"Meaning" (003)

- Antarctica, Monday, 6:50 pm -

A girl continued to walk through the snowfall, feeling terribly cold, yet her white hair was waving and her physique looked to be less mature than before.

"Because of the weather... It's quite improbable that I'll go there. I'm not sure what occurred on Earth. That light sprang out of nowhere, and everything went dark in a fraction of a second... I'm not sure how I landed up here. And, besides, is there any life around here? If I remain out in this cold for too long, there's no way I'll survive..."

- Desert, Monday, 6:50 pm -

The voyage across Africa's desolate territory was still in progress, and the sandstorm that was about to erupt had begun to blow more intensely.

"How much further do we have to go until we reach the Sangan Kingdom?" The heat that had been raging before had subsided and calmed, but it didn't go away in an instant; there were still clutches of heat around Tim and Mathis.

"The Sangan Kingdom is not far away; we may perhaps reach it before the sandstorm drafts."

"I get what you mean. I'm hoping we'll be able to obtain some water once we arrive. All this activity in the hot region has made me thirsty."

"Given that you can Emit Fire, you must be aware of the heat that you possess. So, how come you can't take the heat of the desert?"

"Oh, that? It's truly available in my mind; it can suppress any sort of heat surrounding the enhancer, so the heat I control can't harm my body until the heat from the flame overwhelms my own mind."

"I'm not aware of any suppressions that you 'Pyro' enhancers have. It has to be a legitimate method."

"It is useful in combat. Otherwise, it's pointless when seen from a different angle."

"Don't be concerned. The water will be delivered to you as soon as we enter the Sangan Kingdom."

"Excellent, that's exactly what I'm looking for."

- Sangan Kingdom, Monday, 7:20 pm -

But when our Hero and his present companion, Mathis, arrived in the Sangan Kingdom, it was a surprise, and those who had found his skin tone continued to send glances.

While Tim anticipated the Sangan Kingdom to be smaller, he was mistaken; the entire Kingdom that had been erected was built all around the huge desert, and many people, from toddlers to adults, resided there.

There was a proper natural region surrounding it, and people had a majority of mountains surrounding the Sangan. In terms of the major structure, a massive castle stood behind the town, and there were flags Tim had never seen before.

"I didn't anticipate it to be this big when you mentioned it was a Kingdom!"

"Well, sure... People from around here used their years to build this Kingdom so that people might remain and buy or get food."

"I've always believed that Africa lacked both natural beauty and reasonably sized cities. I assumed there was only desert. Turns out, I was wrong."

"Yes, there's a lot of deserts... However, there are still natural reasons and blessed towns, so people in Africa do not have it that terrible. The only issue is that there isn't much cold and people choose to stay inside their houses. It does become chilly in the winter, but there is no genuine snow for us to enjoy, and rain is uncommon."

"I've taken note of this based on my experience today..."

"That's enough about us. Let us go grab some water? You did request it beforehand."

"I'd love to, pretty please." Our Hero ultimately earned the man's trust and looked to be in a better mood, but eventually, our hero devoted himself to the present moment and was ready to start on a huge adventure, but his objective in any way was to find his long-missing companions.

But, in the end, Tim and Mathis went to Mathis' house and both of them drank before dying of thirst.

- Sangan Kingdom, Monday, 7:30 pm -

Tim, who was sitting behind the table and inside Mathis' house, finally had the opportunity to drink water and simply did what Mathis instructed.

"So... You stated you were captured in an unexplained flash and then mysteriously forgot many things before being taken to Africa? In the end, you've lost contact with your companions and have no idea where they are... Then this could be a challenge for you..."

"That's exactly how everything went down. Do you believe that some of them were also sent here?"

"I wouldn't put money on it. You are the only person I've seen who was transferred here and who I've seen. If someone else arrived, then I'm not cognizant of anything. "However, I'm sure you'll run into your buddies sooner or later."

"I hope so, but then again. My greatest concern is that they may have been slain."

"Were they Spiritual Duelists? Just like yourself."

"Ah, yeah... They were, but in a more thorough race, I'm referred to as a Substitute-Duelist, although I'm not sure... I've misplaced my Spiritual Blade and can't summon it again..."

"Then you might just as well call yourself a Spiritual Duelist. But I'm confident you'll be able to discover a new sort of Blade to assist you. Though I'm not concerned, we don't know whether there will be any more individuals that want us dead." Mathis's laughter could be heard, but Tim was adamant that it wouldn't be enough.

"In any case... The event doesn't even have a legitimate name, does it?"

"No, not exactly. People who were woken after the catastrophe most commonly referred to it as 'The Black Storm.' I'm not sure how they obtained the name or why they called it that way, but it suffices for our understanding, even if it remains a mystery to be unearthed or disclosed to us."

"The 'Black Storm'?" That's a terrifying name... But, if that's what they've called it, there's at least one justification for it to be called that."

"In any case. You'll most likely be trapped with us for a while, so make plans to remain here at my house. It's not much, but you have everything you need for survival: food, water, a bed, and countryside of built-up goods.

"I will, thank you very much, Mathis." Tim's face lit up with a smile as he thanked him, which wasn't something he'd seen in a long time.

"I'm still stunned that this 'Black Storm' drove my body to age and return to 17..."

"In reality, several others were pushed back several years. Some even feel it was a gift for them in any case. I'm confident you'll make it. Now, do anything you like, but there are a couple more things I'd need to be addressed."

"Okay? Go ahead"

"You're probably thinking of leaving the desert to see your friends, but I don't expect you to stay here for long, correct?"

"It all depends on the circumstances. First and foremost, I'd want to discover the rest, then acquire a new Spiritual Blade, and lastly, unravel the riddle of the 'Black Storm,' how it occurred and why it occurred. And, maybe, at the end of it all, I'll come up with a good concept and be able to resurrect the long-gone past."

"Oh, yes... This brings back memories. Remember when I told you about the Spiritual Blade? Why don't you give it a shot since you're short on one... However, I must warn you that if you try to touch it, your trust may be tested, something I do not want to happen... However, if you so wish, it may be feasible."

"Do you want me to try my hand at wielding the Spiritual Blade? But, of all individuals... How did you arrive at the choice to choose me?"

"You appear to be a little 'different from other people, and those who oppose you were fatally slain, but there is hope if you give it a try."

"I mean... I don't really have any other alternatives right now; I'm just hoping I don't make a mistake and wind up getting murdered as a result..."

"I understand, take your time, and when you're ready to make a decision, I'll gladly take you to the Catacombs."

"All right, I'll do it."

"I simply hope everyone else is doing well..." Tim's last look of the day was out the window, where he saw the moon slowly climbing to its position, with a terrible sandstorm in the distance.

- Conson Alps, Monday, 7:30 pm -

A man stood in front of a young man who had been yelling without realizing it.

"How could this have happened to me? I've been moved to the Alps for no apparent reason! Also, why do I feel so much younger?! Please, a God, assist me!"

The youngster, yelling and kneeling on the floor, had given up on finding solutions. "I'm trapped here, and I've lost my Spiritual Blade! How did I get so unlucky?"

However, the man soon stopped by while the youngster was sitting on the ground and wetting his eyes. "You're yelling? Are you aware, young man?"

"You want to know whether I'm aware?! Will you simply disregard the fact that there was the unknown flare?! We've broken up, and my pals are nowhere to be found! I can't even go to the Underworld!"

"Why would someone like you want to go to the Underworld?" The youngster froze, trembled, and received squiggly eyes.

"Uhh... Forget about the last bit..." ("I almost forgot... I should keep my identity secret before I frighten others... but then again...") "I'm not even sure I can wear that title anymore! I'm done, and I'll never see the lovely life again." The youngster slumped on the floor.

"Well, I'm not sure what kind of flare you're referring to, and I'm not sure why someone like you would act in such a manner. Could you please state your name?"

"... It's Nomura Codey..." People's surnames were totally altered as a result of the 'Black Storm,' and they were utterly ignorant about it.

"Nomura Codey, is it? That is a fantastic name. My name is Valfrido Simeon; would you mind joining me for a moment?"

"What for?! I'm never going to finish another job or quest! I've even lost my friend! What can he do if he didn't end up next to me?" Codey began to play with his fingers, ashamed and frustrated by his inability to communicate with Tim.

"For the time being, I'd just like to provide you a somewhere to live. You're already out of place. So we may as well pay a visit to my house."

"... But for what purpose...? I'm at a loss on what to do. Or where to begin!"

"Don't worry, when we get to my house, we'll go over this one and I'll attempt to answer as many questions as I can."

Finally, Codey and Simeone entered a legitimate and magnificent home surrounded by the Alps.

"So you got caught in the 'Black Storm.' When you mentioned a flare, I was forced to ask, "Are you ignorant?" But you now know what it's called."

"Yes... And I've lost communication with Tim, Ayuka, and/or Elliot as well."

"Don't be concerned. Your pals are most likely safe; they are merely in other parts of the country."

"That is the issue! I can't leave one of them alone because he'll get killed, and the other is simply a filthy pervert! At the very least, Ayuka is normal."

The man began to chuckle, which perplexed Codey. "What in the world is meant to be so funny?"

"It's not much, it's not much. So, now that you've heard of the 'Black Storm,' you may as well know what it is."

"No, shit?"

"Now, now. there was no need for such a heinous use of language. But bear with me while I explain. The 'Time Breaker,' also known as the 'Black Storm,' is an abnormal occurrence caused by an unexplained event. People were caught up in it and had their Timeline changed, questioning as to whether their information had been destroyed, and some even lost several memories. People were murdered at random, and some were relocated to various areas, cities, and/or islands. As for the rest of us, including myself. Our timeline was not altered; rather, it was transformed."

"Isn't a shifted timeline basically a changed timeline?"

"In this context, it has a different connotation. We were not transported between areas; instead, we stayed and preserved our memories and families. That's what I meant by change; anytime a chronology is altered, it has the self-meaning of individuals changing their age, changing their name or surnames, and losing certain goods or skills."

"... I guess I was one of those..."

"Furthermore, many people felt it was a gift from the Holy Light, despite the fact that it was plainly a tragedy... There's no need to be concerned about your friends' memories and possessions, whether they kept them or lost them. Someone will discover an antidote to halt this catastrophic storm, but since it's late, I'll-" Simeone's age caused him to fall asleep almost immediately.

"Wah?! He nodded off?! I'm still looking for answers! Hey! Simeone!"

Nonetheless, no response.

To be continued...