'Is this really it?'
Red questioned herself, her goals, and her remaining existence. Since things have come to this, lead to this, was there really even a point in trying anymore?
A rip in space emerged from King's spellweave, held tightly between his fingers. It was as if the fabric of reality was at his fingertips, the very edict of life itself. He had manifested it so effortlessly, so easily, and so casually that it could make one wonder if they, with their limited insight and paltry abilities, could perform the very same tricks themselves.
Of course, it was not that easy. There was more than a hundred, maybe even thousands or millions of lucky factors contributing to this great display of ability, one that none watching disregarded. It was as if the weave was making certain of its presence, marking the world itself.
"Hah~"
She sighed, unraveling the dark strings she had told her shadow to take the form of. If it was not for that, then the one-handed man would have died long ago, helpless in the turbulence of furious winds.
She closed her eyes, witnessing the world through her shadow. Unlike everybody else, it had no chance of betraying her.
"Would you look at that."
The enchanted forest of Karan wasn't called as the Dominion of Ferocity and Glamor for nothing. It truly was a wonder all on its own.
Even now, horrific monsters and gigantic creatures were duking it out, fighting over land, power, food, and survival. It was an endless cycle, one that remained the same no matter what kind of godly beings fought in its land, as if in mock of the very God of Life herself. Creatures mauled and devoured each other, growing stronger each time, developing strange abilities every kill they take. It was beautiful and bewitching at the same time, truly fit for the Dominion of Ferocity and Glamor.
This was the law of the jungle; the law of the world. It was something she did not want to change. And something she could never could, no matter how much she tries.
…And now its about to burn down to the ground.
Red took in a long breath, opening her eyes to take in the sight of the far-off sunrise.
Come to think of it, how long had it been since she last saw the rising sun? Its beauty had struck a chord with her the first time she had heard of its Story, which kept her very interested in the mass of celestial fire, drawn to it like a buzzing fly.
"Good times."
Bright white light enveloped her vision, hungrily taking over.
◇◆◇◆◇
Lieren opened his eyes to the familiar dark expanse of the abyss. Only this time, he was not the one searching for somebody.
A man appeared next to him, taking his rightful seat and continuing his unfinished book. There was an air of regality about him, which accepted the darkness rather than reject it. He felt right at home.
"Oh, I almost forgot. That request of yours is done. Don't ever bother me again."
Lieren closed his eyes and ignored the man, urging to come out.
"Sure. Until next time, I guess."
◇◆◇◆◇
The world seemed to shine brighter than ever, the radiant sun burning the cumbersome body of the blue-eyed boy. His body weighed heavier than a suit of armor, urging him to lay on the ground and take a short break. About a week or so would be nice.
"No. Don't think like that. Thoughts like get you killed earlier than most."
Slacking off wasn't an option. Sinful sloth is unforgivable.
He did take second to calm his nerves, though. If he hadn't, it felt like his entire body could have exploded from all the new sensations he was feeling.
It was as if the world was revealing itself to him, unraveling its secrets like a ball of yarn once rolled. His eyes leaped from this corner to that, as if somebody had called for him.
Of course, nobody did. More exactly, the could not.
Even his ears felt like they were being hit by a thousand bells, vibrating in his skull intensely. The ringing did not relent for even a second and assailed Lierenthe moment he awoke, like a cruel joke gone horribly wrong.
Other senses were malfunctioning too, but those two seemed to be the most obvious ones.
A bolt of electricity shot from his feet, informing him that something was within kicking distance.
"Kick!"
He swung his leg, mimicking the athletic kids and their silly games he used to watch from where he read the many books Barett lent to him. A grim spark ignited the fury of his rage, pumping hot blood all over his body.
His face grew red.
"Ugh. Why do I have to think of her NOW? Can't I get a break once-in-a-while?"
Ever since that fateful day in the second floor of the orphanage, his rage had never ceased to disappear, clinging to him as much he clung to it. It reworked his thoughts like a magical instrument, reworking his mind.
It was the reason he even had the gall to try such reckless activities like it was second nature. Hunting gigantic wolves and challenging powerful beings beyond his comprehension… all of it was because of her.
Lieren quickly realized the irony of it all.
Of course it was because of her. Who else would it be? She had given him all that he cherished. From the books he read to the knowledge he relied on. All of it was never his. All of it had always been hers.
Lieren hated that so very much.
To the point where he wished he could just kill himself and end it all.
But no, that was too easy. He did not deserve such an easy end. To do so would be to besmirch his fallen comrade's lives, their existence… their Story.
It could have been done. Easily, in fact. Lieren merely did not deserve to do so.
With that thought keeping him sane, he took a firm step forward, taking it all in.
"The sun seems brighter than usual."
◇◆◇◆◇
The carriage rattled furiously on the unpaved road leading to its next destination: the crooked city of New Mireton.
A rough-looking adventurer turned his head to look at the people in the carriage, his voice hoarse and his face covered with white bandages. New ones.
"We're almost there. Just a little longer and I'll be rid of you all."
An injured woman clutched her child's hand tightly, which made the boy flinch in pain. There were various scratches and marks of bruising, but she was otherwise fine:
"Um… sir... do you think you can spare us some coins. My child is sick and he needs help. Just a few is fine. Anything to help cure my daughter's ailment."
The rough-looking adventurer glared at the woman at the corner of his periphery.
"Shut it, wench. Everybody here is aware of your relations to the child."
His glare pierced through the woman's lies like a sharp rapier. He regarded the other passengers:
"Do not test my patience. If it had not been for me, none of you will be alive right now."
The air seemed to disappear as the crowd of passengers, some adventurers and others somewhat normal passengers with stories of their own. The rough-looking adventurer suddenly looked to the side, his uncovered eye widening.
"What the hell was that?!"
A deafening explosion that sent hot winds flying across to where the crowd was tipped the wagon to the side, falling. The shockwave of the blast was enough to destroy a large building if it had been close enough.
A voice stood out over the surprised gasps and confused shouts:
"Move!"
Another adventurer, more injured but less grumpy, reached out her hand. A simple magic circle appeared before her.
"Inclination."
At her words, the very earth shifted, gripping the wooden wheels of the wagon and holding on tightly. Her brows were knit in concentration.
The shockwave was powerful but brief, having fulfilled its purpose and left prematurely. Everybody in the wagon had cold sweat running down their back.
"I… is it over?," one feeble voice said.
It was Rin, the caster — Lin's — twin. They shared the same appearance, although hidden through the numerous cuts and bruises that they both shared.
Lin just smiled in return, hoping for her twin sister's words to be true.
The mood was deathly silent after that. Nobody seemed to desire any kind of communication other than the lying woman and her 'child'. She caught the attention of none as she begged for coins and scraps. Or whatever items she could procure as the other passengers sat in silence. Her voice fell on deaf ears.
Soon enough, the town wall was close enough to be seen atop the land it stood on. It filled the previously silent crowd's hearts with light and hope, igniting the passion of life within them once more. There was something about the cold bricks and the dried mortar of the towering walls that gave them courage, however small it may be.
A new dawn was rising in the eastern horizon.
…While a harrowing twilight lay in wait in the west.
The String of Destiny was slowly unraveling itself, piece by piece revealing the paths they intertwined.
VOLUME 1: FOOL'S JOURNEY [END]