Chapter 1.
Humans do not learn from history.
The gentle lapping of water against stone stirred Elena from her slumber. Slowly, she opened her eyes, the sunlight filtering through the lush canopy above, dappling her vision with bands of golden light. A bit of confusion clouded her mind as she blinked away the remnants of sleep, taking a moment to orient herself. She was submerged in the cool embrace of the lake, surrounded by life teeming in every direction. The verdant greens of the Forbidden Forest enveloped her, a stark contrast to the desolate landscape she'd battled through just prior to her dark journey.
Elena took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, earthy scent of the forest, filled with the rustling leaves and the sweet melodies of birds. This was home, she realized. Her heart soared, wrapped in the warmth of nostalgia and tranquility. She recalled the feel of the dark energy that had threatened to consume her, leaving her changed and weary. But it was gone now, as if it had never existed. The very thought left her breathless. Was it possible? Had she genuinely returned to the past?
Gaining clarity, Elena waded out of the lake, droplets glistening like diamonds as they fell from her skin. She stood there for a moment, letting the beauty of her surroundings wash over her. The vibrant colors of wildflowers danced in the gentle breeze, and the distant song of the forest whispered sweet promises of safety and serenity.
"Not a single trace of the darkness," she murmured to herself, disbelief flickering in her mind. Her heart raced at the exhilarating prospect, but she quickly quelled any lingering wonder; there wasn't time to lose. She had to make sure that everything was still safe and as it should be.
Without hesitation, she sprinted towards her cabin, her feet sinking into the mossy earth as she dashed. Each step felt light, as if the burdens of her past life—her battles, her regrets—had evaporated into the air around her. The sprawling trees blurred past, their trunks familiar silhouettes in a cherished childhood memory.
The cabin stood near the edge of the lake, a quaint structure of timber that had endured the test of time. Its weathered exterior was inviting, a beacon of hope and familiarity. She burst through the door, eyes scanning every detail as she entered—a necessity, to reassure herself that all was as it should be.
And there, standing in the center of the main room, was Alterna.
Her homunculus servant, created from both artistry and magic, was a marvel of beauty that transcended conventional boundaries. With white hair cascading down her back and mismatched eyes—one a brilliant blue and the other a soft green—Alterna's visage was captivating, possessing both softness and strength. Yet, at that moment, her expression was blank, regarding Elena with a tilt of her head that was as perplexed as it was adorable.
"Alterna!" Elena exclaimed in a voice that carried a mixture of surprise, joy, and relief, her heart swelling as she stepped closer. Seeing her familiar figure grounded her, reigniting memories woven through the fabric of her heart.
"What's wrong, Master?" Alterna asked, tilting her head further, mouth barely curved with concern. The calm, neutral tone of her voice surfed in on waves of uncertainty. It caught Elena off guard, momentarily straying from the joy that flooded her chest.
The tension of the last few tumultuous days surged within Elena, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She didn't respond verbally but rushed toward Alterna, wrapping her arms around her in a desperate embrace. The act felt cathartic, a sense of peace washing over her like the gentle waves lapping at the shore of the lake. "You're still here," she whispered, her voice muffled against the fabric of Alterna's attire. Her heart traveled back to her regrets—the choices she could have made differently, the moments that had been ripped away from her.
Alterna stood still for a heartbeat, absorbing the unexpected embrace, then returned the gesture, her arms wrapping around Elena but lacking the same warmth of understanding. "Is something troubling you, Master?" she asked softly, her voice smooth as silk yet laced with genuine curiosity.
Elena took a shaky breath as she pulled back, wiping away the tears that had begun to trickle down her cheeks. Alterna's presence was a comforting anchor, and she marveled at how her transformation and suffering were stripped away in this new dawn. "I… I thought I lost you," she admitted, her voice trembling.
A somber look took hold of the homunculus's gaze. "You must be mistaken. I am here to serve you, Master. I have always been here."
Elena's heart sank slightly, the innocuous routine of their relationship re-establishing itself in a way that felt so painfully right and yet profoundly wrong. This was one of her regrets—the reality that her closest confidant would never know the depths of her heartache or the darkness they had survived together.
Before she could process the emotions swirling in her chest, Alterna's demeanor abruptly changed. She stepped back and began to rummage through the small larder in the corner of the cabin. "I was out gathering food for dinner," she announced, her voice neutral yet carrying an underlying note of urgency. "You will not believe what I found in the forest today."
Elena stepped forward, intrigued despite herself. "What is it?"
Alterna paused, glancing back at her master with those mismatched eyes. "A human child has entered the Forbidden Forest." There was a hint of concern in her tone, as if this news were weightier than the ordinary.
Elena felt her heart leap into her throat. The forest was a sacred place, not one typically roamed by humans. Its wild magic was potent and dangerous, and many of the inhabitants would see any intrusion as a threat. "A child?" she echoed, the implications sweeping over her. If a child had wandered into the forest, it could mean trouble—trouble that might spark unwarranted attention. "What do you mean by…"
"It was wandering alone, Master. I thought at first it was a lost fawn, but it spoke." Alterna's voice had returned to its steady tone, pricking at Elena's concern. "It seemed frightened—alone."
"What were you going to do?" Elena asked, a sudden urgency bubbling in her veins. A child in the forest, especially alone, could have dire consequences. "You can't just leave it there!"
Alterna tilted her head again, her face an expressionless canvas. "I planned to assess the situation. If the child posed a threat to this sanctuary, it would need to be dealt with accordingly."
"Dealt with? Alterna, it's just a child!" Elena exclaimed, her pulse quickening as she felt protective instincts flare. "We have no way of knowing its intentions. What if it truly is lost? We can't harm it!"
Alterna regarded her with an unreadable expression, still processing the turn of emotions that Elena displayed. "Very well, Master. But we must proceed with caution. Bringing a human into the heart of the Forbidden Forest… the balance may shift."
Elena nodded, her mind racing as she considered the implications of their choice. The time looming before them felt electric, brimming with possibility and danger alike. A part of her had longed for the innocence of the past, a time where life was much simpler. But she knew very well that nothing could remain untouched, and peace was an illusion swiftly shattered.
"Let's go find this child."
With her heart pounding, she glanced back towards the door, the sunlight bathing her in its embrace. The world had given her a second chance, and while she had no idea the path that lay ahead would bring pain or joy, she resolved to protect this new beginning—for herself, for Alterna, and for the life yet unwritten.
As they stepped into the forest, a mix of anticipation and trepidation coursed through her. The Forbidden Forest was alive with whispers, intertwining their essence with the unknown. The child stood somewhere within its depths, waiting to collide with their carefully woven fates.
After navigating through dense thickets and under canopies of ancient trees, they arrived at the towering Narra tree, a magnificent giant whose roots sprawled like serpents across the forest floor. It was a sacred landmark, and Elena's pulse quickened at the sight. This was where Alterna had glimpsed the child.
"Do you see anything?" Elena asked, scanning the area around the grand tree, her heart racing with an urgency founded in both fear and hope.
Alterna crouched low, her perceptive eyes analyzing the shadows cast by the sun filtering through the leaves. "Not yet, Master. But I can sense fear and confusion lingering in the air."
Pushing through the thick underbrush, Elena moved closer to the tree. It was vast, sheltering a world all its own, and as she came around to the other side, she felt something tugging at her heart—a familiar resonance that sent chills down her spine.
Suddenly, her eyes widened. In the distance, she spotted a small figure lying on the ground, and her breath hitched in her throat. Glinting under the dappling light was a shade of blond hair that appeared almost ethereal in the wilderness. "There!" she gasped, rushing forward without a second thought.
As she drew closer, uncertainty pooled in her stomach. Something about the stillness of the child made her heart race unevenly. When she reached the figure, she knelt beside it, unleashing a tumult of emotions swirling inside her.
It was a young child, unconscious but breathing. Elena felt a strange ache in her chest as she took in the delicate features. The child's face was soft, innocent—a stark contrast to the hardened exterior that she had once known. She leaned closer, her pulse throbbing with shock and recognition, and her heart faltered. "It can't be… what is he doing here?" she mumbled, bewilderment flooding her senses.
The child's features mirrored someone she recognized all too well, yet the image was painfully distant. Those youthful contours, unmarred by time or darkness, could only belong to one person—the boy she had fought against, Kael.
"He's here," she whispered, both astonished and horrified by the implications. "But how? This is impossible."
Alterna, stepping beside her, observed the unconscious child with an unreadable expression. "You know him?"
Elena nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. Memories flooded her mind, of battles lost and choices made, the heavy weight of regret threatening to consume her. Seeing Kael as a child was both a balm and a thorn, evoking a sense of longing for the innocence that had been lost to the ravages of time.
"We need to take him home," Elena urged, her voice firm. "He's in danger out here."
"Master, we must tread carefully. If he is unconscious, he may have been drawn here for a reason. The forest does not guard its secrets lightly," Alterna advised, her gaze unfaltering as she processed the gravity of the situation.
"It's fine, he will be within the cabin."
Steeling her resolve, she gently scooped Kael into her arms, feeling the weight of both his fragile body and the enormous responsibility resting on her shoulders. Turning to Alterna, she nodded, an understanding passing between them.
The heaven's must have pity her, and gave her the opportunity. She will not let the past happen again.
'I will change the history.'