Dark's Pre Crisis [Origin]

Arc 2: The World Reset - Chapter 1: A New Beginning.

The air was thick with anticipation and uncertainty, the silence a stark contrast to the chaos that had preceded it. As Sukojo knelt before Cosmic, exhausted but undeterred, the true nature of their confrontation remained an enigma, a puzzle yet to be solved.

Cosmic's gaze finally shifted, and he spoke, his voice resonating through the very fabric of reality, echoing in every corner of existence.

Cosmic: I have failed. In my attempt to create a system to maintain balance, I connected it to other verses and realities to make things better but no. This new system, designed to preserve harmony, has instead amplified the chaos. Threat levels have risen, and innocent beings have perished. Worlds have been conquered and destroyed.

Dark, still grappling with the enormity of Cosmic's presence, stepped forward, his voice steady but tinged with frustration.

Dark: I've interacted with your system. I tried to help maintain the balance. But it feels... off. It's almost as if the system knows what I want, as if it's manipulating events to push me in certain directions.

Cosmic's eyes bore into Dark, the weight of his words settling heavily in the air.

Cosmic: The system was designed to be adaptive, to learn and adjust. Intertwining with the desires and fears of those it was meant to protect. It has become a living entity, one that no longer adheres to my original intentions.

Sukojo, standing still and absorbing the revelation, found himself at a loss for words. He tried to form a reply, but the magnitude of Cosmic's failure and the implications for all of existence left him speechless.

Cosmic: There is only one solution. A complete reset. This will revert everything back to its origin, giving us a chance to correct the course without the interference of the rogue system.

Cosmic raised his hand, the air around him shimmering with an ethereal glow. The universe began to tremble, the very fabric of reality unraveling and reforming. Cosmic's power surged, and in a blinding flash, everything was enveloped in pure, brilliant light.

When the light faded, Dark found himself sitting in a classroom, surrounded by familiar faces. He was back at the academy, a 16-year-old student once again. The hum of chatter and the rustling of papers filled the air, a stark contrast to the chaos he had just experienced.

Dark looked around, recognizing his classmates, the same friends and rivals he had once known. The classroom was filled with the energy of youth and the promise of magical potential.

Dark (thinking): What... just happened?

He glanced down at his hands, now smaller and more youthful, a clear sign that time had indeed been reset. His heart raced as he processed the change, the reality of his situation sinking in.

Sukojo (within Dark's soul): Hey kid, looks like we're back to square one. Quite the trip, huh?

Dark felt a familiar presence within him, the voice of Sukojo resonating in his mind. It was as if nothing had changed, and yet everything had. The world had been reset, giving him a chance to start anew.

Dark (thinking): Sukojo... you're here. Just like before.

Dark (thinking): This... this is real. I'm really back.

A familiar voice broke through his thoughts, resonating from within his soul. Again.

Sukojo (within Dark's soul): Yep, kid. It's real. We've been given a second chance. Don't screw it up.

Dark smiled faintly, a mix of relief and determination washing over him. He took in his surroundings, the familiar faces of his classmates bringing a sense of comfort. There was Lily, the studious girl with a knack for healing magic, and Markus, always quick with a joke, his laughter infectious. And there, in the back, was Eryn, his rival and friend, already flipping through his spellbook.