💥 Chapter 88 –
"Power reveals what you are… but choice reveals who you'll become."
🌀 Scene 1: Aeren Steps into the Warzone
The main gates of Sinjai Academy split open with a hiss as Aeren walked out alone.
On the battlefield before him, the Shroud Legion stood in a perfect formation—corrupted elite Seekers cloaked in armor fused with crimson glyphs.
At their head:Elarian, the First Seeker Reborn.
He smiled.
"You finally stopped running, Clockbearer."
Aeren's aura pulsed, threads of time energy spiraling around him.
"I'm not running. I'm just done hiding."
Every step Aeren took left behind a flicker of future echoes, his presence causing even high-level Seekers to flinch.
But inside, he was struggling.
The Crimson Heart beat louder—each use of power fed its awakening.
🗡️ Scene 2: Anshi's Dilemma
From a higher perch on the battlefield, Anshi stood with her unit—eyes locked on Aeren.
Then came the private transmission from her father, Commander Revan:
"If you see him lose control…You are authorized to use the soul-bind technique to seal his power—or end him."
She dropped her communicator in shock.
"He's not a threat…"
But deep in her heart, the image of Aeren in Seris's vision—cold, crowned, and cruel—flashed again.
She gripped her blade tighter.
"Please, Aeren… don't make me choose."
🔮 Scene 3: The Battle Begins
Elarian raised his hand.
"Shroud Legion… engage."
Dozens of corrupted Seekers charged, releasing monstrous techniques.
Chrono Fangs, serrated time blades that aged anything they touched.
Memory Erase Fields, causing combatants to forget the last few seconds.
Phase Step Kicks, teleporting impact strikes.
Aeren blinked forward—without fear—and began countering them without even touching them.
One attacker stopped mid-swing—his arm refusing to move.
Aeren whispered:
"Paradox Lock."
Another tried to stab him—only to find Aeren had predicted it ten seconds earlier, already behind him.
"I don't need strength to win," Aeren muttered."Just understanding."
Seekers began falling—not dead, but incapacitated, locked into time loops, stunned into confusion, or staring into their own forgotten memories.
Even Elarian's eyes narrowed.
"You've grown… faster than expected."
🧠 Scene 4: Seris Sees a Second Future
Watching from the command chamber, Seris gasped.
Her Dreambind Sight activated involuntarily.
She saw two timelines diverging from this battle:
Aeren embraces the Crimson Heart, becoming the tyrant Clock King.
Aeren breaks the pattern, unlocking a third path—never walked before.
But both paths demanded a sacrifice.
Seris whispered:
"Please let it be the second…"
🩸 Scene 5: Aeren Bleeds — and Awakens Again
Mid-battle, one of the elite Shroud Seekers landed a blow across Aeren's shoulder—a wound deeper than expected.
Blood hit the ground.
The Crimson Heart flared.
Time cracked.
And suddenly—Aeren saw all the Legion's next moves at once, their histories, their weaknesses, their doubts.
He could even hear their thoughts.
"He's a child… how is he doing this?!""I can't feel my arm—was that a time lock?!""I want to run. I want to run—"
Aeren fell to one knee, clutching his head.
"Too much… too fast…"
🧨 Scene 6: Anshi Moves
From above, Anshi saw him collapse.
Her mind spun.
"Do I trust him… or stop him?"
She leapt forward, sword ready—not to kill… but to help.
But would Aeren let her?
Would the Crimson Heart?
🔚 End of Chapter 88