A powerful wave of unknown energy spread all over the entire magic array. I was surprised after seeing it at first, as it was not of any type I'm used to seeing.
"So this is Time Energy..."
I muttered in amazement.
After the Time energy finished passing through the entire array, it suddenly shone a bright red, bloody color. Along with this change, Space energy started gathering, as if to wrap around the three of us.
"Remember, you might be returning back in time, but you can't interfere physically there in any way."
As if to remind us, Vendetta explained once more in a loud and clear voice.
"Also, make sure to be careful of your actions, as if you cause a break in the time-space continuum, then you'd all lose your path to return to this timeline."
"..."
That's a tall order, really. We're going there to basically "save" someone from death, breaking the events that happened in the past. What else do you think we are going to do there? Sightseeing?
A faint smile appeared on her face, as if she found my thoughts funny. Right, she's constantly reading our minds; I forgot.
"Be careful out there."
As she gave her last warning, a large hole in space appeared below us. The Space energy wrapping around our bodies and the Time energy pulling us along the path to where we are supposed to go were both working as intended. Soon, our vision was swallowed by darkness as we left the present time behind, falling down into an endless hole... Reaching into the past.
---
Will, Ember, and Minerva vanished from within the array, and the black hole in the ground quickly closed up, returning to its previous solid state.
The energy that was around the entire array and used to activate it slowly dispersed, but the circuit was unable to hold on anymore and melted. Black and red arcs of lightning flashed, destroying a large part of the area underground. The destruction lasted for only an instant, but almost everything around the magic array was destroyed.
"... Will..."
Vendetta muttered his name while touching her lips, ignoring the destruction that had occurred before her. The taste of his blood was so nostalgic that she felt like she would lose herself.
"But I can't... Or else 'she' will get mad at me..."
The desire was building up inside her, but something more fearsome was making her hold back. A wry smile crossed her face as she shook her head gently, changing gears quickly.
As Will and the two were already sent to wherever they wished to go, the core crystal acting as the time anchor was destroyed along with the magic array. Although she doesn't know if Will would get angry knowing that it was gone, she could only shrug her shoulders, as it was beyond her control.
Rather than the present, she was more worried about the "future".
"But if Will isn't able to return safely, I'm sure 'she' will do something about it."
As she walked back, heading for the stairs, she raised her right hand up, letting the misty robe fall below her elbows. There, her arms were covered in black, squirming symbols. As if they were alive, they were squirming around, "swimming" on the surface of her forearm.
"..."
A sigh escaped her lips as she lowered her arms, walking quietly up the stairs and returning to the living room.
There, Fang and the others were waiting, staring at Vendetta as soon as she came up. Worried, Fina moved to her side and quickly asked.
"How are they?"
It was a brief question, but she quickly understood her concern. With a simple smile, she replied.
"They're now sent to the time they wished to visit. Now, it's all up to them if they're able to return safely."
To be able to return, there were two requirements. One is to stay alive, and two is to keep the changes in the timeline minimal enough that they wouldn't affect anything else anywhere.
Vendetta wasn't worried about Will, though, as even if he failed, "someone" would definitely lend him a helping hand. "She" was so devoted and protective to him that even Vendetta was feeling slightly jealous.
"I wonder, when will he..."
Words unconsciously slipped through her mouth, making the other girls look at her in question. However, she quickly pursed her lips before displaying a mischievous smile and muttering "Ignore that".
As the girls couldn't even guess what she was about to say, they decided to do just that and ignore it. After that, Fang turned to Fina and Igni, talking with a serious expression.
"Leader is not here right now, so we need someone to lead us. Fina, can you do it?"
Based on seniority, nobody would say anything even if Fang took it upon herself to act as the temporary team leader. However, she was unsure if she was even fit for the role.
Fang was no longer as "knowledgeable" as she was in the past; as more and more members were added, her knowledge was rendered almost worthless. Igni alone probably knows more than Fang, much less when compared to Fina, who was a long-time tamer before becoming one of Will's tamed monsters.
Fina, hearing her request and recalling how Ein left her to take care of the others, quickly smiled and nodded her head firmly.
"Of course, it'll be my pleasure."
Igni didn't have any objections either; for her, being on the frontlines fit her better. The three turned to the rest, Yorm, Judy, and Hekate, and they didn't seem to have any opinions to share. As everything was settled easily, they turned to Vendetta and were about to say their goodbyes for now... But Fang's next words surprised everyone.
"Miss Vendetta, can I stay here and wait for Leader's Return?"
""FANG?!""
Fina and Igni turned to her in confusion. However, Fang didn't turn around and just explained to them.
"We don't know how long it'll take before Leader can return. Having someone wait for him here would be for the best."
"But..."
Fina was about to dissuade her, but Igni raised her arm, halting her words halfway.
"... Alright. Wait here for My Lord's return; I'll handle the frontlines alone. Rather, this works fine for me, as I've yet to completely control my new skill's range."
A smile crossed Fang's lips as she glanced at the back.
"I'll count on you then, Igni. Leave Leader's welcome to me."
The two frontline fighters stared at each other, their eyes exchanging countless words in an instant. After a brief pause, Fang turned to the stairs leading to the underground workshop and sat down cross-legged.
Igni, on the other hand, turned around and started walking out of the Manor. The two acted as if there was nothing more to discuss and were just going to do whatever they were tasked with doing.
Fina was slightly disoriented by their actions but decided to leave Fang to her own devices. She bowed to Vendetta, bidding goodbye, before leading the other three outside.
Vendetta didn't bother to dissuade Fang or offer her a seat on the couch. Instead, she just went to the kitchen to fetch some tea and snacks and returned to offer some to her.
Both had nothing else to do, so they just sat, passing time idly while waiting for the time travel team's return...
---
After falling into the black hole on the ground, we had been falling for a few minutes. It was unknown how long we would be in this state, wandering in a dark space where we could see nothing.
If not for the three of us holding hands, we wouldn't even be able to see each other, as there was no light source anywhere. My eyes were slightly different, however, since I could see the energy in their bodies, making me able to "visualize" them.
"...!"
Suddenly, the tugging force acting on the space energy around us stopped. However, we weren't dragged anywhere; we only stayed in the black space.
"... What happened? Did we get stuck?"
Just as I was starting to feel worried, the entire barrier shook. The intensity was rising as if we were experiencing an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or above. We couldn't kneel to stabilize our positions, as the space wasn't enough for that, so we ended up hugging each other to stay standing.
Soon, a bright light covered our surroundings before the entire scenery changed to a nostalgic one. A sky the color of red and black, as if the end was nigh. Cracked and dry ground, seemingly not receiving water for decades, and a large figure walking around aimlessly.
"... We've actually returned!"
I still can't believe it, even though we're already seeing everything before us. Especially the giant Demon ahead of us. The Void Beast
A foreboding feeling gripped my heart, making me turn downward. There, a small figure burst out of one of the tunnels, running at a speed rivaling a bullet's. In just moments, the figure was already within range, and she raised her sniper rifle, aimed, and pulled the trigger.
A bullet covered in swirling red and gray energy flew, hitting the Void Beast at the nape. However, it could only rebound, dealing almost no damage. Still, the small scratch it left on its skin was more than enough reason to celebrate.
I looked at her figure, her gallant appearance, and her fierce expression. The familiar gun and the bullets that I still couldn't attempt to replicate.
I stared ahead, tears almost threatening to leak out of the corner of my eyes, as I uttered her name.
"... Master... Fatima!"
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