Threads of the Future, Weaved by the Present

Darkness again. But this time it isn’t cold or scary. It’s warm. Cozy even. Like drifting in some huge blanket made of stars. And right on cue, the voices start talking. “Beware, Conductor of the Astrals. For going up against the order that was set right from the beginning will have severe repercussions.” There she is. The girl I never see but always hear. There’s something weird about her voice. It’s soft, but it hits like a hug I can’t remember getting. Calm, but carrying something huge behind it. Then the other voice answers—the one that feels like… me? “Then I’ll face those repercussions head on. I’ll destroy those who stand in my way, and rebuild a brighter future on their ashes and dust.” Whenever I hear that line, I feel both scared and proud. Like someone I used to be is staring back at me. The girl laughs lightly, like she’s touched by something tragic. “Your resolve is astounding. Gods aren't supposed to feel such emotions, yet we're both feeling it right now. Your determination is resonating with me.” I float closer without moving, as if the dream pulls me in. Her words always bother me. Why does she talk like we’ve known each other forever? “It’s a warm, soothing, and familiar feeling. Perhaps we already met before?” The deeper voice—my voice but not my voice—answers: “Who knows? We may haven’t met before, but we may have met in the future.” The whole void warms slightly, like reacting to their emotions. “That sounds contradicting, no?” Her answer is teasing. “You really haven’t changed one bit.” A soft silence follows. It feels… safe. Sad, but safe. Like two people standing at the end of something huge, holding hands without saying it. Then “I” spoke again, gentle: “Rest assured. This time around, I’ll walk that path with you. I won’t let you bear all the burden, nor will I try to bear all of it myself.” That line always grabs my chest. It feels like a promise made long, long ago… or far into the future. I want to ask who she is. I want to see her face. I want to know why my chest gets this aching feeling when I dream of her. But before I can— The dream fades. Like always. I open my eyes to a rough stone ceiling and the rotten smell of damp wood. “...there’s that dream again.” And there’s that lingering ache in my chest too. Who the hell is that girl? Why do I feel like missing her is worse than dying? I don’t get long to think. The rope around my wrists is tight enough to leave marks. “Why am I tied up here?” I mutter. The underground room is dim, barely lit by a flickering mana lantern hanging crooked over my head. The floor is dirt with patches of dried mud. Broken crates are scattered around. Someone’s been using this place for a while. A voice answers from behind the bars. “Oh, so you’re awake now. Too bad you got caught up with the little miss’ problem. If you weren’t in the area earlier, then you wouldn’t be here.” I slowly turn my head. A thug stands slouched near the opposite cell. Leather armor cracked at the edges. Sweaty hair tied back. He looks like he hasn't bathed in days. Area…? Oh. The forest. Right. I went into the forest earlier to look for something, though I’m still not sure what. Then a group of idiots jumped me. Someone stronger than them knocked me out. The dream came after. The thug squints at me like he’s trying to read my thoughts. “Hey. You were talking about a girl earlier, just who is this girl and what do you want with her?” I blinked. He frowns and lifts a messy mana orb above his hand. “Huh?! I don't remember giving you permission to ask me such questions! Shut up or I'll blast this towards you.” The mana in his hand shakes like a dying firefly. I glare straight at him. “Try it then and let’s see who gets blasted instead.” His face reds instantly. “You son of a—” The tied up boy moves before the thug finishes. Mana flickers around his fingers, faint but sharp. The air shakes. “Mirror.” A reflective mana panel forms in an instant. The thug’s unstable spell rebounds. The explosion throws the thug several meters back. Dust fills the air. The tied up boy twists his hands, snapping the rope effortlessly. He stand and brush the dust off his clothes. “Hmph. Just because you guys were able to ambush me earlier doesn’t mean I’m weak.” I glance toward the hallway. Time to find the girl they dragged me here for. The tunnels twist left and right, but the traces of mana made it easy to follow. Even with my strength lowered compared to… whatever I used to have, I can still track signatures. Soon I reached a larger chamber. A single iron door is cracked open. I pushed it wider and found a small girl curled up on the floor. She lifts her head slowly, tear-streaked cheeks and red eyes trembling in fear. That…? A little girl? Seriously? What could these thugs want from a kid? Before I can think further— “Hey! What are you doing here?!” More thugs rushed in behind me. I sigh. Of course. “Oh good. Y’all are here.” I stretch my hand toward them. “Hand me over the keys. I’m getting out of here along with this kid.” They freeze, then shout at once: “Huh!? Do you even know what you're talking about?!” “Are you mocking us?!” One thrusts his hand forward. “Blazing flame, burn him!” A ball of fire shoots out— The young man does not flinch. “Lull.” The flame instantly dims and evaporates. The thugs recoil. “A one-word chant?!” He steps forward. One punch sends the nearest thug into the wall. Two more rush him—he kicks one aside and slams the other to the ground. The battle ends in seconds. “Tch. If I haven’t been kidn*pped, I wouldn’t have had to deal with this.” I lightly shake my hand to get the numbness off. The girl stares at me with wide eyes. She’s wearing a silver necklace — the symbol of an Arvalon noble family. Of course. Now everything makes sense. These thugs kidn*pped her for ransom. Another heavy presence enters.I turn. A masked man steps through the doorway. His mana presence is completely different—calm, dangerous, and sharp as blades. “Hey. Seems like you're quite capable. Seeing as how you dealt with my men.” I keep my stance ready. “And who might you be?” His mana threads flicker around him like storm winds. “Someone who has business with that girl.” He tilts his head. “Since you're skilled, I’ll offer you money. Hand her over. We can even work together. I’ll make your time worthwhile.” My answer is immediate. “Not interested.” He chuckles behind the mask. There’s something off about him. He isn’t scared of me. That alone is enough to raise alarms. He lifts his hand. “Then you leave me no choice. You’ll die today along with that princess.” Mana condenses rapidly. “Pressure forward!” A crushing wave of force shoots toward the young man. He instinctively raises one hand. “Disperse.” The wave breaks apart instantly. The shattered mana tears through the wall behind him, collapsing the entire underground section. The ground rumbles. Dust and debris fill the air. The masked man clicks his tongue. “Tch. I went overboard. Now my little playground is all destroyed. I have no use for this.” He steps back, then flees instantly. Coward. I walk toward the girl as the dust settles. She slowly opens her eyes. “You’re awake.” She blinks, confused. “You're that guy...” Her voice trembles. “Huh?! Where are we? Are we safe now? I remember— I remember bad guys k********g me—” “Don't worry. You're safe now.” She swallows hard. “So you got us out?” “Kind of. They were the ones who destroyed the prison.” Her eyes widen. “Ohh… so that’s what happened. Thank you for rescuing me. Uhm… what’s your name?” “…Shuuen.” “Your last name?” “Don’t have one.” “Huh? Where are your parents?” This kid… “I’d rather not talk about it.” She nods slowly. “Okay!" At least she’s not the nosy type. I help her stand, and we make our way out of the ruined underground base. The evening air hits my face as soon as we step outside. Fresh. Cold. Free. I breathe out. I need to return to school by tomorrow afternoon. Otherwise, my teachers will scold me.