Chương 40: 040

Keeping my temper by the skin of my teeth, I gritted out, "If we're resorting to insults, I'm going to start calling you a lot worse than old man." After the last day of stress, exhaustion, pain, and fear, I was more than ready to call it quits. Only Karma kept me here, but if her husband kept this up, not even that would hold me. I wanted to help, but I wasn't a masochist. I wouldn't tolerate belittling from the one I was supposed to be working with.

Anger and fatigue warred in me, but before I could add anything, Time lifted a hand, pinching the bridge of his nose with the other.

"It was not an insult, but a statement of fact. You have no worldly experience here, and magic is foreign to you. Expecting you to cast that spell without guidance was unrealistic, and for that, I apologize." The anger deflated like a punctured balloon. His apology–genuine, not the hollow ones I'd grown used to–soothed the rage in a blink. I couldn't snarl at him too much since I'd been the one to use the 'expecting an infant to run' line. Rubbing my face, I relaxed.

"Thanks, and I'm sorry for shouting. It's been…one hell of a day." Understatement of the year, for sure. Time nodded, tension leaving his shoulders with a sigh.

"It has indeed. Let us finish this and put it behind us." He shifted partially toward Silas, eyes cooling to a sharp, calculating glint.

"Unfortunately, there is no time for a new plan. Anyone you touch will unfreeze with us, so taking their weapons is unwise." I raised an eyebrow.

"You pushed Silas's blade down before the rewind, and he stayed frozen. Why is that different?" Time grunted, the exhaustion around him doubling in weight as his shoulders slumped forward.

"It takes more power to keep a person frozen while I touch them. More than I have available, after all I have already used today. Magic is our only option." The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. My stomach twisted.

"So I'm supposed to use Fast Forward and pray it works? It could attach to my arm again… or worse. What if it digs into my chest? Who's to say it won't reduce me to dust?" A chill ran up my spine. Time sighed.

"My power is overwhelming; you are wise to be wary. But you will not do this alone. I will guide you through casting Fast Forward." Relief brushed through me, there and gone, as another concern clawed at the edges of my mind.

"I know it's necessary, but… this power killed hundreds and took my arm. What if I can't control it? What if I hurt more people?" Silas would die. That was certain. But Dominicus and the rabbit hybrid were inches away. What if they became collateral damage? The carpet and tapestry I'd just destroyed weren't exactly confidence boosters. Time's expression softened.

"I will prevent the power from attaching to anyone but the king, yourself included. As for your earlier intent to avoid offensive magic…that will not be possible." I inhaled to argue, but he cut me off, voice firm but not cruel.

"Causing harm is not in your nature, and there is no shame in that. But sometimes, to protect and preserve life, we must pick up a weapon and defend it. The power you fear is formidable, yes—but it is also a tool, a means to an end." He paused, letting that sink in.

"Taking a life should never be done lightly. But this man" he gestured toward Silas "has caused death and suffering for thousands. This is not about ending a life; it is about ending a reign of terror, saving countless others from the ruin he may bring. There will be others like him, and you will need to act accordingly." That didn't mean I had to like it… He nodded.

"I would be concerned if you took joy from killing. As it stands, your intention is not harm, but protection. Hold onto that and push forward. For the girl you tried to save, for the thousands threatened by the apocalypse, and for Karma." Images of her curled up and snoring in her bed wrapped around my heart, squeezing it tight. She'd said my oath to do no harm would have to go, I should have known she wasn't joking.

In a world torn by war, where an apocalypse waited at the door, I wasn't going to save anyone without fighting. I would spare who I could, help innocents caught in the crossfire, and do my best. That was all anyone could ask. Time's approval flickered in a subtle smile.

"You are not alone, though it may feel otherwise. I am here. We will do this." Then he turned to Silas, eyes blazing.

"My power is fading quickly. Prepare yourself. I will guide you through the spell once time is moving again." And just like that, he vanished, his presence settling like a hand on my shoulder. A reminder that I wasn't alone. I took a deep breath and focused on Silas, shaking off the dregs of uncertainty. He was right, we would do this. One way, or another.