The Moonlight Swordsman



"It happens with every man in the morning," Aizle said, trying to hide the bulge with his hands.

"Haha, don't worry. I was just messing around. 

"I have already prepared the breakfast. Let's eat together."

Aizel nodded and headed towards the hall to wake Alora up. 

"Oye wake up.."

"Ummm...

"The food is ready,"

The word "food" was like a resounding spell, prompting Alora's eyes to expand wide with renewed vigor at the mere mention of it.

She awoke from her rest looking completely refreshed and alert, a surprising display of energy. 

She showed no signs of fatigue despite her long sleep as if she had been transported to a world immune to the soothing effects of slumber.

"You can even go on a rampage for food, it seems," Aizel commented.

"Fooood, Shelly I am here." 

Meanwhile, Alora left and sat at the table.

Aizel sighed and took his seat too.

  Shelly masterfully arranged a meal that beckoned with a symphony of aromas and tastes. Scrambled eggs, toasted bread, and a rainbow of bright veggies were artfully set on the plates before her.

She sat down contentedly next to the carefully prepared food, anticipating the shared sustenance and delighting in the company that greeted her.

"How's your mother's health?" Aizel asked.

"She is doing okay for now. But we don't know when we have to admit her to the hospital," Shelly replied.

"Don't worry about your mother's health. Your mother will live till the mana arrives. 

"Then Aizel will heal her easily," Alora said suddenly.

"What do you mean by that?" Shelly asked, her brows raised toward her. 

"I had nothing to do, so I was spy...Ahem.. I was looking out for you when you went to visit your mother.

"There, I saw your mother's condition. Her cells are dying, and when the mana arrives on Earth, the mana will have a bad effect on them, which will lead to her death."

"WHAT! And you are telling me this now?" Shelly quickly stood up, her hands slamming on the table.

"Take it easy; that's why I didn't tell you. This guy right here can heal her easily. You don't have to worry about that."

"But how? He can only use lightning and fire. How can he even do that?" Shelly asked, her expression growing more serious.

"I will help him to save your mother, Shelly. 

"Just trust me and don't do anything stupid for now," Alora replied.

Shelly glanced towards Aizel, who simply nodded in confidence.

"If I hadn't gone to Xelgar and witnessed everything for myself, I didn't even know that I could have trusted you.

"But now, I will leave my mother's health in your care," She bowed.

"Don't do this in front of me, you are my good friend, Shelly," Alora replied.

"Just don't try to use your power for this when you return. You are still in Grade I; your core won't be able to handle it."

"I haven't thought about that," Shelly replied.

"For now, but the more your mother's health decreases and your power grows, you will definitely have many stupid ideas.

"Remember, every single one of them will lead to much destruction and demise. 

"The power of time isn't for using it to travel back in time or into the future. To counter its consequences, you need many other powers to balance it."

Aizel's ears perked up after hearing that.

"Now you don't get drunk on it," Alora said, looking at Aizel.

"I am enjoying my breakfast,"

[Master is lying]

Shut up, Sekki."

"Does any other person have time power in Xelgar?" Aizel asked.

"Maybe or maybe not. Don't stress about it too much.

"You both are still newbies in that world."

*Tsk*

"I was looking at my phone, and I saw something about a game," Shelly said.

"Yes, it's a new VR game that has been introduced this week, and it seems people are going crazy for it," Alora replied.

"VR game.. what type of game?" Aizel asked.

"It seems it can take you to an imaginary world inside the game where you can have powers and fight monsters.

"Even you can feel the pain while playing the game,

"You know what it means, Aizel?"

"It's just a game to have fun," Aizel replied.

"I have watched the videos on the TV, and it's working and forming the core similarly to Mana and Xelgar. 

"That means when mana arrives in this world, people will be able to adapt easily because of the game."

Both Aizel and Shelly's eyes went wide after hearing that.

"But how can it be possible? That means someone from Earth can also travel to Xelgar." Shelly replied.

"No, for now, only the three of us can do that. 

"It is your doing, Aizel."

Aizel had another shock after hearing that.

"What does it mean it's Aizel doing?" Shelly asked as she looked towards Aizel.

"Forget about that, Shelly, the less you know for now, the better. 

"When the time comes, I will let you know everything," Alora replied.

Shelly looked a little hesitant at first but ultimately nodded. 

"It seems I need to have another chat with me, but how can I do that," he murmured.

"It's you at the end; you will be able to figure it out somehow. 

"If this action of yours has some meaning behind it, then we will leave it as it is." 

"And if not, then we have to destroy this game before it can take root all over this world," Alora said.

Aizel nodded in agreement.

"I will head to my room for now; we will head to Xelgar in the evening."

Aizel stood up and left for his room.

Inside his room,

"Oye you are listening to me? Are you there? Call me? I want to take your test again and prove my worthiness," 

[I don't think it will work like that Master. You are not that stupid]

Unpredictably, Aizel's awareness began to waver and eventually fade as he gave in to the unfathomable darkness that had engulfed his senses.

As he regained awareness, he discovered himself in an obscure realm, where shadows danced and swallowed the light. Standing before him, like a spectral apparition, was a version of himself from bygone days, a mirror image of Aizel. 

[I take back what I said before]

"What do you want? You are still not..

"No, I have something else to ask, and it's important."

"What?"

"Why did we launch this VR game and how? And why is it similar to Xelgar?"

Old Aizel looked at him for a second with a serious expression.

"Tell Alora, there is nothing to worry about. Leave it as it is.

"It's a plan that I have set up for the future. You will know it when you will reach at Grade V and regain more memories. 

"NOW LEAVE"

Note: Now the story will still be in the fantasy world and no VR type game or system will be introduced or Aizel gonna play so don't worry about it. Why have I introduced it? I have said many times in comments that Earth will play an important part in the future and that it will be pretty interesting. But it will come a lot later.