Timeless Decisions

Better together

♪ Life is sweeter when we are ♪

As the final notes of the song faded into the air, Red, Chloe, and Blanc stood side by side, their eyes wide with disbelief as they took in the scene before them. They had done it. Despite the bruises, the exhaustion, and the lingering tension from their recent battles, they had somehow made it back to the pivotal moment in time. The reality of their success washed over them, leaving them stunned.

"Wow," Red muttered, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I've seen this moment three times now, each with different outcomes." The shock was evident in her tone, and Chloe and Blanc could only nod in agreement, equally overwhelmed by the gravity of what they had just achieved.

Just then, Morgian, who had been standing nearby, feeling a surge of frustration and confusion, marched directly toward Red and Chloe. His sudden approach startled them both, but there was a mischievous glint in his eye as he closed the distance between them.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, my sweets," Morgian said, a grin spreading across his face as he reached them. The familiarity and lightness in his tone were so unexpected that it took Red a moment to register what was happening.

When she finally did, Red's shock quickly turned into overwhelming joy. Her best friend was back, alive and well, as if the nightmare they had just endured had never happened. With a cry of "Ian!" she launched herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. The relief was so profound that it made her dizzy.

Morgian, taken aback by the sudden affection, blinked in surprise. He looked over Red's shoulder, his confusion growing as he saw his mother, Blanc, standing there with tears streaming down her face. Without a word, she too rushed forward, joining the embrace. The sight of her youngest son, alive and well, was too much for her to bear, and she wept openly, her arms wrapped tightly around both him and Red.

Morgian, now completely baffled, gently pulled back just enough to look at both of them, his brows furrowed in confusion. "Did something happen?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry. His eyes flicked between Red and Blanc, searching for answers. "Since when are you two friends?" His gaze lingered on his mother, the one who had once been so consumed by revenge. The change in her was startling, and he couldn't make sense of it.

Then, as his confusion deepened, his eyes shifted to Red. There was something in the way she looked at him, something familiar yet entirely out of place. "And how do you remember me?" he asked, his voice quieter now, almost as if he were afraid of the answer.

Red and Blanc exchanged a glance, their eyes still wet with tears, but this time those tears were filled with joy and relief rather than sorrow. The enormity of what they had just accomplished hit them fully in that moment. They had not only saved Morgian but had also somehow managed to bring them all closer together.

Their laughter bubbled up, a mixture of exhaustion, relief, and sheer disbelief at the insanity of it all. Tears of joy streamed down their faces as they held onto Morgian, their shared bond stronger than ever.

Blanc, still wiping away tears, looked at Morgian with a watery smile. "Oh, Ian," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. "You have no idea what we've been through to get here."

"And you don't want to know," Red added with a laugh, her arms still wrapped around her best friend, her brother in all but blood.

Morgian looked between them, utterly bewildered but unable to stop himself from smiling too. Whatever had happened, whatever strange and terrible journey they had just been on, it was clear that it had brought them all together in a way that nothing else could.

The past was behind them now, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the future looked bright.

As the song began, Red felt a rush of warmth and hope. She glanced over at Blanc, her cousin, who had been through so much with her. Taking Blanc's hand, Red began to sing, her voice carrying the strength of everything they had endured together: