He had a vision.
One that refused to let go—looping endlessly in his mind like a broken record.Shiebe found himself staring out his window. The city beyond buzzed with life. People moved like ants, and the harsh flicker of neon signs stung his eyes, forcing him to turn away.
He sat on his bed, blankly watching the white wall in front of him, lost in the weight of something he couldn't explain.
Then, footsteps echoed in the hallway.
-Probably just Mom or Dad,- he thought absently.
*Knock*
Shiebe: Come in.
To his surprise, both of his parents entered—beaming with joy. No tension. No sorrow. Just… warmth.
Parents (in unison): HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Confetti burst through the air as they tackled him with hugs, perching a ridiculous paper hat atop his head.
Shiebe (smiling): Thanks… I appreciate it.
His father rested a strong hand on his shoulder, his grin softening.
Father: You're a big boy now. Fifteen. Not everyone gets that far, and I want you to know—no matter what happens—you'll always have us. I don't care if you never leave the house again. As long as you're here, I'm happy.
Tears welled up in Shiebe's eyes. He pulled them both into a hug.
Shiebe: I love you both. So much.
But something was off.
From the corner of his vision, he saw it—a door. One that had never existed in this room before. Its presence radiated an unnatural pressure, pulling at him like a vacuum.
His parents stood, still smiling, as they walked toward it.
Mother: We're throwing a party later. We'll call you thirty minutes before it starts, okay?
Shiebe: Sure…
But the party was the last thing on his mind.
The door called to him. It hummed. It throbbed. It waited.
He approached it, his breath hitching as the aura poured out, suffocating and magnetic. His fingers brushed the knob—
And then the room shook with a thunderous voice.
Voice: WAKE UP! WAKE UP—THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING IN TOWN AND IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD!
Who was that? The voice… it sounded familiar.
Voice: Wake up. Wake up from the lie.
Shiebe staggered back.
Voice: Don't run, Shiebe.
Shiebe: Shiebe? Who… who is Shiebe?
Voice: You are. Don't run from the truth.
Shiebe (gripping his head): GAH—my head!
Voice: Don't open the door until you've learned the truth. You must confront it. Face it.
Shiebe: What truth!?
Voice: If you do nothing, everyone will die. Save them. Save the world. Find trusted allies. The Tragedy is coming. It will happen. But you can save the world from the worst of it.
Voice: Wake up and face the truth.
Voice: Wake up and save them.
Voice: You are Shiebe Zackria, the L—
Shiebe: AHHHHHHH!
Maz: You're finally awake.
The boy's eyes fluttered open.
Shiebe found himself lying in a vast garden, surrounded by towering flowers and an unnatural stillness. Hovering above him stood a boy with deep violet hair and curved horns—Maz.
Maz: You were crying. You okay?
Shiebe (groggy): Maz… Yeah. Just… a dream, I think.
His head throbbed like it had been split open.
it was more than a dream. A message. A warning. And it had left its mark.
Maz helped him to his feet, throwing an arm under Shiebe's to support him.
Maz: Something's going on in town. The elf girl came running back—said Eros is missing. There was shouting. It didn't sound good.
Shiebe: Where is she now?
Maz: She went back to check. Told me to wait for you to wake up.
The two entered the palace, settling in the dining hall. Shiebe leaned back, eyes to the ceiling, mind reeling. There were too many puzzle pieces—and none of them fit yet.
Maz: Hey… about earlier. Maybe I went a bit too far.
Shiebe (flatly): It's fine. We need to find the others.
They made their way toward the large doors leading outside—but just as they neared it, Shiebe collapsed. His body betrayed him.
Shiebe (screaming): DON'T TOUCH THE DOOR!
His voice wasn't his own. It moved before he could think.
Maz halted, alarmed.
Maz: What the hell is going on with you?
Shiebe: I don't know. But my body… everything in me is screaming not to open it.
Then came the knock.
*Knock. Knock. Knock.*
Shiebe: Don't answer. No matter what.
The knocking grew louder. Stronger. More violent. Ten minutes passed, and each pound on the wood chipped away at their nerves.
Shiebe (muttering): Don't open the door until you've learned the truth…
Maz shot him a questioning look.
Shiebe: Let's check the palace. There has to be something. Anything.
They crept through halls, opening every door. Nothing. No signs of life. Only silence.
Then—
*BANG*
Maz: What the hell was that!?
Shiebe: THE DOOR!
Time fractured.
Shiebe stood frozen mid-motion, unable to move. Everything around him stopped—except for the voice.
Voice: I'm sorry.
He could hear her again. The one from the dream.
Voice: You were too late. I froze time to save you from death. But not all hope is lost.
Voice: You are granted a second chance.
Voice: Find the truth.
Voice: Find the truth.
Voice: Find the tru—
And then—darkness.
But slowly, light returned. The sound of a town awakening filled his ears. Laughter. Horses. Market stalls. The warmth of morning.
Shiebe (startled): What…!
It was the same scene. The town. The morning. The same exact day. Earlier. Before it all fell apart.
Shiebe (wide-eyed): No way… I've gone back… in time?