Chapter 5: The Contract with Taar-Nel

Universe 14 — Emerald District, 5:01 PM

The school gate slowly closes with a rustle of invisibility spells. Saphira Noctielle, in her adult form, crosses the glyph-paved sidewalk, her gothic silhouette floating like a noble shadow among distracted passersby a black dress with a slim corset, inverted cross-shaped jewelry, silent studded boots her blue hair unfurls like a cape, and her dark lace parasol tinkles with each step beside her, her son Nékridhal, in his peaceful form, hops from slab to slab, his hand clutching a parchment covered with nightmarish drawings SAPHIRA (softly): "If you want to scare the other children, don't forget to sign your works, otherwise they're just wild hallucinations."  NÉKRIDHAL (smiling, wise): "I called them 'dreams of friends who aren't dead yet.'" Saphira lets out a soft, tender sigh the street is peaceful, too peaceful. suddenly, a man waits, leaning against an enchanted lamppost tall, ethereal skin, dressed in a black suit with vibrant blue braids his gaze is direct, unfathomable TAAR-NEL: "...Saphira Noctielle?" she stops the presence is powerful but not hostile she inclines her head slightly SAPHIRA: "I don't believe I know you, or else my memories betray me, which would be unfortunate." he sketches a smile TAAR-NEL: "Taar-Nel. supreme commander of the temporal police. I saw your traces during the Aetherion incident today i saw you leave a school and realized it might be the right time."SAPHIRA: "The right time for what?" he hands her an inter dimensional card with a simple gesture. she takes it, analyzing it with her gaze TAAR-NEL: "To invite you to dinner, discuss a partnership, and perhaps save the fragile structure of the Multiverse."  little later, in a space suspended between the world's seconds, a restaurant bathed in fractal light welcomes two extraordinary entities Saphira settles in silence her gothic presence transforms the tablecloths into elegant ashes Taar-Nel remains standing TAAR-NEL: "I'm here to talk about your tower, the Arcaana Tower, or perhaps I should say the goddess who obeys you." Saphira frowns, amused and intrigued SAPHIRA: "Very few people dare to mention her name without trembling, and even fewer say it to my face. You make a point.". TAAR-NEL: "I am pragmatic and sincere. Since the collapse of the Infinite Tower, as you know, we no longer have a reliable structure to contain the vortex, titan, and conceptual classes.". SAPHIRA: "And your solution would be to ask me to house cosmic criminals in my living tower?" TAAR-NEL: "No, my solution is to trust you and sign an official cooperation contract between the Arcaana tower and the temporal police in exchange, you will be recognized as the supreme Instance of detention, with protection protocol included." Saphira says nothing her gaze is lost for a moment. She thinks of Élya, of Kaïm Umbra, of the promise made to the upper floors SAPHIRA: "Why not rebuild the Infinite Tower? You have the resources." Taar-Nel slowly shakes his head TAAR-NEL: "Too many flaws, too many internal secrets you, at least, are a living, sincere entity, respected by the entire council of plans." a silence falls Saphira raises a hand a blue signature crackles in the air the parchment ignites with peaceful lightning the pact is sealed SAPHIRA: "My tower will accept class vortex criminals, but if a single escape occurs I will return your fragments to you by the spoon." Taar-Nel inclines his head seriously TAAR-NEL: "It will be an honor to collaborate with you, blue queen." later, Saphira meets Nékridhal at the exit he is surrounded by petrified classmates he hands them candies shaped like laughing coffins NÉKRIDHAL: "I invented a new recess activity: jumping into screaming shadows. They like it a lot." SAPHIRA (sighing softly): "Your future will be made of love, war, and nightmares, but you are my son, and I will be able to contain everything, even you." she opens the blue door towards the tower, and the multiverse, unknowingly, has just signed a pact with the safest and most dangerous unknown.

End of Chapter 5 - The Contract with Taar-Nel