3 Months Later...
---------------------------------------------Leo's Perspective----------------------------------------------
Three months had passed since the devastating clash with Future Sora, a man who had put the life of my dearest friend, Sora, in grave peril. He had been in a coma ever since, his injuries plunging him into a state of profound shock. The doctors called it hypovolemic shock—a cascade of organ failure that left him suspended between life and death. There were no guarantees that he would ever awaken from this nightmarish slumber.
The weight of grief and fear bore down on me heavily, threatening to crush my spirit. The memories of losing my father, my mother, and now the possibility of losing Sora—my rock, my confidant—felt like a relentless storm tearing at my heart. I couldn't bear to witness another loved one slip away from me.
"Sora, please," I whispered, my voice trembling as I held his lifeless hand. "Come back to us. You and mom are all I have left."
But my pleas echoed in the sterile room, unanswered by the silent figure before me. Tears flowed freely, painting a blurry world around me. As I sobbed, Remi and Rayne entered the room, their caring presence a bittersweet comfort.
"Leo, it's okay to cry," Rayne offered gently, her voice carrying the weight of empathy. "You don't have to be strong all the time."
Despite their kind intentions, I felt an impenetrable wall around my emotions. I couldn't find solace in their words; my heart was a tempest of emotions that threatened to consume me. I blamed myself for not doing more, for standing helpless as Future Sora inflicted devastating blows upon Sora. And to make matters worse, we woke up to find Future Sora lifeless, adding an eerie mystery to the tragedy.
Reagan's arrival signaled a change of focus, and I reluctantly left Sora's side to follow him to the training grounds. The elements—Earth, Water, Fire, and Air—had been my refuge and my defense in this world of chaos. But it was time to push beyond my limits.
In a fiery display, I combined Air and Fire, unleashing a smokescreen to cloak my movements. My intent was to surprise Reagan, to prove that I had grown stronger during these grueling months. However, Reagan's quick reflexes proved that I still had much to learn. He deftly countered my maneuvers, forcing me to resort to a desperate rock-summoning tactic.
As I watched my own blood trickle from the wound on my face, my anger surged like a raging inferno. I forgot that this was only a training session. Winning became all-consuming, eclipsing any rationale that remained.
"VACUUM VORTEX!" I bellowed, aiming to snuff out the air around Reagan, desperate to gain any advantage.
But my plan backfired. Reagan revealed his inhuman nature, impervious to my attempt to rob him of air. As the vacuum fizzled out, I felt a bitter taste of defeat, not only in this spar but in the larger battle within myself.
Reagan regarded me with a knowing look, as if seeing the storm of emotions inside me. "Leo," he said calmly, "your strength isn't solely measured by your magic. Your emotions are part of you, and they are what make you human."
"Reagan, I don't know what to do anymore. If Sora doesn't wake up-"
"Sora will wake up, have faith in him. This is what Future Sora wanted to begin with, he wanted us to despair, to lose hope. We will not do that." Reagan said confidently.
--------------------------------------------Sora's Perspective----------------------------------------------
The landscape around me was a riddle painted in shades of gray. Lifeless flowers cast eerie shadows across the monochrome field, their silent presence sending shivers down my spine.
"Welcome, Sora. It is an honor to have you," a man's voice resonated, his features veiled behind a mysterious mask.
A surge of frustration ignited my voice. "Who are you? And where am I?"
With deliberate calmness, he replied, "I am Rain, the God of Wrath. I am the one who thwarted Future Sora's designs to end your existence."
My confusion birthed urgency. "But killing a future me won't erase me from existence. I am bound to become that future. Tell me where I am!"
Rain's smirk held enigmatic knowledge. "Your intellect serves you well, yet you are blind to the larger tapestry. You have a purpose here—to find a way to protect those who matter."
An ember of determination flared within me. "Send me back. I need to return, to grow stronger. I must confront my future self and end this once and for all."
His response cut deep. "Your determination is admirable, but your vision is clouded. Strength is not the sole answer. The more you ascend, the more your adversary ascends. A cycle you must break."
The weight of my desire was etched in my plea. "I just don't want to be a liability anymore, I don't want to be a burden, I want to show them that I can be better. Please let me go back..."
His words held a finality. "In due time, when your wounds are mended. You possess a resilience beyond ordinary mortals. For now, this conversation must end."