Disclaimer: I don't own Elsword

Chapter one

Have you ever wished to correct your past? The mistakes that you made that caused the death of loved ones…wouldn't you want to change that?

Here I stood, in the aftermath of the final battle between demon kind and humanity. Within the Hamel castle throne room, the demon king lay dead at the edge of my blade. I let out a breath of relief. We won.

"We did it," I whispered weakly.

But I knew there was no one to celebrate with me. I turned around and stared at the unmoving bodies of my comrades, and I had begun to laugh as if this was some joke.

"We did it," I called out, hoping that someone would answer back. As if my body already knew the outcome, a single tear crawled down my face, falling to the cold stone floor.

"C-Conwell, how many survived?" I asked, raising my sword.

There was no response from the spirit within the sword. The golden emblem no longer glowed, which indicated that the magic had indeed passed away. Then I remembered the final battle with the demon king when he had grabbed Conwell within the final confrontation.

Letting my arm fall limp, I slowly made myself down the stairs towards Aisha, my left foot dragging against the red carpet. She lay upon the base of the staircase leading to the throne, no longer moving. Her white coat was soaked crimson and her staff, snapped in two. My wife's beautiful violet eyes were wide open, as if she was surprised.

'After this battle Elsword, let's live together…just you and me…'

My vision became hazy as I stared at the body of the woman I loved. I crouched down, and gently placed my fingers on her eyelids, closing them.

Standing I could see the rest of my fallen comrades. I could no longer hold it back. I cried, not bothering to stop my tears. I knew it was a sign of weakness, but I didn't care. Who was to judge me? I was the only one alive. Why did I have to be the only one to live? I begged in my heart that this was a dream, a nightmare and that I would soon wake up in the arms of my wife, relieved and knowing that she was safe.

But everyone was dead. That was reality. Not a dream.

Gritting my teeth I knew I had to finish our mission.

Slowly I made my way up the stairs again, supporting my body against my blade. I made my way towards the demon king's dead body and hovered my hand over his dead corpse. I couldn't risk anyone taking the power of the deceased demon king. I had to destroy his body right now. If I was to be the only survivor then I better damn well end this once and for all. I couldn't let demon kings power live knowing that others will suffer. I created the rune in my hand, ready to burn his body till nothing remained but ashes.

And that's when I saw it.

A small glow grasped tightly in his left hand. I stopped my spell, and using my sword I forced open his hand, and saw a glowing blue sphere. It was quite small, roughly the size of a marble.

It was hypnotizing and it was as if it was calling out to me. I trembled as reached out for it, unable to stop myself. As I grabbed it there was an explosion. I could feel my body set alit. I yelled from the immense pain, before I fell onto my back, my consciousness wavering. I couldn't move, the pain still echoing throughout my body. There was a sound that seeped through the pain.

Was that a voice?

Yes it was. Must have been a search party to check for survivors. I wanted to call out, but I couldn't find the strength to do so, even as the pain was diminishing. I could hear whoever it was, arriving at my side, before shaking me awake.

"Elsword…it's ten in the morning for Lady El's sake," a strict voice stated. "We're going to be late for the festival if you don't get your lazy butt out of bed."

What?

I opened my eyes fully, seeing a face that I thought I'll never see again.

"Lowe?"

This had to be a dream, after all…Lowe was dead. I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes as I watched the grey haired lord knight smirk at my morning face. Panicking, I drew my bedcovers over and walked towards the window and threw it open. This was Ruben. My hometown. But it had been destroyed when the demons invaded! I heard Lowe walk beside me, peering out the window.

"Whatcha staring at?" he asked.

Remembering that he was alive, I raised my hand and poked his right arm a couple of times. After the fifth or sixth time he smacked my hand, slightly annoyed from the pokes.

"Is there a reason that you're poking me?" he asked, his tone slightly annoyed.

I didn't say anything. He was real. My first mentor to teach me how to use a blade, who died in the first demon invasion, was here, in my bedroom, which was also destroyed in said invasion.

"What's the date?" I asked.

Lowe tried to stifle his laughter, but it soon got the better of him as he burst into laughter.

"Oh god, if only Elesis could see you now."

I ignored the comment about my older sister.

"What's the date?" I asked, this time glaring at him so that he could understand I was being serious.

"27th August, 1272," he finally answered slowly as if I was stupid, completely ignoring my glare.

I didn't care for his joking tone. I was busy taking in the fact that 1272 was five years ago. 13th of April of the year 1274 was the date that demon kind invaded Ruben.

Two years. I had two years.

"Hey Lowe."

"Hmm?"

"About the festivities today, sorry I can't go. I have some stuff to do," I stated, starting to push him out of my room.

"What?! El, the other instructors planned this for a whole month. You can't just ditch us-"

"Watch me," I stated coldly, slamming my bedroom door in Lowe's face.

Sighing heavily I thanked Lady El that Lowe was out of my face. Walking to my closet I threw it open, the full size mirror on the inside reflected myself. I was younger…let's see five years ago, so this makes me thirteen…had I been this small? I pinched my right arm, noticing that it paled in comparison to how I had been when I fought the demon king. Then again when I was younger I basically lazed about instead of training…guess that's just karma.

Finding the normal trainee knight uniform in my closet I threw it on, fastening the belt and shoulder pad. As I changed a small orb rolled out from my pajamas, until it stopped at my feet. Bending down I picked it up. It was no longer glowing, but I could still feel the power within it. Whatever it was, it was probably the reason I traveled back in time. Somehow I had to find a reason to leave the town and find the others. I know Raven would still be a captain in the Velder army still. Chung should be in Hamel. But the others, I had completely no idea where to start.

Wait a minute, didn't Lowe say today was the 27th of August? That meant that tonight, the Elstone was going to be taken by Banthus.

I cringed.

I knew I had no time to laze about, but the best way to meet up with the others…was to meet them the same way I did before. That meant letting the Elstone be taken by Banthus, and not purposely trying to get it back for two years. I sighed. Letting the bad guys win, so I can meet my allies. Though it pained me, it was the best way to do this…

Snapping out of my thoughts, I rushed out the door, bumping into Lowe, who was waiting outside in the hallway of the academy.

"Come on Lowe, the festival isn't going to wait for us!"

"You know, you have been really moody for the whole day El," Lowe stated, eating the ice cream in his hand. "Something wrong?"

I just traveled back in time after watching all my allies die after slaying the demon king. So kill me for being 'moody'.

"Nah I'm fine," I lied. "Just thinking about some stuff."

"You sure? I mean your not even eating anything," Lowe chuckled. "You were eating everything in sight during last year's festival."

We stopped by one of the booths, as Lowe got another cone of ice cream. As soon as he paid for it, he shoved it in front of my face.

"For you," he said simply, before biting his one.

I shook my head.

"Ice cream is for kids," I answered.

"El, your only thirteen, you're still a kid."

Oh crap, I forgot about that. But still, I hadn't had the luxury of eating sweet stuff or anything similar during the demon wars. Everyday was a fight for survival. Looking at Lowe's smiling face, I sighed. Gently I took the cone from his hand a bit into it. It was sweet, something which I haven't had the pleasure in tasting in a long time. But while being sweet, it was soft and cold, and seemed to melt in my mouth. Might as well savor this while it lasts. I continued to eat it, before Lowe placed a hand on my head, rubbing my hair. I stopped eating.

Lowe ruffling my hair really made me feel like a child again. I had missed being a kid, innocent and naïve to the world. I just wish I could have stayed that way.

"Look's like you're still a kid after all," Lowe joked.

I sighed.

"Says the man grinning like an idiot while eating his ice cream like a good little boy."

"Hey! You're never too old to eat ice cream."

I didn't say anything. But smiled at the thought. I couldn't imagine Raven, mister cold-hearted eating a cone of ice cream. I should probably get him to eat it when I see him.

"Ah, I know why you're so moody," Lowe suddenly exclaimed. "It's a girl isn't it?"

I stopped. Well…he was partly right in a sense. I smirked.

"What ever gave you that idea?" I asked innocently.

"What else could it be?" Lowe asked, nudging me slightly. "Come on, spill it. The important thing you said earlier, was it that you wanted to be by yourself so you could buy something for your little girlfriend?"

I rolled my eyes. I never knew Lowe was like this.

"If it was, I wouldn't tell you," I answered, smirking once more, before walking away from him.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Just taking a stroll. I'll be at the bridge five minutes before the fireworks start okay?"

Before he could ask anything, I broke into a sprint, laughing as he pouted in my direction.

I swung my sword in an overhead swing and in my mind the imaginary demon king deflected my swing. I smirked. My eyes still closed, I continued to spar with him, until I mistimed my swing and his sword struck a killing blow. I sighed and opened my eyes. There's no way in this body that I could fight the demon king. I have barely any strength compared to what I had before I traveled through time. Sheathing my sword. That wasn't the only problem that I found.

My magic was lacking as well. I couldn't create a full rune with the amount of mana I had currently. I rubbed the back of my neck in frustration. I needed to train. But it was nearly nightfall and I had to be back in town for the festival. After the fireworks I have to confront Banthus as he steals the Elstone. Oh boy this night was going to be tiresome.

As I made my way back towards town, I could help but stare at the sun setting within the distance. In fact I was just passing by the cliffs edge that had an amazing view over the majority of the forest. I stopped. There was someone, staring at the sun setting, admiring its beauty. I squinted, just barely making out whoever it was. I walked closer, and I must have been heard as whoever it was turned around to face me. I could now see it was a girl. Her hair was tied into two childish pigtails. She wore a purple shirt and skirt, a single gold and black belt loosely hung around her waist. She had long white socks that reached up to her thighs. And her eyes. They shone so beautifully that the stars themselves would have been jealous.

My mind went into overdrive.

When I was really young my parents would always watch the evening sun set in the sky. I suppose since both my parents died it's a habit of mine. Each time I watched it set, I would always remember them. They would have loved you El, as much as I do…

I continued to walk towards Aisha, stopping a few metres away from her. I was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say. Ironic isn't it, not being able to say anything to your wife...well theoretically future wife. Oh God, I am nervous, why the hell am I nervous? Need to say something...crapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrap!

"Sorry, did I steal your spot?"

Aisha's voice snapped me from my thoughts, and immediately I see her smile kindly. I could feel my brain overheat. That was weird, if I remembered correctly she was always annoyed at me. But then again I did always make fun of her so it was probably my fault. Man I missed out a lot, if only I had been more mature earlier.

"Do you not talk much?" she asked again.

"N-No," I stammered, finally being able to say something. "I was just passing by, going back to the town when I saw the sun set. Then I saw you, and I couldn't help but wonder what you were doing out here and uh..."

What else do I say?

Turns I didn't need to as she burst into a fit of laughter.

"Come on, don't be so nervous, I don't bite much," she stated, grinning, before playfully punching me in the shoulder. "The name's Aisha Glenstid. I have been travelling and I was on my way to Ruben."

I pretended to be surprised and shocked.

"Oh what a coincidence, Ruben's my hometown," I said, smiling back. "A festival is being held today. Anniversary of the founding of Ruben...Oh pardon me, I'm Elsword. Elsword Sieghart."

"Please to meet you Elsword," Aisha answered. "I'm sure we'll get along just fine."

Well...theoretically she wasn't wrong.