“Will….” - ???

Showing a lonesome expression, a young boy with red eyes and white hair of around 17 years of age was sitting atop a large slab of stone. In one hand, he held a strange black box and in the other, a large scythe which he leant against his shoulder.

“Novam Vitam…New life…..Will was always the intellectual type” - ???

A faint smile surfaced on the youngsters face as he reminisced of the past. This boy was in fact, Lucan. The reaper who had been once thought to be lost during the assault on the Vormun’s nest.

“But what a strange device, how did it manage to send me back?” - Lucan

With a quizzical expression, Lucan examined the box. It was to no surprise that he had never seen something like this before, the true nature of the box was that of a magic tool. Something created after the defeat of the Vormun using Will’s unique space magic.

“Well, no matter. I’m back now after so long, I should head for the capital” - Lucan

Placing the box in a makeshift bag that had been transferred with him, Lucan looked around for the first time since arriving.

There, he realised a shocking truth.

“.......where am I?” - Lucan

He was in fact lost. Or to put it more accurately, he was right where he wanted to be. The boy in question however, did not notice that. Since abruptly arriving, his attention had been completely stolen by the black box.

Looking around, what surrounded Lucan was a great number of stone slabs protruding out of the ground. The ground itself was marble, with the walls surrounding the slabs and even the roof following that same scheme.

It appeared well maintained, leading Lucan to deduce it was either something used quite often, or something worthy of being preserved.

Hopping off the stone slab, he looked down at the object he had so rudely been using as a stool.

For your heroic sacrifice in saving the world from a calamity which threatened the very existence of humanity itself. May you rest in peace.

Lucan

“It appears I’ve been gone for quite a while, it’s the natural turn of events” - Lucan

Glancing further down from the inscription, Lucan noticed an engraving of a hooded face with two large scythes protruding from it’s back.

Looking around, many of the other slabs carried the same engraving. Analysing some of the names on each one allowed Lucan to finally understand where he was.

“This is our tomb…..the tomb of the reapers…...” - Lucan

As an adept in death magic, Lucan was used to being surrounded by death. However, standing on solid ground, knowing his comrades are rotting underneath him gave him a strange sense of melancholy.

Glancing once more at the stone slabs, one in particular caught his eye.

For your heroic sacrifice in saving the world from a calamity which threatened the very existence of humanity itself. May you rest in peace.

Will

“Did Will not make it out?....No, maybe I’ve been gone longer than I thought” - Lucan

Pondering for a moment, Lucan decided the latter was most likely. Despite Will’s personality, he was good at avoiding danger.

“I won’t waste this chance you’ve given me Will” - Lucan

Looking towards the stone, Lucan uttered those words to no-one.

Despite knowing this, it made him slightly happy to have such words in the open.

Turning about face and walking towards the large marble doors, Lucan attempted to push it open.

Although he was equipped with the strong passive enhancement cursed children usually have, he could not budge the door an inch.

“What is with this door?” - Lucan

Lucan was surprised. In the past, his normal enhancement meant he could easily destroy a wall just by exerting a small amount of force on it. So why was this door giving him so much trouble?

Feeling strangely annoyed, Lucan activated his magic. Just like in the past, black miasma began to form around his body, leaking onto the floor.

However, the thickness of this miasma was incomparable to the past. It’s colour was also multitudes darker than before. The marble around him was already turning to dust, causing him to sink.

Stolen story; please report.

Lifting his arm, he lightly touched the centre of the door. As if commanded by that action, his miasma instantly spread out using his finger as the origin.

In an instant, the door disappeared, turning to dust.

Accompanying that, a large crashing sounded as a blue flash of light shone. However, it was over in an instant as well.

Through the exit he had created, blinding light shone through. As his eyes adjusted, what spread out in front of him was a large city.

“What is this….” - Lucan

Lucan was momentarily shocked by what he saw. Not because he was impressed by how much humanity had grown, quite the opposite.

What greeted him, was an assortment of european medieval houses overshadowed by a large castle.

“How could civilisation have de-evolved so much since the time I was active?” - Lucan

In Lucan’s time, even the poorest cities had access to the technologies brought forward during the industrial revolution. It was not an unusual sight to see numerous large factories spewing various dark coloured gases into the atmosphere.

But here, the air was clean. There were no factories, just plain houses. Even the place he was standing right now was a beautifully large garden.

“Where am I?...” - Lucan

Despite seeing his comrades graves, Lucan refused to accept reality. Will’s tool must have taken him someplace else, this type of change was impossible.

“I need to look around more to understand the situation” - Lucan

Even after being shocked so much, Lucan regained his calm demeanor. His years in military service had taught him that panicking is dangerous in numerous ways.

Looking back once more at the epitaph erected in his comrades memories, Lucan began his journey towards the centre of town.

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“What do you mean the barrier has been broken!?” - ???

Sitting atop an exorbitant golden throne adorned with various gems and jewels, sat a man with long white hair. Unlike Lucan’s white hair, it was slightly darker from the effect of old age.

His very presence exuded power. Causing the messenger whom had brought such news to shake slightly whilst still remaining kneeled.

“Yes your majesty…..It seems a short while ago, the barrier surrounding the crypt was completely destroyed by an unkno--” - ???

“Investigate it immediately! That barrier was designed to prevent thieves from desecrating the graves of those ancient heroes. If we’re too late, the public backlash would ruin our standing!” - ???

“Yes your majesty. I will go right now!” - ???

Although shocked by the anger of the man, the messenger was not surprised. The heroes in question had saved the entire world and prevented the extinction of the human race. To have their graves desecrated under the watch of the king would cause a huge public outcry, possibly even a riot.

After standing and bowing deeply, the messenger promptly left the room. Leaving the old man to his own thoughts.

“But to think….something was capable of breaking such a barrier. But….what’s with the delay? It’s been over 3,000 years since that memorial was created. If there was a method to break the barrier, it surely would have been discovered before now” - ???

Pondering for awhile with no conclusion, the king similarly left the room to enter into discussions with his advisors.

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“......It’s too quiet” - Lucan

Was the first impression Lucan had of the marketplace he had just arrived at. Even though the marketplace was packed full, the silence felt deafening to Lucan’s ears.

It was in fact, quite lively. However, to Lucan who was used to the constant sounds of battle it was giving him a slight headache.

“Still...there’s quite a difference” - Lucan

Surrounding Lucan there were many different stalls lining each side of the street. From simple ones selling homemade sweets to more advanced ones selling swords and bows. The atmosphere was light and harmonious, quite different to the hopeless and dreary atmosphere that used to plague towns in the past.

Children were happily playing tag in the streets, couples were admiring the good on display with linked arms, old men were sharing drinks and telling tales of the past. Seeing that brought a sense of warmth to Lucan’s heart.

Suddenly, as if to break the mood, a flash of light caught Lucan’s eyes. Sensing the discharge of magic, he quickly turned to face the source.

A young girl, around 16 years old with light blue hair and similarly blue eyes. Despite wearing a hooded robe, it was clear to see her features were well proportioned. In her cupped hand was a strong yellow flame, flickering with the wind.

Rushing into action using his magic enhanced abilities, Lucan disappeared from sight causing the ground he was once at to crack slightly under the pressure. Appearing in front of the girl in an instant, he grabbed her hand and closed it around the flame. Causing the magic to disperse.

“What are you doing? You should never use magic where people can see it. They’ll become scared” - Lucan

The lack of emotion in his voice shocked even Lucan himself, it served to prove just how long it had been since he had spoken to another person.

The girl showed a flustered expression for a moment and stepped back. However, upon hearing Lucan’s words, she cutely tilted her head.

“Why would they be scared? It’s not such an unusual thing?” - ???

“Maybe not to you, but if normal people see a cursed child using magic near them, it might incite a mob” - Lucan

“......cursed child?” - ???

Confused at the unknown word, the girl tilted her head again, causing her hood to come loose off her head.

Noticing the abnormality, Lucan jumped back slightly readying his scythe.

“What are you?” - Lucan

Despite his cold voice, Lucan was in fact shocked. He did not notice it before as he was used to sensing it day and night, but this girl carried similar signatures to the Vormun. Furthermore, there was the abnormality on the girl’s head. Animal ears. More precisely, ears that should belong to a cat.

“Hey! That’s rude you know! Asking someone what they are!” - ???

Seeing the girl become agitated and not wanting to take any chances, Lucan activated his ability.

Although conflicted for using his ability after chastising the girl for using hers, the situation was different. If she really was a Vormun, these people would be in danger if he held back. The aftereffects will be dealt with in due course.

Just as before, black miasma instantly surrounded him. The surrounding people who saw this moved away with frightened expressions.

The colour instantly drained from the girl’s face as she began to slowly back up. Following that pattern, Lucan stepped forwards, keeping the distance between him and the girl the same.

“Explain. What are you?” - Lucan

The question was repeated, however the girl seemed unable to speak due to fear.

“Why do you carry the signature of the Vormun?” - Lucan

Realising his error, Lucan changed the question. If you suddenly ask someone what they are, they’d be pressed to find the correct answer.

“....Vormun?” - ???

Although trembling with fear, the girl managed to speak. However, not an answer, but a question.

Seeing his interrogation was going nowhere, Lucan began to think of other ways to get her to speak. After thinking for a short while, he had an idea.

But just as he was about to try this new angle, he was interrupted by a domineering voice.

“You there! Relinquish your weapon immediately” - ???

Looking towards the origin of the voice, a middle aged man wearing silver embellished plate armor was aiming a long sword towards him. The centre of his chest was decorated with an emblem, showing a lion with large wings. On each of his sides stood identically dressed men holding lances.

“Guards” - Lucan

Lucan initially thought them to be soldiers, but judging by their demeanor and the way they spoke. It would appear they’re guards instead.

It was obvious that they came to arrest him. Without context it would appear as if a boy was using his ability and weapon to bully a young girl.

“You’re making a mistake. This girl has traces of the Vormun inside her. She’s not human” - Lucan

“I don’t know what this Vormun is, but isn’t it obvious she’s not human? are you perchance blind? She’s clearly a beastkin” - ???

At the man’s words Lucan became confused. However, upon looking around at the faces of the bystanders. He noticed that none of them were scared of the girl, even after knowing what she is. They were far more scared of him.

“I apologise, it was my mistake” - Lucan

Although unwilling to give up, Lucan realise the situation was bad. If he killed the girl here, he would have to escape and then would never be able to return to this city.

Besides that, looking at the girl again, she did not seem dangerous. She may carry traces of the Vormun, but she seemed oblivious to that fact. Even after being threatened, she didn’t attack him. Rather, right now she appears to be crying.

If that’s the case, then the fault lied entirely with him.

Cancelling his ability, Lucan lowered his scythe to the ground and raised his hands into the air.

The man who had come to arrest Lucan was initially perplexed at how compliant he was, however he decided to accept his graces and swiftly slapped metal restraints on Lucan’s wrists.

After ordering his companions to collect the scythe, he escorted Lucan through the crowd of people, disappearing into the guard’s post.