Reset: Save Them All


Prologue


A tall figure in damaged and bloodied leather armor limped up the mountain, wincing from various minor injuries, including several cuts and what was most likely a cracked rib. He paused, looking back down the mountain to the fields of carnage, the aftermath of the last battle of monsters and men. The battle at Mount Ebott had been a bloody one, but the Kingdom of Monsters had been able to retreat into the depths of the mountain, while the humans then sealed them in with a powerful spell. Now, the armies of men were simply attending to their dead and injured. He watched them, leaning against the craggy mountainside.

"... Maybe one day..." He said softly, his voice filled with exhaustion. He then turned, grit his teeth, and continued along the worn path up the mountain, knowing the cave at the top awaited him. When the cave finally came into sight, the man collapsed, his breathing ragged. Part of him wanted to give up. But another voice chided him.

"Giving up?" The feminine voice caught his attention. "And after all that?"

"Not giving up. Just… resting." He shot back sarcastically. Another voice chimed in, replying.

"Aww, come on. You've felt worse! I've made you feel worse!"

"Not helping." The feminine voice sighed. The man pulled himself to his feet as the two voices began arguing.

"I'm motivating him!" The third voice replied.

"How does reminding him of how crappy his existence has been motivate him?!" The feminine voice shot back.

"I'm moving guys, alright?" The man groaned as he continued deeper into the cave, the light fading behind him.

"I helped way more than you!" The girl growled, ignoring him. "Besides, I've known him for way longer!"

"I helped him against you!" The third voice retorted.

"Please shut up." A fourth voice spoke, this one calm and collected. "Focus. He's obviously struggling, and neither of you are helping."

"Sorry." The two arguing voices chorused as the man stepped into the heart of the cave, stumbling along.

"Are you ready?" The fourth voice asks quietly.

"... Y-" He was cut off as he heard a yell from behind him and felt a blade slice into his side, causing him to collapse in pain. He saw a figure standing over him, raising a sword, before the world turned black.