The forest was unusually quiet.
The soft rustling of leaves mixed with the sound of footsteps against the dirt path as Tomora and Ezra walked beneath the towering trees. Sunlight slipped through the branches above, painting the ground with scattered patches of gold.
Tomora's hand rested around the small flower he carried.
His thumb gently brushed against the petals, careful not to damage them.
Patricia's flower.
Even after everything, he still carried it with him.
Ezra glanced at him from the side, noticing the distant expression on his face.
"You've been thinking about that energy we felt yesterday, haven't you?"
Tomora looked ahead, his fingers continuing to trace the petals.
"Nope," he replied casually. "Just lost in my thoughts, that's all."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"You're terrible at hiding when something is bothering you."
Tomora looked at him.
"Why would I be worried?"
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It's not like whatever that was is coming for me."
Ezra's expression remained serious.
"You said yourself that you feel your journey is coming to an end."
Tomora's smile faded slightly.
"And you know there's a high chance that whatever that was is connected to you."
The words lingered.
Tomora stopped walking.
His eyes lowered toward the ground, staring silently at the dirt beneath his feet.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he looked back at Ezra.
"Even so..."
A small smile returned.
"I'm sure I can handle it."
Before Ezra could respond, Tomora suddenly grabbed him.
His eyes sharpened.
In one quick motion, he covered Ezra's mouth and pulled him upward, jumping onto a nearby tree branch.
Ezra's eyes widened in confusion.
Tomora pressed a finger against his lips.
"Shhh."
Ezra slowly nodded.
Tomora looked down toward the trail below.
Something was there.
Someone.
"Wait here," Tomora whispered. "I'll be back."
Ezra immediately shook his head.
"I'm coming with yo—"
"No."
Tomora's voice was quiet, but firm.
Before Ezra could argue, Tomora dropped from the branch and disappeared into the forest.
He moved silently between the trees, his steps controlled and careful.
Then a voice echoed through the woods.
"Show yourself."
Tomora stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
"Who are you?"
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then—
A violent explosion erupted.
Fire tore through the trees.
Tomora reacted instantly.
He flipped backward, avoiding the flames as they passed inches from his face. The moment his feet touched the ground, water formed beneath him, allowing him to slide across the dirt.
Using the momentum, he launched himself upward.
One flip.
Two.
Three.
He landed behind another tree, hidden from sight.
His hand began gathering power.
Then the voice returned.
"Come out..."
A pause.
"...unless you want this brat to die."
Tomora froze.
Slowly, he looked around the tree.
Ezra stood there, a knife pressed against his neck.
A girl held him tightly, her expression impatient.
"Shit..." Tomora whispered.
The girl tightened her grip.
"I'm running out of patience."
The blade moved slightly closer.
Tomora stepped out from hiding, raising his hands.
"Okay. Fine."
His eyes remained locked on Ezra.
"I'm coming out."
The girl smiled.
"Get him."
Two figures emerged from the trees.
Before Tomora could react, they grabbed his arms and forced him down.
He struggled briefly.
Then he looked at one of them.
His eyes widened.
"Wait..."
The person froze.
Tomora stared.
"Connor?"
Connor's eyes widened.
"Tomora?!"
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Connor broke into a grin.
"Bro..."
He laughed in disbelief.
"I thought you might have kicked the bucket!"
Tomora stared at him.
Then a smile slowly formed.
"Wow..."
A small laugh escaped him.
"Me too."
The tension disappeared.
The two rushed forward and pulled each other into a hug.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Tomora saw a familiar face from a life that seemed impossibly far away.
Ash, Ashley, and Ezra could only stare.
Ashley slowly lowered the knife and released Ezra.
She looked between the two of them.
"How do you guys know each other?"
Connor stepped back, still smiling.
"We actually go way back."
He placed a hand on Tomora's shoulder.
"Right, buddy?"
Tomora looked at him.
A quiet smile appeared.
"I guess you could say that."
Ezra crossed his arms.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do."
Tomora looked away.
For once, he didn't mind.
---
Not far from the group, hidden among the trees, Ishimo watched silently.
Cuppy rested comfortably on his shoulder, making a soft noise.
"Prrrr."
Ishimo tilted his head.
"Well..."
A small smile appeared.
"This is certainly intriguing."
Cuppy looked up at him.
"Prrrr."
Ishimo sighed.
"Yes, I know."
His eyes returned to Tomora and Connor.
"I didn't plan for this to happen."
Another chirp came from Cuppy.
Ishimo closed his eyes and took a deep breath
"No."
A grin slowly returned.
"It won't spoil my plan."
He looked back toward the group.
"Actually..."
His eyes shifted toward Ezra.
"It just makes things more fun."
Cuppy tilted its head.
"Prrrr."
Ishimo's expression changed slightly.
"Yes. I've noticed him."
His gaze remained on Ezra.
"The young one..."
A pause.
"He's Ezra."
The wind moved through the trees.
Ishimo's smile faded slightly.
"Guess in this timeline..."
He looked away.
"...the other one died."
The forest fell silent once again.
END OF CHAPTER