Rewind

Chapter 1: The Return

Khun Aguero Agnis awoke to the cold sensation of stone beneath his fingers. His head throbbed with the remnants of an impossible journey, one that defied every law of reality he had ever known. Slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting against the dim light that filtered through the cracks in the ceiling above. The familiar scent of dust and damp earth filled his nostrils, and as he sat up, a wave of disorientation swept over him.

The room was small and bare, the kind of place where countless Regulars had found themselves when they first entered the Tower. Khun's sharp mind quickly processed his surroundings—an old, forgotten room deep within the lower levels of the Tower, a place he hadn't seen in what felt like a lifetime.

But it wasn't just the location that sent a jolt of realization through him. It was the presence of something he hadn't felt in what seemed like an eternity: hope.

He had done it. Against all odds, against the very fabric of time and space, he had returned to the past.

Khun took a deep breath, steadying himself. He wasn't sure how much time had been rewound or what condition he would find himself in. He only knew that this was his second chance—the opportunity he had fought for after Bam's death.

Bam.

The name alone was enough to ignite a fire within Khun, pushing away the lingering disorientation. He had to find him, had to see for himself that this wasn't some cruel trick of the Tower, that Bam was truly alive and untouched by the horrors that lay ahead.

But first, he needed to confirm just how far back he had traveled. His mind raced, piecing together the fragmented memories of his journey back through time. If this was truly the beginning, then Bam would be arriving soon, if he hadn't already. Khun's heart pounded in his chest at the thought of seeing him again, of being able to stand beside him without the weight of regret that had haunted him for so long.

He pushed himself to his feet, testing his balance as he adjusted to the reality of his new—or rather, old—situation. His body felt the same, but there was an underlying sense of familiarity in the movements that comforted him. It was as if the weight of countless battles and the burden of leadership had been lifted from his shoulders, leaving him with the sharp, focused mind that had always been his greatest weapon.

Khun made his way to the door, his thoughts racing as he formulated a plan. He needed to find out what had changed, if anything, and where Bam was. There was no time to waste; every second could be crucial in preventing the tragedies that had unfolded before.

As he stepped out into the dimly lit corridor, the memories of his first climb through the Tower came rushing back. The trials, the betrayals, the alliances—each one a stepping stone on the path that had led him to the top. But now, he had the advantage. He knew the Tower's secrets, its pitfalls, and its players. More importantly, he knew the future that awaited them if he didn't act.

Khun navigated the labyrinthine corridors with ease, his mind already three steps ahead. He needed to find Bam before anyone else did before the wrong hands could manipulate him. If he could reach him first, everything might change. He could guide Bam, protect him from the darkness that had consumed him, and perhaps even prevent the chain of events that had led to his death.

But as he approached the familiar chamber where it had all begun, a wave of uncertainty washed over him. What would Bam think when he saw him? Would he remember anything, or would this truly be a fresh start? Khun couldn't be sure, but one thing was certain—he would do whatever it took to keep Bam safe this time.

The door to the chamber creaked open, and Khun stepped inside, his heart pounding in anticipation. The room was exactly as he remembered it—ancient, imposing, and filled with the aura of countless Regulars who had come before.

And there, standing in the center of the room, was Bam.

He was exactly as Khun remembered—wide-eyed, innocent, and completely unaware of the journey that lay ahead of him. The sight of him alive and whole was almost enough to bring Khun to his knees, but he forced himself to remain calm, to keep his emotions in check.

Bam turned at the sound of the door, his eyes locking onto Khun's with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Khun felt a lump form in his throat as he saw that familiar gaze, the one that had been filled with so much trust, so much hope.

"Who are you?" Bam asked, his voice soft but steady.

Khun hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, his resolve solidifying with each step. This was it—the moment he had been given to change everything. He wouldn't waste it."My name is Khun," he said, his voice calm and confident. "And I'm here to help you climb the Tower."

Bam's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't move. There was something in his gaze, something that told Khun he hadn't completely lost the innocence that had once defined him. It was still there, hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be nurtured and protected.

Khun took a deep breath, his mind already calculating the possibilities, the strategies, the path they would take together. This time, he wouldn't let Bam fall. This time, he would stand by his side, from the very beginning to the very end.And with that, the journey began anew.