INSCRIPTED REALITIES

I took a deep breath, staring blankly into the space dimly lit by the hovering text– the words urging me to decide–to change his…our fate.

I never thought I’d hope for a chance to change things.

This used to be something… that made me feel superior–a sadistic pleasure that these characters were mere puppets dancing under my palms.

However, being made aware of the horrifying reality, I was left with nothing but devastation. It felt like I was drowning, and someone—something—had grabbed my hand.

I felt…hope

Can I really…

CHOOSE THE FIRST DESTINATION ______

I stared at the words looming over my head as I struggled to process what was happening.

Return to the past…his past….?

My heart raced at the realization that such a notion had become possible…that I could be free of this sin.

Is it really possible…to be free of the burden…

I clenched my trembling fists, bringing them to my side as I looked back at the blinking dash urging me to make a decision.

Of all his -no, their sufferings…their deaths?

I parted my lips to speak before pursing them, narrowing my eyes.

But…where do I go?

My mind raced as I considered the options I had.

Before his lover died? His comrades? Before the last city got destroyed? The secret bases breached? The prophecy? Before he decided to help people and gain allies?

All sorts of scenarios–memories of the text portraying his life flashed through my mind. I paused.

Or…before it all began?

I nodded to myself, raising my head to discover the text changing—letters shifting, new ones appearing as the words morphed into something new. My eyes widened at the sight and the message that followed.

DESTINATION (1/5) CHOSEN

“BEFORE IT ALL BEGAN”

YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO RETURN TO THE START OF THE NOVEL

DO YOU CONFIRM THIS AS THE DESTINATION FOR YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT?

YES

NO

I stared at it for a few seconds before sighing.

I guess this is it…

Shutting my eyes, I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. I gulped trying to get rid of the feeling of a lump in my throat.

I promised you…

My stomach twisted as I bit my lip before choking out a shaky reply. ‘Y-yes.’

I will definitely fix this.

There was a blinding flash of light and the world blacked out.

10 Years Ago…

‘I’m telling ya, man, the semifinals were a freaking joke’. I stepped onto the crosswalk, my lips curling.

‘They didn’t stand a chance against our strat. We’ve got the finals in the bag.’

I squinted at a loud honk, whipping my head to glare at the driver.

That won’t make the light change quicker…asshole

I shifted my bag higher on my shoulder. ‘You gotta trust me, dude. I’m the Seong Dakhui. It’ll be fi-’

I jolted as a thunderous boom tore through the surroundings, echoing for a few seconds. Birds flew past, desperately flapping away.

A storm…?

Everyone stopped moving for a few moments, looking up toward the sky. Dark clouds covered the previously bright sky.

There was silence, save for the sound of breathing and the whirring of engines.

My heart pounded as I whispered. ‘Hey, did you hear that?’

Why do I feel so anxious?

My ears were ringing, and the world seemed a blur. My friend said something but I couldn’t register his words.

My heartbeat rose rapidly, faster and faster till I felt suffocated. It felt like there was a weight pressing down on my chest, squeezing it.

I shakily raised my hand and clutched at my aching chest. Knees feeling weak I dropped down, vision swimming as I caught glimpses of a few others in similar conditions.

What’s…happening?

The surroundings seemed to darken, and my consciousness slowly faded away.

I felt something grip my shoulders followed by a violent shake clearing up my vision.

Warm hands held the sides of my head, covering my ears, gradually making the dizziness and lethargy disappear.

As my vision cleared, I saw a strange mixed-race man standing before me. He seemed to be shouting something with furrowed brows.

Who’s this?

I vaguely made out some of his words.

Run…danger…Seo…Jun? Who?

He suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me forward forcing me to my feet. I blinked, shaking my head as he dragged me away from the crosswalk.

The surroundings seemed to become darker as the man dragged me into an alley behind a nearby building.

What the hell?!

My eyes widened as I tried to pull myself free but to no avail as my strength seemed to be draining away.

Have I been drugged?

I struggled harder, trying to resist but it was of no use as he continued pulling me to a corner. I glanced around to look for a weapon when he suddenly flung me to a nearby wall.

I raised my arms when he put his palms on my shoulders, his forehead creasing. He pushed and sat me down on the floor while crouching in front of me. I titled my head at him. ‘Who…?

‘I came from the future to save you!’ he declared.

I raised an eyebrow looking at his panicked face.

Is he…schizophrenic or something?

I took a deep breath, feeling like I was going back to normal as I made eye contact my the man.

‘Listen-’

He cut me off. ‘No time. It’s about to begin so be quiet.’

I started. ‘What is-’

He frantically covered my mouth with his palm shaking his head. I sighed.

Who did I just attract?

I rolled my eyes, raising my arm to remove his hand when a woman’s shriek echoed through the eerie silence.

I glanced back at him to see his eyes widening. As soon as we made eye contact again, he flinched, averting his gaze away from me.

I opened my mouth to ask when more screams tore through the air. Each abruptly cut off, followed by an unsettling quiet and a heavy metallic stench.

Blood?

I raised my eyebrows at him, only to be avoided again. I turned my head to look back but he covered my eyes mumbling. ‘D-don’t look, please…don’t look.’

Why…do I feel like I should listen to him?

I nodded, turning my head back toward him while raising a hand to remove his blocking my sight.

His eyes watered as tears threatened to spill out. I paused, staring at him wide-eyed in shock. He was a stranger–someone I had absolutely no prior contact with and he was crying here in front of me.

What…am I supposed to do here?

He closed his eyes, holding them back but they leaked through the corner of his eyes, tiny droplets resting on his eyelashes.

My shoulders tightened as I stiffly shifted from side to side, eyes darting between him and the ground.

I hesitantly raised my hand, my fist clenched in the air before I slowly extended it toward him. I placed a hand on his shoulder and awkwardly patted him making him straighten up.

He started trembling, biting his lip as he peeked at me making my chest ache. He looked like a scared kid who knew he messed up, already bracing himself for a scolding.

What the fuck is going on here?!

I carefully asked him. ‘Uh…are you okay?

He opened his mouth, whispering meekly.

‘I…am so sorry’.

To be continued...