Aren stared at his hands.
"I… did this?"
Liora moved—slowly. The only thing still capable of motion.
"Yes," she said.
"But every time you stop time, you lose a part of yourself."
Aren watched in horror as his fingertips became transparent.
Fear wrapped around his heart.
"If this continues… I'll disappear."
"That is your punishment," Liora whispered.
From deep within the Archive, glowing letters formed a name:
KURO REN
Aren's breath hitched.
"My father…"
"He's alive," Liora said quietly.
Aren shouted, "Where is he?!"
Liora didn't answer.
Her silence said everything.