Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: Going back to the Past

Jed, it said, the tone both gentle and commanding, you have witnessed the shadows of your past and the potential horrors of your future. But know this: these events are not immutable. You were shown these visions not to break you, but to empower you. A wave of warmth washed over Jed, a feeling of empowerment that countered the chilling visions he had just experienced. The voice continued, You have always possessed the power to change these events. The blood of Aethelred flows strong within you. You alone possess the ability to enter the heart of the Tree of Life, to harness its power, and to alter the course of fate. You will journey into the past, Jed, to prevent these tragedies before they occur. Only you can save them. The words resonated with a deep sense of destiny, a calling that resonated with the very core of his being. Fear remained, a cold knot in his stomach, but it was overshadowed by a surge of determination, a fierce resolve to protect those he loved. He was being given a chance, a second chance to rewrite his family's tragic history, to save the lives of the women he loved, and to finally confront the evil that had haunted his family for generations. The Tree of Life had given him a mission, a burden, and a power he never knew he possessed. He would travel to the past. He would save them. His journey had just begun. As Jed steeled himself for the task ahead, bracing for the weight of his destiny, the Tree of Life presented one final vision, a vision so chilling, so devastating, that it threatened to shatter his newfound resolve. The image that unfolded was a horrifying tableau of destruction and despair. He saw a field littered with corpses, their faces pale and lifeless in the harsh light. Among them, he recognized the forms of those closest to him: Rose, her body still and cold; Shai, her eyes wide in death; his grandfather, his proud posture broken, lying lifeless amidst the carnage. The scene was a macabre tableau, a testament to a devastating defeat. The once-vibrant emerald leaves of the Tree of Life were now consumed by flames, its ancient bark crackling and blackening as the fire raged. The majestic tree, the heart of Aethelgard, was being consumed by the inferno, its ethereal glow replaced by the hellish glare of the flames. The air itself seemed to crackle with malevolent energy. And at the center of this destruction, looming over the scene with a triumphant, almost gleeful expression, stood Alaric. But he was not the man Jed knew. His form was twisted, distorted, imbued with a malevolent energy that radiated outwards, corrupting everything it touched. His eyes burned with an unholy light, and his features were contorted into a grotesque mockery of humanity. He was a creature of pure evil, a demon cloaked in human f lesh, the architect of this horrific devastation. The vision vanished, leaving Jed reeling, the weight of this potential future pressing down on him with a suffocating force. This was not just a threat; it was a stark warning, a terrifying glimpse into the abyss that awaited if he failed. The lives of everyone he cared about, the very heart of Aethelgard, hung precariously in the balance. But this vision, however terrifying, only strengthened his resolve. He would not allow this future to come to pass. He would stop Alaric. He would save them all. He would succeed. The horrifying vision of the future receded, leaving Jed shaken but not broken. His resolve, though tested to its limits, remained unshaken. He knew what he had to do. He had to prevent that future from becoming reality. The voice of the Tree of Life resonated once more, calm and reassuring amidst the turmoil in Jed's mind. The path before you is perilous, Jed, but you are not alone. Within me lies the power to aid you, the strength to overcome the darkness that threatens to consume Aethelgard. A golden light emanated from the colossal oak, focusing on a single branch heavy with fruit unlike any Jed had ever seen. They were large, luminous golden orbs, radiating a warmth that seemed to reach deep into his soul. Eat of my golden fruit, Jed, the Tree of Life commanded. It holds the memories of all the Aethelred masters, their knowledge, their techniques, their very essence. It will awaken the power within you, the power you need to combat your enemy, to protect those you love, to change the course of fate. Consume it, and let the legacy of your ancestors flow through your veins. Jed felt a strange mixture of apprehension and excitement. He looked at the golden fruit, sensing the immense power contained within its luminous skin. This wasn't just about eating a piece of fruit; it was about inheriting centuries of knowledge, centuries of experience in combatting the darkness that threatened Aethelgard. It was about becoming more than himself, becoming the culmination of generations of Aethelred warriors. With a deep breath, steeling his nerves, Jed reached out and took one of the golden fruits, its warmth already seeping into his very being. He was ready. He was ready to face his destiny. As Jed brought the golden fruit to his lips, its skin cool and smooth against his skin, a wave of intense golden light enveloped him. It wasn't merely light; it was energy, pure and potent, surging through his veins, filling him with a power he'd never known he possessed. The taste of the fruit was unlike anything he had ever experienced – a complex blend of sweetness, warmth, and ancient wisdom. Memories, not his own, flooded his mind, images and sensations rushing in a torrent of information. He saw faces, countless faces, of Aethelred masters throughout history, their fighting styles, their strategies, their triumphs and defeats weaving together into a tapestry of knowledge. Then, the light intensified, a blinding flash that momentarily robbed him of his senses. When he could see again, he was no longer standing before the Tree of Life. He was lying on soft earth, the scent of pine and damp soil filling his nostrils. He was surrounded by ancient trees, their branches intertwined, creating a dense canopy overhead. It was a forest unlike any he'd ever seen, older, wilder, somehow more alive. This was the Aethelgard of the past, a place untouched by the blight that threatened to consume his present. He sat up, his senses heightened, his body feeling stronger, faster, more attuned to his surroundings. He felt a deep connection to this land, to this forest, to the very essence of Aethelgard. The memories of the Aethelred masters were still flowing through him, their skills and techniques becoming an intrinsic part of his being. He was ready. He was in the past, ready to confront Alaric, to prevent the tragedies he had witnessed, to save those he loved, and to protect the heart of Aethelgard. His journey to change the course of history had officially begun. Jed rose to his feet, the forest floor soft beneath his bare feet. The air thrummed with a primal energy, a sense of ancient power that resonated deep within his bones. He moved with a newfound grace and agility, the memories of the Aethelred masters flowing through him, guiding his every movement. He felt a profound connection to this place, to this time. He was home. As he walked deeper into the forest, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a younger version of his father, Aeon, his eyes sharp and alert, his stance radiating strength and skill. But there was something different about this Aeon, a youthful exuberance mixed with a hint of recklessness that Jed had never witnessed in his father's later years. Before Jed could even speak, Aeon launched a swift and unexpected attack, a flurry of blows that would have overwhelmed most men. But Jed, imbued with the knowledge of generations of Aethelred masters, reacted instinctively, his movements fluid and precise. He effortlessly parried Aeon's blows, his counterattacks swift and decisive. Within moments, he had subdued his father, pinning him to the ground without causing him any harm. Aeon, surprised but not defeated, looked up at Jed, his eyes wide with a mixture of astonishment and curiosity. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice filled with a grudging respect. "Where did you learn those techniques? They are… unlike anything I've ever seen." Jed looked down at his father, a wave of bittersweet emotion washing over him. He knew he couldn't reveal the truth about the Tree of Life and the golden fruit just yet. "I… I've been training," he said, choosing his words carefully. "I've been honing my skills. Let's just say I've had… exceptional instructors." He paused, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Perhaps, one day, I'll tell you more." He helped his father to his feet, a silent understanding passing between them, a connection forged not just through blood, but through the shared legacy of the Aethelred masters. The encounter served as a test, a confirmation of the power he now possessed, a power that would be crucial in the battles to come.