She had done everything she could to protect those civilians and had even awakened a completely new spell, an ability whose existence she had never imagined she possessed. A sword of light capable of cutting through almost anything and significantly increasing her magical abilities. She fought all those creatures of Fate created by a being who had appeared out of nowhere just to help that wretched woman. But even after giving everything she had to protect them, nothing was enough. She couldn't stay alive... and neither could they.
'If I could have one more chance to help everyone... if I had just one more opportunity... I would save my parents, save the world, and do so much more.'
'If I could go back... I would never give up.'
'Your determination is admirable... but are you sure you could do it? The fate of your world is to fall into ruin.'
When she opened her eyes once again, Elara found herself in a room filled with images of her world. She was lying face down on the floor, without a single fatal wound on her body. Confusion immediately filled her mind. She hurried to her feet and looked around.
"Where am I?"
"In my personal room, where I watch the beauties of Fate unfold."
The moment she heard that voice, Elara immediately summoned her sword of light and assumed a defensive stance, ready to react to any attack. She knew that voice all too well. In her mind, that being was nothing more than an abomination. Without a doubt, it was the most despicable creature in the world. He always wore that cursed smile while watching people die, talking about how beautiful it was to witness the moment when their fate finally came to an end.
"You..."
"Calm down. I'm not here to fight. I came to make a contract with you, since your determination was the greatest among all humans at the end of the world."
"A contract?"
It could very well be a trap. Trusting someone like him was, in her opinion, the greatest mistake she could possibly make. Just as she was about to respond, the creature spoke first, maintaining the same calm and amused tone.
"That's right, a contract. I won't force you to accept it, but know that you can have another chance. No... not just one chance, but several."
"What? That's... that's a lie. There's no way I can trust you."
"Why?"
"You're really asking? You literally helped that woman destroy the world. You killed countless people, you killed my friend... I simply don't trust the words that come out of your mouth."
After hearing everything Elara had to say, the creature merely tilted his head slightly, keeping the same smile capable of irritating anyone.
"Yes, I did all that... so what? That was those people's fate. And tell me... do you have any other choice? If it gives you peace of mind, know that I always uphold my part of any agreement."
Elara was surprised by the words of that abomination. It was true that she had no other choice, but that didn't mean she could trust him. She could simply refuse, but remembering all the people dying before her eyes, she decided to ask every question she could before agreeing to anything.
"First, tell me what this contract is and how you intend to give me another chance."
"It seems you've made your decision. That's good. First of all, my name is Magnus."
His voice came from behind her, and Elara immediately leaped away in the opposite direction. There was no way she would remain close to that creature. Magnus merely shook his head, as though he were watching the behavior of a child.
"You don't have to move so far away from me. I don't bite."
"You're right. You don't bite... you probably do something much worse."
'Wow... she really hates me.'
Magnus created a chair near the image of the end of the world and sat down on it, crossing his legs. Then he pointed ahead, causing another chair to appear about three meters away. With a gesture, he indicated for Elara to sit, but she remained motionless, keeping her distance.
"Come on, sit in the chair. I'll only explain the contract if we're both seated."
Elara looked at the chair, then at Magnus, and finally back at the chair. With an expression of pure contempt, she walked over, grabbed the chair, and dragged it another three meters farther away. Magnus remained silent while a drop of sweat ran down his head, even on that body which could barely be considered a body, since it was formed entirely of darkness.
"Just get started... and explain everything properly."
'What an ill-mannered girl.'
In truth, Elara had always been a very polite person toward others. However, after everything that had happened in her life, she had completely lost her patience, especially when dealing with someone she hated.
As soon as she finished dragging the chair, she sat down with her arms crossed and her legs together. The clothes she was wearing were completely filthy, making her look like nothing more than a commoner dressed in simple garments. Not that it mattered. At the end of the world, there was no reason to worry about her appearance. The only thing occupying her mind was saving everyone else.
"First, this contract is established by Fate itself. If either of the two parties breaks one of its clauses, the other will also have the right to break one equivalent rule according to the severity of the violation."
The second thing Magnus explained was the rules both of them would have to follow. On Magnus's side, the first rule was that he would completely forget the existence of that contract, forcing him to find her again on his own. The second was that he could not kill Elara. Furthermore, he could only interfere directly whenever there was a major alteration in Fate, such as the death of her parents or the end of the world. If Elara tried to prevent the death of anyone else important to her, Magnus would also have the right to intervene.
'This contract is specifically about the people who are important to me... It almost feels like it was created to destroy my hopes.'
Elara could try to save the people she loved in any way she wanted, but she needed to be prepared for the consequences. Depending on how she altered Fate, Magnus would have the right to interfere proportionally.
The rules imposed on Elara, on the other hand, were quite simple. She could go back in time whenever she wished. However, she could never directly tell anyone that she possessed that ability. If she attempted to reveal that truth... she would die and return to the past once again.
'I think I understand... He wants to see me fall into despair.'
Her eyes remained fixed on the abomination before her. He could try to destroy her hopes all he wanted, but Elara would never give up. She would do everything within her power to change that cursed end of the world. That was why she accepted that contract. She would save everyone... and she would also take revenge on that cursed Fate.