Chapter 4: Secrets and Sanctuary

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(Aria Nova)...

In an unexpected turn of events, the woman extended an invitation to her home. "Come with me, Evie. There are things we need to talk about," she continued, her voice full of urgency.

Curiosity mingled with caution as Evangeline followed the woman to her humble abode. The interior was decorated with trinkets and artifacts from many ages, indicating the woman's understanding of time and history. They settled in a cozy room filled with antique books and maps, and the woman started talking. "Just call me Aunt Lila," she said, her voice full of weariness and wisdom. "I was a close friend of your grandmother, Seraphina, from our college days. We shared many adventures together." Lila passed her an old photo album.

Evangeline's attention turned to the old photo album in her hands, her curiosity rising. She couldn't help but notice that whenever she turned the pages, just her grandmother's appearance changed. With a bewildered gaze, she found the courage to pose the question that had been bothering her. "Aunt Lila, I can't help but wonder why my grandmother looks so much older than you in this picture. Weren't you friends and schoolmates?"

Lila's expression turned somber, and she let out a deep sigh. "Evie, I'm sorry, but it's something that I can't tell you," Lila said, her voice full of sadness.

Evangeline's heart sank as Lila's words lingered in the air. She sensed the weight of Lila's secret, which drove her curiosity even more. "But Aunt Lila," Evangeline said, her voice full of anguish, "I need to know. I deserve to know the truth about my grandmother."

Lila sighed deeply, her gaze distant, as she grappled with her decision. She reached out and softly touched Evangeline's hand, offering both comfort and caution. "Evie, I understand your desire for answers, but some things are better left untouched," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "What happened to your grandmother is something that I'm unable to tell you about. It's a burden she carried alone, and it's not my place to reveal it." 

Tears filled Evangeline's eyes as an overwhelming feeling of sadness and frustration washed over her. She wanted so desperately to understand the mystery surrounding her grandmother and to unravel the mysteries that surrounded her, but it seems that some doors were meant to remain unopened. "I'm sorry, Evie, but I hope you can understand. Sometimes, the truth can be too heavy to bear. Your grandmother made choices and sacrifices that she believed were necessary. It's important to respect her wishes and not delve into anything beyond your role as a Chronomancer." With a hushed voice, Evangeline nodded. "I... I understand, Aunt Lila. It's just... so difficult not knowing."

Lila's expression softened, and she gently embraced Evangeline. Her voice was brimming with empathy as she said, "I understand how overwhelming it must be to have so many unanswered questions. But being a chronomancer means that your purpose goes beyond just unraveling the mysteries of the past. It's about embracing your unique abilities and using them to shape the future." As Lila spoke, her gaze suddenly shifted towards the door, and a look of concern crossed her face. "I can't believe they managed to find me so soon," Lila whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her gaze returned to Evangeline, filled with urgency. Evangeline was taken aback, unsure of whom Lila was referring to. Before she could ask, Lila quickly led her to the backdoor, her voice urgent but full of concern. "Evie, you have to leave," she pleaded, her eyes filled with fear. "Head back to the bookstore and retrieve whatever it is you need. But promise me, promise me that you'll never look for me again. It's just not safe." The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. Lila's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, her eyes pleading with Evangeline to realize the gravity of the situation.

Evangeline felt a rush of emotions, a mix of confusion and sadness, as she absorbed Lila's words. Lila's plea weighed heavily on her, giving her a sense of foreboding. She knew that Lila's warning was serious, and she couldn't ignore the urgency in her voice. With a heavy sigh, Evangeline nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and sadness. She knew deep down that Lila's request came from a place of concern, and she couldn't disregard her well-being. It was a difficult decision, but one that she knew she had to make for her own safety.

As Evangeline entered the bookstore, her eyes scanned the quiet space, searching for what she needed. To her surprise, she noticed a young woman seated at a table, her eyes fixed on Evangeline as if she had been eagerly anticipating her arrival. The woman's face lit up with a wide smile, and she couldn't contain her excitement as she stood up and approached Evangeline. "You must be the famous Sera, right?" the lady exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. "Oh no! I'm such a fan! My name is Aria Nova, but you can just call me Aria." Evangeline's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 

Evangeline quickly realized the source of the confusion. Understanding that Aria must have mistaken her for her grandmother, she decided to clear up the misunderstanding. With a warm smile, Evangeline extended her hand toward Aria. "I think there might be a little confusion," she said gently. "My name is Evangeline, but you can call me Evie. But I can understand why you might have thought that. My grandmother, Seraphina, was indeed a remarkable woman." 

Aria's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and realization. "Oh, I see!" she exclaimed, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "I'm so sorry for the mix-up. It's just that I've been searching for any trace of Seraphina's existence for so long that I got carried away when I saw you." Evangeline nodded understandingly, her curiosity piqued by Aria's quest. "It's alright," she reassured Aria.

Evangeline, suddenly remembered the purpose of her return to the bookstore. "Oh no!" she exclaimed, shaking her head in frustration. "I need to find those items as soon as possible."

Ever ready to lend a helping hand, Aria offered her assistance with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Evie. We'll find them together," she said, her voice filled with determination. The two of them swiftly navigated through the aisles, searching for the specific items Evangeline needed. Just as they gathered everything they were looking for, the sound of approaching footsteps caught their attention.

Evangeline's heart raced as she whispered urgently, "We need to run! I think those people are after me." Aria's eyes widened with concern, but she remained steadfast. "Then let me help you," she said, gripping Evangeline's hand tightly. Without hesitation, Aria pressed her hand against the nearby wall. To their astonishment, her hand effortlessly passed through the solid surface, creating an opening.

With a sense of urgency, Aria pulled Evangeline inside the wall, their bodies seamlessly passing through the barrier. They found themselves in a room filled with shelves full of piles of papers, maps, and scrolls. Aria closed the door behind them. "We're safe here," she assured Evangeline, her voice calm yet determined. 

Evangeline took a moment to catch her breath, feeling a mixture of relief and gratitude for Aria's quick thinking. "Thank you, Aria," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "But, where are we?" 

Aria smiled with a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "Welcome to my little sanctuary," she explained. "This is where I keep my collection of knowledge and artifacts. It's a place where I can delve into the mysteries of time and space." Evangeline's eyes widened with awe as she took in the shelves filled with ancient scrolls, maps, and intriguing objects. Her gaze landed on a piece of paper with the words "Seraphina, the great hero of all time" written on it. She couldn't help but feel a surge of pride for her grandmother's legacy.

Filled with curiosity, she turned to Aria and asked, "Who really are you?" Aria grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So now you're curious?" she giggled. "I'm more than just a fan of your grandmother. Like you, I have the ability to travel through time and space. I am a temporal-spatial traveler."

Evangeline's eyes widened in astonishment. "For real? you can travel through time, just like me?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder.

Aria nodded, a knowing smile on her face. "Yes, Evie. We share a rare and extraordinary gift. Together, we can uncover the secrets of the past and shape the future. But we must be careful, for our abilities attract attention, and there are those who seek to control or exploit them." 

Evangeline's mind buzzed with a mix of excitement and caution. She realized that her encounter with Aria was no mere coincidence. They were connected by their shared abilities and the quest to uncover the truth about her grandmother.

To be Continued...

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