4.3 - The Eleventh Hour

Timeline Alpha

France

Charles de Gaulle Airport

2000.01.02

11:11:11 Central European Time

Psyche, a small, young woman with short blonde hair, wearing a white blouse and black trousers, arrived at the airport about two hours later, joining the rest of the group.

“So, what's your plan?” she asked.

“First, we need to give you a sense of Hermes' perspective,” Shirona replied. “You won't connect with him if you keep chasing him. To get him to listen, you need to offer something he wants or demonstrate goodwill. Let him seek you out.”

“Like what?” Psyche asked.

“Getting out of the time loop,” Shirona answered.

“But Hermes doesn't even know we're in a time loop,” Psyche countered.

“Exactly,” Shirona said. “That's why the first step is to inform him. You and Yuki will need to leave France for this.”

“Why me too?” Yuki protested.

“Because the plane belongs to your family,” Shirona explained. “And it's an opportunity for a good conversation. Stalker to stalker.”

“I'm not a stalker!” Yuki and Psyche insisted in unison.

Denial.

“I'm not like that idiot,” Psyche complained.

“I agree. We're nothing alike. Why lump me in with that maniac?” Yuki asked.

Anger.

“Look, there must be another way. I'm sure Hermes will realize we have something special. He just needs to give me a chance,” Psyche said.

“Right, I'm sure I'd be more useful here with you than on that plane!” Yuki added.

Bargaining.

Three hours later, Yuki and Psyche departed for London's Heathrow Airport, their spirits low.

Stuck in Depression, with no real Acceptance in sight.

Hermes had remained near the Palace of Versailles for another four hours after they left Paris' airspace. He then teleported himself to a position close to the airport.

He had long black hair and was otherwise rather unremarkable, neither thin nor thick, of average height, and dressed in casual clothing. He made contact with Kurono, Shirona, Rei, and Claire, who had decided to get dinner at a nearby restaurant while waiting for Hermes to calm down after the two-day chase by Psyche.

“Are you the one I should thank for Psyche's sudden departure, Chronos?” Hermes asked.

“I had little part in it. It was Shirona's idea,” Kurono replied. “She's part of my following.”

“We happen to share a similar situation, albeit I thought mine ended for good a while ago. Still, I needed her help to get us here. And we need to ask you and Psyche for your cooperation as well.”

“You mean Psyche…” Hermes began.

“I'll be back,” Psyche said through Claire.

“Should have known she'd leave one of her following behind,” Hermes sighed. “So, what do you all want from me?”

“We're stuck in a time loop again,” Kurono said.

“You mean YOU'RE stuck in a time loop again,” Hermes retorted.

“Same difference,” Kurono said. “We need your cooperation to get out of it.”

“And what's in it for me?” Hermes asked.

“You mean besides not spending eternity being chased by Psyche in an endless loop without even realizing it?” Shirona asked.

“Fair point,” Hermes said. “So, do you know the cause of the loop? Did any of the Demon Lord's Generals or his Elite Five follow us here?”

“Our intel is limited at best,” Kurono replied. “All we really know is that the world will end in fire in about seven days.”

“But with your help, we could find the cause and prevent it,” Shirona said. “Or at least gather all the Heroes and their following for the next iteration of the loop. And Psyche has agreed to keep her distance for now.”

“Fine,” Hermes said and sighed.

A translucent screen abruptly appeared in his field of view.

On its digital displays, a single sentence was written:
“You have been invited to join the Following of Him, who holds Dominion over Time.”

Below it, two alternatives appeared, “Accept” and “Decline”.