Chapter One Hundred and Forty-One
Crow stood unfazed as Aetheria, the newly summoned Chrono-Engineer, stepped close—too close.
Her glowing eyes examined him curiously, as though seeing far beyond his form. Then, without warning, she leaned in and slowly dragged her tongue across his cheek.
A soft hum escaped her. "Tastes… paradoxical," she murmured, stepping back just slightly. "Time's threads cling to you differently than anyone I've ever met."
Crow raised an eyebrow, wiping his cheek with no real urgency. "You'll find I'm not bound by the same rules."
Aetheria smirked. "Good. I'd hate to be bored."
From nearby, Liana stiffened. Her aura flared for a moment, but Aetheria didn't even glance her way—too focused on Crow, her gears subtly whirring in curiosity and growing interest.
Sylvanna, not far behind, narrowed her eyes dangerously. Aetheria had skipped formalities and gone straight to open flirtation, and that was… not acceptable.
The atmosphere grew tense—until the Primordial Dragon, Xar'Zenth, stirred from its slumber with a groggy yawn, shaking the clouds above with its breath. Aetheria tilted her head at it.
"Oh. That's interesting."
Crow gave the order before anything escalated.
"Focus. We're going to the Forgotten Shrine next."
Liana and Sylvanna exchanged glances, tension thick.
Aetheria just laughed softly, falling into step behind Crow.
Another divine battle loomed on the horizon—
And Crow's inner circle was only getting more chaotic.