Awakening to the bright sun rays filtering through the canopy, Jaylen groaned and squinted against the light. "Ugh... Where am I?" he muttered, scanning his surroundings. He appeared to be in a grove, nestled deep within a forest.
The grove was surreal, almost magical. Towering trees with purple-hued leaves created a colorful, mystical canopy above him. The dark bark of the trees contrasted sharply with the vibrant foliage, giving the forest an otherworldly feel.
The grass beneath him was a lush, vibrant green, soft and inviting. In the center of the grove was a small, serene pond, its surface shimmering under the sunlight, reflecting the purple leaves and creating a tranquil, mirrored image of the sky above.
As Jaylen rose, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. "This place, it feels so familiar yet different simultaneously," he mused aloud.
His eyes drifted to one tree that stood out from the rest. Its bark had been intricately carved, and something was inscribed there.
Approaching it, Jaylen ran his fingers over the carving, feeling the rough texture beneath his touch.
"It feels like it was carved recently, most likely with a knife," he noted. The carving read, **Jaylen x Yuki.**
Recognition dawned on him. "No... how could this be possible? This is the grove that was destroyed two years ago. No wonder it felt so familiar. I used to come here all the time before Sil passed away. But wait, if I'm here now, then this must be before she passes away."
Holding his chin, Jaylen delved deeper into his thoughts. 'It has to be the only logical explanation. If the grove was destroyed two years ago, I must be in the past. The only evidence I have that this is while Sil was still alive is this carving. Based on what it says, it means Yuki and I are still close. Not only that, but it was recently carved, so it can only be 2087.'
Jaylen deduced it must be 2087, the year Silvaria passed away and the year they had spent the most time in this grove in the Eclipsara forest. That wasn't the only reason he remembered this day—Sil's behavior had been very strange that whole day.
'Okay, now I know where I am. No, that wouldn't be proper... while I am here, it seems only my soul is here,' he thought, noticing for the first time that his hands were translucent. 'Let's make my way out of here. If I'm correct, my younger self should be just outside the forest.'
With a sense of urgency, Jaylen began to make his way out of the grove, navigating through the ethereal forest with determination.
The familiar yet altered landscape stirred memories, but he knew he had to stay focused. The path was clear, marked by his past footprints and the echoes of a time long gone.
As he approached the edge of the forest, he could feel the weight of the moment, the intersection of past and present, and the hope of altering the course of events that had haunted him for so long.
As he reached the large clearing, the grassland spread out before them, a sea of vibrant green interspersed with wildflowers swaying in the gentle breeze.
The sun hung high, casting its warm, golden rays across the land, creating a shimmering effect as the light danced off the dew-kissed blades of grass. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of freshly turned soil.
In the distance, the familiar mountain where Jaylen's family lived stood tall and proud, its peak piercing the sky. The silhouette of the city of shadows loomed far off, a dark contrast against the bright blue horizon.
Jaylen lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he scanned the horizon, thinking about their next move. 'If I recall correctly, I need to head west,'
Turning westward, he set his gaze on the distant mountain and the barely visible city of shadows. The sight filled him with a mix of nostalgia and urgency. With a determined stride, he began his journey across the expansive grassland.
He walked for about thirty minutes, the soft rustling of the grass accompanying his thoughts, when he suddenly kicked something.
Looking down, he first noticed a pair of black shoes—part of the school uniform—attached to peach-colored legs. Following the frame of the person, his eyes soon landed on a familiar face framed by light blue hair.
"Yuki," he said, his voice tinged with surprise.
A small, quiet groan escaped her lips as her eyes fluttered open. Sitting up, she let out a cute yawn and stretched, her movements languid and unguarded.
Her drowsy gaze locked onto Jaylen, and for a moment, she seemed confused. Then, her eyes widened in recognition and alarm.
Jumping to her feet like a startled cat, she blushed slightly and assumed a fighting stance. "You bastard! How dare you attack a sleeping enemy?"
Jaylen held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Whoa, Yuki, calm down. I didn't mean to kick you."
Yuki narrowed her eyes, but her stance relaxed slightly. "What are you doing here anyway?"
Jaylen sighed, glancing back toward the direction of the grove and then to the mountain. "I'm... not entirely sure. I think I'm here to prevent something, to change what happened."
Yuki's expression softened, her curiosity piqued. "Change what happened? What do you mean?"
Jaylen met her gaze, the weight of his mission clear in his eyes. "I think I've been given a second chance, Yuki. To make things right. To save Silvaria."
Her eyes widened at the mention of Sil's name, the memory of their mutual friend stirring deep emotions within her. She dropped her guard completely, her demeanor shifting from defensive to concerned. "How? How do you plan to do that?"
Jaylen took a deep breath, feeling the enormity of his task. "I don't know all the details yet, but I have to try. For her. For us."
The sincerity in his voice struck a chord with Yuki. She nodded slowly, a determined look crossing her face. "Then let's do it together. We owe her that much."
As they stood in the middle of the vibrant grassland, a renewed sense of purpose washed over Jaylen. With Yuki by his side, he felt a spark of hope. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead, to rewrite their past and forge a better future.
As they made their way to the likely location of their younger selves, Yuki couldn't help but voice her confusion. "So, how are we even in the past, and how do you know we can save Sil?"
Jaylen glanced at her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "First, take a look at your body."
As he spoke, Yuki glanced down and saw that her body was translucent. "As you can see, we aren't here in our physical bodies but instead as our souls."
"Wait, there's a conflict with that," Yuki argued. "My lineage awakened, so my soul should be more in the form of a phoenix."
Jaylen paused, looking at Yuki with an incredulous expression.
"Hey, what's that look for?" she demanded, her voice rising in frustration.
Sighing, Jaylen muttered under his breath, "Haa, is this what Brandon feels like with Sarah?" before addressing her more directly. "You know, for your score being just behind mine by two points, I really question how smart you are sometimes."
"Hey, that's not fair! Unlike you, I didn't research in-depth about bloodlines and Lineages and their effect on the soul," she retorted, crossing her arms defensively.
"Allow me to enlighten you," Jaylen said, his tone a mix of patience and exasperation.
"First, from the way you used your bloodline during our fight, it's obvious you can't access its full power. Second, you're still human. Unless you transform into your phoenix form, you'll look human. This also applies if you have a specter; it can change forms too."
Yuki's eyes widened in understanding. "Okay, I get it now. What about my other question?"
Jaylen's expression grew serious. "Well, this is just a theory, but if we warn her about what's about to happen or try to prevent it by telling someone else, then just maybe we'll be able to save her life." His fist clenched tightly, hope burning in his eyes.
Yuki fell silent, considering the gravity of his words. Then she asked the question that gnawed at both their hearts. "What if we've arrived the day before she died? If we have time, we can save her, but if it's the day before…"
Jaylen clenched his fists, the weight of her words heavy in the air. "Let's just hope that isn't the case," he said, quickening his pace as if trying to outrun his fears.
But were they really fears, or an underlying truth hidden behind a mask of deceit toying at the strings of fate? Could this really be the opportunity of a lifetime or a cruel trick of the mind waiting for Jaylen to drown in despair?