In front of me is a dark red carpet, stretching outwards, soft to the touch as if not a single person has ever laid a foot on it, and other than me.

Slowly raising my head from the confusion and haze I’m in after being transported from a new battleground to this strangely peaceful place.

It’s a grand hall, with dark spruce wood branching upwards to form the roof as if still part of the tree, there don’t seem to be much engraving. Only the smooth reflecting gloss from a fine work of polish.

Hanging lowly as well are a network of chandeliers and thousands of tiny wax candles, exhaustingly melting away, and dripping like water onto a ceramic flooring. Making me realise, this place isn’t always this lit up.

Other than the great pillars of a lighter birch slowly merging with the dark colour above, there doesn’t seem to be much attention to detail, with only suits of armour resting in place.

And the more I look around that’s all there seems to be, just more and more. Clearly lifeless, as I can see right through the gaps of metallic skin.

Behind me by what seems to be a few kilometres is a large door with no handles, only bolts, screws and large hinges clearly intended for no easy exit.

Finally, of in front of me is a throne of glistening golden throne. It simply couldn’t be real as the amount it would cost is unbelievable along with the jewels encrusted.

Sticking out to me, is the fact that the throne itself did not match anything in this room, and every peculiar aspect seems to contradict the design of the other atmosphere before it.

The only beauty visible within this room would be the price tag in fine cursive font. Leading my vivid imagination that whoever funded this build is either completely blind, or incredibly stupid with the unappealing alternative being a combination of the both.

“Hello! Anyone!?”

My voice echoes, and doesn’t stop.

‘Is this a prison for kings?’

The door opens.

I turn back.

Three people.

In a triangle formation.

All walking to me.

‘Here we go again...’

Is all I can really think of, at this point my brain cannot keep up the attention-cost, emotion-cost and physical-cost to keep this up.

“What now, let’s get this over with.”

They don’t say much, other than just a singular whisper and I can’t make out from who.

“Good Evening, Ed. Or should I say Leonidas?”

The person in the very middle speaks. And here comes this meaningless name one more time.

“Who is Leonidas? And who are you?”

I say, and in response they come close enough to the point they stop.

The person who spoke to me is an old man, large pointy nose, oversized baggy skin filled with layers of fat. And quiet possibly the worst posture I have seen in my entire life, describing this guy as a hunchback would be an insult to hunchbacks. On top of that, wearing a fine gown of red and white fur.

One of the two people behind him, seems to be the dark ambassador judging purely on the person’s height being similar.

The other person is of the same height, dark, short thorns for hair like a rose, skin looking almost bleached and every other aspect made him seem normal.

“I am the king of this land-“

‘King how could that be when the nature kingdom’s king looks the exact opposite from any posters? Where am I then?’

“The land or rather the kingdom of darkness, but the word kingdom makes it sound a little more settled.”

‘How is this possible when no more than an hour I was in the kingdom of Nature... And it would take at least a weak to reach the Kingdom of Dark assuming you were experienced in the way’

“It’s such a shame you don’t know your true self – Leonidas. You see, your goddess foretold a prophecy. One day, a time emblem user will come along who has the power to change anything at the expense of a single mastery emblem cast – baring the name Leonidas.”

‘Me becoming that powerful... Is that really even possible...’

“And as knowing you are the last time emblem user known to the consciously living, you can fill in the gaps.”

“So, what do you want from me?”

“For our troubles of you know – keeping you alive from another reset. And getting you out of a paradoxical loop. I think you owe us a big favour... Don’t you agree?”

He ends with a sinister smile.

“What are you getting at...?”

“We’re going to train you until mastery. And then you're going to do a favour for us.”

“What do you want to do with my mastery emblem then...?”

“Reverse the outcome of a war one hundred years ago.”

“And what would that exactly do...?”

“Just a little land dispute you see.”

“And how do I know I can trust you? Or even go through with any of this?”

“Because you forget we can launch a second attack on your village, although it would be a waste since we already captured you.”

“You- You!”

I don’t continue where my words want to. And what if by the next resetting point it’s too late to save them... ‘I can’t gamble this time’.

“On one condition then...”

“What? Gold? Diamonds? Crowns? Statues?”

“No. Afterwards I will have absolute protection and peace in a place of my choosing. With anyone I choose as well. Or else, I am very aware you have much more to lose than me!”

“Fine... It’s done then. And in case you think you're getting away with your mastery emblem, I’ll be sending three of the strongest people in this kingdom with you. Now let’s give you a little tour of the place. Come.”

Standing on my two legs, I wiggle each toe and finger, the sensation of blood flow seems weird.

They walk in front of me towards the door, with me a couple metres back, knowing that if I got too close something would happen.

At the grand door, I expect someone from the other side to open it, as it had previously done to let them in, but I am wrong.

Instead, the king whispers something and raises his hand towards the door, revealing an emblem on his shoulder, which is simply a skull. Then, like a strong fume hitting me I detect a mastery emblem power.

This had to be something extraordinary, there were no more than a handful of mastery emblem casters. Maybe around four each kingdom, and within such a short span I have met almost half of the total group.

“Overgaan tot ontbinding.”

He speaks very quietly, but the echoes amplify each sound.

The door stars to decompose rapidly, each strand of wood cringes and curls into a tiny ball, as if it is being set on fire. And soon enough from the grand door that once stood, only wood shavings and nails hold the grave.

We continue in a maze-like corridor with stands of armour once again surrounding each corner, until there is finally a grand opening. A massive flight of stairs ensues downwards endlessly.

And from the height of a mountain, I can see the entire kingdom of Darkness. Something, that in reality didn’t deserve the kingdom title. It is much more than the simple connotations of ‘darkness’.

The skies are put through torture, longing a crystal blue pallet of colours, and instead, being put through a bleak existence. Showcasing a dark brown colour, which when meets the sun explodes into a cloud of gas further expanding over the skies.

The city itself, is a disgrace, not a single colour of grass, trees or bushes can be seen. And even after a great wall is a barren land. And beyond that an ocean, which seems to replace water with tar.

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Buildings are scattered recklessly, and the streets feel like they are just large enough for a rat to pass through.

“Shall we?”

The king asks, and I find it intimidating that the two behind him remain silent, just watching.

I silently nod, and we start descending the steps to hell, and on each level the city becomes much, much more revealed. And on one singular step marked out reads:

‘Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.’

Every step much more horrific than the last, as if I am reliving the ‘Divine Comedy’ and I am ‘Dante’ being guided through each layer of hell.

At first, I hear screams from afar, some of pain, some of cruel laughter and other of mysterious intent. But further down It become apparently clear this is spread through the city like fire.

Then a scene of total anarchy shows itself, people on the streets attacking each other by any means, I see one particular gang of people viciously fighting another.

It continues beyond my imagination, things I would never see in a well-cared for community village. Things, that if not for this experience I would never think about.

Then somehow, I manage to arrive at the bottom of all the steps, and very clearly the state of each step deteriorates towards the bottom. Until the first step of the entire monument is not even there, with the few following either only half-present or fully cracked.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

He says, taking a deep breathe. And the moment I try to even take half a breath, a putrid smell cauterises every opening within my lungs.

“You and me speak a different language then. Because this, is not beautiful at all.”

The moment we enter what looks like the main road, everything goes silent. People divide onto road, and any horses or such instinctively do the same.

The road goes straight to the wall, a great distance, however to go in a carriage would be equally be tedious as the amounts of breaks in the road are countless.

We start walking. Nervous eyes squint.

Some people seem like depraved social rejects. Others look completely innocent. Then a couple stand out. Outright beasts. Almost clones of those out attacked the village.

I clutch my fist, and I am sure that the king notices.

“Those are my experimental troops you see, equip with some non-emblem powers, and one or two break throughs mean that we can sacrifice someone to transfer an entire emblem’s powers. How effective out of ten do you think they are?”

He knows that he’s pushing me, he knows for a fact that I want to kill him and his stupid troops. He knows, that I know he’s doing this to toy with me.

“Well, I am here, so obviously didn’t work to well. And I can manage to get past them in a couple seconds.”

Arrogantly as possible I say. He laughs.

“They were never meant to kill you, only those around you. I planned every single hour of your life when I chose to attack. Even going as far to build good relations with the Kingdom committee years ago as preparation.”

I remain speechless and continue walking through this city – death itself.

Then we stop. A man stands in front of us, dressed in torn clothes. Shouting.

“Oi! Tyrant!”

Without even paying attention the king waves his hand and points a finger towards him.

The ambassador dashes, and when he comes into contact with the man both of them vanish. A couple seconds later he reappears back in his position.

“Threat eliminated.”

And we continue walking. I don’t dare disrupt any flow around here, even if it means tearing my heart out – losing any emotion. The consequences are too great.

‘I’ll make swear I avenge this man’ I make a deep connecting note to myself.

“When are we going to head to training then?”

I demand of him to answer, and I allow myself to lose all manners around this person.

“Why do you want to go back so early, aren’t you enjoying it here? Just look how happy everyone is!”

On the contrary, everyone looks to be intimidated out of their mind, and when the king looks at someone the same person tries to fake a smile.

“Come on let's just go!”

Impatiently I shout at him, and the crowd of people all look at me.

He detests how I stole the attention from him. But he is aware I have the upper hand, and maybe I could convince him I have absolute power If I try enough.

“Careful Ed, within no more than a minute I can launch an attack at your village. I think they are starting to miss my ambassador over there.”

“I guess that one-hundred-year-old war will stay, in the past. Oh well, I was so eager to change things you know.”

He grits his teeth to the point of becoming a salt grinder.

“Everyone vanish!”

Frustratingly he demands, facing the crowds. And everyone complies, already fearing what could happen to them after the man who was obliterated.

We make our way back, and when we turn around, only now do I realise and grasp the full monstrous size of the castle, the place I was in to the king is merely a wardrobe.

And even though I didn’t think such a thing is architecturally possible, it defiantly is as it stares me down.

Soon enough we are inside, and after a series of turns I try to memorise to aid my long stay, I’m once again back in the room.

This time mysteriously, with a door, which this time we open.

“I hope you had your fair share of sunlight, because after your training you’ll be longing it."

He leaves the room with the other person, leaving the ambassador. I hear a clock ringing, twelve distinct time. The next day. Two days after the fight in reality. But in experience more than a month.

“Let’s begin your training then.”

The ambassador says.

Without a whisper the ambassador’s hand moves under a sleeve, mirroring that movement typical of a puppet master.

Then the suits of armour begin to shake, and then start moving. Only one actually moves out of the stand, whilst the others shake calmly, like the ground beneath is shaking.

“Warm up round.”

Staggeringly, the suit of armour walks to me. Spear in its glove. Starting to go faster and faster, but still at the other side of the room.

“How do I even kill this lifeless thing!?”

The ambassador doesn’t remotely react, so I repeat gain but still nothing.

By now it is within a few seconds of hitting me, and I have to be self-reliant.

It jabs right at my chest.

I panic.

I dodge somehow to the left. And the spear swings to me. I crouch instinctively.

Then a downwards strike, it is relentless. Incapable of becoming tired or for now having a weak spot.

Again, and again. It throws itself at me. It’s either I reset and die a painful end again, or throw everything for one attack.

It jabs once again, in a predictable manner now.

The blade dashes past me exposing the wooden neck holding the blade.

I reach to get a semi-decent grip of it and miss. Leaving my entire body open.

“Tien seconden.”

I channel with all my ‘I messed up’ energy.

And then once again I’m in a much better situation, the situation presents itself one more time.

I lunge with all my power, this time getting a death-grip on the spear. I drag it away from it.

But it doesn’t hesitate to start hand-to-hand combat. As I position the spear in my sword, I blink and can clearly see two possibilities. A sort prophecy, like the one I have seen before in the chamber.

In the first vision, I see the suit going for an uppercut, and with the other it going for a barrage straight.

I’m not sure which will actually happen. If any even do.

But to be safe I know that side-stepping is the best option.

It goes for a punch straight, then follows it up with the other glove.

But I see it all already before it happens. I side step it, and position the spear right around it’s metal knees. Then sweep with my entire body as if I were a gear pushing and pushing.

The entire lower half of the suit falls and separates from the upper half. With a tar-like substance gooey and viscous rips from the disconnected areas.

“Round one.”

If this was a warm up then I am intimidated by the thought of what this presents me.

Now three suits of armour come from the comfort of the walls. All with spears resembling the fangs of a snake.

They come. My brain shuts off. As if a control room unaware of what is a false alarm or in reality a danger signal.

I blink and attempts to control a very much uncontrollable breathing pattern.

I see the visions once more, but its overwhelming, two possibilities for each entity, six in total. No safe spots what’s so ever.

Closing in on me, I realise if there isn’t am opening to my left or right, front or back. There’s only one way.

I don’t know what would happen then, but for a second longer I’ll be alive. It sounds like a good compromise.

The possibilities come into play, and each amour suit locks in a position, but it’s too complicated to consider. It would take time I don’t have.

As three spears come at me, I use all the power in my breathe and legs.

“Versterken!”

And push.

Vaulting my self upwards with a jump.

I feel as tall as the ceiling on my way up, and as I decline fatally, I project myself at one of the suits.

I crash into it, dispersing a black resin onto me. The spear it is holding broken in two. Unusable.

Or... Is it?

I grab the spear head, and the two suits of armour close in onto me.

A dagger like this could only serve me once, I realise as holding a strong grip makes the metallic tooth of the spear want to fall out.

They dynamically attack. As I dodge one the other attacks. Like a starving great shark biting away at any opportunity.

Cut after cut my skin wears out, I’m soon at the wall myself. And the suits of armour seem to be spectating, praying for my downfall.

Unlike the previous one on one, this battle has no obvious sort of opening. I need to be creative again, when it’s a one on one then I can manage.

The spears diverge, one aiming for my head, and the other aiming for My chest.

I see a vision quickly, as I plan to duck.

Maybe, just maybe. If I charge at one of them I can take then down. The vision shows me it’s possible but nothing else.

So I decide to do so.

I charge like an enraged hog’s last chance at survival.

And just as I hit and cripple the knees of the suit, my strengthen non-emblem spell wears out. With the spear head I hit and hit until the blade falls out.

One on one again.

This time it seems like it has a conscious existence, learning from the last encounter.

It keeps a low stance, and when it attempts to have it steps in forwards then yanking it back, in a manner that it would be near impossible to grab the spear without being hit.

Its unavoidable to be safe now, I’d have to somehow win a fight without anything against a spear welder, without getting hurt too much.

He slashes with the spear, and abandoning instincts, I step into the attack.

For a moment the blade slashes against my skin, and now I’m past the blade I could do damage, and I’ll make sure I make damage.

I unleash a fury of punches, and nothing seems to happen except for my knuckles bludgeoning the veins in my hand.

I give one more punch, throwing all my expendable power. And then the metal bursts, like a cannon had hit.

“Round two.”

I’m not sure this can ever end, and each number the ambassador says sounds like the counting of sand grains on a beach.

Now the number of amour suits exponentially grows – nine.

I could manage three barely, having to endure deep cuts stinging like a hive of wild wasps. But nine would definitely be the end of this reset life.

I last no more than a minute, and even though I can predict each move with a fifty percent accuracy, multiplying that by nine is one in five-hundred and twelve.

I reset from the very start, where it the warm up round. This time I do much better, conserving much more energy.

However, fail to get past level two.

Again.

Slowly, yet surely making progress on level two.

All while the ambassador seems to watch endless hours.

This time defeating two out of the nine.

Then three.

It isn’t a fight of power, it’s all strategic. Isolating and fighting. Then careful positioning.

I picture the room as a chess board, separating each player by their typical moves. This is no regular training; the ambassador must be articulating their moves cunningly.

I glance at my emblem and notice a change; I detect a third emblem status. ‘What could this mean, a new ability?’

And right as I am fighting the group of nine once again, it comes out naturally, as if it is hidden within me.

“Herhaalde klap!”

After having grabbed a spear, I slash the chest plate and the suit falls, then I cast.

Without moving my arm, a sort of ghostly, hollow spear mirrors my move, hitting another suit of armour leaving an undisguisable from the last.

Streaking on a nice stream of progress, soon enough I defeat four of the nine. However, although physically fine after each reset. I’m falling with exhaustion from the repeated reliance on the new cast. Which although is gone along with any wounds, my brain tricks me into still believing I’m still exhausted.

As if things couldn’t get worse.

After hours of casting away my ace card.

All nine are defrayed.

I sigh.

“Round three.”

The ambassador follows.

And its previous amount of three, but cubed. Twenty-seven. The last remaining amour suits start moving, and the door opens. Introducing the many more once idle in the corridor.

“What is this torture…”