A Time Paradox

It was already evening when everyone settled to have dinner.

Noah was sitting on the main seat with a sly smile as two groups of beauties sat on each side of the table. One side was enthusiastic and merrily talking like sisters while the other side was awkward and silent.

'All according to plan!' Noah thought as he watched the clear distinction between both sides. It was exactly what he wanted to do so that it is easier for the other unclaimed women to become his. Noah knew what the awkward and silent side was thinking about...Probably about his proficiency and expertise in bed. Even though such a thing was taboo for Ixea and Eve, Adah could think about it especially after Mary did it shamelessly. Mary's decision to lead the girls so that others could watch was just the perfect stimulation for the other women to introduce them to Noah's prowess. And as soon as Noah's eyes met Mary's, she smiled as she mentally transmitted to him that she wanted rewards for the good work.

Noah replied back and assured her that she would definitely get extra attention and more seeds inside her to which Mary just blushed slightly.

At this point in time, Eula came into the dining hall with various dishes that she created herself, that floated in the air using her [Air] element. As a fake maid inside the Arda Kingdom's Palace, she learned many things and she obviously knew how to create a lavish dinner.

Eula boldly gave a kiss to Noah and sat beside Silia as the hovering dishes were placed on the table. Soon everyone was eating the tasty food and conversed in middle but when Noah looked at Ares, he became confused and wrinkled his brows slightly.

Ares was sitting beside Leah with her eyes closed and arms folded. She was neither eating anything nor talking with anyone. It was not suspicious but the thing that puzzled Noah was that Ares's aura was much calmer even though she saw Eula kissing him.

When Ares asked about Eula and Noah's relationship, Eve explained to her about Noah's harem that already included more than half of the women in this group. Noah expected Ares to lash out at all of them but instead, she just nodded and didn't show any other reaction. Noah made a mental note to talk to her as he increased his senses to Valentina and Lysa who were still fighting in the forest. Lysa was slowly getting used to Valentina's attacks and also countering her [Energy] chains with [Blood] by covering all of them in blood before they are formed.

'Sigh...This is the reason I don't want to keep her in my domain...' Noah didn't wish to keep a dangerous [Immortal] like Lysa in his Domain because of this very reason. Lysa was too stubborn and her possessiveness forced her to find solutions to destroy everything until she gets what she wants. If Noah puts her in his Domain for a few thousand years, she would eventually find a way to escape and then Noah would have to put more effort to create some other technique to restrict her. It would be an unending cycle of Lysa destroying his techniques one by one while he creates new ones. Lysa was just too bothersome to deal with.

As the dinner ended, the awkward group was the first to sneak into their rooms. They were too embarrassed after today's events. The other girls gave seductive smiles to Noah but Noah shook his head in denial as he said, "I am busy for now..." Although disheartened a little, they didn't bother him much and one by one went back to their own rooms.

After a few minutes of silence, Noah got up from his seat as well, as he said, "Is there something troubling you Ares?" while looking at the lone figure sitting on a chair.

Ares opened her eyes as a gentle mature warmth exuded from them, she replied, "Come with me brother..."

Noah raised his brows slightly but obliged and followed Ares out of the mansion. They walked in silence as she lead him outside the Hillybilly town, inside the forests.

Step~

Step~

Crunching sounds of dry leaves filled their ears as the twins slithered their way through dense foliage and huge trees. Although slightly confused, Noah didn't say anything and kept following his sister.

*Burble...!*

The pleasant sounds of a river entered their ears and soon a river with the stars and moon shining in its reflection appeared in their eyes. The sweet scent of the fresh river water and tranquil silence entered Noah's senses. Although he has seen such scenes many times, this time it was different as few memories of the past resurfaced.

Noah slightly trembled as he felt the river was very familiar, he squinted his eyes and looked towards Ares who turned her head and gently smiled. Ares sat at the river bank and gestured for Noah to sit beside her.

'What is happening...?' Although confused he sat beside Ares while admiring the view of the picturesque image formed that seemed to soothe anyone's heart.

"Brother..." Ares glanced at Noah, who was still silently waiting for her to continue the conversation, as she added, "I love you..."

"I know...Ares...but if there is anything I could help you with-" Noah was cut off mid-sentence when Ares suddenly asked a question, "What is [Time]?"

Noah wrinkled his brows, thinking Ares was training with Leah and Leah must have introduced Ares to her powers, thus he replied unhesitantly, "The indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. Although my understanding of [Time] is almost negligible...this is the best explanation I could give to you."

Ares nodded as she clasped her exotic pink hair into a ponytail using a red band while getting up and tidying up her clothes. She stood with her back facing Noah as she stepped towards the river. She put one of her hands in the river, seemingly searching for something.

"What is [Space]?" She asked again and Noah only thought that maybe she was getting an understanding of higher laws, and thus she was curious about these unknown elements in this world. He thought about it for a second and replied in the most simple language he could, "A continuous, boundless area."

"What is [Energy]?" For some reason, Noah was having a sense of deja vu. He remained silent and didn't answer.

"What is [Soul]?"

Noah blankly stared at Ares.

"When you mix those four you can do what is known as time travel, brother...Unfortunately, you wouldn't know as you have mastered [Gravity] which is the arch-enemy of all the four...Distorting them upon getting too close..."

"[Time] is necessary for time travel, of course, You need [Space], as it doesn't have any limits, [Energy] crushes and paves a path, while [Soul] power can help in creating an alternate existence that exists in two timelines by the process of splitting [Soul]...Interesting right?" Ares exhibited a small kind smile as she suddenly took her hand out of the river while turning around and showing Noah what she found.

"Although I couldn't give you this back then to fill your stomach," Ares smiled apologetically while showing a fish in her dainty hand as she added with a sigh, "Haah...I don't think you need this anymore..." Ares threw the fish back in the river as she sat on Noah's lap, facing him while her hands wrapped around his neck.

"I love you...[Chaos]..."

"A time paradox..." Noah muttered finally breaking out of his stupor as he looked deeply in those red eyes, the pink ponytail, the flawless figure...as the figure of the mysterious woman, covered in shadows, slowly started revealing herself in his memories as the dark clouds around her features dissipated. Unbeknown to Noah, Ares's index finger tapped on the back of his head, as she used her [Soul] powers, making him forget about this conversation and the image of the mysterious woman again covered herself in shadows.

'Sorry...brother...but this is something that only I can do...' Noah blinked and looked at Ares confusedly.

"Nothing is troubling me, brother...It's just that I am feeling very disappointed in you brother..."

"Why is that Ares?" Noah asked not knowing what he did to disappoint Ares.

"You give your attention to so many women...but what about me? I am the one who has always been with you from the very beginning..." An ambiguous light flashed through Ares's eyes but Noah didn't understand her true reference as he thought that Ares was talking about them being twins since they have been together for eighteen years, from birth.

Noah understood Ares's thoughts as he grabbed her by her lithe waist pulling her in his embrace.

Ares leaned forward, and Noah, in perfect sync, pressed his lips against hers.