Whirpools of time and space stormed inside the empty darkness as a small ball of light flew through them. Those storms attacked it without mercy and easily bit one portion of the light after another.

Many scenes flashed through the eyes of Theo. His memories, knowledge, the experience left him one by one. Betrayal, love, friendship, and many other emotions he ever felt also left him devoured by the surrounding storms. It looked like empty holes replaced those scenes, and with each new hole, an empty feeling got stronger in the man. He was unconscious and could only continue suffering from agony while his life, dreams, goals left him, leaving nothing.

Many hours later, when the ball finally reached its destination, only a shattered version of his mind was left intact. He lost most of his knowledge, experience, and memories. Storms left only some general stuff and a bit of detail intact.

...

..

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Trade union - East Borders

Freinos city

9600th year on the Continental calendar since the Arrival.

Opening his eyes, the 12-year-old boy cried from pain, holding for his head. Agony and tremendous pain appeared out of nowhere as many scenes flashed through his mind. The scenes about his life, which he never lived. The life in which he was much elder than right now.

Under the pressure of those scenes, the boy didn’t know that his mind was already changing. The more scenes he saw, the more he changed. Of course, the mind of the boy tried to struggle, but that was futile because a much elder version of himself easily devoured him. Soon after a short period of confusion, Theo raised his small hands before touching his face with no scars.

He ended up victorious in the battle of minds, but his already damaged mind suffered further and his personality mixed with the boy to close all holes inside.

“What!” muttered the youth, feeling a strange sensation of soft skin.

“Where am I?” asked Theo, moving his glance around the surrounding room.

A moment and his eyes widened in shock as a realization struck him. It was his room, from the distant childhood.

“Imp..” said the boy before his headache intensified and certain scenes of his traveling through darkness flashed in his mind.

“My mind returned in time?” Theo said with doubt. Even though his memory was shattered and there were many black holes, he clearly remembered how a sword pierced his heart and how those purple eyes looked at him. His despair and agony were so strong that it made him shiver just from remembering.

Besides, he intuitively tried to look for a certain object he vaguely remembered. It was like an extra hand for him and was his comrade. As his glance moved through the room, there was nothing that felt like his so-called comrade, his staff, which accompanied him.

Theo released a bitter sigh and started analyzing his current situation. Though he lost most of his memories, knowledge, and experience, there was enough left to realize who he was. He was an archmage in his previous life. Even now, there were many spells, techniques, and other knowledge which he could use to get stronger.

But the biggest concern was his shattered memory. He needed to restore it and return the artifact. Besides, some scenes from the future survived the journey, and Theo knew what would happen. Theo knew about the Empire, which will destroy his homeland. He couldn’t remember details, but he knew it was the worst moment in his life.

Helplessness and weakness filled all his memories related to that topic. That was enough for him to realize that something bad happened with his family in the future.

‘Power, I need it.’

Resolute flames appeared in the blue eyes of the boy as he dived into the boy’s memories. He needed to find out where exactly he was to form his plan of action.

While Theo was in deep thoughts, the door opened and a red-haired beauty entered the room; she had blue pupils, tender skin, and emitted a magical vibe. It was his mother.

“You are awake! You do not know how much I worried all this time.”

Mira quickly grabbed and embraced him in her arms. Tears began appearing in her eyes.

Theo was interrupted by this familiar but dearly missed feeling. He couldn’t remember why he felt like that, but he immersed himself in that feeling and dearly embraced her as if this feeling was a non-existing dream.

“Mother,” muttered Theo as certain scenes flashed through his eyes.

Crippled man with empty eyes with many scars from tortures. Weakness, agony, an abyss of darkness, and his family who tried to help him. Long and painful recovery. A sword in hand. Rage and fury, replaced with separation as griffon brought the fire. A burning city and his parents fighting there. Pain, blood, and escape. A smile on their lips. The sacrifice and a feeling of emptiness as he was left alone.

Tears fell down as he embraced the woman in front of him. So much pain and suffering that his heart just couldn’t cope with.

“Mother, it’s really you. It’s not a dream or illusion,” said Theo, hugging his mother.

“Are you all right? Have you seen a nightmare?” asked Mira, with a worry in her eyes.

Theo just looked into her eyes and just couldn’t tell her. If only all those memories were truly a nightmare. Even if his family was still alive now, the experiences and emotions he felt already changed him. He just couldn’t pretend that it never happened.

‘It won’t happen to them. I won’t let it.’

While his mind was in turmoil, Mira tenderly touched his cheek and looked at him with worry. It looked as if she felt that turmoil.

“Are you alright?” She repeated her question and returned Theo to his senses.

“Yes. It’s was a bad dream, don’t worry mother,” said Theo as he released her from his embrace.

Mira spent a moment looking at her son before she smiled and quickly brought a certain thing for him.

“I know, you don’t like such soups, but it’s a special medical soup which I made myself. So, you better finish it,” said Mira as she gave him a try with a spoon.

Reminded about food, his stomach also roared, making it clear what was a top priority for now. So, Theo put away his deep thoughts and just gulped saliva and opened his mouth in demand of food.

After so long a time, an empty feeling in his heart finally crumbled a bit as he enjoyed getting care of his mother. He couldn’t move right now because of the slight pain in the leg and other parts of the body. But Theo ignored it and just continued to enjoy the moment.

Mira smiled, observing her son’s reaction. It surprised her he ate it so eagerly because he used to hate her soups before. She just couldn’t know that current Theo was ready to eat anything she gave him. There was so long time which he spent dreaming about his childhood.

Such a peaceful scene continued for some time before an opening of the door interrupted them. A man in white robes entered the room. It looked like each step enlightened the vibe inside the room and made it look brighter.

“Madam, I need to check his condition,” said the priest as he bowed.

“Sure, proceed please,” said Mira as she took the medical soup and retreated from the bed.

The priest approached Theo, and soon, a small ball of light appeared in his staff and entered Theo’s body. He spent another minute with closed eyes before he opened them and looked at Mira.

“Madam, he has several ribs and bone in his leg fractured. I have cured most of the damage made by the accident, but he still needs some time to recover. I have already told you about medicine and oils, which he needs to get. For now, he should stay in his bed and not strain his own body. A day or two and he will be fine,” said the priest.

“Thank you, Great priest, I would also ask you to check the condition of injured guardian knights.”

“Sure, madame, it would be a pleasure and upper honor to serve you,” said the priest as he bowed and left the room.

As the door closed, Mira turned and looked at Theo with a certain and familiar burning gaze.

Even though he couldn’t remember the details, goosebumps passed through his spine as he looked at his mother. It looked like instincts of the 120-year-old archmage whose name cast awe on hundred of thousands met someone who he truly feared when she was angry.

“Theodor Freinos, you are the only son I have. The only male in Freinos young generation. You are no longer suffering from that rare disease and can start training. That’s why I won’t go easy on you anymore. Son, get stronger. Such incidents should never happen. I don’t want to look at your unconscious body. Do you get it?” asked Mira as he scrutinized Theo with the gaze.

Thanks to the memories of his younger version, Theo knew what happened, and knew that he was guilty. His guardian knights died because of him, because of his childish desire. His family worried because of him.

“I am sorry, it won’t happen again,” said Theo as he clenched his fist and looked down. He was indeed at fault in this situation. So, he needed to recognize his mistake, even if it was before his mind entered this body.

Mira also softened a bit as she watched how her son accepted it. That was enough to appease her fury. That’s why she only released a sigh before touching Theo’s arm, making him look at her.

“Son, you are healthy now. You can get stronger and choose your path. You are no longer a white sparrow forced to watch as his peers improve, leaving you in the dust. So, please, train. You don’t need to be as strong as your sisters, just don’t make us worry about you like this,” said Mira as her eyes glistened with liquid. “In case you need help, just come ask for me. I, your sisters, your guardian knights, we will always help you.”

Theo could only swallow a lump in his throat. Like his younger version, he suffered from this rare disease which stopped him from training both in magic and inner energy. Because of that, he closed himself in a shell. The entire world considered him garbage, and only his family never gave up on him and helped to recover. His mother’s words just reminded him about his childhood from the previous life and he just couldn’t stop shivering. So much care, and love, a new life for him. A chance to stop the tragedy. That’s why he sobered up and looked at his mother with a serious expression on his face.

“I understand. Don’t worry, mother. I won’t make you worry about me like this again,” said Theo with a resolute flame in his gaze. Even though he came from the future, and devoured his younger version, he was still Theo Freinos. Now, when he got a second chance, he will give the family things that he couldn’t. He will meet their expectations, earn fame and protect them.

“Good, then let’s finish with soup and proceed with medicine,” said Mira as she smiled and caressed his hair.

At that moment, Theo felt he was indeed in his past, under the care of both a strict and benevolent mother.