Chapter 3: Fate's Whisper

Evangeline held the worn-out diary in her hands, her fingers gently tracing the faded cover. The diary's presence in her bag was a mystery, as she couldn't recall ever seeing it before. With a mix of curiosity, she carefully opened it, revealing yellowed pages filled with delicate handwriting. And there, on the very first page, a word caught her attention, boldly written in an elegant font—it said "Chronomancer."

As she turned the pages, Evangeline's eyes widened in surprise. A small, folded letter slipped from between the pages and onto her lap. She carefully unfolded it, revealing words written in the same delicate handwriting as the diary.

Evangeline read the letter, and a whirlwind of emotions swept through her, each paragraph evoking a different feeling.

To the next chrono,

As I write these words, an overpowering sense of urgency floods my heart. I am writing to you with the desire to meet you as soon as possible. I want to do so many things.

Evangeline's heart quickened with curiosity as she absorbed the letter's opening lines.

However, I find myself in a predicament. My ability to regress and go through time is gradually disappearing. It cost me so much more than I expected. The pile of unresolved cases and mysteries weighs heavily on my mind, and I am unable to devote myself to them as thoroughly as I previously could.

As she read about her grandmother's predicament, an overwhelming feeling of empathy rushed over her. She felt the weight of unresolved cases, the sacrifices made, and the fading ability to regress through time. She could feel the burden her grandmother carried, and the realization that time was slipping away filled her with a deep sense of sorrow.

The stress I am in right now can't be expressed through my words, as I am caught between my desire to discover the truths that lie dormant and the reality that my time is running out as I'm getting older. The burden of unfinished business weighs heavily on my soul, leaving me feeling frustrated and pained.

Her heart ached as she absorbed her grandmother's words of stress and the limitations she faced. Her own soul was filled with the weight of unfinished business, the frustration of time slipping away, and the need to uncover latent truths. Her determination to continue the work and solve the cases left behind was strengthened by her awareness of the immense responsibility her grandma carried.

Though I don't know who you are, I hope you will continue the work that I'm unable to complete. Accept the gift of regression, explore the depths of the unknown, and finish the cases I left behind.

Reading her grandmother's request filled her with a mixture of guilt and doubt. She had a strong sense of purpose thanks to her grandmother's faith in her to carry on the job and accept the gift of regression; however, she also doubted whether she had the will and motivation to meet her grandmother's expectations due to her natural lethargy.

She then reads the letter through to the very end.

Trust the feelings that you have, as they will guide you through your path. Seek out those who can help you, as the road ahead may be rough. Remember, time is a valuable resource. Use it wisely, as there is plenty to discover and accomplish.

As I await the day when our paths will cross, please know that my thoughts are with you. I am filled with expectation and confidence, knowing that you will finish the work that I am unable to complete. May you find fulfillment in the challenges that await you, and may you solve the cases that I missed.

^^^With anticipation and longing,^^^

^^^Seraphina^^^

She found herself at a loss, and tears of sadness filled her eyes. Her grandmother's letter was full of expectations that she would follow in her footsteps as Chrono, but she couldn't help but wonder, "Why me, grandmother? I'm overwhelmed by laziness, and the mere thought of taking on such responsibility feels like an insurmountable task. It's as if the weight of the world is pushing me to avoid it altogether."

Despite her doubts, she was aware that this was her responsibility and that accepting it was her fate.Tenderly closing the diary, she held it tight against her chest. The weight of the word "Chronomancer" on the first page reverberated through her, serving as a poignant reminder of the immense power and purpose she was meant to embrace.

With a deep breath, she gently reopened the diary, fully embracing her newfound acceptance of her fate. "Alright," she whispered quietly to herself, a spark of interest burning within her. "Let's see what lies beyond the surface. Maybe, just maybe, this whole chronomancer thing will pique my interest after all."

As she turned the page, her eye had been drawn to a photograph of her grandmother as a young adult, accompanied by another girl. In an instant, her surroundings changed into a familiar setting—the hidden bookstore she had spent countless hours exploring. There, she saw her grandmother's younger self seated in a chair, looking for something. Suddenly, the door swung open, and a girl excitedly exclaimed, "Sera, I finally found it!" Her grandmother's voice trembled with emotion as she asked, "Really?" on the verge of tears.

Evangeline, intrigued by the memory that had been revealed to her, attempted to approach the girl to catch a glimpse of what they had found. However, just as quickly as the memory had appeared, she was abruptly transported back to her own time, leaving her puzzled by the significance of the book they had discovered.

Evangeline's mind buzzed with curiosity, her thoughts consumed by the mysterious book and the girl from her grandmother's past. Should she meticulously scan through the pages of her grandmother's thick diary in search of answers? Or should she venture back to the hidden bookstore, hoping to stumble upon the book herself? And who was that girl? Evangeline couldn't help but wonder if she could find her.

Driven by determination, Evangeline followed her instincts and made her way straight to the bookstore. As she approached the entrance, her heart raced with anticipation as she reached the entryway. But, to her surprise, someone was already inside. Startled, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

The woman turned to face her, a look of shock crossing her features. Evangeline couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance between the woman and the girl from her grandmother's memory, although the woman appeared to be in her 60s while her grandmother was in her 80s.

"Sera, you're back to being young!" the woman exclaimed, her voice filled with a mix of joy and confusion. She moved towards Evangeline as if to embrace her, but then hesitated. "Wait, you aren't Sera, are you?" The woman's gaze shifted to Evangeline. "You may resemble Sera, but you are not her," she said with a hint of sadness. With a gentle smile, Evie introduced herself, saying, "I am Evie, Sera's granddaughter. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, call me Evie."

Overwhelmed with hope, Evangeline turned to the woman and asked, "You know so much about my grandmother, right?" She yearned for a little knowledge about the memories that had resurfaced.

Sadly, the woman shook her head, tears welling up in Evangeline's eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't know anything." she replied, her voice filled with sadness. As if on the verge of fleeing, she seemed desperate to escape the weight of her emotions.

Evangeline pleaded as her tears flowed, "Please... I saw a memory of you and my grandmother here in the bookstore. This is all so new to me, and I don't know where to start."

The woman hesitated, her expression softening. "So, you mean..." she paused for a moment to look into Evangeline's eye, then continued, "You are the next Chrono?" Evangeline simply nodded in response, wiping away her own tears.

In a surprising turn of events, the woman extended an invitation to her house.

To be Continued...

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