Chapter 34:
Fate
Lordhair, after days of torture and spiritual torment in the indescribable darkness of the God Prison, rested his weary body on the cold ground adorned with stars.
He remembered an invitation whispered with hope into his heart by Solve:
"For Christmas, I’m calling you to the Northern Kingdom."
Taking a deep breath, he felt the energy gathering in the dark corner of the room. Releasing his soul, he sensed himself slipping out of his body and away from the unease of the prison. In an instant, he found himself in the cold and striking beauty of the north. This journey symbolized not only the transcendence of the physical but also the liberation of the soul.
At the end of his spiritual passage, Lordhair glided toward the Red Palace, which stood proudly at the heart of the Northern Kingdom. As his essence drifted over delicately layered snow, the air was sharp and fresh, the icy winds wrapped in northern lights that gently caressed his soul. The palace, with its glowing windows and gilded details, emerged from behind snow-covered mountains, defying the cold of the night with its majestic silhouette.
Upon reaching the palace courtyard, everything resembled a fairytale. Christmas decorations, massive pine trees, and colorful lights strung here and there offered a heartwarming sense of joy despite the cold. Yet the most captivating aspect of this enchanting setting was Solve, standing gracefully at the palace gates.
Solve stood with elegance, waiting beneath the grand entrance. A warm smile graced her face, filled with hope and affection for Lordhair’s arrival. As he approached, the depth and sincerity in her eyes wrapped around his tired soul.
Lordhair bowed slightly and asked in a gentle tone,
"Am I late?"
Solve, her eyes gleaming, replied softly,
"No, you arrived just in time."
This short but meaningful exchange deepened the bond between them. Solve embraced Lordhair tightly, not merely as a physical gesture, but as a merging of two souls—an intimate reunion beyond worlds, where pain and hope intertwined.
When they stepped into the palace, they entered a grand ballroom infused with warmth and elegant decor. Crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling danced with the warm orange glow of the fireplace. Antique paintings and golden embellishments reflected the magic of Christmas. Soft melodies echoed from every corner, blending with the serene conversations of the guests to form a gentle symphony.
The tables were lavishly set with fine china, crystal glasses, and a feast specially prepared for the night. Silk linens, gold-accented lamps, and the delicate aromas of the dishes created a comforting atmosphere that defied the chill.
Solve and Lordhair moved toward the edge of the wide dance floor at the center of the hall. The guests had gathered to share in the joy of the evening, eager to create unforgettable memories in this fairytale northern realm. But for Lordhair, this night held a miracle that transcended his physical form—for his body, blessed with divine alter power, was wrapped in an almost invisible energy, impervious to ordinary human touch.
Solve gently approached and extended her hand:
"Come, let’s dance for a while."
Lordhair accepted her invitation wholeheartedly. As they stepped onto the grand dance floor, a hush fell over the guests. The music played a soft melody that seemed to whisper a love story. The two embraced and began to dance. With every step and turn, Lordhair's soul flowed beyond his body, forming an energetic bridge to Solve. Each movement made it feel as if their souls were intertwining, detaching from time itself. Solve’s gentle touch reached deep into Lordhair’s essence—this dance was the symbol of a long-lost, childlike love between two complete souls.
With every spin, Lordhair saw memories of the past, lost times, and hopes for the future reflected in Solve’s eyes. In that moment, he realized the sacredness of their soul-bound union. As the rhythm continued, time seemed to pause. A starry night sky was reflected upon the ballroom ceiling, turning them into part of an eternal, cosmic dance.
While the guests expressed their joy in the ballroom's magical ambiance, some began to notice a peculiar detail about Lordhair. Though he appeared like any other guest, when they tried to touch him, their hands passed through him like he was a ghost. These failed attempts brought brief confusion, soon replaced by awe and admiration.
Floating in the center of the ballroom, Lordhair sensed the curious gazes of the nobles. One guest reached out gently, only for their fingers to pass through him. Lordhair smiled faintly and activated his soul magic. Reaching out, he touched the guest's hand. A wave of warmth spread; the guest felt a peace deep within their soul. The contact was brief, but its effect was lasting. Lordhair withdrew his magic, returning to his ethereal form, yet the echo of the moment lingered throughout the hall.
As time passed, the night slowly grew quieter. The guests’ joy mellowed into heartfelt conversations and nostalgic reflections. Solve and Lordhair exchanged a knowing glance before leaving the ballroom, stepping into the snow-covered courtyard. Amid the white snow stood a sprig of mistletoe, glowing subtly in green tones.
Its delicate branches swayed to the soft melodies carried by the wind. Among the northern folk, this plant was tied to an old legend:
"Two souls who meet beneath the mistletoe share the universe’s secrets and step into the realm of love and destiny."
Solve turned to Lordhair with a gentle smile and said in a deep voice,
"This is beneath the mistletoe. As you know, in ancient lore, it’s tradition for two people who meet under it to kiss. It’s a symbol of fate, love, and all the sacred bonds between us."
Lordhair was slightly surprised but also felt a warmth bloom in his chest. His eyes held a mixture of curiosity and acceptance.
"Is that so?" he asked, his voice carrying both playful teasing and genuine longing.
Solve smiled in affirmation and leaned in, gently kissing him. In that moment—beneath the mistletoe, under the cold northern sky and the glow of the aurora—they became whole.
Time nearly stopped. Their kiss flared like a warm flame in the frozen air. Every touch seemed to freeze the world around them. The guests watched from afar as the green leaves of the mistletoe seemed to echo their story of love. Embracing afterward, Solve and Lordhair stood in the mystic silence, whispering dreams of the future to one another. Leaning close, Lordhair whispered softly into Solve’s ear, pouring his emotions into his words:
"Maybe our fate is to touch in this way—to unite our souls."
Solve gazed deeply into his eyes with pure love and replied,
"Indeed... everything is exactly on time, exactly as it should be."
That night, amid the joyful laughter echoing through the Red Palace’s halls and courtyard, emotional moments quietly unfolded in every corner. As the guests shared old stories and unforgettable memories, the light glimmering off Lordhair’s cold exterior caught the eye with graceful elegance.
As Christmas night drew to a close, the grand doors of the Red Palace swung open. The guests departed for their homes, each carrying the weight of these unique memories, with new hopes blooming inside them. But for Lordhair and Solve, this night was more than just a night.
Solve embraced Lordhair one last time, gazing into his eyes with deep meaning, and whispered:
"Remember, no matter what happens — every snowflake, every star’s sparkle, every Christmas, every northern light, every night will remind me of you. As if this were our last night, as if you were the only one in this world."
At that moment, Lordhair had forgotten all his pain. All he could think about was Solve and the astonishing depth of her green eyes. Her words reached his ears like a sweet melody. Smiling and narrowing his eyes, he replied:
"Yes... as if it were our last night, as if you were the only one in this world." And he embraced her tightly.
While Solve was holding Lordhair close, she suddenly paused. Her eyes drifted into the distance, as though something had stirred in her mind. With a slight tremble, she leaned toward Lordhair’s ear and spoke in a soft voice:
"I had a dream," Solve said, her voice distant but deep. "In my dream, there was a lion, a pitch-black puppet, and a black wolf. They were all standing at the edge of a frozen lake. The surface of the lake was covered in ice, but I could feel something moving beneath. Suddenly, a battle broke out. The puppet seemed motionless at first, but then blood started gushing from its chest. It spread across the ice, turning the lake’s surface red. The lion roared in fury upon seeing this and attacked the wolf. The wolf tried to escape, but the lion caught it and tore it apart. Everything happened so fast... It was such a terrible dream, Lordhair. Like a nightmare."
As her voice trembled, Lordhair held her even tighter.
“I had a nightmare too,” he said. “Don’t worry, it’s just the weight of our problems manifesting in our dreams.”
Solve, her voice still shaking:
"But... what if it’s not just a dream? What if it’s a message about the future? I asked my crystal orb... but it remained silent on this matter."
Lordhair:
"From what perspective did you see the dream?"
Solve:
"That’s what’s troubling me… I was the puppet."
Lordhair:
"Maybe it means something. Maybe it doesn’t. But I’m here. I’ll always be by your side. Even if I were just a spirit, I’d protect you no matter what."
Suddenly, a dimensional gate opened behind Lordhair. The chains of the Divine Prison extended from within the portal, rushing toward him.
As the chains began to coil around Lordhair, he took a deep breath and turned to Solve. In a calm but emotional voice, he said:
"I guess... it’s time again. I love you."
Tears streamed down Solve’s face as she replied with a trembling voice:
"I love you too. Take care of yourself."
As the chains dragged Lordhair into the dimension, he gave Solve one last look, smiled, and added:
"You too."
Solve watched as Lordhair faded into the dark dimension, a swirl of love and fear tightening inside her chest.
As the chains dragged Lordhair through the corridors of the Divine Prison once again…
From beyond the veil, from beyond time itself—
Chronos emerged, a weary but wise presence reawakening into the fold.
Chronos’ strange, serene presence seemed to unlock the doors of time itself, freezing the moment. Lordhair turned slightly, breathing deeply. Caught in the captivity of time, his soul resonated with the meaning behind Chronos’ arrival.
Chronos:
"I once told you… you must create a meaning to live by. Is Solve the meaning you’ve created?"
These words echoed immediately in Lordhair’s mind. The moments he spent with Solve had etched themselves deep into his soul—not only as a presence, but also as a void, a longing. He was caught between the pain of the chains and the faint hope of freedom.
After a brief silence, Lordhair sighed, closed his eyes, and responded while immersed in deep reflection:
Lordhair:
"I didn’t create a meaning… that meaning already existed within me. Is that enough?"
Chronos’ form trembled faintly at these words. For a moment, time itself seemed to stop. In the space between all things, affirmation and sorrow intertwined. From the ageless hues of blue and grey, Chronos replied with a gentle smile and a wise expression:
Chronos:
"More than enough, Chainbreaker. Make her your everything—she’s the only thing you truly have. At least for now."
Chronos:
"Cling to life as much as you can. Move forward. And forward still. Always elevate the person you’ve become. I will guide you with all the wisdom I possess. Your first lesson will be this: will you choose darkness… or light? That is all you need to know for now. Farewell."
And with that, he returned to the alter.
—
After this profound conversation, Lordhair came to understand that the eternal traces of memories and love for Solve could illuminate even the darkest moments of time. Though trapped in the chains of the Divine Prison, he was quietly unlocking the doors to inner freedom within his own world.
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