The red moon hung high in the sky, casting a strange glow over the land. Everything it touched seemed wrong, like a bad dream. Blood stained the ground, and lifeless bodies were scattered everywhere.
No one was left alive.
At the center of it all stood a man.
A man who refused to accept his fate.
I watched him from a distance. Flames spread, burning everything in their path. Thick smoke filled the air, making it hard to see clearly. But I didn't need to see him to know who he was.
I had seen his face before, when he was just like anyone else. But now, he was different-changed into something terrifying.
His presence felt heavy, like it was suffocating the very air around him.
A thought crossed my mind.
Is this my fault?
Such thoughts tried to pull me down, but I shouldn't focus on them now.
He shifted his attention toward me and started moving in my direction.
Step by step, each footfall felt like it was shaking the ground. The closer he came, the more tense the atmosphere get. Through the smoke and flames, his shadow stretched toward me and finally, I saw him clearly.
He was tall, far taller than normal. His broad shoulders and muscular build made him even more intimidating. But it wasn't just his size that scared me. It was the blood.
It covered him completely-soaked into his clothes, dripping from his hands. The blood of those who tried to stop him.
And now, it was my turn.
I clenched my fists. This has to end.
As the destruction continued around us, he stopped just a few steps away. His dark eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, he spoke.
"Why are you here?"
His voice was deep, cutting through the silence.
"After everything that happened, do you really think anyone in that village wants you around anymore? But it doesn't matter." He smiled cruelly. "I'll kill them all anyway."
His words were cold, full of hate.
"And even when they die, they'll still hate you. Not because of what I did… but because of who you are."
He took another step forward, his bloody hand twitching at his side.
"You think you can stop me?"
His laugh was low and mocking.
"How dare you?"
His voice grew louder, full of anger.
"After all the mistakes you made-after all the weak choices you made-you think you have the right to stand in my way now?"
He looked at me with disgust.
"You're a foolish woman. Even now, you don't understand how pointless your fight is."
I pushed down the pain his words caused.
Yes, I had made mistakes. Mistakes I couldn't undo.
But I wouldn't run away anymore.
I looked into his eyes, refusing to look away.
"You're right." My voice was calm, though my heart pounded. "I made mistakes I can't erase. But I won't run anymore."
I took a step forward, closing the distance between us.
"You think you're stronger than fate. You think nothing can stop you."
The firelight flickered around me.
"But you're wrong."
The wind howled, as if carrying the weight of destiny itself.
"You were always meant to lose."
I hesitated for a moment. But then I spoke again, forcing the words out.
"Because that is your fate."
For the first time, his expression shifted. Something flashed in his eyes-maybe doubt? Or perhaps he already knew.
That the,
Fate had already been decided. And this fight… was just part of it.