Chapter 8: The Time Weaver
Eric was silent for a moment, his lips pressed together. The man's words echoed in his mind.
"I'm the one who sent you back."
The statement was not only surprising but also confusing. If true, it would mean that there was a force far greater than just bad luck that brought him back to the past.
"Who are you?" Eric finally asked, his tone firm even though his thoughts were still a mess.
The black-robed man smiled faintly, his steps calm as he approached Eric and Celeste. "I am someone who ensures the wheel of time keeps turning on its axis, even if sometimes I have to turn back the clock."
Eric's eyes narrowed. "Does that mean you're the one responsible for my regression? You're the one who brought me back to this time?"
The man nodded slowly. "Yes. Your regression was no accident. It was part of a larger plan."
Celeste, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up. "Wait… what are you talking about? Regression? Eric, what do you mean?"
Eric turned to Celeste. There was guilt in his eyes, but also determination. "Celeste… I haven't had a chance to tell you. But I… I'm not who I am now. I mean, I am me, but—"
"I know what he's trying to say," the man interrupted, his tone flat but authoritative. "Eric Valentinus Everia is not just a 20-year-old boy. He is a man who has lived a long life as a Martial King—a man who has lost everything. I sent you back, Eric, to make things right."
Celeste's eyes widened. "What? Long life? Losing everything? Eric, are you serious?"
Eric nodded slowly, putting his hands on Celeste's shoulders. "Celeste, I know this is hard to believe. But I… I've lived this life before. I've seen the future—a future where our family was destroyed, this kingdom collapsed, and I lost everything. I died in that destruction. But now, I've been given a second chance to change everything."
Celeste stared at Eric with a look of shock. But behind her wide eyes, there was a trace of trust. "So… what do you do now? What should we change?"
"Everything," Eric replied firmly. "And this man,"—he pointed to the robed man—"seems to know more about what happens in the future than I do."
The cloaked man chuckled. "You're quite clever, Eric. But know that time is not a game. Every change you make will have unforeseen consequences."
Eric clenched his fists, but before he could say anything, the man raised his hand. Instantly, the air around them changed. The room they were standing in began to fade, replaced by a completely different scene.
They now stood on a battlefield. All around them, unknown forces fought fiercely, weapons clashed, and angry shouts echoed in the air.
"What is this?" Celeste asked in a panicked tone.
"This is one possible future," the robed man replied. "If you fail, Eric. If you are unable to change the fate of your family and this kingdom."
Eric looked out at the battlefield with a heavy heart. He recognized some of the faces—they were people he had fought with in the future. But here, they all looked defeated, fighting for their lives against a force far greater than their own.
"Who is responsible for all this?" Eric asked in a trembling voice.
The man did not answer directly. Instead, he pointed to a point in the distance. Eric followed his finger and saw a large figure standing on top of a hill. The figure was wearing a dark robe, and his aura exuded a terrifying power.
"That is your greatest enemy," the cloaked man said. "He is a shadow of your creation, Eric. Your past choices brought him here. If you want to change the future, you must face him."
Before Eric could ask further, the large figure raised his hand, and instantly the battlefield changed again.
They returned to the original room, but the atmosphere felt heavier. The robed man stood before them with a solemn expression.
"This is just the beginning, Eric. If you want to change your family's fate, you must prepare yourself to face the bitter truth. Leon, Seraphina, even your father… they all played a part in this destruction. The choice is yours—face them, or fall with them."
Eric tried to calm his chaotic thoughts. He knew this wasn't just about his family or himself. This was about the kingdom, about the people who would suffer if he failed.
The man moved his face closer to Eric and Celeste, then whispered in a voice that was almost a hiss. "You have limited time. Use it wisely. And remember, Eric… I only gave you a tool. What you do with it is entirely up to you."
With that last sentence, the robed man simply disappeared, leaving Eric and Celeste in confusion.
Eric looked at Celeste, then said in a low voice, "We have to act quickly. There is no time to hesitate."
However, before Celeste could answer, a deep voice echoed in the room.
"Eric Valentinus Everia," the voice called out menacingly. "If you want to change your fate, you must prove yourself first."
From the shadows, a large figure with glowing red eyes emerged, his steps shaking the floor beneath him.
Eric immediately raised his gaze, staring at the large figure that now stood before them. The large shadow looked like a knight from a dark legend, with black armor that seemed to absorb the light around it. In his hand, a large sword that gleamed with dark red energy looked like something born from destruction.
Celeste pressed herself against Eric, anxious but trying to stay calm. "Who else could it be?" she whispered, her voice shaking.
The creature just stared at Eric with a piercing gaze. "I am the Guardian of the Trials. And you, Eric Valentinus Everia, are next on the list of time trials."
Eric remained silent. The pressure from this creature was overwhelming, but he tried not to show his fear.
"What test are you talking about?" Eric asked, his voice cold but firm.
The creature laughed lowly, a sound that sounded like metal clashing. "Your test is simple but deadly. You have been given the power to go back in time, against the flow of time. But power is not a right—it is a burden. And you have to prove yourself worthy to keep it."
Celeste looked at Eric, looking hesitant. "Eric, are you sure this is… something you can handle?"
Eric took a deep breath, then turned to Celeste with a small smile. "I have no choice, Celeste. If I want to save us all, I have to go through this."
The creature raised its sword, pointing it directly at Eric. "The test begins now. If you survive and defeat me, you will be allowed to continue your journey. But if you fail…"
The creature stopped, swinging its sword to the side. The ground beneath them cracked and split, showing the immense power of the figure.
"If you fail," he continued, "your time will be taken back. You will be erased, and everything you have worked for will be in vain."
Eric nodded slowly, then looked at Celeste. "Stay behind me, no matter what."
Celeste bit her lip, looking reluctant, but eventually nodded.
Eric took a deep breath, then drew his sword. Pale blue energy began to flow along the blade, shining like stars in the darkness. He knew that this test was not just a battle of physical strength—it was also a battle of will and conviction.
The creature wasted no time. It attacked first, its sword gleaming with a dark red light that shattered the air around it. Eric blocked the attack with his sword, and the clash of the two created a shockwave that shook the room.
Their battle was fierce. Every swing of the creature's sword felt like it was trying to destroy Eric's entire existence. However, Eric held his ground, using his speed and cunning to avoid the deadly attacks.
"Show your resolve!" the creature shouted, launching an increasingly rapid barrage of attacks.
Eric growled, using all his strength to block the attack. But amid the fight, he realized something. His sword, which usually felt like an extension of himself, now felt heavy. The energy flowing through it seemed to be fighting against him as if testing his heart.
"Don't let doubt get the better of you, Eric!" Celeste shouted from behind.
Eric closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his mind. He remembered his ultimate goal—to change his family's fate, protect Celeste, and save the kingdom. With strengthened determination, he opened his eyes and fought back.
Each swing of his sword was now more precise, each step more steady. He began to push the creature back, though the pressure he felt was still incredible.
However, the creature suddenly jumped back, raising its sword high. A deep red light gathered around its sword, forming a large ball of energy that looked ready to destroy everything.
"This is the end, Eric Valentinus Everia!" the creature shouted, throwing the attack straight at Eric.
Eric did not retreat. Instead, he raised his sword, letting pale blue energy envelop his body. "I will not give up!" he shouted.
He swung his sword forward, creating a massive wave of energy that collided with the creature's attack. The two energies pushed against each other, creating a massive explosion that shook the entire room.
As the dust and smoke slowly cleared, Eric stood in the middle of the field, his breath coming in short gasps. The creature had fallen to its knees, its sword stuck in the ground.
"You… have proven yourself," he said softly, before slowly disappearing into a dark mist.
Eric lowered his sword, his body feeling tired but his heart filled with victory. He turned to Celeste, who ran up to him with a worried face.
"Eric! Are you okay?"
Eric nodded, giving a small smile. "I'm fine. But this is just the beginning, Celeste. We have a long way to go."
Celeste nodded, though her heart was still full of anxiety. She knew that what they faced ahead might be much harder than this. However, she also knew that together with Eric, they had a chance to change everything.
---
After the creature disappeared, the room they were standing in slowly changed. A dim light began to fill the place, revealing ancient symbols on the walls that had previously been hidden by shadow. The symbols seemed to pulse, as if alive, and began to radiate energy that made the air feel heavy.
Eric gripped his sword tightly, his eyes alert for any changes. Celeste stood over him, her hands shaking slightly, but the determination on her face remained firm.
"This place… feels like it's checking us out," Celeste whispered.
Eric nodded, still scanning their surroundings. "This might be part of the test. But at least we got through the first part."
Before Eric could go any further, a voice echoed from all directions, a voice that sounded like the whispers of thousands of souls speaking in unison. "Your test is not over, Eric Valentinus Everia. The next choice will determine your journey."
Before them, a circle of light appeared on the floor. From the circle, two forked paths formed: one lit with a soothing white light, while the other was dark, barely visible.
"Two paths," Celeste murmured. "But where will they take us?"
The voice echoed again, this time clearer. "Choose, Eric. The bright path offers safety and clarity of purpose. The dark path is the true test, full of dangers, but also answers to your questions."
Celeste looked at Eric doubtfully. "What do you mean? The bright path sounds much safer, Eric. You don't have to take any more risks. We can continue this journey without having to take that dark path."
But Eric kept looking down the dark path. His eyes narrowed, trying to see something in the darkness. In his heart, he knew that whatever awaited him there, was the key to understanding the power that had brought him back to the past.
"I can't take the easy path, Celeste," Eric said finally. "If I want to save anyone—you, our family, even this kingdom—I have to fully understand what I'm up against."
"But Eric, what if this is a trap?" Celeste tried to persuade him. "What if you don't come back from that path?"
Eric smiled faintly, turning to her. "I've died once, Celeste. If that's what it takes to ensure our future, then I'll do it again."
Without waiting for an answer, Eric stepped into the dark path. Celeste hesitated for a moment, but eventually followed, gripping Eric's robe tightly. "Okay, then I'll come with you. No matter what happens, I won't let you go through it alone."
As they stepped into the darkness, the light behind them faded, as if closing off the way back. The sound of their footsteps echoed, while the air grew cold and filled with faint whispers. Eric gripped his sword tighter, as his eyes continued to scan the surroundings.
"Get ready, Eric Valentinus Everia," the voice echoed once more, deeper and more menacing. "This path will test everything: your heart, your resolve, even your relationships with your loved ones. Are you ready to face the shadows of a past you have long tried to forget?"
Eric paused for a moment, feeling something emerge from the darkness ahead. Faint silhouettes began to form, bringing back faces long lost from his life.
Celeste looked on in horror. "What is that…?" she asked in a low voice.
Eric took a deep breath, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart. "My past."
And before them, the shadow began to take shape, bringing with it a long-buried story.
The image became clearer until it finally showed a figure wearing the royal attire of Ferothar—the attire worn by Eric's father, Duke Alaric Everia. His face was filled with regret, his eyes filled with deep sadness. However, there was something unusual about his expression; it was as if there was something unfamiliar in his gaze.
"Eric…" the voice flowed slowly, heavy and full of emotion. "Do you want to know what happened in the past? What I have done to you and our family?"
Eric froze, his breath holding. The figure before him was so real—too real. It was an image of his father, but Eric knew this was not the father he knew. It was a shadow from the past, a depiction of a choice that had shaped his destiny.
"Dad…" Eric's voice was choked, but he still stepped forward. "What are you doing? What are you hiding from us?"
Duke Alaric's shadow sighed, his expression darkening. "Sometimes, to protect those we love, we must make very difficult choices, choices that are invisible to the naked eye. The power you now possess, Eric, is the result of those choices."
Celeste looked at Eric worriedly. "What does he mean, Eric? What is he talking about?"
Eric bit his lip, torn between feelings of longing and hatred for the shadow of his father. "This is part of the test. Part of what I have to go through to truly understand what happened and what I have to do going forward."
The shadowy Duke Alaric continued, his voice now deeper. "Your power is not a gift. It is the result of a sacrifice made by a family. I was forced to make a decision that would bring hardship to all of us—but I could never tell you. And now, you must face that reality."
The figure slowly began to fade, as if becoming a thin mist that blended with the darkness around them. Before it completely disappeared, the shadow said, "Only by revealing all of this will you be able to understand your path forward."
In a barely audible voice, Eric whispered, "I won't let it go to waste. Whatever I have to do, I'll fix it."
Suddenly, the darkness around them faded little by little, and they were surrounded by other shadows—faces from the past, long-forgotten memories. Every face reminded Eric of something he had forgotten or perhaps deliberately buried in his heart. The faces of family, friends, and enemies are all tied together in a complicated web of destiny.
Celeste looked around, looking flabbergasted. "Eric… all of this, these are your memories, aren't they?"
Eric lowered his head, his eyes heavy with memories coming back to life. "Yes… This is a past I can't forget. But maybe this is what I have to go through. I have to understand everything to move forward."
The voice came again, deeper and more menacing. "Eric, you must choose. No path is truly safe. Every choice you make will change your future. What will you choose?"
Darkness closed in around them, uniting the shadows that had emerged. Eric knew this was not just a test of strength, but a test of the heart. Every choice he made here would have a profound impact on their journey forward. There was no choice he could avoid.
"I will choose," Eric said firmly, his eyes shining with determination. "I will choose the right path, not just for myself, but for everyone I care about."
Celeste looked at Eric with admiration, though there was still fear in her eyes. "No matter what happens, I will always be by your side, Eric."
With those words, the shadows around them began to fade one by one, leaving a space awaiting their next step.
But before they could go any further, the voice sounded again, deeper and more menacing. "Remember, Eric Valentinus Everia, nothing is ever truly gone. The past will always return, and the path you choose today will shape your destiny forever."
Eric looked at Celeste, then nodded. "There's no such thing as an easy path. But I'm going to make sure we survive this, Celeste. We're going to go together—wherever destiny takes us."
They continued their journey, entering the depths of trials greater than any they had ever faced before, with determination and faith growing stronger within them.
They walked deeper into the darkness, each with a burden on their mind. Eric felt a growing pressure as if the space around them was getting smaller, and each step felt heavier. Celeste walked behind him, her eyes watching every movement, but she felt uneasy. There was something very strange about this place—an indescribable aura, filled with an unseen threat.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them shook. A rumbling sound began to be heard in the distance, like something very large was moving towards them. Eric paused for a moment, feeling the vibrations seep into his bones. Something large, something that could not be avoided, was approaching.
"Eric..." Celeste whispered, her voice shaking. "What is it?"
Eric looked back, trying to see clearly, but the darkness was too thick to see clearly. However, his instincts told him that this was no ordinary encounter. Something darker, more dangerous, was approaching.
"Be careful," Eric said in a firm voice. "Don't let your guard down. Whatever comes, we have to be ready."
Suddenly, from within the pitch-black darkness, a giant figure emerged. Its steps shook the ground, making the air around them feel heavy. Its face was indiscernible, only a large shadow that radiated a biting dark aura. In the giant's hand, a large object, perhaps a weapon, glinted under the fading light.
"Who are you?" Eric shouted, his eyes trying to catch the figure, although the distance made it difficult to judge the strength of this enemy.
The figure did not answer, just stood still, looking at Eric with eyes that seemed to hide a secret deeper than could be understood. The figure then moved, and with a very fast movement, launched an attack on Eric and Celeste.
Eric reflexively raised his sword, blocking the attack with all his might. However, the force of the attack was so great—his sword nearly flew out of his grasp. Celeste screamed, trying to find cover behind Eric.
"Eric!" Celeste screamed, terrified. "We can't last like this!"
But before Eric could answer, a booming voice echoed throughout the room, deepening the darkness around them. "You have come too far, Eric Valentinus Everia..." the voice was deep and echoing, filled with a very real threat.
Eric stared blankly at the giant figure, his body shaking not only from fear but also from a strange feeling that crept into him—a feeling that this was no ordinary battle. This was the ultimate test. A test that would change his destiny forever.
Without further warning, the giant figure raised his hand, and in the blink of an eye, the space around them began to twist, converging into an inescapable chaos.
"Eric!" Celeste called, but her voice began to grow muffled as if everything was getting further and further away. Time began to run backward—unforgivingly, and Eric knew… they were on the brink of an abyss they could not escape.
And in an instant, everything they knew began to disappear, leading them into deeper darkness.
In the darkness, Eric could only hear a growing roar, a sound that came from far away... very far away, and he knew, for the first time in his life, that they had stepped into a trap bigger than they could have imagined.
What will happen?
How do they get out of this?
When all seems lost, what will Eric choose?
End of Chapter