Reincarnation Across the Ages

Chapter 2

The Age of the Future, Part 2

At age five, Roccan was talking to a man with a crooked posture but a head held high. Wearing a white coat, which he tried to transform into a lab coat, Copper was the name of the father figure at the boy's disposal.

The conversation took place in the dark of night, but the light from the electricity in the house didn't let the humans succumb to the darkness.

"Roc, have you heard about the action relics?"

"They seem pretty cool. Can I have one?"

"You have no idea what it is, do you?"

"I like the name."

The experienced man's excitement moved his tired body. Even after a hard day, his spirits seemed to be replenished at every opportunity to talk about such an inspiring subject.

"These little artifacts are the greatest treasure in this world. The power of an action relic alters a fundamental universe phenomenon."

"What can you do with something like that?"

"Such an ability would have no relevance to a being of another species, but for humankind... what we could do with these things is beyond your imagination!"

"If I have one of these objects, can I change the world?"

"You're a human, Roc. The answer is obvious."

"So, I want to change the world!"

"Hahaha, that's the spirit! And what would you do first?"

"I'd bring Mom back!"

Before Copper could comprehend what had been said, his mind had already reacted immediately, stopping any movement. His body was paralyzed after such a shocking comment.

Not even his wide eyes could see the infinite potential hidden in such innocent words.

"You know, Roc. Humans are unpredictable. Even something said in such an idiotic way isn't impossible."

"So, Mom—"

"When combined, action relics can change each other's actions."

The light from the industrial lamp was reflected on the dreaming man's retinas, igniting his ideas like a switch activates the brilliance of hitherto dormant possibilities.

The words spoken after this moment originated from the development of a species with centuries of complexity. Countless generations have overcome their barriers to transform such absurd thoughts into something attainable.

"If we combine the Relics of Death and Life, it might be possible to alter the two phenomena so that your mother comes back to life."

"Could I do something like that?"

"You still have a lot of growing up to do, Roc. But I want you to promise me something."

The boy had no idea he was about to hear statements that he would never forget.

"If one day I also leave, I want you to continue what I'm about to start. That's one of the main virtues of humankind: our knowledge doesn't die with us."

Feeling the pain of memories that had scarred his skin, Roccan couldn't accept the present. Still resting after foiling his enemies, he realizes the loss of the object that had been his most outstanding achievement.

"A few minutes ago, I had the Death Relic," he tells the woman keeping him company.

"You what? Stop fooling around. Do you think I will believe another one of your lies?"

"I wouldn't joke about such important information."

"You know what, I've had enough. If you will use your incredible power in such a stupid way, you can stay away from the resistance."

Proxie's patience comes to an end, and she walks away from Roccan. However, before she leaves, she takes advantage of the boy's distraction by placing something on the back of his neck.

Not noticing the girl's actions, the young man's only concern lies with the indirect compliments he has received.

"My power? Are you talking about the portals? It's the Transportation Relic!"

"Of course, of course," not even the truth could convince her.

He can still cause more trouble. I'll keep him on my radar, the girl thinks, leaving her companion behind.

A shot hits the lone body.

With no one to help him this time, the boy falls to the ground with a decisive hit. His latest acquisition is propelled away by the impact of the projectile. The stolen relic falls conveniently right next to Proxie.

The girl is startled by the sudden attack but seizes the golden opportunity to escape with the precious object. Her departure precedes the arrival of angry guards. 

"We killed him!" A soldier searches Roccan's corpse, lying on the ground.

Taking all his clothes and belongings with him, the boy's body disintegrates in an utterly supernatural way.

The leader's blood boils. The unpredictability of a streak of bad luck results in a sequence of surreal events. His goal always seems to slip through his fingers.

Tyler accumulates the stress of yet more bad news, "the stolen relic isn't here; the girl must have run off with it! Don't let any ships escape from this city! Follow her!"

A construction site hides a vehicle with watchful eyes. Filled with elements of an ongoing construction project, the site provides a safe parking lot for any illegal landings.

Proxie takes advantage of the cover, preparing her ship for a quick take-off. 

Death relic? Come on. That idiot just lost a valuable power. What a stupid death. The girl despises the one she had just met.

While watching the radar on the control panel, she plans her next destination. Suddenly, she is surprised by an unexpected piece of information.

The tracker that had been implanted in Roccan remains active. However, the location of this device is thousands of times more distant than expected.

The tracking mechanism points to another planet.

Planet 2? Impossible! I saw that guy die in front of me! Could it be a tracker malfunction? Proxie can't believe the device.

Seeking to clear up all her doubts, the vehicle takes off, heading for the source of all questions. Following the girl's path, another ship has the same destination.

The sunset illuminates a clear sky. White clouds seem to have never been exposed to the terror of human pollution, and a crystal-clear river perfectly reflects the harmony of migratory birds.

Walking under the shade of a tree, Roccan breathes in the air provided by nature's leaves. 

The boy finds himself in a place free of cars and ships, with dirt roads occupied only by horses and carts. No sign of electricity can be seen.

"Huh? Where am I? I feel like I've gone back in time."

"Are you new here?"

A quiet voice reaches the boy's ears, and he is confronted with someone completely unknown. His lack of knowledge about his surroundings makes him realize the inevitable truth.

"Oh, I'm dead!"

"Dead? It's nothing like that. This is just the village cemetery."

Next to the boy, a place had escaped his sight. A field full of gravestones, each surrounded by random objects ranging from clothes to various weapons. Stone fences surround the site, ensuring privacy for those who deserve to rest in peace.

Carrying out the maintenance of the tombs, a white-haired man struggles with his aging body, going against his back pain to preserve such an important site.

Roccan asks him, "Are you dead too? What are you doing in a place like this?"

"I couldn't die that easily. I still have a lot to extract from here."

The old man's tired hands carry a staff, while a wizard's hat hides his baldness.

"I won't let anyone's existence go to waste."

"That would never happen. There are still people in your town, right? Nothing will have been in vain as long as that's true."

The region's strong winds follow the experienced man's sigh, blowing his hair full of experience. Looking at each gravestone, which once represented a companion, he asks the young newcomer a question.

"Hey, kid. Have you ever felt like you've lost someone irreplaceable?"

The question hits like a punch in the gut. Roccan stares at the cemetery in such a way that the tombstones seem to have the names of his parents written on them. His mind tries to play an unfortunate trick on him.

The boy's silence allows the aged man to continue his speech. The dialogue has become a monologue.

"On each of these tombstones, there is someone who carries with them decades of valuable knowledge. When I use my magic on human objects, I can relive certain moments of their memories when the objects were used. That's why I can't die in any way. I have to go through with it."

White clouds are driven away by the arrival of an imposing interstellar vessel. The vehicle is like an enormous flying stingray with its peculiar shape and incomparable speed.

A ship lands on the green field, interrupting the serenity of nature. Proxie heads out to meet Roccan. Tracking down the answers herself, she can't believe her eyes. The one who should be dead is still standing, keeping all his clothes and sloppy appearance.

"That's impossible... I saw you die!"

"My goodness! What is that metal being? Is she your friend?" The experienced resident is startled.

"Ah, hello, flying girl."

"Does she fly too!"

Proxie loses her patience, "Don't listen to that idiot. You'll end up even more confused! Besides, I should be in charge of the questions!"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Why are you alive? That doesn't make sense."

A bombing obliterates the cemetery.

Another ship flies over the area, firing non-stop at the distracted group. A shower of missiles hits the ground, shaking the earth.

In the midst of the rampant destruction, pink particles mix with the dust from the explosions. Roccan uses his powers to escape with his companions, creating portals that distance him from the catastrophe.

The living are saved from the lethal attack, but the tombs are completely devastated. Precious objects are shattered among the rubble that once formed a resting place for the dead.

The old wizard's staff contemplates — one last time — memories that will never return. Decades-old memories are broken in half, and their remains are turned to ash. 

"Boy, what... that's impossible..." the observer can't keep his composure.

As the fire ceased, the spacecraft finally landed on the debris of the graves. Leaving the space vehicle, Tyler confronts the group personally.

"Hiding in such a primitive land. You dishonor the power of the relics, Proxie."

"This place doesn't belong to STONE, Tyler. Get out of here."

"You have no idea how much I want to leave. But this relic belongs to us."

"Oh, come on. You won't need that thing. Your audience comprises idiots; stupid people usually walk hand in hand."

The girl's eyes search for her companions. The dust from the bombing doesn't allow her to see Roccan's expression, but the boy seems prepared for combat. He stands still, his ears eagerly waiting for an opportunity to act.

"Kid, show me your power. Take me up high!"

An immediate response.

Portals teleport the young woman into the sky, activating her gliders. Hovering above the other heads, she uses the equipment to approach the enemy.

Tyler accepts the confrontation, using an artifact that opposes technology. A stone carved in the shape of a pinwheel, the man summons the power of an action relic.

"Your tricks are outdated, girl. The resistance has been beaten."

A current of air torments the birds in the area, and the formation of a hurricane plunges the environment into absolute chaos. Faced with a storm of relentless winds, the glider loses control.

The attacker begins to give in to the massive power. Proxie can no longer move towards her opponent, being carried away by the power of the natural disaster. Nothing seems capable of interrupting the wind current, which makes even trees fly in its inescapable flow.

Tyler stands still, controlling the situation from the eye of the hurricane. His composure is in direct contrast to the desperate shouts of his adversary, whose orders are no longer audible to her companions.

"We can't fight him in the hurricane area; that's his domain! We need to get out of here!"

"I'm glad you understand, you cheeky brat! Give me the relic, and I'll—"

"That's enough."

A portal appears under the confident man's feet.

Pink dust creates a path into the reach of an enraged boy. Tyler is teleported away from the hurricane, ending up in front of Roccan. 

"You did well, flying girl. You can rest now."

The tone of his voice makes everyone wonder who is really talking. A firm, intimidating stance gives off an image of complete seriousness. The boy's lips knew that this was no time to smile.

"What have you done, brat? Do you think a power like that threatens me? Even if you hit me, STONE will—"

A grab brings Tyler's head to the ground.

With a strength capable of digging through muddy ground, the blow causes his enemy's face to sink into the softened earth. 

"I'll be the one to take this fight further."

"Argh!"

The victim collapses after a bewildering impact, swallowing all the mud in his way thanks to his open mouth.

Proxie is surprised by the sudden victory, "H-he... he can do something like that!"

"Your friend is scary." the experienced resident adds.

"He didn't use to do that!"

Facing the cemetery debris with his head held high, Roccan makes one last statement to his companions, who can only see his broad shoulders and upright posture.

"Someone needs to continue what you have started."