The next world.

I can feel my eyes widen as the booming voice echoes in my head.

"Hello. I am one of your clusters. By 'clusters,' I mean I am several reincarnations fused together into one form. You have eight clusters."

The voice shifts into something lighter, almost casual:

"Heyyy! Name's Solomon. I'm one of the two reincarnations who actually have our own body. The other one is Dragore, but… yeah, he doesn't talk much. Anyway, me and Cluster One—he doesn't want a name yet—are the only ones awake right now. So, lucky you! You get to hear my voice first.

"Look, I don't have time to explain everything. It'll just mess with your head. Instead, here's some quick advice:

• One: You can still die for real. This time-reset ability? It's not infinite. Every time you fold time back, your heart's strain grows. Die too much, and it'll kill you for good. Try to stay alive for the next three weeks, okay?

• Two: You have more gears—hidden powers. Awaken them. You're going to need them.

• Three: When you go for summoning or familiars, aim for Dragore's. It'll help you a ton."

The voice softens as if it's smiling, though I can't see it.

"You'll get stronger, and when you are, you'll be able to talk to us properly. Until then… fade back into reality."

I can't get a single word in before everything dissolves into black. Then, colors begin to seep back in. At first, everything is blurry. Slowly, faces come into focus—everyone standing over me.

I jolt upright, my heart racing. My eyes dart around. Everyone's here… except the director.

"Where's the director?" I ask, my voice rasping.

As if on cue, he walks through the door holding a glass of water. His stern expression softens when he sees me awake.

"Thank goodness," he says. "I thought something bad happened to you. So, are you finally going to explain what's going on?"

I clear my throat and sit up straighter, feeling the weight of their stares. "Well… every time I die, the world resets. It's like folding time back on itself—like it never happened. No alternate timelines, no second chances. Just a single path I can redo.

"I've known you all for 41 hours and 15 minutes." I pause, the words catching in my throat. "That may not sound like much to you, but when you've been killed 99 times trying to save everyone, it feels like an eternity."

The room falls silent.

Xolotl and Ren exchange looks, their mouths slightly open but no words come out.

Haneul Seo is the first to speak. "I mean… I have no reason to think you're lying. Considering the crazy stuff we've been through today, I'd believe anything at this point. If you've been through all of that just to protect us…" She bows her head slightly. "Thank you."

The others nod in agreement.

"Same," Yuzuki says softly.

"I don't know what to say," Ren admits. "But… thanks for having our backs."

Their gratitude swells in my chest, almost overwhelming. I feel the sting of tears behind my eyes but force myself to hold them back.

The director's voice cuts through the moment, calm but firm. "Well, Kael, you're technically stuck here until we can make sure you're safe. But as for the rest of you…" He takes a deep breath. "I can offer to erase your memories and remove the chi you've accumulated. You'll go back to your normal lives, no strings attached. But if you want to stay here…" He gives a meaningful look to each of them. "You've got to have a goal. There's no point in surviving if you're not living. Trust me, this world is full of possibilities to explore."

He walks to the door and pauses, looking back. "I'll be back in an hour. You'd better have your decision by then."

The room is quiet for the next 20 minutes, the weight of his words hanging heavy.

I break the silence. "I think it's best if you guys go back to your regular lives. You have futures ahead of you—bright ones. Me?" I try to keep my voice steady. "There's not much for me to return to. But you… you've got families, schools, lives worth living. Go back. Be safe."

Xolotl shakes his head immediately, grinning. "Nah. You and me? We're like bread and butter, peanut butter and jelly. What's the best duo in this whole damn thing? Us. Where you go, I go." He shrugs, his grin fading. "Not like anyone's waiting for me back home. My folks… well, let's just say they wouldn't notice I'm gone."

Ren nods. "Yeah, same here. Been living on my own ever since my relatives got tired of me. You two are the closest thing I've got to family. And hey, the director's right—maybe I'll find my goal here."

Citlali hesitates. "I don't know. I want to see my family one last time—my parents, brothers, grandma, and the dojo. I can't decide until I've talked to them."

Yuzuki adds, "Same. My grandparents raised me, and they've always wanted me to go to boarding school anyway. I love them, so… I need to say goodbye first."

Haneul Seo, usually quiet, finally speaks up. "I-I just want to talk to my sister. She's all I've got since our parents disappeared. After that… I'll know what to do."

Ametsuchi Tenshihara speaks up, her voice calm yet laced with a hint of guilt.

"If I'm being honest, Yami and I are demons, so we'll just stay here. We'll wait for you guys to get back—bet on that." Her gaze softens as she continues. "I guess we've forgotten how close we've all become. I just want you to know… I'm sorry if I've caused you any inconvenience in the past or the future. There's something you should know—about what happened to us and why you all might be in trouble too. But… that can wait. Take your time with your decisions."

The weight of her words hangs in the air as the group absorbs the implications.

The rest of the hour fizzles out in silence, each of us lost in thought.

When the director returns, he addresses the group. The girls—except Ametsuchi and Yami—ask if they can visit their families before making their final decision.

The director nods. "Yes, but you'll need to wear these bracelets. They'll suppress the chi within you, ensuring you don't attract unnecessary attention."

We each strap on the bracelets. The strange, subtle hum of chi within me dulls, like a faint flame smothered but not extinguished.

Our first stop is Citlali Soils' home. The rest of us wait outside, giving her space to talk with her family.

Citlali's POV

My heart pounds in my chest as I step inside the house. The familiar scent of home—freshly cooked food and incense—fills the air, but it does little to calm me. I can hear my brother playing upstairs, the faint clatter of toys. My parents' voices carry softly from the kitchen.

Then my mother calls out, "Citlali? Is that you?"

I walk toward the kitchen, my steps hesitant, my throat dry.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out. "I'm sorry for staying out so late… for not coming home sooner. I just—I don't know how to explain, but I'm sorry."

Before I can say more, my grandma, who's sitting at the kitchen table, stops me with a knowing look.

"So," she says gently, "you've been to the other world."

Her words hit me like a thunderclap. My eyes widen in shock. "How… how do you know that?"

My mother exchanges a glance with my father before turning to me. "Because we're from that world too. Your grandmother, your father, and I—we were all born there. Your brothers and sister don't know, and we were going to tell you when you were older. But it looks like you've found out on your own."

I stare at them, my mouth agape. "I… I don't know what to do," I admit, my voice trembling. "I feel like I have a calling over there. I want to explore, to be free, to make a difference. But I don't want to leave you behind."

My father steps forward, placing a firm yet reassuring hand on my shoulder. His eyes, warm and steady, meet mine.

"You are my daughter, Citlali. I believe you can be something great. If your heart tells you to go and make a name for yourself, then do it. But promise me this: be safe. And remember, you will always have a home here. We love you."

His words bring tears to my eyes. My mother and grandmother join him, each kissing my forehead. The warmth of their love strengthens my resolve.

I nod and head upstairs, packing a small bag with the essentials. My hands tremble slightly as I fold a few keepsakes, knowing this might be the last time I see this house for a long while.

When I step outside, my friends are waiting. Kael, who's endured so much for us, stands at the front of the group. His quiet strength radiates from him. I can't help but look at him for a moment longer than I should, an inexplicable mix of gratitude and admiration swelling in my chest.

Before I can speak, Seo places a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asks softly.

I manage a small smile. "Yeah… I'm okay."

With that, we set off for the next house.