stood again.
The ground beneath me was still ash.
But for the first time—
the wind had stopped.
The three-minute death loop…
was over.
---
Tomo (low, glitchy reboot tone):
"Bro… loop break confirmed…
You slashed the Spiral illusion…"
His voice was cracked.
But it was still alive.
And for now…
That was all I needed.
---
The Spiral Rod was burning in my hand.
But this time—
it didn't hurt.
It… weighed something.
From its core, a golden light began to leak.
Like something ancient was shattering—
and something new was being born.
---
Rod (deep internal whisper):
> "You faced your memory.
You didn't lie.
Now take this…
And burn back."
---
Me (thinking):
"…So you were alive… all along."
---
Suddenly—
the rod cracked.
Fragments floated around me—
suspended in mid-air.
---
Tomo (screaming):
"BRO THE ROD IS BREAKING—"
---
But no…
It wasn't breaking.
It was evolving.
---
Each piece spun in a fire-born Spiral—
And at the center, a glowing emblem emerged:
The Flame-Bound Spiral.
---
Then, a flash—
My mother's face.
Her eyes calm… but piercing.
She whispered:
> "Don't run from pain, beta.
Let it shape you."
---
The Rod reformed.
Gold and crimson.
Neither fire.
Nor light.
But the radiance of memory itself.
---
[EPOCH FANG — Activated]
> A Spiral Rod reborn through memory flame.
Ability: Slash illusions. Lock one memory. Reflect one burn.
---
I took it in my hand.
It wasn't cold…
But it didn't hurt anymore either.
It had become a part of me.
---
I stood tall.
Eyes fixed forward.
Me:
"Cindros…
You created the loop.
Now watch me shatter your illusion."
---
Cindros (from above):
"…You've evolved."
---
He raised his hand again.
That same Spiral symbol—
Ash Chrono Loop.
---
Me (calmly):
"Don't repeat yourself.
I don't endure the same memory twice."
---
I spun Epoch Fang through the air—
And slashed straight through the Spiral sigil.
---
SHHHRAAAK—!!
A golden spark burst outward.
The symbol shattered.
The wind trembled.
And something inside time itself… broke.
---
Tomo (in disbelief):
"Bro…
You just slashed through the structure of time…"
---
Cindros stepped forward.
For the first time—
his eyes were serious.
---
Cindros (softly):
> "Fine.
Your memories are strong…
Your Rod, stronger.
Then come.
Let's see how long you last…
Inside the Heartfire Temple."
---
He raised his hand—
and carved open a gateway with his Spiral mark.
A path formed—
black and red flames flickering on its edge.
No end in sight.
---
Tomo (whispering):
"Bro… this is Spiral's final emotional core.
Only those can enter…
who've already been burned down to nothing."
---
Me (gripping Epoch Fang):
"Then I'll find out—
whether I'm really the Timekeeper…
Or just another wandering flame."
---
To be continued…