Serpent Circle

Everything stopped.

No—everything rewound.

Malik's body moved backward as though invisible strings puppeteered his actions.

He watched in horrified awe as his blade withdrew from his neck.

The grotesque form of Jasmine reverted, her skin smoothing, her left blackened eye fading.

Malik picked her up and began to run backwards into the cave.

The world around him blurred, colors and shapes streaking past him in reverse. 

Time picked up speed until he found himself standing just outside the cave.

Untouched by what had just happened.

And then it stopped.

Time resumed.

Malik staggered, his knees nearly giving out beneath him.

He turned and saw Jasmine, whole and healthy, standing a few steps away.

She looked confused but unharmed.

His breath hitched.

"It... it didn't happen again."

He was in disbelief.

"He... heh... ah..."

A short, broken laugh escaped his lips.