Stunning Reunion

I jumped onto the tent I had thrown Bryanna on and chased after her. I found her not too far away, observing the battlefield. The bandits on this side of the battle were slain and some knights, but overall, the 5th Knight Legion had prevailed. They would soon learn they had help, though I'm sure they saw the magic earlier; we were part of the Legion as well. We couldn't celebrate with them, but ultimately, we had stopped an invasion.

"I'm sorry, Alex. No prisoners here match your description of Sasha, and my brother isn't here either."

"That's okay." I put my arm around her, "Either way, someone's family will get to return home."

"Just where did you come from, Alex?" Bryanna said sweetly while nestling her hand into my chest.

I chuckled, "I wish I knew." I felt terrible continuing to lie about my memories, but even if I tried to explain, I didn't understand my situation either. For now, being the lost boy searching for purpose was the role I wished to play. "Should we try to find actual lodging tonight?"

"Yes, I would like that. I need a good soak and a soft bed."

"Last one there has to pay." And with that, I took off toward the city. 

"Not fair!" Bryanna called after me.

I reached a nice-looking inn and turned around, leaning against the wall. Bryanna showed up a couple of paces behind me.

"Nice of you to show up," I wink at her.

"Shut up." She pulls me close and kisses me. "Let's go get a room, shall we?"

The room was nice, much better than I expected for a medieval world. Bryanna wanted a space with a private bath, and it was good she picked that. Her passion was incredible, and her desire unsatiable. I was glad I still had magic; I would never have kept up without it. It was well into the night before we finally collapsed on the bed in each other's embrace, and it was almost noon before we awoke the following day.

"Good morning, stud." 

I looked into the beautiful elf's face. The light of the sun and the thin sheet covering her naked body made her look even more radiant than I had ever seen her. "I think it's the afternoon."

She playfully hits me before kissing me. "Where to now?"

I turn over and look at the ceiling. "Well, there are a lot of people who need our help. Bandits, demons, dragons, who knows what we must face," I look back at Bryanna, "but if we do it together, I'm sure we can accomplish anything."

She blushes and rolls away, climbing out of bed. "Well then, let's get started."

We get dressed and head to the front desk. We pay for the room, get suggestions for shops to replenish our provisions, and get directions to the next major city, Parit. Taking our time would have been nice, but we had already wasted most of the morning. We left the eastern gates hand in hand. We planned to walk for fifteen minutes before traveling at our fastest speed. 

About ten minutes into our walk, I felt a massive magical presence in front of us.

"Something's coming. Get behind me." I push Bryanna behind me and get ready to draw my swords. A large portal opens in front of us, and four robed figures walk out and stand on either side like they are waiting for another person.

"That looks like the portal you came out of," Brynna whispered, fear and despair in her voice.

Then you walked out, a dark angel gracing the faces of those unworthy to gaze upon her. I was utterly stunned. The girl I was looking for was right here, but also not. You had an utterly dark aura, and the magic you radiated was almost tangible. 

"Sa-sasha?" was all I could muster to say.

"Hello, Alex."

I gathered the courage to continue. "How are you here? Why are you here? What is happening?" Bryanna was digging her fingers deeply into my arm. Slowly pulling away, I tried to gently communicate to her that I might need it soon.

"Alex Strongman, you left your home timeline, whether on purpose or accidentally; your actions on this new timeline have put the multiverse at risk. You will be removed, and the timeline will be restored. This is the judgment of the Preservers."

A million questions ran through my mind, but I had no time to ask. You raised your hand, and various tattoos grew bright. A powerful circle of magic formed, a pentagram in the middle with the same symbols swirling around it. I knew I would not survive if it hit me. I was glad Bryanna hadn't let go. I could protect her better now. The magic strings from my fingers reached the feet of all five people in front of the portal.

The spell rang out, and a beam of powerful energy eradicated everything, including the air molecules in its path. I had teleported away just in time. Throwing Bryanna beyond the portal, I drew my blades and stabbed into the sides of the two Preservers I teleported between. I quickly attacked the other two, but they were more prepared. 

The first parried my right swing, but the second wasn't ready for the twist of my body and my left blade to come from behind them. You swung down your scythe and stopped the attack. I got a good look at it, and I could tell that one cut from the blade would end me. I needed to retreat. I teleported back to Bryanna and then to the city."