Rebirth of The Faith Protector

In the heart of a desolate battlefield, a young man lay battered and wounded, his breaths shallow and labored. The confrontation with the forces of darkness had exacted its toll, and he sensed his strength waning. As the sun sank below the horizon, a malevolent figure emerged from the shadows, its towering silhouette casting a sinister aura over the fallen warrior - a Sovereign Wolf.

Cloaked in fur as dark as the midnight sky, the Sovereign Wolf let loose a resonating howl that could have rattled the very core of anyone's being. Its eyes glowed with a disconcerting blend of intelligence and malice as it regarded Genesis. The warrior's unwavering valor in the face of impending doom left the Sovereign Wolf intrigued and amused.

As the Sovereign Wolf loomed above him, Genesis raised his head, locking eyes with the creature and defiantly challenging its presence. Despite his battered form, he refused to succumb to fear.

"You are quite the curious specimen," rumbled the Sovereign Wolf, its voice reverberating with a commanding authority. "Mortals often display a resolute defiance of death, fighting valiantly even in the absence of hope."

"I commend your valor in opposing the formidable darkness dragons and chaos beasts simultaneously. Pray tell, young human, what name do you bear?" the creature inquired.

Dragons and chaos beasts were beings of immense pride, regarding all other races with disdain. Yet, here was a man who stood against their might with remarkable resistance.

Chuckling wryly, a young man lay prone on the ground, his lower half battered as he rested against a rock.

Only a Sovereign Wolf remained. This was the zenith of my abilities." The young man was the sole surviving human on an earth now ravaged.

The world had changed a decade earlier. The darkness dragons and four other monstrous races had joined forces with the chaos beasts, launching an all-out war against humanity. Their intent was annihilation, and they sought dominion over the planet.

Countless warriors and mages had united against these war-mongering races, striving to resist the onslaught of the mighty creatures. Yet, their efforts had been in vain.

Many warriors fell before even brushing against these creatures, and the survivors struggled against the ceaseless onslaught. Infighting and greed had weakened humanity beyond measure.

But one stood against the tide; Genesis, the mightiest among humanity. Neither warrior nor mage, he possessed an unprecedented power. Using this gift, he had single-handedly vanquished countless unfathomable foes, becoming the lone survivor against the encroaching darkness.

Now, the mightiest of warriors was on the precipice of his end, his strength faltering under the Majesty Wolf's assault. Leaning against a rock, he gripped his sword, his determination unyielding.

A brilliant light suddenly bathed the surroundings, as though a celestial being had descended upon the shattered world.

"Why now, of all times?" Genesis bellowed in frustration. "Why descend upon us now?"

"Peace," the descending angel spoke calmly.

"You should feel honored, for the gods have regained interest in your humble realm."

Since the creatures' attack, all communication with the gods had ceased, leaving humanity diminished.

"The gods offer you a choice: the chance to return in time, armed with divine strength. To fight once more with godly power, you-"

"If humans intrigued you so, why did you forsake us when we needed you most?" Genesis resisted the angel's enchantment.

"Intriguing, no wonder the gods are intrigued. And you err, human; the gods care not for humans, only for the amusement you provide."

"Speak, what shall you choose?" the angel advanced slowly.

"A wise choice, human," the angel smiled, extending her hand.

-Slash-

"Back off," Genesis channeled all his energy, slashing at the angel.

"How insolent." The angel halted the attack with a mere two fingers, shattering the sword.

"A lamentable decision, human, one you shall rue,"

The angel noted her own bleeding finger.

"A mere human could?" The angel examined Genesis with disdain, prompting him to spit in her face.

"Intriguing, you're more than a mere human." The angel's expression turned disdainful.

"What do you imply?" Genesis seethed. He longed to slay the angel, yet his weakness was evident.

An intense aura surged, catching the attention of both the Wolf and the Angel.

"Why not join me?" The Demon God emerged.

"I can grant you unparalleled power, the ability to fell creatures with a mere flick." The Demon God smirked, surveying the Wolf and the Angel.

"Interfering with the gods' work, demon?" The angel's disdain was palpable.

"Join me."

"Join me."

"Join me."

Voices resounded in Genesis's mind, ceaselessly repeating.

Suddenly, silence reigned. Genesis's eyes opened to a scene of mystery, as he floated in a void of darkness.

"Do you desire another chance?" A deep voice echoed.

"Who are you?"

"An Outer God. Tell me, do you wish for a second chance, the opportunity to save those who cherished you, whom you loved, those who believed in you, and those who were denied the justice you sought? To uncover your true identity?"

Images of people flickered before Genesis's eyes, memories of moments shared with them.

"Asta," Genesis murmured with a serene smile.

He remembered Asta, her struggles against injustice and the malevolent schemes that had plagued her. Properly trained, she could have been humanity's indomitable protector. However, humanity's self-inflicted wounds had snuffed out that potential.

"Return me," Genesis declared, his determination unwavering, eager to rescue his loved ones.

"By doing so, you will attract the enmity of creatures, demons, and gods alike. Are you still resolved to journey back in time?" the ancient voice intoned.

"It has ever been thus," Genesis recalled his battles against corrupt nobles, the moment he struck down the king who couldn't fend off the creatures' assault, becoming the last bastion of humanity against the relentless tide.

"Now, to initiate the temporal shift, you must gather all your energy at one point, causing your body to self-destruct in a single explosion." The ancient voice instructed.

As he contemplated this action, Genesis's body began to comply outside of this space, his eyes shut.

All creatures around him grew agitated, including the demon and the angel, though the Wolf wore a secret and concealed grin.

"Such recklessness..." The angel cried out.

"Dare you such a thing?" The demon's voice, dripping with allure, sought to tempt Genesis.

Unbeknownst to them, Genesis's body moved without his soul.

Genesis self-destructed his form.

"Ready yourself to journey back, leveraging this opportunity to its fullest. May you triumph, human or rather, outer."

Genesis's vision dimmed.

He awoke, greeted by the familiar surroundings that sparked strong nostalgia.

It was his chamber in the Hale family residence.

Rising, he approached the mirror and observed his reflection. The image of a young boy, perhaps five years old, with white hair and golden eyes stared back.

Realization washed over him: he had regressed, become Genesis Hale, heir to the Hale family.