Leon reaches the edge of the village right as a chicken runs past him.
A kid chases it.
"GET BACK HERE, DEMON!"
The chicken absolutely does not care.
The kid swings a wooden sword.
Misses.
Trips.
Eats dirt.
Leon watches in silence.
The kid pops up immediately, dirt on his face, holding the sword up like he totally meant to do that.
"I meant to do that!" he yells.
A couple villagers laugh. One old lady shakes her head.
"Leo, you're gonna scare the vegetables, not the chicken."
So that's him.
Leon leans against a fence and crosses his arms.
Leo.
Future hero candidate.
Current disaster.
The chicken flaps onto the fence next to Leon.
Leon looks at it.
"You're safe," he says.
Leo finally notices him.
He squints.
"Uh. Hi?"
Leon doesn't answer right away. Just studies him.
Same height as before.
Same stupid haircut.
Same stubborn look in his eyes.
Yeah.
It's him.
Leo jogs over, trying to look cool. Fails.
"You're not from here," Leo says. "You look… mysterious."
"I look tired," Leon replies.
Leo nods slowly like that's even more impressive.
"So, uh… you need directions? We don't get many travelers. Well. None. But that's basically many compared to zero."
Leon keeps staring.
Leo shifts awkwardly.
"…Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Thinking."
"About?"
"Whether this is a terrible idea."
Leo blinks. "I feel like I should be concerned."
"You should."
Leon straightens up.
"You want to save the world?"
Leo freezes.
"…What?"
"The world," Leon repeats. "Big place. Currently on track to explode in a few years. Interested?"
Leo stares at him.
Laughs nervously.
"Is this a joke?"
"No."
Leo looks around like someone's filming this.
"Okay but like. I'm just a farm kid."
"Yeah."
"I chase chickens."
"I noticed."
"I lost to a goat last week."
Leon nods. "That tracks."
"So why are you asking me?"
Leon looks past him. At the village. At the people walking around. Completely unaware.
Then back at Leo.
"Because you don't know how bad it gets yet."
Leo frowns.
"That's not really an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting for now."
Leo looks down at his wooden sword.
Then back up.
"…If the world's really ending, why aren't you fixing it?"
Leon pauses.
That question lands.
"I've fixed it," he says. "A lot."
"Oh. Cool. So we're good then?"
"No."
"Oh."
Leo processes that.
"You fixed it… but it still ends?"
"Yep."
"How many times?"
Leon shrugs.
"Enough."
Leo stares at him like he's trying to decide if this guy is insane or just dramatic.
"…And you want me to do it?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
Leon looks at him carefully.
Because every other version of you died trying.
Because in loop thirty-two you almost made it further than anyone else.
Because you're stupid enough to try when everyone else gives up.
But he doesn't say any of that.
"Because I'm retired," Leon says instead.
Leo squints.
"You don't look that old."
"I feel ancient."
A long pause.
The chicken jumps back down and runs between them.
Leo watches it go.
Then looks at Leon again.
"…If I say yes. What happens?"
"We leave."
"Like. Now?"
"Soon."
"Do I get cool armor?"
"No."
"Magic sword?"
"Eventually."
"Training montage?"
Leon considers.
"Unfortunately."
Leo grins.
Then the grin fades.
"…What if I mess up?"
"You will," Leon says immediately.
Leo winces.
"A lot," Leon continues.
"…Oh."
"That's normal."
"And if I die?"
Leon's eyes flicker slightly.
"I'll try not to let that happen."
"That's not a yes."
"It's the best you're getting."
Leo thinks for a long moment.
Villagers laugh nearby. Someone calls his name to help carry sacks.
Normal life.
Safe.
Small.
Leo looks back at Leon.
"…Okay."
Leon raises an eyebrow.
"Okay?"
"Okay," Leo repeats. "If the world's gonna end anyway, I might as well punch it first."
Leon almost smiles.
Almost.
"Terrible reasoning," he says. "I approve."
Leo beams.
"Wait. Does this mean I'm the chosen one?"
"No."
"Oh."
"You're the replacement."
"…That sounds worse."
"It probably is."
Leo takes a deep breath.
"When do we start?"
Leon looks at the cracked crystal hidden inside his coat.
Feels it pulse weakly.
He looks up at the sky.
Clear.
For now.
"We start," he says, turning toward the road leading out of the village, "with lunch."
Leo blinks.
"Lunch?"
"Heroing is hungry work."
"That's your big epic line?"
"It is now."
Leo runs to grab a small bag from his house, nearly trips again, recovers badly.
Leon watches him go.
Quiet.
"…Let's see if you make it past five years," he mutters.
Then he follows.