The ruins of Dormunhollow lay half-buried in silver fog. What was once a proud trade city now stood eerily intact—no vines, no damage. Just… still.
"They say it's cursed," Whisperfang said, "locked in a dream since the fall of the Time Rebellion."
Solas narrowed his eyes. "Then we walk into a dream."
Julius nodded. "But not without precautions."
He etched temporal anchors on each guild member's wrist—glowing runes designed to wake them should the dream trap them.
They stepped across the fog line—and the world shifted.
The city came alive.
Shops opened. Bells rang. People walked the streets smiling—but none reacted to the Twilight Zone guild.
"It's like they can't see us," Rael murmured.
Lyra gasped. "No—they can't see outside their memory."
Each citizen was living their last day before the curse struck. The guild wandered deeper, following echoes of old laughter and familiar pain.
Suddenly, the dream twisted.
The guild was separated.
Julius stood alone in a massive clocktower. A version of himself—older, bloodied, and tired—stood before him.
"You'll fail them all," the vision said. "Time isn't enough."
Rael found himself back in a broken village—where his family had perished. Lyra was trapped in a childhood home, reliving her isolation. Rin confronted the assassin she failed to save. Bloom walked beside her old master, hearing the lies that almost shattered her.
Only Solas stood still.
In a blank space, he faced Noctis, who smiled and asked, "Ready to dream bigger, brother?"
Julius clenched his fist. "Time doesn't control me."
He activated his Chrono Core, breaking his own illusion. One by one, he shattered the dream around each teammate—pulling them free.
When they reunited, the fog coalesced.
A woman in white stood before them. Her voice echoed in all directions.
"I am Nyxelle, Guardian of Dormunhollow's Dream. If you seek the Fourth Flame, show me your truth."
She raised a hand. Flames of silver and crimson formed a ring.
Julius stepped forward, summoned his Time God Slayer magic—and walked into the flame.
The fire didn't burn—it revealed.
His soul shimmered. His guilt. His growth. His dream of a guild built on hope. Nyxelle wept silently.
"Your truth… is enough."
The Fourth Demon Key descended into his palm.
Nyxelle smiled faintly. "Wake the city, Julius Chronas."
He raised the key. Time pulsed. The dream ended.
Dormunhollow stood silent—but free.
Twilight Zone Guild – Members: 6
Julius (C-Rank Mage, Bronze Guild Master)
Lyra (D-Rank Mage, Ice-Make Magic)
Rael (D-Rank Mage, Lightning Magic)
Rin Ayana (C-Rank Mage, Whispering Blade Style – Memory Awakening)
Solas (C-Rank Mage?, Unknown Magic – Seal Fragment Holder)
Bloom (C-Rank Mage, Assassin-Herbalist, Crimson Veil Defector)
F Rank Quests Completed: 70/1000E Rank Quests Completed: 10/10000D Rank Quests Completed: 15/1000C Rank Quests Completed: 13/1000
Guild Status: Bronze Rank
Next Chapter Preview: Flames and Fatherhood
Julius receives a letter from a Time Mage claiming to be his estranged father—and a warning that the Fifth Key lies buried in a realm locked between seconds. But darker forces stir as the Drach prepare to strike at the heart of Twilight Zone.