Destined For Loss

Do you believe in destiny?

I think I was destined to lose something precious to me.

The night it all went up in flames.

Cinderdust Village burned as we stood at the crossroads in the middle of town, watching houses crumble, the air thick with smoke and ash.

Mother... and Ellie.

Those were the only things on my mind.

Father’s eyes scanned the surroundings, desperate. But all they reflected was the fire’s orange glow. It was the first time I’d ever seen him panic. I always thought he'd remain calm, no matter the situation. But not when his family was in danger.

He turned to me and grabbed my shoulders tightly.

“Son, listen carefully. Head to the waterfall—there’s an opening behind it. It leads out of the village…”

Was he telling me to leave... Mother behind and save myself?

“What about you and Mother…?” I asked, my voice trembling.

'And Ellie…'

For some reason, her name echoed in my head like a looping melody I couldn’t stop.

“Just go! I don’t have time to explain! I’ll meet you there!” he shouted, gripping me even tighter.

“…Fine,” I replied, half-hearted.

He smiled faintly, rubbing my head. “Good. Now go!”

I ran in the opposite direction as he dashed toward our house, shouting for anyone he could save.

I trusted that he would get back safely.

I ran toward the waterfall, coughing through the smoke of burning wood.

Was trusting him a mistake? Was leaving him alone or not speakings up about mother the best decision?

Or… was running to the waterfall alone the real mistake?

***

Waterfall — A few minutes later

My body ached all over.

Zero Trance—the thing Father mentioned—had taken its toll.

The roar of the waterfall drowned out the destruction behind me. I splashed through the shallow stream beneath it, stepping into the veiled curtain of water. Just as he said, there was an opening behind it.

A rocky tunnel—shorter than expected.

I ran through and reached the other side in no time.

A dirt path stretched out before me, and just as I reached it—

“Kyaa!!”

A scream rang out, sharp and familiar.

Up the grassy hill behind the waterfall… That voice. I knew it.

“Ellie!”

There was no mistaking it.

The voice of someone I…

The voice of someone precious.

I ran, stumbling up the slope, heart pounding. Was this how Father felt searching for... Mother? Panicked. Helpless.

At the top, out of breath, I froze.

There she was—lying under a tree beside the lake. And above her, a Strigon.

It wasn’t a Gobless. No… this one was different.

Larger. Adult-sized. Feminine. Its skin was pale—white as snow—and its eyes… hollow. Empty.

It looked like a porcelain doll wearing a dress, but the elegance only made it more grotesque.

Something trying to mimic humanity. A mockery of life.

And Ellie—what it had done to her—

My chest ignited with rage. Blood stained her side as if it had cut right through it.

Tears streamed down my face as I screamed—guttural, raw—and charged at the Strigon.

Kill it… Kill it…

That was all I could think.

I splashed through the ankle-deep water, swinging my sword toward its neck.

It caught the blade in its pale, moonlight-colored hand.

I pushed, every muscle straining—

But the blade wouldn’t move.

Then—

A fist slammed into my gut.

Air fled my lungs as I was sent tumbling across the ground. My vision blurred.

I reached toward Ellie.

Strangely, I wasn’t afraid of dying.

It almost felt… peaceful.

Peaceful, even in the sorrow of seeing her like that.

My eyes closed—just for a second.

But that moment… that was what kept me alive.

〈 Ellie’s alive. She’s still breathing. 〉

My eyes shot open.

I rolled aside just in time—dodging a strike that shattered the earth where I’d just been.

'If that had hit… I’d be dead.'

Its claws were longer than that of the Gobless

Soaked, aching, I dragged myself to Ellie.

The Strigon followed, its steps echoing like a ticking clock.

I held her close. Breathing was hard. My sword—still clutched in the Strigon’s hand—was out of reach.

The only way out… was down the waterfall.

But if I jumped—I’d pass out.

My body was already at its limit.

'What do I do…?'

That’s when I remembered the voice.

Maybe it… knew.

I closed one eye.

〈 Use Ellie to break the fall. Only a few bones will break. She’ll survive. 〉

In any normal situation, I’d never accept that. But right now…

Right now, that might be the only way.

She wouldn’t feel pain. Not yet.

And it was better than both of us falling unconscious.

If I hid, Father could find us.

Yes. That was the plan.

〈 Turn her on her side. It’ll reduce impact damage. 〉

I picked up Ellie in my arms. She was light—far too light. And her skin began to turn pale. But I didn’t have time to worry.

I glanced back once, just about to jump—

And froze.

The Strigon was right there.

My own sword sliced through my back as it swung, tearing through cloth and skin.

I fell backward—Ellie clutched tightly—bracing for the fall as my eyes shut.

***

Impact.

A burning pain exploded through my back.

A sickening crack climbed my spine.

I gasped—but no sound came. My voice was gone.

The plan failed.

Tears blurred my vision, but I bit my lip to stay awake.

Adrenaline surged.

I crawled, dragging Ellie behind me—

Her feather-light weight a small mercy.

'Just… just a place to hide. Somewhere to wait for Father…'

But that was wishful thinking.

I heard it.

A splash.

I turned.

The Strigon stood again, one arm dangling by threads of flesh. The other strong and tea to strike.

I crawled.

It walked.

Death was catching up.

I guess… I was destined to die.

〈 No. You were destined to live longer than anything else. 〉

That voice again. Lying to me, again.

If only… I could save Ellie.

Then—

A new voice. A woman’s. From atop the waterfall.

The Strigon stopped—its head snapping back—

Its body trembling.

“Heathen! How dare you prey on the weak!”

She stood above us, eyes blue as the sky.

Golden hair radiant like the sun.

Her white dress fluttered in the night breeze.

“Prepare to pay for your sins. Your existence shall be the price.”

The Strigon shrieked and ran past me in fear.

Like a falling petal, she leapt from the sky.

Silver liquid formed into a blade midair—

And with a flash, she sliced the creature in half.

Golden fire consumed it.

It vanished, as if it never existed.

She stepped forward, black armor over her dress, bare feet gliding across the water.

“Child. Sleep now. You’ve done enough. Leave the rest to me,” she said softly, her silver blade turning back to liquid and slipping beneath a red ring on her finger.

“Do not worry.”

Her voice was warm. Calming.

I believed her.

She could protect us.

“When you wake… it’ll all be over.”

She crouched, smiling—gently, peacefully—

An angel bathed in moonlight.

My eyes closed.

〈 You were destined to lose something precious… but also destined to gain more than everything else. 〉

Yes…

In that peaceful sleep, I had yet to realize what I’d lost—

Something I would never regain.

That night marked the turning point of my life.

The birth of sorrow.

The seed of power.

Power strong enough to shape the world.

Power that would one day write the legend—

Of the one destined to become a demi-god.

But that…

That is still far in the future.

My story had only just begun.