《The Returnee》


 99 - The End

    A person kneeled upon a hill, as if he was praying. Scars garnished all over his face and body. His obsolete armories and weapon seemed to be no longer fixable even under his best magic spell.


    But the painful look on his face didn''t came from all those injuries, not even the deadly prick of a spear in his chest.


    The guiltiness did, the terrific sore that his heart dwelled upon.


    Indecision had him losing countless things almost in every phase of his entire life.


    He promised into his empty heart that he''d never have all his faults to happen ever again.


    A piece sheeny divine diamond was at his handheld and he squeezed on it while taking a closer look to the awful view nearby; he smiled in exhaustion for the last time.


    Every corpse at his surroundings started to get wrapped up by the rays of sun that was seemingly came from his hometown. A house that was so peculiar to its nearby ocean and the scent of salt and fish.


    The strong will to return back home remained in the depth of his heart, to apologize for the disappointment he made towards his parents.


    To the parents of his loved one for not being able to make any fine change of his deeds.


    Despite the failures, opportunities for his will weren''t there either.


    He''s about to restart this all over again and fix every single thing that has led him to this end.


    "I''m sorry..... I......" his thoughts were getting slightly incoherent as consciousness started to vanish.


    The sun managed to soar its light closer to the hill as if it was an hourglass telling him only a few tiny bit of time remaining.


    With the very least of his power, the only thing dwelled in his mind was to fix everything.


    The light began to embrace his whole face, the sun was seen patiently waiting for his final wish to be done.


    Both his cold red eyes looked constantly vivid by the gentle, beautiful sun rays as fiery as the determination that flamed in his wide holed chest made by the deadly spears of opponents who died before him.


    He stumbled, becoming one of the lied ones.


    As he fell upon piles of dead bodies which he previously took lives from, the world started to turn backwards.


    His soul flew above the air, the miraculous diamond has led him to nowhere as it granted his final wish.


    He witnessed every previous moments before disaster, layers of magic circles he casted returned back to normal. Even armories and the weapon lost their obsolescences.


    He stood still while the soldiers began walking backwards away from him to the east while the sun rotated against the clock and recoiled as universe seemingly swallowed it.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    His body got pulled as well, irregularly moved backwards to the sorrowful moment where he didn''t manage to get a proper burial for his one and only woman


    The rewind showed him that woman, again, her head landed back to the neck. Far before she got beheaded, the two smiled towards each other as happiness overwhelmed their hearts.


    "Anna.....", he witnessed his other self whispering to the so called woman before their lips met.


    He smiled in bitterness at it.


    His lover was always surprising even up until now.


    Spelling her name backwards and found nothing changed in it settled a little bit flame in his beatless heart.


    That chaos triggered his guiltiness to extend, reminding him to faces of the people who were under respect over him whether they really were or not, covered in extreme fear knowing that staying on guard for no matter how hard in order to face him guaranteed nothing.


    An obvious useless effort when gods themselves couldn''t make any use of their hands.


    His hatred towards the empire grew even worse alongside with his long time awareness of it.


    The whole empire acknowledged the whole thing about him yet they managed to send countless warriors to go after him.


    He thought anyone who had him loaded with sacks of golds to work for complex issue knew this well, none could actually stop him.


    He was paid irrationally expensive due to his very powerful privilege for anyone he knotted partnership with.


    His mind unruly wandered, neglecting where his body currently at as the miracle continued dragging him to fulfill his final wish about having the universe to get crooked in another better way.


    He passed through everything in the opposite view.


    He saw things changing through miraculous phases day by day.


    Winter turned autumn, autumn to summer, and summer went spring.


    Leaves were seen floating upwards to stick their selves back upon branches, there was no animal existed.


    Death disappeared and things went to a world of numbness, an infinite space with no opposition towards immortality.


    He saw through end of the world next to an actual magic which was the universe''s true origin.


    The gods spoked out ancient utterances in order to create the world in opposite ways and he reached to its end.


    Gods haven''t existed. Not even time.


    There was only complete nothingness. None was created. Flawless emptiness resonated.


    He got pulled back in forward motion, passing through everything he saw, settled him to float slowly to pass through a tunnel of darkness by no instance nor anything he ever encountered before.


    The gods were seen appeared from the Mana concentrate which power was almost equal to the universe itself as they were born.


    A serenade of ancient utterances was sung and the Mana floated as an only one in the constant numb universe, entangled both aspects to shift permanent forms under the orders of gods as numbers of god slightly increased.


    He saw the planets placed in a proper array, the universe''s very first star was created.


    Everything was happening so slow, first actual phase of life appeared alongside the strong will of the gods.


    Things came from the very tiny size of living aspects which was almost unable to see, getting bigger time to time along with the Mana they stored inside their bodies.


    His sight caught up seasons changing normally, passed one another in faster motions.


    First living creature ever appeared to be stepping on the ground, having a pair of hands to reach any fruit growing from tree branches. It was as if the huge trees tried to cover the ground with their leaves while the branches were on effort to stake their peaks towards skyhigh.


    A weakling delicate baby deer was born right in front of his eyes, encouraging his heart to protect the baby that has managed to stand with its all four feet.


    Everything, not a single thing was missed, he enjoyed it in a period in which he felt that limit did not exist.


    He tried his best not to forget what he aimed for in this world before.


    He immediately stopped.


    Regardless of why and how, he finally stopped.


    He was no longer floating in an infinite space of hollow but a dazzling shiny place, got him completely blind just like the vacuous darkness before.


    Something binded within his soul, emendated his magical energy and made it properly controlled through fine arranged leaps.


    Blindness clasped his view, his weak hearing sense appeared in exchange all of sudden despite it functioned only a bit better than his sight, causing him to befriended with only absolute silence.


    He waited patiently as his memories escape him.

 00 - The Lion and The Lamb

    There was an old story existing ever since humans started to peck colours on partitions inside a cave.


    Was a shutted off love story as fate led them to a departure that they couldn''t encounter each other.


    About how they didn''t change.


    Related to how the world served injustice on them no matter what.


    A simple fact that wasn''t able to be changed with the power of a lion or the kindness of a sheep.


    The story began where a lion was starting to hunt over a herd of sheeps that were peacefully drinking at a pond.


    Everyone was covered in fear as the lion roared unless one.


    An ewe stood still with a pair of her fiery eyes bravely staring back at the lion fearlessly.


    The lion was riddled in confusion regardless of getting angry.


    She settled the lion in curiosity and he didn''t understand her illogical decision for not escaping.


    He moved closer to that thick furred ewe step by step with thousands of questions reflected clearly in his eyes.


    Then he asked, "Why didn''t you run away? Aren''t you scared of me, little sheepie?"


    "Of Course I''m not!"


    Her quick response surprised him even further, triggering him to fully acknowledge his opponent.


    "You know I''m gonna eat you."


    But he teased her in the first place, threatening yet joking in half and showed her his fang including his deadly claws that might kill his opponent in only one swing of a hand.


    "As if you''re brave enough to do so, coward!"


    The strong will of the bravely ewe for not moving any inch became the answer of his previous deeds.


    The lion laughed aloud, he found an interesting prey that put him in bliss and was the first creature ever to refuse running away from his sight.


    His laughter has settled her in confusion just like the lion before, questions soared from her eyes.


    "Come with me, little sheep. Teach this old lion to be brave once again."


    The lion turned his back, walking towards his throne which seemingly miss no sight of the plains around it.


    The ewe remained silent while staring straight at the lion who asked her to leave her friends, and turned her sight to the trees where her family ensconced staring back at her in fear.


    The lion threw a mocking glance towards the view.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "Unless if, of course, you little sheep is scared of me."


    There was obviously no flaw found in the intonation of his sarcasm, teasing her feet to follow his steps and leave her family behind forever.


    The two walked next to each other in sync, as if they were dancing by the same waltz; something raised another will in their hearts got them thinking that fate wanted them to go steady.


    As they managed to reach the throne, soon the ewe got herself far intimate with the greatest sovereign of the predators.


    She prevented the lion from killing other creatures, insisted the king to ask for only carcases from his underlings.


    While the king protected the sheep from any predator that was trying to take his lover''s life


    They spent their lives together, sharing stories, mating, dancing, joking around, having convos, laughing, even sleeping next to each other.


    Time flew so fast, it was like they had passed eternity as they sat together under the full moon for an unknown time.


    She smiled so tenderly, lying down the mane of her man who never let her live with no demerit at all.


    Unlike her expression that time, the lion''s was seen oppositely contrast seemingly annoyed.


    The ewe realized how his emotion turned out in no time as teardrop fell upon her head.


    She stared upwards to catch a view of the predators'' great sovereign crying for the second ever since they met.


    The first one was tears of happiness at their marriage, while this time was far completely different.


    Sorrow was complemented along with sadness drawn on his face, obvious enough for the ewe to understand something''s going wrong.


    "What is it, Leo?"


    She rose up, trying to get their eyes to encounter while he was avoiding contact with hers.


    "I''m sorry, Aries..."


    He blew a whisper full of remorse within his intonation and the breeze got it delivered to her ears.


    "Why are you..."


    She didn''t even get the opportunity to ask, a sharp claw landed a slash on her neck.


    "......I''m just a predator afterall."


    His palms were painted in blood, she couldn''t voice any single thing due to her damaged throat.


    The sadness clearly reflected in the eyes, got the ewe hardly believe she has been betrayed by the lion.


    But that''s the actual fact, dying, her lover placed a deep slice on her neck.


    The ewe might have groaned in pain if her bloody painful neck was equal to the injury she felt in her heart.


    She cried, turning the lion''s face blurry. He stood still and tears ran through her cheeks.


    Her tears dropped down the ground which was tainted by her blood in the first place.


    Their love story has ended, not because it aged; but because one was unable to hold their natural instinct.


    Despite dying, the ewe sincerely understood.


    She accepted that she was wrong in this case.


    Her thoughts were dwelling in her head, her eyes shuttered and completely died a few moments later.


    As the lion witnessed his prey losing her life, he stooped down and started eating her flesh after so long.


    He cried in bliss, having no clue about what to do next after all of this.


    His hands were cursed, his soul could never forgive the body, all he did was to let his lover haunt him for the rest of his life.


    He sat in silence as he finished off his own lover, none was left even just a tiny piece of her.


    Full moon was still as bright as ever in the sky, no longer beautiful to his dead eyes.


    His soul surrendered, not a single will was left.


    Their sweet memories were tainted by his own claws and had it haunting him every single night.


    He roared towards heaven in the end, praying to gods so he could get the opportunity to pay any of his sin.


    His wish was granted, sun rays turned him into a tup; things were restarted yet nothing change.

 01 - The Beginning of The End

    Anna rose up from her sleep, her sight swept up at her surroundings to realize that everything she saw was just one of weird dreams she ever had.


    She hardly patted on her cheeks regaining her consciousness as fast as she could.


    She did it for a few attempts before her lips formed a genuine smile.


    As she hopped off her giant sized bed, passing through the maids whom were sprightly scattering around her bedroom to clear up the mess she left.


    She tried to get there as fast as possible, reaching the bathroom for an early shower in the morning on a special day.


    Not a single spot was missed as she scrubbed her body, not wanting to put her mother at shame at the special moment that she has awaited.


    Anna finished taking her shower just for a little while, she walked off the bathroom; the maids were already lined up waiting for her.


    Each was holding a dress for her to wear, looked different one another, fitting in and out on her body while she seemed just frowning as maids worked for her appearance.


    Anna has never missed any chance to voice a protest towards her mother¡ªwhich was always get ignored for unknown reason¡ªrelated to meal time in every special occasion.


    She was totally confident with her arguments recalling that her age has turned ten; she clearly didn''t need any help from others only to wear a gown simply.


    What has made her happy was the fact that this won''t happen everyday, and she thought this might be the last time she''d get ashamed as ever in her very own home.


    She''s going to live independently in a dorm at the most famous wizarding school of Akadia.


    Living afar from her beloved mother could clearly get her homesick soon.


    She remembered her bestfriend will also be there so she reassured herself she could handle it.


    Impatience passed thru her heart for a moment thinking that she''s going to cut off the inconvenient chains with this place for new adventures outside the capital city, that it made her rushing away when her dress fitting was done.


    She ran downstairs in excitement to see her mother whom waited for her at their dining room.


    Anna found her guessing right as the door opened.


    That woman welcomed her with a bright smile, sitting at the corner of their long vast dining table, inviting Anna to sit next to her.


    An irresistible request for Anna to decline.


    Anna''s tiny hops towards her mother were avoiding tile-lines of the dining room.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    It required ten mini jumps for her to finally reach her mother.


    A servant pulled a dark brown dining chair for Anna and let herself jumped sitting onto it.


    Anna did sitting properly, the chair was pushed back closer to the table yet it showed that she clearly needed a prop to get proper seat height.


    Her eyes met the dining table instead while the nose and mouth were completely below it, got her inconvenience only to eat.


    A warm smile was curved, wider on that woman''s face as Anna stared hopefully at her begging for a solving so she could get this done herself.


    That woman provided the same help despite unravelling Anna''s true wish.


    Her mother stood up approaching her little daughter, stretched both hands to Anna and raised her upwards as if aiming for crystal lamps hinged on their ceilings.


    She realized how Anna''s cheeks blushed almost by the same colour as their dining room''s crimson wall.


    "... . Mom..."


    She sluggishly grumbled, lowering her voice even smaller so their servants could not listen.


    "What''s wrong, dear?"


    She lost her voice immediately thinking that her mother has betrayed her; there was one of luxurious paintings in the room which looked very similar to the atmosphere, as if it pictured the two.


    It was clear that the servants could obviously hear her mother, made her sight looked even more upset; that smile didn''t change a bit even against tantrum Anna.


    "... I''m not a kid anymore..."


    Anna silently gave up on her mother''s attitude but continued complaining sooner at the speed of light.


    She complained about the same thing since her previous birthday on winter back then yet she got the same answer as before.


    "I know, sweetheart. I know." She said, gently caressed Anna''s head. "But could you please let me spoil you for the last time, at least?"


    Anna swallowed back her complainings, there was actual sadness she felt in her mother''s voice.


    "For only today, ''kay?"


    "Ofcourse!"


    A deal was made, and so Anna''s fate related to every meal time on that day.


    Anna truly gave up, letting her mother to land a pat on her head with a brighter smile.


    The woman happily feed her daughter while humming along, she handed over finest deluxe dishes.


    Anna thought that she was actually in bliss to be able chewing good coming from her mother spoon by spoon, a fact that she hardly tried to deny.


    Regret adorned that woman''s face as their plates went empty.


    She felt sorry that she forgot telling the chefs to cook dishes much more than this breakfast was and it''s obviously shown on her face.


    Unlike her mother, excitement overwhelmed in her knowing that her departure''s not going to be after the sun reached the edge of the blue sky.


    Now that both looked very alike, as if one was a complete reflection of another''s on a mirror.


    It didn''t take much time for her mother to smile brighter as well recalling that noon was still far long.


    Anna spent her morning to accompany her mother, losing her guard which she has built hardly before.


    The woman told her everything, including how her father died as a honored young hero in her tale.


    A story that Anna believed with no single doubt in heart, though she felt a bit sad of it.


    She saw the pendulum seemed to be near the time of her departure, and she wished for the clock to stop ticking so mother could dote on her a bit longer.


    Unfortunately none granted her wish, time didn''t stop to support her will, pendulum rang notifying Anna to hurrily leave.


    The tale immediately stopped, unfinished at the part where the princess and her lover got involved in a huge chaos due to their castes.


    "Time to leave, sweetie."


    She gave Anna no opportunity to argue. She closed the book, letting Anna to start her own journey.