1 Prelude

" Climb down the rope now, we don't have much time."

" We do, it's Liv we're talking about ."

Ryou peers at him. " Listen to me Zed, I'm running out of time and you still have a long future ahead of you to achieve great things...do not miss out."

" Let go together, we'll find ways to fix you."

" ....and leave her to die?!" Ryou shouted.

Violet sparks shatter as swords of antithetical timelines brush against each other. The physique of beings beyond the human lifeforms, mad reflexes defending each corner of the body and speed that pretty much surpasses the vision of a human eye. All we could see is dazzling colours dancing in unison, but all they could see is the combat experience among each other.

" She could survive by herself. "

" The chances are too low for me to realise I could've done something. "

Suddenly a blazing vortex emit towards Ryou and a screaming sound of " Watch out!" caught his attention. He grabs onto the tanto sword on his right side and swings it diagonally against the whirlpool of fire. An instant vigorous wind propels the flames away but it tears the fibres of the rope apart. Ryou leaps forward and clasps on the rope as hard as he could stopping the weight of zed dragging the rope down to his death.

" Keep climbing, I can't hold on much longer."

Zed slides down the rope and grabs it halfway making him reach the ground faster, but the sudden impact makes the friction between the sharp edges of the rock on the cliff and the rope stronger, cutting it into two.

80 feet. Ryou palms burned as he felt his body getting weaker.

75 feet. Ryou lets go of the pivot of the rope and clench the rope with two hands.

63 feet. His sweat drenches his face and the sweaty palms are sliding a few inches away from his hands.

58feet. Ryou gets pulled closer and closer to the edge of the cliff.

50 feet. " 未だだ ( not yet ) .... 未だだ ( not yet )..."

48 feet. Ryou put his whole body weight and the rope snaps off before his very eyes.

The wind builds up at Zed's fingertips next is the back of his head making his hair float. His brain piles up with emotions... confusion....then pitch black.

His last image was the look to Ryou's helpless eyes, hands fully stretched out hoping to grab onto him. Although he heard nothing, he was certain someone shouted his name.