The morning after Dormunhollow's awakening brought little rest. As the guild packed their supplies, Julius found a sealed envelope lying on the windowsill of the inn—a letter with golden wax, marked with an hourglass crest.
He hesitated, broke the seal, and began reading.
Julius Chronas, my son...
The handwriting trembled with age and emotion.
If this reaches you, know that I am not dead. I have watched from the folds between time, unable to interfere. But now I must break that law.
The Fifth Key lies within the Realm Between Seconds—a frozen plane where time doesn't move forward, only around. And it is guarded by the Clockwork Warden.
I created that realm to protect you. But others now seek to breach it. Including the Drach.
Come to the city of Pendralune. I will explain everything.
It was signed: Kairon Chronas.
Julius's expression darkened. He tucked the letter into his coat.
"Who was it from?" Bloom asked.
"My father," Julius replied simply. "He's alive."
The guild gathered at once.
Pendralune was a distant city—rumored to be built atop a temporal sinkhole. The perfect hiding place for a Time Mage.
The journey took them through three shifting timelines—pockets of time warps left from ancient magical wars. During one such distortion, the group was split.
Julius was hurled into the Realm Between Seconds prematurely.
A place of absolute stillness.
White sand. Floating gears. A clock in the sky ticking counterclockwise.
Julius wandered until a giant clockwork knight descended.
The Clockwork Warden spoke in gearspeak. "INTRUDER. NOT YET WORTHY."
Julius raised his hands. "I seek the Fifth Key."
"PROVE VALUE. SHOW THE MOMENT YOU REGRET MOST."
The Warden forced his memories to surface.
He saw himself… abandoning a friend.
An old companion named Elias, who once helped him master his first time spell. During a raid gone wrong, Julius chose to escape—leaving Elias behind.
Tears welled. "I never stopped regretting it."
He stepped forward and bowed. "I carry that moment. Always."
The gears paused. The Warden lowered its blade.
"YOU MAY PASS."
A golden key formed from the Warden's chest.
Julius grasped the Fifth Demon Key.
He returned through the time fissure—just as the others reached Pendralune.
There, in the plaza of ticking lights, stood a cloaked figure.
Kairon lowered his hood.
"Welcome home, son. It's time you knew the truth about your birth—and your role in the coming war."
Twilight Zone Guild – Members: 6
Julius (C-Rank Mage, Bronze Guild Master)
Lyra (D-Rank Mage, Ice-Make Magic)
Rael (D-Rank Mage, Lightning Magic)
Rin Ayana (C-Rank Mage, Whispering Blade Style – Memory Awakening)
Solas (C-Rank Mage?, Unknown Magic – Seal Fragment Holder)
Bloom (C-Rank Mage, Assassin-Herbalist, Crimson Veil Defector)
F Rank Quests Completed: 70/1000E Rank Quests Completed: 10/10000D Rank Quests Completed: 15/1000C Rank Quests Completed: 14/1000
Guild Status: Bronze Rank
Next Chapter Preview: Blood in Pendralune
While Julius uncovers ancient secrets with his father, the city of Pendralune is attacked by a Drach vanguard led by Noctis. Twilight Zone must defend the realm of time itself—before the sixth key falls into enemy hands.