Clang—!
The sharp clash of steel rang through the forest, sparks bursting as two young men crossed their blades with all their might.
One of them gripped his sword tightly, jaw clenched as he roared, "Raven! Weren't you my friend?!" His gaze was sharp, burning with envy and malice. The more he pushed, the more his opponent struggled just to hold back the weight of his strike. With ragged breaths, the other young man forced out a name through his lips—
"Cel — dric!"
Their swords trembled against each other. Once, they had been friends. But no longer.
The one drowning in hatred was Celdric Alvain.
The one struggling against him—his so-called friend—was Raven Morcant.
Their battle was like a bonfire devouring firewood, flames fueled by betrayal. Celdric's heart burned hot, hatred wrapping him in flames that consumed everything before his eyes.
"RAVEN!" he shouted, the name of the betrayer spat out with venom.
As their swords pressed against each other, sunlight flashed across the blade into Raven's eyes. The glare blinded him for an instant—enough for Celdric's kick to smash into him.
"Eugh—!" Raven grunted, stumbling to the ground.
Time slowed. As Celdric's sword arced downward toward him, Raven's mind was flooded with memories of the past.
A friend... Wasn't he a friend? It shouldn't have been like this...
Back then, he never imagined that a single meeting would lead to this—the beginning of a bond, and the end of one.
=========================================
The Adventurers' Guild bustled with noise. A young adventurer had just returned from a mission, reporting to the receptionist and collecting his reward.
Before he could step aside, a voice called out to him from the entrance.
"Raven."
He turned his head. The familiar sound made his chest tighten. Standing by the door were two young adventurers around his age.
And at their front—a girl with short brown hair, a sharp nose, slender cheeks.
"...Aira?!" Raven froze, staring at the gentle smile she gave him. His heart sank.
Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were eyes he had once fallen for.
Aira Rowen. His former lover. A girl from his very own village.
The man beside her looked puzzled at how she called his name. "...So you know someone in the Guild, Aira?"
They walked closer, and Aira began to speak. "Celdric, this is—"
"I'm Raven Morcant. Aira and I are from the same village."
He cut her words short, unwilling to hear what she was about to say.
The young man scratched his snowy-white hair with an awkward laugh. "Hahaha... No wonder you two know each other. The world really is small, huh?" His smile was warm, his tone respectful. "I'm Celdric Alvain. A pleasure."
But Aira frowned, clearly annoyed that Raven had interrupted her again.
"Hmm... Rather than talking he—"
"Rather than talking here, let's sit at that table instead," Raven interjected once more, his voice firm. Without even glancing at Aira, he walked ahead, hiding the tremor in his chest.
Why is she here...?!
The three sat at a round table. A waiter came, placing two glasses of moonberry wine on the table.
"Don't worry," Raven said coldly, noticing Celdric's hesitation. "Moonberry doesn't intoxicate. It's a specialty of Lunebridge. Perfect for young couples like you."
Celdric blinked, then nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Raven."
He raised his glass with noble grace. Raven narrowed his eyes at him, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"You drink like a noble," Raven muttered.
Celdric choked on his wine. Aira quickly patted his back, and for some reason blurted out, "I and Celdric... we're lovers."
Raven's eyes darkened. He knew her well—too well. She always traveled with a man whenever he became her "lover."
Inside, Raven thought: So this is the man the Guild warned me about...
=========================================
Zrrakk—!
The sword cut deep into Raven's shoulder, tearing through flesh and bone until it reached his chest. Blood gushed, staining the forest floor.
"Raven... weren't you my friend?!" Celdric's shout shook the air.
"Back then... I should've doubted you and Aira from the very start! I regret ever meeting you!"
"I should've listened to the Guild... to what they said about you!"
Raven lay collapsed, breaths shallow, vision fading.
Celdric... you're my friend. I'm sorry. But... I loved her too.
Darkness swallowed him whole.
"Argh!"
Raven gasped, eyes flying open. He stood in a place neither dark nor bright, neither cold nor warm.
"What is this place...?"
Around him, countless stars filled the void. Moons—hundreds of them, far larger than the one he knew—floated in rows above and below.
"Am I... dead?"
No fear. Only stillness.
Then, one by one, glowing screens appeared around him. Each screen showed his life—his memories. His childhood. His journey. His sins. His love.
"Celdric... Aira... What are these?! Why am I seeing my past?!"
He touched one screen.
Raven! Don't die! Celdric's desperate voice echoed in his mind.
He touched another.
Mmmph... I love you... Raven... Aira's whisper made his chest ache.
Raven trembled, touching screen after screen—his life flashing before him, even his earliest moments in the womb.
Tears welled in his eyes. I never even knew my parents. Only my grandmother raised me. And Aira... Aira was the only warmth I ever had...
Then, a voice boomed across the void.
"Son of Adam... bearer of Adam's soul."
Raven clutched his head, the words shredding his mind like blades.
"You are not permitted to die before your time."
The pain was unbearable, worse than Celdric's strike, worse than dragon's fangs.
"This death is only fleeting. Feel it once, before life begins anew. For the promise to Adam shall be kept—a second chance to those who bear his soul."
A blazing beast appeared from the distance, swifter than light. Neither horse nor donkey, but something more divine.
"Barq... take him back to his time."
The creature surged forward, carrying Raven away.
For a fraction of a second, just before everything went black, Raven whispered in his heart:
Please... forgive the sins of my life.