Back again.
My bed of hay engulfs me. I’m alone once again. Only one person or rather thing knows my pain. But doesn’t care.
‘If the strongest force known to us is actively wanting to us destroy us or rather passively, why do we just allow it?’.
How can I even get myself out of this, how can I get farther out of this, or even Aella – or… Everyone. ‘Is it really possible to fight such a force?’
But at the same time the Gods are good – they did save Earth from an extinction threat… ‘Oh gosh, not right now. I need to get up!’
I grunt slightly as I get up and as if habit, I go to reach my hand over to my stopwatch, but there’s no need – I already know the time, and every sequential event that is going to take place within the next few hours.
I quickly and very silently get up and look towards the door and my cloak, and fully ignore the cloak. ‘If the whole point of it is to shield me from danger. What’s the point if danger is automatically drawn to me?’
I open the door and leave it slightly open to avoid making a loud noise whilst trying to close it properly.
“So, there is a way… That’s what she indicated at least as I put the effort in. Easier said than done…”
I whisper to myself as I feels to isolating to speak in thoughts at this point.
“So now I need to go to the central market, and then somehow convince Richard to take care of the beast bombing threat…”
I keep going on about what to do after and then eventually end up with the better idea of going to the village to see the impact of stopping the bombing upon the future decisions of this world.
I enter the forest once more, breathing deep and slowly. Knowing that my last few decisions may end up with the forest on fire once again.
“But if the forest is on fire… Then what happened to Father or even Aella!?”
A sharp pain arises into my mind and it inflicts me with nausea, I go to grab my head instinctively and I expect the worse – but nothing actually happens.
“I really let myself – no I let the world hurt Aella in probably unimaginable ways.”
I slap myself hard and start walking faster and faster and every step removes just a tiny fraction of the rage I feel.
“Think! Think! There has to be something I missed somewhere – and that part must be the key!”
I re-play the events of stopping the bombing within the market and I realise something I didn’t before.
“If all the other beasts follow one main beast’s movements, they must be some sort of cloning magic! And that means it isn’t one powerful ritual bombing. it’s just one very strong beast that exerted its power by cloning! So that means the explosion although still massive is reduced in size. All we need to do is to take that one!”
Managing to get out of the forest once again mainly through habit, I rush towards the centre knowing I have a short time limit to the next attack upon the village.
I run through many people once again but this time I don’t knock into anything or anyone – it seems that very slightly my mind is adapting to little aspects in the environment.
And finally, when I arrive at the centre that’s starting top crowd with people and a couple guards, I can tell disaster is soon about to strike.
I walk up to the guards who seem rather threatening, but after what I saw last reset – I can only assume they are innocent people. Although, still I feel a deep sense of insecurity as they don’t even show their face and they seem to lose their human touch.
Before I even start about trying to ask them where Uncle Richard is, which would seem suspicious to another level, one of the guards somehow reads my mind and takes of his helmet.
I see sharp facial structures that pop out - distinctive cheekbones and a distinctive line of aging crossing his forehead – It is Richard.
“Ed? What are you doing here so early!? And where’s Arthur? You really shouldn’t be out here alone.”
“It’s kind of complicated…But I really, really need you to come with me.”
And so, without much question he puts his helmet back on and I slowly walk to a place that seem quiet with no one around.
“What’s up Ed?”
“Look, you’re not going to believe me but. In a couple minutes the first of many attacks are going to occur here.”
“Ed you can’t say things like that so calmly-“
“I’m not saying it calmly! I have to say it calmly or else the world around me starts to distort, twist and turn into whatever it wants.”
“Okay... How do you know though?”
Part of me already saw this coming and last time he completely didn’t accept my emblem as proof last time, but maybe just one slight action causes him to do so.
I lift my hand to him reluctantly and show him the emblem marking, and he doesn’t respond shocked.
“How long are you going to keep playing pretend Ed…?”
“It’s real I’m telling you aren’t I!?”
“Ed, I know you’ve always wanted to have an Emblem so how can I possibly believe that one day you magically get one over night.”
“Alright ignore that though! In around ten minutes you’ll hear the exact words - Orange Alert – East West!”
“Ed- how do you know that code!?”
“Just listen, please!”
He now seems to believe me a bit more after my message but he seems highly sceptical because I could have easily just found out a guard code from anywhere these days.
“When you hear those words, there is going to be a bombing in the middle of the market-“
“That’s absurd!”
“I don’t even know what that word means anymore. But when that happens direct all your guards there! And when you do there will be around sixteen beasts. They are all clones all you have to do is kill the main one!”
“Alright got it Ed…”
His response is so causal that I’m not sure what he thinks of me now – probably some sort of trouble maker. But the most important thing is I’m not sure if he will do what I say or not.
As he starts walking away a moment flashes across my consciousness – I can all of a sudden as if actually there once more after the explosion. I imagine seeing the market but only the outskirts of it – and within the middle lays a massive crater from an explosion.
Also meaning there is probably a second wave…
I try to brush it away but it keeps coming back to me, and I think a bit deeper.
“It has to be some sort of vision! Richard doesn’t believe me!”
As I shout that out loud, Richard looks back almost with the impression I’m a lunatic – ‘how could I convince him – especially with him now thinking I am some sort of werido!?’
“Tien Seconden!”
I shout, as the only emblem cast, I am aware of.
Knowing whatever it actually is, it’s definitely a lifesaving tool. And the moment the final syllable comes out from my mouth I feel the strangest sensation known to man. With my body speeding up, but standing still.
This is the best first emblem cast spell ever!
Back again in time about ten seconds I can hear Richard speaking or rather shouting at me.
“Ed - how do you know that code!?”
And truly I don’t even know what it means, probably being some sort of danger rating code.
My mind flickers to where the conversation next goes and try to avoid it.
“Richard! You have to listen now. The centre will get attacked!”
“How do you know that for certain though!?”
“Because yesterday night I was on my way back home, and then some travellers fully cloaked where speaking about attacking the market place with a bombing spell!”
“Are you certain!?”
“Absolutely I could never make up such a stupid lie that would endanger everyone! I even asked Angela –to draw this to try to convince you… Because I didn’t think you would believe me! Can you please promise me everyone is going to be safe!?”
“Ed, it’s my word everyone will be safe - don’t worry! And thank you for that information – without you we would be in danger. Now quickly go back home!”
“Bye! Stay safe!”
He runs off this time presumable to tell the guards of the attack happening, and I feel like I should be happy, but I’m not. It’s because I can’t guarantee he fully believes me.
‘If only those damn visions would actually come on when I need them!’. I think about going back to the village, but I can’t with all this uncertainty!
“Yet another dilemma…”
I whisper to myself.
“Let people die here or let people die in the village? It’s not as simple as go for the larger amount of people… It’s all way to personal.”
I speak again. But at the end I still don’t know what to do.
“What would be a better choice for me in the future if I were to reset again?”
That one critical question that breaks through my emotions manages to root me back to a narrow focus. And a decide to stay – but keep thinking if this is the best way to go.
After many minutes of silence that appeals to my mind much more than my own words, I hear something confirming a critical step forward.
“Orange Alert – East West!”
This time my actions in this reset didn’t change that alert. That means if Richard really did believe in me any second right now If I went to the centre, I would see more guards.
I slowly walk making sure that whatever I do, I don’t let anyone get a glimpse of me or it may cause avoidable trouble.
I sneak around for a bit to get a clear field of view onto the middle of the plaza, and nothing appears.
My body grows colder with fear.
And then as soon as I see a cloaked beast appear and then a whole group my heart sinks.
‘He didn’t believe me…’ I think to myself, and as soon as the group start chanting, I grab my stopwatch bound to me and feel the urge to completely to crush it – forcing a reset.
“It’s still going to reach the same fate anyways; I might as well stop it now!”
And with my hand slowly increasing grip onto the delicate watch I feel a stronger sense of hatred piling up. Then with one sound it all stops and the hatred pile disappears.
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“Now! Charge!”
I hear the almost deafening sound of a guard declare in the midst of all the tension, and just like that several other guards come out of positions out of sight and without mercy begin to slash all of the beasts at once.
I watch for three minutes.
And when the fourth minute begins, they are almost done, with all the clones now disappearing.
I’m truly speechless about the amount of time taken to take them down by mainly two guards, but even so I get up and start running fast and trying to become just a bit faster with every step.
“There’s one last thing to do – save the village!”
Every reset, every morning that’s stayed the same, every moment I witness someone die come all to this moment – Is it possible to save the village and the market?
Then as I’m about to reach the forest, I see a girl existing from the shortcut to the Water Village, I stand my guard instantly, but slowly drop it when I see it’s a little girl.
The more I look at her as I slow down, still I don’t recognise her. But I think I’ve seen her from the village. I start walking towards her slowly as to not scare her.
“Hello?”
I shout towards her but she doesn’t seem to respond too fast. ‘This isn’t like her…’
I reach her, but she still continues to idly walk, not bothering her surroundings and her eyes seem completely shattered of all human touch.
“What’s going on!?
I shake her little aggressively, trying desperately to get any information from her.
“Jim needs help!”
I start running.
I quickly arrive to the path of the forest, almost forgetting to take the shortcut to the village but then I realise – It would still take too much time considering I take the shortest path I know.
So, without much time and a reckless mind. I decide the best path to take was directly through the forest – it is going to be tough but it’s the only way.
Since any second now the original group of beasts and what appears to be a fake Rodger will appear outside the village.
I dash through bushes that seem to try to pull me with their branches and twigs, every few seconds something would scratch me or even leave a cut. And with as careful as I am being I have to sacrifice it for speed.
From where I am, I have cut the travel distance by around ten entire minutes it seems like nothing – but to me that’s the difference between zero and a million.
One minutes passes.
Two minutes pass and I’m still running making sharp turns and occasionally falling over.
But even though the pain burns – I ignore it, so that I can continue – it feels like I’m running away from some sort of threat that is there but I can’t see.
Finally, here at the water village – but I’m directly across the village – specifically in the industry sect next to Jim’s house and training area.
I rush across the shallow waters and dive through a deep area. ‘Quick! Quick come on!’
The moment I stumble my way up to the path I can see smoke up in the distance already, and from my vision grows distorted slowly as I try to make out a small object in the distance growing closer.
And as I rush on the path, waving my arms around and screaming for a response of life. I realise something.
The beasts are all dead.
On the floor scattered.
It’s a one on one.
Jim against the man.
But then a small dot grows and grows in the sky.
It keeps growing even though Jim and the mysterious man are fighting right underneath.
I can’t make it there in time to help at all.
Soon the man retreats.
Jim falls into the engulfing black hole.
And soon the houses are gone, the crat is gone, the ground is gone.
“I swear, whoever you are! I will kill you! I’ll take your body and scatter every limb across the land! I’m going to make sure you suffer!”
I look around me with haste, and grab the first sharp object near me, I lift it to my chest and gulp. With my other hand I lift the stopwatch and then very precisely I slam both the rock and the pocket watch together.
For a split moment I can see all the inner workings and tiny pieces of metal fly around as if two galaxies were to collide. A weird flash occurs as if an electric bolt is unleashed.
And then everything all around me stops moving, and starts being drained of all colour becoming grey with the only sound around being that of a ticking clock.
I feel every breathe become harder and harder to do, and each one comes and goes, faster than the one before. It almost feels like I’m suffocating – but I’m not.
I blink and there I am – I’ve reset once more right back into my bed.
Breathing still very much in a heavy manner but less frantic – I sit up slowly and sit with bad posture.
“So… How about now? What’s the trick with this one… Another wall to somehow get past. I’m not sure…”
I get up none the less but it feels automated, my body moves on its own already knowing where each individual rain drop will fall and where each stick and stone lays in the forest.
Without even paying attention too much I’m already outside the door and my only thoughts once again are about not waking up father and Aella.
“Father.”
I whisper to myself
I briefly think about what would happen if I am to tell him everything from all the resets, to even managing to meet a goddess – or even maybe going up that mountain. He’d definitely get mad about that I didn’t tell him…
‘I’ll tell him as a last resort then…’
I feel a little bit better with that thought he can help, and for a moment I look back on better times.
But I realise I can’t dawn on such memories for ever. I start walking again back to the market.
And even though my mood is slightly better, I feel a slight sense of disgust now when I look into the forest.
“Too much has changed... For me at least…”
As I pick up the pace and start running for a bit, I go over everything I know, even from the basics.
“Alright so in terms of Emblems, Rodger has a wizardry emblem, I have a time emblem, Angela and Jim both have a water emblem and then we have Gaven – with a dormant Light emblem, then with Rob he has an awakened bladed emblem – although he doesn’t train it. Finally, father has a life emblem as well as Richard – since he must have used a shield to prevent the entire town blowing up from the first blast, and he is Father’s brother.”
I pause myself then continue thinking but this time a bit bigger than emblems.
“Okay so first the market gets attacked with the bombing, which happens in rounds. But I am sure if that they are able to contain the first wave. They can learn the pattern of attack and stop the rest. Then almost fifteen minutes pass from the market attack, and the village gets attacked.”
It doesn’t help much in helping me to get a solution but it helps me take a solid grasp on what’s going on.
“The two things in common is that the attacks are both caused by the same group of beasted men, but what’s so weird is that they don’t even seem to have an emblem – so are they even actual beasts in terms of the beasted emblem that I neglected to take int account? Probably not.”
I stop again, trying so desperately to look for a way out or to take a break and let someone else do the job. ‘But I’m chosen for this and so I won’t fail not because of a stupid task – because everyone is at risk’.
“Okay. Calm down. The biggest threat in the village is what seems to be that fake Rodger – and every time I get closer it all ends with some sort of monstrous galactic time bomb waiting to explode as soon as we try to defuse it.”
I stop and then start running once more, just a little bit of hope drives me to the limits, but at some point, whenever it is going to be – I know that alone will not be enough.
“Whoever that was, I can certainly say it isn’t Rodger – those were emblem spells from a Dark emblem user!”
I feel a massive sense of relief come, but I know it’s not over…
“That one thing, is possibly all I wanted to know... If the Rodger I knew and very much loved, as if he is my second Uncle would do something so despicable to everyone around me.”
I eventually leave the forest with a new perspective on things and with a few thoughts, more and more came through.
“None of the other beasts did speak, not once. But the only time they speak was at the market place with the chanting. And so, could that even be a beast? Or something like what’s going on with the fake Rodger at the Water Village. But that’s not too big of a concern – it’s all under control so if I manage to discover the main issue behind the fake Rodger, I probably automatically solve this too.”
Finally, I’m at the doorstep of what seems to be a place of horror and triumph. As I walk fast amongst the people, it didn’t seem like there are many, but soon there will be.
I soon am at the centre and I see the guards, I forget which one actually Is Uncle Richard. So, I approach slowly but with less stress that the guards pose a threat.
I stand there exactly like last time, and one of them starts to take off their helmet. And my heart drops for a millisecond as when the helmet is fully off, I don’t hear his voice, the very thought of inaction scares me more than the threat of a bombing occurring any second though.
“Ed? What are you doing here so early!? And where’s Arthur? You really shouldn’t be out here alone.”
“It’s kind of complicated…But I really, really need you to come with me.”
And so, without much question he puts his helmet back on and I slowly walk to a place that seem quiet with no one around – exactly like last time and I try to repeat every step as if perfectly coordinated.
“What’s up Ed?”
“Look, you’re not going to believe me but. In a couple minutes the first of many attacks are going to occur here!”
“Why do say that?”
With the slight alteration of my tone, it just accidently shifts the future a tiny bit, and when I realise, I have to improvise.
“You have to believe me! When I was on my way home, and then I passed through some people wearing cloaks and I could clearly hear their conversation – they’re planning to attack the centre!”
“Ed, you know that if this turns out to be some sort of joke, you’ll be in serious trouble right!?”
“I know, and that’s why I’m telling you since this is the absolute truth!”
“Alright Ed…”
He says scratching his chin and look downwards, but I feel like there’s something still missing and when I notice I can do something genius I don’t question it for logic or the chance it could work.
“Also! They said they were going to also attack the Water Village, North East from here!”
‘I’m really pushing my luck here and I fully know it… Just one little mistake and he could make his mind up not to believe me…’
“Alright… I’ll see what I can do. But remember Ed! If this is all some joke tell me right now!”
“It’s not!”
“Alright then… Leave it to me everything will be safe.”
He starts to walk away.
“I hope so…”
He turns back around and puts an eyebrow up as if to say – did I miss something.
“Oh, my bad I was thinking out loud.”
He turns back around and waves one of his hands up into the sky behind him.
“Okay… Now I just need to make it to the village with no time wasted! And then just maybe if Uncle Richard manages to do something – that’s it… That would be it assuming everything at the capital takes care of itself…”
So, I go right ahead to the village and before a few minutes are over I’m already on my way through the shortcut occupying myself with the plants – not wanting to overthink things through.
After running endlessly, this time knowing subconscious where each and every twig and branch is that would have tripped me, this time I react much better to the versatile land.
I’m at the village, and as I start walking a bit now, I can see the bridge connecting both sides of the land due to the river.
And when I approach it, I can hear water splashing – I breathe in all the air around me through my nose and can smell some sort of sweet, flowery scent from the nearby flower fields.
“I am certain I could do things from here blind folded… But I don’t want to take another risk – I’ve been taking too many.”
My mind wants to start rushing, but I just don’t. I feel too tired although nothing has happened to me this reset – the stress was taking its toll.
But even though I don’t run as soon as I’m on the bridge he notices me somehow.
“Ed! What are you doing up there!?”
I start walking fast and faster and it becomes a slight jog at this point, when I’m directly onto the path to the village I shout towards him-
“No time to talk, quick! Everyone’s in danger!”
Just like that without having to worry too much about what I am going to say he starts rushing to me, and his concern temporarily aids me.
He gets to me just when I am about to start running as well.
“What’s going on!?”
“The village is being attacked!”
“Who told you this!?”
Without speaking I show him the emblem on my wrist and almost lose balance whilst running and just like that he stops asking questions – as if he too knows everything that is happening, or at least anticipated.
Just like that we get to the next bridge, and there probably is Angela underneath.
“Jim! Go ahead, trust me!”
I quickly decide slide down the hill to save some effort but mostly from some childish intent – ‘I need some way to deal with this alone’.
As soon as I am almost peaking over to the water directly beneath, I hear her voice and prepare top shout her name – but before I do, I whisper to myself or rather her.
“Sorry I’m so selfish… Angela! Why am I getting you into this?”
The voice stops and she peaks her face through and without having time to answer her confusion clearly within her face I give her the same response as Jim.
“Quick! There’s no time!”
As I rush up the hill a stupid thought comes up again – ‘how do people trust me this much…?’ And I can’t get the thought out.
I run ahead without looking back, and when I arrive Jim isn’t there, and a couple seconds later Angela joins me in endlessly panting for air in our lungs.
“What was that!?”
“Before I do all of that, how come you trusted me?”
“I’m your friend, idiot! So go on quickly before I get annoyed at you!”
She says in a really sarcastic voice, and then it dawns on me – ‘why am I messing around so much – focus!’. I feel each and every muscle on my face lower and in response so does hers.
“Ed… What’s wrong?”
“The village… It’s a nice place you know!”
“Oh, you idiot! You really made me run all this length for some stupid comment!?”
“Yeah… Nice cardio though!”
I muster through a laugh I try too realistically fake.
“Oh my gosh... you reminded me of the things I have to do! I got to get started now – since I’m here already!”
She rolls her eyes and laughs a bit more, then starts going in the direction of the market through another path way leading to and from the market.
She walks a few metres and then I turn around with immense guilt, this entire time.
“I’ve been practically using her – this entire time…“
I sharply whisper to myself.
Anyone as nice as her would never refuse to help – even in such a sort of messed up situation like this! She’s my friend damn it! Not a pawn to be sacrificed or another tool in my pocket.
The whole reason I’m even going on is to save all of these people, even Jim. But here I am doing all of it again.
I start running towards the pathway to the capital and to the mountain area where the cart will arrive – or already maybe has, so I don’t waste any time.
And when I do arrive there, Jim is already in a stance ready for battle just sensing a threat coming his way. And even though I expect to see a beasted – I don’t. All I see is the cart in the distance coming slowly.
“That’s it!”
I shout towards him and he doesn’t look back.
“Jim! Listen to me, you have to use you water spell as soon as possible to strike the cart itself!”
He glances over to me, but doesn’t entirely respond. Everything up to this moment done to save the village leads to this decision. ‘Will he, do it?’
‘Maybe if those visions could help now – that would be amazing! But of course, they don’t work when I need them to’.
“Jim please do it!”
He doesn’t respond, but I can viably see sweat build up against his forehead, I know he trusts me.
But he knows that I’m just a stupid kid – and I always make mistakes and this is no special situation to him – yet. So of course, he is going to apply the same old logic.
“Jim do please! It’s for the sake of everyone – without you I… I have no chance!”
He looks at me once more a gulp.
“Ed, you’re pushing my faith… And if your wrong I swear you won’t feel my wrath it will happen so fast…”
I can tell he isn’t his usually self, and even though what he says sounds like a threat, I know he intends it as a joke.
“Water draak!”
He shouts like never before, and just like that, once more he summons a magnificent and terrifying creature with wings above the sky – almost blocking sunlight out with its size.
With one hand on his right wrist, he sharply points towards the cart then takes a sharp turn downwards.
“I’m sorry – whoever you are… I must…”
He speaks, and I know he did the right thing – but to him his self-conscious morals are eating him alive, knowing that there might be a zero point zero reoccurring that seems to never end but at some point, there lays a one.
That’s the probability I am wrong to him.
Then as magnificent as the dragon is, it swoops upwards dashing through the very clouds in a few seconds gathering unfathomable speed and then strikes downwards tucking it wings in.
Then like an earthquake seizing the lands with power and fear, it slams int other ground - dampening the entire area with a ferocious flood killing anything in its path, and causing a thick cloud of dirt to appear. That’s when I look at Jim who seems to be already casting another spell – but it merges in with a strange sound I catch.
Then I hear footsteps, ones that falls on me with shock as I don’t recognise them from any of the resets so far. Metallic clinks start becoming for prevalent and then I notice – it’s the sound of someone running towards us.