Timeless Hero Without a Goal

81st Tick: Chat

They were walking for quite awhile without saying anything, Rose’s mind working furiously as she tried to think of a plan. For one, she did not know there was going to be two demons. She had seen Mini on the ship before, and recognised her as a demon general, but judging by how Gira held himself, Rose was afraid that he was also a demon general. She did not know his ability, Thomas could have been trapped somewhere unreachable by Rose, her plan would have failed. Not to mention how she was basically powerless, so the demons could kill her at any moment.

“Where are you taking me?” Rose asked.

“To our castle, our home.” Gira replied. “You do not need to worry, we will not harm you until you do something to harm us.”

Rose felt like what he said was true, her instincts told her so, but her mind was still filled with thoughts on what would happen if she died. She then decided to ask, “What made you think I was an Angel?”

It was probably the dumbest question she could have asked them. Gira mentioned that they had nothing against Angels and that they only despised humans. If they had rethought and decided she was human indeed, then Rose would have been killed on the spot. It was an idiotic question, but Rose was curious.

“Your hair and aura.” Gira replied simply. “Are you not in the transformation stage of an Angel? I learnt about how the world works the past hundred years, so I can tell.”

“Transformation stage?” Rose asked.

“Yes, are you unaware?”

“I have no idea what that is.”

Gira nodded as he walked, their view opening up to a castle. He elaborated, “You see, Angels are selected human souls who are brought up to Heaven to ‘evolve’. In Heaven, the process might take a day or two before the human soul fully becomes an Angel. If you’re in the human world, it will most likely take a few months.”

“Who selects them?” Rose asked.

“Hm?”

“The human souls, who selects them to become Angels?”

Rose was genuinely curious. Back when she died the first time in that zombie town, Thomas had saved her from death. However, that time, she had not been brought to Heaven. Yet, when she died in the forest that one time, she was brought to Heaven. It was odd and Rose really could not understand.

“I... would rather not say.” Gira replied.

Rose decided not to pursue the topic, the glared she was getting from Mini in the trees was too unsettling. Gira pushed the gate of the castle open. The building was quite destroyed, obvious signs of battle on it, especially the hole punched through from the top.

“Can I ask something?” Rose asked.

“What?”

“Why did you decide to live here?”

“Because our mother died here.” Gira stated plainly. “There’s nothing else to it.”

She walked in, Mini hopping beside her and walking forward. They entered the building and Mini swayed somewhere else while Gira led Rose to a room. There was a simple table with two chairs, carved from wood and well done. It was something resembling a kitchen, but Rose was unsure. Gira walked out and Mini walked in, carrying a basket, a smile on her face. Gira walked in after her. Mini sat on the chair across Rose while Gira stood around.

Mini opened the basket and pulled out a pie, pointing it in Rose’s direction. Rose hesitated, “I don’t eat meat, sorry.”

Mini frowned and pushed it closer to Rose. Gira took the pie out of her hands and took a bite before saying, “You shouldn’t force it on people.”

Mini nodded before eating a slice on her own. Gira sighed and asked Rose, “So... May I ask again, what is your purpose here?”

Rose hesitated.

“Could it perhaps be... because of the ClockKeeper? Do you want to free him?” Gira asked. “What could an Angel be doing with the ClockKeeper?”

Rose was thinking fast for a reply. They mentioned that they had nothing against humans, what could they possibly want with Thomas? Unless, Thomas was trying to save the Captain. She sighed internally, not believing the stupidity of Thomas.

“Um... if you have nothing against him, could you perhaps... free him?” Rose asked, rather awkwardly.

“I would, but he was the one who decided to fight.” Gira explained. “I am alright with freeing the ClockKeeper as long as he does not try to free the human as well.”

Rose cursed internally. Knowing Thomas, he was definitely going to turn back time to save the captain. He was not the type to let a human who had helped him simply die. Rose could potentially get away with a lie, but even she was not sure. There was also the fact that Gira could have been lying and was never intending to free Thomas in the first place. But then, it could be part of Thomas’ plan to let himself be captured for whatever reason. She shook that idea out of her head, she had never known Thomas to be that smart.

“If you free him, I’ll try to talk to him.” Rose said.

“Try is not confirmation. But it does not matter, if the ClockKeeper chooses to fight, we will simply defeat him again.” Gira said.

The reason Gira had let Thomas go was simpler than he made it out to be. The twins like people who were not human, and liked people who were filial. Rose was filial to Thomas, and he respected her for that enough to give her a chance. The twins were never warriors to begin with, they relied on family, each other. And separating one from their family was painful for them, at least, unless they were human. Rose was given a chance, the one chance she needed and could get. Gira knew it was her plan, but they had already defeated both Thomas and Captain Wave previously, they could just do it again.

One chance, the only chance. A mirror appeared in front of Rose, showing an image of Thomas. It was a test, as respect to Rose, and to check whether Rose was trustworthy. In the case where she lied, they would have all rights to attack her and kill her and the captain before imprisoning Thomas again.