Ryan opened his eyes back in the void, sweat and tears falling down his face as he breathed heavily.
[So.... how was the future?]
The voice asked the still heavy breathing Ryan who had fallen down to one knee again.
"Fucking hell. THAT is my–our future. Humanity's future? Lined out like a fucking video game? This world is based on someone's sick sense of entertainment?
All that death, ruin and destruction, all thought up by someone? Don't fucking piss me off. Like hell I'll accept that as my future!" Ryan shot back, his voice highlighting his anger.
And yet despite his yelling, the voice said nothing.
"Hey! Say something!" Ryan, annoyed at the silence, yelled out.
[Yes. This is the future of the human race. It is your destiny to be annihilated from the annals of history. Whether you wish it so or not.]
As the voice said that, Ryan's fists clenched tightly as he gritted his teeth in frustration.
Then suddenly an idea or rather, a realisation came to him.
"Can't I change it?" He asked, not necessarily expecting a response.
"I mean, I've seen it now haven't I? Then all I have to do is make sure I don't go down the same route. All the mistakes Aaron made I could–"
[Quite bold of you to assume I would simply just let you change history. Why do you think I would?]
The voice interrupted Ryan's soliloquy as it asked him a question.
"Because, I think you wish to change it as well." Ryan said, his demeanor suddenly growing calm as he spoke.
Completely different to how it was a moment ago.
[And what makes you think so?]
The voice asked again.
"Because of what you said earlier." Ryan said, his gaze now full of clarity and determination.
"You said you wished to give us a fighting chance in this war? Then I'm sure you'll let me keep my knowledge of the future and use it to save humanity." Ryan declared, his fist clenched, slightly raised up.
'And hopefully save Monica as well.' He added in his head.
[Hmm. Very well. You are right human, I do wish to alter that timeline. But you should know, there are going to be severe restrictions on how you change the future.]
The voice spoke again after seemingly pondering a bit.
"Restrictions?" Ryan questioned. "Why the fuck are there restrictions? What the hell are you talking about?"
[There are no restrictions to changing the future. There are just restrictions to HOW you change the future. Changing the future willy nilly could endanger this planet even further.]
"Huhh?! What do you–?!"
CRACK!
Ryan's question was interrupted as a visible crack formed in what he assumed would be the ceiling of the void.
'What?!' He exclaimed inwardly at the sight of the crack.
[It would seem our time is up. Remember my warnings human. Overly messing with the timestream is dangerous and could potentially do more harm than good. So keep everything you've learned to yourself.]
The voice said as the cracks grew further and a sort of white light began shining into the now collapsing void space.
Ryan nodded almost absentmindedly as he watched the once pitch black endless void be swallowed by light.
"Wait. I get that with this knowledge I could definitely surpass my original limits, but still... don't I get some kind of power up from you? I mean I dont even have a gift." Ryan questioned, even as the void collapsed all around them.
[No gift? That's odd. Then how did you?...]
The voice asked, speaking more to itself in a murmuring tone.
The voice said, promising him one.
CRRACK!!
And almost as soon as it promised him a gift, the void completely shattered, the white light covering Ryan's vision.
And for a brief moment, in that light, he saw a dark figure staring at him before turning away as the light retracted from his vision.
As his vision cleared, he found himself sitting upright on his bed, in his room.
"I'm back." He muttered strangely, almost bewildered even as he stood up from the bed and walked to his mirror he hung on the wall.
Staring back at him was the face he had grown up with. Although it did look like he had aged a little.
His hair was a bit longer now as well.
"Huu." Ryan heaved out a sigh. "Alright. Now to see if that guy gave me a gift or not."
Then breathing in and out, he muttered.
"Open window."