A/N: So yeah, here's the next chapter, posted right as I turned 18. Happy birthday to me guys. As for the responses to reviews:

Isangtao: I had no idea that there was someone called Berthe lol. But I'll try to put him in the story in a later chapter if you want.

Yoojin Lee: You give me too much credit, but thanks anyway for the compliment.

TheTrueMasterofTempest: I don't know if this is comparable to a novel. It's a fanfic and I struggle with description, but I thank you for the compliment.

So without further ado, here's chapter 4

Chapter four

I was in a dark candle lit corridor. The stone floors were stained with the blood of my allies, seeping through the cracks between each tile. Their corpses lay on the ground, each and every one of them. I began to walk down the corridor. Where was Aisha's body? I ran faster, and as if to mock me the corridor seem to stretch further. Then I stopped. There was a figure, leaning over what appeared to be Aisha's body. He had crimson hair, and was sobbing loudly. He turned, and faced me, his eyes bloodshot and insane. I could only watch as I realize that I was looking at myself.

"You did this," my clone stated, standing, reaching out for me. "YOU DIDN'T SAVE THEM!"

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" I screamed, shooting up from my slumber. I rested my hand on my forehead, feeling the cold sweat pour down my body. I panted heavily, desperately grasping for air. I heard the door burst open as a set of footsteps rushed in, grabbing my shoulders.

"Elsword you okay?"

The room was dark, with only a small gap of sunlight seeping through the closed windows. Even though the room was dark and I was still waking up I could recognize Aisha's voice from anywhere.

"I'm sorry Ai, I didn't mean to scare you," I said, pulling her into an embrace, taking in her sweet fragrance to calm myself down. "I just had a bad dream. It was horrible. Everyone died, and I was powerless to save anyone…and there was something to do with time travel-"

Suddenly Aisha pulled herself away from me.

"Ai?" I asked questionably.

"U-Um, that's quite some dream you have there," she said nervously. Why was she nervous?

I heard her walk towards the window, letting the sun glare through the window. I squinted, and held my hand just above my eyes. Then I realized I was in my room. Not the one that Aisha and I had owned, but the one in Ruben. The Aisha that stood before me was the younger one. The one that didn't know about me.

"Rena and Lowe have been discussing all night about what to do about the Elstone," Aisha said, tapping her feet nervously. "The mayor is there as well, as he is furious about the incident being kept secret from him."

I nodded, lifting my quilt off, before slipping out of bed.

"Hey Ai? I mean Aisha," I quickly corrected myself. "Sorry about the…whole hugging thing, I just woke up and everything. If you are seriously offended I am truly sorry."

The purple haired girl nodded, her cheeks red, not daring to look into my eyes.

"Also can I change my clothes?" I continued.

Her face turned even redder.

"Sorry," she said nearly inaudibly, before leaving the room. As soon as she did, I closed the door to my room, and walked to my window. I stared outside. The sun was fine, but the trees…most were fine and alive, but I could see some of the leaves starting to fall ever since the Elstone was taken.

"I'm going to miss this place," I muttered to myself. If everything went according to plan, Aisha, Rena and I were to leave today for the sacred ruins, and our travels will begin. I just hope nothing bad happens beforehand.

"Absolutely not!" Hagus shouted.

Hagus was the mayor of Ruben. He was a plump man, dressed semi casually with a brown vest that exposed his belly easily. He had a brown bushy beard and moustache, which was neatly cut often.

Right now there were three of us in the meeting room. Hagus, Lowe and me. Aisha and Rena were in town, probably shopping for supplies for the trip.

"I can let the elf travel after the Elstone," Hagus continued. "The magician girl can go as well. But Elsword, is too young to go with them. He doesn't know of the world, and don't forget he was the one that let the Elstone get away in the first place."

"But sir!" Lowe pleaded. "Who else can go besides him? He has fought with Rena and Aisha before. The three of them have experience fighting together. Would you really replace him with someone who didn't know the two?"

"Adrian is a fine candidate," the mayor replied. "He's strong, mature for his age and is persistent in his work. He's only a few years older than Elsword so it should be fine to send him."

That's the worst that could happen. Adrian was definitely strong for his age. Mature in the eyes of adults to get on their good side and persistent when he chased girls. And that meant I stayed in Ruben as well.

"I want to go uncle Hagus," I said, staring into his eyes. "Please let me go. I'll definitely get back the Elstone, I swear on the Sieghart name."

I know Hagus was tempted to let me have my way. He doted on me as a child. But he remained resilient.

"No Elsword," he said. "The fact remains that Adrian is a much better candidate. I'm sorry. Maybe in a few years once you reach his amount of experience, you could leave Ruben."

I clenched my hand into a fist. There was only one way to settle this.

"We'll duel then," I suggested. "We'll have Lowe stand as judge of the duel. The winner pursues the Elstone."

Lowe looked panicked, obviously thinking that Adrian was stronger than me. He was talented I would give him that. But experience? I had a whole lot more fighting the monsters out in the big bad world.

"Elsword," Hagus started.

"If I lose," I interrupted. "I'll stay here and train for as long as you want me to. Just please. Let me prove myself."

"…Alright. We'll begin this afternoon."

Without saying anything else I watched as he left the meeting room, leaving Lowe and I. Hagus, was a great man. He cared about his people a lot, and that's what makes him great in my eyes. Hagus was my father figure in my previous life. He was kind and I knew he wanted what was best for me. He didn't want me to blame myself for the loss of the Elstone, that's why he was so against me going, thinking I would be reckless and would hate myself more.

But I needed to go.

I exited the meeting room, annoyed and pissed that I had to waste my time fighting Adrian. I remember in my past life, he used to try a bully me whenever he could. But he was a coward. During the demon wars he left his post and allowed the demons to enter Ruben without resistance. I had beaten him to a pulp and would have killed him if it weren't for Aisha stopping me that day.

Sighing I decided to take a stroll in town till I was told to come to the training grounds for the duel. It had been a peaceful walk. But as soon as I turned the next corner onto the main road, I saw Adrian himself, walking smugly as if he owned the place. He was tall, with long brown hair. He had a strong build, like a typical knight. Right now his arms wrapped around the shoulders of a purpled haired girl.

I saw red.

I could see Aisha trying to push him away, obviously not interested but he continued to try and wrap his arm around her. I stormed my way towards the two, trying desperately not to draw my sword right now to end him.

He dared try to make a move on my wife!

"Adrian!" I shouted.

The two turned to face me. Aisha finding the opportunity broke out of his grasp, walking quickly to me.

"Hey Sieghart," he sneered. "I haven't seen you in a while. Sleeping while the Elstone had been taken right under your nose?"

I growled. Still the same ass he normally was.

"Funny," I answered. "Who left their team to be killed by Banthus?"

"I told them to flee," he answered smugly. "But my team insisted on throwing their lives away to save some animals being slaughtered. Not my fault. Say, I heard that old man Hagus is making sure you don't pursue the Elstone. Looks like I have to clean up your mess as usual. I guess I'll be welcomed a hero once I take the Elstone back."

"That's not going to be so easy," I stated. "This afternoon we are having a duel. Winner is the one that joins Aisha and Rena."

Adrian stared at me before laughing. I forced back my anger, knowing that I had this afternoon to embarrass him then.

"You think you can win against me?" he laughed. "We'll see then. Later Sieghart."

He said my name in a mocking way before circling around me. He quickly grabbed Aisha's neck and brought his lips to her cheek. It took all the force in me to not grab my sword right now and kill him.

"We'll have so much fun on our little trip, Aisha," he said, smiling at her, releasing her.

Aisha slapped him, leaving a very heavy red mark on his face.

"You'll come to accept me darling," he said, licking his lips. "Hope you're ready for a real man."

"When hell freezes over," she said darkly.

He left the two of us, laughing. His absolute confidence overflowing. At first I was thinking of humiliating him. But I guess I'll change those plans. I'll completely waste him from the start.

"I'm assuming he is the guy that Lowe was talking about that the mayor recommended," Aisha stated, wiping her cheek with her sleeve. "I rather throw myself off a cliff then travel with him."

My fist was tightly clenched. I was so looking forward to the duel this afternoon.

It didn't seem that long. Thank lady El. It was the afternoon, and Adrian and I stood facing each other in the training grounds, where a ring had been drawn in the sand. The Ruben citizens had decided to watch, including Hagus who was at the front of the crowd. Lowe stood between Adrian and I, his own sword already unsheathed and ready to interfere if need be.

"I don't want any foul play in this duel," Lowe stated seriously, mostly looking at Adrian. Thank god I wasn't the only one to know of Adrian's tendencies.

Smirking, Adrian turned to look at someone in the crowd, to which he blew a kiss to them. It made me angrier to know that it was directed towards Aisha, who stuck out her tongue.

Before the match, I went through the list of things I could do to not stand out too much. Normal swordsmanship obviously, but I had a weaker body than Adrian right now. Magic would make me stand out. There was only one option left that I could do, to express my anger efficiently. The Sieghart techniques that Elesis taught me in my previous life.

Guess I can show off a bit.

Lowe was about to count down, raising his hand. I slowed my breath, and remembered the anger that Adrian had caused me in my previous life. I remember the anger I felt when I realized I was powerless to save my friends as well, fueling my anger even more. Heat radiated from my body slowly, just as Lowe brought down his hand.

As he did, Adrian dash towards me, swinging his sword. His face showed complete confidence, thinking he was going to win in that single instant.

Then I surprised everyone. A burst of red light erupted from my body as I lashed out with my blade into Adrian's swing. My blade easily deflected his, forcing him back. He skidded backwards from my swing, nearly a full three metres before regaining his stance.

"No way," he muttered.

There were other similar remarks going around the townfolk and even Lowe was surprised. Right now, I had activated what Elesis called the aura of destruction. The first of the two auras that the Sieghart family swordmanship used.

Right now I was overflowing with anger, the red aura mirroring my feelings perfectly. The urge to put Adrian in his place. I dashed forward, reaching Adrian within a second. He clumsily swung his sword at me, to which I ducked under with ease, before spinning and aiming my sword at his neck with a backhanded strike. Just before it was about to strike him, I stopped the blade right at his neck, the cold metal resting on his skin.

Everyone was silent. No one dared say a thing. Adrian dropped his blade out of shock, causing it to ring amongst the silence. Not wanting to end it there, I used my leg and kicked his legs from underneath him, flipping him onto his back, where I then rested my blade on his neck again.

"Lowe," I almost growled.

"R-Right," Lowe said, recovering from the shock. "That concludes the duel…Elsword Sieghart is the winner."

There was a cheer amongst the crowd. I released the aura, as the town folk flocked to me, some patting me on the back and others rubbing my head. There were some stray comments like 'Full of potential', 'Your father would be so proud' and 'Just like your sister'.

Sheathing my blade, I turned to look at Adrian who was still shocked at my display of power. I snickered, seeing the little dark patch in his pants where he had relieved himself. Served him right. I made my way through the crowd, seeing Hagus beaming.

"You proved me wrong," Hagus stated. "I suppose you really have grown up."

"I guess," I answered.

"Though Elsword…Do you honestly want to pursue Banthus for the Elstone?" Hagus asked once more. "It'll be dangerous, and you might lose your life."

I smiled.

"I know the risks," I answered, getting down on one knee, pleading. "So please. Let me go after the Elstone."

It didn't take long for the preparations to finish. We packed food supplies, maps, water and basic necessities to last us for maybe a week or so while we travel. I didn't want to make a big occasion out of it, so I agreed with Lowe and Hagus to let us leave quietly, with just the two of them seeing us off.

So here I stood, at bridge leading towards the forest, with Hagus and Lowe saying their goodbyes to me.

"I wish I could come along Elsword," Lowe said. "But I'm the leader of the garrison-"

"I know Lowe," I answered. "You don't have to tell me."

I could see his eyes water a little, not knowing how long I'll be away from.

"You know," Lowe continued. "Elesis…she left in a quiet way as well, with as little people as possible…if you see her. Tell her…T-Tell her that I kept my promise…and for her to come home soon."

"I will."

Nodding, Lowe waved goodbye, leaving to attend his duties. Hagus stared at me, not knowing what to say.

"I'll be back before you know it," I assured. "I'm not the same little boy you had to worry about all the time."

I watched as the Ruben mayor laughed, to which I soon followed. Our laughter soon died down, and Hagus cleared his throat.

"You truly have grown up a lot Elsword," he said. "So much so I didn't see it until recently."

Hagus didn't marry, nor did he have children. So I guess I was as much as a son as he was a father to me. Understanding his feelings, I nodded, and turned to walk away, leaving Ruben, and the peaceful life that I wish I could have had. I hear Hagus walking away as well.

"You know," I called out, stopping but not turning around. "I know a small little town that was peaceful. It was fun and the people were kind. The trees and the meadows danced to the evening wind. One day, I'll return it to the way it was. Just wait for it."

I knew Hagus could hear me. I heard some quiet sobbing, causing me to smile. Still as emotional as always. Without saying anymore, I walked across the bridge leading to the forest, where the figures of Aisha and Rena waited patiently for me.

"Did you say your goodbyes properly?" Rena asked.

"Yeah," I answered. "Let's go."

"You say that but we don't even know where to start," Aisha murmured. "Banthus could be anywhere."

I raised an eyebrow towards Aisha, who looked back at me confused. I nudged Rena.

"Oh right," Rena said. "Part of Elsword's plan was that I set fire to the bandits supplies. So while I was scouting I found the majority of it and did so. So since Banthus definitely has more men, he would be forced to take refuge somewhere for the time being."

"Where's that?" Aisha asked.

"The forest ruins," I answered. "The old city of the elves. Though before we go, there's something that is still bothering me a lot."

Rena and Aisha looked at me questionably. I couldn't resist a playful smile appearing on my face as I leaned towards Aisha, kissing on the cheek where Adrian had done so before.

"There," I said, trying to hide my laughter. "Glad I got that off my chest."

I watched, as Aisha turned red, before brandishing her staff.

"You jerk!" she shouted, swinging her staff at me. "IhateyouIhateyouIhateyouIhateyou!"

She started to chase me, desperately trying to hit me with her staff, while Rena watched the two of us, laughing through her hand.

It was moments like these, that I wished would never end.

A/N: And hope you enjoyed that chapter. Don't have much to say this time around, so keep being awesome people. Till the next chapter.