The Arks 132 The Ark Of Give And Take

"You must feel like G.o.d in the end. The power to go back and forwards time, to meet others, to undo the mistakes that you've done. You run around, doing all those Time Hops of yours, leaving those that care for you behind. The power of Time Element," said Mavislin, bitterly.

"You know what would happen if I did so. Even if I could, I would not choose that method. I've already made you lost enough, the next thing to do is to go back to you at my own Time and take care of you."

Raiyen fought hard to hold back the torrent of tears.

"I'm no G.o.d, if I was, I would be holding our baby girl with these hands with yours," replied Raiyen, gingerly touching the stuffed toy.

Something was bothering him and the answer was lying right in front of him.

"You can't rewrite Time, but that doesn't mean you can't warn others about it," said Nova.

Raiyen's ears perked up. Mavislin glanced at the girl at the doorway.

"What do you mean?" asked the couple.

"Yes, I would like to know what are you doing, or suggesting," said Z, pulling on the Princess's hair.

"Be gentle, Snow Cap," warned Raiyen.

The big man huffed as he let go of the Princess's hair.

"If you can't physically change or alter the event that happened, you can at least warn them. Give some clues or whatnot," elaborated Nova.

Mavislin glanced at the Time Mage, eyes filled with hope and desperation. The Time Mage's eyes widened.

"Don't fall for it. Even if you were able to do so, none of you lot would be able to handle the consequences. Time must flow according to its path, no cheats. If that was possible, would Baldwin be with us? Would we be able to come together and create the Arks? Would you two even have a child together?" asked Z.

Mavislin and Raiyen looked Z, dimmed of the hope they held just before. Mavislin sighed unhappily.

"Don't forget, whatever you change in the past, the future gets implicated as well. A fair trade. To save a life, you must first give another to replace the saved one," explained Z, firmly.

"What would you know?! All those are just speculation, have you guys ever tried it out yet?!" yelled Nova, upset at what the Snow Cap had stated.

"Would you warn yourself if you'd knew you are about to die? How long would you extend the day of your death? Are you going to keep saving everyone you meet or care for you?"

The princess was shocked. This was the first time someone could argue against her.

"Think logically, girl. Just because you want to save a life you use another one to replace it. Would it be worth?"

"It's her baby girl! It's her child! She's got every right to do so!"

"And risk someone else's child?"

Nova fell silent, tears br.i.m.m.i.n.g, fist clenched.

"You are of royalty, you are not able to grasp the consequences of each solution. Your version of saving someone, being good, is not definite. To others, it is bad. Whatever you do, there would always be setbacks. Whatever decision you make, they are bound to have negative feedback," explained Z, with a heavy tone.

"Remember this closely, child. Just because it's her baby then she's allowed to rewrite Time to get her back. We've got no right to go against the flow of Time, not even a Time Mage is capable of doing so."

"It's not fair... A mother should never have to lose her first baby girl and be unable to do anything about it. I mean, isn't that what Magecraft is for? To save others? To make things easier?" asked Nova, weakly.

Z looked away while the duo stared at each other. What was Magecraft for? Why did they try to teach others of it if there was no point to it? Was it right to use Magecraft to change things? Or wrong, since it is capable of killing others?

"I'm sorry, Nova. After this ordeal has smoothed out, I'll return you to your own home," said Raiyen, softly.

"If you can't save a simple child, then what's the point of you, Time Mage? What's the point of having Magecraft if you can't save the people that you care for? Tell me!" shouted Nova, stomping her feet onto the ground.

"There's no such thing as a rainbow without rain. There's no such thing as peace without conflict. Just because we go around teaching Magecraft means that we expect every single Mage has to save every person they encounter. That would be akin to suicide."