Dark Axel had scoured the Dundrasilian Region for the Wheel of Time his counterpart had told him about... His dark purple armour resembled the darkness of his father's despairing spirit.
He looked to his left hand... the mark that signified his Luminary status was there. But...he didn't deserve it.
No point crying about what he did... It won't bring the world back.
Only way he brings it back is by reversing time.
He came across an odd formation of ruins... They resembled the Watcher's house and temple...if it still stood.
Proceeding further, he sees a wall...a wall depicting a tower, and spirits.
He'd soon see a cog-like groove in the wall. The Wheel of Time was taken?!
Dark Axel was about to lose his temper before he saw a gap in the wall.
He follows the hole and path. Seeing a glint, bigger than usual. He'd look around... There was nothing out of the ordinary.
Approaching it, and picking up the odd item, he immediately recognised it's appearance. A cog wheel.
His mind suddenly flashes all the memories , but they flew so fast he couldn't see them all. With a shudder, he pockets the rather massive item in his bag before leaving. But then he decides to see the etchings once again.
"Hmm..." He'd suddenly feel an odd presence...not hostile... But not alive.
This, strange feeling was urging him to go into the ruined house that he first saw upon entering the site, right opposite of the rather laugh-inducing face.
He then recognised that he had a book. A book from Rab. He'd read it, Rab was talking about... something.
"The Tower of Time? North!?" A smile grew on Dark Axel's face, suddenly he falls to his knees and let's out a loud cheer. He was overjoyed! He could undo everything! Prevent the deaths of his friends! The death of... Veronica...
Dark Axel hugs the wheel. "I'm sorry...for everything I did...but I'm going to make amends... I am going to stop Mordegan from ruining everything..."
He stands up, looking north.
Searching around, he finds the Calacus Flute and plays the song... It took awhile, but surprisingly, Cetacea answered him...but he wasn't in control of the flight.
As soon as she went to the Tower of Time, he was dismounted by force.
"Thank you...!" He calls out. "I will undo everything...! My corruption, and Mordegan's!"
He'd approach the Tower of Time...but not before stripping himself of the darkened armour. It was him no longer.
That Armour wasn't for the Reclaimed Luminary.
He'd now open the door with the Wheel of Time and enters.
Clockwork. Lots of clockwork. Tick-tocking everywhere.
With a sigh, he'd advance further, going left from the entrance. What was he going to say? Would he control his emotions if he saw everyone?
With a heavy sigh. He'd make his way upward. The twirling, moving platforms staggered him ever so slightly.
But he still stood tall.
He met the Timekeeper. She spoke, "Luminary... Finally... you have found the Tower of Time..."
Axel looks to the Timekeeper with a saddened frown. At himself.
The Timekeeper knew he was sad at himself.
"You still have the power of the Luminary...as such, you may turn back time to the fall of Yggdrasil...and save everyone, including the ones who died in your rule."
"How...?"
She turns to show him the Sphere of Time, "The Sphere of Time. It holds memories of the past... If destroyed, you will return to the time of your choice. But at a cost."
Axel nods, "Yes?"
"You may be lost to Time...Stuck forever in a time loop, never to escape. Trapped in a corner..."
"If that happens then I deserve it."
The Timekeeper seemed to...'smile'. it seemed glad of what he learned from hopping timelines.
"When you are ready, meet me at the-"
Axel was already at the Sphere. "-Sphere. I should warn you. That you will not be able to bring the Sword of Light. However, the weapon you claimed from Mordegan will be a sufficient weapon until you reclaim the Sword of Light."
Axel clicked, he forgot all about it... He'd sheath it, but draw the Sword of Light. With his Darkspawn powers gone, it resorted to it's own lightning powers.
He smiles as he readies himself. "Thank you... for giving me a second chance."
With a hard slash, he breaks the Time Sphere and everything goes white.
"Huh!?" He exclaimed as he saw memories fly before him.
Axel Of The First clashing with him in a Solar Flair duel.
Everyone joining together to face off against the dark forces.
Axel Of The First engaging him in battle
Veronica Of The First telling him that he couldn't destroy the World Of The First.
Rab Of The First telling him off his recklessness...
Everything happening afterwards, such as the battles.
Rashimon, Kage and everything else being spawned.
Leaping Timelines...
Witnessing the deaths of his friends
Mordegan's defeat.
Making his way to Mordegan's Throne Room with his friends.
Defeating the Gatekeeper
Infiltrating the Fortress of Fear
Destroying the Barrier
Bringing everyone together and Crafting the Sword of Light with their combined power
Embarking on a quest to find the required items to make it.
Learning about the Battlefield
Consoling Serena from Veronica's death...and mourning heavily himself...
Serena saving the group from the serpent
Saving Erik's Sister and proving his Brother-like trust to Erik.
Helping Sylvando's Father see eye to eye with him.
Reviving Rab from the Void, and learning Quadraslash and Rab, learning the Pearly Gates.
Meeting and joining forces with Hendrik.
The World Tree being destroyed.
Veronica sacrificing herself to save the group...
Mordegan attacking and stealing Axel's power from him.
Jasper striking Axel from behind...
The group reaching Yggdrasil.
Suddenly the flash of light returns and...wind...birds tweeting... The sunlight hits his face...
He was in his White Dundrasilian Armour.
The Sword of Shadows was stabbed into the ground beside him.
"Hmph..." He'd take it and stows it on his back.
Approaching Arboria. He'd see everyone enjoying the arrival of the Luminary.
Axel had a smile on his face. He was back. He was BACK!
He'd see the temple before him...and felt his heart heavy.
After waving at the people, he opens then closes the doors behind him...
He seen Veronica. Praying to Serenica.
He didn't listen...he was... Tearing up.
Veronica turns around, suddenly seeing him, she gasps loudly, "O-Oi! What are you doing here, intruding my privacy!?"
She'd shake her head before stomping to him. "You have some nerve! I would of slapped you silly! And what are y-" she'd stop... "Axel...why are you crying...?"
Axel fell to his knees, hugging Veronica, tightly. "It worked...! I'm back...!"
Veronica struggled slightly, "What do you mean!? Let go of me or I'll-"
Axel shedded tears as he spoke, "It's a long story...but you'd never believe me...! It's felt like years since I last seen you...!"
Veronica frowned, "What are you on about? You were literally outside a few minutes ago...!."
She tried to wriggle away but she stops, "You're not kidding, are you...? What happened, Axel...?"
He'd nod as he reluctantly pulls away. "I'll tell you everything... Tonight."
Veronica sighs, "If... it's been that long in your eyes...then I'm glad to see you too."
The doors open and he sees everyone. But no Hendrik.
He stood, wiping his eyes, "H-Hey guys."
Serena approaches him, "Axel...were you crying?"
Axel folds his arms, "Me? Crying? I'm not Veronica!"
Veronica gasps, "Hey!!"
Erik chuckled, "You do cry occasionally! Remember when I told you about that ca-"
Donk! Erik has a big red boo-boo on his head as Veronica stands on his shoulders, "It was about a homeless cat! Of course I'd be upset, you buffoon!"
Axel nods. "Are we heading to the World Tree?"
Serena raises an eyebrow, "Wh-"
Axel smiles with a nod, "Good! Let's go!"
Sylvando notices the Sword of Shadows, "Axel, Darling, what is that awful sword? I wouldn't let you buy a hideous weapon like that!"
As the team make their way to the Platform that leads to the World Tree, they hack through hordes of enemies with precision and teamwork that Axel missed. He yearned to fight again. He found himself co-casting with everyone.
Morale was higher than usual and everyone was intrigued with his suddenly happiness, maybe they were nearing the end of their journey.
But it was not over. They still had to find Mordegan.
As they proceed up the hill leading to the platform, Rab slows down, "Ack... These auld bones arnae used to this walkin'."
Axel nods, "Well...we should retire anyway. Don't want to be drowsy when we get there."
Sylvando and Erik prepare the tents, along with Axel and Jade's help.
Afternoon lands as the party sets up the campfire.
Axel checks his Platinum Powersword. He forgotten all the clutches he did with this. He'd look to Veronica.
He'd walk to a quiet place, and Veronica follows, "So? What did you want to tell me?"
"Keep this between us... please."
Veronica shrugged but listens.
Axel then went on a really big story... about everything. Her sacrifice, the World Tree falling, the eventual defeat of Mordegan...the deaths of his friends, his slow decent into depression. His lust for power because of a lack of it.
Him leaping across time to destroy his better Self's world, but ultimately failed, and was given a second chance.
Veronica listened, "No wonder you hugged me then...Axel, I...-"
Serena walks up, "We're retiring for the night, Veronica."
Veronica quickly smiles and nods, "O-Ok...!"
Serena raised an eyebrow at Veronica's sudden reaction but went into her tent.
Veronica looks to Axel, their eyes stay on one another as they share their feelings... She then blushed as she walks into her tent.
Axel smiles, he was back... and ready to correct everything...!