>>5952834“Hold on, there's one more person who should be here for this.” you say, reaching out telepathically to Towa. “Hey, you busy?”
“I'm on my way, just finishing up with something. Twenty seconds.” she replies instantly, then ends the mental link. Through the connection you'd sensed a strain on her mind, leaving you wondering what she was up to. But you shake it off, returning your attention to the Demon God before you.
“It's her lab, Towa deserves a say as well.” you tell him, seeing the Kai nodding slightly and giving a hint of a smile at your answer. To which Mechikabura chuckles, a few seconds of silence later a portal opens beside you all. Towa steps through, absolutely drenched in what smells like blood. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, just getting around to cleaning that room.” she says, you knowing immediately which she means as the portal closes. But, as it does, you see Arti on the ground, also drenched in blood. “I had to... Borrow a few extra hands for the task. Greetings, Mechikabura. And the former Supreme Kai of Time Aeos, what a surprise. I had thought you'd retired.”
“It is quite impressive how even her enemies believed her lies about my fate.” Aeos says with a sigh. “But no, I will be resuming my duties as Supreme Kai of Time.”
“So, why am I.... Hold on. Are those-?” Towa asks, her eyes going wide as she sees the three Time Scrolls. “Does this mean-?”
“Indeed. Preparations have been made to have you and your lab both attached to Karn's timeline permanently, ending your leaping across timelines. After all, you have what you want now.”
“What do you think? Should we do it?” you ask Towa, who raises a hand to her chin. Looking intently down at the scrolls.
“Were we to do this, it would allow for far easier isolation. But it would also mean giving up the protection merging timelines 'improperly' gave to us during the conflict.” she says, thinking aloud. “However, with Chronoa out of the way, there is no longer a need for such defenses. But what about Chaya?”
“As she's been severed from her own timeline so long, I had already taken it upon myself to have her merged with your own timeline. To prevent any accidental erasure.” Mechikabura tells you both, which catches your attention. You have a feeling he's hiding something from you. “Now, all that is left is to merge your own with that of your lab, keeping all of your travel to the same timeline.”
“But how will I return to the lab? Without timeline travel, will it collide with the Towa of this timeline's construction?” Towa asks him, which seems like a good question to you. Always a step ahead, however, Mechikabura's grin widens as he answers.
cont
