I laid down in the warm, soft comfort of the bed, trying to let sleep take me. The night was alive with the sounds of howling wolves and the eerie whispers of forest spirits drifting through the air, making it difficult to find peace. Despite the unease, I eventually drifted off, letting the strange world outside fade into the darkness of my dreams.
When dawn broke, the light filtering through the repaired window stirred me awake. I blinked away the remnants of sleep and turned my head, seeing Atlas seated nearby, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He was staring intently at something, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
Atlas had been up for a while, pondering the strange behavior of his relics. Each one, except for the relic given to him by Mystic, had suddenly flashed with light during the night. The unexpected activity had unsettled him. He considered the possibility that the relics' systems had been tampered with, overclocked by someone or something. But it didn't make sense—only Mystic could configure the system within the Relic of Transfiguration. How had someone accessed them without leaving any trace or sound?
Determined to prevent any potential disaster, Atlas tried to disable the relics using the power of his Transfiguration relic. To his relief, it worked; the blinking lights ceased, and the relics returned to their dormant state. The threat of an elemental explosion, which could have occurred had the relics remained in their overclocked state, was averted.
Despite this, Atlas couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Someone had broken into the cabin and tampered with his relics, but who? And why? The questions gnawed at him as he carefully placed the relics back into his messenger bag. The bag itself was adorned with two intricate symbols: one, a star encircled by two rings and the phases of the moon, and the other, a purple sigil identical to the one embroidered on the back of his suit.
As I watched Atlas, I could see the weight of these mysteries pressing down on him. Something—or someone—was playing a dangerous game, and we were caught in the middle of it.
(Retro) "Hey there, kiddo. Looks like I overslept. Did I miss anything while I was out?"
(Atlas) "Not really, just some of my relics weren't working properly."
(Retro) "Your relics?"
(Atlas) "Oh right, I never explained relics to you, did I? Plus, you've probably never seen one before." Atlas reaches into his bag and pulls out one of his relics—a small, round object with an hourglass encased within it. "Here's one of them. This is my Relic of Ice."
(Retro) "It looks like an hourglass, but I'm guessing it doesn't have anything to do with time, right?" Retro leans in, his curiosity piqued.
(Atlas) "No, it doesn't. If you look closely, you'll see that the hourglass is filled with snow instead of sand." Atlas places the relic into his glove and activates it. Instantly, shimmering ice blades form in his hand, sharp and deadly.
(Retro) "That's pretty useful and nifty," Retro says, nodding in approval.
(Atlas) "It is, but it can also be risky. I can only use one relic at a time right now. My body needs to become more proficient before I can handle more."
(Retro) "How many can you use at once?"
(Atlas) "Well, my body can handle about three relics simultaneously, but only one can be fully utilized at a time. The others can be used in combination. For example, if I combine the Earth and Water relics, I can create mud. Or if I combine Fire and Earth, I can produce lava."
Retro gives a low whistle, impressed by the versatility of the relics. "That's a lot of power to wield. I can see why you're careful with them."
Atlas nods, his expression serious. "Yeah, they're powerful, but they can be unpredictable if I'm not careful. That's why I'm always trying to improve my control over them."
Retro smiles and pats Atlas on the shoulder. "You're doing good, kid. Just keep at it. You've got a lot of potential, and I'm sure you'll master those relics in no time."
(Retro) "That's nice. Maybe if you had a Thunder relic or could combine something to make one, that would be nuts."
(Atlas) "Thunder relics are granted by Zeus, but his trials are quite a challenge. But honestly, thunder can be manipulated, especially with metals like copper. It's powerful, but not unstoppable."
(Retro) "Not bad. I wonder if I could get a relic, or are they only for certain people?"
(Atlas) "Relics can be obtained by anyone, really. But you have to pass trials that relate to each relic's ability. It's not easy, but it's possible."
(Retro) "You've got me curious now, kiddo."
(Atlas) "I have a question for you now, Retro."
(Retro) "Hit me with it."
(Atlas) "Do I remind you of someone?"
Retro pauses, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Now that you mention it… you do remind me of an old friend from my world. He was half Redwood Fox and half human, just like you. He mainly used his powers and spells to fight and help the weak. I believe his name was… Ah, I remember now. Aryan. His name was Aryan. He was like a son to me, but sadly, he met his end a long time ago."
(Atlas) "Oh, I'm sorry, Retro. I didn't mean to remind you of your lost friend."
(Retro) "You're fine, kiddo. That was over 2,000 years ago for me."
Atlas looks at him, surprised. "How old are you exactly?"
(Retro) "I don't really remember. I lost track after 150,000."
Atlas stares at Retro in shock, trying to process the immense time span. "That's… that's ancient."
Retro chuckles softly. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. But time is strange when you live as long as I have. You see a lot, lose a lot, but you also gain some things along the way. People like you, Atlas, who remind me of what it's all worth."
Atlas smiles slightly, feeling a deeper connection to the enigmatic figure before him. "I hope I can live up to that, Retro."
Retro pats Atlas on the back, his voice warm. "You already are, kiddo. Just keep being you."
As Retro hands his sword to Atlas, the two exchange knowing glances, each aware of the powerful artifact's significance. Atlas examines the sword, noticing the two empty slots in the hilt, and speaks with urgency.
"Have you noticed the two missing slots in the hilt?"
Retro nods, his eyes narrowing. "Yeah, I did. I remember when the first gem was put in there—I got some of my memories back. But my left hand turned black. I'm not sure what that's about."
Atlas, examining Retro's hand, frowns in concern. "It could be that the gems hold pieces of your soul, and the sword is the vessel for them. But if that's true, the sword might be too powerful to wield safely."
Retro scratches his head, looking a bit puzzled. "Maybe. But I haven't thought much about it. I mean, my memories are still foggy. The sword... it's a part of me, but it feels foreign, too."
"We found one gem here, but the concern is that your hand turned black after placing it in the hilt. Let me try something," Atlas says, pulling out an hourglass orb and using his Relic of Transfiguration to attempt to change the color of Retro's hand. But to no avail—the hand remains black.
"Well, that didn't work," Atlas says, a bit frustrated. "This might be the work of Havoc. He's a god, capable of things beyond what my relic can fix. Maybe it's because you're a deity yourself, Retro, and your powers are tied to this world in ways I can't understand."
Retro stares at his hand, deep in thought. "Yeah, maybe. I'm from another world, and my powers and memories come in the form of gems. This sword, the one Phantom gave me, could be the key to unlocking them. But if others find those gems... who knows what could happen?"
Atlas looks at Retro, concern evident in his eyes. "It's possible that the gems won't allow anyone else to use them, but we can't be sure. The idea of someone else wielding your powers is... unsettling."
Retro's stomach growls, breaking the tension, and they both laugh. "Guess it's time for some food," Retro says, lightening the mood.
As they head out to hunt in the nearby forest, they spot a pig in the distance. Atlas turns to Retro, holding the sword. "How about we cook something pork-related for lunch?"
Retro grins. "Sounds good. Also, try using the sword, kiddo. Channel your mana through it and think of the element you want to use."
Atlas grips the sword and envisions the element of water. As he swings, a blade of water shoots out, slicing through the pig—and the forest beyond.
"Whoa! I didn't expect that," Atlas says, feeling suddenly drained. "I think I overdid it."
Retro chuckles, though he's slightly worried. "Yeah, you might want to work on controlling that. You killed the pig and the forest."
"Sorry, it's my first time using it. My mana's high, but this sword... it drains it fast," Atlas replies, handing the sword back to Retro.
Retro inspects the sword, spinning it in the air before swinging it down with force. The ground trembles as a massive area of the forest vanishes, leaving a cleared expanse. Retro falls to one knee, struggling to catch his breath.
"That... that was too much," Retro pants, visibly shaken. "The gem in the sword—it amplifies the power beyond what I can handle."
Atlas kneels beside him, concerned. "Are you okay? Can you remove the gem?"
Retro tries, but the gem won't budge. "No, it's stuck in there. Looks like we're stuck with this power boost, for better or worse."
Atlas sighs, both of them realizing the gravity of the situation. "Well, that's disappointing. If you can't handle the sword without collapsing, then... wait a minute."
Retro looks at him, curiosity piqued. "What is it, kiddo?"
Atlas ponders for a moment, an idea forming in his mind. "Maybe there's a way to manage the sword's power without draining yourself. We just need to figure out how. But for now, let's get that pig cooked."
Retro nods, still catching his breath. "Yeah, food first. We'll deal with the sword later. But kiddo, be careful with this thing. It's more than just a weapon—it's a part of me."
Atlas nods in agreement. "We'll figure it out, Retro. Together."
As Retro and Atlas observe the regenerating forest, the speed at which the trees and plants return to their previous state astonishes them.
"Kiddo, look at the forest..." Retro points, eyes wide as the trees and foliage rapidly restore themselves.
"Woah, that's amazing!" Atlas exclaims, pulling out his journal to quickly jot down notes. "I need to document this."
Retro, however, feels uneasy. "Holy cow, that's fast, but something's not right... You do your thing, kiddo."
Atlas pauses his writing, a thought crossing his mind. "Wait a minute... Did Mystic mention that whenever something organic grows this fast, it usually involves plant magic?"
Retro nods slowly, scanning their surroundings. "There might be a magic user near us, or maybe a magic stone or relic? Something's gotta be fueling this."
Atlas grabs his relics, attaching them to his glove, ready for anything. "Whatever it is, we have to stay on guard."
Retro's grin widens with anticipation. "Oh, this is going to be fun. I wanna try something real quick. You might wanna step back."
Atlas takes a step back, giving Retro space. "Go right ahead, Retro."
Retro releases just a fraction of his aura, sending a wave of energy rippling through the forest. He closes his eyes, sensing for any presence.
Atlas waits anxiously. "Do you sense anything yet?"
Retro furrows his brow, concentrating. "I feel a rock of some kind, maybe a relic or a gem, but it's too far to tell exactly. There's definitely someone closing in on it, though."
Atlas's eyes widen. "We should go for that item. If it's another gem, we can't let it fall into the wrong hands."
Retro nods in agreement. "If it's a gem, we need to keep it out of people's hands. Let's go, kiddo."
Retro retracts his aura, and they set off through the forest, passing by various animals until they reach what seems to be ancient ruins. A massive stone pillar stands before them, covered in ancient inscriptions.
Retro points toward the pillar. "Atlas, I can feel it coming from over there."
Atlas moves closer, his curiosity piqued. "Hold on, let me check this out quickly."
As he studies the ancient writing, Atlas's interest deepens. "This is fascinating... I need to write this down."
Retro chuckles. "Wanna play the keeper of records again, huh?"
Atlas grins, swapping out one of the relic orbs in his glove for the Relic of Transfiguration. He uses it to create ink, quickly copying the ancient inscriptions onto the pages of his journal. "I'll be quick. This might be important later."
Retro keeps watch, scanning the area for any hidden clues while Atlas works. "Make sure to get all that down. We might need it."
Once finished, Atlas closes his journal. "Got it. Let's move."
They move towards the massive stone pillar, its size even more imposing up close.
"Damn, this thing is huge," Retro mutters.
Atlas switches to his Relic of Air, using it to create a gust of wind that lifts him toward the top of the pillar. "Let's see if we can get a better view from up here."
Retro chuckles, shaking his head. "No fair, kiddo."
Atlas smiles and creates another gust of wind, lifting Retro to the top of the pillar alongside him.
Retro stumbles slightly as they reach the top. "Woah, slow down a bit."
Atlas looks out over the landscape, his eyes wide. "You gotta see this view. Plus, we can get a good look at our surroundings."
Retro follows Atlas's gaze, his breath catching in his throat. "What the... What's with this area? It's massive."
Atlas nods in agreement, his voice filled with awe. "I've never seen anything like this before in my life."
Retro takes a deep breath, scanning the expanse before them. "This is like a whole city... but where did it come from?"
As they stand atop the pillar, the vastness of the ancient, seemingly forgotten city stretches out before them, leaving both Retro and Atlas to wonder what secrets it holds and what dangers lie ahead.
As Retro and Atlas surveyed the vast, overgrown city, a large temple stood out in the distance. The ancient structure, partially hidden by the dense foliage, seemed to be the focal point of the forgotten city.
"I've seen many cities fall to ruin, but this… this wasn't what I was expecting," Retro said, his voice tinged with a mixture of awe and unease.
Atlas nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "It's like the plants overtook the place, forcing the people who lived here to abandon it."
"Maybe," Retro mused. "But I wanna see it for myself. Wait, over there—do you see that person running towards the temple?"
Atlas squinted in the direction Retro pointed. "Yeah, I see them. Hold on a sec."
Atlas quickly pulled out a piece of glass and wood he had collected earlier. With the help of his Relic of Transfiguration, he fashioned a makeshift telescope, using it to get a better look at the figure.
Retro watched with curiosity. "What do they look like?"
Atlas adjusted the focus and then replied, "They're tall, with purple hair. They're wearing a purple shirt, dark purple pants, and black shoes. They look human."
Retro raised an eyebrow. "Weird… Could be a traveler or maybe an explorer?"
Atlas lowered the telescope, his brow furrowed in thought. "Possibly. But Retro, when you sensed them earlier with your aura, did it feel like they were running or walking toward the temple?"
Retro closed his eyes briefly, recalling the sensation. "I felt them, but there's more than just him. We need to help him fast—monsters are all over this place."
Atlas's eyes widened with determination. "Got it. I have an idea to get there faster."
Retro shot him a wary glance. "Don't you dare sling me—"
Before Retro could finish, Atlas grinned and created an ice slide leading down from the pillar toward the temple, its sleek surface glinting in the sunlight.
Atlas smirked, trying to hide his mischief. "Nah, I'd never do that. Now then, let's go!"
Retro, though not fully convinced, sighed. "Okay, I guess I'll trust you on this one."
With a nod, Atlas motioned for them to get on the ice slide. "Alright, alright, let's go help them."
As they both jumped onto the slide, the rush of cold air whipped past them as they sped downwards. The landscape blurred, the temple and the running figure growing larger as they closed the distance rapidly. Retro, still feeling a bit skeptical, gripped the edge of the slide, his eyes scanning for any threats.
Despite the speed, Atlas managed to maintain control, steering them toward the base of the temple. They could now see the figure more clearly, still running frantically, unaware of the monstrous dangers lurking nearby.
As they neared the end of the slide, Retro prepared himself for whatever might come next, his senses heightened and ready for action.
"Hang on, kiddo," Retro muttered as they closed in. "This could get rough."
Atlas gave a quick nod, his eyes sharp and focused. "We'll be ready. Let's save this guy."
The slide came to an abrupt end, and the two leaped off, landing gracefully near the temple. They were now only a short distance away from the mysterious traveler, who was still running towards the temple. The air was thick with tension, as both Atlas and Retro knew they were not alone in these ruins.
**Traveler's Point of View:**
I'm lost. The path I thought I was following has vanished, and the landmarks I remembered seem to blur into the vastness of this ancient landscape. My heart pounds as I fumble for my map, hoping it can guide me back, but when I look down, I see it's torn—a large section of it missing, rendering it almost useless.
The ruins around me loom tall, casting shadows that make everything feel even more ominous. As I frantically scan the surroundings, I catch sight of something moving in the distance. At first, I hope it's another traveler, but as it draws nearer, my stomach sinks—it's not a person, it's a monster. Its grotesque form moves with a speed and precision that makes my blood run cold.
Panic surges through me, and I turn to run. The terrain is rough, with roots and debris littering the ground. My foot catches on something, and I go down hard, scraping my hands as I hit the dirt. Fear overrides pain as I scramble to my feet, but the monster is gaining on me. I can hear its breath, feel its presence closing in. I push myself to move faster, desperate to escape, but my legs feel heavy as if the weight of the situation is slowing me down.
Then, suddenly, something catches my eye—a glimmer of hope or maybe just a trick of the light. I stop dead in my tracks, staring at whatever it is, not sure if I should believe it or if my mind is playing tricks on me in this desperate moment. My hand trembles as I stuff the useless map back into my coat.
This could be it. My last stand, my last journey, my last moment. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the wild beating of my heart. The monster is almost upon me, but I can't let fear paralyze me. I have to decide—fight, hide, or keep running?
**Retro and Atlas POV:**
As Retro and Atlas descended from the icy slide, they were greeted by a monstrous creature closing in on an unsuspecting traveler. With quick reflexes, Atlas launched a fireball, obliterating the beast in an instant. But more monsters emerged from the shadows, growling in defense of their fallen kin.
Retro swung his sword in a powerful arc above his head, then brought it crashing down. The force of the blow carved out a valley, tearing the earth apart before the terrain mysteriously knitted itself back together. But the effort took its toll—Retro dropped to one knee, struggling to catch his breath as the sword drained more mana than he could easily spare.
"Why did you save me?" the traveler, now safe, asked with a weary chuckle. "My life's not worth that much."
Retro looked up, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Because monsters aren't much fun to have around." He gestured to Atlas. "The name's Retro, and this is Atlas."
The traveler, a man, stepped forward. "Hi, Retro. I'm Becky. I'm not exactly from these parts... You could say I'm out of this era."
Retro raised an eyebrow. "Guess I'm not the only one who's out of place in this world."
Atlas nodded in agreement. "So, Becky, what brings you here?"
Becky sighed, brushing off some dirt as he moved towards a fallen log. "I'm from a different timeline. The future, actually."
Retro looked intrigued. "Well, that's interesting. I didn't expect to meet someone from a different timeline—especially from the future."
"It's a long story," Becky replied as he sat down on the log. "You guys have time to hear it?"
Atlas hesitated. "Well, it wouldn't hurt, but we're kind of on our way to the temple for something important…"
Retro chimed in. "Yeah, if there's a gem or relic in there, we need to secure it. We can't leave something like that unguarded."
Becky looked thoughtful, then spoke. "It can wait… right?"
Retro glanced at him and then back at the path ahead. "Well, when we get out of this ancient city, we can share our stories. Sound fair?"
Becky frowned, uncertain. "How am I supposed to trust you if I don't know your story and you don't know mine?"
Atlas, ever the pragmatist, responded. "You don't need to know someone's story to trust them."
Retro nodded. "That's true. I don't even know Atlas's full story, but we're here together."
Becky pressed on. "So if he turned on you or was sent from the future to kill you, you'd still trust him?"
Atlas smirked. "If he wanted to kill me, he'd do it without hesitation. I've seen what he can do."
Retro chuckled softly. "I'd be hesitant, though. After everything we've been through, it wouldn't be easy."
Becky seemed to consider this before speaking again. "Alright, we'll find this piece you're looking for, and then we'll share our stories. I have to get back to beating my enemy, after all."
Atlas narrowed his eyes slightly. "Sounds a bit suspicious…"
Retro laughed at Atlas's wariness, while Becky added, "You could say he's faster than a speeding bullet."
Retro's interest was piqued. "Sounds like an interesting opponent, but first, let's rest. With this gem in the sword, I'm burning through mana faster than I expected."
Becky agreed. "Yeah, I'm exhausted. It's been a long day."
Atlas sighed. "It's barely noon, guys…"
Retro shot him a playful glare. "Shut up, kiddo. You know you're just as tired as I am. Swinging my sword isn't exactly a breeze."
Becky chuckled softly. "Time travel takes a lot out of you."
Retro chuckled along with her as they settled down by the fire. The group took a much-needed break, unaware of the growing danger nearby.
As they rested, a powerful relic within the temple began to glow ominously in the darkness. Meanwhile, far in the distance, a figure with pure white eyes and a halo-like crown of light watched them intently. Dark shadows cloaked his form as he observed the group by the fire, a soft, menacing chuckle escaping his lips. The real threat was closer than they knew.