Chapter 1 : Another Chance
The skies were seared red, nothing but flames from burning buildings in a completely demolished city coated the surrounding landscape as several soldiers from all sorts of races as well as robotic companions were also put out of commission.
One soldier, wearing black military gear that was mostly covered in dust and partially shredded on the sleeves, was trying to stand upright but all he could do was rest his back on some debris as he attempted to reach for his gun that was just barely out of arm's reach.
This soldier's name was Sai and his messy gray hair and yellow eyes glared at the one responsible for the destruction.
Across the field of debris a man with wavy black hair that reached his shoulders with parted bangs and pitch-black eyes as well as a miasmic cloak that covered most of his form from neck down, this was the harbinger of the apocalypse.
'' It's so strange that we wind up in this position, don't you feel some level of futility to still try to shoot your firearms as well as rush me with our weaponry in the way that you do? This cycle of torment will continue on until your souls all dry up into husks. '' The black haired male spoke with a condescending tone.
Sai had no words to share, not when his weakened body was struggling to grab the gun that was close but not close enough for him to reach in his sitting position.
'' Any last words before things black out for you? '' The male taunted Sai once more.
No words could leave his lips, the lone soldier struggled to grab the gun but to no success would he grab the weapon in time since the assailant was now close enough to kick the gun away to now stand above the soldier's body.
'' Out of allies and all out of time, I guess this is goodbye for now. '' The black haired male spoke in a sly tone, clearly enjoying the situation.
From within the miasmic cloak emerged a sharp edged blade that had been the being's arm transformed into a weapon meant to be used to end the soldier's life.
With one piercing lunge should the soldier's life end but life has a funny way of not giving what one might expect and instead the soldier's body disappeared from the scene which left the man by himself.
'' He got away….. This is a first. '' The male commented as he looked around the scene.
The man laughed, surely they'll run into one another again.
It was merely a matter of time until it happened.
After all this time it seemed that the soldier had no clue as to who he had been to the harbinger of destruction.
From the point of view of the wounded soldier who narrowly escaped with his life, he had found himself in a dark dimension where he'd land upon a pure white circular platform that shook briefly as his feet landed upon it.
He wasn't sure where he was nor was he understanding as to why he felt rejuvenated either.
His wounds were gone but his clothes remained worn down from the battle that occurred just now, he looked around but only saw darkness.
At least that was until various hovering television screens appeared before him that replayed various incidents in his life from his youth.
Sai was only in his mid-20's and yet he felt old looking at the various clips shown in the hovering television screens.
There were some that even showed different versions of the deaths of his fellow soldiers by the hands of the man with the miasmic cloak.
'' Wait… How did this.. '' Sai stuttered and pondered the idea.
What was all this?
He tried to rationalize what he was seeing, was this all a hallucination or was something grander at play?
A sparkling crystal in the shape of a diamond emerged by Sai's shoulder, a voice speaking out to him with a single question.
'' Do you accept the path you've walked on? '' The crystal's emotionless voice gave Sai something to think about.
Sai grinded his teeth as he thought about everything that just happened before having shaked his head.
'' No, I'm not happy whatsoever. '' Sai spoke with discontent in his voice.
The crystal went silent for quite some time before finally responding.
'' Very well….. Show us something interesting then. Looks like you're getting another chance to prove yourself although I suppose we should mention that you might not be exactly the same as you might remember. This deviating path shall hopefully uncover things about you that you might not realize. ''
A bright light shone upon Sai's surroundings, giving him the ability to change his fate as well as the world around him.
The crystal wondered how he'd act under these new circumstances, how much can he change with his new lease on life.
Only time would tell.