"Yes yes, my name is Aneirin, a bard extraordinaire."

The troubadour warmly shook hands with Claud Venice, the two happily smiling. When it was Zodiak's turn, he neither spoke nor raised his hands, turning the atmosphere awkward.

"Don't mind him, he's a bit shy."-Aneirin

"A-ah, alright." Claud nodded his head then guided the two upstairs, to his respectable home. He prepared two cups of hot tea for them then waited for them to calm down before talking.

Zodiak remained oddly silent and unresponsive while Aneirin was looking around, fascinated by all the foreign machines decorating the room.

"That's called a TV. It can broadcast many things like movies and news from all over the world."

Claud was patient as he explained some of the things to the curious bard.

At some point, the silent Zodiak raised his head and stared at Claud with his usual expressionless face.

"Where are we?"

It was the first thing he said ever since coming here. In response, the scientist gave an immediate and detailed answer.

"You're on a planet called Serenity and, correct me if I'm wrong, but you also came from the same planet, right?"

"Yes, that is indeed the case."-Aneirin

"Would you mind telling me the date? Which Era are you from?"

"5th Era, Year 1694."

After a short pause, the bard asked: "Did you summon us to the future?"

Claud smiled and corrected him: "Quite the opposite, in fact. You're in the past."

Zodiak flinched but the troubadour didn't seem that surprised.

"What do you want from us?"

Zodiak didn't trust this friendly scientist and fell uncomfortable in this cozy place, fearing that it may be some kind of trap.

"Honestly, when I attempted my summon, I didn't expect it'll really work. After all, Theoretically, time-travel is possible but no one was able to succeed yet. Anyway, you're here because I want to ascertain something."

"Ascertain of something?"-Aneirin.

"Yes. This planet is crumbling and I kind of predicted that there will be many disasters coming here. If you're from the future and also from a planet called Serenity, it means I was wrong."

"Disasters? What kind?"

"Both natural and artificial disasters."

While the two were conversing, Zodiak was examining the place. Though there was an abundance of these 'scientific machines', there was an alarming absence of any kind of energy.

"Why can't I feel any Mana?"

Just as Zodiak said that, Claud hurriedly motioned him to stop talking. He stealthily closed the curtains then spoke with a low, almost inaudible voice.

"Please don't speak of anything magic-related."

"And why is that?"

The scientist seemed troubled as he replied: "Magic is banned here and anyone who as much as mutters the word will be punished."

"Banned? Why is it banned? From where we came from, Magic is a universal thing."

Hearing this, Claud let out a sigh and spoke again:

"The inhabitants of Serenity despise Magic and think it's dangerous and unreliable. The truth is that they can't find a scientific explanation for its existence so they deem it as a defect, an evil thing."

"You don't seem like you share their opinion though?"

Aneirin inquired while looking at the anxious Claud.

"Yes, I don't. I do like science and believe it's much suited for our civilization but Magic can do wonders too, we just have to know when and where to use it."

Just as he finished speaking, the door of the room and a graceful figure entered. She had long silver hair and a small mole under her eye, adding more to her beauty.

"Ah, this is my wife, Angel."

Claud swiftly stood up and walked up to his wife, who was startled by the presence of the two strangers.

"Hello."

She softly smiled and bowed toward Zodiak and Aneirin. Her husband, Claud, seemed excited as he introduced them to Angel.

"These two gentlemen are from the future. I successfully managed to summon them."

The woman let out a shocked gasp as she accessed the cheerful bard and the grumpy Zodiak, who was wearing an over-sized black robe.

"They're also from Serenity so it means my visions were false."

Claud affectionately held his wife's hands while briefly explaining the situation. The more she heard him, the happier she became, her soft smile widened and become heart-warming.

"Wait wait, we're still not sure your predictions are not wron-"

Aneirin wasn't even able to finish as Zodiak pulled him closer and whispered: "Are you really going to involve yourself with them?"

In response, the troubadour shrugged his shoulders and said: "Why not? The treasure which was supposed to be at the bottom of the well is perhaps hidden here."

Zodiak glared at his companion but didn't say anything else. Aneirin took this silence as acceptance of his actions so he resumed his actions.

…

Honestly, Claud gave them comfortable accommodation and provided them with food and a map of the city they were currently in. At night, Aneirin went out to explore the truly shiny city, as for Zodiak, he remained at the living room, staring at the starry night sky.

Claud, who helped his tired wife fall asleep, entered the room and sat opposite of the silent Zodiak, who now looked like a middle-aged man despite his real age, which was less than twenty years old.

"You know I spoke about my predictions, right?"

The scientist broke the silence by saying that, his gaze lingering on Zodiak's face. I don't what it really is but I've got an ability that not many know of. He lowered his head, removed his glasses and looked at his hands.

"I can predict things… it's not entirely accurate but most times it is. Especially with people."

After a slight pause in which he glanced at Zodiak only to see the latter look back at him, he resumed:

"Back then, when I shook hands with your friend, I caught a glimpse of his recent past. Sometimes I see someone's past, the visions vary and are not always specific. However, what I saw was a planet almost void of humans. Somehow, it felt calm… peaceful. At that moment, I felt content because, the disasters I foresaw, even if they did happen, weren't able to eradicate everything."

The two looked at each other for an inordinate amount of time before Claud spoke again:

"Which is why… will you do me the honor?"

He stretched his hand toward Zodiak, clearly expecting a handshake.

"There is nothing to look at." Zodiak blatantly refused.

"There is always something. It can be either good or bad, don't you want to know which one?"

Time crept by and the hand was left hanging, not moving even an inch. When Claud was about to retract it, Zodiak did the unexpected and actually held it, causing the former's eyes to close for around ten seconds.

When he opened them again, he appeared troubled, sad, and a bit confused.

At first, he hesitated but when he saw Zodiak's expectant gaze, he asked:

"Do you perhaps know someone called Arthur Bilgart?"

The one who replied wasn't Zodiak but Aneirin, who appeared in the room like a ghost.

"Bilgart… I've heard that somewhere but I can't remember when or where."

The poet tried to remember but it was futile, all he could do was wrack his brains for nothing. He put down his lute and sat next to Zodiak while stretching his exhausted limbs.

"I don't know him."

Zodiak gave his answer, fully certain that he never heard this name in his entire life.

"But, your face is familiar."

As he listened to him, Claud chuckled, stood up and starting pacing around the room.

"No scientist believes in God or Destiny but when I hear and see such things… I truly cannot help but doubt myself and everything."

He looked at the expressionless Zodiak, his face containing apparent melancholy.

"Zodiak, right? That is your name."

As he heard his own name, he twitched but gave no reply, nonetheless, Claud knew that he was right.

"Strange as it may be, I saw things that either happened or are going to happen. A man who had my face, a woman that resembled my wife, cruel wars and…"

He wanted to spill the last thing but he couldn't. He didn't know if Zodiak wanted to hear it or not, making him feel conflicted and apprehensive about Zodiak's future.

"I saw your death, it was the most vivid of them all. I know the date, the place, and even when."

Aneirin noticed the serious atmosphere so he neither joked nor talked. He sat there, motionless and listened to this one-sided conversation.

"Then tell me."-Zodiak