Serano gazed at the shadow emanating from the Time Rune he held and asked, "What is your name?"
The shadow trembled for a moment before replying, "You are the second person to ask for my name. My name is 'Nuyar.'"
Nuyar looked at his new master and felt that he would be different from the previous contractors who possessed the Time Rune. He said, "My lord, I will make sure to serve you faithfully."
Nuyar continued, "To use any Rune Stone, you must fulfill its conditions. In other words, the stone requires something in exchange for what you want."
Serano responded with curiosity, "Do you mean like human sacrifices?"
Nuyar replied, "Not exactly, but you're close. For example, the user of the Space Rune, which grants its wielder immense power, must give up the most precious thing they have. As for the Time Rune, it requires you to take someone else's time. Meaning, you must kill someone or steal another person's time."
Serano pondered and asked, "Is that the only condition? When I mentioned human sacrifices, you said it was similar but not quite the same?"
Nuyar answered, "Yes, what I meant was that this doesn't apply to all stones. Each Rune has its own conditions. I understand why you're surprised about the Space Rune specifically. That stone requires its owner to give up all desires. Even after the contract is completed, the stone continues to take everything its wielder might want. That's why those who contract with it don't live long."
Serano, still surprised by Nuyar's words, asked, "What about the Time Rune? And do you have any information about the other stones?"
Nuyar laughed and said, "Don't worry, the Time Rune doesn't require you to become a monk in a temple."
He added, "Also, if you completely consume someone's time, there's a chance that their entire timeline will disappear. No one will remember them except you. As for the other stones, I only know about them because you haven't met their owners in the future yet. That's why I know about the Space Rune and a few others."
Serano, deep in thought, asked, "Do you mean you've already seen my new future?!"
Nuyar replied, "Yes, this is your third, or maybe fourth, or fifth life... Honestly, I lost count after the fifth one."
Serano, suddenly angry, said, "Wait! Then why did you fight me the first time we met?"
At that moment, Serano heard a knock on the door. Nuyar disappeared into the shadows, and a maid entered, saying, "Excuse me, young master, but the head of the family wishes to see you."
Serano replied, "Tell him I'm on my way."
Serano changed his clothes as the servants around him attended to him faithfully. After he was ready, he headed to meet his father in his study. As he walked through the castle's corridors, he recalled the fateful day when the royal court knights stormed their castle and took him and his family in chains to the royal hall for trial, accused of attempting a coup against the Kingdom of Darkon.
In the hall, the head of the family, known as the Saint of the Sword, stood tall despite being shackled. The king was not present due to his mysterious illness, and the queen presided over the trial.
The queen spoke with a commanding voice, "Let the trial begin."
The judge started, "You, Gerald Darkrief, are accused of high treason against the kingdom and of attempting to overthrow the ruling family. How do you plead?"
Gerald raised his head and said calmly, "No matter what I say, you won't believe me. But your problem is with me, not my family."
Gerald released a powerful aura that terrified everyone present. He could have fought and escaped with his family, but he trusted, until the very last moment, that the king, his childhood friend and closest ally, would not betray him.
The judge declared in a clear voice, "We will grant you your final wish. Now, the thirteen judges have decided to strip the Darkrief family of all titles, privileges, and properties. Duke Gerald Darkrief is sentenced to execution, while the rest of the family will be pardoned and the other conspirators returned for further trials."
After this verdict, Duke Gerald was dragged to the public execution platform, where his head was placed on the chopping block. The executioner was ordered to release the rope, and thus Gerald met his end.
Although the judges promised to free the remaining family members, they were instead taken back after Gerald's execution. Some of Serano's father's friends tried to help them escape from prison, but while fleeing north, they were ambushed by a group of knights searching for them to kill them. As they ran, arrows rained down from the sky, striking Serano's mother, younger brother, and little sister. His mother and brother died instantly, while Serano held his wounded sister in his arms, hiding from the knights. Eventually, his sister bled to death. Somehow, Serano survived and made it to the northern mountains covered in snow.
Serano stopped reminiscing as he reached the door of his father's study. He entered and found his father sitting at his desk, reading a book.
Gerald looked at his son and said, "Serano, it's time to talk."
Serano sat before his father, waiting for what he would say.
To be continued...