Disclaimer: The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel belongs to Falcom.

Another Roll of the Dice

by Storm Wolf77415, and Centurious the Azure

Placing the Bet

There was nothing but pain. Pain, anger, hate, and sorrow tinged in the deep red of freshly spilled blood. The crack of a single gunshot. A tattered and bloodied pink headband with wing decorations and ribbons fluttering to the muddy ground. A young woman's anguished cry. A shooting pain erupting in his stomach, and a deep, husky feminine voice uttering two words in a sorrowful tone. "I'm sorry." With that Rean Schwarzer awakened.

"ELISE!" He catapulted up in bed, drenched in sweat. Rean panted heavily. Calming down some, he then took note of where he was. "This looks like…my dorm room?" Looking around, there were all the sights he remembered. A rice paper scroll with Eastern-style characters. A pair of textbooks sitting on his nightstand, along with a framed portrait of his parents, Baron Teo Schwarzer, his wife, Baroness Lucia Schwarzer, and a young woman with long black hair, his younger sister, Elise Schwarzer.

He got out of the bed, finding another surprise. He was wearing the familiar red jacket indicating his status as a student of Thors Military Academy's Class VII. "It is my dorm room, and why I am wearing my uniform?" He looked out the window to see the familiar sight of the small town of Trista before him. A cloudy gray sky overhead. "How did I end up here? Was that whole thing just a really bad nightmare?" It unnerved him just how silent it was. He left the room, stepping out into the hall. "Hello? Eliot? Gaius? Fie? Is anyone here?"

"Alisa? Machias? Millium? Sharon! Are you guys around?" He checked every floor, every door. The story was the same, everything locked uptight. He knocked, but silence was the only response he got. Rean was starting to get very irritated at the silent calm. It just didn't make sense for there to be no one around. "What is going on here?" He came back down the steps to the second floor. His gaze fell on one door in particular marked "206". He sighed, recalling the occupant of that particular room.

He made one last round of the dormitory, hoping to find some evidence of his classmates. "Laura? Jusis? Emma? Instructor Sara?" It was all to no avail. None of his classmates seemed to be present. Frustrated, Rean crashed down on the sofa in the common area, arm covering his face. "This doesn't make any sense at all. Last I remembered, I was in North Ambria with Valimar, when…when." He trailed off, trying to grasp at the faded memories. Everything was a jumble to the confused young warrior.

"When you died." Rean's sat bolt upright and laid eyes on the face of someone he never expected to see again. Leaning against the wall, was a tall, lanky young man with silvery gray hair held back by a white bandana, also clad in the strident Class VII red. "Hey buddy, welcome to the other side." He strolled over, taking a seat across from Rean, a sad look in his eyes. "Although, I wish you hadn't come here yet."

"C-crow?" Rean couldn't believe his eyes, "This isn't some cruel joke, right? It's really you?" Crow Armbrust, another member of Class VII, and someone Rean had a very complicated history with. During his time at Thors Military Academy Rean had gotten involved in searching an old schoolhouse that contained a powerful robotic weapon called a Divine Knight, Valimar the Ashen Knight. It turned out that Crow had his own, Ordine, the Azure Knight. The two had ended up coming to blows when their country, the Erebonian Empire erupted into a nasty civil war, forcing them both on opposing sides.

Crow had died during the final battle of the war. Something that had greatly affected Rean. But seeing that easy-going smirk made him realize this wasn't any kind of hallucination. "The one and only." The Azure Awakener drawled in his usual lazy manner, but the smirk quickly faded. "But like I said, you should not be here, Rean." He sat back, folding his arms. "Then again, given what happened I can hardly blame you."

"I think I must have hit my head or something, did you say…I died?" Rean asked. "Because if we're dead, then why are we here at the dorms in Trista?"

The older boy shrugged. "I figured waking up in a familiar place would ease the shock some. But yeah, you're just like me, Rean. Dead as dirt. The only problem is that you weren't supposed to die in North Ambria. You were supposed to live to be an old man with your loving, blue-haired wife at your side, and an assload of blue-haired children and grandchildren running around Legram while waving their little swords."

Rean was taken aback. "You're saying Laura and I got married?"

His old rival laughed. "Well yeah! I mean, let's face it, man, it's no secret how close the two of you became before the civil war." He let out a knowing little chuckle. "I still remember how long the two of you danced at the school festival's after-party. Such a happy couple off in your own little world. Towa thought it was just too cute."

Memories of a stately young woman with long blue hair tied in a ponytail, wielding a massive claymore with grace and precision, came to Rean's mind. Laura S. Arseid, yet another member of Class VII, and if Rean had to be honest with himself, the girl he loved. "I suppose I can't argue with you there." Rean groaned, wanting something to drink at that moment. "So this is it huh? I'm stuck here in this place with you for all eternity then?"

The Azure Awakener looked to his Ashen counterpart, a look of irritation crossing his face before standing up. "Geez man, you're really just giving up?" He sighed. "Okay, sure! We can stay here until the end of time. I've got my Blade cards with me. I have no problem going at it with you. While we're chilling here. The whole world can just go straight to Gehenna in a handbasket because that's what happens with you dead, Rean!"

Again Rean found himself taken aback by his friend's words. It took a few minutes for Crow to steady himself, before sitting back down. "With you dead, the empire, scratch that, the entire damn continent goes down a very dark path. Osborne won, he reigns supreme, and everything we know and love is gone! You want it to be that way, Rean? Are you that apathetic that the whole world doesn't matter?"

"Of course not! But what can I do about it?" Rean shot back.

"Simple." Crow reached into his pocket, pulling out a pair of dice with 'C' and 'A' monogrammed on them. "You clear the board, and take another roll of the dice." He sighed, regarding the small plastic cubes for a few seconds. "In this bad future, science has advanced considerably, especially in the studies of the mind. They found a way to unlock powerful psychic abilities. My…benefactor if you will." He hesitated a little. "Managed to create a way to send a person's consciousness back into time. If you agree to this, Rean. We can change history and set it on a better course."

"Psychic powers? Time travel?" It was taking everything Rean had to wrap his brain around what Crow told him. "Can you even trust this guy, Crow?"

The Azure Awakener lightly tossed the dice up and down in the palm of his hand. "It sounds like something right out of a book, doesn't it? But yeah, it's a real thing. As for my benefactor." He caught the dice in his hand. "I trust him enough when it comes to this." Crow pointed at the door leading out of the dormitory. "You have a choice to make, Rean. You can either walk through that door, find peace with Aidios, or you can take another roll of the dice." He held them out. "And make a better future for everyone. It all comes down to you."

The young man looked from the door to the dice and back. Rean's mind raced. Thoughts of Laura, and the rest of his classmates, friends so close they became his family played against Crow's words of a bleak tomorrow. A lesser man would have caved, and simply walked away. But Rean Schwarzer was not a lesser man. He didn't need to give it any further thought, snatching the dice away. The smile and nod of affirmation were enough to steel Rean for what was to come. "So tell me, when exactly am I going to be sent? The day I left for Trista?"

"I figured you would want more time than that. Yes, that was a pun." Rean just rolled his eyes, far too used to Crow's knack for bad jokes at this point. "You'll be sent back a full year before you arrived at school. That's plenty of time for you to make some preparations. Also, I'm giving you this." Rean's eyes widened as a small black notebook with a crest in a brilliant red containing a horned lion was pushed into his hand. "Bet you never thought you'd see this again, huh? I left some ideas inside, use them as you see fit. Now enough chitchat, roll those cubes, Rean. See what future you create."

"Thanks, Crow." The room became blurry the minute Rean let the dice fly, Crow's face the last thing he saw, and the sound of the dice hitting the hard stone floor last thing he heard before everything faded to black.

City of Ymir, Schwarzer Barony, Nortia Province, March 31st, 1203 of the Septian Calendar.

Rean's eyes snapped open once again, found himself staring at a familiar ceiling. He sat up, looking around his old bedroom. "Was that all just a dream?" He mused. Until he noticed what was clenched in his hands, a pair of dice, and a student notebook belong to Thors Military Academy. He flipped the book open and found scrawled on the inside cover. "Fraid not, Rean!" in Crow's very distinctive handwriting, even including a little heart at the end.

"Oh by Aidios…" Rean groaned, only the Azure Awakener would leave him a message like that. Hand curling around the small plastic cubes with Crow's initials on them. "It wasn't a dream. It all really happened." He wasn't sure what to do.

"Rean honey?" The melodic, gentle voice brought him to his senses, and a slight knocking at the door caused him to jump out of bed on instinct. Lucia stuck her head in. It put him at ease to see his mother's calming visage. "Rean, breakfast is ready dear. I made fried eggs and bacon."

If his mom's smile was a fast way to curb Rean's anxiety, her cooking was the blow guaranteed to put it down for good. Sharon's culinary skill was near-divine, but a mother's cooking always held a special place in any child's heart. "Does that include your special pancakes?" He asked expectantly.

"What do you think?" Lucia giggled, knowing full well how much her son adored her handmade buttermilk pancakes. "Now get out of bed, young man. I can't imagine you want to eat it cold." Rean needed no further prompting. If this was indeed a fresh start. It was time to get working. Throwing on some clothes, He made his way downstairs to the dining room, where his father and sister were both waiting.

Baron Teo Schwarzer was reading the Imperial Chronicle. "Orbal Network comes back online, 3rd Armored Division recalled from Liberl/Erebonian border." The headline said. Elise was pouring herself some orange juice, and Lucia brought in a platter full of hot pancakes. For Rean, the sight of his family, together and happy, was something that made his heart feel more at ease than it had in a very long time. "Ah, so nice of you to join us, Rean." His father's gravelly voice further cementing this was actually happening. "You stayed up too late training again last night."

"Guilty as charged, Dad." The Ashen Awakener decided to just roll with things for now. The truth would come out when he felt it was right. He then looked to his baby sister. "Good morning, Elise. You look lovely as always." He grinned inwardly at the sight of Elise bowing her head as her cheeks starting to turn the same shade as her shirt, a deep pink.

"Rean!" There was just something so cute about hearing Elise's voice, but it also made his heartache for some reason he couldn't understand. She pushed a glass of orange juice to her brother to try and hide her embarrassment. Lucia just giggled and Teo gave an amused snort. "Mother, Father, Please don't encourage him!" She whined, grabbing a couple of pancakes to try and hope her face resumed its normal color.

"It just shows how much I love you, Elise," Rean said, taking a sip of his juice, before helping himself to some bacon. As expected, Lucia had worked her culinary magic once again. The pancakes were light and fluffy, and the maple syrup just sealed the deal for him. "Oh Mom, you were truly blessed by Aidios herself to always give us such great meals!"

"Aw, you flatterer!" It was the Schwarzer Matriarch's turn to start blushing, albeit not as much as Elise had earlier. "I've always thought I had a fair talent for cooking, but to say I was blessed by the Goddess herself is the highest praise I could be given."

Rean gave an idle shrug, followed by a slightly sheepish grin as he scratched his temple. "What can I say? It's the truth."

Teo set down the newspaper, clearing his throat. "As much as I enjoy watching you get your mother and sister all worked up. There was something I wanted to ask you, Rean. Now that you've completed Sunday School. You have your further education to think about. Have you decided on which school you want to attend yet? I don't mean to rush you, son. But this is the time where a lot of students decide what they want to do with their lives. Whatever choice you make, know we'll all support you. We can sit down and consider some options."

Only for Rean to hold up his hand. "Actually, Dad. I made up my mind some time ago. I want to attend Thors Military Academy in Trista. That's where I want to go next spring." He took a deep breath to look to his parents in turn. "I really do think that's the best place for me to go." This seemed to please his parents. If the wide smile from Lucia and the slight nod of approval from Teo was any indication.

"That's wonderful to know son. I'm pleased to hear you've been decisive in this, given how uncertain you were the last time we talked about it."

"I gave it a lot of thought." It wasn't entirely a lie. He had given Thors a lot of consideration, and now there was no other choice he could make. Those fond memories of his time at Thors were still as vivid as ever. He would never lose them. "Dad, after breakfast is done there's something I need to talk to you about in private." Breakfast passed and the Schwarzer family enjoyed themselves as any other family would have. In the back of his mind, Rean was determined to treasure this moment.

(Teo Schwarzer's Office)

Rean pushed open the door to his father's inner sanctum. Like much of the Schwarzer household, it held a simple air about it. Teo's faithful saber hung on the wall right next to the orbal shotgun he used for hunting. The shelves held numerous volumes of books collected by the family over the years. The Baron of Ymir was at his desk, going over some paperwork. "Come on in, Rean, you said there was something you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Yes, there is." He sat down in front of his father's desk, eyebrows knitting together. "I need you to get in contact with Master Ka-Fai, and have him come to Ymir immediately. I know you have some way to contact him quickly, Dad. I want to speak with him about." He hesitated for a second, his hand going to his chest. "I want to speak with him about resuming my training, before I go to Thors." Teo's face was serious, putting his hand on his son's forearm. "I need to get this beast under control. He's the only one who can help me."

"So does this mean you've accepted it?" The older man asked. "Because you always were so afraid of the power that lurks within you. Any time either your master or I brought it up, you always became so evasive. You didn't want to acknowledge its existence." Teo's words struck a nerve in Rean, what his father said was the truth. Far too many training sessions with the Sword Hermit ended with Rean running away because facing what he did on that frigid day was too traumatic to recall.

"I know Dad. If I had my way, I would be rid of this power forever, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. The next best thing I can do is try and learn to control it." Teo felt his son's grip tighten a little. "I was too scared back then, but I'm not running anymore. So, could you contact him? It would mean a lot to me." Teo gave Rean a comforting smile and reassuring pat on the head.

"Of course, Rean. I will notify Yun straight away, and I'm certain he'll be happy to hear you're willing to go through with this again." The Ashen Awakener could breathe a little easier. His first goal had been achieved. But a long road still sat ahead of him. Already he was planning on taking his next step.

"Thanks, Dad, I may spend some time brushing up before Master Ka-Fei gets here. I know he'll put me through the wringer easy." Something else came to mind for him. "Also Dad, do you think we could brush up on my court fencing? I think that will come in handy when I go to Thors." He definitely had something in mind with that last part.

"Then you better get out your old sword, son," Teo smirked, causing a shiver to run down Rean's spine. "Elise will be happy to have someone to spar with. I may not be on the level of the Sword Hermit, the Thunder God, or the Radiant Blademaster, but I'm a swordsman nonetheless. And I'm not going to let you slack off!" Rean offered a silent prayer to Aidios, he forgot just how strict a teacher his father could be.

(Outside Ymir Train Station, April 3rd, 1203 of the Septian Calendar)

For the past four days, Teo had exhaustively run him through a crash course in the Schwarzer variant of court fencing. It was a totally different beast from the Eight Leaves, One Blade school, but it was as just as instinctive to him. A few trips to the hot springs had been required, but there were still some aches and pains present.

He threw himself into this aspect of his skillset, forcing his father and sister to step up their own games as well. Elise had always moved with a certain poise and grace in her swordsmanship, but now she was including some hard-hitting slashes to her attacks, even incorporating a little of the Eight Leaves first form: Helix into her personal style. Seeing this had made him feel lighter, more confident in his sister's ability to defend herself.

As for Teo, the swiftness in his son's steps had left him catching his breath, and remarking he'll need to improve his footwork, which had left both of his children laughing. Nonetheless, Rean's skill in court fencing had improved considerably, enough to stand on par with some of the nobles he was acquired with, but now it was time to greet his master, and get to his real training

So it was Rean now stood outside Ymir's train station, wearing a red sweater vest and dark pants, impatiently tapping his foot. The letter from Master Ka-Fei clenched in hand. "It only took him a day to respond. Whatever he and Dad set up, it works well." He held it up to read it again.

It's so wonderful to hear from you Rean. I must say I was surprised to get your letter, but its contents fill me with joy. I'm glad to see you're wanting to resume your training. I will be quite eager to hear your reasons why. I should arrive within a few days. Until then, Master Yun Ka-Fai. The Ashen Awakener took a moment to reflect on his master. At first glance, The Sword Hermit seemed like a rather laid-back type who enjoyed lounging under a tree with a nice cup of sake, and writing poetry, bad poetry at that. Hardly a master swordsman provided he wasn't angered. Anyone stupid enough would see a flash of steel and then silence.

A pleasant-sounding chime echoed across the small hamlet. "The express from Roer has just arrived." Rean perked up, and soon he caught sight of his master. Yun Ka-Fai was just as he remembered. Despite his advanced age, his posture was straight and resolute. He was dressed simply, a tan tunic with a white undershirt, a blue sash tied at the waist, with a dark knee-length hakama. Bandages adorned his shins and forearms. His long gray hair was tied up.

Master and apprentice caught sight of each other. Yun just gave a half-smile. Rean returned the smile, bowing at the waist as Yun came up to him. "Welcome back to Ymir, Master Ka-Fai." He already felt relaxed in the presence of the old sage. "Thank you for showing up on such short notice. I know it must not have been easy to get from wherever you were."

"Oh please, it's not a bother at all, my boy." The older man responded with a deep, gravelly tone, putting a hand on Rean's shoulder. "In truth, I've been waiting for this day for quite some time." He reached into the pouch at his hip, holding up a familiar sheet of paper. "So you really wish to resume your training then, Rean? This isn't you just being impulsive?"

Rean shook his head. "No, Master. I really do mean it this time. A lot has happened since we last met. I'm not sure you'd believe some of the things I have to tell you. Let's go into the house and I'll give you the whole story. I had Mom prepare some tea and snacks for us."

"Ah, I haven't had Lucia's tea in such a long time." The two entered the house, the pleasant odor of green tea with mint and lemon permeated the air. Elise was waiting in the front hall, giving a beaming smile to the Sword Hermit, also offering a slight curtsy. "Ah, is that little Elise? Oh, I still remember when I sat you on my knee. My my, you have grown into a striking young lady. I bet the boys are going to be fighting tooth and nail when you make your debut."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Rean muttered under his breath, earning him a very annoyed glare from Elise.

A deep, throaty chuckle came from the Sword Hermit. "Now now, my student. You can't protect your little sister forever. Some day you'll have to acknowledge some young man as your brother-in-law. Who knows? You may even grow to like him." Yun ignored the death glare Rean gave him. "Perhaps you can show us to the dining room, Elise? I'm sure we don't want to keep your parents waiting." With no further words, Elise bowed again, and led them into the dining room.

"Hello there, Teo, Lucia." Yun smiled at the pitcher of green tea and a plate full of manju candies on the table. "I see you were prepared for me." He took a seat at the head of the table.

"I always make it a point to have your favorite sweets ready when you come to visit, Master Ka-Fai. Nothing less would suffice for you, given what you've done for my son." Rean just smiled a little at the sideways glance his mother gave him as he sat down at the table with Elise. Lucia poured everyone a cup of tea, the telltale scent of mint wafted through the air. Yun took a sip and let out a refreshed sigh.

Rean cleared his throat. The time had finally come to put the first step of his plan into action. "Let's get down to business. As I said in my letter Master Ka-Fai, I seek to resume my training under you." He looks to his father. "I've done some soul searching over the past few days, and decided I can't keep running from the beast inside me. If I can't be free of it, then I will do everything I can to seize control of it so I can face my future. The only person who can help me with this great challenge is you, Master."

The wizened old sage took in his student. The young man in front of him he knew as well as his own family, and could read him as such. Of his three direct apprentices, Rean always had the greatest growth potential, however, he was always hampered by his mental issues. He had seen it in the boy's eyes too many times to count, but where there was once anxiety, now sat a new resolve. Yun just nodded "You should already know my response, Rean. One day I knew you would call on me. I will do whatever I can to help you subdue the vicious ogre inside you, and I know your parents and sister will offer all the support they can as well."

"Oh trust me, they already have." The smiles from his parents and sister made Rean's courage and hope grow evermore. "There is one more thing I ask of you Master Ka-Fai. I don't want to just train here in Ymir. I'm hoping that we can take a little tour of the empire while we practice, a little change of scenery is never a bad thing, is it?"

"Not a bit at all," Yun replied. "I have no problem with a training journey, provided your parents approve as well?" He looked to Teo and Lucia.

"As long as you write us regularly, then I don't object," Lucia said.

"Neither do I," Teo added. "It will do you some good to get out and see the world a little bit. It will help you to grow as a man."

"I feel the exact same way," Rean said. "I may even make a few new friends along the way." One face, in particular, came to mind, he was going to be sure to grow especially close to Laura. A part of him wondered what she was doing at that moment.

(Same Time, Eastern Erebonian Empire, Kreuzen Province, Viscounty of Legram)

A figure, seemingly male, stood obscured by darkness. A strange, curved blade in hand. There was little one could do to make out who he was. The curved sword came up to the warrior's face, A fire of the purest blue enveloping the entire length of the blade. "Azure Flames, gather around my blade!" a strong, commanding voice uttered.

Eight small leaves danced in the wind. The figure moved faster than one could blink, the flames trailing behind him. A series of blazing swings followed, and all eight leaves were slashed cleanly in half. The fiery sword came up, and finally, the swordsman's face was revealed, a young man with ashen hair and red eyes.

Laura S. Arseid's eyes came open as she sat on the dock overlooking Lake Ebel. For the past four days, the daughter of the Radiant Blademaster had been plagued by this dream. It had made no sense to her at all. Who was this young man with ashen hair that had managed to permeate every corner of her mind so much? There was a sense of familiarity as well, she just couldn't put her finger on it.

So Laura decided to clear her mind in the best way she knew how, with a relaxing swim. It was a bit cool but for her it was negligible. She wore her bathing suit, a one-piece racerback in dark blue with white stripes running up the sides. Standing up and stretching out, Laura raised her arms over her head. Taking a big breath, she dove into the water.

Her entry was flawless. Laura kicked upwards, breaking the surface with a gasp. Her ponytail idly drifted behind her in the water. Rolling onto her back, she started an easy backstroke, looking up at the crystal blue sky, obscured by the fog her hometown was best known for. Laura sighed, floating in the water. "Whoever you are I hope you are a friend." She smiled, "I should ask Father about the Eight Leaves. He knows Master Ka-Fai after all."

(April 9th, 1203 of the Septian Calendar, Ymir Highway, Kreuzen Province)

"Ah, is there nothing better than to feel the wind in your face and the road beneath your feet?" Yun quipped as he trotted a brisk pace, his walking stick clacking against the rough asphalt of the road at certain intervals. "We wouldn't be able to enjoy this if we took the train now, would we, Rean?"

"Yes sir!" Rean huffed from behind, the weight of the heavy backpack pulling against him. "Of course Master Ka-Fai wouldn't want us to take the train. He wants to get the most out of our journey! Even if it means my legs fall off!" He muttered under his breath. Rean's reintroduction to his master's training methods had been rough.

They had been on the road for the better part of a week now, and making their way toward Roer. It had been a relatively pleasant walk. The roads were practically barren, given how the railways had pretty much become the primary method of travel in the Empire. Of course for master and student that needn't be a bad thing. It meant they could train in relative peace, and no one would get hurt during their…rather explosive training sessions.

The spring breeze brought a slight comfort to the Ashen Awakener. It made Rean think of when he strolled into Trista on that first day, the lino flowers in bloom. His thoughts then drifted to Class VII, the second family he never knew he needed. Led by their instructor, Sara Valenstein, Alisa Reinford, Jusis Albarea, Fie Claussell, Gaius Worzell, Eliot Craig, Emma Millstein, Machias Regnitz, Millium Orion, Crow Armbrust, and lastly, Laura S. Arseid, his beloved. Each of them had given him something he didn't know he needed, and filled in holes that he didn't know existed.

"Ah, this will do nicely." Rean was shaken from his reverie by his master's voice. Yun set his sizable rucksack down. "We'll camp here for the night, Rean. I believe there's a nice fishing spot not too far from here. We can have some lunch and then, I'll give you a quick evaluation. I need to see where your current skill level is at." He pulled out his weapon, a weathered, but well cared for katana in a black sheath, decorated with eight white outlines of leaves and the handle wrapped in gray twine, setting it on his hip before drawing it. "I doubt I need to reintroduce you to Kurohachi Konoha now, do I?"

In fact, Rean did not. Kurohachi Konoha was as familiar to him as his treasured blade. He remembered the day Master Ka-Fai gave him his tachi. "It's like no time has passed at all." He brought out his own sword. "All right, master. I'm ready to show you what I've learned since we parted ways." Master and student rushed each other. "Second Form: Gale!" He rushed forward faster than most people could blink, slashing his blade upward. Only for Kurohachi Konoha to catch it,

"Sixth Form: Scarlet Arc!" The Sword Hermit's voice boomed. A crescent-shaped blade of fire rushed toward Rean, but the Ashen Awakener held his ground, slamming his blade back into the sheath.

"First Form: Helix Strike!" Rean bellowed, the rotary spin sent his master's attack skyward. He leapt into the air, tachi overhead, fire consuming the entire length of his sword. "Here's a Flame Dragon Impact for your trouble, Master!" He swung downwards and a spectral, flaming dragon reared up, letting out a massive roar as it rushed at Yun. The aged master wasn't phased, in truth, he was impressed and even proud of his student.

"Fourth Form: Autumn Leaf Breeze!" Kurohachi Konoha created a powerful gust of wind that dispelled the flames easily. Rean's chest heaved, as he collapsed to one knee. The master of the Eight Leaves wasn't even phased. "Very nicely done, Rean." Yun tapped his blade against his shoulder. "Your skill has grown considerably. I'm glad to see you've kept up your training, but I think you have had enough for one day."

"Wait, master!" Yun's eyebrow arched upward, as Rean stood up, his silvery-gray eyes blazing. "I haven't shown you my greatest technique." His hair lightened just for a fraction of a second. His hands tightening on his blade. "My blade will cleave ignorance and light the way!" He let out a wordlessly cry as the brilliant flames appeared once again around his sword. He rushed toward his master, flaming swings coming at every angle, kicking up a huge cloud of dust. "Seventh Form: Void! Termination Slash-Dawn!" Rean's voice echoed across the hills.

As the sound and dirt in the air dissipated. Any spectators would have seen an exhausted and battered Ashen Awakener, Rean struggled to keep on his feet as he looked at his master. He could only smirk in resignation. Aside from a little dirt on his clothes, and being slightly winded. Yun Ka-Fai was unaffected by one of his student's most powerful moves. "How…was that?" Rean rasped about ready to collapse, only to be caught by his master. Who gave him a slight pat on the back and a look of great pride.

"Nothing short of perfection, my student. I must say, you really caught me off guard with that last move, Rean. I wasn't expecting you to pull out something Void-related, even Cassius had problems learning the Seventh Form and you haven't even learned the basic tenets of it yet." Yun gently set the young man down. "It appears we have quite a bit to talk about, like the real reason for this journey. The one you didn't want your parents and sister to know about?"

Rean just gave a wan smile and an exhausted nod. "Would you believe me if I said it involved my death and time travel?"

"Oh, by all means, do tell!" An unfamiliar voice cut through. A swirling circle of light materialized on the ground. Rean's eyebrows shot upwards. He knew exactly what this was, but he was puzzled by who could be conjuring it since it was neither the deep royal purple nor even the elegant azure he was expecting, but rather a deep, crimson red, the same as freshly shed blood. Two figures materialized, making Rean's heart nearly stop. The first was a young girl his age with long violet hair tied in a thick braid, wearing glasses, and a purple, long-sleeved dress with a billowing skirt and black tights.

The second person gave him pause. A tall woman with very defined curves, and blonde hair that reached all the way down to her ankles. She wore a white shirt with detached sleeves, held in place by a red laced corset, a long red skirt consisting of several layers, and brown knee-high leather boots with visible laces. Clenched in hand was a long staff that had a crystal pulsing with red light. Despite the fire in her eyes, there was no warmth in her smile. "Do tell, Rean Schwarzer, tell me exactly what happened, and what was so important that time had to reverse?"

"It is you, Rosie!" Yun exclaimed. "Well, it's been a while hasn't it? I see you haven't lost any of your killer good looks, either."

"Oh don't flatter me right now, Yun." The woman was not impressed, her gaze not leaving Rean once. "Your student has much to answer for!"

"Grandma please!" The bespectacled girl protested. Her own very ample chest bouncing as she stepped forward, trying to restore a semblance of order. "Can you at least try and explain to me what's going on for once?" She turned to face Rean and Yun, bowing deeply. "I'm terribly sorry for my grandmother's behavior. She's been like this for the past few weeks, and I don't know what her problem is." The girl was stopped by Rean suddenly embracing her. "W-what are you doing?" She blushed intensely, but then she noticed how he was crying. Her surprise turned to concern. "Are you okay?"

"Never better!" Rean said through happy tears. "Hello there, Emma. You saved me a lot of trouble by coming to me." He looked to the older woman. "I'm guessing this is your grandmother?"

Emma Millstein just looked at Rean confusedly "Uh, yes. Do we know each other?"

Rean just grunted, wiping his tears away. "How about we all sit down? I think this is going to take a while."

Author's Notes: Thus my first foray into the realm of Heroes begins. I never expected to become a fan of Trails of Cold Steel, but I did. Thank you for that, Centurious. It became one of my favorite series and it's really not hard to see why. The lore, the story, the characters are relatable. I could go on. Why the time travel angle? Because I always liked time travel stories so I figure it gives it a unique spin all its own. Guess you could say Rean's playing on New Game+ mode now, although it won't be so cut and dried. So I hope those who read it, enjoy it.