𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 | 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘 𝟭𝟵𝟵𝟵 - 𝑴𝑨𝑳𝑬 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹

Chapter 7 - Chosen, Nurtured, Guided

Previously, on the Reverse 1999, chapter 6:

The world has changed since 1999, which is almost a decade ago. The year that changed everything, for better or for worse. A year that marked the beginning of a new era, a new age of technological and cultural upheaval. A year that marked the start of the new millennium, and the start of a new way of thinking, a new way of living.

Just ask anyone, and they'll tell you that the world has been a complete and total mess since 1999. It's just been a non-stop barrage of chaos and confusion, of turmoil and upheaval. Everything is backward, topsy-turvy, up is down, left is right, the future is the past, and the past is the future. Time has been reversed, and they're living in a world that's the reverse of what they were used to. The world as they knew it has been turned inside out. It's as if they've stepped into a funhouse mirror, it's a reverse universe with nothing making sense.

Life is a funny thing. Here one minute, gone the next. It's all just temporary, a passing phase that they all go through. It's like this Storm that just keeps changing, shifting and moving, never staying in one place for long. But in the end, does it really matter? Death is death, no matter how you slice it. Whether it's quick and painless, or slow and painful, the outcome is always the same. All that changing and shifting and maneuvering, it just doesn't matter in the end, not one bit. They'll all end up in the same place anyway.

But at least Vertin, the chosen one, is there to keep him tamed. She nurtured him, guided him, kept his storm at bay, buying them a time without knowing. It's almost like she had magical powers to calm his turbulent nature, to soothe his troubled spirit and to bring out his tender, vulnerable side. Just one touch from her and he suddenly seems like a completely different person. It's like she has the power to soothe even the most savage of beasts. A miracle worker indeed.

He is the one who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. The one who is chosen by fate to bring balance to the universe. The one who is nurtured, guided and kept in his place, like a wild animal in a cage. As much as he would like to resist, he knows it's for the best. The one who holds his leash is her, but in the end, he knew it would slow down the Storm and let them all survive just a little longer.

"There's nothing quite like a good cup of tea to soothe the soul, is there? But not just any tea, the tea that's been soaked in hot water like some kind of weak, timid drink."

"No, I'm talking about tea which has been brewed in the fires of hell itself, the flames boiling away at it until it turns a deep and fiery red, and only then is it ready for a truly discerning palate."

"Oh, you mean the delicate leaves of the tea plant Brewing, steeping, infusing and wafting A symphony of taste and scent In a cup, a moment of respite and contemplation?"

"From black to white, green to oolong. Each tea is a unique blend of artistry and craftsmanship. A journey of flavors and sensations. A way to slow down and savor the ordinary, so yes"