Edited by.... Wesley Au, surprise! (No, not really :P )

*****************************************

White and silence.

Those are the two words that best describe this scene. Everything was colored in a monochrome white, no shadows, no outlines, no horizon, nothing. A vast space of white emptiness engulfed the entire field of vision.

In the middle of this vast, white universe sat a boy. Naked, cross-legged and eyes closed, this boy was in a state of trance. His pale flawless skin shining brightly and dark blue hair resting motionlessly on his head.

“Ragnar, wake up,” said a high pitched male voice.

The boy grimaced and opened his eyes. As he saw the white world he was in, he wondered whether this was another dream.

“Ragnar Aesir, we don’t have all day, you know!” exclaimed the same voice and out of nowhere a small little foot kicked Ragnar in the knee.

“Ow!” shouted Ragnar and he quickly got up. He was immediately kicked out of his morning stupor and his mind had a flash of understanding. This was definitely not a dream. He looked around him to observe his surroundings but he could only see white nothingness in every direction.

As Ragnar was looking around a small gnome-shaped fairy materialized in front of him. It was the same one Ragnar had met the day before: short, chubby and with an ugly beard.

“Alright,” said the little man, “now that I have your attention, I’d like to speak to you for a bit about what we’re going to do. We couldn’t talk when we met in forest so I couldn’t fully explain to you what you are destined to do.”

Ragnar remembered meeting the little fairy as he walked back to the road. He was in a hurry and had no time to listen to the fairy’s story. The fairy kept begging him to take him along and so he stuffed the little man in his backpack. To be honest, he’d completely forgotten about the little guy.

“Ah yes, you called me the ‘chosen one’, didn’t you? Have you perhaps read a few fairy tales too many? Oh wait, you ARE a fairy so I guess that just make them ‘tales’ for you?” said Ragnar and he laughed at his own joke.

“Haha, very funny,” said the fairy grumpily, “but the fact remains that prophecy has foretold of a blue haired, sword wielding boy that will save the world from certain doom.”

“Fairy Tale one-oh-one, let me guess: I got to save a princess from a dragon or something?” asked Ragnar mockingly.

The fairy smiled and said, “I don’t think you’d believe me unless I showed you. Allow me.”

And with those words the little gnome lifted both his hands above his head. The white world instantly vanished and was replaced with endless piles of mossy rubble and broken marble pillars. Moss had started to grow on the piles of stones. gross was growing in the remaining skeletons of buildings that used to be called ‘houses’. A soft wind was blowing through the ruins, creating an eerily silent aura of this desolate area. It was obvious that this place used to be a town but every home, every road, every building has been torn to shreds.

Ragnar was looked at the new scene with surprise. It didn’t matter where he looked, the entire landscape was littered with the remains of a fallen city.

“What is this place?” asked Ragnar.

“This place used to be called Lefkopolis. It means city of white in an ancient tongue and it truly was a remarkable place. The entire city was grey stone and white marble. All citizens were thriving as the war had brought a lot of commerce to the area. They were a happy bunch back then….” Said the fairy and he looked a bit sad.

“So what happened?” asked Ragnar, paying full attention to the fairy.

“Xenth Empire released one of their Gladium, master of his soul and elite unit of the empire. They can control their element with devastating powers: Thunderstorms, Volcanic Eruptions, Tsunamis, you name it. These men wield such terrifying power that only a squad of Nobles would stand a chance of survival.”

“Our country’s Nobles are the strongest there are, or else they wouldn’t be Nobles!” protested Ragnar, and it was true. You could only be a Noble in Halram Kingdom by defeating the previous one. The ones with the mightiest strength are given the most luxuries in the entire kingdom.

“But that’s where you’re wrong. Look around you,” said the fairy. “This place was destroyed while Lord Nero was patrolling the city. Not only did he fail to protect the city, he was the first to be killed by the incoming attack of the Gladium.”

“That can’t be right!” exclaimed Ragnar, “Lord Nero died on the battlefield in Kafta Desert. It is written in literally every history book.”

“Is that how the books tell it? I can guarantee you Lord Nero was here during the attack. Look over there.” The fairy pointed at a particularly square stone slab that had been overwhelmed by growing moss and vines. Ragnar walked towards it and cleaned off the surface a bit.

‘Here lies Lord Nero, the first to fall during the attack on Lefkopolis.’

“I know for a fact that he died in Kafta Desert,” said Ragnar. He’d argued with Ymil dozens of times as to whether Lord Nero was a true hero or just some schmuck with power.

“But his grave lies here, for whatever reason. Don’t worry though, this is exactly why we’re here now and not at, let’s say, the time the city got destroyed,” said the fairy with a huge grin on his face. The little man held up his hand, indicating that Ragnar should shut up and look at their surroundings.

Ragnar fell silent. How could a human being become so strong to destroy an entire city? And why would this fairy show him the city when it’s already in ruins? Wouldn’t it make more sense to show how it got destroyed in order to show what he’d have to fight against?

But as Ragnar was pondering this blue orbs of light started to appear. At first there were but a few, rising steadily from the ground as if they were air bubbles in a mud pool. But the amount of light orbs increased at an alarming rate, little spheres had even started to pour from under Ragnar’s feet, startling him.

“Relax, Ragnar,” laughed the fairy as he saw this, “this is only a memory. We can’t interact with this world. Just relax and pay attention.”

Ragnar regained his composure and nodded. He looked at the ruins around him but it became increasingly difficult to see. The small orbs had littered the entire view and it was neigh impossible to see past them. At some point he couldn’t even see his own hands anymore.

A large blue flash suddenly appeared and the entire world they were just in had disappeared.

In its stead was a city, made entirely of white and grey stones. The tiled roofs had been painted green and windows all contained first rate glass, a commodity that symbolized the wealth of a city. The roads were well maintained, merchants were standing in every corner of the city trying to sell their goods. People were walking in every direction. There were even some kids running around playing tag. The silence that had dominated the previous scene became a loud rumbling bustling with crowds of people.

“What did you just….” Ragnar started to ask.

“I did nothing, and therein lies the problem,” answered the fairy. “This isn’t my memory, it is the memory of the earth and she has no control over this phenomenon.”

“What just happened then?”

“Take a look over there,” said the gnome and he pointed in the direction of tall man with white hair. His tanned skin and clear blue eyes would be recognized by anyone.

“But that’s Lord Nero!” gasped Ragnar. “What on earth?”

“To put it simply, time has been reversed. It was set back exactly 47 years into the past, to a point where Lefkopolis was still a thriving city,” explained the fairy.

“That’s not possible,” said Ragnar as he shook his head. “The God of Death wouldn’t allow this.”

“He’s just as mad as everyone else about it, trust me. But that isn’t the biggest problem.” The fairy flew up to Ragnar’s face and looked him dead in the eyes. “Those blue spheres you just saw were the Earth’s own energy, someone is using the Earth’s energy to reverse time.”

“Nope, I don’t believe it. How would people notice it otherwise?” asked Ragnar, still not believing this fairy’s tale.

“But it isn’t the entire world, only Halram Kingdom seems to be affected by this. All other countries keep on going as nothing has happened.”

“But why would anybody do this? And why do you need me to stop this?”

“The reason isn’t very clear, but the consequences are. Every time Halram Kingdom goes back in time the earth loses some of its energy. If this keeps up long enough the entire world’s energy, its essence of life, will be depleted.”

“And that means?”

“It means that the earth, along with every living thing on it, will die.”

—-

When Uncle Max came to fetch the children the next day he was met with three grumpy kids. They each had bags under their eyes and they didn’t radiate the youthful energy that usually annoyed this old man. When he saw how tired the children were, he couldn’t help but smile.

“You guys look like disheveled piles of dirt. Go wash yourselves,” said Uncle Max as he motioned them to go clean themselves up. “Today will be your first day at the Academy and first impressions are crucial.”

The three kids nodded and went to get ready. Mia started by combing her messy hair in front of the mirror, Ragnar decided to take the first shower and Ymil looked through his clothes to find his best outfit.

“I’ll meet you guys downstairs once you’re done. We’ll be having breakfast and leave for the Academy right away.”

Ymil was kind of surprised. They were at the Capital now so he’d hoped to see the city for himself before going to the academy.

“We’re not going into the city then?” he asked.

“No, today is the day of the opening ceremony so there is no time to dilly dally. Get ready and we’re going to the academy right away,” answered Uncle Max and he walked down stairs.

The reason they didn’t come earlier was because Uncle Max didn’t want to babysit three children while walking through such a crowded city as the Capital. There were quite a few predators lurking in the shady streets and he had no way to keep these children in sight twenty four/seven.

—-

The Capital’s Military Academy was located on the outskirts of the Capital City in order to accommodate the numerous students that attend it. The campus was a large complex of a variety of buildings that each serve a specific purpose. There were sport halls, magic convents and normal classrooms, but even the teachers didn’t know what some of the buildings were used for.

The entrance was particularly beautiful. Anyone that came through the front be met with the sight a beautiful marble road with colorful flowers decorating the sides. The white road and colorful flowers made a sharp contrast and made for a lively yet orderly beauty. The road itself led to a single white building. The building’s roof was in the shape of a dome and the way inside was led by majestic statues of various magical beasts.

“Wow,” exclaimed the three kids as they stepped through the front gate. Ragnar, Ymil and Mia had grown up in a small rural village and were used to dirty houses and messy wildlife, but this scene looked beautiful and clean. It went against all their expectations. It was even enough to make them forget that they were exhausted.

“Don’t gawk for too long, we still have to register you guys,” said Uncle Max and he walked past the children. “Come on, we don’t have all day.”

The kids hurriedly followed Uncle Max along to the domed building. When they walked inside they stopped once again. The roof was covered entirely in vivid drawings of historic battles. Magical beasts, enemy invaders, powerful knights, they were all depicted on the ceiling of this buildings in amazing, if a bit crude, paintings.

“Move along,” said Uncle Max irritably, these kids were so predictable.

The room itself was filled with multiple desks in order to help children enroll into the academy. There were a lot of people, both adults and children, talking with the clerks behind the desks. Uncle Max stalked to the nearest unoccupied one and addressed the girl sitting behind it. She was reading a magazine called “Love Daily” and didn’t see the tall dark man approach her desk.

“Ahem,” coughed Uncle Max gently as he knocked on the table. The girl looked up for a bit and shrugged for a bit. She then went back to read her magazine.

*BANG*

“Eek!” yelped the girl and she fell from her chair.

Uncle max had driven a fist through the desk in front of him, there was now a fist shaped hole in it. He didn’t like being ignored, especially not by such a pesky teenager.

“H-How may I b-be of service, s-sir?” she stuttered as she got up from the ground. She was staring at the hole this man had just made in her desk.

“I want to enroll these two….” Uncle Max started to say and wanted to point at the two boys he brought along but then found that they weren’t there. “For goodness’s sake! Where did those brats go this time?!”

—-

While the kids were gawking at the paintings on the ceiling, a young girl walked past them and pointed at the Forgeron siblings.

“Haha, they’ve got blue hair!” exclaimed the girl and she started to laugh. “Where are you from, a circus?”

Hearing this girl make fun of his hair made Ragnar incredibly angry. He’d always known blue hair was abnormal but to be mocked because of it?!

Ragnar took an offensive stance and summoned his blue claymore to his hand. He glared at the girl in front of him, observing her entire figure.

(Narrator’s Note: Ragnar’s got a short temper apparently. Ironic, as you wouldn’t expect someone with Ice affinity to explode so easily.)

The girl had fiery red hair, another peculiar color, and beautiful flaming eyes. She looked as though she was there to enroll into the academy but her physique was incredibly well developed for an 11 year old. She was even taller than Ragnar, and he wasn’t all that short for his age. Her figure was well defined in the red dress she wore and it would attract the attention of almost any boy hitting puberty.

“I dare you to say that again, Miss Tomato,” said Ragnar somewhat impressed. The only girl he’d ever known was his sister so seeing this beauty was kind of refreshing.

“Tomato?!” she exclaimed and her face turned red as well. “Don’t you DARE call me a tomato, you blue freak!” As she said this she summoned her own soul. It was shaped like short staff with a yellow gem at its top, it looked like a magic wand as they are portrayed in fairytales. She was obviously a mage.

“Look at that,” said Ragnar mockingly, “her face even turns red! Yup, definitely a tomato. Where are your parents? In tonight’s stew, I presume?”

“I’ll burn you to cinders!” she yelled. The yellow gem started to glow brightly and she muttered a few incomprehensible words.

“Guys, stay out of this,” said Ragnar as he motioned Mia and Ymil to step back. They did, they knew that Ragnar’s pride wouldn’t allow them to step in. That, and Mia was all too happy to see Ragnar defend their hair-color.

Two little fires had started to float around the girl’s body, it was clear that the spell was about to be unleashed.

But before she could direct the energy at her opponent, Ragnar had already rushed towards her. He took a step forward and started to initiate his spinning attack on the girl. She was slightly startled at the speed of the boy and the only thing she could do was parry the incoming blow. She lifted her wand to block the blade but she was pushed back a few steps.

Ragnar’s first move was to stop her incantation, for it is common knowledge that a mage’s weakness is their casting time. He looked at the girl but what he saw surprised him. The two flames that were orbiting her had not disappeared.

In that instant the girl pointed the wand at him and shouted:

“Fièrum Fotia!”

One of the two flares shot in Ragnar’s direction at an incredible pace. He had no time to react and was left wide open as the firebolt came rushing at his body.

“Ouch!”

The bolt hit him in the right shoulder with a flashy explosion. It was nowhere near a deadly strike, but it made Ragnar take a step back. It stung like hell.

Ragnar looked at the girl and saw a smug smile on her face. This angered him even more and he rushed towards her again. He was going to show her what pain felt like!

Her smile quickly faded as she saw the boy charging again, she hadn’t expected this. She prepared to shoot another bolt at him with more energy than she did before.

“Fièrum Fotia!”

“HALT!” yelled a familiar voice.

Out of nowhere the black figure of Uncle Max appeared between the two. He abruptly held Ragnar back with one hand while holding his other hand out to the girl. The firebolt she’d released hit the center of his palm and it exploded with a blinding explosion, but Uncle Max wasn’t even bothered by it. He was looking at Ragnar with furrowed brows.

“What the hell are you thinking?” he said angrily. “Challenging a noble on your first day, you’ve got a death wish or something?”

Ragnar was somewhat startled, Uncle Max had appeared out of thin air. When he finally processed the words Uncle Max had said, he looked at the girl he was fighting earlier. She looked a bit pale but as she saw him look in her direction she stuck out her tongue.

“But Uncle Max…” began Ragnar.

“No buts, you’re coming with me,” he said and he dragged Ragnar away by the collar. Ragnar didn’t even try to fight it, Uncle Max was just too strong.

“And you two, get your asses over here. You’re equally to blame in all this,” said Uncle Max as he turned around. Both Ymil and Mia turned pale and quickly followed the dark man.

The girl just stood there, watching this scene in silence. She knew her firebolts were strong enough to even pierce through sheets of steel, yet this boy shrugged it off as a minor annoyance. And that man, who on earth is he?

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” she said as the man dragged the boy away.

“You’re expecting an apology, I presume?” said the man as he stopped to look at her.

She nodded quickly.

“Not happening,” said Uncle Max and he walked back towards the registration desk together with his entourage.

The girl just stood there at a loss of words. Nobody had ever treated her like that. Only when her attendants had come to check on her did she come back to her senses.

‘Those guys are dangerous,’ she thought. ‘I should keep my eye on them.’