Doomsday Pillars

Alex had fought hundreds of battles and had seen thousands of his comrades die for the last 10 years in his previous life. He had grown accustomed to people dying and never thought he would care again. But the reincarnation changed him and within the last few months, he started having hope again as he connected with people. The deaths of Theo, Winter, Nathanael, Sergei, Oscar, Oliver and even the new recruits, Dinda and Ark, placed a heavy burden in Alex's heart. All of them had died within the last hour and those who were still alive might not be able to escape this calamity.

But as the monster golden blade descended on Alex's head. A strange thing happened. The movement of the blade became extremely slow. In fact, all the surroundings slowed down. The rubbles falling from the building, the stream of water becoming droplets, the whole world actually decelerated.

A sudden ray of light appeared between him and the monster's golden sword strike. The point of the beam created a ripple in the air that spread like waves and like a wall, the light deflected and bounced back the monster.

DAANGG!!!

The monster slowly bounced back with a look of surprise. And then a loud voice resounded. 

"Oooooooooo..."

Everyone covered their ears as the deafening sound continued. Alex's head began to hurt and vision became blurry. A moment later, the surroundings returned to normal but the beam of light remained floating.

The monster looked confused mixed with rage as it shouted, 

"Ggggrrraahh! Who are you?! Show yourself!"

The light grew and then a figure dressed in gray robes appeared. At first, it was a silhouette but it became clearer. His presence came with the loud sound again making everyone in the place hear ringing in their ears.

Seeing the figure of the man in gray robes, Alex immediately recognized him. It's the man responsible for his reincarnation. Alex meticulously studied the man. It was an old man with a short white beard dressed in gray robes. Even though he looked old, his body was still well-built. A broad back; thickly muscled arms, there even seemed to be an aura radiating from his body.

When the old man appeared, the monster put up his guard and asked, "Who are you?!"

But the old man maintained his silence, raised his hand and a rift ripped in space. Waves started going in the rift and the old man reached inside. He then pulled out a shiny object and metals grating resounded in the whole area like a sword pulling out of its scabbard.

ZIIINNGGGG!!!

The sword's handle was embroidered with gems with a crystal body and the blade was engraved with the same writings within the Pillars. The whole sword also exuded a great majestic aura making everyone stare at it with awe. It's the most beautiful sword one could have ever seen.

The golden monster took a step back as it recognized the majestic sword. 

"AArrgggghhh! Th-that sword's... Caliburnus! You.. its you!!, how dare you interfere—"

But before the golden monster finished his words, the old man raised his sword toward the sky and a bright light descended from the heavens targetting the golden monster. The golden monster tried to move but the light seemed to have frozen it.

ZIINNGGGG!!!

The old man did a powerful slash attack with both hands and Alex saw a gold-bodied creature easily splitting in half. With just one attack, this monster died

Alex watched the old man in amazement. He had never seen such a powerful attack in the 10 years he had lived through the end of times. The monster that terrorized his whole team was finally dead.

The old man summoned the rift once again and placed the sword back. He then turned around, looked at the fighters dead bodies, the Garuda corpses, and the survivors before pausing at Alex. The old man's eyes landed on the little girl behind Alex watching with interest. 

"Hmmm. This is interesting."

The man then looked behind Tiffany, waved his hand and pulled something into his palm.

"Bzzzzztttt"

A creature as big as a baseball with black and red dots landed on the palm of the old man trying to fly away. It was Tiffany's pet beetle. The old man stared at the beetle and said, 

"Whatever you are doing to that little girl, stop it!"

Tiffany suddenly fell unconscious and Alex quickly caught her. "Tiffany! Tiffany!" Alex shouted.

"Don't worry, she'll be alright."

The old man then let go of the beetle and it immediately flew away.

"Calm yourself. It looks like the beetle didn't have malicious intent. Interesting. Interesting."

As Alex hugged Tiffany tightly, he asked, "Who are you?"

The old man didn't answer but instead looked around at the remaining people alive. He again extended his hand and a wave of energy spread. Everything became still and gray which meant time had stopped once more.

"What are you doing?!" Alex questioned the old man.

The old man simply looked at him and a voice entered Alex's mind. The old man said, "This is the power of space and time."

Alex's eyes widened as he couldn't believe such a power existed.

This old man slowly walked at Alex and said, "Do you know how much energy it takes to bring you back 10 years?"

"...."

Alex answered with silence.

The old man stopped walking a meter in front of Alex and said,

"Too much."

The old man then looked at the golden monster and shook his head. "This is very unfortunate. It seems like we are out of luck. Let's just say this is a consequence of messing with time and space."

"What do you mean?" Alex couldn't understand what this old man was saying.

"Alex, I can't stay here any longer. I need to return immediately. Tonight's misfortune was truly unexpected. I didn't think he would find you this fast."

"He? Who is he?"

"I don't have enough time to explain it. Alex, listen carefully! What you have done for the last three months is far from enough to save humanity! You need to try harder!"

Alex looked at the dead bodies of his friends. They were the best people he had found. And since they're gone, he wasn't sure how he could do things better.

The old man seemed to be able to read Alex's mind and said, "No need to worry. I'll use my remaining strength to turn back the time. Hopefully, it'll be enough until before this tragedy starts."

Hearing that, Alex immediately felt very relieved.

"Controlling space and time is not as simple you think, Alex. This is probably the last time I can do this. Since your friends are still in the Mortal Realm that wouldn't be too difficult. But as for this bird, it's a high-level mutated animal. I can't help her."

"..."

"I shouldn't have come and helped you tonight. This has completely ruined my plans and because of this, I won't be able to help you anymore. To be able to get past this end of time, humanity must unite." 

The old man then stared firmly at Alex and said, "Alex, remember this name. This is very important! There's someone who can help you. Find a man named Geoffrey in England before the third tribulation but only after you break through Saint Realm or else it will be useless."

Alex suddenly shocked 

"Reaching the Saint Realm before the third tribulation?! Th-that's impossible!"

The old man understood what he was asking for was almost impossible. He thought for a second and said, "I'll give something that'll help you.. a sword.. Hold out your hand, Alex." The old man waved his hand again and a rift opened.

'Alex immediately thought of the crystal sword and his heart raced. He expectantly extended his arms with palms wide open, but then to his surprise, It's an ordinary-sized sword made of wood.

"..."

the sword slowly floated down on his palms, Alex stared at the gift and thought to himself,

"A wooden sword. #$%!&*... seriously..."

The old man was amused by Alex's reaction and said, "This wooden sword actually is a very unique artifact. Moreover, I can see you have a connection with its previous owner… hope you are destined to have it."

Alex took the sword and ran it through his fingers. But it still felt like just an ordinary piece of wood. He then held the sword with both hands as it suddenly became heavy... a strong gust of air began converging around Alex and the wooden sword. it's such a weird feeling for Alex.

The old man smiled and said,  "Good, at least the sword doesn't reject you. Interesting. Interesting."

The wind began to calm and the wooden sword returned to its normal state. Alex looked at the old man, but the old man's figure had already become blurry. The old man didn't have much time but there still many questions in Alex's mind. Alex quickly asked, "Please tell me who are you? Why did you choose me?"

The old man simply smiled and said, "Do you believe in destiny, Alex?

Alex asked, "What do you mean?"

But the old man could answer, a bright light exploded and blinded him. His ears began to ring again. And when the ringing finally stopped, Alex opened his eyes. He was somewhere else. He looked down but Tiffany was not there. Alex shifted his attention to the surrounding area trying to recognize where he was.

Candle lights, chairs, flower decorations, and people filled with laughs were surrounding Alex. Then suddenly, a large figure carrying a large box called out to Alex.

"Ooiii, are you guys partying without inviting me?" a man said mischievously.

Alex was surprised to see the man. "Sergei!"

Alex finally realized he had returned to the moment just after the wedding ceremony had ended. Alex fought the urge to smile widely as he saw Jerry and Darius as well. Oscar and Oliver were also on the side joking around. He then saw Cindy nearby with eyes swelling and suddenly ran at the man beside him.

"Theoo!" Cindy hugged Theo, visibly confused.

Alex finally saw Aria with her hands on her chest and confused eyes while staring at him.