Abandon

Rid tries to comfort Medi. He won't let anyone hurt her anymore.
"let's go over there, away from him."
He takes her hand and leads the two of them a short distance away.

Thoren turns towards the voice.

It's Zwei.
She's let her concerns be known, and brings something important to his attention.

There's still the other connected to him, including Raine.
Knowing what terrible things Chronos had done to her before, rivaling what he's done to himself, he can't ignore this vital fact.
Not to mention, Medi.

This connection will definitely have to wait. Maybe after this is all over and he can get everything sorted out he'll try again.

"On second thought, she's right, we should wait. There's things I still need to prepare first. We'll have to try again, after this is all over."

Chronos is relieved he doesn't have to worry about that, though he's curious what he'd be able to do while "connected". Would he be able to send his pain to Thoren in the same way?

It's something worth considering at least.

Meanwhile, with Thoren unengaged from his plans to connect to Chronos, Seth notices something.
There's a puddle where Lycoris was.
It's slightly troubling, but knowing that he's seen her in puddle form before without repercussions calms him down a little.

"Hey, mom... are you okay?" Seth reaches out to touch the puddle, half expecting an arm to pull him in.

"It's fine. I'm just glad you're okay." Rid walks with her, to no spot in particular, but still where there's a crowd.

---

"Oh, I forgot. You're still part of her. I hope it's not too weird with me and the other seths calling you mom now. We've, never really had much of a mom before. Maybe a shitty adopted mom, but she never really cared."
A slight pause, and then an idea.
"I just realized, you can probably overwrite Kek's adoption claim on us! I'm not sure if they allow imaginary people to take custody over those of more substantial nature, but if it works, we won't have to deal with Kek trying to get me and the others working at his shitty shoe mill or anything! Do you think you'd be willing to do that?"

---

Chronos looks over towards those terrified temporic girls. Despite their fear and flaws, they are part of his legacy. The fact that he has something to focus on in the absence of his love is making all the difference right now.
Who knows? perhaps he'll find love among his people?
Maybe nothing physical, but just maybe... something?

If greek myths are anything to go off of, he's probably got some good chances.

Well... if he weren't dead. But then again, he can always ask a particularly willing player of their game or something to let him use their body for a while.

---

Thoren tries to answer Zwei, though he obviously doesn't know the true answer.
"I, actually don't know if there's any more pressing issues around here. Aside from the obvious that the pawns are dealing with. I know they're doing just fine. Maybe there are some stragglers out in the crowd, but as far as I know, we've got as many problems solved as we can here."

With that ordeal put on pause, Thoren walks back over to Seth and their recently discovered mother. He's had enough of being too unnecessarily close to Chronos for now.
To believe that Medi had feelings for such a broken man... He can't even imagine what Chronos went through to change into such a cruel figure.
Then again, maybe it was Thoren that had changed so drastically. Considering the violent path they had chosen...

Though, Chronos's suggestion that Thoren might not be fit for a relationship... it makes him wonder, just how true that might be.
What if he winds up being a terrible abusive husband? How will he know if he's treating Raine right?

"Thanks. It means a lot to me." Seth smiles. "As for actual mom things, I don't think you'll need to worry too much. Most of us can take care of ourselves. It's just, nice to know that you're there, you know."

And then, Zwei shows up, confused. Seth and Thoren are still a little weirded out at Zwei's appearence, but she's proven herself to be trustworthy.

Seth answers her, showing Zwei the printed image. "I can explain. She was one of the components used to create us. At least, the closest thing to one of the components in this world."

"Weird ectobiology shit. Our family is pretty fucked up." Thoren adds.

---

"It's alright... maybe you do need help sometimes, but you're not a burden to me. "
Rid gives her a light hug.

---

Hypnos notices that weird probably dangerous halo he took from Medi has disappeared from his pocket... somehow.

"What the fuck, it's not here anymore..."

Once again, Thoren is hit by that inexplicable force, but this time Seth is able to catch him. The strained pain of his friends is threatening to break that connection... but somehow, it holds.

As Seth and Thoren awkwardly hold each other tightly in this agonizing moment, they're able to sense that which is keeping the others on the front line together.
Pure grit and determination. And, a strong desire to do good for others.
To make sure they all last another day.

Neither Seth nor Thoren knew that Raine or Patrick had such stores of inner strength inside them. Just knowing so closely what they're putting up with... it makes them both start crying.

Meanwhile, a random dead seth notices them and laughs. Can you believe this? General Thoren and the Alpha Seth are having a soft moment together! He's almost glad he didn't make it far enough to become either of them.

Thoren is the first one to snap though.
"YOU DONT KNOW THE PAIN WE SHARE SO FUCK OFF!" and then, he resumes crying in Seth's arms. Honestly neither of them can care less about being seen in this state, it's just, adding insult to injury when one of their own covers up their own insecurities in that way.

A few others give this pair some awkward looks, though neither of them acknowledge this.

Rid tries to comfort Medi as soon as he notices any sort of discontent, though his reactions aren't all that fast.

Rid can't help but smile as Medi and Zwei talk with each other. He's glad she's got a friend, even if she is a little freaky looking. Seems concerned enough at least.
...and now she's looking over at him. It's a liiittle intimidating.
"Y-yeah! I think we'll... be just fine together."
After all this time, Rid hasn't really given it much thought as to what they'll do next after this. Like, will they just like, spend their afterlives together on some obscure floor of the clocktower back down in the underworld? Come to think of it, what are all the other kats going to do with their old home destroyed?
Will they be staying in the tower too?

Maybe he should ask about that.

"I was wondering, do the other kats have anywhere to go after this is finished? Medi already has permission to stay at the clocktower with me and the other seths, but what about them?" Rid asks Zwei.

Meanwhile, Seth and Thoren are still locked together in intense empathetic solidarity. While they've somewhat started to go numb from the constant pain, the sheer power behind Raine's drive keeps them optimistic and fired up enough to slow down the tears. Well, a little. Thoren has started crying again from beholding the raw passion that his true love has shown him.
It reminds him of why he loves her.

She's just so strong... so strong she could maybe protect him from anything. Perhaps even from himself?

If anyone could triumph over the darkness that still lurks in his heart, it would definitely be Raine.

And knowing that... makes him feel more comfortable with being together with her.

Chronos has been overhearing their conversation. So this is why Lycoris wanted Medi to have control over the Black Bubble? Knowing how much it weould mean to her, he has to keep that promise.

Chronos approches the group, though faces away from them upon arriving.
"...I M▲DE ▲N ▲GREEMENT E▲RLIER. MEDI NΘW ΘWNS THE BL▲CK BUBBLE BEC▲USE ΘF IT. THERE SHΘULD BE MΘRE TH▲N ENΘUGH RΘΘM FΘR THE ΘTHER K▲TS TΘ ST▲Y THERE ▲S WELL."

Rid noticibly tenses upon seeing that man approch and seems wary of his words.
"...how do we know it's not just a trap like last time we visited?"

"THE ΘTHER H▲LF ΘF THE ▲GREEMENT PRΘMISES THE S▲FETY ΘF HER ▲ND HER FRIENDS." Chronos cringes and crosses his arms behind his cape, still facing away from the group. He does not wish to be subject to the consequences of a breach in the agreement. Chronos is not sure if he can handle another episode of ultimate despair from his heart.

Rid is still untrusting of Chronos's motives.
"...what do you two think of this?"

---

Meanwhile, Seth feels a mysterious chill for a moment. It's hard to tell what it is, but it seems almost familiar. Thoren, still holding onto him, can somewhat feel it as well, though not as strongly.
For some reason, Seth is reminded of the time when Thanatos found him near the clock tower and had to check his pulse to confirm that he was still alive. How could he forget that cold hand placed upon his chest?
Seth shivers slightly, and Thoren tries to remedy that sensation with his warmness attribute. It seems to work and the shiver goes away as soon as it had arrived.

It still pales in comparison to the intense resiliency of Raine and Patrick facing off against the greatest enemy's fury however.

---

In the thick of the crowd, Raphael spots someone familiar.
Is that... Sponge?
"...HEY, SPONGE. YOU OVER THERE?" Raphael waves over at him.
Seems a little odd for a badass skeleton to act like that, but considering how much he owes Sponge for the hope he brought him, maybe it makes more sense that way.