The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting long shadows across the ruined battlefield. Once known as the big apple, New York City, it now lay scattered with debris broken ceramic walls, half-destroyed buildings and remnants of fierce struggle. The air crackled with residual magic, a tangible reminder of the powerful sorcery that had marked the land.

The sound of a spar between two powerful foes sounded the air, Leo charged forward, sword raised high. A streak of flame erupted from his blade, lighting the twilight as he aimed to engulf Angus in its fury. But with a sophisticated gesture, Angus summed a barrier of shimmering light, absorbing the fiery attack. The air hissed and sizzled, illuminating his features as he smirked, his eyes narrowing with focus, his white long hair flowing with the wind .

"Is that all you have?" Angus taunted, his voice echoing across the desolation.

Leo, undeterred, shifted his stance and prepared for another strike. He poured his energy into the sword leaping forward with incredible speed. Angus conjures icicle, manipulating their movements to block Leo's attacks.

Leo pressed on with brute force, increasing his speed, he tries a sneak attack from behind. But Angus blocks his attack with a barricade of ice. Leo steps back and takes a steady stance as Angus turns to face him.

"Are you mocking me?" Angus snapped, his eyes narrowing into sharp slits.

Leo hesitated, his breath coming in short bursts as he held his stance. He could sense the growing storm in Angus's gaze, a tempest of frustration that swirled beneath the calm façade.

"I mock no one" Leo responded coolly, though a slight smirk tugged at his lips, his dark blue hair shimmering in the moonlight. "But I will bring you down."

Angus's placed his hand on his unsheathed sword around the hilt of his blade, his patience thinning. The air around him crackled with raw energy responding to the swell of his power. "Then stop toying with me and fight like you mean it" he growled, his voice dangerously low.

Leo's grip tightened around his sword, he knew at that moment he didn't have enough power to defeat Angus because of the "Punishment". Angus currently held the power of five Apostle System.

Angus lunged at his target, sending series of icicles through the air. Leo managed to dodge most of them but sharp shards grazed his skin, leaving faint traces of frostbite. Though unscathed by the direct hits, Leo could feel the cold creeping into his bones.

He landed, preparing to strike Angus with another blow, but something felt wrong. His body froze, literally. Leo looked down to find thick layers of ice encasing boots immobilizing him. He strained to pull free, but the ice held fast keeping locked in place.

"I thought the System of Apostles would be powerful" Angus muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with disdain. "But this… this is disappointing."

Leo gritted his teeth anger surging through him as he struggled against the icy trap. "Don't count me out yet" he growled, a spark of defiance flickering in his eyes.

Angus edged closer with each step, Leo's eye's growing wide with desperation. He couldn't die here, not now. He had to survive. The fate of the world depended on him.

Angus drew out his sword, raising it high, poised deal the final blow. Leo closed his eyes, praying for some kind of intervention, any hope that could save him.

The sharp whistle of the blade cutting through the air filled his ears, followed by a gasp. Leo's eyes shot open and his breath caught in his throat. Standing between him and Angus was Rachel, her back to Leo her stance firm.

"Rachel…" Leo whispered, his voice barely audible, his heart pounding his chest.

The sword in Angus's hand hovered mere inches from Rachel, who stood unwavering, a calmness radiating from her. Her presence alone sent a ripple of uncertainty through the battlefield.

"Enough, Angus," She said, her voice commanding yet calm, her eyes locking with his. "This fight isn't yours to win."

She turned to Leo, giving him a warm smile.

"I love you Leo" She whispered as tears rolled from her eyes "Use this chance well"

"Rachel…" Leo whispered under his breath "Don't"

She ignored him, staring straight at Angus "System Release" She yelled releasing a burst of energy.

"Rachel don't" Leo pleaded loudly.

Angus frowned "The System of Revival, when?"

Rachel smirked "Ask that in another life" With that the light brightened blinding Angus and Leo sending them flying and leaving them unconscious.

Leo gasped, his chest heaving as he shot up from the ground. The weight of the last battle and Rachel's sacrifice still clung to him, yet something felt off. The deafening sound of honking cars and the buzz of conversation told him immediately where he was- back in New York. But as he stood, feeling the solid ground beneath him he realized this wasn't any New York.

The skyscrapers rose high above him, the digital billboards flashing ads for the latest tech and trends, and people passed by him without a second glance. It was New York at it had been before the outbreak. Before the battle between the System Holders.

He caught his reflection in a store window and stopped dead in his tracks. His face was younger, his body lighter, no scars from the battles he had fought. His chest tightened as he tried to process the impossible-Rachel's System Release hadn't just reset the battle, it had sent him back. Back in time.

His hand instinctively reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone. The date on the screen confirmed it: they were ten years before the System Wars ever started. Ten years before everything fell apart.

Leo scanned the bustling streets his mind racing. He had a second chance. But what about Rachel?

His phone buzzed suddenly. Meet me at Central Park-ASAP

It was from her. Rachel.

He rushed through the streets of Manhattan, weaving between people, yellow taxis and the endless blur of city that never sleeps. The familiar landmarks rose around him, the Empire State Building, Times Square, but his focus was laser sharp. He had to see her.

When he reached Central Park, his eyes immediately found her. Rachel stood by the Bethesda Fountain, her expression light, as if nothing had happened. She waved at him, smiling as though they were just meeting for a normal day in the park. No battle. No System. No chaos.

His heart sank.

"Rachel" Leo said as he approached her, breathless from his sprint. "Do you remember?"

She looked at him with confusion tilting her head. "Remember what? Leo, are you okay?"

He stared at her trying to process the situation. Her eyes bright and curious, but there was no recognition. No sign that she had remembered the war, the System, or what had just happened. She didn't know.

Leo swallowed hard, his mind spinning. He had been sent back but Rachel hadn't. She was here, but she was no longer the one who shared the burden. He was alone.

Use this chance well, he reminded himself.

He had to make a choice. The future still depended on him.

"Rachel" a familiar voice called. Leo immediately held his guard up. It was Angus, a younger Angus.

"Leo what's up?" He gave his usual smile.

Leo hesitated, reminding himself he was in the past.

"I'm doing well, I'll see you both later" Leo smiled back waving them goodbye.

The rest of the Apostle Systems were still out there, dormant, waiting to be unleashed. But this time, he had time to stop it. And he couldn't do it alone.

As he walked away, Leo felt a sense of finality settle over him. He looked back at Rachel, knowing that the girl he had fought alongside him was gone. But the fight wasn't over.

Now, he had to find the rest of the six Apostles.

"But first" he muttered removing an item from his pocket, a blue pearl with a majestic design. It was one of the Apostles System he had managed to save from Angus. The Apostle System of Enhancement/Creation, the most powerful after his system. Only one person could handle it but unfortunately in the future he had died while trying to protect his lover.

"I need to get you back to your owner" He clenched his fists, a new sense of determination rising in him.

This time, he wouldn't fail