Chasing Time, Vol.1

Vol.1 Chp 5: Echoes of the Past

As Luna tended to Leap's injuries, Aaron's mind buzzed with unanswered questions. What was the connection between Leap, Aika, and the strange events unfolding around them? Just as Luna finished bandaging Leap, the bunny's demeanor shifted.

"Before we delve into Aika's past, there's something you both need to know," Leap said, its voice low and serious.

"What is it?" Aaron asked, sensing the gravity in Leap's tone.

Leap hesitated, as if weighing the truth against the potential fallout of its revelation. "I once had the watch—your watch, Aaron. A decade ago, I took it and fled."

"What?" Aaron exclaimed, confusion and anger coursing through him. "You took it? Why would you do that?"

"Because I needed to protect it," Leap replied, looking down at its tiny paws. "In the Chronodyn, time flows differently than in your world. Each moment you experience here can stretch into years or even centuries in the time realm. I feared that if Aika discovered the watch's true power, she would use it to warp time even further. I had to keep it away from her."

Aaron felt a mixture of betrayal and understanding. "So you've been running for ten years just to keep the watch safe?"

"Yes," Leap confirmed, its ears drooping. "For years, I evaded Aika, but I knew that one day she would catch up with me. The only way to protect you was to find you first, but I never expected her to be so relentless. Now that I've found you, it's more crucial than ever to understand the nature of the watch and what it can do."

Luna interjected, "But how does the Chronodyn work? How can we fight against Aika if time moves differently?"

Leap nodded, grateful for her insight. "The Chronodyn exists as a layer of reality, a realm where past, present, and future converge. While you perceive time linearly in your world, in the Chronodyn, every choice creates divergent paths, leading to alternate timelines. It's chaotic, and Aika has been manipulating those paths to find her sister. But her real body is trapped in the time realm."

Aaron's eyes widened. "Trapped? What do you mean?"

Leap sighed, a mix of sorrow and urgency in its expression. "Aika lost her sister long ago, and in her quest to alter time and bring her back, she became consumed by the power of the Chronodyn. She trapped her own body within that realm, becoming a shadow of her former self. That's why only her shadow is seen now—her real body cannot leave the Chronodyn. Now, she wanders, seeking to reclaim what she lost, using any means necessary."

Aaron felt a pang of empathy for Aika despite her actions. "So she's not just an enemy; she's a victim of her own choices."

"Yes," Leap confirmed. "But that doesn't make her any less dangerous. Losing herself in the Chronodyn has twisted her motives, making her a threat to everyone around her. If she gets her hands on the watch again, she could rewrite reality itself."

Luna leaned closer to Aaron. "We can figure this out together. We've already faced challenges; we can face her."

Leap's gaze shifted between them, its expression filled with hope and concern. "But you must also understand that Aika is not just an enemy. She was once a Guardian like me—full of promise and potential. Losing her sister twisted her mind, and we must tread carefully."

With the weight of Leap's confession lingering in the air, Aaron felt a sense of determination solidify within him. He couldn't let Aika's pain dictate their futures, nor could he allow the watch to fall into her hands again.

"Let's do this," Aaron declared, his voice steady. "I want to learn how to use the watch and stop Aika before it's too late."

"Then we must prepare," Leap said, nodding resolutely. "There's much to teach you about the Chronodyn and the power you hold."