"Why... why me?"
Derick's voice trembled as blood stained his hands. The girl in his arms coughed weakly, her once bright eyes now dimming.
"What did I do... to deserve this?" he asked no one in particular.
She tried to speak, her lips moving faintly.
"Don't… try to talk," he whispered. "Save your strength."
But he already knew. There was no saving her. The warmth was leaving her body too quickly. And he—he was helpless again.
"I should have told you... I love you," he said, his voice cracking. "I should've said it a long time ago."
She smiled, the faintest curl of her lips, and then… nothing.
Derick's world collapsed.
"No... no, please. Stay with me. Please...!" He pressed his forehead to hers, tears streaming down his face. He kissed her cold lips as if that could undo what had been done.
"You will pay... all of you," he growled, lifting his head. His bloodshot eyes locked onto the woman who stood silently watching—unbothered, unfeeling.
Her name was Seraphina Calderon. Older sister to the girl who had just died in his arms.
She stood tall, wrapped in a crimson cloak, her expression unreadable. Beside her, the man who had driven the sword through Liora's chest smirked—Vance, her lover and executioner.
"You'll pay!" Derick roared, drawing his sword.
"Still not dead?" Vance sneered.
Derick lunged, sword raised. "I'll kill you—!"
But he never made it.
With one swift movement, Vance's blade flashed.
Pain exploded across Derick's neck.Then everything turned black.
He gasped.
Cold sweat drenched his body.
Derick shot upright, chest heaving, only to find himself in a bed. A soft bed. The room was dim but familiar.
"What...?"
His hands—smaller. His arms—thin. He scrambled to the mirror across the room and froze.
A boy. A younger version of himself stared back. Barely thirteen, the age before everything began. His heart pounded as realization crashed into him.
"I'm... back?"
The door creaked open.
"Derick? You're going to be late for sword training!" came a voice—young, cheerful. His little sister. Alive.
He nearly collapsed.
This wasn't a dream. This was before it all happened. Before Liora died. Before the betrayal. Before he was framed.
"I got a second chance…" he whispered.
His eyes hardened.
"Then I won't waste it."