Ji-Yeon followed Hwan through the dimly lit corridors of the palace, her mind still reeling from the revelation that she had been transported to a future that shouldn't exist. As they navigated the labyrinthine passages, she couldn't help but wonder how and why she had ended up here.

Hwan led her to a concealed chamber deep within the palace—a hidden refuge that was well-stocked with supplies. It was a sanctuary, a place where they could regroup and plan their next moves.

Once inside, Ji-Yeon couldn't contain her urgency any longer. "Hwan," she said, her voice trembling with a sense of urgency, "I need to go back. There are children I hid, and I have to save them."

Hwan turned to her, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "I understand, Ji-Yeon. But returning to that place won't be easy."

He motioned for her to sit, and she did so reluctantly. He regarded Ji-Yeon with a mix of caution and curiosity. As they huddled in the concealed chamber, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye. Her insistence on saving the hidden children and her apparent flight from the sorcerer's grasp had piqued his interest.

"I must admit," Hwan began cautiously, "your actions and your desire to save those children lead me to believe that you might be on our side. But how did you end up in this forsaken place?"

Ji-Yeon hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. She knew she had to reveal some truths while concealing others. " I come from a distant land far from here. I was taken from my home, kidnapped by the sorcerer's forces. I managed to escape, but I've been hiding and trying to find a way back ever since."

Hwan's expression softened slightly as he considered her words. "I see. You've had a harrowing journey, Ji-Yeon. It takes a strong will to survive in these perilous times."

Ji-Yeon nodded, grateful that Hwan seemed to be warming to her. "I'll do whatever it takes to save those children and bring an end to the sorcerer's tyranny. But I need to know more about what's happening in Yeonhwa."

Hwan sighed, his gaze distant as he spoke. "Yeonhwa has become a place of darkness and despair. The sorcerer's reign has brought suffering to our people, and his cruelty knows no bounds. He's grown stronger, especially since the serpent deity's power waned after he left us."

Ji-Yeon's heart ached as she absorbed the weight of Hwan's words. She had always known that her decision to regress had consequences, but hearing about the dire state of Yeonhwa in her absence was sobering.

"The serpent deity," she whispered, "I heard of him. He once maintained the balance. What happened to him?"

Hwan's eyes bore a complex blend of emotions, an amalgamation of sorrow and remorse. He spoke solemnly, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. "During the twilight of the great dark war, there were whispers that the deity, in a desperate bid to safeguard a glimmer of hope, bestowed their final vestige of power upon a human. Yet, the identity of this chosen individual, their whereabouts, remained a mystery to us. This act was born out of sheer desperation to preserve a shred of light in these bleak times. Regrettably, the sorcerer's dominion over Yeonhwa has only intensified since then."

As Ji-Yeon listened to Hwan recount the grim state of Yeonhwa and the consequences of her absence, a profound realization washed over her. This wasn't some alternate world or parallel reality; it was the very future she had left behind when she made the fateful decision to regress and rewrite her own history.

The weight of that revelation settled upon her like a heavy cloak. She had unwittingly abandoned this world, she though it would perish but instead she ended up leaving it to suffer under the sorcerer's oppressive rule. Regret gnawed at the edges of her determination, but she knew that dwelling on the past would only hinder her mission.

As Ji-Yeon grappled with these swirling, conflicting emotions, a voice, both familiar and comforting, resonated within the depths of her mind. "Indeed, child. It is as you surmise," the voice spoke, a gentle and reassuring presence within her thoughts. "Yet, be not too harsh upon yourself. The past is an irrevocable tapestry. Focus on the trials that lie ahead and strive to vanquish the looming darkness. It is a blight that should have no place in any of the myriad realities."

Instantly, Ji-Yeon recognized the voice; it was none other than the Serpent of Reflections, the enigmatic entity that had been her steadfast guide throughout her journey. Gratitude welled within her for the serpent's unwavering support.

"Thanks to your intimate connection with me in the material world," the serpent continued, "I could unseal latent powers hidden within you, granting me the means to manipulate the scroll and transport you to this realm. Do not succumb to fear, dear child. Our fate lies within our grasp."

Ji-Yeon nodded, her comprehension finally crystallizing. The past may be unchangeable, but the future remained malleable, waiting for her to shape it.

Hwan looked at Ji-Yeon with a sense of determination as he finally made the choice of trusting her. "Actually, i am the leader of the rebels here in Yeonhwa," he explained. "My allies will be joining us soon. I've sent the signal for them to gather, so would you care to join our team while we are here."

Ji-Yeon nodded, her expression resolute. and so, a while later, Hwan's allies began to arrive, each one displaying the weariness of those who had long fought against the oppressive regime. Ji-Yeon took a moment to study their faces, seeing the determination in their eyes, the scars of their battles, and the hope that had led them to this moment.

Hwan conducted a brief introduction, gesturing to his comrades one by one. "Everyone, this is Ji-Yeon. I encountered her at the sorcerer's main manor, and she's going to join our ranks." His voice held a note of confidence. "From left to right, we have Eun-bi, Dae-Hyun, So-Hee, and Min-Sik."

Ji-Yeon offered a graceful nod, her composure unwavering as she acknowledged each member present. She began to unfold her plan, revealing the existence of the hidden children and her intentions to liberate them along with the other hostages ensnared by the sorcerer's grasp. Her calm demeanor as she mentioned defeating the sorcerer caught everyone by surprise, causing a subtle shift in their perception of her.

Hwan and his allies exchanged skeptical glances. "Saving the children is noble," Hwan admitted, "but taking on the sorcerer directly? That's a death wish. Do you understand how powerful he is?"

Ji-Yeon nodded, her eyes reflecting the weight of her conviction. "I do. But I have a way to defeat him, a plan that goes beyond his powers. I just need your help to get the children out safely."

One of the rebels, a woman with a stern expression, scoffed, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting, little one? The sorcerer's magic is beyond anything we've ever faced."

Ji-Yeon took a deep breath, trying to convey the sincerity of her words. "I understand that you may not trust me fully yet. All I ask is for you to save the children, and I promise you, i can end his reign of darkness."

Ji-Yeon, her voice resolute, stood before the assembled rebels, her plan hanging in the balance. She had explained that she possessed the means to end the sorcerer's reign, but her proposal had met with resistance.

Hwan, the leader of the rebels, was the first to object. "I can't let you go alone," he said firmly. "We've just met, but I can't stand by and watch someone sacrifice themselves."

Ji-Yeon understood his concern and, after a moment of thought, compromised. "Alright," she conceded, "but you're coming with me." Her offer surprised the rebels, and they exchanged skeptical glances.

Hwan hesitated but ultimately agreed, recognizing that Ji-Yeon's determination was unwavering. She handed him a small, shimmering relic, a product of her powers. "This," she explained, "will allow you to return to safety whenever you need to. It will take you back to a place of your choosing."

The rebels glanced at the relic with a mix of admiration and bewilderment. Ji-Yeon's bravery was undeniable, but her seeming disregard for her own safety left them feeling conflicted. However, their ultimate priority was the safety of the group and their leader. With the relic in Hwan's possession, they reluctantly gave their approval to the plan, acknowledging that Ji-Yeon's determination and unorthodox methods might just be what they needed to succeed.