Chapter 17: Searching for Purpose
The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a soft golden glow over the forest as Kairos and Ren continued their hunt. The familiar rustling of leaves and the occasional snapping of twigs filled the silence between them, but this time, the quiet was more contemplative than tense. Since Ren had opened up about his past, Kairos had been lost in thought, trying to piece together the puzzle of his own journey.
The thrill of battle, the drive to grow stronger—it had consumed Kairos in the past. But now, with each beast they felled and each step forward, something gnawed at him, a question that refused to go unanswered.
"What are we fighting for?" Kairos suddenly blurted out, the words tumbling from his mouth before he could stop them.
Ren stopped in his tracks, turning his gaze toward Kairos. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, softened slightly at the question.
"What do you mean?" Ren asked.
Kairos hesitated, unsure if he could even put his thoughts into words. But he had to try. There was something deeper going on—something beyond just getting stronger or surviving in this harsh world.
"I mean… we've been hunting for hours, leveling up, getting stronger. But what's the point? What are we actually fighting for?" Kairos gestured to the fallen beasts around them, their bodies motionless in the dimming light. "I get that we need power to survive, but beyond that… what's the end goal here? What are *your* goals?"
Ren's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He hadn't expected Kairos to ask such a deep question, especially after they had been hunting together for hours. After a moment, he sighed and leaned against a nearby tree, clearly weighing his response.
"You're asking the hard questions today," Ren said, his voice calm but thoughtful. "I guess it's not something I've really talked about much… but I've thought about it."
Kairos nodded, waiting for Ren to continue. The silence between them stretched on for a few more moments before Ren finally spoke again.
"I fight for survival, yes," Ren began, his eyes distant as he recalled his past. "But I also fight to prove something. To prove that I'm more than the weakness my family saw in me. You already know I was disowned… cast out because I wasn't strong enough. They saw me as a disgrace, a stain on their legacy."
He paused, his jaw tightening as old memories surfaced. "But I wasn't weak. I just hadn't found my strength yet. And when I finally did, it was too late. My family had already washed their hands of me. They wouldn't take me back. So, I fight now to build something for myself—something they can't take away."
Kairos listened intently, sensing the raw emotion behind Ren's words. He could relate to that feeling of rejection, of never being good enough. But Ren's drive, his desire to prove himself, resonated with something deeper within Kairos.
"But proving yourself to them… is that really what you want?" Kairos asked cautiously. "What if they never see you for who you are now? Will that change anything?"
Ren's eyes darkened, and for a moment, Kairos thought he might have overstepped. But instead of snapping back, Ren let out a long breath.
"Maybe it won't change anything," Ren admitted. "But it's all I have right now. It's the only thing that's kept me going."
Kairos was silent for a moment, processing Ren's words. He had always thought of strength as something to be gained for survival, but this was different. Ren's strength wasn't just about survival—it was about validation. About proving something to those who had abandoned him.
"And what about you, Kairos?" Ren asked, breaking the silence. "What are you fighting for?"
Kairos tensed. He had expected Ren to ask, but now that the question was directed at him, he wasn't sure how to answer. He had asked himself this question earlier, but the truth was, he still didn't know.
"I don't know," Kairos admitted, his voice quiet. "At first, it was just about surviving. Then it became about getting stronger, leveling up. But now… now I'm not sure anymore. I feel like there's supposed to be more to it than just power."
Ren nodded, seeming to understand. "It's not always easy to figure out why we're fighting. But maybe that's part of the journey."
Kairos was about to respond when a familiar presence made itself known. The sound of footsteps, light and deliberate, echoed through the clearing. Both he and Ren turned to see Zira approaching from the shadows of the trees, her dark cloak fluttering like a wisp of smoke.
"Zira," Ren greeted her, his voice neutral. "You're late."
Zira smirked, the same enigmatic expression Kairos had grown accustomed to. "I didn't realize I was on a schedule."
Her tone was playful, but there was always an edge to her words—a sharpness that kept everyone at a distance. As she stepped closer, Kairos found himself studying her more closely. He had seen her fight, witnessed her power firsthand, but he knew little about the woman beneath the deadly exterior. And after the conversation with Ren, he found himself wanting to understand her, too.
"Zira," Kairos began, his voice tentative but steady. "Can I ask you something?"
Zira raised an eyebrow, her sharp eyes locking onto him with interest. "That depends on what you want to ask."
Kairos hesitated for a moment before pressing on. "What's your goal? What are you fighting for?"
Ren glanced at Kairos, clearly curious about where this conversation was going, but remained silent. Zira, on the other hand, seemed amused by the question, her smirk widening.
"My goal?" Zira echoed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's a pretty bold question, coming from someone who doesn't even know what he's fighting for."
Kairos winced slightly but didn't back down. "Maybe. But I still want to know. We've been fighting together for a while now, and I feel like I barely know either of you. If we're going to keep doing this… I think it's important to understand each other."
Zira's smirk faded slightly, replaced by a more guarded expression. For a moment, it seemed like she might brush him off, but then her eyes softened, just enough for Kairos to notice.
"I fight because I have to," Zira said quietly, her voice lacking its usual playful tone. "This world… it doesn't give you much of a choice. You either fight, or you die. I chose to fight."
Kairos waited, sensing there was more to her story. Zira crossed her arms, her gaze distant as she continued.
"My family was involved in some powerful circles—nobles, much like Ren's. They had plans for me, ambitions that didn't leave much room for my own choices. I became what they wanted me to be… but at the cost of losing myself."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of unspoken pain. Kairos watched her carefully, trying to understand the complexity of her situation. She had been molded into something she didn't want to be—someone who had to fight to survive, not because she wanted to, but because it was the only way.
"So, what are you fighting for now?" Kairos asked, his voice soft but insistent. "If not for them… then for what?"
Zira's eyes flickered with something unreadable—anger, maybe, or sadness. "For myself," she said finally. "I fight for my own survival now. Nothing more, nothing less."
Kairos was silent, processing her words. Zira's story wasn't all that different from Ren's, or even his own. They had all been shaped by their circumstances, forced into roles they didn't necessarily want to play. But now, they were trying to find their own paths—paths that were still uncertain.
Ren, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "We all have our reasons, Kairos. But figuring out what you're fighting for… that's something you'll have to do on your own."
Kairos nodded slowly, understanding the weight of Ren's words. He wasn't sure what his own goal was yet, but he knew one thing: he wasn't fighting alone anymore.
"And for what it's worth," Kairos said, his voice stronger now, "I think we're more than just allies. We're a team… and maybe even friends."
Zira raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the sentiment, but didn't respond. Ren, on the other hand, offered Kairos a small, approving nod.
"Maybe," Ren said quietly, "you're right."
Kairos felt a warmth spread through him, a sense of connection that he hadn't felt in a long time. He still didn't have all the answers, but for now, he was content with the understanding that they were all in this together—whatever their reasons might be.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.