Merslin and Elena stood before the dimensional gate, feeling the pounding of their hearts.
The sky darkened, and the shadow of an eclipse loomed overhead.
"Are you ready?"
Merslin asked, looking at Elena.
She took a deep breath and nodded.
The moment they stepped through the gate, their bodies felt weightless, engulfed in a dazzling light.
A sensation of space distorting around them overwhelmed their senses—
They had returned to Luminaria.
A Changed Luminaria
As they took their first steps into the familiar land, they were left speechless.
The once bright blue sky had faded into a pale gray.
The towering walls of the city were cracked and crumbling, as if immense hands had twisted and crushed them.
The city still stood, but the lively streets were now silent.
Markets that had once been bustling with life now stood abandoned, their stalls empty and lifeless.
"Is this… really the Luminaria we fought to protect?"
Elena murmured, her voice filled with disbelief.
Merslin's expression hardened as he surveyed the ruined city.
"We didn't come back for no reason. We will take it back."
The Curse of the Ancient Gods
While exploring the city, they encountered a familiar face.
"Merslin, Elena… You've finally returned."
It was Alex.
He still looked strong, but his eyes held exhaustion and sorrow.
"Luminaria became like this because of the curse of the Ancient Gods."
"They did not destroy our city directly, but their magic is consuming everything."
"People live in fear, and we've lost so much trying to fight them."
Merslin's eyes shone with unwavering determination.
"We came back for a reason."
"We will save Luminaria."
Reuniting with Lisa – The Kingdom's Training Grounds
Merslin and Elena made their way to the kingdom's training grounds.
It was a place where warriors trained relentlessly, filled with the echoes of battle cries and clashing weapons.
However, what they saw was different.
The soldiers' faces were weary, their morale shattered.
The scars of a recent great battle still weighed heavily upon them.
Then, a powerful voice rang out from the center of the grounds.
"Focus! Fight as if the enemy is right in front of you!"
It was Lisa.
Dressed in shining armor, gripping a massive sword, she commanded the soldiers with confidence and strength.
Her stance was firm—she had become a true warrior of the kingdom.
Merslin smiled as he raised his hand in greeting.
"Lisa!"
Lisa turned and, upon seeing them, her face lit up with surprise and joy.
"Merslin, Elena! It's been too long!"
After instructing the soldiers to rest, she approached them.
"You've grown stronger."
"Seeing you lead the soldiers like this… It feels surreal."
Merslin said with admiration.
Lisa nodded, a small smile on her lips.
"Thanks, Merslin. I've come a long way. Training these soldiers has given me a lot of experience."
But then, her expression turned serious.
"This isn't just a simple reunion, is it?"
"I've heard rumors—the influence of the Ancient Gods is spreading."
"Even the soldiers are losing heart."
Merslin nodded gravely.
"That's why we need you. Luminaria is in danger again."
Lisa's eyes burned with determination.
"Of course, I'll fight with you."
"We've fought to protect Luminaria before… We'll do it again!"
The Mage's Tower – Meeting with Alex
Merslin and his companions traveled to the Mage's Tower.
There, they met Alex—the royal mage and Elena's mentor.
He looked up from his books and smiled warmly.
"Merslin, Elena, Lisa… You've come."
Elena, concern evident in her voice, asked,
"Master, is it true that the Ancient Gods are rising again?"
Alex gazed out the window, his voice heavy with certainty.
"Yes, it's true."
"Their power is growing, and their shadows stretch over all of Luminaria."
"We must not let our guard down."
Merslin's expression darkened.
"Then what must we do?"
Alex unrolled an ancient scroll and pointed to a passage.
"According to these ancient texts, there is a sealed location that may hold the key to stopping their resurrection."
"You must find it."
Elena's gaze remained firm.
"Then we will set out immediately."
Lisa clenched her fists.
"Yes. We've overcome impossible odds before—we'll do it again."
Merslin took a deep breath, tightening his grip on his staff.
"Time is running out. We need to gather our allies and move quickly."
Alex gave them a reassuring nod.
"I trust you all. Luminaria's fate now rests in your hands."
And So, the Legend Begins Again
Merslin and his companions stood together once more.
To stop the resurrection of the Ancient Gods.
To reclaim their home.
To fight for the future of Luminaria.
A new legend is about to unfold.
The Gathering and Research of Merslin's Party
Merslin unfolded an ancient manuscript, his voice calm but firm.
"According to this document, a specific ritual must be performed to prevent the revival of the Ancient Gods. However, the exact method remains unclear."
Elena nodded, her brows furrowed in concentration.
"You're right. We need more research. And we need to move quickly—time is running out."
Lisa clenched her fist, her determination unwavering.
"If we stand together, we can overcome any challenge. We must stop the resurrection of the Ancient Gods."
Aria, organizing the information she gathered from the wounded, spoke thoughtfully.
"Some of the injured spoke of strange dreams—visions influenced by the Ancient Gods. Those visions might hold clues."
Serena, analyzing the situation rapidly, added,
"We need to consolidate all our findings and divide our tasks. If we act efficiently, we may still have a chance."
The Guardians of Time and Dimensions
Meanwhile, an emergency had been declared among the Titans of Time and Space.
Kronos, the Titan of Time, along with his guardians, had discovered something alarming—Kim Young-Min, known as Merslin in the fantasy realm, had traveled through dimensions and sent knowledge back to his past self.
This act had disrupted the balance of the multiverse, causing fractures in its delicate equilibrium.
In a grand celestial chamber, the Time Guardians—Aeon, Kalix, and Temora—gathered for an emergency meeting.
Kronos, his presence imposing, addressed them with a grave tone.
"It has been confirmed—Kim Young-Min, known as Merslin, has traveled through dimensions and altered the past by sending information to his former self. This is a serious violation of the laws of time."
Aeon, the Seer of Time, spoke next.
"Interfering with past events can lead to profound consequences for both the present and the future. We must predict the outcomes of his actions."
Kalix, the Keeper of Equilibrium, crossed his arms.
"The balance between dimensions is already unstable. We must be prepared to intervene. Merslin's actions cannot go unchecked."
Temora, the Oracle of Fate, closed her eyes as she glimpsed potential futures.
"The results are uncertain. If Merslin succeeds, he might restore balance. But if he fails… the consequences will be catastrophic. We must decide whether to aid him or stop him."
Kronos remained silent, his mind weighing every possibility. After careful thought, he made his decision.
"We will monitor Merslin. If his actions further violate the laws of time, we will intervene. But first, we will confront him and make him aware of the consequences of his choices."
The Time Guardians' Warning
As Merslin, Elena, Lisa, Aria, and Serena continued their research on preventing the resurrection of the Ancient Gods, a blinding light suddenly illuminated the room.
The air trembled with power as the Time Guardians appeared before them.
Aeon's voice resonated through the chamber.
"Merslin, your actions have caused fractures in the multiverse."
Kalix followed, his tone stern.
"By traveling through dimensions and sending knowledge back to your past self, you have disrupted the balance of existence."
Temora's voice was softer, but no less serious.
"We have been watching you. Do you understand the consequences of what you have done?"
Merslin's eyes widened in shock as he processed their words.
"I only did what I thought was necessary to stop the Ancient Gods. All I did was retrieve knowledge from another time and cross dimensions. If my actions have caused damage, then we need to find a way to fix it—together."
Aeon's gaze did not waver.
"Your intentions are irrelevant. The fact remains that the balance of the multiverse is now unstable. We must repair the fractures."
Kalix's voice was sharp.
"Do you realize the magnitude of your actions? We may have no choice but to stop you."
Temora, ever the mediator, interjected.
"But if your goal is truly to save the multiverse, then perhaps we can work together. First, we must assess the full extent of the damage your actions have caused."
Merslin took a deep breath, his expression hardening.
"Fine. If my actions have created instability, then let's find out exactly how. But know this—I won't stop fighting for the future."
Despite Merslin's words, the Time Guardians did not yet trust him.
Aeon's gaze sharpened.
"We cannot trust you so easily. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the impact of your actions."
Kalix nodded.
"We must determine whether you are truly trying to save the multiverse—or if there is another motive behind your actions."
Temora's voice was firm yet watchful.
"We will be watching you. Every step you take, every action you make—we will observe it closely."
For now, the Time Guardians and Merslin's party agreed to work together to investigate the dimensional fractures and seek a way to restore balance.
Yet, mistrust still lingered in the air.
Merslin and his allies knew that every action from this point forward would be scrutinized.
Their mission was no longer just about stopping the Ancient Gods—
It was now about proving that they were the ones who could save the multiverse.