Nemesis. Start on the End.

As the group stepped into the harpy village, the atmosphere shifted. The village was nestled within a secluded part of the mountains, hidden among rocky outcrops and tall trees. The harpies here weren't the savage, dangerous creatures from the stories. Instead, the village was surprisingly serene, almost peaceful, with small huts perched on the edges of cliffs and winding paths that connected various sections of the settlement. The air was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves, mixed with the soft calls of the harpies as they went about their daily tasks.

The villagers, mostly young females with wings adorned in shimmering feathers, eyed Revsha and his companions curiously. They seemed intrigued by the presence of outsiders, particularly by Revsha's unusual appearance. The group moved cautiously but steadily through the village, looking for a place to rest or perhaps speak with someone who could explain more about this hidden community.

It wasn't long before the elder harpy—the one with the white, almost glowing feathers—approached them. Her wings fluttered softly as she descended from a nearby perch, her graceful movements belied by the sharpness in her gaze. There was something about her presence that commanded attention, even among the younger harpies.

Revsha sensed her approach before she spoke, and he turned to face her as she landed in front of him. She was taller than the others, her eyes wise and penetrating, as if she had lived through centuries of hardship and wisdom.

"You are brave to come this far," she began, her voice soft but carrying a weight of authority. "Most who pass by think of us as little more than myth, or perhaps monsters to be slain. But here, we are simply survivors, much like you, trying to make sense of a world that doesn't always understand us."

Revsha studied her closely, knowing this encounter could reveal more about these creatures—and possibly about the world he found himself in.

"We've heard rumors of your kind," Revsha said, keeping his voice measured. "But I didn't expect to find such a peaceful village hidden away in these mountains."

The elder harpy chuckled softly, though there was no amusement in her tone. "Few do. But appearances are often deceiving. You look like someone who's been through battles, and you've carried something with you—some power or curse that marks you. I can see it in your eyes."

Revsha didn't flinch, though he felt a slight unease. This harpy was perceptive, and she was right—his experiences in this world, and the echoes of his past life, were part of him now. But he wouldn't reveal too much, not yet. The harpies, like the players and NPCs, were mysteries in themselves, and it would be foolish to expose too much.

"I am no different from anyone else here," Revsha said carefully. "I have my role to play, just as you do."

The elder harpy looked at him with a knowing gaze. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong. You're not just some traveler passing through. You carry the mark of something greater—something more significant. The way you move, the aura you radiate. You are *like* the one who came before you."

Revsha's heart skipped a beat at the mention of this "one who came before." His mind raced—was she talking about someone like him? A previous traveler, someone who had carried the same power or had similar skills? The thought gnawed at him, but he kept his face neutral.

"You speak as if you know me," Revsha said, his voice steady. "But I am not like anyone you've met before."

The harpy's eyes softened for a moment, as though she was remembering something long past. "Perhaps. But I do know of someone who was much like you. A young hero, strong and full of potential. She was one of our greatest warriors, a hero who defeated us in battle long ago. Her name was Selene, and she too came to this land with great power, much like yours."

Revsha's pulse quickened as the name Selene echoed in his ears. The name of the hero—was she another like him, or was this some twisted memory of a past life? But he didn't interrupt. The elder harpy continued, unaware of the storm of thoughts swirling in Revsha's mind.

"Selene, a fierce and strong beastfolk warrior, was once our enemy," the harpy said, her voice taking on a somber tone. "We fought for survival, not out of hatred, but because our paths crossed in ways that couldn't be avoided. She was a hero to the people of the continent, but to us, she was simply another threat. Until one day, she defeated us. And in doing so, she changed everything."

Revsha narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to make sense of the story. He had never heard of any such hero, and yet, the way the elder harpy spoke made it clear that this warrior was someone of great importance. But what did it have to do with him?

"After Selene defeated us, we no longer saw the world in the same way," the elder harpy continued. "We had always believed we were cursed, but she showed us that we could live differently. That strength doesn't always mean war and violence. After she left, we rebuilt our village, and we learned to live in peace. Now, you come here, and you remind me of her. The same drive, the same aura… It's almost as if you are destined to walk a similar path."

Revsha was silent for a moment, the weight of the harpy's words pressing on him. He wasn't sure what to make of this "Selene" or how he could be compared to someone from such a different background. But the idea of a "hero" who had changed the course of things—someone who was able to bring peace after battle—struck a chord in him.

"So you think I'm destined for something similar?" he asked, trying to understand what she meant. "To change things, like Selene did?"

The elder harpy tilted her head, regarding him with an unreadable expression. "I do not know. But I see the same potential in you. Whether you choose to embrace it or not is your own choice. Just remember—heroes are not always those who seek glory. Sometimes, they are simply those who are forced to stand up for what's right, whether they like it or not."

Revsha felt a flicker of something deep within him—an echo of his past, perhaps, or a hint of the future. It was a feeling he couldn't shake, the weight of the path ahead of him.

"Thank you for the warning," he said, his voice calm. "I'll take it into consideration."

The elder harpy nodded, her expression softening. "You're welcome, Revsha. I can only hope that, whatever your path may be, you walk it with strength—and wisdom. You'll need both."

With that, the elder harpy took a step back, her wings rustling softly in the wind. The village around them seemed to breathe a little easier as she spoke, but Revsha knew that whatever awaited them beyond the mountains, it would be far from simple.

As the elder harpy retreated, Revsha turned to his companions—Gillia and Elena—and gave them a small nod. "Let's move forward. There's much to consider, and we have a long road ahead."

And so, the trio prepared to leave the harpy village, the air thick with the unspoken thoughts that hung in the balance. The journey ahead would bring new challenges, new enemies—and perhaps, new truths. But one thing was certain: they were no longer just wandering. They were headed toward something greater.

As Revsha and the girls prepared to leave, the elder harpy lingered behind them, her gaze fixed on him as if studying something deep within. There was an unspoken weight to her words as she slowly approached him, her wings folding with a graceful, almost ceremonial motion.

"You are like her," the elder harpy said, her voice softer now, almost as though she were speaking to herself. "Selene, the one who was destined to break the cycle... to shape the future, not just follow the past. She was always meant to do something greater, something that would truly change the world. And now, it seems, the same destiny has found its way to you."

Revsha paused at her words, his brow furrowing. The way she spoke—there was something eerily familiar about it, something that stirred a memory within him. He had heard those words before. Not from anyone here, but from somewhere distant, a time long before his reincarnation.

He had been betrayed, used by those closest to him in his past life, and in his last moments, he had heard whispers about fate, about breaking cycles. The words had echoed in his mind even as the darkness of death closed in around him.

**"To break the cycle... to shape the future..."**

He hadn't remembered it in full detail, but now, hearing the harpy speak, it felt like those whispers from his past life were reaching out again, pushing him to understand something greater. Something he hadn't fully grasped before.

"You are the one," the elder harpy continued, her eyes locking with his. "Predicted to break the circle, to not be like those before you. You have the power to make an impact, to change the course of things. You are not meant to be a tool for others, not a pawn in someone else's game. You have the strength to reshape what comes after."

The weight of her words struck Revsha harder than he anticipated. A part of him wanted to dismiss them, to chalk them up as another harpy's cryptic nonsense, but deep down, he knew there was truth to what she said. This wasn't just some prophecy or chance meeting—it felt like the convergence of his past life's struggles and his present journey.

He had always wondered why he had been reincarnated, why he had survived only to find himself in this new world. Was it just a second chance, or was there something more to it? Something bigger than revenge, than simple survival?

His hand clenched around the hilt of his weapon as he thought about it—about the life he had lost and the one he now had the chance to build.

"Break the circle," Revsha muttered to himself, almost in disbelief. "I'm no hero... I'm not like Selene."

The elder harpy tilted her head, a knowing smile curving her beak. "No. You are not like Selene. You are you. And that is what matters. You are different. You can change things. Don't let yourself be a mere part of the cycle. Break it."

Her words lingered in the air, settling over him like a heavy blanket, one he couldn't shake off. As they walked away from the village, heading toward the hidden sanctuary, Revsha couldn't stop thinking about what she had said.

It wasn't the first time he had heard something like that. The idea of breaking the cycle, of making a true impact, had been whispered to him before—before his death, before his reincarnation. But now, those words held a different weight, a different meaning. They weren't just some vague prophecy anymore—they were a call to action, one that he couldn't ignore.

Perhaps, in the end, this journey wasn't just about defeating the enemies in front of him, or finding power. Maybe it was about something greater—something beyond vengeance or even survival. Maybe it was about shaping the future. His future.

And, for the first time since his reincarnation, Revsha began to wonder if this was why he had come back—to break the cycle, to create a future where he didn't have to rely on others for his strength, where he could forge his own path.

But those thoughts were still distant, still hazy. He had a mission now, and he would focus on that first. The harpies needed his help. And there was still much to learn about the looming threat from the Skyfang Clan.

But deep down, that lingering feeling remained. The feeling that whatever he did now would ripple out and shape something far bigger than he could even imagine.

For now, though, it was just the beginning. He had to keep moving forward. But the idea of breaking the cycle—of reshaping his destiny—stuck with him, a reminder that this journey might not just change the world around him, but change him, too.

The sun dipped lower in the sky as Revsha, Elena, and Gillia settled into the harpy village. The vibrant colors of the sky reflected off the nearby mountains, casting an ethereal glow over the village. The harpies, typically reclusive and cautious of outsiders, had surprisingly welcomed them with open wings. The mood was light, the chatter of the harpies around them creating a sense of ease, but beneath the surface, there was something unsettling—something that didn't quite fit.

Revsha observed them closely, noting how the harpies, with their sleek feathers and sharp eyes, moved with a grace that was almost predatory. Yet, their behavior was far from hostile. In fact, the older harpy seemed to be treating them almost as guests of honor, leading them to a communal area where other harpies lingered. The air buzzed with their conversations, most of which revolved around typical day-to-day topics: boys, outfits, hunting, and the occasional exchange of jokes. Despite their fearsome appearances, the harpies were more like curious girls than dangerous predators.

As they settled into the village, Revsha couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than just a simple welcoming. The harpies had seemed so eager to speak with them, to show them their way of life. There was an almost overly friendly air to everything.

Gillia, with her calm demeanor, noticed it too. "There's something strange about all this," she murmured to Revsha, her eyes scanning the village. "They're friendly, but it feels like they're hiding something."

Elena, always more outspoken, was the first to act on her instincts. "I thought harpies were dangerous creatures, but these ones seem so... normal."

Revsha nodded, still observing the village around them. "Too normal," he muttered under his breath.

The harpies gathered around them, offering food and drink, but there was an undercurrent of tension in their eyes, hidden beneath the veneer of politeness. They spoke of their daily routines, the hardships of their lives, but it was clear that something was missing. There was an unease hanging in the air.

The older harpy, who had spoken with him earlier, approached Revsha again, her steps deliberate and measured. "You are a warrior, yes?" she asked, her voice low, almost as if testing him.

Revsha met her gaze, not showing any sign of hesitation. "Yes. Why do you ask?"

The harpy hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a tone that was barely above a whisper. "You must know that not all harpies are like us. There are others, higher in the mountains, that see us as weak. They want what we have—our land, our freedom."

Revsha's attention sharpened. He could sense the change in her tone, the shift from casual conversation to something far more serious.

"We are not a warlike clan," the harpy continued. "We have lived peacefully here for generations, but the Skyfang Clan... they want to expand their territory, and they are ruthless. They believe that we are an obstacle to their future, and they will stop at nothing to destroy us and claim our lands."

Revsha felt a sudden weight settle on his shoulders. This wasn't just a territorial dispute—it was a struggle for survival. The harpies, who had initially seemed so carefree and vibrant, were on the brink of war with a far more dangerous faction. The Skyfang Clan had the strength, the numbers, and the ferocity to wipe out the smaller, weaker clans, and the peaceful harpies were caught in the middle.

"They will come soon," the older harpy said, her voice tinged with fear. "We don't have the strength to fight them off alone. We need help, but we cannot do it alone."

Elena, still feeling the weight of the situation, stepped forward. "But why us?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. "We're just... we're not warriors like you are."

The elder harpy's eyes flickered toward Revsha, as if searching for something. "It is not just about strength. The Skyfang Clan does not respect just power—they respect those who have the ability to change things, to make an impact." Her gaze lingered on Revsha for a long moment before she continued, "You are different. You may be able to help us in ways that others cannot. You remind me of someone... someone who once stood against the Skyfang Clan."

Revsha's heart skipped a beat. The words hit harder than expected. Someone who stood against the Skyfang Clan—was she referring to the woman from the story earlier? Selene, the one who had broken the cycle?

He didn't know what to make of it, but there was no mistaking the gravity in her tone. It was clear that they were not just asking for help—they were depending on him. The entire future of the harpy village could rest on his decision.

Gillia placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice steady and calm. "We can't just walk away. They need us."

Revsha nodded slowly, his mind racing. The harpies were not just inviting them to their village for casual conversation—they were giving them an opportunity to make a difference. A chance to take action before it was too late.

After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice firm. "We'll help you. But we need to know everything—about the Skyfang Clan, their numbers, their tactics. We'll need to prepare."

The elder harpy's face softened, a look of relief washing over her. "Thank you," she whispered. "I knew you were the one."

As the harpy went to gather the others to begin preparations, Revsha stood in the middle of the village, his thoughts swirling. He had come to the harpy village hoping to find something simple, but now, it seemed like he was about to step into a conflict that would define his next steps.

The Skyfang Clan was a threat, and if they weren't stopped, there would be no future for these peaceful harpies—or any other creature living in their shadow.

For Revsha, this wasn't just about keeping his identity hidden anymore. This was bigger. It was about deciding whether he would continue to live in the shadows of his past life or whether he would break free and fight for something more than his own survival.

And, perhaps, for the first time since his reincarnation, he felt like he might have the power to shape his own future.