"Absolutely not." Kagekawa immediately replied.
"Why?!" Chronos's eyes started to form tears.
Kagekawa flinched back a bit. "I-It's because you're not strong enough to tackle these towers. You'll only hold Arthur back and get yourself killed!"
Chronos kept staring at Kagekawa, his eyes similar to that of a puppy.
"My answer is final."
"Tch. I thought my tears would work."
"They were fake?!" Arthur was completely convinced by Chronos's performance.
"At least one person believed my acting...anyways, it's ultimately my decision to make and I can go wherever I want!"
"Stubborn brat!" Kagekawa hit Chronos's scalp with a clenched fist. Chronos started to rub his head, a lump was clearly forming.
"Ahem! Regardless, it's not mine or yours decision to make." Kagekawa turned his head to Arthur. "Are you going to take Chronos?"
Arthur kneeled and placed both his on Chronos's shoulder. "Sorry, I'm not going to take you with me."
"-Then I'll just follow you!"
"Chronos. I can't bear the responsibility of putting you on death's door. I have no idea of the dangers the towers hold. I'm not strong enough. Not yet. My answer is final." Arthur was concerned, but he spoke in a cold tone.
"I-I want to get stronger too!" Chronos's eyes watered. Tears streaked down his cheeks. "Stupid Arthur!" He ran to his room, slamming the door shut.
Arthur's gaze dropped to the floor. Amygdala quickly followed Chronos to cheer him up. She gave a sharp glance towards Kagekawa and then knocked on the door. "Chronos, I'm coming in, ok?" Slowly, she opened the door and gently shut it behind her.
Kagekawa felt a shiver down his spine. His expression then softened as he took a slow breath, observing Arthur's agitated face. "Arthur, it was for the best. Chronos is far too young."
"I know I made the right choice so why do I feel so bad?! Godammit!" Arthur scruffled his hair.
Chronos sunk his face in his pillow. He lay flat on his stomach, kicking his feet. His tears stained the sheets of his best. Amygdala slowly walked in and sat on the far end of the bed.
"Chronos. Look at me." Amygdala spoke with a stern voice.
"Go away..." Chronos replied quietly, unable to look at Amygdala.
"I will not go away. Not until you stop your tantrum."
Chronos sat alongside Amygala, his feet now hanging off the bed. His eyes were saddened and glued to the floor.
"Why am I so weak...?" Chronos's eyes began to start welling up with tears. His hands pressed against those same eyes, trying to cover his despair.
Amygdala placed her hand on Chronos's hunched back. Patting him so that Chronos would feel comfort. She had felt a strange feeling towards Chronos. An unfamiliar feeling to her. Pity towards Chronos but also a strange feeling of sadness inside her. She couldn't bear for Chronos to be sad because his sadness meant her sadness.
"A child chasing to be stronger instead of relying on others. You know you can be more dependent on me and Arthur. Kagekawa too...You're a god but still a child." she thought to herself; her face wore a gentle expression, and her hands were so kind on Chronos's back. Amygdala didn't know the right words to comfort him.
"Chronos, everything will be fine. Rely on me. Rely on Arthur. It will be fine."
Those simple and kind words that had been received by this child's ears had made him start crying even more. Chronos hugged Amygdala tightly. Amygdala placed her hand on his hair, petting him until he cried no longer.
"Mom..." Chronos mumbled to himself while drifting off to sleep. The warmth he could feel from Amygdala was something he didn't want to let go of.
"Mom, huh?" Amygdala spoke to herself "There, there. Sweet dreams." Amygdala kindly said while still stroking Chronos's hair. "I promise I'll always be right here..." She spoke in such a gentle tone. Amygdala then tucked Chronos into bed.
Arthur and Kagekawa had their faces pressed against the door, eavesdropping on the conversation. The door had then swung open and both Kagekawa and Arthur fell face-first flat onto the floor. Amydala placed one of her hands on her hip, and with the other hand, she pointed at both of them, wagging her finger at them.
"Listen, you two, I understand that you just want to keep Chronos safe, but you didn't have to put it so bluntly!"
"...I'll apologise to him when he wakes up," Arthur said quietly.
"Good." Amygdala had a smile on her face. "And you?" Her eyes darting to Kagekawa.
"I'll apologise as well, ok?!... Chronos's fixation to get stronger...I wonder why he's so determined. What did the gods do to him?" Kagekawa questioned.
"Something horrible I bet," Amygdala replied.
"Why do you say that?" Arthur asked.
"The gods...not all of them are so righteous. Just like humans, gods also have their own internal conflicts and affairs." Amygdala's forehead started to wrinkle as she looked at Chronos, lying soundly asleep. "It's all really frustrating. Anyhow, I know only as much as you do when it comes to Chronos's circumstances. It'll be best for him to open up to us...that is if he ever wants to. Let's not pry but care instead."
Arthur looked at Amygdala's face. Suddenly, he couldn't help but stare at Amygdala. Once he caught himself looking at her, he quickly and immediately turned his the other way. His heart was beating faster, and his face felt a little hot. "What am I feeling right now? She's so kind and-" Arthur's thoughts were cut off by Amygdala.
Kagekawa left the room smirking as he saw the expression on Arthur's face.
"-Arthur? You look a little red...are you feeling sick?! A fever?!" She then placed her hand on his forehead.
Arthur then stepped back, completely blushing. "Ahh! I'm fine, ok?!" His eyes now staring at hers. "Her eyes sparkle like stars across the night sky." Arthur thought to himself. He then immediately looked away again. "...Everything is fine", Arthur quietly continued while placing his hand on top of his mouth.
"Arthur, I love you. I really mean it." Amygdala spoke with a big grin on her face.
"S-S-Shaddup...." Arthur was panicking. For what reason? Simply because he's never been told 'I love you' before and so straightforwardly as well.
"My my, how cute~you were able to keep your cool declaring your love and marriage proposal to me but can't keep it when being told an 'I love you'."
"It's because...well, how do I say it? No one ever said it to me before. You're my first..or something like that?"
"Hmm~so I'm your first 'I love you'? Kyaah~how romantic!"
"Yeah...you are..." Arthur spoke as quietly as a mouse.
"I have a secret to tell you, Arthur." Amygdala stepped in closer, her mouth now positioned close to Arthur's ear.
"You're my first 'I love you'..." her face now hotter than ever before, becoming as red as a fully-bloomed rose
Arthur then brushed her hair, opening up a clear view of her forehead. He then placed a kiss. "Next time, it'll be on your lips," Arthur spoke lovingly and with a hint of embarrasment.
Amygdala was completely in shock. "Yes." She replied. Arthur then left to go out and hunt for a bit. Amygdala stood there dumfoundedly...
"Idiot...you can place a kiss on my lips right now, you know? Idiot...idiot." She mumbled to herself while running her fingers through her silky hair.