Cold wind brushed her face and spread her hair, making it fan out behind her. She grumbled under her breath as she ascended the many steps to the top of the mountain. Despite the subzero temperatures, she had not worn heavy clothes. Her pointed ears peeked out of her silvery hair as another gust of wind caused it to come undone and fan out behind her.And neither had the person she had ascended to look for.“I had a feeling I would find you here,” she complained with an annoyed sniff. “You like stargazing too much.”“…It’s not a matter of liking or hating it. I’m simply compelled to look up at the night sky because it remains the same,” he said with a nonchalant shrug. “No matter the era. No matter the world.” He said the last sentence silently, but she still made it out. She closed the remaining distance between them and stood beside him.Leona breathed in through her mouth. Her younger brother’s sudden appearance hadn’t been unusual, but the state he had arrived in was. I
Kyra rubbed her temples in exasperation. She had already been briefed on what had happened, and she couldn’t help but cast an unbelieving eye towards Astra and Estelle. The former looked her in the eye without batting an eye—not that her expression ever changed—while the latter glanced down at her feet while fidgeting with her forefingers. “…I think my ears aren’t working well. Can you please repeat all you’ve done?” she asked, her voice dangerously low. “Okay.” Astra replied evenly. The air was tense, but despite it, she showed no outward sign of anxiety. This was not an act on her part. She simply thought the problem wasn’t hers to deal with. Meaning she threw all accusations on her companion without so much as a hint of hesitation. Kyra listened to everything they said, her brow twitching all the while. “Let me get this straight,” she paused, before releasing a profound sigh, “You activated an FRA? An admin class, no less?” Astra nodded empathetically while Estelle wis
What is time?What does it represent, what does it mean? I’ve asked myself that for countless centuries. And then I met you. Someone who is undefined by time, yet at the same time, so intertwined in it.You, boy, made me come to a shocking revelation.Time cannot be stopped. This intangible thing we call time can enslave in the truest sense of the word. This intangible thing can be expressed. It can take shape and interact with the multiple worlds in existence, all without the knowledge of people. I can choose those to favor and those to scorn.And in your case, it chose to guide. Never again shall you be free of time, never again shall you walk in your own path. It doesn’t matter what you do. It doesn’t matter what you say.For those bound by time live on in an endless and unchanging hell. I should know, I am one of them.But the one thing you should know, is that you can form it. Mold it the way you want it to play out. Guardians of time take the brunt of this responsib
Chapter 14I was once asked a foolish question. “Which is more important? This world, or the people who live in it?” Leave it to a dying person to spout psychological nonsense with their dying breath. Of course, he wanted to know why I found his decision so disagreeable. After all, he had done the impossible and maintained both. But I knew my answer. “I would sacrifice both. What you did was offer a sacrifice that wasn’t yours to give. For that, I will never forgive you.”“S-so what now?” he’d asked.“I will prevent this future from ever taking place,” was my reply.“A foolish endeavor. You would need to die more than a million times in multiple timelines to even get the chance to make that a reality.”“So what? That’s how little I value my life, and that of those who brought this upon us. At the very least, I shall ensure they get a taste of hell with each new life of mine I give up.”How many years has it been since then? How many eons? What have I been fighting for?
“So, you’ve come for me too,” came a booming voice. Contrary to what one might have believed, the loud voice lacked vitality.Indeed, the owner of the said voice was in their death throes. Their presence, their very being, was almost nonexistent.But they did not beg for their lives.“I had a feeling you might. Tell me one thing. T-this… This isn’t the first time you’ve snuffed me out, right?”A figure, though imperceptible while they spoke, revealed themselves. Then, the figure replied evenly after a bit of hesitation. “……No.”“Haaah… I th-thought as much. W-why do you cling to a dying wish? A barely audible cry none but yourself can comprehend? Why do you tether yourself to time, letting it whisk you however it desires…? Did you truly believe their words would come to pass?” A pause. “I hate to tell you, old friend, but not even you can achieve it. It is beyond what one can accomplish alone.”“…Then I’ll keep trying,” the figure retorted. “…No matter how long. No matt
Prologue —12 years ago— A young boy ran. He ran faster than he ever had, and a grin formed on his face. His glee was only natural. He didn’t know how, but his body had strengthened over the past two months. He could not do any physical labor, given his weak constitution. Now though…it was as if some nameless god was blessing him for the torture and suffering he had endured to that point. Even the guards couldn’t catch him now, and he had not even employed his usual tricks. The wind whipped about him, blowing his bangs out of his face. He ran, breaking past the limits of what was considered possible, even for an elf. Thinking back, Elrand almost felt tears fall from his eyes. He was always prone to escaping, so most of the guards already knew him well. If they endured what he went through, even for a day, they would understand. In fact, he had once dared one of them to try enduring what he suffered every day. The result was not pretty. Every now and then, that guard wo
Chapter 1 *Aldan’s Diary* —Entry 1— I almost could not believe it. Though I devoted my whole life to this cause, I never thought I would succeed. I’ve found it. The truth of this world, which none of us knew. The real reason summoned heroes have soul fragments, and what it means. I am one step closer to my ultimate goal. Though I do not have the power to do anything, I must avenge our mother. At the same time, I must not be rash in my decision. My younger siblings’ lives are at stake. For now, at least. To break out of this endless loop, I need to obtain power. Untouchable power, one unrivaled by anything else. Several theories have been said about it, but none are accurate. This does not mean I shall take this new development as a failure. Not at all. In fact, due to this new information, I know how to move on from here. My path is chock-full of danger, this is how I know I am headed in the correct direction. After all, an empty house has no guards… —Estelle—“Ugh
Aldan’s Diary —Entry 2— Ha, ha. I now know why it is said power corrupts. This knowledge exhilarates me in ways I can’t even describe. By the end of the day, I’m still a scholar. I may have acquired the necessary tools I need, but it is all for naught if I am unable to act. For now, I am a wanted man. The posters make it difficult for me to travel. The sum being offered for my capture is quite hilarious. Almost makes me feel special. Almost. It has become quite dangerous for me to keep this record too, no matter how vaguely I write. Even when I’m tempted to take matters into my own hands, I know I am no match against such powers. Ugh... These are far from peaceful times. The demon population is in decline, which is partially my fault. I am in no condition to accuse those who took my family. I’ve been responsible for the of many lives which were lost, so many that I’ve lost count. That doesn’t take the resentment away though. It still burns deep in my heart. These