Chapter Text
But don’t worry. Because no matter what happens, I’m sure we’ll be able to overcome it. Not just the S.S.S. But also, Thors Class VII, the Bracers, your allies, and all of the many people we’ll be meeting and growing close to in the future, by joining with everyone.
Those words were filled with so much confidence and reassurance. A flame he had long forgotten lit inside him as the time for his departure came. He grinned with a faint tinge of hope. Perhaps they were right. They will be able to overcome what lies ahead in the not-so-distant future. They might struggle, but he was certain they would overcome fate’s hardships. The “him” of this world overcame him after all.
A wave of melancholy and regret crashed down on his being as light surrounded his form. His golden jewels eyed the heroes who had defeated him, the “villain” at the end of their trail, with a smile on his face. He wasn’t certain whether they would be the ones who would protect the future, but there was one thing he was certain of— there would always be heroes around to protect those who are dear to them.
Holding out a fist to his old friend, the two bumped their fists against each other for what would be their last.
His time had come.
He closed his eyes with his lips curved up ever so slightly. He felt his physical body fade, his consciousness returning to the familiar darkness. Drowsiness took hold of him like a mother’s embrace. He felt a strong urge to fall into a deep sleep, eyelids coming to a close. And then...
“YOU...”
That accursed voice... that consciousness finally recovered, it seemed. It was wishful thinking to assume that his counterpart finally got rid of the vile presence off his body. Oh well, he should have known better when their existence had fused together.
REAN SCHWARZER... YOUR COUNTERPART MIGHT HAVE CUT OFF MY ABILITY TO TAKE OVER AS THE DOMINANT PERSONALITY... BUT YOU WILL NEVER ESCAPE... FROM ME. WE ARE BOUND TOGETHER... WE ARE A UNITED EXISTENCE... YOU CAN'T BE YOURSELF ANYMORE...
The voice of Ishmelga echoed throughout the sea of endless darkness. His golden eyes fluttered open to see the embodiment of malice and a tired scowl formed on his countenance. The vile being circled around him like a pest— a pest he can’t get rid of.
Ishmelga spat curses with its tone drenched in venom and hate. It was meaningless, the white-haired man thought. They had already fused, and his counterpart managed to sever its chances of taking over. He was long numb to the insufferable pain during his time clashing dominance with Ishmelga. So, he wasn’t even aware whether he was supposed to feel pain or not.
The only thing he regretted was he couldn’t get rid of the damn curse’s voice, blabbering all the malicious nonsense he was forced to endure when they had first combined.
‘I’m so tired...’
He was exhausted, tired of its voice draining him physically and mentally. If he wasn’t so mentally drained, the man would have bitterly laughed at his predicament. Any normal person would have gone insane if they had to listen to Ishmelga. And while he did lose himself, there was still a tinge of his being in their twistedly-fused personality. He was truly grateful for what the other Rean did to him.
As he thought of his counterpart, he started to recall his family, friends, students, and allies back in his world. What were they doing? Were they still grieving his “death?” Were they still grieving Crow and Millium’s? Were they still waiting for him to return...?
The last thought struck him with immense guilt and sadness. What if they continued to wait for him until he fulfilled a promise he knew could never be kept? His heart ached, throbbed in pain at the thought.
HAHAHA... DO YOU WISH FOR THEM FORGET ABOUT YOU? TO EASE THE SUFFERING THEY HAVE TO ENDURE WAITING FOR YOUR RETURN? DO YOU WANT THEM TO MOVE ON?!
The embodiment of humanity’s malice began to eerily laugh, sending chills down his spine. Its laughter echoed and rang in his eardrums as images of those he held dear to his heart flashed before his eyes.
“Stop it...”
The stream of tears running down their faces with no signs of stopping...
“Stop it...”
The despair and hopelessness that started to fill their eyes...
“No...”
The suffering they endure each day waiting for him to come back home...
“Stop it!”
The inability to move on from their grief...
“STOP SHOWING ME THESE!”
The man bellowed as he clutched his head with both hands, tears streaming down his face. The sclera of his eyes turned velvet-red as his pupils shifted into slits. The images Ishmelga invoked in his mind were forcing out the darkness in his heart. The pain those images evoked in him made the man want to tear his own heart out.
Seeing him in such a state of agony, Ishmelga cackled with a sick grin in its vile thoughtform, its numerous eyes narrowing in amusement. The white-haired man did something he never expected.
RAGH!?
Ishmelga was met with a bandaged fist to its vile form, sending him flying across the empty voice.
“Shut up!” The man uncharacteristically growled, a visible vein popping on his forehead. “If you keep messing with my head, I’ll make sure you wish you had disappeared!”
Ishmelga snarled as its eyes glared at the man.
AN EMPTY THREAT! YOUR ENDEAVORS ARE MEANINGLESS! YOU CANNOT HOPE TO ERASE MY EXISTENCE WHEN OUR SOULS ARE ONE! YOUR ATTEMPTS TO HARM ME ARE AKIN TO ATTACKING NOTHING BUT AIR!
A pool of darkness swirled around the thoughtform of malice before erupting beneath him. The dark geyser of the abyss ceased its eruption, revealing the familiar form of the Ebon Knight.
BUT IF IT’S A FIGHT YOU DESIRE, I WILL OBLIGE YOUR PITIFUL EXISTENCE!
“Ishmelga!”
The man once known as Rean Schwarzer bellowed as crimson-black flames burst forth on his left arm. He plunged his right hand into the flames as he drew forth his tachi and charged at the Ebon Knight. Ishmelga manifested its Sword of Demise as the two began trading blows.
The clashing sound of cursed steel resounded through the endless abyss as flames and darkness meld together in a dance of death. They fought, swung, and launched destructive attacks that could level cities. No matter how much power they displayed, it was a pointless conflict. They were in a realm of their own consciousness with both unable to truly harm the other.
It was simply Rean lashing out his frustrations and suffering to the one who caused him so much pain. Through all his roars and vicious blade swinging, hot tears trickled down his face. Despite their ongoing battle, the Ebon Knight continued to torture him with images of “what-ifs.” The anger inside him rose like a flame, but so did his guilt and regret, washing down on him like a crashing wave.
The question of whether his sacrifice did more harm than good came to mind. He sacrificed himself so that those he cared about could have a better future, right? He carried the burden such a burden to grant them happiness. There was no need to worry about what happened to him... Right? If the price to save everyone was himself and his happiness, there was no reason to hesitate, right?
It's not about whether or not I deserved it, I have to become happy.
The words of his alternate-timeline counterpart were brought back to the forefront of his mind.
Because a person cannot be happy alone. And because a person should not be alone in distress. If I want the people who are precious to me to be happy, I have to first be happy, with myself. And that is my number one goal right now. And so, I won’t carry everything on my back anymore. I won’t hold it all myself.
The memories of his own choices flashed before his eyes, one by one as the tears continued to trickle down his cheeks.
I have to believe in myself, my loved ones, the friends I still cannot see. And even if one day an even stronger source of strife and malice appears again, if we all stand side by side, I know for sure we’ll be able to win an even brighter future.
A tinge of envy pricked his heart. That was the path “Rean” had chosen for himself...? Would he have been able to choose such a path for himself? A path that didn’t need him to sacrifice his own life and happiness to save others? Perhaps there was a path available to him, but he was too stuck to his own beliefs to find it.
Searing flames brushed his left cheek as Ishmelga drew its sword back. Rean raised his tachi as flames roared to life, yet his teary eyes weren’t focused on the embodiment of humanity’s malice, his thoughts elsewhere.
‘If I want the people who are precious to me to be happy, I have to first be happy, myself, huh? Why did it take me so long to understand that...? If only... I realized it sooner... Maybe things would have been different...’
Those lingering thoughts were his last as tachi and blade met with a fierce explosion.
...
....
.....
......
.......
......
.....
....
...
As the aftermath of the explosion began to settle, the man floated aimlessly around the void, passed out with Ishmelga’s thoughtform nowhere to be seen. Despite his unconscious state, his tears relentlessly flowed down his face as though it were the last sign of his guilt and regret.
It seems your eternal sorrow and regrets have left you with a strong desire to return to those precious to you.
A soft and melodic voice uttered from beyond the darkness. A pair of slender arms wrapped themselves around the cursed man as a palm pressed against his cheek, locks in the palest shade of blue falling onto his face. A pair of bluish-pink eyes stared at his slumbering countenance. Deep in those jewels lay pity and sadness for Rean.
Will you be able to understand that no one should carry such burdens by themselves? Will you be able to see that you are not alone in taking on such a cruel task? Will you finally be able to let yourself be happy, despite being the trigger to the start of the Great Twilight?
Dainty hands cupped his face, piercing blue eyes staring at his visage with a look of pity.
Your lingering regret has given you a chance of a lifetime. It might not be completely the same as yours, but I can only hope you don’t repeat the same mistakes in this world, young one... It’s time for you to start your new game on this chessboard of fate.
A palm caressed his cheek like a worried mother before a thumb wiped the tears staining his face.
Until we meet again... Rean Schwarzer.
[08/ 20/ S. 1196]
-16:35-
Baron Schwarzer’s Mansion, Ymir
“Ugh...”
Rean felt heavy, groggy, and nauseous. He didn’t understand why he was feeling this level of discomfort now of all times. His body felt weak and exhausted, both physically and mentally drained. His reckless clash against the other consciousness in his body must have taken a toll on his soul. He never felt this tired unless he was fighting over control against Ishmelga.
There was a bit of a struggle, but he managed to slowly open his eyes. He squinted his eyes, his vision still ablur before everything finally came into focus. Rean blinked in confusion at what he was staring at— a ceiling that looked so familiar, yet he couldn’t quite identify it.
Wait a minute...
Where was he?! He was definitely in that endless void back when he was conscious! There was nothing but the pitch-black darkness. There was no ceiling there!
His shock made him jolt up before realization dawned on him. The comfy softness against his back...! Rean turned around to see the mattress and pillow of a bed, shocking and confusing him further. His breathing turned ragged as his eyes surveyed his surroundings. Why did everything seem... bigger?
Rean continued to look around the room with a scrutinizing gaze. Everything looked so... familiar for some reason. The furniture, walls, and...
“Those... pictures...!”
Rean got out of bed as swiftly as Gale, darting toward the small desk in the room. He picked up one of the picture frames sitting on it as his eyes started to water.
It was a picture of himself as a kid beside his adoptive sister making a snowman while smiling for the camera. Right behind them were the ones who adopted the man into their family— Teo and Lucia Schwarzer, smiling at their children. His heart felt like it was being clenched by an iron grip as beads of water fell onto the glass pane.
“Brother...?”
His heart dropped at the voice that called to him, unintentionally dropping the picture. That voice... I-It can’t be...
Hesitantly, Rean cocked his head toward the direction of the voice, his breath caught in his throat.
A girl with silky black hair that reached her chin stared at him, tears prickling the corner of her aquamarine eyes. Her lips were quivering as her shoulder shook.
“Elise...?” As the name of his sister left his lips, he felt some weight tackle him down to the ground.
“B-Brother! You’re awake!” She cried as her tears began to flow down her cheeks. “I-I thought you’d never wake up!”
His hand instinctively moved to the top of her head, stroking her hair as his lips curled into a faint smile. “There, there... I’m all right.”
The young girl looked up to meet his eyes. To his surprise, the girl sobbed harder and buried her face on his chest.
“C-Come on, Elise. I’m all right! Your brother is awake now...”
“B-But your hair and eyes! I-It’s not black and purple anymore!”
Huh...?
“Elise! Sweetie, what’s wrong?!”
“Did something happen to Rean?!”
His ears picked up the sound of footsteps approaching toward them in haste. A man and woman entered with panicked looks before a flash of relief flickered across their faces, tears threatening to fall on the woman’s visage. Rean could do nothing more than stare at them, completely dumbfounded.
“Mom...? Dad...?”
“Oh, Rean!”
Lucia Schwarzer wrapped her arms around her children as she cried tears of joy. Teo followed suit with his rugged features showing relief. Rean’s body began to move on its own as his arms wrapped around his adoptive parents, his eyes heating up as his own set of tears started to fall.
“M-Mom, D-Dad, brother’s hair and eyes...!” Elise sniffled as he stared at Rean with a pained frown.
“Mom, Dad, what is Elise talking about...?” Rean had no choice but to ask, too perplexed by the situation.
His parents exchanged a glance before Teo placed a hand on his shoulder. “Rean, try to keep calm as much as possible. Can you do that for me, buddy?”
His gut started to stir, as though his realization of what happened to him started to sink in. Rean nodded his head as Lucia took out a pocket mirror, opening it up as the... boy gasped under his breath.
He had an inkling of what had happened to his body. Of course, he would have realized what happened after seeing how big everything was and his gravity off. But he continued to be in denial the more he looked around his surroundings. It seemed he couldn’t keep lying to himself any longer.
Staring right back at him was his own reflection— the reflection of a nine-year-old Rean Schwarzer. The corruption due to Ishmelga on his skin was not present. However, he didn’t possess black hair or lilac eyes. Instead of their usual hue, he had white hair and golden optics.
The same color as when he and Ishmelga were one.
Rean reluctantly turned to his parents, gulping. “Mom, Dad... What’s the date today...?”
Worry filled their optics at his query. However, Teo supplied his son with an answer. “It’s the twentieth of August of the year 1196, Rean.”
“Does your head hurt, brother...?” Elise asked through her sniffles while his mother looked at him, worried.
Rean stood in silence for minutes, worrying his family further. Eventually, he shook his head and gave a sheepish smile.
“Nothing like that. Everything is just a bit blurry right now...” Rean said as he returned their embrace.
His tears had already dried up with his golden hues narrowing in thought. Everything felt so real; it couldn’t possibly be a dream. Their presence, their touch, and their warmth. He could remember it like it was just yesterday. If this wasn’t some cruel, twisted joke, then...
‘I returned to the past... I returned to the day I awakened my “ogre” power... I’ve regressed.’
...
Once they had all calmed down, the Schwarzer family went to the living room to discuss what had happened earlier. For the young regressor, it was a little awkward as he took in an environment, he should have been familiar with. Though, could anyone really blame him? Considering Rean had battled Ishmelga for control for what felt like an eternity, it was understandable his old memories would be hazy.
Teo would be the first one to pull him out of his thoughts.
“Rean, I won’t force you to tell anything if it’s too hard to remember... That being said, can you recall anything before you passed out? Elise told us you were both attacked by a monster.”
The white-haired boy nodded his head, looking down at the floor. “It’s true, Dad. We encountered a monster in Ymir Valley. I tried protecting Elise, but I couldn’t do much and got hurt. When I saw it coming after Elise, something in me just snapped. Everything went black after that, and when I woke up, I was looking at the monster’s corpse.” He confessed with a frown.
Rean managed to explain the events without stuttering unlike in the past. ‘Then again, I was too terrified of what I became to properly explain myself without choking up at the time.’
Lucia pulled her son into an embrace as she stroked his head. Elise joined in as well, fighting back the tears. His father looked at Rean with concern written all over his features, crossing his arms as he closed his eyes in thought.
“Elise said she saw your hair and eyes change color... I suppose that would explain the changes.”
“B-But,” Elise chimed in. “Rean’s eyes were red last time...”
“Red?” His mother parroted, soon turning to her son’s face as she frowned. “Sweetie, Rean’s eyes are gold now.”
“T-They really were red though!”
“How peculiar...” Teo stroked his chin with furrowed brows. He then released a sigh and rubbed the back of his head. “I honestly don’t know what to make of this, but I think we should wait for Master Yun to see Rean’s appearance himself. He might be able to answer our questions.”
Lucia nodded in agreement. “Agreed. He’s an incredibly wise man. His travels must have led him to gain knowledge about what exactly happened to our soon.” She glanced at her baby boy, stroking his hair. “When will his next visit be, dear?”
“I recall him saying it would be next month”
While the adults discussed, Rean was lost in his own thoughts upon hearing the name of his old master, his eyes wide in shock.
‘Master Ka-fai is coming next month? Wasn’t his next visit supposed to be next year?! What is going on...?’ There was a possibility of Rean remembering the memory wrong, but his gut told him he wasn’t.
The white-haired regressor felt something tug his sleeve. Turning his head, he saw his little sister snuggling his arm, her worry showing no signs of vanishing. He smiled faintly and stroked her hair.
‘She wasn’t this attached to me after my ogre power manifested. If anything, she would have shown signs of being afraid of me.’ Rean thought with a bitter smile.
After witnessing the carnage his big brother committed, it would be understandable if Elise began to fear her brother. It happened in the past for the regressor, remembering the tinge of fear mixed in her orbs of worry. Rean didn’t blame his sister, however. He made the situation a lot worse when he caused an outburst after waking up.
Rean was only glad that he was able to fix their relationship.
However, this time seemed different. Did he truly return to the past? Or was this something else?
“I think you shouldn’t move too much for today, Rean. Get some rest. We’ll bring your dinner to your room.”
“I understand.”
“I’ll stay with big brother!” Elise exclaimed. Lucia was about to protest, but Rean cut her off.
“It’s okay, Mom. I could use the company after being passed for that long.” He chuckled as he scratched his cheek.
Lucia’s lips curled into a slight smile before patting his head. “If you say so, Rean.”
“Does that mean I can go and stay in Rean’s room...?” Elise asked for confirmation, holding back a sniffle. Their mother just laughed and patted her head too.
“Yes, sweetie. Just don’t cause any trouble while your brother is recovering, okay?”
“O-Okay!”
Chuckling, Rean hopped off the couch as Elise dragged him back to his room. The two entered the boy’s bedroom with Rean plopping down on the bed, Elise sitting beside him.
“Are you thirsty, Rean? Are you feeling anything strange?”
“No, I’m fine. Thank you for your concern though, Elise.” He would pat her head as she nodded.
Silence fell upon the siblings as Elise shifted her weight uncomfortably. Well, this was awkward. Rean couldn’t be alone with his thoughts because his sister was here, though perhaps that was a good thing. Unable to ignore her discomfort any longer, Rean placed a hand over Elise’s.
“Do you want to talk about what happened earlier?”
She flinched before looking down to her lap. “How did you know...?”
“I wouldn’t be much of a big brother if I didn’t know how to read my little sister, would I?”
Elise’s shoulders shook, sniffles coming out of her once more. Rean pulled his sister in his arms and stroked the back of her head. He closed his eyes and prepared himself for what she was going to say.
“I-I’m sorry, Rean. Y-You got hurt and did those things b-because of me...”
“Shh. It’s okay, Elise. You did nothing wrong. I’m sorry you had to see that...” Rean said softly to comfort the girl. “Are you afraid of me?”
She shook her head. “A little, at first. But I won’t be afraid and stay away from you because of that, brother.”
The confirmation touched the regressor’s heart. Is this what Elise would feel if she opened up to him about what happened in the past? He smiled sadly while he ran his fingers through her hair. He was too busy feeling guilty over what his sister had to see that he didn’t bother trying to ask about her feelings and distanced himself from her and their family.
‘I feel so stupid...’
Rean continued treading his fingers through Elise’s dark mane until she fell asleep. A knock on the door was heard he turned to see his mother entering the room with a tray of food in hand. Her eyes fell onto the sleeping girl as she smiled.
“How are you feeling, dear?” Lucia asked, walking over to his bed as she set the tray down.
“I’m feeling fine, Mom. I don’t feel any pain, just a little tired.”
“Ah, well, finish all of your food and get plenty of sleep tonight, okay? I’ll carry Elise back to her room.”
Lucia planted a kiss on Rean’s forehead, then carried Elise in her arms and took her leave. A soft sigh parted from the regressor’s lips as he picked up his dinner: mushroom risotto, apple slices, and a glass of water.
Rean ate a spoonful as the flavors began to settle in his mouth. When was the last time he ate food? He couldn’t remember.
“Hmm?”
The white-haired boy’s eyes dipped downward, widening upon seeing circular stains of water on his shirt. A hand reached for his eyes. Fingertips brushed against something moist. The silver gleam of the tray showed the regressor’s reflection.
“Why am I... crying?”
He immediately wiped the pearls of water with his sleeve. What had gotten into him? He snarfed down the rest of his meal in silence. Finishing his dinner, Rean leaned against the bedframe with a frown. Why was he back in the past? Why was his hair color different? Were his soul and Ishmelga’s consciousness still one? If that’s the case, why hasn’t it shown itself to him? Did his counterpart’s influence retain its effect even when Rean had regressed?
Countless questions about his current predicament filled his head. There was no way Rean was sent back in time to his younger body for no reason.
But that’s just it— what was the reason he regressed to the past?
Sighing, Rean decided to put his unanswered queries in the backseat of his mind for the time being.
The white-haired regressor stared at his hands, flexing his fingers as he took a deep breath. Rean knew what his plans were going to be for tomorrow. He needed to confirm what his instincts were telling him.
“Tomorrow, I guess...” muttered the boy, his eyelids falling shut, last remembering a flickering crimson-black flame.
[08/ 20/ S. 1196]
-23:05-
...Somewhere in Eastern Zemuria...
Under the blessing of the moonlight, an elderly man and a young girl sat around a campfire, both wearing cloaks to further keep themselves warm from the harshness of the cold desert. Her silver hair shimmed under the dark blanket of the night with big, sky-blue hues staring intently at the fire with a small smile.
The elderly man sat in a meditative stance across the girl, his hands pressed together. He had long gray hair which was tied up, along with a bushy beard and moustache that matched his brows. His countenance showed absolute concentration and tranquility.
The girl hummed a happy note, admiring the flickering embers of the flame. She was always amazed how something so destructive like fire could be so warm and comforting. Ironic, considering her affinity for anything attributed as cold.
Her orbs drifted away from the flame to the old man sitting across from her, his eyes closed shut and his eyes narrowed in thought. She wondered what her master would think about every time he would meditate. Every time she asked her master would go on about an endless body of clear water or the sky itself. The girl wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about, but it does sound like someone who had reached enlightenment would imagine.
His eyelids fluttered open, revealing a set of brown eyes. His usual laidback smile did not emerge from his aged visage. Instead, a deep frown had formed on his face as he stroked his beard.
“Master, is something wrong?” The girl questioned with a tilt of her head.
“It seems like I’ll have to drop you off to those rascals tomorrow, kiddo. I think it is time for me to visit the one who will be my last disciple.”
“E-EH?!”
The girl shot out from her seating position, understandably shocked by this development. She wasn’t sure whether she should be more shocked that she was returning home or the fact he would be going to see the final disciple of the Eight Leaves. It hasn’t even been two months since they left home to travel the world!
“All right then, Shizuna. Let’s get ready for bed now since we’re going to be leaving pretty early tomorrow.”
“W-Wait a minute, Master! Won’t you reconsider?! I can’t return home yet when my training is barely close to being finished!” The silverette reasoned, only to receive an apologetic smile from the old man.
“I understand your reasoning. I’m not cutting your training short, but I really must visit him as soon as possible. I’m afraid it cannot wait until we complete your training with me.” His expression turned serious, grim almost. “He is struggling, Shizuna. His future’s at a crossroads. I want to help him as much as I can before he makes his inevitable decision.”
The girl known as Shizuna bit her lower lip and looked down at the fire. Any fire for arguing about the matter died down. It was nearly impossible to convince Master when he had that look on his face. He must have seen something that needed to be dealt with as soon as he could.
Curling a hand to a fist in frustration, she met the Sword Hermit’s eyes with her cold, blue ones.
“Do I really have to return home...?”
“I’m afraid so, Shizuna. I won’t be able to train you properly, and I’ll have to go to the Empire to see my last disciple—”
“Then, I’ll come with you!” Shizuna declared as her master stared at her blankly, blinking. “I’m sorry, Master Yun. But just as you can be as stubborn as a mule, I can be like that too! You’ll just have to train both of us as your heirs at the same time!”
Shizuna did not know how long she and Master Yun stared at each other, but it definitely felt like more than fifteen minutes. The damning silence was quite frankly stressing her out. The elderly man showed no frown or smile, no sign of whether he was upset or amused. Master was always like that...
Suddenly, the martial artist broke into a laugh, shoulders trembling as he guffawed. This caught Shizuna off guard as she looked at him, dumbfounded. Worry started to build up inside her.
Yun wiped a tear off his eye. Her fears seemed to be unfounded as the old man flashed her a huge grin.
“You’re absolutely right, my disciple! I could simply just train you two at the same time! Despite his future circumstances, this might be the perfect opportunity to watch how both heirs grow!”
Shizuna perked up at his words before she was suddenly in front of Yun. “Then does that mean—?!”
The elderly swordsman grinned like an idiot and ruffled the girl’s head. “All right! We’re setting off to Erebonia at the crack of dawn!”