In the year 872 of the imperial calendar, I am Dareth Dreadmoor, a commander in the kingdom of Lateria. I found myself at the helm of thrilling adventures and strategic battles, shaping the fate of the realm. A time when legends were forged on blood-soaked battlefields. I found myself amidst the chaos, facing the monstrous horde that threatened our very existence. Each clash echoed like thunder, and the air was thick with the scent of fire and fear. This was not just a fight for survival; it was a struggle for the heart and soul of our homeland. The pressure was mounting, and we realized we couldn't keep up with the soaring numbers any longer.
I was in my camp suddenly, with a shout that echoed through the chaos, a soldier sprinted toward me, breathless and urgent.
"My lord, we... we must retreat!" the soldier gasped, panting heavily. "We have no other choice! If we don't, we're all gonna die here!"
I had no choice but to order a retreat; however, some soldiers will be left behind as they pursue us.
"I will take command of the Red Dragons and give the order for everyone else to retreat. We will hold them off for as long as we can," I declared, my heart racing with urgency and tension.
The Red Dragons were a renowned elite military unit distinguished by their extraordinary strength, with each member possessing the power equivalent to roughly 100 regular soldiers. Under my command, this unit consisted of approximately 35 individuals.
We approached the monsters, and I shouted to the Red Dragons, "Take a defensive position! We will hold them off for as long as we can. Our priority is to protect the retreating soldiers and the nearby villages!"
The Red Dragons responded with an affirmative, "Yes, Sir."
2 hours later
As I got on my knees, I gazed up at the vast expanse of the sky, painted in shades of deep crimson as I struggled to catch my breath, blood still staining my hands. The once-mighty Red Dragons, a fierce battalion of soldiers known for their fiery tenacity and unwavering loyalty, now lay lifeless around me. Their uniforms, once vibrant and heroic, were now marred and torn, the emblem of our fallen brotherhood dulled by the shadows of defeat.
It was only me left, a solitary survivor amidst the haunting silence that echoed the loss of so many brave souls. How could this catastrophe unfold? My mind raced, burdened by the weight of my choices and regrets. Where had I gone astray? Every battle, every decision flooded back to me like a tide of anguish.
Time was slipping away like grains of sand through my fingers, each second heavier than the last. I yearned with every fiber of my being for another chance—just one more opportunity to rally our forces and rise against the monstrous enemies that had plunged our world into chaos. If only I could turn back time, I would fight harder, strategize better, and save us from this tragic fate. The lingering cries of my fallen comrades echoed in my mind, fueling an unquenchable desire to make things right.
I crumpled to the ground, tears flowing freely as I faced the weight of my final moments.
I woke up in a dark alley, feeling stiff in an unfamiliar body. Drawn toward the light, I stepped out and found myself in a bustling city. The lively sounds of chatter and the enticing aroma of street food surrounded me, but amidst the crowd and flickering neon lights, I felt completely lost.
"Where am I?" I said to myself, feeling utterly confused. "Whose body is this?" As I looked down at my small hands and legs, the reality of the situation started to sink in. I was in an unfamiliar place, and everything felt strange and overwhelming. My mind raced with questions: How did I get here? What was happening to me? The echoes of my thoughts bounced around in the stillness, and I tried to grasp any memory that could explain this bizarre predicament. An intense burst of energy surged through my mind, causing me to drop to my knees due to the overwhelming pain. As this occurred, vivid memories associated with that body began to surface within me. I stood up and ran towards a store, looking at myself through the reflection of the glass. This body had Amber eyes, black hair, a weak physique, and stiff bones. I had no time to think about that, though; I needed to know where I was, how I would survive. I am gonna gather information, as information is key to power.
Before I knew it, someone bumped into me, It was a large, muscular, tall man who had a sword on him.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing? I just got this brand new outfit, and how dare you bump into me!" The muscular man said.
Confusion was visible on my face. What was he talking about? he was the one who bumped into me.
"Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts." I said to him.
"Sorry doesn't cut it, I know you tried to rob me, you homeless brat!" The man hissed angrily. "You know what people like you deserve," He said as he put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"WAIT, HOLD ON, I swear I did nothing," I replied nervously.
Before the situation could escalate any further, someone intervened, putting her hand on his wrist. She had bright eyes, her eyes were azure colored, she had bright blonde hair, and a beautiful facial structure.
"Leave the kid alone, you imbecile, I saw with my own eyes he wasn't trying to rob, also you bumped into him," said the woman seriously to the man.
The man didn't want to damage his reputation by getting into a fight with the woman, so he backed off.
"Hey sweetie, are you feeling okay?" The woman followed by saying. "What's your name?"
According to the memories of this body, my name was Valen Stormveil, so I replied with that information.
"My name is Valen Stormveil, Thanks for helping me out that scumbag."
"Where are your parents? Do you know where they are?" the woman said calmly.
"I don't have parents, they are dead..." I said to the woman
"Oh... I am sorry for your loss. Do you have a place to stay? Replied the woman with a sad expression.
"No, I don't have any place to stay, I sleep on the streets." I responded to the woman.
"Why don't you stay at my place for a while?" said the woman while smiling at me.
My face lit up in surprise, This was something I had not expected.
"Really?" I exclaimed. "Are you okay with that?"
"Of course, I get lonely, it would be nice to get some company." The woman responded.
"Uhh... Does she mean in a friendly or....." I thought to myself.
"Wait, don't get the wrong idea, I don't mean in a bad way." the woman said with an embarrassed face.
"It's okay. By the way, what's your name?" I asked her.
"It's Alice Starwyn." She replied, "Let's go to my house, shall we?"
While we were on our way, we were talking together for a bit.
I learned she was an adept ranked swordsman. She was capable of killing D-tier monsters without much of a problem, and with a bit of help, she could put up a good fight against a C-tier monster. After a while, we reached her house. It was a normally good-looking house, it had every essential you needed. We entered the house.
"You could help yourself with anything you want." she told me
While exploring the house, I noticed a calendar on the wall. To my shock, it showed the year 852. I couldn't believe it—I had somehow regressed 20 years in time. The realization hit me hard, and I was left wondering how I would adapt to this unfamiliar time.
"Could you tell me by chance what city this is?" I asked Alice.
"This is Valement, the capital city of Lateria," Alice replied, a tone of surprise in her voice.
I can't believe it! Is this really the city of Valement?