Shadows of the Multiverse

Chapter 5

Ingrid's POV (past timeline)

The sun dipped below the city skyline, casting hues of orange and pink across the evening sky. Ava's penthouse, with its panoramic view, had always been a haven for us. Tonight, however, felt different – the air buzzed with an unusual energy.

Ava, draped in a cozy sweater, curled up on the plush sofa. I joined her, a mug of hot cocoa in hand. The warmth of the cocoa mirrored the comfort of Ava's presence.

"Another crazy day, Ingrid," Ava chuckled, taking a sip from her own mug. "I swear, if I could manipulate time, I'd add a couple of extra hours just for sanity."

I laughed, my spirits lifted by the familiarity of our banter. "Well, you're already practically immortal. Time manipulation might be pushing it," I teased, nudging her playfully.

Ava's eyes sparkled with mischief. "True, true. I suppose immortality comes with its own set of perks."

We talked, laughed, and let the conversation weave between mundane and magical. It was in these moments that I cherished our friendship the most.

As the night wore on, Ava's laughter echoed in the spacious penthouse. I watched her, a mix of admiration and worry in my gaze. How could someone so powerful seem so vulnerable at times?

"Hey, Ingrid," Ava said, breaking the laughter-filled silence. "What's going on in that brilliant mind of yours?" she asked, a gentle smile replacing the mischievous one.

I hesitated, then sighed. "Ava, do you ever feel like there's something more out there? And you know what that is right? Why don't you wanna tell me about it?"

Ava's expression shifted, and she regarded me with a seriousness that matched my own. "You mean like someone or something that you can feel that is very powerful"

I nodded

"Ingrid," Ava said softly, placing a hand on mine "See whatever is out there is the reason I have this magical shield around our universe and we have an agreement they won't disturb us okay you don't need to worry."

Ingrid's POV (present timeline)

The fact that someone had killed me in another universe too didn't feel right and it somehow felt that my death in that universe had some connection with the mysterious man as I had lost track of him and me at the same time.

I didn't want to talk about this with Damian as I could not trust a stranger whom I had just met in a universe where I was not alive. So I decided to go back to my universe and talk with Ava about this situation.

As I went back I saw Ava sitting on her sofa reading a book. I was surprised as she liked reading but always said she never had enough time with her busy schedule so I went up to her to see what she was reading.

"Hey Ingrid you came back," she said without looking up from her book

"What are you reading?" I asked taking a place beside her on the sofa.

"The same book that you were reading is about my powers" She replied closing her book and looking at me.

"What I was reading this book I don't remember it," I said looking at the book.

"But you were reading this book way before you were killed and I don't remember the exact time but it was definitely not 3 months ago," Ava said which left me shocked as I didn't have any memories of ever reading that book.

"Maybe whoever killed me had something to do with this book which is why I don't have any memories of reading this" I replied

"Yeah, I have some suspects but we need more details to find out who is behind this tell me did you find anything in your travel through the multiverse?" Ava asked

"I went to another universe and I saw another version of myself but I was distracted by a mysterious man but later also lost track of him and decided to come back," I said

"And was this the first time you saw that man? Can you tell me what he look like?" she asked

"Yes that was the first time I saw him I recently went back to that universe but I didn't saw him I was not able to saw his face but he had a black hat on and was wearing a black long coat with black boots" I replied

"Alright understood did you find anything else when you went back today?" she asked

"Yes through a friend of mine in that universe I found out that my variant had died in a car accident but he thinks that someone was behind that," I said

"Okay I understand there could be many possibilities on who killed you but my head is already hurting way too much to think about all this right now," She said "And by the way, I wanted to say that half of the things written in this book about me are false" she added

"Alright no worries dude don't think too much about all this and rest for some time I'm leaving okay" I said noticing that she looked tired

Author's note: hey guys what's up it's been a long time since I updated but from now on I'll try my best to update weekly I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and stay tuned for more chapters in the future till then see ya soon.