It finally stopped. I felt the control over my body return as I looked around me.
There were 4 men dressed in the clothes of what looked to be soldiers. They had helms on their heads and spears in their hand. On the other side were 7 assailants all in different gear, almost as if they had taken out random weapons from their weaponry.
And just like me, every other person looked confused. Some shocked.
The bulky man raised his head towards me, scanning me up from head to toe. Then in an astounded manner he asked, "What did you do...? How...how am I back in time?"
The others didn't speak. But their eyes told me what I wanted to know.
They all remembered getting killed.
But not the moment when time reversed. It seemed as if it really was an ability of mine.
No...knowing everything, I guess it's the goddess's power.
'So I can reverse time everytime I am about to die?' I almost felt giddy, my mind subconsciously concluding that I was now immortal.
The rattling of chains against metal snapped me out of my thoughts. Turning my head I saw one of the soldiers approach me.
He pulled down the visor of his helm. My mind blanked for a moment.
He was the same man with those dead accusing eyes. And my suspicions were confirmed when...
"You betrayed me, Young Master." Not a question, but a statement said with certainty.
"For as long as you have been alive, I have been with you...and yet you betray me." His voice lowered by an octave, his head slightly dropping on his shoulders.
"Hahaha, I don't know how you brought us back in time. But watching you confront the one you pushed forward to the sword just to save yourself is indeed amusing to watch." The bulky man said.
I felt the gazes on my back. The other soldiers were staring at me, almost judging.
But I was so confused. I have no idea of who the owner of this body even is.
Who am I if not Karl Max? I took a quick glance around me.
The carriage was in one piece, the blood nowhere to be seen.
Meaning we were exactly standing at the moment when the fight first began.
The bulky one sneered. "How pathetic! Can't argue back anything, young lord?"
Then he turned towards the soldier whom my predecessor has betrayed. To him he called out.
"Hey brat! I give you this offer only once. Join me, atleast you shall never face betrayal. What do you say?"
At his words, the other soldiers stiffened and the other assailants scrutinized the young soldier beside me.
The soldier who couldn't have been more than 20 years old, looked at me. He searched my face for something. Something I couldn't give.
Then he looked at the man and his group of assailants. And he stepped out of our group.
I panicked instantly. Another man joining their group would only lessen my chances of survival.
I might be immortal but that's just a speculation...right? I can't exactly be risking my life just on based of that.
Or should I?
I raised my hands and started, "Don't go and join them. An attempt to assassinate me would get them killed. Do you also want to be one of the conspirators now?"
The young soldier paused. Looking behind his shoulders, he answered me. "Young Master, you haven't faced death...like the others here. It's too lonely there, so much darkness and absolutely nothing. You think I would risk visiting there again knowing my life would be at the hands of a treacherer like you?"
I almost said, 'But you shall die one day, that's the most natural thing ever.'. But stopped myself when I saw the other soldiers shake behind me.
They were trembling as well. The soldier's words must have reminded them about their own experience.
I opened my mouth again. I need to say something. To comfort that guy.
Even if it was with a delusion of peace.
But my hands stopped mid-air as my lips hanged open.
[~Ding~]
Misunderstanding my silence as incapability, the bulky man sneered again. "You are really a snobby young master. The others...wanna come on board? I can welcome you to my gang. Here we have it all...money, women...whatever you wish we get it."
Then pointing at me, he continued. "And with him, you have only death. So choose wisely."
The soldiers didn't even need much of a push, it seemed as one of them instantly broke our group and walked to the the other side.
The others soon followed.
[Seed of Life has been used.]
[Successfully reversed time by 5 minutes.]
[Corresponding active ability detected. Life Drain.]
[Host's life in immediate danger. Activating the one time protocol "Goddess's Wrath"]
[Life Drain activated involuntarily against Host's wishes due to protocol]
The stream of messages passed before my eyes. So did the emotions that flashed rapidly within me.
Joyful at first. Believing I had found out a way to escape.
Followed by despair the moment after. The active ability sounded cool but...I felt a bad premonition.
I looked up. The world had once again paused. But this time everyone on the field was conscious.
Suddenly, all the assailants except the bulky man and the soldiers burst into torrents of blood.
Their organs collectively rained on the stunned me and the even more stunned bulky guy.
We looked at each other. And he understood who it was behind this.
Me.
Even though it wasn't my wish.
"You....you!! I shall kill you for this. You ruined my plans ughhhh!!" The man charged at me, his figure somehow getting even more muscular.
[Temporary boost gained.]
[Convert the drained life into strength. Yes or No?]
I felt guilty. I felt angry. I felt sad...and I felt a brimming rage.
Enough was enough. I pressed down on the yes button as I suddenly felt my body gaining strength beyond anything I have ever had.
The man came close but it seemed he had sharp eyes. His eyes widened as he saw through my sudden transformation.
But it was too late.
My punch connected with his chest and I heard a crunching sound deep in him. His punch connected to my face and yet....I didn't move an inch.
The temporary boost gave me ridiculous powers but it was not permanent.
My hands suddenly turned weak as my vision blurred...again. My legs shook just like it does after a long marathon.
I slumped on the ground.
"Lucky me..." I rasped out as the bulky man with widened eyes fell on the ground. Dead.
"Goddess, thanks for this one time. But whoever you are...I shall never be your ally. Not after you ruined my entire life."
As I lost consciousness, I heard footsteps approaching me.