Rain began falling that evening.
Soft at first.
Then heavier, washing the city in silver reflections and neon light.
Arjun stood near the apartment window, watching droplets slide down the glass. Since meeting Ren, a strange sensation lingered in his mind — faint signals appearing and disappearing like distant echoes.
Someone else had awakened.
And they were close.
Seraphine confirmed moments later.
Unknown anomaly signature detected. Distance: 3.2 kilometers. Energy fluctuations unstable.
Kael immediately grabbed his jacket.
Alright, field trip.
Mira looked at Arjun.
You think they're dangerous?
Arjun answered honestly.
I don't know.
Lyra stepped forward quietly.
New awakenings are unstable. Without guidance, anomalies often lose control.
Thunder echoed outside.
Another surge of energy pulsed through the city.
Windows rattled.
Car alarms activated across several streets.
Seraphine updated rapidly.
Energy spike increasing. Emotional instability detected.
Arjun moved toward the door.
We go now.
---
They arrived at an abandoned construction site near the edge of downtown.
Rain poured heavily, turning dust into mud. Half-finished buildings stood like skeletons under flashing lightning.
At the center—
A girl stood alone.
Around seventeen.
Dark hair soaked by rain, eyes glowing faint blue.
The air around her warped violently. Pieces of concrete floated and shattered repeatedly as invisible force expanded outward.
She looked terrified.
I… I didn't do anything… she whispered to herself.
Another pulse exploded outward.
Steel beams bent like paper.
Kael ducked.
Okay yeah she's definitely dangerous.
Mira stepped forward slowly.
Hey! It's okay! We're not here to hurt you!
The girl turned suddenly.
Energy surged violently toward them.
Instinctive defense.
Arjun stepped ahead and raised his hand.
The wave hit him—
And dissolved harmlessly.
The girl froze.
H… how did you—
Her power fluctuated wildly again, reality flickering around her.
Lyra spoke gently.
Your existence is expanding beyond normal limits. You are afraid, so your ability reacts.
Tears mixed with rain on the girl's face.
Everything keeps breaking… I can hear voices… time feels wrong…
Arjun understood immediately.
Early anomaly awakening.
Uncontrolled perception.
He walked closer slowly.
You're not losing control.
She shook her head desperately.
I am! People almost got hurt!
Lightning flashed.
For a split second, time around them slowed unintentionally — raindrops hanging motionless midair.
Kael blinked.
Did she just pause rain?!
Seraphine confirmed.
Temporal distortion ability detected.
The girl stared at her hands in horror.
Make it stop…
Arjun stopped a few steps away.
Listen to me.
She looked at him.
You're not broken. You just changed.
Her breathing slowed slightly.
Changed…?
Arjun nodded.
You're like me.
The energy around her flickered uncertainly.
Lyra added softly.
Your mind tries to process multiple timelines simultaneously.
The girl whispered.
I see things before they happen… and after… all at once…
Arjun extended his hand.
Then focus on one moment.
Right now.
Her power surged again — unstable.
Arjun released his presence gently.
Not forceful.
Calming.
Reality stabilized around them.
The floating debris slowly fell.
Rain resumed normally.
The girl gasped as pressure disappeared.
She collapsed to her knees.
It… stopped…
Mira smiled softly.
Good job.
The girl looked up at Arjun.
Who are you?
Arjun hesitated briefly.
Someone who went through the same thing.
She wiped her eyes.
My name is Airi.
Seraphine immediately logged.
New anomaly registered: Temporal-class variable.
Kael crossed his arms.
Great. We're forming a team now.
Lyra watched Airi carefully.
Her awakening this early means the cycle barrier is weakening rapidly.
Before anyone could respond—
The sky flickered again.
A faint Overseer symbol appeared briefly above the clouds.
They noticed.
Airi felt it too and panicked.
Something's watching me!
Arjun looked upward calmly.
Yeah.
Now they're watching all of us.
He helped her stand.
You're not alone anymore.
Thunder rolled across the sky.
Somewhere far beyond Earth, Overseers adjusted their calculations once again.
The anomaly was spreading.