The consistent patter of footsteps approaches the soft white glow at the end of the cave.

“Should be up ahead.” A man murmured, he was carrying a torch, followed by a group of 5 other people.

“Hold on.” A man with crimson red armor spoke up, raising his fist and halting the group.

“What is it, Marcos?” The man with a torch spoke up. Marcos stared into the distance before eventually picking up a rock beneath him and tossing

forward. A dart suddenly came flying from the right of the cave in front of them and landing on the other side.

“A trap… Listen up men, we don't know what's beyond this point besides the heroes Lord Berthild requires from us, proceed with the utmost

caution.”

“Sir!” Yelled 3 of the men.

“Quiet down! Didn't you listen to what I just said? There could be a creature sleeping down there for all we know.” Shouted the man clad in crimson.

“Ye-yes sir.” The men said reluctantly.

“Give me this.” Marcos said as he snatched the torch from the man beside him.

“I’ll be taking the lead from now on, so let's hurry up before the king loses his patience.”

The group continues forth as the white light gets brighter. The group eventually makes it to 3 small steps which go down into the source of the white

light. The group enter a room, a gray marble covers the room with a red magic circle laying in front of a tungsten scale. In place of the weights lie

two flames. One pure white, and the other a dark black. The flames raged unbothered by the environment as one of the men lay down a scroll on

the floor and began inspecting it.

“It says we need to stand at each point and lay the sacrifice in the middle.” Said the man

“You heard the guy get to the middle.” Marcos said. A small boy was forced to the middle of the magic circle as each man stood at the far points.

“Alright, once I speak the incantation the magic circle will activate. We have no information on these beings besides they are powerful, so prepare

for the worst.” The man said, raising his head from the scroll. The boy in the middle whimpers softly, his cries muffled by a rag and his arms and legs

bound by chains.

“With sacrifice, this bond I seal. To breach the veil, the wound to heal. By power old, by blood made bold. Return to life, as once foretold.” The man

chanted as the magic circle activated, glowing a bright red. Particles flew around as the incarnation was finished. Blood was drained from the boy,

his skin boiled and flaked away as smoke bellowed from what once was a body, now only lay a skeleton and chains. The blood pools in the air as a

sphere and launches itself toward the scale as the men watch in shock. The blood fills the engravings in the scale. A bright flash staggers the men

as they cover their eyes. Looking back, in place of the scale lay a boy and girl.

“I-I think it worked.” The man with the scroll stuttered.

“Identify yourselves… please.” Said Marcos.

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The boy laid up and took a quick glance around before standing up.

“Yvette. Get up.” The boy spoke harshly, it sounded as if every word he spoke sent shivers through the body.

“Ah so your name is Yvette then. What about you, young man?” Marcos said agitated.

“It doesn't matter.” Said the boy brazenly, helping the girl up. The two are no older than teenagers, with an outlandish appearance, The girl dressed

elegantly with long flowing white hair, and the boy looked completely ordinary.

“W-what's happening?” Said Yvette wearily rubbing her eyes.

“Yes you must be confused! Allow me to-” Spoke Marcos boldly.

“I’ll explain once we are out of this cave.” The boy interrupted.

“No fair! You never tell me anything, why can’t I know everything? It just isn't fair!” Yvette whined.

“I don’t know everything, idiot. Stop complaining.” The boy said sternly.

“Hey- Who are these guys anyway?” Yvette said, scanning the room. All the were staring at Yvette, due to her indisputable beauty.

“Sorry miss, allow me to explain myself, before your acquaintance rudely interrupted me.” Said Marcos, agitated.

“Who cares.” Said the boy, starting to make his way out of the room, holding on to Yvette's arm.

“Wha- what did you say you brat?!” Marcos shouted angrily. “It seems they didn’t teach you right in whatever generation you came from!” Marcos

said, advancing towards them, gripping the handle of his sword.

“Marcos!” Said a man off the side. “Remember what the king said!” He shouted.

Marcos draws his blade and holds it in front of him, but before he could reach the two his blade rotted and rusted, shattering and breaking in his

hand.

“Wh-what the hell?!” Marcos shouted, shocked.

The boy stopped and turned around to face Marcos.

“What you have to say doesn’t matter. How long will it take for you to realize that?” The boy spoke coldly, tapping his heart. “There is a red mark on

the left side of your chest. All four of you. It’s called the Symbol of Retribution. It cuts your lifespan in half, completely stopping the flow of blood to

your heart as soon as it reaches that point.”

The men were stunned, breaking out into a cold sweat.

“Wait! Do not falter now men, he could be bluffing!” Marcos shouted nervously.

A yell echoed through the room followed by a thud behind Marcos. Marcos whips around to see one of his men stripped of his armor, a red mark laid

upon his skin. Marco's eyes widened in realization. Marcos looked back at the two standing at the end of the room watching the sight.

“Wait! You can do something about this right?” Marcos pleaded, “We’re all middle aged so if what you say is true then we won't have much time to

live-”

“Sorry.” The boy cut Marcos off. “You should’ve known the consequences of resurrection before you performed it.” The boy spoke sternly.

“You- you lied! You tricked us!” Marcos said, looking back to the man holding the scroll. He picked up his sword and pointed at the man now

trembling in fear.

“Let’s go, Yvette. They’ll sort this out themselves.” The boy said, turning to the girl next to him.

“Alright!” Responded Yvette cheerfully. “Do you know where to go though?” She said curiously.

“Of course I do.” The boy responded, smiling. “Who do you think I am?” He says turning to exit the room. The two started up the steps, screaming

and yelling echoing through the cave, followed by the gushing of blood.

“Eve.” Yvette spoke suddenly.

“Hmm?” The boy responded, curiously.

“Is there really no way to help them?” Yvette inquired. “I mean not that I care or anything, I’m just curious.”

The boy smiled gently, not looking back at her as they continued down the cave.

“Well, there probably is a way. But I don’t have time to waste on people like them.”

“Wow, mean!” Yvette pouted. “Also you sound like you know where to go, last time I checked we were dead for the past however many years. And-

hey! Didn't you say you would explain what’s going on? You always keep secrets from me, it’s not fair!”

“God, you’re so spoiled, and all you do is whine.” The boy responded, annoyed. “Though I guess I do owe you an explanation.” He sighed.

“For starters. I don’t know EVERYthing about our situation or what’s happening. But from the few things I’ve pieced together or already know, we are

essentially way into the future.”

“Huh? The future? You’re telling me, in the future everybody wears medieval fantasy armor and wields swords?!” Yvette exclaimed, in disbelief to

their current situation.

“Well, the event that originally started this whole fantasy world thing was called “The End” as you know. Though it’s kind of a stupid name and

people only called it that because they thought the world was actually going to end. In reality. The creation of the particle Mana and everything else

brought into the world, has some weird effect on electricity in the old world which effectively rendered it useless.” The boy explained.

“Yeah, I know this already, I was scrolling through Instagram when it happened.” Yvette responded enthusiastically.

“Yeah, my bad. I thought you could use a refresher and this is my first time explaining it to you.” The boy said anxiously.

“Huh?” Yvette questioned.

“Nevermind. I’ll continue.” The boy said. “So since you obviously experienced your own death I don’t think I need to recap that for you.” He said as

they neared the end of the cave. “But, the idiots back there basically sacrificed their own lives to resurrect us because they thought we’d fight in a

war for them.” He said, a smug look plastered across his face.

“A war? What war? Like a World War?” Yvette questioned as they exited the cave.

“Yeah, Something like that.” The boy murmured, looking up at the night sky.