"Who am i again?" Sirens blares as he asked the question.
"..Ah yes, My name is Orion Crane" He said as a pool of blood formed underneath him.
The sirens of the local security blared. "It hurts"
He feels everything. "My heart is slowly dying"
His breath slowed and his body was becoming cold by the moment, his lime tinted eyes shined dimly in the illuminating light of the moonless night. "Now let's return back into a certain moment of time on how i am here,currently about to die"
The scene shifted backward in a rapid, dizzying rewind.
It was a sunday morning, Orion Crane a seventeen year old boy with slightly black gray hair and lime green eyes ,woke up and did his normal routine.
*Ring*
His phone tinged which made him instinctively reach for it. "Mom is calling me, has she reached the England then?"
Orion answered the call, bringing the phone to his ear as he stretched, his mind still groggy.
"Hey, Mom."
"Hey Orion," his mom's voice came through, soft but with a hint of exhaustion.
"I'm here safe, just got into England. The journey was long, but… it's beautiful here." She paused, and Orion could almost see her looking out a window, taking in some breathtaking view she'd been excited to share with him. "How's everything on your end? You doing alright?"
Orion hesitated. He'd never been good at lying to his mother. But today, with that strange heaviness pressing on him since he'd woken, he couldn't bring himself to worry her.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just… you know, the usual Sunday routine." He forced a chuckle. "Nothing exciting."
"…Sigh sorry i had to go on a business trip at this time,I know it's been hard on you," she said, her voice tinged with guilt. "But this job is important, and it'll help us in the long run. Just… promise me you'll stay out of trouble."
Orion rolled his eyes, though he knew she couldn't see it. "I'm not the trouble type, Mom. I'll be fine. Just focus on your work, okay?"
She laughed softly. "Alright, I'll hold you to that."
The call ended, and Orion let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. He tossed the phone onto his bed and sat there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, the strange feeling from earlier still gnawing at him. "It's getting cold"
For Orion it was normal, sometimes he would get cold for no reason but the feeling he is getting at the moment was much different. "I just need to go out for a bit i guess"
He stood up from the bef and took his phone, he then went out of the door.
….
….
…
Tick Tock
The sound of a clock echoed, rhythmic and slow, as Orion walked down the quiet streets of his neighborhood. Each step was accompanied by the distant ticking, as if time itself was whispering in his ear.
It was still early, with a light mist hovering over the sidewalks, giving everything a hazy, dreamlike quality. Orion shoved his hands into his pockets, his mind drifting as he wandered without a particular destination.
he glanced at a building and saw someone wearing a hood running away from other people that were wearing black hoods. "…The Church's Mystique's are chasing someone, Must be someone that stole their blessings to their god"
This wasn't the first time Orion saw this kind of thing, in this world some people or a group of people have acess to magic, a pure form of imagination given form, with it you can virtually create anything.
That sounds good right?.
Well it would have if there were another group of people who use scientific research to gain abilities similar to magic, by the church they are called herectics but to themselves they are called Circuits, usually circuits are a product of a virus created by magic and science.
Anyone can be a circuit but not everyone can be a Mystique.
Orion's thoughts lingered on that odd spectacle in the distance,the Mystiques, with their sacred powers, chasing down someone who dared defy their faith. In his seventeen years, he'd come to understand that there were far deeper forces at work in the world than he cared to admit. Mystiques and Circuits were two sides of an ongoing, age-old struggle: faith versus logic, magic versus science.
He turned his gaze away, pretending not to notice. He wasn't interested in getting involved in anything that didn't concern him directly, especially when it came to the likes of Mystiques and Circuits. "Whatever, i'll probably just go eat breakfast from the café down the road," he muttered, feeling the familiar rumble of hunger. The chill from earlier still clung to him, a strange, creeping sensation that didn't seem to fade.
As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He glanced around, eyes scanning the misty streets, but saw no one. Just rows of quiet houses and closed shops, bathed in the gray light of morning.
He shook his head, dismissing it as paranoia. "Just my imagination," he told himself, picking up his pace. But the feeling persisted, gnawing at him, pulling his attention in every direction as he turned corner after corner.
When he finally reached the café, it was almost empty, save for a few early-morning patrons seated by the windows. The smell of coffee and fresh bread greeted him, comforting and familiar. He ordered a simple breakfast and sat at a small table near the back, his gaze drifting out the window as he waited.
He closed his eyes fir a second and when he opened it, he fet the sound of a clock ticking.
Tick Tock
Tick Tock
Tick Tock.
When he opened them back everything seem to have returned back to normal, the sound was gone but the cold still stays, no it intensified.
Orion shivered, rubbing his hands together as he tried to shake off the chill. The café was warm, and yet the icy sensation that had settled into his bones felt as though it was coming from somewhere deep within him. His mind drifted back to the strange figures he'd seen in the street—the Mystiques and the Circuits, locked in their endless pursuit. He'd seen them before, but never this close to home. Usually, they kept their clashes away from the quieter neighborhoods, in the more chaotic parts of town where no one would question a stray explosion or two.
As he sat there, his breakfast untouched, Orion couldn't help but feel as though he was somehow being drawn into their world. The ticking sound still echoed faintly in his mind, like an invisible clock counting down to something. He tried to ignore it, brushing it off as lack of sleep or an overactive imagination.
Suddenly, a voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Orion looked up to see a girl around his age, dressed in an oversized sweater and carrying a notebook. Her hair was a striking shade of silver, catching the soft light from the café windows. She had a piercing gaze, her eyes a shade of blue so pale they were almost colorless. He nodded absently, too surprised to question why she would want to sit with him in an almost-empty café.
"Thanks," she said, sliding into the seat across from him. She flipped open her notebook, her pen poised as if she was about to start writing, but her eyes were fixed on him.
Orion met her gaze.
Tick Tock
Tick Tock
Tick Tock
"Why aren't you eating?" She closed her notebook and asked him with a light smile, The sound of the ticking clock was stronger in his mind.
"Sorry, i was absentminded," he replied, reaching for his fork, though his hands felt clumsy. He took a small bite, hoping it would ground him, but the ticking sound grew louder, echoing in his head.
The girl tilted her head, watching him intently. "What's your name?"
"Orion… Crane," he replied slowly, still chewing as if every word required more effort than usual. He couldn't explain why, but just meeting her eyes felt like being caught in some strange current, like she could see straight through him.
She nodded thoughtfully, her gaze intense. "Orion Crane. Do you know what that name means?"
"No?" Orion didn't understand why this conversation was going on.
She nodded her head. "Orion is a hunter in Greek Mythology who was placed in the stars for going against the rules and laws placed by the gods and the Crane is a spiritual creature which represents Wisdom and Longevity"
The cold seemed to have lessened. "Wow, i guess you know your stuff"
She smiled. "Yes as a Mystique you need to study these kind of stuffs, My name is Veliuona"
Tick,Tock,Tick,Tock,Tick,Tock.
Tick,Tock,Tick,Tock,Tick,Tock.
Orion's mind went blank for a moment, the sound of countless ticking sounds made his mind overload, Suddenly he was awoken. "Sir?"
One of the maids who was waking him up looked at him with worry. "Uh, what happened? You were staring into space for a while there."
Orion blinked, confusion flooding his senses as he shook his head to clear the fog. The café around him felt both familiar and foreign, the sunlight streaming through the windows casting long shadows over the tables. Veliuona was gone, leaving only the lingering sensation of her piercing gaze.
"Uh, nothing. Just… daydreaming," he mumbled, trying to mask the confusion swirling in his mind. He glanced down at his untouched plate, the food growing cold. "Sorry, I guess I zoned out."
The maid offered a sympathetic smile. "It's okay! Happens to the best of us. Want me to get you something else?"
"No, I'm good," he replied, forcing a smile as he tried to shake off the odd encounter. "Just give me a moment."
As the maid walked away, Orion leaned back in his chair, his heart racing. The memories of his conversation with Veliuona flooded back. Had she really been there, or was it just a figment of his imagination?
The ticking sound still echoed in his mind, an ever-present reminder of something looming just beyond his grasp. He couldn't shake the feeling that the world around him was shifting, that the very fabric of reality was unraveling.
"Maybe I should head home," he muttered to himself, pushing his plate aside. The chill had returned, wrapping around him like a cold blanket, making it hard to focus.
Tick,Tick,Tick,Tick.
As Orion walked on the streets, the sound of ticking was growing louder and the Cold was becoming Freezing.
He hugged himself as he breathed watching white mist coming out of his mouth. "It's really cold today"
Orion continued walking back home but as he walked more he realized he may have taken a wrong turn and lost his way.
He checked on his phone and saw it was 12:00, he stopped and turned around, something was wrong and he could definitely feel it.
As he was about to go back, a loud sound was heard making him freeze and stop, When he looked around he saw no one.
"huh" He unconscious placed a hand bear his chest and brought it towards his eyes, there was blood on his hands.
He was shot.
And his knees were weak, falling onto the seemingly empty streets as he saw himself dying, Underneath him a pool of blood formed, his heart was slowly losing its vigor and soon the sound of sirens.
His body felt freezing.
"Oh i'm dying?" He said silently as his vision faded by a second.
"Why am i exactly dying?" He asked with no one to answer his questions, blood spilled from his mouth as his final breath was soon upon him.
He closed his eyes and whispered one thing. "I'm sorry mom, i guess i couldn't stay out of trouble…"
With that he drew his final breath…..
and when he did….
A representation of Time appeared above him….he has been cursed with eternity..
And then…The creation of Mankind which goes against the gods infected him and severed his connection with the curse giver. The piece of the representation was taken away.
And with that, the universe reversed back to this morning.
A boy with slightly black hair and lime green eyes woke up with sweat all over his body, his heart was beating crazily as if it was lucky to be alive. "What…?"
Orion questioned, was what he experienced just a dream. "…Yeah it was just a dream"
His phone rang, it was his mom.
he immediately answered the phone.
"Hey Mom"
"Hey Orion, you sound tired did you stay up on your phone last night?" She askwd in a worried and scolding tone.
"No, just had a bad dream, Have you arrived at England yet" He asked.
"Yes, I just landed! It's a bit overwhelming, but beautiful. The architecture is incredible. I can't wait to share pictures with you!"
Orion forced a smile, though the weight of the dream still clung to him like a wet blanket. "I'm glad you made it safe. Just focus on your work and take care of yourself, okay?"
"Of course and you stay out of trouble" She said softly.
"I'm not the trouble type, Mom. I'll be fine." He said experiencing a sense of dejavu.
He could hear her chuckling over the phone. "Sure, make sure to make yourself some breakfast or go out and but some, see you later"
After she hanged up, Orion looked at his phone contemplating about something. "I-i'll stay at home today"
So orion went back to sleep.
A few hours passed and Orion woke up to suddenly hear the door of the house open, he could here footsteps coming towards his room, then someone opened it.
The door slowly closed behind that person as they slowly made their way towards his bed, when they arrived, they slowly slipped inside his blanket.
"Pretend you're asleep, i know you're awake" The soft voice of a girl said.
Orion didn't answer and remained silent.
Soon seconds passed and turned into minutes and after an hour passed, the girl sighed in relief and then stood up and sat om the bed.
She threw the blanket off her and then curiously looked at Orion, he opened his eyes to see a red haired girl with Violet eyes looking at him.
Her gaze was intense, studying him as if she were trying to uncover some hidden secret beneath his exhausted expression. Orion felt a shiver run down his spine, uncertain whether it was from the lingering cold that seemed to permeate him since the "dream" or from her piercing stare.
"Who…who are you?" he stammered, struggling to sit up, still drowsy and feeling the aftereffects of that strange sensation from before.
The girl gave him a small smile, as if she had expected his confusion. "You can call me Nel, sorry i entered your home without permission"
She smiled, Orion blinked and unconsciously looked at the time.
It was 12:00.
"But unfortunately i can't let you live, goodbye" Suddenly orion found himself unable to breathe, he held his neck feeling the air in his lungs being sucked out of him.
Orion's vision blurred as he struggled against the invisible force strangling him. His fingers clawed at his throat, but it was no use he couldn't feel any hands, no physical contact, just the unyielding sensation of his life being siphoned away. Nel's violet eyes gleamed as she watched him, her smile unfaltering, like she was savoring the slow unraveling of his life.
"Why…?" he managed to choke out, barely able to get the word past his lips. He could feel his pulse slowing, his consciousness slipping as if he were sinking into an abyss.
Nel tilted her head, her smile softening but her gaze cold. "I'm simply doing what needs to be done. You know the phrase 'Leave no Witnesses', it's just unfortunate i met you on this terms or else i might have actually liked you"
Orion's last breath finally left.
Orion crane has died once more.
A boy with slightly black her and lime green eyes awoke to find himself feeling fear, his eyes were darting around and his breath was getting quick, his heart was beating almost uncontrollably.
He gripped his sheets, his mind racing. He knew, deep down, that something was terribly wrong. These vivid deaths, the agonizing moments before he faded each time—were they dreams? They felt too real, too brutal.
Orion looked at his phone; the time was once again 8:00 a.m. His mother hadn't called yet, but he knew she would. He was sure of it. Every detail felt like a replay on loop, repeating over and over, always ending in his demise.
Just as expected, his phone rang, the screen lighting up with Mom.
Orion hesitated, staring at the phone as if it were a warning sign. If I answer this, will everything happen again? But he couldn't ignore his mother's call. Swallowing his fear, he pressed accept, raising the phone to his ear.
"Hey, Mom," he answered, his voice cracking slightly.
"Orion? You sound exhausted. Did you sleep at all?" She sounded concerned, her tone soft and familiar. But Orion couldn't shake the eerie feeling of déjà vu weighing on him.
"Yeah… just a rough night," he murmured. "Have you… arrived in England yet?"
"Just landed," she replied, her tone brightening. "The architecture is incredible. I can't wait to share pictures with you!"
Orion closed his eyes, knowing exactly how the conversation would go. Every word felt like stepping into a trap he couldn't escape.
"Mom, can you tell me something unusual?" he asked abruptly, clinging to the hope that something different might change his fate.
His mother hesitated, surprised. "Something unusual? Well… let me think. There was a man at the airport in a bright orange suit—couldn't miss him if you tried. Is that unusual enough?"
Orion gave a shaky laugh. "Yeah, that'll do. Thanks, Mom."
She paused, concern evident in her tone. "Orion, are you sure you're okay?"
He didn't know how to answer that. "I think so," he said, though he wasn't sure if he was lying to her or himself.
The call ended, and Orion sat in silence, still gripping his phone, his mind clouded with dread. He didn't want to leave his house, but he couldn't shake the feeling that staying would change nothing. He had to figure out what was happening to him.
As he sat there, deep in thought, he suddenly felt a cold breeze drift through the room, though no windows were open. The chill wrapped around him, prickling his skin, and he could hear the faint ticking again, rhythmic and relentless.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
He stood from his bed and decided to go out, in this loop he may as well follow the person the church Mystiques were chasing.
After he dressed up he went out like in the first loop, this time he followed behind the Mystiques into an Alleyway.
After he followed their trail for a while, he saw them all in a corner, he hid behind a building and listened to their conversation.
"We have lost her, we should report back to the Chief priest" One of the Mystiques said.
"Affirmative . We shall dispatch the future priests, this will be their training" The second one said with a neutral tone.
"Question. Are we to be punished for losing our track to such a person" The third asked.
"Answer. It was a low grade charm, at most we would just have to clean up some chimera's, speaking of that Mistress Veliuona, what should we do with the snooping rat?" The fourth one asked, In front of them was Veliuona who seemed to be there for a long while unnoticed by even Orion.
Dhe was holding her notebook, her silver hair was slightly being moved by the wind and her bright blue piercing eyes merely glanced at where Orion was hiding. "It's just one person"
She said as she wrote something on her notebook and then closed it. "May he disappear"
A boy with black hair and lime green eyes woke up from his bed, confused as to what happened. "…I died without even knowing"
"So i have died three times at the moment, One i was shot after meeting 'her', Second i died for staying at home and third i died for going after business which wasn't mine, so if i want to survive the day, i would have to avoid three things" Orion sighed and did what he did in the previous loops, he greeted his mom and exchanged some words.
After that he stood from his be and stretched. "Sigh, atleast it was fat this time"
He muttered and then did what he didn't in the previous loops, he freshened up went to the kitchen to cook himself some breakfast.
He silently sat on the table while eating and looking at his phone. "From 8 to 12, between thise intervals i am more than likely to die if i make one misstep, But the ability to not die is pretty cruel isn't it?"
He asked himself but no answer came, like usual he looked up at the clock on the wall, it gave him a slight sense of dejavu.
He continued staring as the hands of the clock moved.
Tick Tock,Tick Tock,Tick Tock,Tick Tock.
It was silent and so the ticking of the clock continued, at the moment it didn't seem terrifying for orion, it gave him a sense of peace and clarity.
"It gave me headache in the first loop, but now it doesn't…am i acting calm because i died peacefully this time" He asked and once again answered with silence.
Orion's thoughts wandered as he sat alone, the ticking of the clock blending into the quiet morning like a comforting background hum. Each tick seemed to synchronize with his heartbeat, steady and controlled. He finished his breakfast and put his plate in the sink, glancing around his empty home. This loop felt strangely calm, as if time itself had given him a brief reprieve.
His mind drifted back to Veliuona. She seemed connected to his strange situation appearing and disappearing like a specter, wielding her notebook like it was some kind of weapon. Then there was Nel, the girl who had invaded his home. She had spoken of leaving no witnesses, as if his existence was simply a variable to be erased.
But in this moment of stillness, Orion felt a glimmer of resolve building in him. This was his fourth chance to survive the day, and maybe… maybe this time he could do more than just avoid death. Perhaps he could begin to piece together what was happening.
He glanced at the clock again. It read 9:00 a.m. He had three hours to decide his course. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and when he opened them, he was resolved. If the past loops had taught him anything, it was that remaining passive would only bring the same outcome. "What to do, The Mystiques seem to kill me the moment i meet them…but maybe i cam get help from a circuit, But i seriously don't want to call him."
Orion sighed and then shaked it off, it was no time for him to start hating someone for something he had done a few years ago.
He dial a number on the phone and waited for it to be answered.
"…Who are you and why are you calling me?" The voice was cold and distant.
Orion sighed and realized he had to go through this without losing it. "It's me Adrien, i know you don't want to talk to me…neither do i want to"
"Why are you calling me Orion" The voice seemed to have gone softer, it sounds regretful.
"Adrien, can i trust you, as a friend" Orion asked.
"…,i-i don't think you should" Adrien answered shakily.
The two stayed silent for a few seconds. "Fine, i may be in a dangerous situation, do you know who Veliuona is"