PASSAGE 16: CHRONOSTALXIS

A wave of exhilaration washed over Alaric as he closed the rift, the gateway back to his world snapping shut with a whisper. Stepping back into his room, he expected the harsh glare of morning light to greet him. Instead, a familiar darkness persisted, broken only by the soft glow of his desk lamp. He glanced at the clock on his wall, squinting in disbelief. 9:05 PM.

"Impossible," he muttered, the confusion etched on his face a stark contrast to his previous smirk. He could have sworn it was past 8:55 when he entered the rift. How could only ten minutes have passed?

As if sensing his bewilderment, Lumina materialized beside him, a playful glint in her eyes. "The nature of time within the Eye of Chronos is… fluid, Alaric," she explained. "Rift durations can vary wildly compared to the real world. Some move at a glacial pace, while others hurtle forward like a runaway train. It seems your recent excursion fell into the latter category."

Alaric's mind raced back to the black rift he and his team had been trapped in – a grueling three weeks of hardship that had felt like an eternity. Yet, upon their escape, they discovered a staggering truth: six months had elapsed in the real world. The time dilation within that rift had been immense, a cruel trick by the Eye of Chronos.

Alaric stared at Lumina, a mixture of awe and curiosity swirling in his eyes. "The Eye of Chronos is truly a fascinating place," he admitted, his voice laced with wonder. "But there's something I don't understand. All this time, I thought you were bound to the Eye, unable to leave."

Lumina offered him a gentle smile. "That used to be the case, Alaric," she explained. "But your growth has unlocked a new facet of my being. As you become stronger, so too do I. Your ten level jump grants me the ability to manifest outside the Eye of Chronos, a tethered existence fueled by your own power."

A flicker of sadness flickered across her eyes, a brief glimpse of a deeper longing. "And perhaps," she continued, her voice barely a whisper, "when you reach your full potential, it might even bring back my lost memories."

Alaric's heart ached for her unspoken pain. He reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of silent support. "Don't worry, Lumina," he vowed, his voice firm with determination. "I'll help you get your memories back, no matter what it takes."

Their conversation was interrupted by a gentle rapping on the door. It creaked open, revealing Alaric's dad, Ricardo, his face etched with a mixture of relief and concern. "Hey, Alaric," he said, his voice gruff but filled with affection. "Just checking in. We were starting to think it was all a dream."

Alaric's lips curved into a genuine smile. "It's not a dream, Dad," he reassured him. "I'm really home. Sorry for all the worry I caused."

Ricardo's shoulders slumped in relief. "Just glad you're safe, son," he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Get some rest. We can talk more in the morning." With a final nod, Ricardo closed the door, leaving Alaric.

Alaric furrowed his brow, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Hey, Lumina," he began, noticing how his father seemed to completely bypass her presence. "Why couldn't Dad see you?"

Lumina offered a wistful smile. "Because he can't, yet," she explained.

"Yet?" Alaric echoed, confusion lacing his voice. "What do you mean?"

"Remember what I told you earlier?" Lumina continued, her voice taking on a gentle tone. "As you grow stronger, so do I. But right now, at Level 10, my existence isn't substantial enough to be perceived by others. It's like I'm a faint echo, a whisper in the wind."

A spark of understanding ignited in Alaric's eyes. "So that's why…" he murmured, the pieces clicking into place. "So when I level up further, you'll become more… real? People will be able to see and interact with you?"

Lumina's smile widened, a glimmer of hope flickering within it. "Exactly! That's the goal, Alaric. The stronger you become, the closer I get to regaining my full form and memory."

The conversation shifted as the adrenaline of his adventure subsided. Lumina, ever curious, tilted her head. "So, Alaric," she inquired, "what's your plan for tomorrow? Another foray into the Eye of Chronos?"

Alaric rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Raiding another rift is definitely on the agenda," he admitted, a glint of determination in his eyes. "But I was also thinking of…" He paused, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Taking a little reassessment test at the Hunter's Embassy in the morning."

Lumina's brow furrowed in confusion. "A reassessment test? But Alaric, that's a waste of time!"

"A waste of time? Why do you say that?" Alaric countered, surprised by her reaction.

Lumina sighed. "Listen," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "No matter how strong you become within the Eye of Chronos, the Hunter's Association won't recognize your power. The gauge they use for assessments measures the anima a Hunter possesses – light-based energy channeled through anima crystals granted by the Archangel Eros. The Eye of Chronos, however, operates on a different principle. It utilizes Chronostalxis, an energy derived from time itself. The Hunter's gauge simply won't be able to detect it."

Alaric's mind reeled. Lumina's words painted a picture far more complex than he had imagined. Time as a source of power? It defied everything he thought he knew. "Hold on," he stammered, a knot of confusion tightening in his gut. "Can you explain that a bit better? Time? How is that even possible?"

Lumina's expression softened as she sensed his bewilderment. "It's a complex concept, even for Hunters," she admitted. "But listen closely, Alaric. This is the heart of what makes the Eye of Chronos so unique."

Leaning closer, she spoke in hushed tones. "Do you ever wonder why you can level up within the Eye while others remain stagnant? It's because with every rifter you vanquish, the Eye claims a portion of their remaining life essence. This essence, Alaric, is the very essence of time – Chronostalxis. The stronger the rifter, the longer their lifespan, the greater the wellspring of experience the Eye harvests to fuel your growth."

Alaric felt a wave of information crash over him. The revelation that his power stemmed not from light, but from stolen time, was staggering. The frustration of the reassessment test melted away, replaced by a spark of something far more potent – raw, exhilarating excitement. The limitations of the Hunter's Association gauge suddenly seemed insignificant. The Eye of Chronos offered a path to power beyond their wildest comprehension, a path he now walked.