Ryan closed his eyes and focused inward. He imagined his mana core—a glowing ember nestled in his chest. With each deliberate breath, he drew energy from the air around him, channeling it into the core. The ember began to pulse, its light growing stronger.
As he concentrated, sweat dripped down his spine. Time lost meaning. Hours passed, leaving only the hum of mana coursing through his veins.
The core swelled, warmth radiating through his body. Ryan felt his consciousness merge with the energy. It was as if he were one with it. The room around him faded, replaced by a sea of pure, shimmering light.
Suddenly, Fen woke with a low, menacing growl, his gaze locked on the corner of the room.
Ryan jerked upright, his heart pounding. He turned toward the source of Fen's unease. A glowing silhouette flickered, hovering in the air to catch his breath, before dissolving into darkness.
Ryan's breath caught in his throat.
"What is that?" he whispered, his eyes scanning the shadows. Fen's growl died down, turning into a wary alertness.
"I think it's one of the Time Weavers," Fen said.
"That glowing figure. Is that a Time Weaver?" Ryan asked, shock washing over him. He had never expected to face an enemy so soon.
Fen nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps. Their members rarely show themselves openly."
Ryan's mind raced. "What do they want?"
"You, of course," Fen answered bluntly.
Ryan felt a chill run down his spine. Fen's gaze was fixed on him. "You're a key player in the timeline. They won't hesitate to exploit you."
Ryan's heart sank. "What can they do to me?"
Fen's expression hardened. "They'll kill you to keep their plans going."
The weight of Fen's words hung in the air like a death sentence. Ryan's breath hitched. "We can't let that happen," he said.
Fen nodded firmly. "Our only option is to speed up your training."
Ryan swallowed. "O-okay..."
"You should resign immediately," Fen said.
"Why?"
"You should leave for the Himalayas immediately. Your training is hampered by your work here, and you'll be safer there." Fen replied.
"But how will I eat? How will I support myself?" Ryan replied anxiously.
Fen chuckled. "The Guardians of Time – they have many sponsors. You won't be short of anything. Have you forgotten that we gods always receive offerings?"
"But what about my work at KV5?" Ryan asked, frustration bubbling beneath his calm demeanor.
Fen's voice turned stern. "You must resign immediately. You have been chosen as Time Emperor. If you don't strengthen yourself soon, you will die."
Ryan's resolve wavered. "Chosen?" The weight of Fen's words hung in the air. "You mean I have no choice?" Ryan's voice trembled.
Fen was silent for a long moment.
Ryan felt trapped. A leader in a fight he never wanted to be a part of. The thought gnawed at him. "If only I could change fate..."
Despair crept into him.
***
Under Fen's pressure, Ryan reluctantly handed in his resignation letter.
The few peaceful days at KV5 were shattered by Ryan's sudden resignation request. The resignation process took several days. The team led by Dr. Hassan felt the weight of Ryan's sudden choice.
"Ryan, if you need financial assistance, we are here to help," Dr. Hassan said, worry etched on his face.
Ryan shook his head firmly. "No, Dr. Hassan, this is a personal emergency."
Dr. Matt, curious, raised an eyebrow. "You're an orphan. Who died?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken worry.
Ryan's voice was steady but tense as he answered, "It's not related to a funeral. It's a distant relative in Nepal. I have to settle their estate."
Dr. Matt paused, realizing this was more than just a job. It was about family, a relationship Ryan had to maintain.
On the day of Ryan's departure, the air was filled with unspoken words. All the team members gathered to say goodbye, their faces a mix of support and sadness.
"Good luck, Ryan."
"Stay safe."
"Good luck."
"Don't forget to get married soon!" Dr. Matt joked, trying to lighten the mood.
But his humor was dry. Ryan's heart ached. He had poured himself into his work at the Luxor villa and KV5. This team was his home.
As he turned to leave, he realized that his decision was final. He wasn't just leaving his job; he was leaving a part of himself behind.
Ryan took a deep breath. He loved archaeology, but now he was facing a different battle. A battle he didn't want to be a part of.
***
That night, in a hotel near Cairo International Airport, Ryan waited for his flight. He had booked an 8 a.m. departure for the next morning.
As he surfed the internet, he found myths about gods and demons related to time and immersed with his readings.
Fen lay on the bed next to him. With two beds now, Ryan finally had room to stretch out.
Suddenly, Fen sat up, growling low and deep. He seemed to sense something.
Fen had planned this. He was sure that as soon as they left Luxor and the Valley of the Kings area, Beelzebub would start his plan to kill Ryan.
***
Outside the hotel, a human figure floated in the air, in front of the window of the hotel room where Ryan was staying. His slender, pitch-black body was wrapped only by a piece of black cloth. He tilted his head as he watched Ryan's window.
He didn't feel Fenrir's presence in the room, he only felt that there was only one human in the room. His lips lifted into a sinister grin.
Then he floated towards the window of the room. Then a black smoke enveloped him and he disappeared.
***
Ryan stood in the space between his bed and the wall of his room with his sword drawn. His hand held his sword tremblingly, towards the edge of the bed.
Suddenly black smoke appeared from the edge of the bed, gradually growing larger to the size of a human body. A silhouette emerged from within the smoke, a human body that was pitch black and only wrapped in black cloth.
Its face grinned widely and greeted Ryan. "Hi, human."
Ryan hissed, "Beezlebub."
The creature's grin grew wider and its eyes widened, and it dramatically exclaimed. "Wow, you know who I am! I guess that son of a b*tch Fenrir must have told you!"
Ryan was silent, his lips pressed tightly together.
Beezlebub tilted his head towards Ryan and asked. "Why isn't he here now? Are you alone?"
Ryan remained silent but his body was very tense.
"Oh, he's tired of you, huh? Hahahahaha!" Beezlebub laughed with both of his hands raised to his sides dramatically.
"I want to offer you something. Why don't you try joining us? Time Weaver is stronger than the Guardians. Oh, you know what Time Weaver is?"
Ryan remained silent and pointed his sword left and right at Beezlebub who was moving as if he was acting a drama.
"Time Weaver led by the former Time Emperor before you, you know, he grew stronger over time. And Chronos is just a fingernail away from his power!" Beezlebub laughed again dramatically. His head was raised and both hands were placed on his waist.
Ryan's eyes widened. This information was completely unexpected to him.
Beezlebub leaned his body towards Ryan and slowly approached him, he continued. "If you join us, you don't have to bother to become strong. You can just relax. Our master is very kind, you know." He grinned.
Suddenly Beezlebub stepped back and shouted angrily. "You damned bastards!"
Fenrir suddenly appeared from Ryan's shadow, and he swiftly caught Beelzebub's wrist with his jaw. Then they all teleported away, leaving the hotel room empty.