Let's just get on with the story… I don't have anything special to say. Except, first I thought that Milard was a man. Really. But it has nothing to do with the story.

And I just don't own these guys. Namco does… Oh, how I long to publish something, like a game or a movie or a novel and then write fics of it… no disclaimers needed.

--

Since his return to Euclid, Claus had been gloomy. The steady country life felt like nothing compared to those adventures he had had with the other 'Heroes of the Space-Time'. Especially with one little girl…

--

Milard had been watching the professor for a while know, wondering what was wrong. It was obvious that something was wrong - Claus kept staring into nothingness and sighing heavily. Sometimes Milard was sure he wasn't even sleeping much.

There was no way professor could work like that. She shook her head. Something had to be done.

"Claus. Is something wrong?"

"Oh, Milard… it's nothing…"

Another deep sigh.

"Claus."

"…"

"I can't work with you if you're being stubborn like that. Did something happen on your journey? Someone died, right? Someone important?" Even though it pained her heart that Claus could have someone more important than her, there was no jealousy in her voice.

"…een born yet…"

"What? I didn't hear that."

"I said. She hasn't even been born yet. And she won't be in few centuries."

Claus looked away. It pained him that no matter how he thought about it, there was no way he could travel back to the future. He had promised to Cress and the others that he'd seal away the Eternal Sword. And he had done so.

"From the future… So it is true that you travelled in time…"

"Milard… Do you think I could travel back?"

"No! I wouldn't let you! You have classes to teach!" Light pink tinted her ears and cheeks. "Whatever. I'll go cook dinner."

Claus leaned on a wall and sighed. He should go to Thor…

--

Almost 200 years in the future was another lonely soul. "It's alright to cry. Even if you're ninja." She remembered those words, said by one of her companions.

In the darkness of the night Suzu shed tears, wondering, if anyone knew what she was doing.

It had been a year or so since she had parted the others. Still she cried. It had been half of a year since she had passed the Test of Ninja. Two months ago she had started her seduction classes.

"Mainly for seducing your target. Secondly for your spouse."

She was the youngest girl there, only twelve years of age. But it didn't matter - she was a primus, perfect student. Lecturers were amazed by her skill and she would just stand still and silent when they praised her. It brought back some pretty painful memories.

One day, though, Suzu daydreaming again when an idea struck her. Her companions had come from the past! And they had travelled back, yes, but how did they get to her time? They had used the Eternal Sword to travel back, but they had merged it in her time…

"Chief! Chief!"

"What is it, Suzu?"

"Is there… is there a way to travel in time? To the past."

"Time travel? Yes, yes it might be possible."

"How, Chief? How could I travel in time?"

"Well, there are old scripts you should look at - they're full of information. There's even something about the Heroes of the Space-Time. And Ancient Kingdoms… If you're interested in them, I advise you to travel to Euclid. You might find some clues there."

Suzu felt a knot in her stomach. Euclid… She still had mixed feelings for that place - Claus lived there, but she had killed her very own parents there…

"Euclid, you say? Are you sure there's nothing in Alvanista?"

The chief shrugged. "I suppose there could be something, too. But one of the Heroes was from Euclid, wasn't he?"

"…Yes, he was. Now, if you excuse, I'll leave and prepare for my journey."

"Good luck, my grand-daughter."

Going to Euclid would take lot of courage for Suzu. It was one reason she wanted to go to Alvanista first. Other was that Alvanista was closer to Ymir than Euclid. And there was also and research laboratory and a library. If there was nothing, well, then she would travel to Euclid.

It took her five days of walking to get to Alvanista. It was as usual - lot of people, lot of noise. Nowadays the residents of Alvanista were happier than they had been. The reason for that was the defeat of Dhaos the Demon King. Still, even if Suzu had been in the group that had saved the world, no one spoke to her. No one congratulation her. No one knew that she was one of the Heroes. Code of Ninja - keep your secrecy.

But when Suzu was announced before the King of Alvanista, he knew who she was and upon her request, allowed her the use of research lab and Royal Library. His Majesty also offered the Ninja girl a full accommodation, but she politely refused for she was a girl not for luxury. Suzu said that she had a room in the Inn. It wasn't completely true, but she wasn't actually lying - she would get a room later.

After being dismissed the girl found her way to the lab. It was located in the basement, with guards at the door. She was let through.

One would think that it is cold in the basement, but no, it wasn't. It was as warm as it had been few floors up.

The researchers, both human and half-elf, looked at her suspiciously. Twelve-years old sure had nothing to do in their labs.

Despite the look she got, Suzu bravely approached one of the half-elf researchers.

"Excuse me, mister. I came here for information, and I see no other way to obtain it than ask. And as no one seems to notice me, I thought that maybe I should approach you."

The man gave him a strange look, but decided after a while that talking to a strange kid wouldn't be too bad. "Okay, little miss. State your business."

"Could you please tell me about time travel."

The half-elf was noticeably surprised. "Time travel? How could a kid like you know about time travelling?"

Suzu took a deep breath. She had known that she would be treated like this. No one takes a child seriously, right?

"Mister, I am one of those who defeated the Demon King and my companions travelled through time to do so. And now I need to travel in order to meet them once again. Is that possible?"

"Oh. I'm sorry."

The man was still suspicious, but Suzu didn't care. "Is Lundgrom here? I want to talk with him. He is bound to know something, after all, he knew the Heroes in the past, too."

"Of course, little miss. I'll get him."

And with that, he hurried away. Gee, that girl sure was creepy! She looked like a child, but carried her figure like a grown up woman and her eyes… they were the eyes of a killer.

Suzu occupied herself with some sort of experiment. Of course she didn't touch it, just looked at it. It looked a bit too complicated for her to understand… Maybe it was one of those half-elf things.

"You were asking for me?"

Suzu turned around, startled and ready for an attack. When she saw who it was, she relaxed. "Yes, master Lundgrom. I am interested in time travel."

"Oh, wait. Is your name by any chance Suzu Fujibayashi?"

"Yes, that's me…but what does that…"

"I have a letter for you."

Just what… A letter for her? She was surprised. Why would Lundgrom have a letter for… Wait.

"Is it… Is it from Claus?" She barely found the courage to say those words, and they came out as a whisper.

Lundgrom nodded. "Follow me to my study, I have it there."

--

Oooh, a cliff-hanger! Now what will happen? What did Claus write to her? Was it really Claus? What does Claus do in his own time? How does Milard react when she finds out about Suzu? Does Suzu find a way to travel in time?

These and many other questions will be answered in future chapters!

Please send reviews and questions that trouble you!

Even flames are adored, even though they are answered with passionate anger!