"Chrono, how far away are we from the fish lady?" Catherine asks, struggling to keep her head above water.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAiZYsdGikyc
"I'm not quite sure. We'll need a better strategy in order to get there faster and spare the people some casualties.." Chrono replies.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAMl0GoONOAO
239Please respect copyright.PENANAR8d0JoxFfM
The rain poured down even more with every shriek Noelani made.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAGeB4q446KD
At that moment, the both of them knew what they needed to do. They swapped their souls with their respective deities, and their almost invincible bodies made it possible for them to swim underwater without issues.
239Please respect copyright.PENANALovJ4vmmWR
239Please respect copyright.PENANAMZPsJrcfJD
Approaching the siren, Piravit tries her best to cover the Time Beast while he prepares his attack.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAQhDDb1AWKb
With a hearty roar from Piravit, the waves of water split away from the two, as a rift to the Phasing Dimension creates a crater of protection around the entire city.
239Please respect copyright.PENANALroS76oVqB
Time Beast had began his attack, starting with the Roar of Time, which stopped everything.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAkgrDKXXJ2K
For the first time, Piravit and Chrono worked together to fight the Timebreaker Noelani.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAlfcE83rbWR
They landed hit after hit to damage the Timebreaker, and when the time returned, Noelani, in pain, screeched another horrid song.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAdY8saIc6Hr
More rain rushes to the ground. Chrono had to stop time once again to relieve the pressure of the rain.
239Please respect copyright.PENANASVMomxfECm
"This will not end well. We have to go back in time and try again...but..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANASaf3kp0Q5O
"What?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANA7WZwVo9Iqc
"We'll have to move even quicker to avoid repeating this."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAlatxwqmlCB
239Please respect copyright.PENANAHgZRaTCZna
"...I can do that."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAyA8wCsYOeb
239Please respect copyright.PENANAyb9T7teBOV
"Good."
239Please respect copyright.PENANA7iDl3oeNEd
With a similar roar, time itself began to slow, then repeat itself in reverse. Catherine had barely any time to blink before they were back at her dorm, but this time, she had no time to stall.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAHT2dEuVsxV
She threw open the door, where Chrono appeared by her side. Catherine and Chrono sprinted towards the opening rift of time. Rain began to pour again.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAXBV2OmW0iz
"At least it's not as bad as was before.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAxF92w9wX3j
"We just have to stop Noelani before she manages to fully insert herself into the Human Realm.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANA2igoW5rzrs
Chrono, in his normal form, stops time once again.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAn311LmDOEK
"Hurry Catherine! Run as quickly as possible! Get as close as you can!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAar5sR3LiLv
"What the hell? Why aren't you coming with me?!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAp7UWBjXu81
"I'll tell you later! Just please, go!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAu1zCaJ12sj
Catherine, concerned and a bit afraid, pulled herself together and calls on the powers of the Phasing Dragon, letting the cyan flames envelope her hands.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAdoIGAoAhBO
Within seconds, Catherine pulls punch after punch, kick after kick, getting in as much damage as possible.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA8aRhooB9uH
Chrono's time stop began to fade away, as the strain was beginning to be too much. Chrono's next move was to run as fast as he can to Catherine to aid her.
239Please respect copyright.PENANANXrTARPOtG
Catherine had just been blown away with the small gust that the hurricane had brought.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAgOd6Rxr2FW
Catherine's face, arms and legs were covered in dirt and scrapes.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAlyC7TsVijN
"Ow..." she stands up and turns to Chrono as a slight annoyed look flew across her face. "What the hell are you standing there for!?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANA9UlqgYEFh0
Chrono fumbles with a secret satchel that he had stored for events like this. He then pulls out a dagger, the blade's shape zigzagged like the thunderbolts flickering among the sky.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAl8aBYyknXq
"Quick! Catch!" Chrono then slides the blade closer to her. "Infuse your energy into that blade! It's the only thing I have that could possibly stop her!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAQiOYOa16XA
Catherine swipes it from the moist ground, as cyan energy began forming a longer blade around the original one.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAQuZNLG2EwJ
Catherine's face became stern with determination.
239Please respect copyright.PENANANHSF6JXNWG
"Now Noelani...get the hell out of here!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAr6FQvxOWMk
She runs as fast as she can with hilt in hand and begins to throw the sword, but as soon as she let it go.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAPa518DbSRf
It pierced flesh, but not from who she was hitting.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAuY16YC2trI
Nathaniel immediately staggers while the others began to roll up to his side.
239Please respect copyright.PENANATc6wD7aiog
"Nathaniel! A-Are you okay?" Isabelle cries.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA3HrHleWtBK
"I am fine, Isabelle." Nathaniel slowly begins to pull the blade from his shoulder.
239Please respect copyright.PENANABYioNZRh6N
"Nate, don't! You'll bleed out!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANA3Jr3Dhp1jj
"I will survive until that happens..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAPQRvpDCNtv
The dagger was torn out as Nathaniel drops to his knees. When the other Prodigies tried to get him back to his feet, he refused their attempt to help.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAnQMw1yvjmA
"Sorry for being late. We didn't realize something was wrong until just now..."
Kenzo said, using his chains to protect himself from the rain.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAMrRQiwKTDN
Catherine takes the now bloodied blade from the ground in front of Nathaniel, reactivating the cyan blade.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAfHxuuVPNyO
The Prodigies, now reunited, take a fighting stance.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAFrD2J7KtBU
Noelani cocks her head in curiosity, then with a song, the pouring rain became a light drizzle.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAfWLngGTjoO
"...She's giving us a fair fight." Arsenio says, pushing his hands into his pocket.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAtDh8TXb0ud
"Like she had a chance. She's still outnumbered, one to five!" Kenzo states, pulling out his chained scythes.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAAErwFKhMYM
That's when Verna's voice yelled from behind.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAEZndzV7DMc
"Don't lower your guard!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAd8tCj6ByRh
"V-Verna?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAAezSPIK0e7
"T-Tempus: Cessatio!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAAWCW90FBBs
That's when time stops, including the Prodigies.
239Please respect copyright.PENANADHrR9Y0Un0
The Timekeeper floats closer to the group, pushing them aside, but too focused on her students to notice, she accidentally returns time to normal..
239Please respect copyright.PENANAAEgab9UOVt
Suddenly, a strong barrage of thunderbolts began stomping down towards Verna, each bolt becoming even more stronger and painful than the last.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAw66TAMAo3d
With each strike, Verna gets more hurt until her golden white hair is completely disheveled.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA4gPrpjb8Tq
Verna ends up on her knees, staring into space.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAnkjpKMprQZ
"No...no...you can't...be serious..." Catherine whispered in disbelief.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAIykZjuZPRR
The rain had completely stopped. As her body struggled to breathe, Verna looked to the sky with tears welling in her eyes.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAL4stsvMtL2
"Prodigies..thank you..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAqsRMxHMnUV
Verna gave them a small smile, knowing that her life wouldn't be the same.
239Please respect copyright.PENANATwYdIjD6yd
"I've done the last thing I wanted to do for myself...dying protecting the Prodigies I tried tirelessly to train and grow fond of."
239Please respect copyright.PENANALkEUtTtOvu
Verna's face turns to sadness as she begins to look at the darkness in front of her.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAPNK43BjtEV
"...I wish we could've stayed together a little longer...I never really got to know you five...personally.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAKDDj1yMcsW
She blinks her tears away.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAVhunr8Yz6Y
Noticing the golden white cracks in her skin, Verna calls out a name to atmosphere above.
239Please respect copyright.PENANANEWhXBRbdx
"...Eran..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAMWBnX7uJmj
The Prodigies were extremely confused, but stood frozen in place.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAphurqrCxH3
"... I'm coming back...don't worry...I'll be there, I promise..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAd3fufSuDLb
Catherine couldn't stay quiet any longer.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAHq1bBITyi5
"Who the hell is-"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAwbfvxJAqmg
Nathaniel holds her back.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAHfygEa1vs9
"...Now is not the time for your remarks, Catherine..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAi64adVZMzj
"You know what, I'm sick and damn tired of you, Nathaniel!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAWpC1IcHoKw
"Me?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANA9WitJZYWpp
"Ever since we've met, you've been the sharpest thorn in my side!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAjoTVOgqWl8
"P-P-Prodigies..." Verna interrupted her rant. "There's n-no need to fight...I know you're confused and scared, but don't put that on your peers..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAexmzhGATY7
Her face continues to shatter like glass.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAy7DHDBJGrP
"I know someone who can help... you'll have to trek a dangerous path, but I know you five together will make it to him..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAl6gGhKLaBk
She pulls the watch shakily, pulling out a folded sheet of paper, handing it to Catherine. Shattered pieces clattered to the ground as she knelt down even more.
239Please respect copyright.PENANACNuytBQ661
"A-And Prodigies...one more thing..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAzl8Z9wM5Bv
A dazzling light began to envelope Verna as the Prodigies reach out to her. The last of her tears trickle down her cheeks as she muttered out her last words.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA5X45PgpiUg
"...Don't give up. Fix the Fabric of Time, even if it takes a lifetime.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAW4vYo41UWm
She takes the watch from her neck and hands it to Nathaniel, who took it with hesitation.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAYC5hSnIEtM
"I'm leaving the power of stopping time to you Nathaniel..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAgYJ6k8TVo8
Catherine and the others stood back as fear and solemn struck their hearts.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAn8KZMzGLb4
Her skin...became that of porcelain, the final word she spoke forever plastered into a cold statue of death.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAmSkSeMjvex
A warm light floated above it, but as soon as hope seemed to fill the Prodigies, Noelani swiped it from the air, before looking at the five with a stern look.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAzIYbW00Dbs
"N-No! Wait!" Catherine attempted to stop her.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA812i8kWf9B
The siren ignored her attempt though, and returned to the warp she came from, leaving the street a flooded mess, and the Prodigies with Verna's soulless statue.
239Please respect copyright.PENANABvjI1yLpus
Catherine could see Nathaniel grip the watch that Verna had gifted him. It's rims reflected the now shining sun's light, but no matter how bright the sun was, it wouldn't stop the somber shadow that cast upon the spirits of the Prodigies.
239Please respect copyright.PENANATXsjdURvcr
***
239Please respect copyright.PENANAXYpUCuKfjK
It was days after, and the Prodigies, still stricken with grief, split up to their own Time Periods.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAWvuwd6J0p2
Catherine was back at home, helping Talia with her studies and hanging out with her.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA9gkkxfTCLv
That's when a time warp opens with the other four Prodigies returning to her side.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAzyTBIOWiM7
Nathaniel wore the Timekeeper watch around his neck, holding his original watch in his hand.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAIEPjHDNy4d
Arsenio was carrying Isabelle as she slept, with Ezra watching him like a hawk.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAKFA29ClHWB
"Hey guys..." Catherine says, slumping back in the cushion of her couch.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAOl6nvNRblr
"...It is time to leave."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAIQhdIo0hHh
Nathaniel says this while placing his watch on the table, motioning her to return to the Sanctuary with them.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAIwiBoVegHz
"Talia, if you ever want to join us, just put on the watch, alright?" Kenzo states with a small smile.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAmcXcihXxXR
Talia glances at the watch, then the group.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAXitPXDVuHr
"I'll think about it.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAPBa6YeMFPP
Catherine stands up from her seat, placing a hand on Talia's shoulder.
239Please respect copyright.PENANApMehxxOy9p
"Think about it before you decide on this. Don't come along just because. Things are bound to happen where we're going."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAP1ZVTsRu1X
"Things like?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAbhjYYX06Tn
"I don't even know if we'll all survive. Verna said it's a dangerous place.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANADXZag0VS47
Talia nods. "Alright..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAL7pKuiXRM8
Catherine looks behind her as the other Prodigies slowly push their way back to the Time Realm, then follows behind. The warp closes behind her.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAaJcfih5QIn
Back at the Sanctuary, the stuffy air of tension kept them from speaking to one another, so when Kenzo stood up, looking quite annoyed, it startled the rest.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAaqYoR81sNL
"We shouldn't stay quiet like this! We need to prepare for our journey!"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAIVoy2fWpFj
"W-what?" Isabelle said, more tired than ever.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAF0Y6GXBlh0
"If we just sit here without doing anything to avenge Verna or fixing the Fabric of Time, what are we Prodigies for?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANACPfek2zDzc
"I don't think you've noticed, but-" Arsenio began to say.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAwK3VEC5RIo
"I know what I've noticed, Arsenio. We need to get up. Right now."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAz5sIAJSpZp
Slowly but surely, every Prodigy stood up.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAkWXNjrCM9v
"Nathaniel, you're the leader. You tell us what we need to do next."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAF1SdejZOmj
Nathaniel calmly dusts himself off and clears his throat, before directing the other Prodigies.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAGUZk99G2Ix
"We leave at dawn." He says with his back turned, before perching on the ceiling beam to read a book. The other Prodigies left to their own hobbies, Isabelle, Arsenio, and Ezra all taking a time warp to another place, and Kenzo silently leaving the Sanctuary.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAZwESxL2Koc
Catherine decided this was the perfect time to mess with Nathaniel. She tries to jump up as similarly to him as possible, only to slip when she stepped higher.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA9B7PzswX7c
Nathaniel was just about to flip to the next page when he noticed Catherine's struggle. He rolls his eyes and pulls her up, before leading her to the other nook which was similar to his.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA6tlzJICodb
Before she climbed to the other end, she snatched the book from his hands and began flipping through the pages.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA0IQyf58dVf
"Whatcha reading Nathaniel?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAUf13mePJ74
"Return that book to me, Catherine."
239Please respect copyright.PENANA7oKyySZoCv
She mischievously giggled and continued to suspend herself by her legs while she continues to scan the book.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAFvpZMhIQTK
"Catherine.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAsrBK8DX7QI
"It doesn't seem that interesting."
239Please respect copyright.PENANATuIkyz2Os0
"Everyone has their tastes..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAtQX4cj52lY
"Well, I can't understand it. I think it's in French."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAc4CmZhUKr4
"It is. That is my first language."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAQGDpusl8uA
She hands him back the book. "That's cool, I guess.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANADAfSjDjoYg
She climbs to the other ceiling beam, uncomfortably sitting in it's corner.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAiwpC3Ec1Ma
"How the hell do you sit like this? This is super uncomfortable..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAawXGyFMC0B
"Thou does not have to keep thine feet on the perch as well. If thou happens to fall-"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAJxeyuUfcv9
"I've got it. While we're here, let's teach you some modern English so you can stop speaking in Shakespeare."
239Please respect copyright.PENANA9kP3ejlkXz
Her change of subject changed so quickly, Nathaniel couldn't keep track of what she was saying.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA9u3IKm5sP3
"Pardon?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAPQyEveeoVX
She sits horizontally to the perch, facing towards Nathaniel.
239Please respect copyright.PENANARlYKgyMRdU
"It's really easy, we just have to change a couple words. Instead of thou, you'd say you, and thine would be yours."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAjPKM4Haq2x
"...Why change my dialect if you-"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAiPlSbRl83d
Nathaniel stops. He realized Catherine had already brainwashed him into speaking modern English.
239Please respect copyright.PENANARVBwVONRsA
"See? You'll be speaking like us in no time!"
Catherine laughed.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAmTSLQWe78u
Nathaniel scowled at her half- jokingly. "You witch... you have tricked me."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAxz6jr4qQDO
He noticed how easily the words easily slipped from his tongue. Nathaniel tries to keep himself from speaking any further.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAMkGHcQUDiE
"I knew you could do it. Good job Nate."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAoqmVUYP4hB
Nathaniel couldn't choose if he wanted to be angry with Catherine, frustrated with himself, or astonished at how easily he learned.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAvGUu23jeOx
He succumbed to the dilemma, silently sticking his nose back into his book. Catherine jumps from the height of the near ceiling, bouncing onto her bed.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAAdLZ30N4n9
"Time well spent, eh Nathaniel?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAdBa39CuwTG
He stays silent.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA9rabS3fdnN
She lays back, taking a deep sigh of relief.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA2Kx6NStdwO
"Y'know, you're not too bad after all. To think you were some pompous prick.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAtH6lUoF6LX
"I am glad you think that way.." He says, flipping again to another page.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAtal9YJRG6u
The tension started to pile again.
"... About the thing I said...that day..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAC3IEijuDnc
"What about it?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAtBOuQin7HG
"I don't feel like I really meant that. When I'm angry, I lash out at other people...it helps me calm down, I guess?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAA9qu5WS5JA
She leans up to look Nathaniel in the face.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAOKbYc1q0an
Nathaniel darts his eyes towards her.
"It is...fine. It was a stressful situation, after all."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAXP3IZxgxsf
That's when a time warp appeared. Arsenio, Isabelle, and Ezra all walked through it, all holding a drink in hand.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAQUNJwLX0fl
"You two are still here?" Ezra asks, head turned to one side in confusion. "I thought you and Kenzo would be out there together..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANASzTY2rrhEs
"A-Are you two alright?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANA6QdKtjEVYl
"Uhh...yeah. We're just having small talk, I guess.." Catherine looks at the bubble tea the three had in their grip.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAvWW1xvv8io
"Whatcha got there?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAtoFSQI8ZBJ
Arsenio takes a drink before answering.
"Just bubble tea. They said they wanted one of their own, so I went to buy them one.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAMKlG0vEC7c
Isabelle nods, proving what Arsenio said was fact.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAklY9uqS4KU
"I-It's very delicious..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAnx7cV5iTqx
Arsenio drinks again from his own beverage.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAI8ErZsuJ9E
"Where's Kenzo?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAEOed6rMFFG
"I dunno, he left at the same time as you three."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAK3V84nIdf6
"He'll be b-back, I'm sure of it.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANALON31T1ppE
"Yeah, that goofball always comes back somehow.."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAn4DbOCH6tm
As if on cue, Kenzo slowly opens the door to the Sanctuary.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA8cjR1Tw8NT
"Are we ready to leave?" Kenzo asks. "Why are you guys standing?"
239Please respect copyright.PENANAv6KwDj5oZv
"No, neither mentally nor physically. We were just talking." Nathaniel states.
239Please respect copyright.PENANA2YM1xEPY3a
"Oh..."
239Please respect copyright.PENANAiElh3Jh7rJ
"But we should sleep either way. If we want to be well rested, that is." Ezra says.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAlcujOnMkLe
"Then it's settled." Kenzo states. "Let's head to bed."
239Please respect copyright.PENANA04cUvJTv7u
All five Prodigies prepare for bed. Only the day had things to bring to them.
239Please respect copyright.PENANATbHKelEEhF
Sleep consumed the Prodigies almost as much as their fear and nervousness. Were they all going to survive by the time they get to the top? Who was this friend of Verna and how will they help them bring back her soul?
239Please respect copyright.PENANAlvPdNDPjd2
These were questions scrambling around in the Prodigies head as they held their eyes shut.
239Please respect copyright.PENANAOvmojOTJoN
To be continued in Prodigy: Casters of Time Chapter 6
239Please respect copyright.PENANAtGgW4YZ5p3
239Please respect copyright.PENANAHpn2HCTFZX
239Please respect copyright.PENANAuz7SQndKUa