"Chrono, how far away are we from the fish lady?" Catherine asks, struggling to keep her head above water.
364Please respect copyright.PENANATf8nOu4CE4
"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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANApotnZLThSG
364Please respect copyright.PENANAY4MJeZoFNf
The rain poured down even more with every shriek Noelani made.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAjg3eISBocj
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA2npB93Q0b7
364Please respect copyright.PENANATgn9vRSLVE
Approaching the siren, Piravit tries her best to cover the Time Beast while he prepares his attack.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAn7ZMAhlUAI
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAH1KTc13pyf
Time Beast had began his attack, starting with the Roar of Time, which stopped everything.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtSypgVS6IN
For the first time, Piravit and Chrono worked together to fight the Timebreaker Noelani.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA3cyfGrxWUX
They landed hit after hit to damage the Timebreaker, and when the time returned, Noelani, in pain, screeched another horrid song.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAcvF6lKDKxb
More rain rushes to the ground. Chrono had to stop time once again to relieve the pressure of the rain.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA3QWKScM2fc
"This will not end well. We have to go back in time and try again...but..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAY0wmpmLQMR
"What?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANALyQXGmHEC9
"We'll have to move even quicker to avoid repeating this."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAXqwadhVOl4
364Please respect copyright.PENANAs6rKKd7pCB
"...I can do that."
364Please respect copyright.PENANABT6OGNqMMC
364Please respect copyright.PENANAMjVBehCHG7
"Good."
364Please respect copyright.PENANA8WNztHpJ0L
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAdEv2l7MMeX
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANACz3LvFrqfX
"At least it's not as bad as was before.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAUmjK490tDF
"We just have to stop Noelani before she manages to fully insert herself into the Human Realm.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAdIakUKO47x
Chrono, in his normal form, stops time once again.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAV1kw1iYJzt
"Hurry Catherine! Run as quickly as possible! Get as close as you can!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAyvbESyLw2G
"What the hell? Why aren't you coming with me?!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAVzlihYIlVc
"I'll tell you later! Just please, go!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANACBQrRqbRoy
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANABAV6XFJmFU
Within seconds, Catherine pulls punch after punch, kick after kick, getting in as much damage as possible.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA0sYUSazMH7
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAx6uZw5BEsx
Catherine had just been blown away with the small gust that the hurricane had brought.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAkGJkSlOdGe
Catherine's face, arms and legs were covered in dirt and scrapes.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtIsRDu9Cbl
"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!?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAhXprMMs1gY
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAyLCK7c9Cjs
"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!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAmYC06eP09v
Catherine swipes it from the moist ground, as cyan energy began forming a longer blade around the original one.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAh5uW5vS3Fn
Catherine's face became stern with determination.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA5cXHFr3H0D
"Now Noelani...get the hell out of here!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAlXUKqNRcfF
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAcpj0a29Fsg
It pierced flesh, but not from who she was hitting.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAEwDqGJGfw2
Nathaniel immediately staggers while the others began to roll up to his side.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAb1lKS0asdE
"Nathaniel! A-Are you okay?" Isabelle cries.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA8pnLL6Kgg0
"I am fine, Isabelle." Nathaniel slowly begins to pull the blade from his shoulder.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA8Zl2784pt7
"Nate, don't! You'll bleed out!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANACFZM788mCh
"I will survive until that happens..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAKhOYFFr3CG
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAlYFP6Nmjjr
"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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtuRa52WB40
Catherine takes the now bloodied blade from the ground in front of Nathaniel, reactivating the cyan blade.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA3WTkWkiUaB
The Prodigies, now reunited, take a fighting stance.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAaG0FvSG6Bl
Noelani cocks her head in curiosity, then with a song, the pouring rain became a light drizzle.
364Please respect copyright.PENANATB5B8Zj0Z2
"...She's giving us a fair fight." Arsenio says, pushing his hands into his pocket.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAUApZOscnaA
"Like she had a chance. She's still outnumbered, one to five!" Kenzo states, pulling out his chained scythes.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZnW7z7T21
That's when Verna's voice yelled from behind.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAf8rk9SyQR5
"Don't lower your guard!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAdR7eXKWszJ
"V-Verna?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAvHOz7tNcmZ
"T-Tempus: Cessatio!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAhaQjkhEvWL
That's when time stops, including the Prodigies.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAwiJ2gaA9zj
The Timekeeper floats closer to the group, pushing them aside, but too focused on her students to notice, she accidentally returns time to normal..
364Please respect copyright.PENANAxzRp1OqtQV
Suddenly, a strong barrage of thunderbolts began stomping down towards Verna, each bolt becoming even more stronger and painful than the last.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAaGsiLNZkQS
With each strike, Verna gets more hurt until her golden white hair is completely disheveled.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAjRxJTld5JC
Verna ends up on her knees, staring into space.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA0CGugVsGRC
"No...no...you can't...be serious..." Catherine whispered in disbelief.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAPAoL0Qe4kr
The rain had completely stopped. As her body struggled to breathe, Verna looked to the sky with tears welling in her eyes.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAImA1EhkZoP
"Prodigies..thank you..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANANF0viEqR3C
Verna gave them a small smile, knowing that her life wouldn't be the same.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtodJfZYgjm
"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."
364Please respect copyright.PENANA7S3KBZfcOZ
Verna's face turns to sadness as she begins to look at the darkness in front of her.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA9MJUFpFD5b
"...I wish we could've stayed together a little longer...I never really got to know you five...personally.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAzOkL9wdchu
She blinks her tears away.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAAviQatmWeR
Noticing the golden white cracks in her skin, Verna calls out a name to atmosphere above.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAAX9fRbLfxG
"...Eran..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAJkx5L4dQ3I
The Prodigies were extremely confused, but stood frozen in place.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAuRXESPQZd9
"... I'm coming back...don't worry...I'll be there, I promise..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANALUeqtmZO8s
Catherine couldn't stay quiet any longer.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAur0gLQNo4Q
"Who the hell is-"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAxVAOSyGoqP
Nathaniel holds her back.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAkFZsM92TGF
"...Now is not the time for your remarks, Catherine..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAefZnlOmxMi
"You know what, I'm sick and damn tired of you, Nathaniel!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANA7i3MghWSd3
"Me?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANA0dksWwGqGC
"Ever since we've met, you've been the sharpest thorn in my side!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAaRboU5Oatd
"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..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAKb9orwYmzf
Her face continues to shatter like glass.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAduaYq8XPBY
"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..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAx2EdavoLED
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA2tPSXine8F
"A-And Prodigies...one more thing..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAGqPsqPnmLQ
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAves0njVuCi
"...Don't give up. Fix the Fabric of Time, even if it takes a lifetime.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANA8k9dl1pl0k
She takes the watch from her neck and hands it to Nathaniel, who took it with hesitation.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAPaOziNkCSV
"I'm leaving the power of stopping time to you Nathaniel..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAqBUCw3Ea7p
Catherine and the others stood back as fear and solemn struck their hearts.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAnAMOYREd8G
Her skin...became that of porcelain, the final word she spoke forever plastered into a cold statue of death.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtWcW2kbd3h
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAswiXOatriN
"N-No! Wait!" Catherine attempted to stop her.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAkLJ7Cblv4Q
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAvNYp5Uc9h9
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA2nvdFxAWwU
***
364Please respect copyright.PENANAKVGW48niZA
It was days after, and the Prodigies, still stricken with grief, split up to their own Time Periods.
364Please respect copyright.PENANApCt5T7A0Lo
Catherine was back at home, helping Talia with her studies and hanging out with her.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAROZIEqEi2k
That's when a time warp opens with the other four Prodigies returning to her side.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA19e5m0Duh1
Nathaniel wore the Timekeeper watch around his neck, holding his original watch in his hand.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAD2n3d8LkkZ
Arsenio was carrying Isabelle as she slept, with Ezra watching him like a hawk.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAQOcAOGY6CB
"Hey guys..." Catherine says, slumping back in the cushion of her couch.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAEKP204zHb3
"...It is time to leave."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAnlQ3G5aUpL
Nathaniel says this while placing his watch on the table, motioning her to return to the Sanctuary with them.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA35FV9DxtrO
"Talia, if you ever want to join us, just put on the watch, alright?" Kenzo states with a small smile.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAdPpTjQGtpH
Talia glances at the watch, then the group.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAkdEo4ngMIn
"I'll think about it.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANA5wJbYydrIy
Catherine stands up from her seat, placing a hand on Talia's shoulder.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAqPpqiy3aLf
"Think about it before you decide on this. Don't come along just because. Things are bound to happen where we're going."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAmYoeMC0OSO
"Things like?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANATKfXckzoZg
"I don't even know if we'll all survive. Verna said it's a dangerous place.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAjaRV1kszWV
Talia nods. "Alright..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAzQcDH1MCzT
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAvqvg5IivBC
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAc2msLO3MWH
"We shouldn't stay quiet like this! We need to prepare for our journey!"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAdbhVji0rrS
"W-what?" Isabelle said, more tired than ever.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAj1Vti1Dj2l
"If we just sit here without doing anything to avenge Verna or fixing the Fabric of Time, what are we Prodigies for?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAF6b9zGphn4
"I don't think you've noticed, but-" Arsenio began to say.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAjJ2H4T7PLX
"I know what I've noticed, Arsenio. We need to get up. Right now."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAI53wnzvdjb
Slowly but surely, every Prodigy stood up.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA1Z7mOlwzk0
"Nathaniel, you're the leader. You tell us what we need to do next."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAllQJzOYldm
Nathaniel calmly dusts himself off and clears his throat, before directing the other Prodigies.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAX4b1VdZ3SB
"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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAxt8sWehsH5
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA16zjX3WTbI
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAUg9LjJbY7D
Before she climbed to the other end, she snatched the book from his hands and began flipping through the pages.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAXxmevG7ZBI
"Whatcha reading Nathaniel?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANANvnERQwEPg
"Return that book to me, Catherine."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAxsZfxtXlsd
She mischievously giggled and continued to suspend herself by her legs while she continues to scan the book.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA2j417AXaL5
"Catherine.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtgo3B7lhcM
"It doesn't seem that interesting."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAWH2qyhdt8y
"Everyone has their tastes..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAaxUxXuMgMr
"Well, I can't understand it. I think it's in French."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAL1vJR5HY7V
"It is. That is my first language."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAgePwQwNLMl
She hands him back the book. "That's cool, I guess.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAJrvPp3zOGH
She climbs to the other ceiling beam, uncomfortably sitting in it's corner.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA11XghdLATJ
"How the hell do you sit like this? This is super uncomfortable..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAttfUyJpaIN
"Thou does not have to keep thine feet on the perch as well. If thou happens to fall-"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAlnnR2Hc3vr
"I've got it. While we're here, let's teach you some modern English so you can stop speaking in Shakespeare."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAadUGDQxCeJ
Her change of subject changed so quickly, Nathaniel couldn't keep track of what she was saying.
364Please respect copyright.PENANABQV1bz35Sc
"Pardon?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAe2D8vEgV1W
She sits horizontally to the perch, facing towards Nathaniel.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAJlQkCI7n5I
"It's really easy, we just have to change a couple words. Instead of thou, you'd say you, and thine would be yours."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAoJuWrnUKg2
"...Why change my dialect if you-"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAuoZMeEV91x
Nathaniel stops. He realized Catherine had already brainwashed him into speaking modern English.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAUF5RLHIKji
"See? You'll be speaking like us in no time!"
Catherine laughed.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAMaMPURPHa7
Nathaniel scowled at her half- jokingly. "You witch... you have tricked me."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAmrn3gusZ7D
He noticed how easily the words easily slipped from his tongue. Nathaniel tries to keep himself from speaking any further.
364Please respect copyright.PENANACggEvFmjdy
"I knew you could do it. Good job Nate."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAwJ1cUjTEYb
Nathaniel couldn't choose if he wanted to be angry with Catherine, frustrated with himself, or astonished at how easily he learned.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAGIEEbRYold
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.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAo1LxlRUx0e
"Time well spent, eh Nathaniel?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANATvxEAnVgN3
He stays silent.
364Please respect copyright.PENANALSp99yIhA0
She lays back, taking a deep sigh of relief.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAxfshWXl98g
"Y'know, you're not too bad after all. To think you were some pompous prick.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAOgDY3bGmG2
"I am glad you think that way.." He says, flipping again to another page.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAWKeC3FkwPU
The tension started to pile again.
"... About the thing I said...that day..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAmy034Rwjuc
"What about it?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAPzvRj0Nfky
"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?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANA46lhpo5MZj
She leans up to look Nathaniel in the face.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAjnKPNNRtD5
Nathaniel darts his eyes towards her.
"It is...fine. It was a stressful situation, after all."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAbZlBBuo2gC
That's when a time warp appeared. Arsenio, Isabelle, and Ezra all walked through it, all holding a drink in hand.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAqPBmcZ2bkk
"You two are still here?" Ezra asks, head turned to one side in confusion. "I thought you and Kenzo would be out there together..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2vtTsIv2e
"A-Are you two alright?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAnMhkumNYvR
"Uhh...yeah. We're just having small talk, I guess.." Catherine looks at the bubble tea the three had in their grip.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA4khZdwg832
"Whatcha got there?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANA1mjN7Ddgj4
Arsenio takes a drink before answering.
"Just bubble tea. They said they wanted one of their own, so I went to buy them one.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAiaCQesC8ZL
Isabelle nods, proving what Arsenio said was fact.
364Please respect copyright.PENANATBlqo2zNXk
"I-It's very delicious..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAnzu3UxpUmc
Arsenio drinks again from his own beverage.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAgz5Hp5695R
"Where's Kenzo?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANAGy6XenagCF
"I dunno, he left at the same time as you three."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtTiGQXmf2J
"He'll be b-back, I'm sure of it.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANA2sb8nXAdNS
"Yeah, that goofball always comes back somehow.."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAtlq0jfXFYf
As if on cue, Kenzo slowly opens the door to the Sanctuary.
364Please respect copyright.PENANACfExyXztp9
"Are we ready to leave?" Kenzo asks. "Why are you guys standing?"
364Please respect copyright.PENANACK1HolFfmC
"No, neither mentally nor physically. We were just talking." Nathaniel states.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA0pkOkZjdtt
"Oh..."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAW4yDLJRLii
"But we should sleep either way. If we want to be well rested, that is." Ezra says.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAlWbCbBePay
"Then it's settled." Kenzo states. "Let's head to bed."
364Please respect copyright.PENANAsH9KqZdj1G
All five Prodigies prepare for bed. Only the day had things to bring to them.
364Please respect copyright.PENANAWqij7XAel6
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?
364Please respect copyright.PENANAS0ZcYlZlEV
These were questions scrambling around in the Prodigies head as they held their eyes shut.
364Please respect copyright.PENANA9YFFsxzlvo
To be continued in Prodigy: Casters of Time Chapter 6
364Please respect copyright.PENANAcvQLr7bDNg
364Please respect copyright.PENANA9HwDajTk4f
364Please respect copyright.PENANAXPMJyTCUqW