The Sage's Partner - Re: Zero OC (DROPPED)

Chapter 2 - Time Loop

Standing in stunned silence, Orion slowly looked around, making sure that what he was currently seeing and experiencing wasn't a trick of the mind or an illusion, but that he was actually back to the same street once again.

'No... this isn't the same street. That fountain... this was a few minutes before I met Reinhard, wasn't it?'

Slowly coming to terms with his surroundings, and the fact that he had somehow gone back in time, Orion then pondered the question as to why.

'Was that all... a vision?'

He then rubbed his arms and knees, which had been scraped after his long sparring session with Reinhard with a grimace.

'No... that pain felt too real to be a simple vision. While Reinhard's a good guy, and one I'm happy to call a friend, his strikes were strong enough to numb my arms even when I blocked them.'

Orion then stopped, his eyes turning down in sadness.

'Friend... I suppose that's one-sided at this point, isn't it?'

While he was still shocked, and very confused at how he had been sent back in time, Orion wasn't under any illusion that he had simply woken up with Reinhard and come to the same place, all while conveniently forgetting everything that happened in between.

After all, if it was possible to get transported out of nowhere to another world, then it went without saying that time travel was not outside the realm of possibility.

"I guess I should retrace my steps then? Though I hope I haven't stalled too long-"

Orion's words caught in his throat as he felt an instinctive pull. One that begged him to turn the other way.

'Well... assuming Reinhard is heading back to the barracks later, I'm sure I can explain everything then.'

Orion didn't know why he felt so compelled to head where his instincts were leading him, but he couldn't stop himself.

It was akin to a gut feeling, but enhanced to the maximum. Following it simply felt right, as if his purpose for being in this new world was just within reach as long as he followed this inexplicable feeling.

And so, he followed, walking through vaguely familiar streets with confidence before the feeling eventually disappeared, leaving Orion standing still, reeling in confusion.

'Well, shit... what the hell do I do now?'

Just as he was about to head back to the knight's barracks, or perhaps try to chase down Reinhard, he heard a shout from a nearby alleyway.

"I'm in a hurry! Don't get in my way again!"

Turning towards the noise, he then saw a young man walk out of the alley at a brisk pace.

With the young man having short black hair and intimidating dark brown eyes, Orion found himself entranced. Not by his physical appearance, but rather by the athletic tracksuit and sneakers he was wearing, as well as the plastic bag held in his hand.

'No way... is he... like me?'

Not wanting to lose this chance, Orion quickly walked up to the young man. "Hey, you!"

Annoyed, the young man turned his head back to look at Orion.

"I told you I'm in a hurry! Do you want to end up like them..."

His aggressive tone petered out as the young man noticed who had called out to him.

With dark gray sweatpants, a loose-fitting blue t-shirt, and a red zip-up sweater, the man looked extremely out of place in this medieval land.