God's Journey In A New Time

The tale of the princess's rescue spread like wildfire throughout the modern kingdom, with whispers of the mysterious savior — Donovan. From the eldest noble to the youngest child, the name of the one who saved Princess Amara was on everyone's lips. A collective sense of relief and admiration permeated the kingdom.

The royal palace echoed with the sounds of celebration. The laughter, music, and clinking of glasses filled the air as the royal family rejoiced in the safe return of the princess. Yet, amidst all this joy, Donovan stood alone. He was perched upon the vast balcony, his piercing eyes locked on the sprawling kingdom beneath him. The celebration inside was just a distant murmur now. He was no longer part of the festivities. His thoughts drifted, his mind wandering back to a time long before this story began.

"When I was a child, I had a strength unlike any other," Donovan murmured under his breath, his deep voice laced with a tone of melancholy. "But those sacrifices... sacrificing parts of myself to ensure what I want... I've lost more than just my power. I've become far weaker than I was, even billions of years ago. The power I once held, gone, lost."

The weight of those words sank deep into his thoughts. He turned his gaze downwards, watching the kingdom

Suddenly, Donovan's senses tingled. He whirled around, his body reacting instinctively, though he cursed himself silently.

"Damn it, I let my guard down," he thought bitterly.

Amara stood there, her small frame barely visible in the moonlight, her face a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"What did you mean by that?" she asked, her voice soft, yet insistent.

Donovan's eyes narrowed. "Err... don't worry about it."

Amara, however, was not one to be so easily brushed off. Her brows furrowed, and her lips curled into a playful, slightly angry frown as she approached him.

"Don't play stupid with me, Donovan," she said, her tone sharp, yet somehow endearing. "I heard every word. And I knew it before, too. You have this strange... black aura around you. It's huge."

Donovan's skipped a beat. His aura was something he had carefully suppressed to its most negligible form, something so subtle that only the keenest of minds could detect it. And here she was, a child no older than ten, pinpointing it with ease.

"Seems she's stronger than I thought," Donovan mused inwardly. "Even when I suppress my aura to its barest limit, she can feel it."

Amara leaned closer, her curiosity now piqued even further. "Do you have any kind of size manipulation or age manipulation ability? Or maybe... are you some kind of non-physical being?"

The words hit Donovan like a sudden storm. His expression remained calm, though his mind was racing.

"Is she talking about me?" he thought, trying to maintain his composure. "How much does she really know?"

Amara continued, unaware of the storm she had just stirred. "When you saved me... when you carried me, I looked into your eyes. They glowed with something strange. When you threw us out of that place, I didn't see you make any opening, in reality. And when I tried to touch you... my hand passed through your chest like it wasn't even there. It was like I was trying to touch air, but you were still there. It defies all logic. And..." she hesitated for a moment, "I have X-ray vision. I know what I'm seeing. You don't have a mind, Donovan. And that doesn't make sense, either."

She paused for a moment, letting the weight of her analysis settle in. "I tried using magic on you — the End Magic — to see how you'd react. But... nothing happened. You were completely unaffected. It's as though you exist and don't exist at the same time, but in a much more complex way."

Donovan's eyes widened imperceptibly. "How does she know about the End Magic?"

The End Magic. A shiver ran down Donovan's spine as she spoke. It was the oldest, most destructive force in existence. A magic capable of tearing apart the very fabric of reality — destroying not just matter, but the core concepts of existence itself. It could end worlds, erase time, and unmake the very essence of beings, no matter how eternal.

Impressive, Donovan thought. "She's not just a child. She's sharp."

Amara's gaze locked onto his, and Donovan, for once, felt a flicker of admiration. "A ten-year-old girl analyzing the very nature of my existence in real time. I didn't think she'd catch on so quickly."

"And yet," he murmured aloud, his voice tinged with an unspoken acknowledgment, "you're right. Every word."

Amara's eyes went wide. "You... you're serious?"

A high-pitched, comical scream escaped her. "Heeeeee!?"

Donovan couldn't help but smirk. "She's acting like a character from one of those cartoons I've seen in my infinite travels. Who knew she had this in her?"

Once her initial shock subsided, Amara and Donovan both lay on the balcony, staring up at the starlit sky. The stars above shimmered like distant promises, a silent witness to their unexpected exchange.

"I have one last question for you," Donovan said after a long pause, his tone contemplative. "How do you even know about manipulation abilities? The only way you'd know about them is if you've used them yourself, or studied them in depth. But I rule out the possibility that you've done the latter."

Amara's voice dropped to a whisper, as if she were sharing a secret. "Yes, but it's a secret. My father suspects there are those within the royal family trying to usurp the throne. So... I've been using an ability to manipulate my age."

As she spoke, her form began to shift. Her body grew, her golden hair cascading longer, her figure maturing into that of a young woman — not unlike someone in their early twenties. Her clothes adapted perfectly, tailored to fit her new size, a reflection of her transformation.

"So," she asked, flashing a mischievous grin, "what do you think?"

then, almost on instinct, his own body began to shift. His muscles grew, his white suit stretching to accommodate his newfound form. He reverted to his true appearance, his imposing stature and powerful frame standing as a testament to his immense strength.

"In the end," Donovan mused, eyes meeting hers, "we are alike, but only in this."

Amara let out a joyful laugh, her cheeks flushing with a hint of embarrassment. "Wahahaha!" she exclaimed. "You're so serious all the time."

The night wore on, and the sounds of the celebration began to quiet as midnight approached. A sleek limousine pulled up, and inside, Leon, Luna, Angelita, and the now small Donovan stepped out. The king greeted Leon with a smile, and then turned to Donovan.

"Thank you again for saving my daughter," King Edward said, his voice full of gratitude.

Leon winked at Donovan, a knowing look in his eyes, before the king retreated into the palace. Leon followed, with Luna and Angelita close behind. But before Angelita stepped inside, she turned and shot Donovan a playful, yet angry glare, her cheeks puffed slightly. "Hmph," she muttered before entering the limo.

Amara emerged from the palace, now back to her child form. She waved at Donovan, a warm smile on her face. "I hope you visit us again. You'll always be welcome in the palace. If you don't come... I'll make sure to visit you myself."

Donovan waved back, the limo pulling away. Amara watched it disappear into the distance, her cheeks tinged with a slight blush.

"We'll meet again, boundless one," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible.

Inside the limousine, Leon turned to Donovan, winking with a sly grin. "Well, it looks like you had a good time, huh?"

Donovan sighed deeply, his eyes narrowing with a playful edge. "When we get back to the mansion, your account is with me. I'll make sure you don't bother me again."

Leon broke into a nervous sweat, his usual cocky demeanor faltering. "Ha-ha, yes, sir. Whatever you say."

Angelita shot Donovan another glare, puffing her cheeks again. "Hmph," she muttered, turning her gaze away. The tension between them was palpable, but there was something undeniably endearing about it.

And as the limousine sped away into the night, Donovan couldn't help but wonder about the twists and turns that fate had in store for him.

Donovan glanced up at the stars above, a subtle smirk playing at the corner of his lips, before turning his gaze toward the reader.

"Well, I suppose you're wondering how all this ends... But let me remind you: it's not your story to write." He gave a knowing glance, his yellow eyes glowing softly. "It's mine."