She took a shaky breath, her golden eyes clouded with the weight of her memories.
“They began sending their people-hunters, mercenaries, and worse. At first, they came in small numbers, targeting lone members of our tribe. But when they saw that we were too weak to fight back, they grew bolder. They invaded our home, tearing through our defenses, taking our people like cattle.”
Her voice broke, and she swallowed hard, regaining her composure.
“Today was the worst. It was not a raid or a small attack-it was an all-out assault. They came in full force, determined to wipe us out or enslave what remained of us.”
Alister’s fists clenched, his sharp claws glinting in the light. The air around him grew heavier, his anger palpable.
“They dared to bring war to your home?” he said, his voice was low and dangerous. “To hunt and enslave my people.”
“Yes, my lord,” the warrior replied softly. “But even in our darkest moments, we held onto the hope that you would come. And you did.”
She paused, and for a moment, the only sounds were the distant cries of battle and the rustle of the jungle.
Alister’s tail swayed slowly, his gaze drifting toward the horizon where the fighting still raged. He exhaled deeply, his fury barely contained as memories similar to these from his past life flashed before his eyes.
“Then I shall make them regret their arrogance. No one dares harm my people and escapes unscathed.”
Alister was changing slowly… His past influencing his current actions.
The warrior nodded. “We will follow you, my lord. Whatever you command, we will see it done.”
Alister’s gaze softened slightly as he looked at her. “You’ve endured much, warrior. But now, the tide turns. First, let us attend to our people. Once we have… the humans who dared to raise their hands against us will learn what it means to provoke dragons.”
“Gather everyone up; all should be safe now, and prepare to welcome me, for I have come to lead once again.”
“Yes, my lord!” she said, bowing deeply before turning to rally her people.
As Alister watched her leave, his mind raced. This was not merely a random attack- something deeper was at play. His memory flashed to what his future self had told him.
Do not let the blood of our people be stolen.
Alister’s thoughts darkened. Could he change this outcome? If this had been going on for hundreds of years…
“Time, perhaps…” He muttered under his breath. “Could I send Yu’Keto back to prevent all of this?”
“Tampering with the past will only create more problems, not solve them.”
Alister froze, his sharp golden eyes narrowing as the voice’s owner stepped into view.
Yu’Keto’s massive body emerged behind him, his scales glowing with a silver light.
Alister narrowed his gaze as his thoughts receded. How did I not sense his presence until he was directly behind me?
It was peculiar. How could a dragon of such powerful presence and enormous size not be noticed until he was directly behind someone… It was strange.
Alister chose to remain calm. It must simply be one of his abilities.
His eyes were soon drawn to something else.
Hovering beside him was a silver orb, pulsing softly as though it were alive. Encased within it was a man, his body suspended mid-motion.
The human appeared frozen in time-unmoving, as though caught in the middle of a stride. He wanted to run away after he encountered Yu’Keto, that much was obvious.
Even his expression, one of immense shock, remained unchanging.
“What is this?” Alister asked, his gaze flicking to the orb. “And why haven’t you killed that human?”
Yu’Keto’s expression remained impassive as he pointed a claw toward the orb.
“He is their leader. The one commanding the humans who have brought chaos to our kin. You demanded we find who orchestrates this… and why, so I captured him.”
Alister should have felt a surge of fury at the sight of the human responsible for the suffering of his people, but instead, his attention snapped to Yu’Keto’s earlier statement.
“What exactly did you mean by tampering with the past will only cause more problems?” Alister’s tone was sharp… demanding.
He wanted to find out why what should be such an obvious choice shouldn’t be taken.
Yu’Keto’s glowing silver eyes turned to meet Alister’s piercing golden ones.
“You were thinking of sending someone-perhaps even yourself-back to undo centuries of pain, were you not?”
Alister’s tail flicked sharply behind him, a sign of his irritation, but he kept his calm expression.
“If I could prevent all of this-stop the suffering of our people-then why shouldn’t I? It’s a small price to pay for their salvation.”
Yu’Keto’s voice deepened as he spoke again. “Because the past is a delicate tapestry, young lord. Tugging on one thread risks unraveling the entire fabric. Time does not respond kindly to interference. Change one event, and you may inadvertently create consequences far graver than what you seek to fix.”
Alister’s eyes narrowed, his sharp mind understanding Yu’Keto’s words, yet there was a hint of skepticism in his gaze. “So, you’re saying it’s impossible?”
Yu’Keto shook his head. “Not impossible-merely reckless. The past is not a simple line to be redrawn but a web of interwoven choices. If you attempt to alter it, you may find that the reality you create is far crueler than the one you left behind.”
Alister’s fists clenched, his claws digging into his palms. “Then what would you have me do, Yu’Keto? Stand idly by while my people suffer? While our enemies strip away what little dignity they had left?”
Yu’Keto’s voice softened slightly, though his tone remained firm.
“No, young lord. I am not asking you to do nothing. But your strength lies in the present. Focus on what you can change now. The future is still unwritten.”
Alister’s gaze drifted to the man within the orb, his anger simmering beneath the surface. “And him? If he’s their leader, then why waste time? Let’s end him and send a message to the
rest.”
Yu’Keto’s expression darkened, the glow of his silver eyes intensifying. “Not yet. Killing him now would give us nothing but a temporary reprieve. We need answers-knowledge of the ones pulling the strings behind this chaos. He is but a pawn in a much larger game.” Alister was frustrated, but he calmed himself. He nodded, his trust in Yu’Keto outweighing his instincts for instant retribution.
“Fine. I will leave the interrogation to Terra. For now, I will go relieve myself by punishing more of these vermin that thought to trample upon the dignity of our people.”
Yu’Keto narrowed his gaze… He could tell this wasn’t something the Alister he knew would say, but he understood such change was inevitable.
He was a Royal dragon after all, small changes to his personality would be inevitable as he adapted to his role, one who would rule over all of dragon kind would need to be far more
ruthless… more cruel.
Come a millennia or two from now he would be a completely different person.
‘But he will always be the same person to those he loves.’ Yu’Keto thought. Yu’Keto gave a slight nod, his claw brushing over the surface of the silver orb, causing it to shimmer faintly. “Rest assured, young lord. The truth will come to light. And when it does, you will have the clarity you seek.”
Alister exhaled as he walked away, his eyes narrowing as his thoughts raced.
‘Is he lying to me about going to the past… Or is he telling the truth… No… He is loyal.’
‘Although my future self commanded his death, he said so with regret. I shouldn’t let that make me suspect him.’