"W-wha!"
[You've yet to claim the sword of time: Epoch.]
Two large eyes appeared in front of me as the voice was speaking with a deep tone. I can't move my body! I stood still as the pair of eyes were staring at me, the sheer magnitude of pressure that thing was producing was unbelievable.
[So your the one who's compatible with the sword? We must test your willpower in order for you to unlock its true powers.]
Large black hands came out of the darkness, both of the hands grabbed me and raised me up in the air. Sellainor was left there on the ground standing alone as she just stared at me in silence.
[This sure is unusual, I didn't expect the sword to be attracted to a kid of all sorts...something must be wrong...]
"W-who are you?!"
[You managed to utter words under this gravitational pull...interesting...let me introduce myself, I'm the guardian spirit of this sword, my name...I have no name for my creator didn't bother to give me one...you also seem to have a guardian spirit in you...a titleholder eh...]
"H-how..."
[Guardian spirits can detect one another, we are part of ancient crown fragments created by the creator itself...something is blocking her from contacting you but you made brief contact just a few minutes ago...]
"So you know about Zeichi eh?"
[Interesting...now you can handle the pressure...it seems that you'll be a viable user for the Epoch...but can you handle the responsibility of tampering with time and space itself? Most likely not...]
"I don't even want this thing, I only want to get home! Why are you forcing me to bear even more responsibilities?!"
[You don't know the honor of being chosen...naive kid... you're the first one chosen by the sword after centuries of it sleeping...isn't it worse to use that other sword of yours? That sword, the Nemax, forged from the depths of hell, during the great separation, forged from the lives of thousands and thousands of souls...don't you feel the dread leaking out of that dark blade?]
"I might not know anything about the Nemax, but let me tell you this, it's spirit guardian, Zeichi, she's a kind person!"
I can't think straight anymore! My mind is all haywire...crap...I might lose consciousness...my head hurts...
[Don't lose focus, you and the time sword shall fuse now...]
"AS I SAID I DON'T EVEN NEED THAT! WHY DO YOU KEEP FORCING ME?!"
[You're going to need its powers in the future...]
"THEN I'LL FIGURE IT OUT ON MY OWN! I'LL BEAT MY ENEMIES WITH MY OWN STRENGTH!"
[Yet you rely on the Nemax? Can't you do the same with the Epoch? There might even be a chance for you to go back to the past...but the past cannot be changed...unless...]
"B-back to the past...?"
[The Epoch is a sword that can cut through space and time, traveling through time can disrupt your mind, but if you're strong enough...so have you made your decision? The Epoch rarely picks users to wield it...from what I can see, you've unlocked the full arsenal of the Nemax...the Epoch will be easier to wield...Don't you have a desire to see your beloved once more?]
"B-beloved? I have no such thing! I don't even remember them! Still...going back in time...I'd like to meet my family once more and have a proper farewell..."
[The sin of regret sure fits you...your full of it...]
Mom...dad...Ares...
"I'll carry the responsibility then!"
[Very well...]
I don't know what lies ahead of me but...I'll face anything head on...I just want my family back...I'll do anything in order to have a proper farewell with them!
[The fusion shall begin...]
My vision warped and I couldn't feel the pressure anymore...my body is light as a feather...my mind is clear...I feel refreshed...I need to focus! Don't relax! My body suddenly clobbered with intense violent pain...it hurts! It's as if I'm being burnt alive!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
[BEAR WITH IT!]
"WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A PAINFUL PROCESS?!"
[This will prove if you're compatible with the Epoch. It will get even more agonizing in the next wave! Be prepared!]
"CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP!"
I can't describe the pain I'm going through right now...
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
[YOUR ALMOST THERE! JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE!]
Things were getting out of hand, several streams of blue lights spread through the whole area and it started to crack the deep void that we were in.
[THAT'S IT! THAT'S THE SIGN!]
With the fusion complete, a new crown fragment shining blue appeared in the palm of my hand. I grabbed my crown ring and there it went in place firmly.
"So it's finally over..?"
[You have survived! Congratulations!]
I was so exhausted that I suddenly couldn't carry my body and fell face-first to the ground.
"Tarus!"
So Sellainor can already speak...which's a good sign...
[Young lady, he's just tired...no need to worry...he's one strong boy...]
"A-alright...well can you show us to the exit?"
He snapped his fingers and immediately we were outside. I laid on the soft grassy ground while Sellainor was looking confused about what just happened.
[We shall meet again, Tarus Neispira...]
Those were his last words...
"Tarus! P-please, forgive me since I couldn't do anything for you while you had to go through all that pain and agony..."
"It's fine...I'm used to it by now...let's go back...I'm sure they're worried..."
"I'll help you up!"
Sellainor carried me on her back as she transformed into her wyvern form. We cruised through the cold windy night, my body still exhausted, I dozed off...the next thing I knew we were back at camp, the torches were lit up and it seems everyone was awake awaiting our return...
"Sellainor! What the hell happened?!"
"It's a long story..."
"Tarus! Y-your white as a ghost!"
"It's fine...I just need a bit of rest..."
As I said that, I finally collapsed...