After not only losing some of the most important people in my life, but also severely injuring a classmate, it all seemed to be the beginning of an endless path toward my own demise. I still vividly remember sitting in class, my face in my hands, pondering all these ideas and having the voices of those surrounding me breach my ears. While I was drowning in the noise, I felt a pair of knocks on my desk. Removing my palms, I saw a relatively short girl with light blonde hair, bright blue eyes and a gentle smile. She sparkled against the dull, seemingly dim room and the faces of those beyond her. Staring in awe, I was unaware of the amount of time passing, nor could I hear her voice even though her mouth was moving as if she was saying something.

“Hey!” She huffed, her face implying frustration and impatience. “Did you hear me at all?”

After finally hearing her words clearly, I hastily apologized, “Huh? O-Oh, sorry! What did you say?”

“Jeez, I asked if you were okay!”

Simply put, I was stunned. This girl, who shouldn’t have had any concern for me, asked me a question that no one else would dare to ask. Why? Why go out of her way to talk to an outcast like me? I couldn’t fathom such an absurd idea.

“What do you think?” I mumbled, covering my face with my hands once more.

“Hmmmm… why are you so sad?” She was either stupid or ignorant, I couldn’t tell which. Had she not heard the rumors about me killing my parents by taking the wheel?

“Haven’t you heard our classmates spreading these rumors about me?” I retorted, hatred and anger overtaking my despair.

She quickly responded before I abruptly interrupted her, “of course I have, that’s why I came over here—“

“To make fun of me?! Go away! You should mind your own business!” I shouted as I stood up out of my chair and glared back at her, slamming my hands on the table. She took a step backwards, hesitating to speak another word and stared back at me in shock. After ending my rant, I glanced around and realized everyone had their attention on us, whispering to each other. Humiliated by my own actions, I promptly sat back down and put my hands over my face. As soon as I did, she declared her purpose for coming to see me.

“I just wanted to be your friend!”

Seth sniffled before asking the floating woman his question. “Who are you? How are you doing that?”

Her light blue eyes lured his own as if they were a beacon, leading the way for those who are lost, still looking for hope.

“I am the Great Spirit of Knowledge known as Luga.” Her voice soothed his soul, and put his mind at ease. “I’ve been watching your journey within these past couple days, seeing you struggle, seeing your pain, it’s so disheartening to witness the one I’ve been interested in end up in such a state.” She lamented, putting her slender hands up to her face in distress.

“What do you mean ‘interested’?” He asked, now curious as to what was happening.

“Why, don’t you know? You’re not from this world, correct?” She stated, lowering her pearly white arms. “How couldn’t I be interested in a rare one such as you!” Her eyes continued to shimmer with the starry sky and her soft smile , quite the sight for the broken boy.

Seth sniffled again, “so what do you want with me?”

“Ah yes, I’ve come to make an offer of sorts. You see, prior to our meeting, I met with the God of Time, Temporius. We came to a deal in order to assist you in your current adversity,” the spirit Luga attested.

“Uh, okay. I’m not 100% sure what you’re talking about, but I understand some of it. You want to help me, but I’m guessing it’s not out of pure devotion or love, am I right?” He inquired,

She let out a small giggle before answering his inquiry. “Of course not. An immortal spirit loving a mere human is impossible. However, I do hope to devote myself to you and you alone, if you would let me of course.” She said reaching out her arms toward Seth.

“So how would you help me, and what would I need to sacrifice in order to gain your devotion?” Seth wiped his tears and continued asking more questions, not sure what to do with all this new information.

“With assistance from Temporius, we will send you back a few hours, just before the Haridib attack.”

“Hari—dib?” He wondered, not knowing what Luga was referencing.

“The Haridib are those monsters you met back in the village.”

So that’s what they were. He thought to himself, scratching his chin.

“Along with the time rewind, I’ll open up your magic gate for you, so you can use magic—“ she was saying before Seth suddenly interrupted her.

“Magic?! I thought there was such a thing in this world, but it was only suspicion!” He blurted, marveled at such a thing being reality.

“Yes, you can save the little girl through time travel and magic! Doesn’t that sound wonderful, magnificent?” She cajoled, unfortunately unaware of Seth’s inner thoughts and regrets.

“I don’t think I can do that.” He muttered, as he put his hands over his face, a habit that he couldn’t quite abandon. “I mean, look at me. I couldn’t do a thing back there…” his tone had taken the form of a resurfacing sadness that had laid dormant until tonight.

“But if we join forces, and you become my master, then you have a far greater chance of getting what you desire!” She attempted to persuade him further.

He stayed silent for a few seconds, clenching his fists. “I couldn’t save my parents, I couldn’t hold back my anger, I couldn’t do anything to prevent the death of my friends! If I couldn’t do anything then, how could I do anything now! NOTHING HAS CHANGED!” He shouted in the midst of endless despair, before he began to cry and weep again.

Luga peered down at him with a slight frown, let out a sigh, and lowered herself down to the ground, still hovering. “I don’t believe you’re to blame at all,” she said in a gentle manner.

“And why is that?” He sniffled some more whilst asking his question. He removed his hands and gazed upon her face.

“Think back to those events and look through a new lens.” She recommended with a slight, gentle smile. With that, Seth reluctantly shut his eyes and envisioned himself in the backseat during that fateful car ride.

“Mommy! Daddy! I made something at school today!” Seth remembered it all. He was in the backseat of his Mom’s SUV, attempting to get their attention even though the road they were driving on was hectic.

“Oh yeah, what did you make?” His mother in the front passenger seat turned her head back to face her 9 year old son. He held up a piece of paper that he had drawn on with crayons. At first glance, they were just random, incomprehensible color streaks. But upon closer inspection it was much more detailed.

“I drew you, Daddy and me!” He exclaimed gleefully. His mother’s brown eyes lit up and a wide grin manifested on her face.

“Oh my, what a pretty picture! Can I show it to Daddy?” She asked him, though it was more like a request.

“Yeah!” He handed it to her with both of his hands like it was a sacred artifact. She took it wholeheartedly and presented to the man sitting beside her who was driving the car.

“Look honey!” His mother’s face was a perfect representation of proud and lively as she presented his art to his Father, who swiftly peered to his right to see what masterpiece his son had created.

Much like his wife, he displayed a grin filled with joy. “Wow! That’s wonderful! I know you’ll do something amazing with this talent of yours someday—“

Then, everything went black, silence swallowed the sounds and voices, and his senses steadily reappeared as he removed himself from his memories.

Seth slowly opened his eyes; seeing Luga before him, still floating in the air, then tilting his head to face the ground. “So, do you still think you’re to blame?” She asked solemnly. Seth’s hollow expression stayed put as he avoided her question.

“Why didn’t you show me the aftermath?”

Her eyes widened and she was struck with disappointment. “I wanted you to recognize that this wasn’t your fault. Neither then, nor now,” she assured. “Can’t you see?! It’s not because you were weak, or because you couldn’t save them that they were killed! You’re not to blame!”

Seth continued to stare at the grass covered ground, until he shifted his gaze back up at Luga. “As much as I know this lecture of yours is for your best interest, I must admit…” Just then, as he was in the middle of speaking, a small, grateful smile appeared, his face shining and enchanted, like the sea of stars above. “I think you may be right!” He beamed, then stood up and took a deep breath.

“I still feel a bit guilty, I know that feeling will forever remain, but most of that pressure has been relieved, thanks to you!” He said while putting his hands in his pockets.

Luga slightly grinned and floated upward to be on the same level as Seth. “So, will you let me open your magic gate, rewind time, save the village of Almat, and become my master?” She requested, clearly confident in her job so far.

“Now hold on. You never told me what you want in return other than becoming your master,” he protested. “Now tell me!”

She sighed before giving her answer. “I’ll take 5 years off your lifespan, that’s all I’ve wanted excluding our pact,” she confirmed. “Do we have a deal?”

Seth laughed, “there’s no way in hell I could refuse an offer like that!” Then he shook her hand, confirming what was to come.

“Excellent. Now stay still…” she explained, before touching his forehead with her index finger. “This may be a bit painful, so be prepared.”

“Ha! There’s no way it could hurt that ba—“ he started before he immediately lost consciousness.

“AHHHH, FUCK!” Seth screamed in agony as his entire body was experiencing a massive influx of indescribable pain, that fortunately ceased as quickly as it came. He relaxed his muscles, realizing where he was. He wasn’t near the bottom of the hill anymore, and Luga was nowhere to be seen. He raised his head to see the village, perfectly intact. No fire, no screams, no bloodshed. It was a calm, gentle silence. He grinned and sprang up from his current position, and his arms shot up. “YEAH!” He shouted in delight and elation. “I can do this!”

“But… where’s Luga?” He wondered, scanning the area with his own two eyes. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice that startled him.

“I may not be in a physical form, but I’m still here.” He could hear her voice perfectly, making him jump a little. “I opened your magic gate, though there is currently very little mana available, so use it wisely,” she warned. “Also, our pact has been formed and you’re now my master.”

“Excellent!” He exclaimed, putting his hands on his hips and grinning from ear to ear. “Anything else i need to know?”

“Yes,” she began before a long pause followed, creating an intense atmosphere. “You only have one shot at this.”

Seth froze with his hands now at his sides. He remained silent for a few seconds, before clenching his fists and booming a response. “Well, I just have to make sure this time I do a damn good job!”

He marched into the village with the same confident grin that reflected every action he was planning to take. Some of the villagers peeked out of their huts to see who was making all of the ruckus, and laid their eyes upon a teenage human boy with a charred left sleeve and an overly bold smile, just making his way into their village unannounced. While he was making his way, an older man with the familiar horns, whom he recognized to be the man who led the little girl into the large structure, approached him with haste.

“JUST WHO ARE YOU YOUNG MAN?” He exploded before him in a fit of rage. But Seth noticed something completely new: he could understand him.

Realizing this, he smacked his chest with a closed fist and shouted back. “I’m here to save you from a once inevitable doom!”

“WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! THERE’S NOTHING TO BE ‘SAVED’ HERE! RUN OFF BEFORE WE BEAT YOU INTO A PULP!” The man screamed his lungs out, commanding Seth to do something that couldn’t be done.

“Sorry sir, but I cannot do that! I have a duty to fulfill!” He proudly shouted, not clouded by fear or despair.

“HUH?!” He boomed before he raised his arm, about to bash it against the boy’s head. Just then, they both heard the shrill of a young girl. Turning his head, Seth saw the little girl who had saved him, sprinting towards them, halting in front of him in an attempt to stop the older man.

“Grandfather, please don’t do this! Please let him be!” She cried and pleaded for him to meet her request.

“KAMARIA, HE MAY BRING THIS VILLAGE TO RUIN, WE HAVE TO GET HIM OUT!” His voice could be felt through the ground even when he was talking to his daughter.

“He’s not that kind of person!” She retaliated.

“AND HOW WOULD YOU KNOW THAT?!”

“I… I…” she started before staying silent, refusing to utter another word.

Seth reached down and put his right hand on the little girl’s left shoulder. “Your name is Kamaria, am I correct?” He asked with a gentle, but confident tone in his voice.

“Y-Yes, that’s me,” she reluctantly responded.

Seth gazed beyond the older man at some small wooden crates next to a hut in the near distance. He evaded him and sprinted forward, and proceeded to jump onto them, putting a bit of strain on his leg muscles, but it didn’t bother him much. He stood up straight with his hands on his hips again, now having a nice view of the village.

“Luga, what race of people are they, can you tell me?” He whispered.

“They’re Half Demons, a cross between humans and demons,” she immediately answered his question with zero hesitation.

“Thanks,” he whispered again, clenching his fists as well.

“Half Demons of Almat, I know you may not know who I am, and frankly I have no idea who any of you are besides that small girl over there,” he pointed toward the girl named Kamaria. “But to me, knowing who you are or not doesn’t matter to me. I am here to release you of the Haridib’s clutches, to free you from this inevitable path of despair and destruction!” He announced, creating waves of chatter among the villagers.

“Haridib?!”

“No way!”

“But fear not! As previously stated, I will defend this place and protect all who live and thrive here! In the name of the God of Time, Temporius, and the Great Spirit of Knowledge, Luga, I, Seth Foster, will save you all!”

I will start anew, and shoot for the stars!