5 Tragedy

They all dispersed, the rough earth terrain making everyone's feet sound crisp and they subconsciously made teams. Of course they made of people they knew or at least had a healthy friendship. Daniel was left alone as usual as he would only be a hindrance to the team.

Now that he had the time he checked his surroundings. The dull sky turned a dazzling blue, no clouds in sight and the few trees had stilled. Almost no vegetation grew here except for the occasional tree. The air was warm and moist likely due to the rain but the rain was extremely acidic causing the vegetation retreat. The soil was too acidic for most plants to survive this the earth was always bare.

He could also see the tall mountain ranges which were far from his current standing place. His mother always said the world - if viewed at a positive perspective - would be very beautiful and wonderful. He always wondered why it was so. His mother loved nature: animals, insects, plants and the abiotic environment.

Daniel smiled as his thoughts drifted under the calm warm and moist air. His eyes appeared glazed, his mind abuzz. Alice had just spoken with the others now looked at Daniel's direction. She saw his tall poised figure, he looked as if to grab at something but missing his mark as it was only air. His eyes for the first time looked lost. The large blue eyes mirrored sadness, his lips curled into a bitter smile.

She felt her heart thump inside her, her heart filled with pity. She did not know what made him look like this but she knew it was a loss, maybe of a loved one.

Suddenly the wind picked up as if an... Explosion had occurred. Gusts of wind blew towards the team particularly not targeting anyone. The earth slightly trembled, some hunters fell on their butts.

Daniel had already snapped out of his thoughts but he was surprised. He stumbled backward, the wind pushing him back slightly. His eyes suddenly sharpened as he looked towards the city. A fiery mushroom lit the empty atmosphere making a spectacular scene of flames and pressure.

"That was... Fourth-grade fixed magic ammunition," A woman stammered in fear looking at the explosion. Gasps tore the air inciting fear even on the 'fearless' hunters.

"What the **** happened there. Obviously the Magical beast haven't gone to the city as they can't make explosions happen. Can it be an invasion?"

"No it can only be one organization capable of such mass destruction, THE PREDATOR!" Daniel said oddly calm. Even he was confused why he was so calm. It felt like a blazing volcano suddenly turning extinct. His heart raced looking at the after shock of the massive explosion. The clouds had scattered under the terrifying heat.

Everyone's faces turned pale listening to Daniel's words, their eyes showcasing their fear. They all went to stand at an area which had a better vantage point.

"So that is the power of Fourth-grade fixed magic ammunition," some Hunter's murmured to themselves.

Daniel himself was in shock as a chill ran down his spine. Majority of the buildings had been razed to the ground. Blood ran down the virgin earth, an eerie silence took place. Corpses had piled and ear-splitting screams were heard. All the hunter's heart strings had been touched, a sort of helplessness settled in. The tense atmosphere persisted and they looked at each other dumbfounded. This was too fast! What we're they supposed to do?

Some of the buildings survived as it was the capital city of the Moon Crystal country thus it was a large city of 54,632 ksq. About half of the city had been reduced to rubble. Agonising cries of help sounded their faces had turned grim and extremely fearful.

Even the Sky realm warrior knew that she could not survive such a blast even with her resources. Alice involuntarily took a step back and noticed her 'cowardice' when she spoke in an uneven voice," All of you, get out of here, now! Stop staring like heaven has come, move those feet,"

She didn't need to say anymore as 99% of all the hunters present had all scattered like scared mice.

Daniel forced himself to look on and suddenly remembered, his face turned ugly. He felt like ripping the heads of the Predator organization. His sister had just gone to University so she would be quite close to the blast.

- **** why did this have to happen, the gods must they be so cruel. First my mother and then my sister.- He gnashed his teeth in anger and clenched his fists in helpless rage till they turned white. Hatred was climbing Its way into his logical mind. He bit his lip to redirect his focus and the bloodlust abated.

It simply an agonizing day, now that Daniel thought about it, it represented... a part of his dream. So it wasn't a dream?

*Save me! Aaaaah!*

*Please my wi-*

*My baby don't ki-. Noooooo*

It was the exact same dream as he listened to the desperate cries. The once beautiful city turned into a sea of flames and blood of the deceased. He held an amulet his mother in his hand in determination and sorrow, its hollow shape emulating his broken heart. Just then dark silhouettes wearing black robes appeared on the scene.

Alice and the rest saw the commotion and sighed in relief but Daniel's eyes narrowed looking at the hooded silhouettes. The hooded figures descended onto the city bringing with them maybe and destruction. As he suspected they did not come to aid the injured, weak and the sick but to slaughter them!

Using their hidden weapons, they slaughtered the cities people regardless of the circumstances. Male and female, adult or child, young or aged none were spared. Some had gruesome deaths as their bright red blood coated the tall skyscrapers.

By then all the hunters had run leaving Daniel to view the bloodbath. His eyes had accumulated tears and we're restricted by sheer will. Unknowingly a single tear dropped. Its shaped changed and turned into a crystalized drop and hit the bare ground.

It suddenly burst open revealing a rose! The rose had bloomed and it's petals drooped and its briars pocked out protecting it. If Daniel had seen this he would have been filled with heartache. The rose emitted a low white radiance reflecting the sun's rays.

*I have to run away*, He had no choice for he did not wish to end his life so abruptly. His feet turned backwards and he ran for his life. *I promise to come back, to return the favor! I will exterminate them from the face of the Earth, even if I have to take a deal from the Devil!

***

One of the hooded figures said to it's followers,"Make sure no living thing lives here. Get the Ice Dragon King and make sure it's alive or we are dead. Got it?"

"Yes, sir!,"

"Yes, sir!,"

They all dashed off in different directions. Their eyes scanned the perimeter for any signs of ice magic as it was their targets forte. Searching for ice magic undulations, they searched every building and even the emergency shelter but came up empty.

The hooded figure which seemed like the leader had a face filled with pleasure the figure's eyes were gleaming in the the bright afternoon. After all it was only an hour after noon and he found himself enjoying the music of the masses screams and the scarlet blood gushing out of the bodies. He raised his hands as if receiving the God's blessings and his joy was suddenly put on hold as an informant arrived.

It's face turned solemnly as he heard the informants words.

"The hunters had gone on a raid to drive out the Magical beasts from the Duan district and it seems the Ice Dragon King was among them. It seems to have taken a host for itself thus it was hiding among them. After we attacked the capital they ran in different directions..."

"Well, what are you waiting for? Chase the hunter who has it! Useless, you all truly are the most useless bunch around." The male hooded figure spoke fumingly.

Their Target was moving away and they were hear wasting their time killing the pitiful civilians. Honestly they are a bunch of idiots. Even after saying this he decided to stay and watch for the Hunters Union reinforcements.

***

A lone figure hurriedly jumped from tree to tree not caring for any others who were unable to escape from the disaster. The clothes worn by the silhouette was torn by the numerous branches and her feet had formed painful blisters.

Her face was flushed from effort as she used her wind-attribute magic to increase her speed. She knew if he had stayed only death would await her. Due to her powerful aura the magical beasts hid away from her. Thus avoiding a conflict with the powerful human.

Three out the five hooded figures were on her trail as she had not tried to cover her tracks. It would have been a difficult method of escape while maintaining her current speed.

Alice zipped past the trees. Ominously the wind had stopped, not even a simple breeze was felt. A coat of wind protected her body from the air resistance as she was a wind - attribute hunter. It made her increase her speed. She also use her magic power to coat her feet to stimulate blood flow and muscle activity as well as reducing the impact from each leap.

Her pursuers weren't far from either. One of the hooded figures used a spell known as wind track which reduced the air flow from restricting their movements. Alice's method was more draining but more effective in the long run. As the hooded figures muscles would be more exhausted even with the wind track. So even if Alice magic supply was drained she could continue with her normal pace which was exceedingly fast.

"Curse Amplification: Sinister Spider Trap!"

A thick spider web was formed as it floated by the speeding figure. Alice was taken by surprise and the web took the chance to bind her.

She forcefully tried to pull herself free but the web was too tough and flexible. Even with her rapid movements, the web only expanded slightly and contracted back.

She screamed as the effect of the Sinister Spider Trap took effect. Her skin started to rot and her eyes were bloodshot. Her breathing was laboured and as a result she didn't notice that nearby a cruel smile lit a man's face. Enjoying her misery, the man came closer.

She still forced herself to move or she would die from her pursuers. Sooner or later her organs would begin to decompose. A few moments later blood began to see from her seven orifices. She stumbled and fell onto the ground. The web seemingly from a distance looked like it was devouring the beautiful woman.

"Restraine!"

The man came out of the thicket looking down on her. *Is this how I die? Even after all my hard work. Not even my magic can help. Aaaah, the pain when will it end?!*

The hooded figures found the woman convulsed as she was coughing up blood. They removed their hoods and looked on.

"Well done Walter you managed to catch this woman but is she the one we are looking for?"

The man named Walter looked at Alice as if she was his prey and said," No she isn't but she is beautiful and I can..."

"Stop those fetishes of yours and focus on the mission or you might find yourself in the ocean. Kill her quickly."

"Sure thing." Walter changed his expression saying, 'such a pity!'

***

[ Blessing of the Goddess of Time has been activated ]

[ Time Backtrack: 15 years ]

[ Lifespan reduction: 15 years ]

[Curse of Time Manipulation activated: All memories including all the events will be erased from this timeline. Lifespan will be reduced from 72 to 57 years.

1/4 of the host's soul will be used]

What the hell is this? Wai...

A bright light appeared in the sky. Illuminating the earth below and it struck Daniel. At first he did not feel anything different but he felt something tugging at his soul.

He was frightened as his soul was being stripped from him. His already halved soul was being split again to activate the [Time Manipulation Blessing]. A racking pain filled his body. It felt like piercing his heart even though he never knew how it felt.

He trembled and he stopped running. His breathing became rapid, his heart was no different as he cried out in pain.

**Calm down, slow your breathing and calm your heart. You can survive this!**

He was stunned as the voice filled his eardrums. Was this the voice in his dream? He noted that after following the voice's instruction the pain slowly abated. He understood that he subconsciously tried to resist the invisible sword from splitting his soul. The pain was unbearable and besides his soul was not stronger than the invisible sword thus his soul would be cut anyway with some difficultly.

He relaxed and with some hesitation be let go of his fears. The sword slashed his soul into 1/4 and took it away. The scenery completely changed. The trees, the wildlife and even the clouds took a new form. After reading the System's notifications, he was happy to lose his memories as they were nothing but pain to him. He also vowed that in his new life he would work hard to live a better life

The earth looked fresh with 15cm long grass and healthy trees grew silently. The ecosystem had been revived after the long barren land had been cleansed.

*So beautiful, so this was how it was! Mother's words were correct!* He said in relief. His eyes dulled and were devoid of emotions and we're filled with memories of when he was 10 years old. All his memories after 10 years of age were wiped out.

Daniel's height was also adjusted. When he was in his twenties he was 5ft 11in and his hair had remained white which was after the dream he had. His blue eyes were large and his lashes were longer than most girls. His mouth was small but neither too thick nor too thin The nose was thin and sharp together with his tanned body was extremely cute almost handsome. His cheeks also had some baby fat on it which made him look very cute.

Author's note: Hi, readers due to Covid-19 pandemic and also my own personal problems I will only be able to make 2-3 chapters per week. Sorry for the inconvenience.