Trinsa.

Apparently, it was the name of the city I was currently at.

— ‘Situated on the vast plains of the Central Uren continent was the jeweled city of Trinsa. Built along the banks of the largest river that crossed the continent, coupled with the luscious fields of green outside and matched by the endless troves of people swarming back and forth the city gates, its pride as one of the richest cities in the central continent is easily justified.

Multitudes of spotless brick-laden structures lined the stone-paved streets, heavily congested by the massive influx of travelers, merchants, and common folk. Shops arrayed with a wide variety of goods guaranteed the city’s smooth economic growth which was further complemented by the increasing demands of the people’s daily struggles.

The adventurers, wanderers, merchants and craftsmen served as the flowing lifeblood which helped advance the majority of the aspects that supported the city’s growth. Loyal knights roamed the city streets ensuring public safety and furthering the trust of its denizens. “

The slightest hints of fear could not be seen on the residents’ faces, not because of the soldiers that roamed within, but because of the hundred-meter-tall walls, laden with siege weapons and counter-spells, that fortified the city edges.

A thriving jewel safely tucked away from threats of the vast plains and beyond, renowned throughout.’

— An excerpt from Ililnae’s Guide to the Uren Continent.

Save for now.

The city’s renowned prestige and grandeur, the majesty of its atmosphere and the dauntlessness of its walls, all lay burning as of this moment.

The lives which nurtured and kept this grand city ahead of it were all but lost. Children, teenagers, adults, old people, regardless of gender and regardless of age, each of the city’ citizens were all either dying or dead. Even their famed knights that were supposed to guarantee the city’s safety were all displayed grandly along the roadside - their bodies mercilessly impaled by large poles with spikes jutting out from each side.

And now, among the countless buildings and shops that were slowly being razed to the ground, was me. Hidden away between huge piles of wooden crates and barrels, I was safely tucked from the flames that were slowly swallowing the city whole. Despite this, the fetid haze of burning flesh and boiling blood still reached my nose.

Simply put, every second spent staying in this city is agonizing. No one with a sane mind would want to stay here. And despite my lack of trust against this woman that was accompanying me, I had no other choice.

Therefore,

“Hey.”

With a tone that sounded more irritated than disappointed, she replied,

[It’s Enli. Did you forget my name, again?]

“Don’t blame me. I don’t even know mine.”

Seeing my reply made her appearance turn by the second by the second, I followed up, not wanting to cause any unnecessary racket,

“Anyway, you mentioned escaping earlier. Do you have a plan? You’re much more knowledgeable about this city than me, so I’ll leave it up to you.”

[I don’t exactly have a plan, you know? But, if we’re going by what you said earlier about seeing those knights recently passing by. I think running now would be our best choice.]

“Hmph. Are you sure about this?”

[Not really. Besides, even if I’m wrong, we have no choice. Judging from the time, we only have an hour and a half at most before the ritual of consuming is complete.]

“Ritual of consuming?”

[Ahhh, you really forgot everything didn’t you?]

With a slight look of annoyance, she hesitated for a moment before heaving a sigh and continuing,

[Ugh, this’ll be a pain. *sigh*, okay, so the ritual of consuming is, like its name. A ritual that consumes.]

“Wow. You’re unexpectedly an idiot.”

[I wasn’t finished! The ritual of consuming is a spell. A big spell, really. It’s a big spell that consumes-]

“Are you serio-?”

[The spell not only consumes the flesh of every living being in the vicinity of its range, it also consumes the soul. Once the ritual completes, every single living thing will disappear, along with their souls. It will then convert everything that got destroyed into mana which in turn will further strengthen the spell, resulting in a larger radius of death. It was written down in history that the largest ritual of consuming done led to the desolation of the human capital three thousand years ago. The only difference this time is that the target is Trinsa, and not our home.]

Understanding the severity of the situation and wanting to make sure of something, I asked,

“And that’s the spell this city’s currently under, correct?”

[That’s right.]

“So we need to move.”

[That’s right.]

Realizing the terrifying scenario we’re in, my mind went overdrive thinking for a solution, then it hit me,

‘If invading knights are strolling the streets unopposed, that could mean that the gates have already fallen, right? There’s no way an active defensive force would let invading troops move around unopposed. If the defenses are struck this low, that basically means the walls are now under enemy command.’

Which is bad, so I asked her,

“Do you know of a way outside the city except for the gates? I think it isn’t safe to go through them at this point.”

[I was actually thinking the same thing. Don’t worry. I know one nearby. Just a few hundred meters ahead. It’s one of the hidden passageways underground. But I just hope the castle isn’t overrun yet.]

Before I could ask what the castle has to do with the route she’s talking about, she continued,

[We’ll head towards the northwest part of the wall first. There’s a passage that leads outside there. After that, we’ll head towards the river and from there, we’ll go downstream. Trust me.]

After stating the somewhat reckless escape plan, she stood up, grabbed my hands then ran outside the comforting shelter of wooden crates and barrels.

It was then that I noticed she was at least a feet taller than me, which isn’t supposed to happen. Considering the height I assumed she had before when she was just sitting on the ground. Unless I was wrong?

“Wait. How old are you again?”

[Aren’t I your fian-! ....right. Ugh. I’m eighteen.]

“How come you're taller than me? How old am I?”

[Fifteen! Now let’s go!]

I was surprised. Not by the sudden way she pulled me close as she ran, but because of the unexpected answer that came. The reason is because I had memories of a place beyond this, a place where I’m older,

‘Fifteen? And I’m smaller than an eighteen-year-old girl? But.. but I remember.. I even had two-‘

Suddenly, a piercing pain racked through my brain, my consciousness burned white and cold sweat poured from every inch of my skin,

“Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!”

Feeling faint, I slumped down feeling half awake, half dead and in full agony.

(*Ding!*)