Kris was sweating profusely. His clothes were wet as if he'd just taken a bath in the rain. The lights of different hues flooded his view, and the cheers of the crowd rumbled his ears as he caught up to his breath.

The next song would be his last song for the night, and while he was regretful, he was also excited to get the concert over with. Before making any attempts at closing the curtains of his show, he'd let the crowd go wild for a little bit more and give himself time to reminisce earlier's events.

He smiled as he recalled.

The hotel that he and his band were staying in had a roof-deck, and he was currently on his knees. Around him, the dazzling lights of the buildings and city streets colored his surroundings. Music was playing through powerful, but portable speakers he had set up previously. Currently, his most recently recorded song was playing, though it wasn't meant for an audience, it was meant for the girl in front of him.

He reached behind for his back pocket and grabbed a small, violet box.

The stars, they seem so bright

they glimmer all the lights when I see them shine

through your eyes

"Kris..." Reese stood agape as she blushed, trying to hold back the tears in her eyes. She was shaking, and though Kris felt that she wanted to speak, her words were caught in her throat. He smiled, trying to emulate the same smile that Reese showed him years ago.

They were 27 years old, a bit late, but they wanted to take their time. Now was the perfect moment.

"If you would be so pleased..." Kris said before raising the box in front of her. He slowly opened it, revealing a silver ring which glistened under the moonlit sky.

I scream in all delight

that you are by my side

So it begins

a vow that never ends

"...would you accept this vow that never ends?" He wanted to be a bit creative, so he timed his anxious question with the last line of the chorus. His heart was pumping, faster than any tempo he's played with, louder than any bang of the drums.

"Idiot..." Reese mumbled faintly, making Kris anxious as his lips shook.

"Of course..." Reese replied, and Kris felt the weight of the world just release their pressure on him.

Kris removed the ring from the box and placed the box on the ground.

Reese slowly raised her hand, and Kris placed it in his palm.

He then slowly inserted the ring on her ring finger. He was satisfied with the way that the ring embraced her finger as if it was meant to be. After which, Reese twirled her hand around, as she gazed on the ring.

Reese, while unable to hold back the tears, pulled Kris up, like a replay of the events from before. This time though, she didn't let go and pulled Kris closer. Their lips locked as they intertwined their fingers. The guitar solo after the balladic post-chorus just made the mood much more enchanting for both of them.

Hopeless I have started

Now I am given a chance

Kris was practically crying as he sang the last chorus. Of course, he was playing the same song he played for Reese when he proposed. On the seats closest to the stage, he could see Reese giving a playful scowl. He felt that Reese was a bit embarrassed, especially how Kris announced their engagement before starting this song and specifically mentioning it to be dedicated to her.

His parents were seated alongside Reese's parents, both parties watching intently. Funnily enough, it was their fathers who had reddened and swollen eyes, their mothers just watched Kris wrap the song up in a gentle, approving manner.

Kris strummed the last note, releasing all the emotions of love and peace that he has found to appreciate throughout the years. As the cymbals were struck and the chords and notes were left to ring to signify the end of the song, the crowd erupted in cheers again. Some were whistling, others were futilely shouting their congratulations. Some were even practically bawling as the song came to an end.

Kris looked towards his band members and smiled, a simple gesture of his thanks. He then swept his gaze across the ten thousand seated audiences, before finally landing his sights on Reese.

Reese poked her tongue out, and Kris could only giggle like a little girl, tantalized by the very thought of their coming betrothal.

Then he collapsed...

"Kris!!! Wake up!!" He heard frantic shouts as he was being shaken, forcing him awake.

Opening his eyes, he felt the hard and cold ground supporting him as he lay still. Reese was looking at him, a different kind of tear messing up her usually beautiful face. Who was he kidding, she was still beautiful anyway, but he felt that her usually happy, more playful face suited her better.

Around her were his and Reese's parents, and his bandmates, as well as some crew members and stagehands.

"Kris, stay still. The doctors are going to arrive soon. We were going to take you backstage as soon as you passed out but-" Kris stopped Reese from saying anymore as he gripped her arm. He wasn't feeling lethargic or sick before the concert. He was actually feeling really healthy before any of this.

So instinctively, he knew.

Rather, he remembered:

Right... I am living on borrowed time...

And he knew that it was up. It was abrupt, but he was actually surprised and a bit relieved that it didn't arrive sooner. He was thankful that he was given the chance to live a life without worry. But he knew that the purpose of this wasn't just for him.

Is it happening because he's learned his lesson? Or was it a predetermined time limit? Whatever it is, the doctors aren't going to be able to do much to save him.

The audience, previously clapping and shouting words of praises, were now in a singing a cacophony of worry and disbelief.

"Reese... your... your smile is what opened me up and after a really long time... I felt that I indeed have a heart..." He smiled, his grip on Reese weakening.

"No... what are you saying? Kris, just hold on..." She was crying again, and it pained Kris. She spoke with no strength as if trying to deny everything.

"Thanks to you, I was able to... complete my purpose here... and I was able to laugh, cry, and love... Your eyes... They really are so bright..." He felt regret, but he knew that there was no other way. His eyes and the sides of his face were wet, as more streaks of liquid made their way out of his eyes.

"Kris..."

"My promise... I'll keep it. So, keep yours... I'll be watching you..." As he resigned himself and felt every ounce of power leave his body, the last words that he could make out from Reese gave him intangible strength.

"...I love you..."

Kris' body shot up as he awoke again. This time instead of feeling weak, he felt good as new. He darted his sights left and right, but instead of the concert hall or even a hospital, what he saw different.

He was in a field of grass in the middle of the night, and down the horizon he could see a large earthen wall. In the middle, two towers guarded a wooden gate. Behind the wall, he could see a looming marble castle, which he surmised was in the middle of a city. He wondered how light illuminated the structures as there were no lights to speak of. Oddly enough, that very quality is what made Kirke certain.

He was strangely calm, and he knew where he was.

This was the field where they had their last battle, and it seems that because of the circumstances and probably as a memento of the destruction that occurred here, the inhabitants decided to build a city in the middle of the very same field.

"So it's really come to this, huh?" He lamented then tried to stand up. Unfortunately, even though he didn't feel weak before, now he felt that there was a certain lack of the strength in his legs and the reach of his arms.

Giving a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, he raised his hand in front of his face. His hands, which should have been big, were now the size of a teenager's. His legs were also shorter, and his body felt overall lacking.

He sighed.

"It's realllyyyy come to this..." He plopped back on the ground, reigning in the absurdity of it all. He's regressed into a teenager again, that much is sure. He was also fairly certain that this was Ensfell, or simply the continent where he once lived.

Still, there were questions.

How much time passed? Fairly straightforward.

How much progress has society had in this world? Previously, Ensfell all had but nomadic tribes who traveled the world with no direction. He distinctly remembered that Dragnir wanted to build a more progressive society, but progress was reliant on the amount of time.

What has changed? Certainly, even if you don't put into account the society or most likely societies that sprung up after that battle, there would be bound to be other changes, especially if a lot of time has elapsed.

Why can't he feel magic? Certainly, this was Ensfell, and if he judged correctly, he should now be able to feel the mana in the atmosphere and in his body. Strangely, there was nothing to indicate that. It feels like it's impossible that magic would cease to exist, so why is it that he couldn't feel magic?

If he was to complete any sort of goal in this world, he needed magic. That's just the way it is. He hoped to avoid the worst.

What should he do? Now, if his magic returned, he didn't plan to hide much of it. Maybe withhold information sure and remain on the side of caution, but in order to do things effectively, and as promised, he needed to be in the spotlight enough to be an influence. As a former musician, he knew how powerful being an influencer could be, even if he wasn't in any position of authority.

Lastly, could he ever see Reese again? He knew it was a moot dream. But if he had any opportunities to meet her again, it would be all he could ask for. He wasn't particularly sad for himself, but he knew Reese must be in pain. His heart ached for her, but he knew he had a duty.

Everything that happened from the proposal to him being here happened all too suddenly. He was calm, but he knew it was just the calm after the storm. Given enough time, as the facts set in on his subconscious, he's bound to react. So he needed to pace himself. He needed some introspection soon, but right now, in the middle of the open field wouldn't be the best bet.

As he was lost in his thoughts, he heard the distinct sound of hooves at a distance behind him. He sat up and slowly stood up, trying to get used to his new body. Soon, the horses and their riders stopped in front of him.

There were three of them. They all wore civilian clothes, however instead of the usual ragtag clothes like commoners had, the woolen fabric and garments they wore all had a sort of refinement to them. Behind them, were three caravans still coming to a halt.

One of them looked towards his comrades, and receiving a nod, he dismounted.

"Hey boy, what are you doing in the plains at night? There are monsters that could roam around here," It was just then that Kris noticed a sword dangling on the man's waist. He took a step back, eyeing the man in suspicion.

"Come on now, don't be so scared. Are you with anyone?" Kris didn't answer. The man sighed and removed the sword and its sheath from its belt. He tossed his weapons aside.

"Seems like you're lost. We're going back to Riz, and it'd be better for you to come with us. We could leave you here, but there's no telling what could occur here at night. We can take you to a shelter down at the local orphanage," Kris cringed at the awfully familiar name of the city, but he discreetly raised his brows at the mention of an orphanage as an idea flashed through his mind.

"Thank you sir... Please do," Kris was still wary, especially given the bloody past of Ensfell. But he couldn't sit around here and wait forever. He'd have to take this chance. Worst comes to shove, he'd just escape. There was practically nothing to lose.

"Good call, young man. Although you could practically see the outline of Riz from here, that's just because that city is damnnn huge even for a capital city. Oops, what am I doing dragging this on for too long? Hahahaha, sorry kid, let's go," The man smiled, and for a moment, Kris caught a glimpse of one of the changes in Ensfell.

People aren't so animalistic now that they could even smile that way, it seems.