THE ONE WHO WE COULDN'T SAVE

As they walked through the village square, Dylan kept pace with Leora, the peaceful atmosphere of the village settling into a comforting silence around them. The morning sun was high, casting warm rays over the cobblestone streets. The bags of goods they had just purchased were now securely in Leora's hands, and Dylan felt a rare sense of calm until the air around them suddenly grew tense.

Without warning, a flicker of light appeared in the corner of Dylan's vision, followed by an ominous hum. He turned, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. A ball of fiery magic, crackling with energy, was rapidly growing in size. The fireball soared through the air, hurtling straight toward them with frightening speed.

Leora's eyes widened in shock, her hands instinctively reaching out as if she could ward it off herself, but the magic was too fast. It was already too close.

Before she could react, Dylan moved. His body instinctively leaped into action, driven by an overwhelming sense of protectiveness. With a burst of speed, he positioned himself in front of her, raising his arms to shield her from the incoming attack. The fireball collided with him, but instead of being consumed by it, Dylan's body surged with a strange, unfamiliar energy. The Rift's influence had imbued him with an unnatural resilience, and although the fiery impact seared across his skin, it didn't burn him completely.

The heat was intense, but Dylan endured, his body standing firm against the magic. The fireball was intense, but he kept his focus, managing to push the ball of energy aside with his hands as it fizzled and dissipated into the air. The sudden explosion of light left the area flickering with aftershocks, but Dylan remained unharmed.

Leora gasped, her eyes wide with concern as she looked at him. "Dylan... you—"

"I'm fine," he said, his voice more firm than he felt. His arms were slightly singed, the heat from the fireball still lingering in his muscles, but it wasn't enough to incapacitate him. Not yet.

He turned to look around, his senses on high alert. The air was thick with an uneasy stillness now, the marketplace buzzing with confused whispers, but no one seemed to know where the attack had come from. It was as though the very world itself held its breath.

"Where did that come from?" Dylan murmured, scanning the area, trying to pinpoint the source of the attack.

As Dylan scanned the area, trying to locate the source of the attack, a small group of children hesitantly approached him and Leora. Their faces were a mix of concern and guilt, eyes wide as they fidgeted nervously.

"We're really sorry!" one of the older boys, around twelve, said, stepping forward. His voice cracked slightly with anxiety. "It wasn't supposed to happen! It's... it's our friend."

Leora's eyes softened, recognizing the group of children from the village. She had seen them playing in the square before, always running around in groups, laughing and causing a bit of harmless trouble. But today was different.

Dylan's gaze softened slightly as he turned to the children. "What do you mean, 'your friend'? What happened?"

The boy looked down at his feet, clearly embarrassed. "Our friend, Kael, he has fire magic. He's still learning to control it, and... well, it got out of hand. He tried to show us a new spell, but something triggered him, and the fire... it just exploded. He doesn't mean to hurt anyone!"

Another child, a younger girl with braids, stepped forward. "Kael's really sorry! He's scared too. He didn't want to hurt you!"

Dylan's gaze shifted to Leora, who gave him a slight nod, indicating that the children seemed genuine in their remorse. The fireball had been a dangerous display of magic, but it seemed that it wasn't malicious it was a moment of uncontrolled power.

Dylan turned back to the children, his expression softening further, though there was still a trace of caution in his eyes. "Tell your friend not to worry. I'm not hurt," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But it's important that he learns to control his magic, especially with that kind of power."

The older boy nodded quickly, his face a mixture of relief and gratitude. "Thank you. We'll make sure Kael knows. He'll apologize, and we'll work with him to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Leora, always the nurturing one, knelt down to the children's level. "It's alright. Mistakes happen, but you need to take responsibility for them. Go find Kael, and let him know he needs to work harder on controlling his magic. It's a lot of power for someone his age."

The kids nodded earnestly, and with quick apologies, they scurried off, disappearing into the village with plans to find Kael and sort things out.

Dylan exhaled, his muscles relaxing slightly as the tension in the air eased. "Kids these days," he muttered, shaking his head with a faint smile. "Their magic is growing faster than they can keep up with it."

Leora glanced up at him, a small smile on her lips as well. "It's a learning process for all of us. But they'll get there."

Dylan couldn't help but agree, though he couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from over. The Rift, Kael's uncontrolled fire magic it all felt like a prelude to something bigger. Something that he had yet to fully understand. But for now, he was grateful for the peaceful moment, for the kindness of the villagers, and for the fact that he was still standing.

"Let's go," Dylan said, his voice steady again.

As they continued walking through the village, Dylan's eyes drifted to the side, where a small, weathered guild building stood. The sign above the door creaked in the breeze, marking it as a place where adventurers and travelers might gather for work, rumors, and business.

He glanced at Leora, who was still holding the bags of goods they had purchased. "Hey, can I go to that guild real quick?" Dylan asked, his tone casual but with a hint of urgency. "I need to check something. I'll catch up with you in a bit."

Leora nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "Of course. I'll be fine. I'll wait outside for you."

Dylan gave her a quick nod of gratitude before turning toward the guild entrance.

He pushed open the door to the guild and entered, the bell above the door ringing softly as he stepped inside. The atmosphere was warm and busy, with adventurers talking to one another, exchanging information, and scribbling on parchment.

Dylan stepped inside the guild, his senses immediately picking up on the bustle of the place. Adventurers huddled together, discussing contracts and sharing tales of their latest quests. The warmth of the building contrasted with the cold air outside, and the faint scent of parchment and ink filled the air.

He moved further in, eyes scanning the room. He needed a place to check his stats. After all, with the way his abilities had shifted since he'd escaped the Rift, he needed to get a clearer picture of his current condition.

At the far end of the room, past a set of wooden tables cluttered with maps and notes, he spotted a glowing crystal ball atop a pedestal. It was a common feature in many guilds an enchanted device used for adventurers to check their stats, abilities, and even magic.

Dylan walked over to the pedestal, the murmurs of the guild fading into the background as he focused on the crystal ball. It was smooth and slightly translucent, glowing faintly with a pale, ethereal light. As he approached, the ball flickered and hummed, responding to his presence.

He placed his palm over the surface, and a soft, resonant hum filled the air as the crystal ball activated. Immediately, a floating projection appeared above it, displaying his current status.

Name: Dylan

Health: 80%

Mana: 45%

Strength: 21 + 30 ( Rift's influences)

Agility: 56 + 30 ( Rift's influences)

Magic: 23 + 30 ( Rift's influences)

Rift Affinity: 56% (Unstable)

Abilities:

Temporal Dusk (Core): Time Manipulation(can be only used if he uses temporal field),Temporal Acceleration

Void Rift Mastery: Rift Magic Adaptation (Unstable), Rift Travel

Lightning Javelin (Active)

Acceleration (Active): Temporarily boosts speed, requires mana

Rift Pulse: Channel Rift's energy to disrupt enemies

Dylan frowned as he reviewed the information. His Rift Affinity was much higher than he anticipated, and it looked like the Rift's influence was now integrated into his abilities. The unsettling part was the instability of his Rift Affinity it was a volatile power he wasn't sure he could fully control yet.

As he gazed at the crystal ball, a small symbol appeared at the bottom: Warning: Rift Influence Unstable.

The pressure of the Rift's influence was there pulsing, lurking beneath the surface. Dylan was both its user and its prisoner, but at least he had some control now.

He sighed, trying to shake off the unease that settled in his stomach. This was more complicated than he had hoped, but it was also a step toward understanding his abilities.

He was about to turn away when a soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

"You're checking your stats, huh?" a man said, leaning against the doorway with a mischievous grin. "I'm guessing you've got some powerful stuff in there, eh? New face around here. What's your story?"

Dylan looked up, surprised to see someone addressing him. The man was lean, with a few scrapes on his clothes likely from a recent battle. His eyes gleamed with curiosity, and there was an easy, approachable energy about him. Dylan hesitated for a moment before responding. "Just... getting the lay of the land. Thought I'd check where I stand after the chaos I've been through."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you've been through a lot. You're not the only one around here with strange abilities. If you're looking for work, we could use someone with your talents. 

Dylan simply nodded, feeling a surge of caution. "I'm not here for work just yet. I'm looking for something... information."

The man tilted his head. "Information, huh? What kind?"

Dylan glanced at the crystal ball again, the warning about the Rift influence still lingering in his mind. "About the Rift. Something's not right, and I need to know more."

The man studied him for a moment before offering a sly smile. "Well, you've come to the right place, friend. The guild deals with all sorts of magic, even the more dangerous kinds. Come find me if you need a guide around here, or if you want to talk about that... Rift business." With a final look, the man turned and disappeared into the crowd of adventurers, leaving Dylan standing by the crystal ball with even more questions than before.

Dylan stepped out of the guild, his mind still swirling with the information he'd uncovered. The Rift's influence was deeper than he had anticipated, and the unstable power within him was something he still didn't fully understand. His thoughts, however, were interrupted as the bright daylight hit him. He glanced around the bustling village square, quickly spotting Leora standing near a stall, her attention on some fabrics being sold by a merchant.

He made his way over, noticing her look up and offer him a warm smile as he approached. "Hey, all done in there?" she asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Dylan nodded, his expression a bit more serious than when he had left her. "Yeah, but there's more going on than I thought. I need to figure out a lot."

Dylan's heart skipped a beat as he saw the cottage in ruins, smoke rising from what was once a peaceful home. The once quaint building was now reduced to rubble, and panic surged through him. Leora's eyes widened in shock and horror, her breath catching in her throat as she ran toward the wreckage.

"Grandma!" Leora shouted, rushing ahead. Dylan's gaze shifted quickly, scanning the surroundings. His eyes locked onto an even more alarming sight Leora's grandmother lying unconscious on the ground, surrounded by debris.

Before Dylan could even process his next move, a massive roar echoed through the air. A giant snake, its scales a dark, sickly green, slithered from the destroyed house. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent yellow hue, and its body twisted and coiled like a serpent out of nightmare. The beast hissed menacingly, its jaws wide as it prepared to strike.

Leora froze in fear, unable to react as the snake's fangs glistened. But Dylan, instinctively, didn't hesitate. He pushed himself into overdrive, his muscles firing into action as he dashed toward the beast.

With a surge of speed, Dylan closed the distance in an instant. The serpent struck toward Leora's grandmother, but Dylan was faster. He leaped into the air, moving with his enhanced speed, and slammed his fist into the serpent's massive skull. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the ground, and the snake recoiled, stunned by the impact.

The serpent hissed, rattling its head as it quickly recovered, slashing its tail toward Dylan. Without breaking his focus, Dylan used his agility to dodge, twisting in the air just as the tail narrowly missed. He landed lightly, ready for another strike.

"Leora!" Dylan shouted, turning toward her. "Get your grandmother out of here, now!"

Leora's eyes snapped to him, snapping her out of the shock. She scrambled to her feet and ran toward her grandmother, scooping her up despite the weight and urgency.

Dylan turned back to the snake, his pulse quickening. He could feel the Rift's influence surging inside him his energy was unstable, but it was still enough to handle this beast. With a grim look on his face, he channeled his acceleration again, his body moving faster than the eye could follow. The snake, distracted by its attack, didn't even see him coming as Dylan closed the gap in a blur of motion.

With an explosive punch, Dylan struck the serpent's side, knocking it off balance. But it wasn't enough to defeat it. The snake hissed again, thrashing wildly, and its massive body whipped through the air, creating a shockwave.

"Damn," Dylan muttered under his breath. He needed to end this quickly.

He glanced back at Leora, who was nearly at the edge of the clearing, her grandmother safely in her arms. Dylan's eyes hardened as he steeled himself. He couldn't afford any more hesitation.

"Alright, let's finish this," he muttered.

With a deep breath, he gathered the unstable power of the Rift inside him and focused it into his right fist. A dark, crackling energy began to swirl around his hand Rift energy that he had learned to control. As the snake lunged toward him again, Dylan dashed forward, his body moving faster than even the snake's reflexes.

He struck with the force of a thunderclap. The Rift energy in his fist collided with the serpent's head, and with a bone-shattering crack, the creature's skull shattered. The snake let out one final hiss before it collapsed to the ground, motionless.

Dylan stood panting, his hand crackling with residual energy as he watched the snake's enormous body slowly stop moving. It was over.

He turned toward Leora, who was still holding her grandmother but now standing at a distance, looking at him with a mix of awe and gratitude.

"Is she alright?" Dylan asked, his voice softening as he approached them.

Leora nodded, her face filled with relief. "She's unconscious, but she'll be fine. You... you saved us."

Dylan wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to steady his breath. "It's nothing. But we need to get her to safety, fast."

With a glance back at the remains of the house, Dylan could only wonder how much more danger lay ahead.

Leora's eyes widened as Dylan knelt down, turning his back toward her. "Hop on," he said, his voice steady but with an urgency beneath it. "I'll get you both to the doctor, don't worry."

Leora hesitated for a moment, glancing between Dylan and her grandmother. But she didn't have time to second guess. She nodded, carefully shifting her grandmother's weight in her arms and climbing onto Dylan's back.

"Hold on tight," Dylan said, his voice firm as he straightened, securing Leora and her grandmother in place. The weight wasn't much for him his enhanced strength and speed made it effortless

With a surge of power, Dylan dashed forward, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved with blinding speed. The world blurred around him, the village streets becoming a streak of colors as he zipped through them, his focus entirely on reaching the doctor.

Leora held on tightly, her heart pounding both from the danger they'd just escaped and the sheer speed at which they were now traveling. She could feel the wind whipping past her, but she trusted Dylan he had proven time and again that he could protect her, and now, more than ever, she needed him.

The small village doctor's clinic soon came into view, a modest building tucked near the center of the village. Dylan skidded to a stop outside, not even pausing as he gently set Leora and her grandmother down. He didn't waste time knocking he burst through the door, his voice calling out.

"Doctor!" Dylan shouted, his tone urgent. "We need help, now!"

Inside, a middle aged man with wild, graying hair and a worn apron looked up, startled by the commotion. "What happened?" he asked, moving quickly toward them. He didn't waste time on pleasantries, already assessing the situation. "Bring her here, quickly."

Leora didn't hesitate. She helped move her grandmother onto a nearby bed as the doctor prepared his instruments. Dylan stepped back, his eyes flicking between Leora and the doctor. He felt a sense of helplessness in the pit of his stomach, but he pushed it aside, focusing on what needed to be done.

The doctor immediately began checking her vitals, his face furrowing in concentration. "She's alive," he said, "but she's badly injured. We need to stabilize her, fast."

Leora stood by, holding her grandmother's hand, her face pale with worry. Dylan stood quietly, waiting. There was nothing he could do now except be there for her. He didn't speak, his thoughts running wild, but he remained still, watching over them.

Minutes felt like hours, but finally, the doctor stepped back, wiping his brow. "She's stable for now," he said, breathing a sigh of relief. "She should wake up soon, but I'll keep her here for the night to be sure."

Leora breathed out a long, shaky sigh of relief, her body slumping against the wall. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you so much."

Dylan gave a small nod, his mind still racing. He had no idea who or what had sent that snake after them, but one thing was certain: the world they were living in was far more dangerous than he had originally thought. And he needed to be ready for whatever came next.

Dylan quietly reached into his pocket, pulling out a small pouch of coins—money he had held onto since his time traveling with Cauis and the others. He placed it on the table beside Leora.

"I can't stay," Dylan said softly, his gaze serious. "I'm attracting monsters… it's too dangerous for you and your grandmother if I'm around."

Leora's eyes widened. "Wait you don't have to go! We can figure something out—"

Dylan shook his head with a faint smile. "Thank you… for everything. But it's better this way. Take care of your grandmother."

Before she could say another word, he turned and walked out of the clinic, the door closing softly behind him. The afternoon sun bathed the village in light, but Dylan's thoughts were heavy. He needed answers about the Rift, about his powers, and about why danger seemed to follow him at every turn.

Before leaving the village, Dylan made a stop at the local shop. He bought some supplies a sturdy cloak, basic rations, and a fresh set of gear. He strapped a new pair of bracers onto his arms, adjusted the pack on his back, and secured a short blade at his side.

Standing at the edge of the village, Dylan gazed into the horizon, his expression determined.

"I need to find June, Cauis, and the others," he muttered to himself, tightening the strap of his pack. "They're the only ones who'll understand what's happening."

Without looking back, he stepped onto the winding path ahead, his pace steady, his goal clear he had a reunion to make and answers to uncover.