Disclaimer: Last Remnant's not mine. Like hell I would ever be able to own such a legendary game.


"Yes, it's me. Even if I'm a kid right now, I am Rush." Rush answered, while sighing that he's in such a petite form. He isn't irritated, but it's obviously a lot more convenient for him if he was in his taller, teenage self.

"But... you're..."

"Dead?" he said, his lips making a half-smile because the mention of his death doesn't make him feel any better, but Rush doesn't want to make the atmosphere even worse. "Well, I did die. But then, I'm back."

"But how?" the young brunette asked, stammering in between.

"I'll explain soon. This might be too big for you to take in so I won't say it yet." Rush shrugged, talking like he normally would, mannerisms and all.

"Uhh... okay. But it's already late, and I'm sure that Lord David is already sleeping. So you can lodge in here for the night, then I can bring you to him in the morning."

Rush frowned slightly that he couldn't see his best friend now, but the man had a good point so he agreed and finished all the remaining water in the glass before the brunette walked, leading Rush to his room.

"By the way, what's your name?" Rush asked, lightly tugging on the man's pants.

"Valeryan, Sir Rush."

The latter frowned and scratched his head. "None of that 'Sir Rush'. Rush is fine."

Valeryan nodded and raised the oil lamp even higher, giving more light until they reached the end of the hall, and he unlocked a wooden door.

Inside the room, there's a bed made for one, a desk, a small bookcase with a few thick books lined together, and a window that would allow the night breeze inside.

Rush remembered the room in the castle, the room that he would sleep in a number of times back when he was at the palace, back then during the first time when he was alive.

He would eat fruits from the trees in the garden or take a hundredth tour around the large castle. Ah, all the good memories. And Rush missed being there. He missed everything about back then, but for now he accepted Valeryan's kindness and headed for the bed which he even had to be lifted up to, thanks to his very small height.

After Valeryan left, Rush started to relax and waited as his eyes felt heavy as well as his body.

"Rush."

The echoic voice of Kellendros made him turn his head after staring off into space for a while now. He stared at the beautiful but deadly Remnant clad in gold from head to toe, emitting light of the same noble color.

"What is it, Kellendros?"

Kellendros never sounded that urgent before. Even her whole face had nothing but the look of urgency on them.

"How should I say this?" For a Remnant like her, she was never one to be hesitant in what to say."Rush, you need to go back to their world."

The shock was like lightning striking on ground.

"What?" Rush asked, needing to make sure if the words resounding in his ears was no illusion from the wanting to come back.

"You need to go back. We're all in danger."

She paused for a second, collecting her thoughts. "I don't know what it is, but we all sensed something ominous in their world. You felt it too, right?"

He nodded. There was that time when a weird sensation came up his spine, giving him goosebumps because of fear. He thought it was just a random happening so he shoved it away.

"Yes, you felt it too. And you're the only one who can solve it."


David felt a lot better the next day; and it didn't seem to be from his sleep. He felt emotionally better.

Even his Generals who planned to talk to him again about the grief he'd been holding in him closed their mouths when they noticed the atmosphere around him.

It felt like the same atmosphere when Rush was still there. It was odd, but they knew it wasn't from the work of mystic arts. They were relieved to know that the Marquis finally started to feel more better. They knew it was what Rush would want. And so, they didn't say anything.

Right now, all what David needed to take care of were the minor shortages of supplies in the markets at the town square and he was free to rest for the day.

Leaving his room after a short nap, David walked towards the library, but only for a look. He was surprised to see no one as he expected to see Pagus.

But he sighed it away and left the place, strolling around the palace. He calmly passed by several rooms, but only to stop at one.

Rush's room.

The place felt alive again, and he felt a part of grief in him being washed away. Entering, he saw it just the way it was like before, only there was no one resting in the place. But it didn't bring any sorrow in him.

He felt like his old self again, his spirit enlightened and his heart relieved of the burden of loss. David smiled lightly, knowing it would be the best. For him, for the Generals, and for Rush.

He left and closed the door and when he turned to his right he saw a guard heading to him, seeming as if something important came up at the moment. David turned alert in an instant at the guard's message.

"Okay, prepare all soldiers. I'll call the Generals."

"Yes, my Lord!"

And the guard was gone in a flash, so was David.


Valeryan almost chuckled at the sight of Rush sleeping, his cheeks wide with a bliss-filled smile.

But as what Rush told him to do last night, Valeryan woke the boy up. Because of the shock from suddenly waking up when he was in a very deep sleep, Rush accidentally froze the area around him as green light surrounded the place.

"Yikes, it's like what Kellendros said. I have to learn to control my power." he sighed, pouting his cheeks, focusing his energy to unfreeze time. The green glow in the room disappeared.

"Good morning, Rush." Valeryan greeted.

"You too." Rush yawned, stretching his arms in the air then removing the blanket on him.

"Well, I'll be taking you to Lord David now."

"Okay." Rush nodded. He jumped off the bed and put his cloak back on, stretching out his arms one more time.

"But who'll take charge of the inn?"

"It's no big deal. My cousin won't mind taking over for a few minutes or even an hour," Valeryan answered calmly.

Afterwards they walked outside, the townspeople unaware who the hooded child really was. Rush didn't want to attract too much attention today because his top priority right now was to see his friends and family again.

Rush stopped walking along with Valeryan when he heard the sound of Athlum's warning bell. Rush found the sound to be all too familiar.

The people started running back to their homes as Valeryan asked a guard to what was happening.

"A large horde of Raptors are heading here. You should head back inside your homes where it's safer."

"Damn, those horned jerks again," Rush tutted quietly, and he started to run for the gate, ignoring the fact that he's in the form of a five year-old and won't be of much help in fighting.

"Rush!" Valeryan yelled, trying to run after him but the boy was too fast and thanks to the latter's small height he can't see him when Rush was already so far away. He stopped running and breathed in and out to calm his body.

The guard that he just asked assisted him up. "Sir, did you just say 'Rush'?"

It took Valeryan a few more deep breaths to reply. "Yes, it's Rush as in Rush Sykes. He's back."