Nevermore zero

It feels like an eternity—the day stretching endlessly again, each the same as the last, a cruel cycle with no escape. The sun hangs stubbornly in the sky, refusing to set, as though mocking my every effort. No matter what I do, no matter how hard I push, how far I run, or how much progress I make, it all crumbles to nothing in the end. The moment I think I'm ahead, the clock resets, throwing me back to square one.

And that hooded bastard, with their smug silence and chains glinting in the dim light, never lets up. Their always there, waiting for me, relentless as death itself. Every time I think I've slipped past their, every time I dare to hope, they drags me back, over and over again. I barely have time to breathe, let alone craft a plan.

Then comes Aloy's voice, steady yet tinged with resignation, echoing in my head like a bell tolling my failure: "Master, this is the 306th loop." Three hundred and six times, and I'm still no closer to breaking free.

But this time—this time will be different. I don't care how long it takes or how many loops I endure. Whoever's behind this, whoever's pulling the strings and resetting time like it's their personal game—I'll find them. I'll make them pay.

"Miss Rose? Is everything okay?" The young girl's voice reached me from the bottom of the staircase, soft yet concerned. I paused, looking down to meet her innocent, wide eyes and adorable face. Forcing a gentle smile, I replied, "Everything is fine," my tone as reassuring as I could muster.

But everything wasn't fine. Not even close.

The castle loomed ominously behind me, its dark, towering spires casting long shadows over the land. I knew better than to linger there. Whatever was happening, I couldn't afford to involve Katharina in it. She was just a child. Miss Lilith—she was our best bet. A deadly smile, after all, made for the finest bodyguard.

I turned swiftly, taking Katharina's small hand in mine as we headed toward the bustling heart of the town. The crowded streets became a maze, my shield against that hooded figure who seemed to haunt my every step. My eyes darted around, scanning for any sign of danger, but my grip on her hand stayed firm. We weaved through merchants and townsfolk until finally, the familiar sight of the guild banners came into view. Relief washed over me when I saw her.

"Miss Lilith!" I called out, my voice rising above the clamor of the streets. She turned at the sound of her name, her sharp eyes locking onto us before softening. A quick smile graced her lips, but it faded as she took in Katharina's face.

"Who's child is this?" she asked, her voice low and measured. She knelt down, leveling her gaze with Katharina's. For a moment, her expression changed—subtle but undeniable. It was as though she were looking at someone she knew, someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

The air grew heavy, the sounds of the busy street fading into the background. I couldn't help but notice the tension in her shoulders, the way her hand hovered just above the dagger strapped to her thigh. Something about Katharina had struck a nerve.

"Wait," Aurora said, her voice tense and filled with certainty. The five of us turned to her in unison, startled by her sudden outburst. Her nose twitched slightly as she focused on something unseen. "I can smell Luna."

Without waiting for our response, Aurora moved through the crowded street, her sharp senses guiding her to one of the guild's small shops. She stopped abruptly in front of a petite figure cloaked in dark fabric. The figure stood still, almost as though waiting. From the way Aurora's posture stiffened, I guessed it must be her.

"Luna?" Aurora called softly, stepping closer. She reached out and carefully pulled the hood back to reveal a familiar face. Black wolf ears perked up, and piercing yellow eyes blinked at us in recognition—it was her. But something was off. Her stance wasn't just protective—it was possessive. That's when we noticed her holding the hand of another cloaked figure.

"Luna…" I began, but before I could say more, Katharina broke free from my grip, her small feet racing toward them.

"Sister! Mama!" she cried out, her voice brimming with joy. She wrapped her tiny arms around the second figure, hugging her from behind. The figure flinched but didn't pull away. Slowly, she turned around, and the sight left us all frozen in place.

The woman under the hood had a presence that was impossible to ignore. Her skin was pale, almost ethereal, glowing faintly in the dim light of the shop. Hair as white as freshly fallen snow cascaded down her back, framing a face that seemed carved from ice. Her eyes, a crystalline blue like the clearest sky, locked onto mine for a fleeting moment before shifting to Katharina.

This wasn't just anyone. Recognition hit me like a tidal wave, and my breath caught in my throat. "Princess Fate," I whispered, my voice trembling as the weight of her identity settled over us.

The princess, long thought lost—or worse—stood before us, holding Katharina close. Her gaze moved between us, calculating and cold, but softened slightly when it fell on the child.

"She called you 'Mama,'" Lilith said, her voice breaking the silence. It was an observation, but her tone hinted at a deeper curiosity, maybe even suspicion.

Princess Fate didn't reply immediately. Instead, she glanced down at Katharina, brushing a hand gently through the girl's hair. "There are things you don't understand," she said finally, her voice calm but laced with an authority that demanded silence.

Luna stood beside her, protective and quiet, her wolf-like eyes watching us warily. The tension was thick enough to cut with a blade, but there was no time to question anything further.

From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of movement—a shadow darting across the rooftops. The hooded figure. My stomach churned. The danger was far from gone, and now, with Princess Fate here, it felt like we'd just stepped into something much larger than any of us could have anticipated.

"Whatever's happening," I said firmly, "we can't stay out in the open. We need to move—now."

Princess Fate nodded, her expression unreadable. "Lead the way, then."

And just like that, the fragile balance between questions and survival tipped. The only thing we could do was move forward, uncertain of what awaited us but knowing there was no turning back.