Chapter 4: A Test of Will
The sun had begun to set, casting a warm golden hue over Windshade. The village, still buzzing with the aftermath of the boar's attack, seemed to slowly return to normal. Shops reopened, people resumed their work, and children played in the streets, their laughter filling the air.
Reiji stood outside the village's central plaza, his eyes fixed on the horizon. His hands were tucked into his pockets, and his mind was far from at ease. Empowering the archers had been a straightforward decision, but now the consequences were starting to weigh on him. Every time he used the Fateweaver power, it felt like he was making a pact with the world around him. He wasn't sure how much longer he could continue like this without drawing more attention than he was prepared for.
"Another victory, but no time to relax," Aeris's voice suddenly broke through his thoughts. She had appeared beside him, once again in her small humanoid form, her dragon wings a silvery shimmer in the fading light.
Reiji turned to face her, his brow furrowed. "I'm starting to think I may have made a mistake. The Fate Points—there's so much to manage, and every action feels like it could cause more trouble."
Aeris regarded him with her piercing golden eyes, her expression unreadable. "You are not the first to struggle with the consequences of power. Those who wield it often forget that their choices shape more than just the immediate world around them. If you wish to continue using the Fateweaver ability, you must learn to control it—not just the power, but also the reactions of the world."
Reiji sighed, stepping back and leaning against a nearby stone pillar. "But what if it spirals out of control? What if I end up making things worse?"
Aeris paused, seemingly considering his words carefully. "The future is always in flux, Reiji. You cannot predict every outcome, but you can take responsibility for your actions. Every time you empower something, you create ripples in the world. The larger the change, the greater the impact. That's the test of Fateweaver: control over the consequences."
Reiji nodded slowly, mulling over her words. He had to get better at this. If he wasn't careful, his decisions might snowball into something far beyond his control.
Just as he was about to speak, a voice interrupted them.
"Hey, you there!" a gruff voice shouted from behind.
Reiji turned to see a large figure approaching—a muscular man wearing a tattered leather tunic, his face covered in stubble. He was flanked by two other men, both looking equally rugged. The leader of the group stepped forward, eyes narrowed.
"You're the one who helped with the boar earlier, right?" the man asked, his tone skeptical.
Reiji straightened, but before he could speak, Aeris cut in with a smooth, confident tone.
"He is indeed the one who helped," she said, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "Why do you ask?"
The man scowled, clearly taken aback by the unexpected response. "We've been hearing rumors about you, and we've come to test something. Word is you've got some power over the creatures in this world, and we need to know if you're someone we can trust."
Reiji exchanged a glance with Aeris, his heart skipping a beat. This is it. The attention has started.
"What kind of test are you talking about?" Reiji asked cautiously, his eyes narrowing. He hadn't expected anyone to confront him so directly, especially not about his newfound abilities.
The leader's expression darkened. "We have a problem. A pack of wolves has been terrorizing the outskirts of the village. We're tired of waiting for someone else to deal with it, and we want to see if you can help. But here's the deal: we don't trust easily. If you can't deal with them, you'll regret it."
The challenge was clear, and the risk was palpable. Reiji's mind raced. He had never faced an actual challenge with his Fateweaver ability before. Empowering the archers had been an easy decision, but this was different. Wolves weren't just monsters—they were part of the ecosystem. Changing their nature could create unintended consequences. And he had no idea how dangerous the pack could be.
Aeris, sensing his hesitation, whispered, "You are not obligated to act on this request, Reiji. But remember, the more you show yourself capable, the more people will turn to you. You will become a figure of influence, and that influence will carry weight."
Reiji weighed her words. This was a test, not just of his abilities but of his character. He could choose to walk away, but doing so might make him seem weak, or worse, someone who couldn't handle the power he'd been given.
But if he accepted, the situation could spiral out of control. He could empower the wolves, and that might alter their behavior in ways that made them a greater threat. He could try to weaken them, but that could result in consequences he couldn't foresee.
Finally, after a long pause, Reiji nodded. "Alright, I'll help. But I need to know the full situation first."
The leader grinned, clearly pleased with Reiji's decision. "Smart choice. The pack's been getting bolder lately. They're not like regular wolves—these ones are stronger, faster. We think something's been driving them to become more aggressive. If you can handle them, we'll see you as someone worth keeping around."
Reiji felt his heart rate spike as he turned to Aeris. "I'm going to need your help. I can't just go in blind, and I can't afford to make the wrong move."
Aeris nodded, her golden eyes gleaming with quiet approval. "I'll be here, but remember: you are the one who must decide. I can offer counsel, but the power is yours to wield."
With that, Reiji followed the group to the outskirts of the village, where the dense forest stretched into shadowed depths. The trees loomed tall, their branches heavy with the weight of countless years.
As they approached, Reiji's senses heightened. He could feel the danger in the air, thick and palpable. The wolves had been here for a while, and their presence was unmistakable.
The leader stopped and pointed toward a small clearing where the trees parted, revealing a group of wolves. They were massive, their fur matted and dark, with eyes that glowed eerily in the twilight.
"Those are the ones. Do what you need to do," the leader said, stepping back.
Reiji took a deep breath. This was it.
He opened his interface and assessed the situation. If I empower the wolves, it could turn them into an even bigger threat. But if I weaken them, I risk making them desperate.
The options were limited, and the cost of making the wrong decision could be high. He had to think carefully.
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End of Chapter 4