aOS v.2.12

Jack, Jin, and Alex, all packed into the polished calm of a plane's business class cabin on their way to New York. Master Kenjiro had sent them together on this trip. The quiet stretched between them as the city lights below dimmed into vast stretches of nighttime ocean, with the muffled hum of the engines their only steady companion.

Jack turned to Alex, breaking the silence with a casual reminder. "Just because you're working now doesn't mean you're off the hook. Master Kenjiro expects you to train your martial arts routine everyday. Jin will keep you in check." He gave a slight nod in Jin's direction, who looked mildly amused at the idea.

Alex tried to hide a sigh. "Every day?" He echoed, then leaned in, his curiosity getting the best of him. "What about you, Jack? You used to train with Master Kenjiro, right? Why did you stop?"

Jack's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he looked away. "We're not close enough for me to answer that," he replied bluntly, his gaze now fixed on the empty space before him. With a slight shrug, he turned his head toward the window and settled into his seat, clearly ready to sleep.

Alex watched him for a moment, curiosity lingering as Jack's quiet breathing joined the ambient hum. He felt Kofi's digital presence waiting, and with one more glance to ensure Jack and Jin were asleep.

Alex activated his digital screen, and, to his mild surprise, a small app icon appeared with Kofi curled up inside, fast asleep, his form glowing faintly. His usual snarky expression was absent, replaced by something that almost looked peaceful. Alex raised an eyebrow and tapped on the icon.

Kofi didn't stir.

He tapped again, harder this time, and watched as the tiny figure shifted, mumbling in his sleep. Alex suppressed a grin, tapping repeatedly until Kofi blinked awake, scowling as he rubbed his eyes.

"For the love of stars, kid, what is it? I was enjoying a rare moment of peace."

Alex snickered. "You were in app mode—looked too adorable to resist."

Kofi rolled his eyes and unfolded from the icon, enlarging into his usual form with a grumpy sigh. "If I weren't bound to this thing, I'd… never mind. What do you need?"

Alex chuckled, watching as Kofi settled into his usual, semi-translucent self on the screen. "I wanted to pick up our conversation on time travel."

Kofi crossed his arms, visibly less amused but more awake now. "You and your questions…

Kofi sighed, giving Alex a weary look. "Put in your AeroPods, kid. I don't have time to be your personal chatmate right now."

Alex rolled his eyes but popped in the AeroPods, letting Kofi's voice fill his ears. "Much better," Kofi muttered. "Now, back to time travel, was it? Just sit tight and listen this time, alright?"

Alex smirked, nodding as Kofi launched into his explanation, his voice taking on that familiar tone—half lecture, half exasperation—that only Kofi could pull off.

Kofi smirked, arms crossed as he seemed to float there in the dim light. "Ready to pick up where we left off?"

Alex nodded, typing discreetly in the air. "Yeah. You were saying something about two types of time travel.

Kofi leaned in, his tone taking on that familiar, amused edge. "Right. Type A is the fancy stuff—where the entire universe, or a whole sector of it, is rewound in time, like turning the wheels back on a clock. But only supreme beings have that kind of juice. When they turn back time, everyone and everything goes along with it. Memories, objects, you name it—wiped clean as if nothing happened."

"So... no one even knows time was turned back?" Alex asked, his brow furrowing as he tried to absorb it all.

"Exactly. That's why it's so rare. It's the cleanest way to do it, but it's reserved for major, universe-threatening events. Most mortals don't even know they were rewound."

Alex nodded slowly, the gears turning in his mind. "And then there's Type B," he murmured.

Kofi's grin widened. "Type B is what you're dealing with, kid. This is where an object, a person—an element of a universe—gets sent back in time. Instead of turning the wheels, it's like a wormhole opens, and someone gets shoved through. Since time's not rewound, the past flows exactly as it was. You're just... dropped in, like a rock into a river."

Alex frowned, glancing over at Jack and Jin sleeping soundly. "So the river keeps flowing the same way, but the rock—me—gets dragged by these 'chains' of causality."

Kofi tapped his temple. "Exactly. The chains serve as shackles, anchoring you back to the original timeline. It's the universe's way of keeping you from screwing with the flow."

Alex's gaze drifted out the window, his mind churning. "But what happens if we reach the exact point when we first traveled back? When we hit the same moment in time as when we left?"

For once, Kofi looked uncertain. "I don't know, kid. No one does. Type B time travel isn't designed for sticking around. Time-travelers only travel back to fix something, grab something—then they leave. They don't settle down in the past."

"Risky?" Alex asked, feeling a prickle of unease. "You mean I could mess up the timeline?"

Kofi sighed. "Maybe. Or maybe nothing happens, and you keep breaking rules as you go. But those chains are relentless. They'll get tighter the closer you get to the point of no return. You think you're close to breaking free, but those chains... they're stronger than you'd ever think."

Alex clenched his jaw, his frustration simmering. "I've come too far to be held back by some invisible rulebook. I'll find a way."

Kofi leaned back, a dark smile playing on his face. "Just remember—those chains aren't there for fun. Don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, Kofi's image faded, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts. As the first distant lights of New York began to pierce through the night, he steeled himself, knowing full well that whatever lay ahead, he wouldn't let it stop him.

The cabin lights dimmed as the plane began its descent, and a smooth voice crackled over the intercom. "Ladies and gentlemen, we'll be landing shortly at New York's JFK Airport. Please ensure your seat belts are fastened and tray tables stowed."

Jack stretched, blinking away the last traces of sleep, and turned to Alex with a grin. "Alright, brick-phone guy, let's go. First things first—we're getting you a real phone."

Alex raised an eyebrow, unimpressed but keeping it to himself. Sure, Jack might think he was dragging Alex into the modern age, but Alex knew every piece of tech in 2017 would feel like a relic compared to his aPhone from 2024. As Jack and Jin gathered their bags, Alex tucked his brick phone safely in his jacket pocket, feeling a quiet confidence as they prepared to face New York. He'd play along for now, but only he knew just how far ahead he really was.