"Actually, I just want to clarify things first. I can only tell you the things I've also been told from my future self as to ensure the future plays out exactly the same." Having said that he exhaled and looked out through a window.
"This place, is something called a timezone. To my understanding, they are places that have had their passage of time altered in one way or another, and as far as I'm aware all of them are left behind by Termian for some reason or another. This one you are currently in is unique, its only purpose is to cut you, his vessel, off from the rest of the world as to prevent interuption in his revival process." He gestured to the door and walked into the hallway.
"As you can see, I've not yet turned into him completely but I'd be lying if I said there weren't times where it was close." He paused and gestured to his hair.
"As of this moment right now, you should be aware that Termian has white hair so I can imagine you don't really feel all that great seeing me like this. To tell you the truth, my hair got like this after he almost fully revived within me after i did something to disrupt his long-lasting plans, but it remains one of my favorite moments to this day."
"Ah, don't let me waste time like this rambling. What I watnted to say is you'll encounter difficulties, especially regarding Termian but never and I mean never back down from the challenge. So regarding this place, you are already close to the exit. It's a weird place to say the least, no matter how much distance you cross it doesn't matter one bit. Instead the exit is time dependant, after a certian amount of time you'll be allowed to exit. That doesn't mean the place will unfreeze, so to speak --- rather you and only you will be able to exit.
If you miss it you'll have to wait to the next opportunity, so make sure you leave no matter the price." He paused beforr taking a breath, at this point he had already began walking downstairs to the first floor with Urvashi trailing behind.
"Of course, you will still have to cross a great distance when the opportunity arrives. And let me tell you I still temember how sore I felt after walking for days on end. What I mean by an opportunity is you'll hear a clock, and when you do start walking north. I don't know, even at this time, what happend to allow us to escape but i know for some reason it's a reoccuring event here, i suspect a crow is born each time a clock clicks." He stopped and took a breath once again while looking at Urvashi.
"Without that clock no matter how much you walk in the right direction you would just be walking in circles. The clock's effects last for exactly one week so you'll have to run, jog, walk, crawl -- whatever just make sure you're moving until you leave."
"Now I want you to answer my question."
Urvashi pointed at himself.
"Me? Not the other way around?"
"Yes, exactly. I want you to answer me why is it that you never became an Enforcer?"
Hearing the question of his future self Urvahsi frowned. He kept quiet for a few seconds but seeing that his future self was fading at a visible rate he hurriedly answered.
"Because I-"
"Because you never could quite put another life in front of yours. Right now your main goal in life --- or the only goal really is to live. At some point you'll learn that what way you live is more important, that having people you would die for is a blessing."
"Yeah? Is that how you lost your eye?"
The future Urvahsi laughed before replying.
"It might be, but who says I lost it. Maybe I'm just covering it."
"And why would you --- we do that?"
"Can't tell you."
"Can't, huh?"
"Listen, right after you manage to leave this place you will find yourself in a city that I can only describe as bizzare. There I actually want you not to trust anyone, understand?"
Urvashi responded with a nod.
The future Urvashi took a look at his hand and smiled before saying.
"That's that then, I'll be rooting for you."
And just as he said that a clock was heard somewhere far in the distance, but also so close that you could touch it.
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Urvashi's face twisted in realization as he pointed at the door which they already reached.
"Now?!" He hurriedly asked.
Looking at him with a warm expression his future self only nodded.
His future self was already fading, but before he fully did so his expression changed. His warm and kind expression turned into a sad one.
Urvashi remained oblivious to this as his back was already turned to his future self --- his future self, he mentioned that he ran for days here.
Urvashi burst out of the house, his heart pounding in sync with the distant ticking of the clock. He didn’t look back — not at the house, not at his fading future self —because every instinct screamed at him to move forward.
The street stretched endlessly before him, impossibly long and unnervingly straight. It was as if the world had been flattened into a single path just for him. On either side, frozen houses lined up like silent sentinels, their windows dark and lifeless. There were no cracks in the pavement now, no debris to trip over — nothing but smooth asphalt that seemed to go on forever.
It was unsettling how perfect it all was. No obstacles blocked his way; no monsters lurked in the shadows. And yet, this eerie emptiness felt more oppressive than any danger he had faced before. It was as though the world itself was watching him, waiting to see if he would falter.
The ticking grew louder and softer at once — close enough to feel like it was inside his head but distant enough to remain just out of reach. He couldn’t tell if it was guiding him or mocking him.
He ran harder, his legs burning with every step. Time felt strange here—had he been running for minutes or hours? Days? He couldn’t tell anymore. His body screamed for rest, but his mind refused to let him stop.
The street didn’t curve or bend; it just kept going straight ahead, stretching into infinity. It felt like he wasn’t making any progress at all—as if no matter how far he ran, he was still in the same place.
His breaths came in ragged gasps now, each inhale sharp and painful like broken glass in his lungs. Sweat dripped down his face as his vision blurred from exhaustion.
And then... he saw it.
Far ahead, shimmering faintly against the horizon like a mirage in a desert, was a barrier rippling like liquid glass. It seemed impossibly far away — so far that reaching it felt like an unattainable dream — but its pull was undeniable.
The ticking grew louder again, steady and rhythmic like a heartbeat urging him forward.
Urvashi stumbled but caught himself before he fell. His knees buckled under him briefly before he forced them straight again. He couldn’t stop now—not when freedom was so close.
The barrier loomed larger with every step he took, its surface glowing faintly as though lit from within by some unseen force. It felt alive somehow—like it was waiting for him specifically.
With one final burst of energy, Urvashi pushed himself forward. His legs felt like lead; his chest burned with every breath; his vision swam with black spots threatening to consume him entirely.
But he didn’t stop.
Finally, as his strength gave out completely, he threw himself toward the barrier with everything he had left.
For a moment, there was nothing—no sound, no sensation—just an overwhelming stillness that swallowed him whole.
Then came the cold—a sharp, weightless chill that wrapped around him as he passed through the barrier’s surface. It felt like stepping into another world entirely.
When Urvashi opened his eyes again, he found himself standing on solid ground—but it wasn’t the endless street anymore.
He was standing on a city square with people talking to each other, and in all truth there was nothing bizzare as far as the eye could see, but Urvashi felt a starnge sense of dreat.
Something about this place felt wrong.
Just as he appeared all the people turned their gazes to him, even tho he was hidden in an alley.
