had betrayed him.
"Akari?" Alastair repeated, frowning. "What about her? She's acting... different. Actually let me walk her to class today. That's not normal."
Arnold snorted bitterly. "Yeah, well, she rejected us."
Alastair blinked, stunned. "Rejected you? Both of you? At the same time?"
"Yes!" Kuro burst out, throwing his hands up in frustration. "She gave us the whole 'don't fall for me' speech, and then begged us not to leave her while simultaneously breaking our hearts into tiny, jagged pieces."
"Tiny, jagged pieces," Arnold echoed, clutching his chest dramatically. "I mean, who even does that? It's cruel. She basically said, 'I love you both, but not like that. Now stay by my side forever and pretend this conversation never happened.'"
Alastair raised an eyebrow, trying to hide his smirk. "So, let me get this straight: the two of you confessed your undying love, and she shot you down, but told you to stick around anyway?"
"Exactly," Kuro groaned.
"And you're still here?" Alastair asked, incredulous. "Wow. You two are either the most loyal guys I've ever met or complete idiots."
Arnold glared at him. "You think we want to be here? No! But we can't leave her. Not after everything we've been through together. It's not about us; it's about her."
Kuro nodded, looking genuinely pained. "She's been through so much, Alastair. More than you'll ever understand. And if staying by her side, even as just... friends, is what she needs, then that's what we'll do."
For a moment, Alastair was silent, watching the raw emotions play across their faces. Then he crossed his arms and tilted his head.
"You know," he said slowly, "I always thought you two were just lovesick idiots clinging to some hopeless crush, but... maybe you're not so bad after all."
"Gee, thanks," Arnold said dryly.
"Don't mention it," Alastair said with a smirk. "But for the record, I'm still in the game. She didn't reject me."
Kuro shot him a glare. "You haven't confessed, Your Highness. Big difference."
"Details, details," Alastair said breezily. "Either way, thanks for the heads-up. I'll just have to figure out what's really going on with her. You two can keep wallowing in your... tiny, jagged pieces."
As he walked away, Arnold sighed. "Why do I suddenly want to punch him?"
"Get in line," Kuro muttered.
Alastair, practically bouncing with excitement, strode toward Akari's class the next morning. His heart was pounding in his chest—today, he decided, was the day he would confess. Even if she rejected him, it wouldn't matter. He'd try again. After all, he had a positive attitude, and his persistence knew no bounds.
When he reached the door to her class, Akari was already standing there, arms crossed, an amused smirk on her face. "So, Prince, you're here already?" she teased.
Alastair, undeterred, grinned back. "Were you waiting for me?"
Akari raised an eyebrow, her tone playful. "Why should I answer that?"
Alastair shrugged, pretending not to care, but he couldn't hide the gleam in his eyes. "Let's go."
Akari looked at him curiously. "Where now?"
"Just follow me," Alastair said with a wink, and before she could protest, he took her hand, leading her out of the classroom. Akari raised an eyebrow but decided to go along with it.
Alastair led her through the academy grounds, where they eventually stopped at the garden. There, Alastair raised his hand to the sky, and in a moment, a huge flying beast appeared, soaring toward them.
"Meet Paugrief," Alastair said proudly, gesturing toward the enormous creature. It had the body of a lion, eagle wings, and a sparrow-like face—a true mix of majestic creatures. It landed gracefully in front of them, its massive wings stirring up the air.
Akari's eyes widened. "Wow, it's beautiful!"
"It's my Noorio," Alastair said, a bit of pride in his voice.
Akari, clearly impressed, stepped forward to pat the creature's massive, feathery head. "It's so soft!" she marveled.
Alastair's eyes gleamed as he watched her. "She's never let anyone else pet her. You're the first."
Akari gave him an exaggerated look. "Well, I must be special then."
Alastair chuckled. "Come on, climb up. I'll help you."
Akari raised an eyebrow but allowed him to assist her onto Paugrief's back. She didn't ask any more questions—she was curious but intrigued.
"Where are you taking me?" she finally asked, settling onto the creature's back.
Alastair, still flustered by the proximity, adjusted his grip on her to ensure she wouldn't fall. "It's a surprise," he replied firmly, though his voice was a bit shaky.
As Paugrief soared high into the sky, Akari couldn't help but be impressed by the view. The landscape below was breathtaking, and the wind in her hair made her feel free.
When they landed in a secluded, beautifully designed garden, Akari couldn't help but gasp in awe. The place was serene, filled with vibrant flowers and a small ice cream stand nearby.
Alastair, ever the gentleman (or so he thought), turned to her with a grin. "Let's grab some ice cream." He handed her a cone, her favorite flavor, and took one for himself as well.
As they walked through the garden, Akari enjoyed the peaceful moment, savoring the ice cream with a contented sigh. "I have to admit, this date idea isn't half bad."
Alastair, grinning ear to ear, couldn't resist teasing her a little. "I knew it! Ice cream always wins people over."
Akari laughed, looking up at him. "Well, you're right. I do love ice cream."
"Glad to know I'm making progress then," he said, his voice smooth with satisfaction.
They continued walking, enjoying the simplicity of the moment. Alastair was pleased with himself for finally getting a chance to be close to her without the usual tension from Kuro and Arnold, but he was also a bit nervous. Today might be the day he got the answer he'd been waiting for.
Akari took another bite of her ice cream, savoring it as she looked over at Alastair. "You know, you might just be a better date than I thought."
Alastair, unable to contain his excitement, nearly dropped his cone. "So you do like it?"
"Yeah, yeah," Akari teased. "Don't get too full of yourself, though. Ice cream isn't the only thing that matters."
Alastair grinned, undeterred. "Oh, I'm aware. But it's a pretty good start."
Akari rolled her eyes playfully, but inside, she couldn't help but appreciate the effort he'd put into the day. For someone so persistent, he sure knew how to plan a date. And maybe, just maybe, she was enjoying this a little more than she expected.
As Akari and Alastair enjoyed their quiet ice cream date in the garden, a sudden gust of wind disrupted the moment. A shadow fell over them as a figure descended from the sky, landing with a dramatic flourish. It was a tall angel with long black hair, large, magnificent black wings, and piercing golden eyes. She practically tackled Alastair in a tight hug.
"Alir, my bestie!" the angel exclaimed, squeezing him.
"Kami! You! When did you come back?" Alastair said, laughing as he hugged her back.
Akari, still holding her ice cream, cleared her throat. "Ahem. Can I be informed of what is happening here?"
The angel turned to Akari, her golden eyes narrowing slightly, but for some reason, Akari couldn't make out her face clearly.
"Oh, Akari, my lady," Alastair said, gesturing grandly, "this is my best friend Kamari Walker, the only angel allowed in this kingdom."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Akari," Akari said politely, offering a small smile.
Kamari, however, froze and looked utterly confused. Her wings flared slightly. "What? What did you say? That you'll kill me?"
Akari, taken aback, nearly dropped her ice cream. "What? Why would I say that? What did I do? Why do you want me to die?"
"Hey, hey, guys!" Alastair stepped between them, waving his hands frantically. "What is going on? Why are you talking about killing each other?"
"I didn't!" Akari protested, pointing at Kamari. "I said, 'nice to meet you.'"
Kamari tilted her head. "No, you didn't! I heard you say you want me dead."
Alastair blinked in confusion. "Wait, wait. Kamari, are you sure? Akari definitely didn't say that."
Kamari folded her arms, frowning. "Well, that's not what I heard."
Alastair turned to Akari. "She's convinced you said something else."
Akari groaned, rubbing her temples. "Okay, but I didn't! She must be hearing things wrong. Tell her that!"
Alastair relayed Akari's words to Kamari, who looked equally exasperated. "I'm not crazy, Alir! I swear, when she talks, it sounds like something completely different to me!"
It hit them both at the same time. Akari and Kamari turned to Alastair with wide eyes.
"Wait," Akari said. "Are you telling me... everything I say to her sounds completely different?"
"And vice versa!" Kamari added, her golden eyes widening.
They both glared at Alastair, who looked increasingly awkward. "Hey, don't look at me! I'm just the middleman here!"
Akari crossed her arms, annoyed. "This is ridiculous. How am I supposed to communicate with her if everything I say sounds like a death threat?"
Kamari sighed dramatically. "Well, maybe stop threatening me—"
"I didn't!"
Alastair groaned. "Okay, okay! New plan. I'll be your translator. You two say what you need to say to me, and I'll pass it along."
Akari and Kamari exchanged wary glances, both clearly annoyed but agreeing for now.
Kamari, with a hint of sarcasm, muttered, "Great. I always wanted a translator for my conversations."
"And I always wanted an angel who doesn't think I'm trying to kill her," Akari shot back.
Alastair sighed as the two continued bickering, realizing his peaceful day had officially ended.
Akari sighed in frustration, realizing how ridiculous the situation was. "This is getting us nowhere," she muttered before disappearing in a blink, using her teleportation power. A moment later, she returned with Kuro, who looked disoriented but alert.
"Akari, what's going on now?" Kuro asked, glancing at the scene.
"Kuro, help us," Akari said, grabbing his arm. She quickly explained the bizarre misunderstanding with Kamari and how their words were being scrambled.
Kuro blinked. "So, let me get this straight: whatever you say to this angel sounds like threats, and whatever she says to you sounds... equally weird?"
"Exactly!" Akari threw her hands up in exasperation.
"And Alastair's playing translator for Kamari while you're stuck being misunderstood?" Kuro raised an eyebrow, clearly finding some amusement in the chaos.
"Yes, which is why I need you to fix this, genius," Akari shot back.
Kuro smirked, crossing his arms. "Alright, alright. I'll be your translator. You say your piece to me, and I'll make sure it's clear." He looked at Alastair. "You do the same for her, prince charming."
Alastair gave a mock bow. "As you wish, your highness of sarcasm."
Akari turned to Kuro and began. "Tell her: I am not threatening you, Miss Kamari."
Kuro nodded, then looked at Kamari. "Akari says she's not threatening you."
Alastair stepped in, translating for Kamari. Kamari's eyes softened as she nodded. "Oh, I see now. I must have misunderstood. You're actually a nice person."
"Finally!" Akari sighed in relief. Then she squinted at Kamari. "But tell her I still can't see her face clearly. It's like there's a blur over it."
Kuro relayed the message to Alastair, who passed it to Kamari. Kamari frowned, looking genuinely puzzled. "What do you mean? My face is right here."
Kuro translated her response to Akari, who crossed her arms. "I'm serious. It's like there's something blocking my view of her."
Kuro sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is going to take all day."
Alastair chuckled. "Welcome to my world."
Kamari, meanwhile, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Maybe it's a side effect of something. Her Noor energy feels... different."
When Kuro translated this, Akari froze. Her mind raced as she remembered her unique nature and the blend of powers she carried. "That might actually explain it," she murmured.
Kamari, sensing the tension, smiled slightly. "Well, at least we're talking now, even if it's through two translators."
Akari sighed. "Great. I went from planning an elaborate scheme to needing a personal diplomacy team."
Kuro smirked. "You're welcome."
"Don't get cocky," Akari muttered, though her tone was lighter now. At least the misunderstanding had been resolved—for the moment.
Something clicked in Akari's mind, and she narrowed her eyes at Kamari. "Wait. Are there any people in this world whose face you can't see?"
Kamari tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes. One human, one mermaid, no more. I don't know the reason, and even if I did, I couldn't tell you."
Akari crossed her arms. "Figures. Okay, just humor me for a second—are you aware of the name Lior Walker?"
At that, Kamari froze, her black wings rustling slightly as if disturbed by her emotions. "How do you know that name?" she asked, her tone suddenly serious.
"I am Lior. In the real world. And you are, too, aren't you?" Akari said, her voice calm but her expression sharp.
Kamari's eyes widened in shock. "What?! Yes, I'm Lior in another world—but how is this possible?"
"Ahm, ahm," Kuro interrupted, waving his hand impatiently. "What is going on here? Who is Lior? What other world? Explain before my brain explodes."
Alastair chimed in, looking equally confused. "And why do I feel like I've walked into the middle of someone else's drama?"
Akari ignored the boys for a moment and turned to Alastair. "Was Kamari inside your soul chamber, too?"
"Uh, yeah," Alastair said, blinking. "She was."
Akari clapped her hands together. "Okay, this makes sense now." She turned to the group, taking a deep breath. "Alright, listen up, boys. I'm about to explain something complicated, so keep your brains from frying."
Kuro raised an eyebrow. "That's rich coming from you."
Ignoring him, Akari continued. "So, here's the deal. Some of us—myself, Kamari, apparently Alastair—are living dual lives across different timelines and worlds. I've been with all of you in four timelines already, and now it turns out Kamari is me from the future. Or another future. Or something equally insane."
Kuro stared at her, his mouth slightly open. "Wait. What? First, you casually drop that you've been with me in four timelines, and now this? Are you serious right now?"
Kamari, still processing, tilted her head. "You're also experiencing a fourth life?"
"Yeah," Akari said, looking at Kamari intently. "How many powers do you have?"
Kamari furrowed her brows. "What does that have to do with anything? Thirteen. I have thirteen."
Akari leaned back, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Interesting. So, you're my future self, and I'm the past version. I have nine powers. That means there's someone else present here who's probably an even more future version of us. And probably another past one, too."
Kuro and Alastair exchanged a glance, completely lost.
"Okay, hold on!" Alastair interrupted, raising his hands like a referee. "You're saying you two are the same person from different times or worlds? And there's more of you running around? What is this, a cosmic family reunion?"
Kamari nodded sagely. "Essentially, yes."
Kuro groaned, pressing his fingers to his temples. "You're telling me you have four lives, she has four lives, and now there's potentially a fifth Akari running around somewhere? This is getting ridiculous."
"Tell me about it," Alastair muttered.
Akari rolled her eyes. "Well, if you two would stop whining and focus, maybe we could figure this out."
Kamari smirked. "You sound exactly like me when I was your age."
"Yeah, well, you're not making this any easier," Akari shot back.
Kuro crossed his arms, leaning toward Akari. "You know, for someone with four lives, you could at least pretend to explain things better."
Akari smirked. "Oh, Kuro, if I explained every crazy thing, your brain really would explode. Trust me, it's better this way."
Alastair sighed dramatically. "Great. Just great. I thought this was going to be a normal day, and now I find out my crush is a time-traveling, multi-world-hopping anomaly."
Kamari turned to Alastair, her golden eyes twinkling with amusement. "You think this is bad? Try being her in the future. It's exhausting."
Akari glared at Kamari. "Oh, shut up. You're literally me!"
Kuro finally threw his hands up. "I'm done. Somebody get me a drink."
Kamari chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Eventually."
"I don't think we will," Alastair and Kuro muttered in unison.
Akari leaned forward, her tone thoughtful yet serious. "So, you know how I said you're from the future, right?"
Kamari nodded, her expression calm but curious. "Yes, you did."
"Do you have any memory of Kuro?" Akari asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Kamari shook her head. "No, I don't."
Akari exhaled sharply, her gaze drifting into the distance as a realization dawned on her. "Then my second theory is right too. Once the cycle ends, a new one begins, and each cycle consists of four lives." She turned her attention to Kuro, her voice softening. "Kuro, listen carefully. This might be the last time I'm with you. The last cycle."
Kuro froze, the words hitting him like a punch to the gut. "What do you mean? You're saying this is... the end for us?"
Akari nodded slowly, though her expression was bittersweet. "That's what it looks like. And here's something else—another theory. I can't see the face of the future holder of myself, but I can see the face of the past holder. It's the same with you, Kamari. You can see me because I'm the past version, but you can't see the face of the one who comes after you."
Kamari furrowed her brows, her golden eyes narrowing in thought. "That... makes sense. I've never been able to perceive the future version of myself clearly, but I can see you just fine."
Kuro clenched his fists, his voice tense with emotion. "Akari, you're saying this might be the last time? The last cycle where we exist together? That's—"
Akari cut him off, her tone firm yet gentle. "Kuro, I don't want you to focus on that. This is our timeline, and we're here now. That's what matters."
Alastair, who had been silent during the exchange, finally spoke up, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "So, let me get this straight—you're saying each version of yourself moves forward, leaving the others behind? Like some kind of endless progression?"
"Exactly," Akari replied, giving him a brief nod. "The cycle is continuous. Each time, we start over, but with slight differences. And the connections we form… they don't always carry forward. That's why Kamari doesn't remember Kuro. He wasn't part of her cycle."
Kuro looked at Kamari, his eyes dark with frustration. "So what, I'm just... erased from the future? Like I didn't even exist?"
Kamari shrugged, her tone almost apologetic. "I don't have any memories of you, but that doesn't mean you didn't matter. Maybe your role is different in my timeline."
Akari placed a hand on Kuro's shoulder, her expression soft. "It's not about erasure, Kuro. It's about the moments we have now. I'm here with you. Right now, you're part of my story."
Kuro bit his lip, his gaze dropping to the floor. "That doesn't make it any easier to hear."
Kamari crossed her arms, her golden eyes sharp. "None of this is easy. Trust me, knowing too much about the cycles is its own burden. But Akari's right—you have to focus on the present."
Alastair, sensing the tension, smirked and tried to lighten the mood. "Well, if this is the last cycle, we'd better make it one to remember. Starting with me finally winning over Akari."
Kuro glared at him, his frustration boiling over. "Read the room, Alastair."
Akari sighed, shaking her head. "I swear, you boys will never stop, will you?"
Kamari chuckled softly. "They're persistent, I'll give them that."
"Persistent is an understatement," Akari muttered, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Hey, but didn't you tell the king that you only have two powers?" Alastair asked, raising an eyebrow as he walked alongside Akari.
Akari shrugged, her tone nonchalant. "How else was I supposed to explain it to him, Alsie? 'Oh hey, by the way, I actually have nine powers, and one of them involves bending timelines'? That would've gone over really well."
Alastair smirked, crossing his arms. "Fair enough. But still, two? You could've at least said three. Maybe thrown in a fireball or something."
"Well, excuse me for keeping it simple," Akari replied, rolling her eyes. "The fewer questions they ask, the better."
Alastair chuckled, leaning slightly closer to her. "At least I've been granted a nickname, though. 'Alsie'? Really? It's cute coming from you, but you couldn't come up with something more heroic?"
"Heroic? You?" Akari shot him a teasing look. "Alsie suits you just fine, Prince Charming. Don't push your luck."
He placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "You wound me, my lady. Truly, my ego may never recover."
"Good," she quipped with a smirk. "Keeps your feet on the ground instead of your head in the clouds."
Alastair let out a laugh, shaking his head. "You're impossible, Akari. But I'll take that as a challenge."
"Take it however you like, Alsie," Akari said with a grin. "Just don't expect me to call you anything cooler anytime soon."
Behind them, Kuro and Arnold, who had overheard part of the exchange, exchanged exasperated glances.
"'Alsie,' huh?" Kuro muttered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "She's handing out nicknames now?"
"Don't even get me started," Arnold grumbled. "Next thing you know, he'll start thinking she likes him."
"Too late," Kuro replied dryly, watching as Alastair puffed his chest out, clearly enjoying the interaction.
"Someone's got to knock him down a peg," Arnold said, crossing his arms.
"You volunteering?" Kuro asked with a smirk.
"Let's just say I'm keeping my options open," Arnold replied, his gaze fixed firmly on Alastair and Akari.