Everything felt cold…
But something inside me had started to heat up.
Like someone had awakened a hidden lava flow buried deep beneath the ice.
I am Aren Kael.
Still standing exactly where I had freed Eira from the Spiral seal.
Aika stood to my left — still a bit distant, but there was warmth returning to her eyes.
Tomo blinked faintly on my shoulder… but there was something off in his voice.
---
Tomo (in a low voice):
"Bro… the next layer of the Spiral has unlocked.
Time isn't static anymore… it's starting to burn."
---
I looked up.
The sky was cracking — and bleeding red Spiral light.
As if the Spiral had been provoked into fury.
But the creepiest part?
The wind wasn't cold anymore…
It was dry.
Lifeless.
---
Aika (softly):
"…This place doesn't feel the same."
Me:
"Because this isn't the Frosted Womb anymore…
It's turning into something else."
---
And then a voice came.
Soft — but it cut straight through my heart.
> "What was once forgotten… you've reminded it."
---
Me:
"Who are you? Show yourself."
Suddenly, a deep crack opened in the ground —
And from within, a staircase rose…
Formed entirely of ash.
---
Tomo (shocked):
"Bro… this is the Time Incinerator Path.
It only activates when someone breaks Spiral rules."
---
Me (to myself):
"Great. First, I was frozen… now you're throwing me into fire?"
---
The steps were burning — but they weren't melting.
It felt like time itself was on fire… and still alive.
I glanced at Aika — her hands trembled slightly.
Eira was still unconscious, but a faint orange Spiral glow had started to flicker around her.
---
Tomo:
"Bro… Spiral is opening the gate to the next domain.
Its name is — The Charred Expanse.
And behind that gate… waits a name you shouldn't forget."
---
Me (deep breath):
"Say it, Tomo. What's his name?"
---
Tomo (after a pause):
"…Cindros.
The one who couldn't erase time…
So he chose to burn it instead."
---
I pressed my Spiral Rod into the ground, drawing a circular seal.
Aika looked at me — unsure, almost hurt.
---
Aika:
"You're leaving again?
Just when I finally… recognized you."
---
Me (soft tone):
"I'll return.
But this time… with myself whole.
And I'll bring all of you back with me."
---
The scene fades.
I step onto the burning staircase.
Each step glows with Spiral light — and pain.
Behind me, Aika, Eira, and Tomo are swept by a burning wind.
And then, a voice echoes —
Low, rough, and ancient.
> "Come, Timekeeper.
Let's see what you can save…
when time itself begins to turn into ash."
---
END CHAPTER 1