Opening Scene – The Aftermath of Rebellion
Liam’s body ached all over. His muscles felt like they had been torn apart and stitched back together. His fingers dug into the dry, cracked soil beneath him, and the air was thick with the smell of smoke and iron—the unmistakable scent of blood and fire.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
The sky above him was a twisted blend of violet and crimson, a sun that was neither fully set nor risen casting a strange glow across the battlefield. It was as if the world itself couldn’t decide whether it was in the middle of dawn or dusk.
And then, the pain returned.
"Ugh… What the hell was that?"
Liam groaned, rolling onto his side. The st thing he remembered was rejecting the system’s forced choice—refusing to be a hero or a vilin—and now, he had nded here. Wherever here was.
And then— the system’s voice echoed in his head.
---
System Notification – An Unforeseen Path
[SYSTEM REBOOTING…]
[ERROR: PATH NOT FOUND.]
[OVERRIDE ENGAGED – ASSIGNING UNIQUE DESIGNATION…]
[NEW PATH UNLOCKED – THE ONE WHO DEFIES FATE.]
Liam let out a dry ugh, his voice hoarse.
"So, I broke the damn thing? Great."
Seraphis and Nyx were strangely silent. No condescending remarks. No lectures. No encouragement. Just silence.
The battlefield stretched before him—burned vilges, broken weapons, and bodies scattered across the nd. It was clear that a massive conflict had just taken pce.
And in the distance, a group of armored soldiers were moving through the wreckage, checking the bodies.
Liam’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t a game. If they found him, what would they do?
---
First Encounter – The Knights of Eris
"Search the bodies! Make sure none of the heretics still breathe!"
The voice was sharp and commanding, belonging to a man in full silver-pted armor. His helmet bore the crest of a golden phoenix—a clear insignia of nobility.
Liam barely had time to think before he heard footsteps approaching.
Two knights, cd in the same shining armor, stopped just a few feet away from him. Their armor was stained with blood, and their expressions were cold.
"Another one. Looks like he barely made it." One knight muttered.
"He doesn’t wear the markings of the rebels." The other said.
"Orders are to bring in the survivors. Check if he’s conscious."
Liam didn’t move. His mind was racing. What was the right py here? If they thought he was part of this war, they might kill him. If they thought he was innocent, they might take him prisoner.
But before he could decide—
Nyx’s voice returned.
"Tch. Pathetic." Her sultry tone dripped with amusement. "Letting them decide your fate? I expected more from you, Liam."
Then—Seraphis.
"Stay still. Let them bring you to safety. Rushing into conflict will only lead to suffering."
Liam clenched his jaw. They were back. And already at odds.
But there was no time to argue. The knight grabbed his wrist, pulling him up.
"On your feet, survivor. You’re coming with us."
---
Inside the Fortress – Prisoner or Guest?
Liam was dragged into the fortress city of Eris, a towering structure of white stone walls and massive iron gates. The streets were alive with soldiers, bcksmiths, and robed schors. It was a city preparing for war.
But Liam wasn’t given much time to admire the view—he was taken straight into the keep and thrown into a stone cell.
The door smmed shut.
"Great." Liam sighed, rubbing his sore wrists. "First day in this world and I’m already a prisoner."
A voice scoffed in his mind.
"Better than being a corpse." Nyx mused. "Though I would’ve preferred if you fought back. Imagine the bloodshed!"
Seraphis sighed.
"At least you’re alive. This kingdom might be your best chance to learn about this world."
Liam ignored them. His mind was still racing. He needed information.
Why was this world at war? Who were the rebels? And why did the system still feel… broken?
His thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open.
A figure entered.
She was tall, poised, and wrapped in a flowing white cloak lined with golden embroidery. Her piercing emerald eyes studied Liam carefully, and a sword hung at her waist.
"You are an unknown variable in this war." She said, voice calm but firm. "Who are you, and why were you found among the dead?"
Liam exhaled. Here we go.
---
Choices and Deception
Liam had three options:
1?? Tell the truth. Admit he had no memory of this world. (Risk being seen as a lunatic.)
2?? Lie. Cim to be an outsider caught in the battle. (Safer, but could lead to suspicion.)
3?? Deflect. Say nothing and gather more information first.
Nyx chuckled.
"Lie. Py the game. This woman has power—use her."
Seraphis shook her head.
"Honesty will earn trust. Deception will only make enemies."
Liam ignored both of them. He was done letting them dictate his choices.
Instead, he sat back and gave the woman a calm look.
"Who are you first?" He countered. "Before I start answering questions, I’d like to know who’s interrogating me."
Her eyebrows lifted slightly. Amusement? Or annoyance?
"I am Lady Evelyn of House Cerys. Captain of the Royal Guard and protector of Eris."
A noble. A high-ranking one.
Liam nodded slowly.
"Alright, Lady Evelyn. Then let’s make this simple—I have no idea what’s going on. One moment I was somewhere else, and the next, I was waking up in the middle of a battlefield."
A half-truth.
Evelyn’s gaze lingered on him for a long moment.
"A convenient excuse." She said. "Yet your clothes and mannerisms suggest you are not from any kingdom I know."
Liam tensed slightly.
She was sharp.
Evelyn studied him a moment longer before finally stepping back.
"You are not a prisoner, but neither are you free. You will stay under watch until we determine what to do with you."
And with that, she turned and left.
The door closed behind her, and Liam exhaled.
"Well… that could’ve been worse."
Nyx scoffed.
"Could’ve been better. You should’ve pyed her."
Seraphis smiled.
"At least she didn’t see you as an enemy. That is a victory in itself."
Liam shook his head. This was only the beginning.
One thing was clear: he had nded in a world already on the brink of destruction. And sooner or ter, he would have to choose a side.
If he even wanted to choose one at all.
---
End of Chapter 2
