### NITAROR-0G5
In completed darkness world possessed a realm. This realm was without hope. A great expanse of red land lay before the inhabitants. The dry cracked surface held the memory of a burnt dream.
Rivers of boiling lava moved through the landscape. They were like veins of fire. They created a twisted labyrinth. The barren land was their canvas. The sky above was oppressive. It was black and heavy. An ominous shroud it was devouring the very essence of light.
Two figures sat atop a large red stone. It was an uneasy silence between them. Keys (Gama) watched the landscape. He preferred to be called Inverted Keys. His expression was a mix of defiance and despair. He thought he was the opposite of every variant that crossed his path. Every reflection of himself twisted into something unrecognizable. Beside him sat Ray (Gama). Ray fidgeted with a contemplative expression.
After a moment of quiet Ray spoke up. His voice barely made an echo against the desolate backdrop. "What's next?" He asked. Keys remained silent. His gaze was focused. He seemed to be looking for answers in the chaotic landscape. Ray continued speaking. Frustration tinged his tone. "We have done what was right I believe..."
Keys snapped at him. His anger was heavy and sharp. "Just shut up!" He leaned back. Fists were clenched as his breath quickened. The past two years rushed into his mind. "I've killed over a thousand of my variants," he confessed. "That girl, what was her name? Never mind, it's not important."
Ray hesitated sensing the anger in Keys. "O-entity is not in Gamma," he said carefully. His eyes shifted toward the heavy sky. "We'll need to check the other two dimensions."
### EARTH-0A1
Loki was at the front. A mischievous smile danced on his lips. "Hey, kiddos! How are all of you doing today?"
A chorus erupted in reply. "Great! Awesome! Amazing!" The room buzzed with energy. The laughter echoed across the room. Loki couldn't help but probe deeper. "Hold on here. Is everybody feeling great? Who's feeling down? Who's mourning breakups?"
The laughter now shifted. A few giggles had a hint of nervousness. "Was that not a such great joke?" he observed. His eyebrow slightly raised.
"Exactly," Keys chimed in from the back. Her expression mixed concern with determination. "Don't worry about the results. The important thing is you all had courage to give it a shot." He paused. It allowed her words to sink in. "To be clear, it doesn't imply you are going to fail. It doesn't mean studying is not necessary."
"Alright?" Loki gently nudged the crowd. He looked for affirmation. "Yes!" the students replied firmly. A ripple of newfound confidence fell over them.
Loki next scanned the room. His gaze fell upon Keys. he appeared uneasy with shadow in his eyes. Sensing this Loki focused his attention back on the principal. He had a determined glint in his eyes. "Sir, could I get a bit more time to engage with these children? There are many things I want to impart before we declare the rankers?"
The principal's face softened into warm smile. He knew the significance of this moment. "Of course, sir. The stage is all yours."
"Listen up!" The speaker's voice reverberated throughout the room. It gained attention of each person present. "The top three rankers situated behind stage should move into the crowd. How can you answer my question way from there? Hurry up! Find your spots!"
Urgency flickered between the trio in response. A glance was exchanged between Sylvie and Geoff. Immediately, they made their way from shadows of stage. As they moved the atmosphere underwent transformation. An unspoken anticipation hung in the air.
The dimly lit hall felt quite large as they entered from the back. Conversation buzz intensified around them. Keys stood just a few rows ahead. they caught sight of her. he beckoned eagerly. "This way!" he signaled. His expression a mix of thrill relief.
With a hastened pace Sylvie and Geoff navigated through listeners. They weaved in and out of clusters of students. They finally reached Keys. They slipped into space beside her. Their arrival coincided with the fading murmurs.
Loki strode confidently to the center of the stage. With an enigmatic smile he declared "Shall we begin?" The crowd erupted in a chorus of enthusiastic shouts. A collective "yes" echoed through the hall. Amidst the uproar a discontented voice emerged. Keys crossed his arms and pursed his lips. He glared at the spectacle. "What nonsense is this?" he muttered. Irritation dripping from his words. Beside him Sylvie glanced over. Her brow furrowed with concern.
Geoff leaned against the railing. He joined the fray. "He just doesn't like this type of event." He grumbled. Shaking his head in disbelief. "And the nonsense of the hosts..." Like I didn't know! I'm just asking why today?"
"Wait just stop you guys. Sylvie your father is spouting some nonsense; let me listen," Keys interrupted. His tone sharp. Sylvie's patience frayed. She responded. Her voice tinged with anger.
"Speak properly," she said. Keys softened slightly. He realized his outburst.
"Yeah, sorry," he said casting a sheepish glance at Sylvie. Loki stood on the stage. His smile was wide. It radiated an energy that captivated room. "So you all basically know about me what I do," he began. His voice smooth and confident. He paced rhythmically from left to right. This movement added a dynamic flair to words.
"From the beginning, I've aimed to unravel mysteries of timelines and dimensions. Of course the various types of civilizations that inhabit them." He scanned the audience while speaking. His eyes were glinting with mischief. Suddenly he halted, leaning slightly toward students gathered before him.
"Do any of you know my recently released article?" A wave of hands shot up in response. Excitement was palpable in the air. Among them was Geoff. His arm was raised eagerly. Keys nodded knowingly at Geoff. A grin was spreading across his face. "He reads his articles all day!" Keys exclaimed. He tossed glance at Sylvie who remained silent in her seat. Keys raised eyebrow playfully, gesturing toward Sylvie.
"And you Sylvie. Won't you read it?" The corner of Sylvie's mouth twitched upward. She replied. Her tone light, confident. "I read absolutely."
This declaration confused Keys. He leaned in closer. Curiosity etched on his face. "Why didn't you raise your hand, then?"
"Because" Sylvie replied. Her expression slightly amused. "I'm his daughter, dude. Everyone knows if I want to read it, I can get my hands on it before it's even published."
Loki pointed a finger at a boy in the front row. The boy had tousled black hair. "Yes you with black hair! What's name?"
The boy hesitated for a moment. He seemed caught off guard by the sudden attention. The weight of Loki's gaze did not sway him however. "I'm Tony," he said. His voice was steady.
Loki's interest piqued. "Tell me Tony what do you know about last work?"
Tony leaned forward. Enthusiasm ignited in his eyes. "It's all about timeline and branches," he explained. Words tumbled out with fervor. "And uh. I just wanted to say you do really good job on this article."
Loki chuckled. He shook his head in mock disbelief. "Me?" echoed his amusement through his tone. Then he waved hand in playful dismissive gesture. He turned back to class. "Does anyone know true mastermind behind this work? Who wrote this years ago?"
Thick silence fell over room, air charged with uncertainty. Students exchanged glances. No hands shot up. No voices dared to break the quiet. It was Keys who finally broke tension. Her brow furrowed in concentration as she asked, "Did you know who it was?"
Sylvie turned to her. They were both perplexed. "Nope," Sylvie replied enthusiasm dampened by mystery.
In that moment Geoff raised arm. It shot up rapidly. Like a cannonball, it was. Full of mischief, he called out a name. "Ink foster!" The classroom erupted into uproar. Laughter mingled with confusion. Every student eager. They wanted to see how Loki would respond to this turn of events. It was unexpected. They were shocked.
To be continued...