A wise one once told me that not every story is set in stone; that this is a massive universe and it has a story to tell. One only needs to listen, and it will answer with: Once Upon a Time… An impending darkness loomed over the planet of Tiesa as the Arrival was fast approaching.

What does it mean to be a hero? 

Fukai struggles with a decision that he will soon have to make…

15 hours until the Arrival. 

“Huh, it’s starting to rain,” I state as a raindrop falls on my head.

*drip*

——*drip*

*drip*——*drip*

——*drip**drip*——*drip*

The rain that drips off of me leaves trails of red that run and connect to others, making them turn a similar shade. It has been ages since the last time I decided to step foot inside The Temple of Ember, and I can’t shake the feeling that I am being drawn to this place. It’s almost like destiny has called me, and never being the type to defy destiny, I decide to enter, my damaged body protesting every movement.

“Shit! This seems to be playing out just like Yasha said!” I decry the plan that started when Yasha approached me a couple of months ago.

2 Months Before.

“Thanks for meeting me here, Fukai, Maka.” Yasha addresses each of us as he leans up against a tree, looking at us with an eagerness in his eyes.

“There’s no need to be thanking us just yet.” I gesture towards Maka with no motivation. “This was Maka’s idea to come here and listen to what you have to say.”

“Now, Fukai, don’t be like that. Let’s hear him out,” Maka interposes.

I sit down on the ground, a little upset. “Fine!” Looking up at Yasha I roll my eyes, but I give him a gentle smile not wanting him to think I don’t take him seriously. “Start talking.”

Yasha closes his eyes and inhales, then exhales. As soon as he opens his eyes, the atmosphere begins to change, and he starts speaking. “Listen closely to what I’m about to tell you, because depending on the outcome of this meeting, it could change the course of the universe forever.”

That was a night I’ll never forget. I couldn’t imagine just how far he could see into the future.

Just before we went our separate ways, I asked him a question. “Why?”

Yasha paused for a second, “Why what?”

“Why do you have so much faith in this plan?” I said, hoping for a more detailed answer.

Yasha looked up at the sky and smiled. “It’s not that I have faith in the plan, it’s because I know you will make the right decisions when the time comes.”

This was the last time I saw Yasha before the impending darkness.

15 hours until the Arrival.

Even so, I never once in my wildest dreams thought my journey would end in the place where it all began. As the rain continues to pour, my heart begins to waver and I enter the temple.

“Ugh! …Dammit!!! WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?!” I look up at the ceiling as the red tinted rain drops fall from my face. “I’m running out of time! If I don’t do something, Ma---Ma---Maka will…!” I hit the side of the wall so hard that blood drips down from my hand. “It’s time to finish this!” I declare to myself as I proceed deeper into the Temple of Ember.

As I run down these dark gloomy hallways, my mind quickly rushes to the past adventures of my childhood. Back then, it was just the four of us, always running headlong into whatever danger was thrown our way. Those, for us, were simpler times. Unfortunately, life is not that simple; it’s never that simple. If I had my way, things would go back to those good old days, with a new adventure always around the next corner.

That’s when reality yanks me back to the present. My heart begins to waver again as I’m left with a heavy decision. I can’t help but wonder, what will I say once I reach him? Could the bridge that was broken be mended? Or is this just some pipe dream I hope to accomplish?

What does it mean to be a friend?

As I rush past a corner, I feel a sense of familiarity come over me. It’s almost as if my mind is playing tricks on me. I know that the temple has a way of messing with one’s mind, but I can’t help but be lost in the memories. I recall this one time in particular, the four of us sitting around a campfire in the Deep Jungle talking about our dreams and goals in life. Maka dreamed of being a great Koa warrior, who traveled the world helping people in need. He was always the one willing to help, even if he lacked the strength. Ramsey dreamed of becoming a great scholar. One who would unravel the mysteries of the universe. It was knowledge that drove Ramsey to seek out the Truth, and the Truth he would find. Anaea dreamed of becoming strong enough to protect the things that she held close to her heart. And as for me…

“Dammit, Ramsey! Why did it have to turn out this way?! Why was the Truth so damn important to you?!” I shout in frustration, quickly jumping over a fallen pillar. “Ugh…! Shit…! I’m sorry, Maka! I didn’t listen to you!” This feeling of regret would not go away. I still feel that maybe if I had done that, if I had just listened, I could have helped out then. “I… I’m just a failure!”

I become so drowned in memories and regret that I almost forget that the underground temple is like a maze. The closer I get to my goal the further away it seems. Even so, the place that had imbued our childhood with great meaning, has now become a place of regrets. A regret that I will have to live with for the rest of my life; provided I live long enough to see things through. I only hope it isn’t too late, because at dawn the Arrival will begin, which will beckon in the Age of Apocalypse.

Could one sacrifice a whole world to protect the things that are important?

“Ugh! …Where the hell are they?! I can’t make heads or tails of which direction I should go!” I shout as I turn the corner and start to head in a direction that looks like a dead end.

As I jump over a ledge and down into the unknown, I think to myself: how could I have been so blind to not notice the signs of what was happening with my friends? Of course I know now. I’ve known all this time, but I refused to believe. Refused to believe in what Maka was telling me. Only because I wished not to believe, but I must face reality. “That’s right.” I bite down on my lip. “This is reality.”

As I hit the ground I continue to run, looking only forward and ignoring the cries from my joints. I begin to think out loud. “I… I…!” I can hear the faint sounds of voices coming from above. I glance up with an intense look in my eyes as tears run down my face. “I can’t believe I’ve been such a fool! Dammit! This way,” I say to myself as I turn down a hallway.

He wasn’t prepared for what was to happen next.