・❥・This chapter contains spoilers for Carlo's character otherwise enjoy :)

Time was a delicate thread, weaving its way through the fabric of existence with a fragile yet profound presence. Within the span of a year, entire worlds could rise and fall, civilizations could flourish and crumble, and lives could be forever changed by the passage of time.

In the grand tapestry of existence, even the smallest increments of time held the power to shape destinies and alter the course of history. Within a month, fortunes could be won or lost, dreams could be realized or shattered, and the ebb and flow of life's currents could carry us to unforeseen shores.

Weeks passed like fleeting shadows, slipping through our fingers like grains of sand in an hourglass. In the space of a week, moments of joy and sorrow could unfold, friendships could be forged or fractured, and the rhythms of life could dance to the beat of our own hearts.

Days dawned and faded like the changing hues of the sky, each one a blank canvas upon which we painted the stories of our lives. Within a single day, we laughed and we cried, we loved and we lost, and we navigated the winding paths of our own destinies with courage and grace.

Hours slipped away like whispers on the wind, each one a precious gift to be cherished and savored. In the span of an hour, we could find solace in the embrace of a loved one, discover the beauty of a fleeting moment, or embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth.

And within the fleeting heartbeat of a minute, worlds collided and stars were born, as the symphony of existence played out its timeless melody. In the span of a single minute, the course of history could be forever altered, as the sands of time continued to flow inexorably onward.

Seconds ticked by like the steady pulse of a heartbeat, each one a reminder of the fleeting nature of life itself. In the blink of an eye, we moved through the moments of our lives, each one a precious treasure to be cherished and embraced.

In the delicate dance of time, every passing moment held the promise of new beginnings, the potential for growth and transformation, and the beauty of the ever-unfolding tapestry of existence. And as we journeyed through the depths of time, we were reminded of the preciousness of each passing moment, and the infinite possibilities that lay within the boundless expanse of eternity.

Ah, the memories of childhood, a cherished tapestry woven with the vibrant threads of innocence and joy. Though time may have stretched its fingers across the expanse of years, in the recesses of your mind, those precious moments remain as vivid and vibrant as if they had occurred just yesterday.

As you recall the days of your youth, a nostalgic warmth washes over you, like the gentle caress of a summer breeze on a balmy afternoon. The image of your younger self, carefree and exuberant, comes into focus, your small form darting through fields of tall grass with the abandon of youth.

Beside you, your friend Carlo, a kindred spirit in the adventure of childhood, matches your boundless energy with a playful grin and outstretched hands, his laughter mingling with the sound of the wind rustling through the grass. With each step, the world around you becomes a playground of endless possibilities, a canvas upon which to paint the vibrant hues of imagination and wonder.

As you race through the fields, your school uniform stained with the earthy hues of nature's embrace, you revel in the simple joys of friendship and camaraderie. With each passing moment, the cares of the world melt away, replaced by the unbridled joy of youthful abandon.

And as Carlo's outstretched hands draw ever closer, the thrill of the chase pulses through your veins, igniting a fire within your soul that knows no bounds. In this moment, you are not bound by the constraints of time or space, but free to roam the boundless expanse of childhood's dreams.

Though the years may have passed and the winds of change may have swept across the landscape of your life, the memories of those carefree days remain etched upon your heart like a timeless melody, a reminder of the simple pleasures that once filled your days with laughter and light. And as you journey through the tapestry of time, those memories serve as a beacon of hope and joy, guiding you through the trials and tribulations of life with the promise of brighter days yet to come.

As you reflect on those once-happy memories of childhood, a bitter undercurrent tinges the edges of your thoughts, casting shadows upon the vibrant tapestry of your past. What had changed, indeed? It's a question that weighs heavily upon your heart as you grapple with the complexities of time and the shifting sands of life.

In the hazy haze of nostalgia, it's easy to idealize the past, to paint it with the rosy hues of innocence and joy. But as the years have passed and the realities of adulthood have taken hold, the once-bright colors of your childhood memories have faded, replaced by the somber shades of bitterness and regret.

Perhaps it's the passage of time itself that has wrought this change, the inevitable march of years eroding the idyllic images of your youth and exposing the harsh truths that lie beneath. Or perhaps it's the weight of experience, the accumulation of life's trials and tribulations, that has cast a shadow upon the innocence of your past.

As you navigate the labyrinthine corridors of memory, you can't help but feel a pang of sadness for the loss of that carefree time, for the innocence that was stolen away by the relentless march of time. And yet, even as you mourn the passing of those once-happy days, you can't help but acknowledge the resilience of the human spirit, the capacity to find light in even the darkest of times.

Though bitterness may linger in the corners of your mind, there is still hope to be found amidst the shadows, a glimmer of light that promises brighter days ahead. And as you continue to journey through the tangled web of memory and time, you hold onto that hope with an unwavering resolve, knowing that even in the face of darkness, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal.

The allure of the past is a powerful force, one that draws us in with its nostalgic embrace and promises of simpler times. For you, delving into the corridors of memory is not merely an idle pastime, but a journey of self-discovery, a quest for answers, hope, and perhaps even an escape from the harsh realities of the present.

In the recesses of your mind, you find solace amidst the echoes of days gone by, seeking refuge from the tumultuous storms of the present. Within the hazy haze of nostalgia, you find a sanctuary of sorts, a place where the burdens of the world seem to fade away, replaced by the comforting embrace of familiar faces and cherished memories.

But beneath the surface of this nostalgia lies a deeper yearning, a quest for meaning and understanding in a world fraught with uncertainty and chaos. As you wander through the labyrinthine corridors of memory, you search for clues, for glimpses of wisdom hidden amidst the tangled threads of the past.

Perhaps you seek answers to questions that have long haunted your thoughts, seeking clarity amidst the fog of uncertainty. Or perhaps you cling to the hope that within the recesses of your past lies the key to unlocking a brighter future, a beacon of light to guide you through the darkest of times.

And yet, even as you lose yourself in the nostalgia of days gone by, you cannot help but wonder if this journey into the past is merely an escape from the harsh realities of the present. In the bittersweet embrace of memory, you find both solace and sorrow, a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the impermanence of all things.

But amidst the echoes of the past, you find a glimmer of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still beauty to be found, and that within the depths of memory lies the promise of a brighter tomorrow. And so, you continue to wander through the corridors of your past, seeking solace, seeking answers, and seeking hope in a world that often feels lost in the mists of time.

The incessant pull of the past, its haunting whispers and nostalgic echoes, drove you to the brink of insanity. It seemed as though you were caught in a never-ending cycle, endlessly revisiting memories that both comforted and tormented you. Each journey into the recesses of your mind left you feeling more adrift, more lost in the labyrinth of your own thoughts.

But even as you teetered on the edge of madness, you clung to the hope that with time, you would heal. Time, that elusive and enigmatic force, held the promise of healing wounds and soothing the ache of old scars. And so, you waited, with bated breath and weary heart, for the passage of time to bring you solace and understanding.

And indeed, as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, you found that the relentless march of time brought with it a measure of healing. The wounds of the past began to fade, their sharp edges softened by the gentle touch of time's passage. With each passing day, you felt yourself growing stronger, more resilient in the face of adversity.

Over time, you began to understand the true power of the past, its ability to shape and mold us into the people we are today. You realized that while the past may hold pain and sorrow, it also holds the seeds of growth and transformation. And so, you embraced the lessons of the past, learning from your experiences and using them to forge a path forward.

As you journeyed through the twists and turns of time, you found that a lot can happen within the span of a lifetime. You discovered the beauty of resilience, the strength that lies in embracing the complexities of life, and the power of hope to light the way through even the darkest of times.

And though the road ahead may be fraught with challenges and uncertainties, you face it with a newfound sense of courage and determination. For you know that with time, all wounds will heal, and that within the depths of your own heart lies the strength to overcome any obstacle that may come your way.

In the fleeting moments of quiet solitude, you find yourself drawn back to the memories of old times, like a sailor lured by the siren song of distant shores. It's as if the past has woven itself into the very fabric of your being, etching its indelible mark upon your soul.

In the gentle embrace of nostalgia, you find solace amidst the chaos of the present, a refuge from the storms that rage outside. As you sift through the sands of time, you relive the moments that have shaped you, the laughter and the tears, the triumphs and the trials.

Each memory is a thread in the tapestry of your life, weaving together to form the intricate mosaic of who you are today. You marvel at the beauty of the past, the richness of its colors and the depth of its emotions, as you lose yourself in its bittersweet embrace.

But amidst the nostalgia, there is also a sense of longing, a yearning for something lost, something that can never be reclaimed. You find yourself yearning for the simplicity of days gone by, for the innocence of childhood and the carefree joy of youth.

And yet, even as you dwell in the past, you know that you cannot remain there forever. The present calls out to you, a siren song of its own, beckoning you to embrace the here and now, to face the challenges that lie ahead with courage and determination.

But for now, in the time you have, you allow yourself to linger a little longer in the memories of old times, savoring each precious moment before they slip away into the mists of time. For in those memories, you find comfort, strength, and the unwavering promise of hope for the future.

The bitterness that had taken root within you festered like a wound left untended, gnawing at your soul with each passing day. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that despite your best efforts, you were powerless to change the course of events. Just as Carlo's body had withered away under the merciless grip of the Petrification Disease, so too did your spirit decay under the weight of your own resentment.

You felt the sting of regret like a knife twisting in your gut, a constant reminder of your own failures and shortcomings. You had watched helplessly as Carlo succumbed to the ravages of the disease, his once vibrant spirit extinguished like a flame snuffed out by a gust of wind. And though you tried to push the memories aside, to bury them deep within the recesses of your mind, they lingered like a haunting specter, refusing to be forgotten.

In the quiet moments of reflection, you couldn't help but wonder if things could have been different. If only you had been stronger, braver, more willing to fight for what you believed in. But the past is a cruel mistress, unforgiving in its relentless march forward, and try as you might, you could never turn back the hands of time.

And so, you carried the weight of your regrets like a burden upon your shoulders, a heavy chain that dragged you down into the depths of despair. But even in the midst of your darkest moments, a flicker of hope remained, a tiny ember burning bright amidst the darkness.

For you knew that even in the face of adversity, there was always a glimmer of light, a ray of hope that could illuminate even the darkest of nights. And though the road ahead may be fraught with challenges and obstacles, you vowed to press on, to continue fighting, to never lose sight of the light that guided you through the darkness.

So you steel yourself against the bitterness that threatens to consume you, drawing strength from the memory of Carlo's unwavering courage and determination. And though his loss weighs heavy upon your heart, you refuse to let it drag you down into the depths of despair. For you know that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope, and that with courage and perseverance, you can overcome any obstacle that stands in your way.

The unfairness of Carlo's death weighed heavily upon you, a bitter reminder of the capriciousness of fate and the fragility of life itself. It seemed unjust, cruel even, that someone so young and full of life could be taken from this world in the blink of an eye.

You found yourself grappling with the unfairness of it all, searching for answers that seemed forever out of reach. Why did he have to die? What cosmic injustice had robbed the world of his presence, leaving behind only the hollow echo of what once was?

But try as you might, you could find no solace in the cold embrace of logic or reason. For death, like life, was a mystery that defied comprehension, a riddle without a clear answer. And so, you were left to grapple with the painful reality of Carlo's absence, wrestling with the profound sense of loss that threatened to consume you whole.

In the darkness of your grief, you clung to the memories of Carlo, the warmth of his smile, the sound of his laughter, the touch of his hand. They were small comforts in the face of overwhelming sorrow, but they were all you had left to hold onto.

And though the pain of his loss would never truly fade, you found solace in the knowledge that his spirit lived on in the hearts of those who loved him. For even in death, Carlo's legacy endured, a testament to the enduring power of love and friendship.

So you mourned his passing, grieving for the life cut short, but you also celebrated the time you had shared together, cherishing the moments that had brought you joy and laughter. And though he may be gone from this world, Carlo would always live on in your memories, a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding you through the storms of life with his indomitable spirit.