Fated falling

Yes, I’m falling. Yes, it seems the ground is rapidly approaching. I’m being pulled away from the purple sky.

I need to slow down my momentum somehow. I healed my shattered legs but I don’t think they can take another shattering so soon.

Or maybe I should just let go? For some reason I’m feeling more calm than every after all…

Nah, I don’t want to die just yet.

Stretching my blood as far as I could, I crafted a makeshift parachute.

Thud

Legs broken again, but not as bad this time. It looks like I landed about two miles south of Fog Valley. If I continue a bit further I’ll reach the road and be able to get back to Guileva. I’m almost out of mana at this point though. Healing really burns through it.

Don’t ever use any spells after running out of mana because they’ll draw power from your soul in exchange. Agitating your soul like that is more painful than drinking cyanide and also runs the risk of rupturing your soul. In other words, you’ll die in excruciating pain.

Ash once told me that. I don’t plan on ignoring her warning so I’ll be careful.

I deactivated my healing and pain nullification. After limping through the woods for what felt like hours, night fell upon the forest and I finally reached the road.

Don’t think. Don’t cry.

I found a nice tree and decided I would rest there for a little bit before making the rest of journey back. But as soon as I sat down I lost consciousness.

- - - - - - -

It’s still nighttime and everyone is still dead.

Mau and Oliver died right before my eyes and there is no way Rock and my mother survived against those shadows.

But why haven’t they come after me yet?

It could be that they can’t leave Fog Valley for some reason or they simply might not know where I went.

In any case, I’d better get moving.

I could tell that some of my mana had returned. I’m probably at about 30% right now so I can spare healing and pain nullification. Getting up, I casted the spells and began walking.

I know I turned on pain nullification but for some reason this pain won’t go away. I can’t tell where it’s coming from but I feel it everywhere.

My every step feels forced and sluggish. My breathing is short and heavy.

The world feels like it’s spinning even when I’m looking downward and just focusing on walking forward.

It feels like I’m piloting a robot from a mile away. The steps are rehearsed but there is still resistance.

Why does this hurt so much?

Why won’t my body heal?

Adam: Am I there yet?

No, keep walking.

Pax: Am I there yet?

No, keep moving forward.

Run.

For some reason I’m running as fast as I can. I can’t see where I’m going but I’m running. I don’t know what I’m running from but I’m running.

Don’t think, run.

- - - - - - -

???: Adam?

Don’t call me that name.

???: Adam

Can’t you see he’s dead? He was killed at birth and replaced with a monster.

???: Adam!

???: DON’T CALL ME THAT NAME!

I looked up and saw Charlotte, shocked at my response to her calling. Then she switched to curious and asked me a question.

Charlotte: What would you have me call you then?

…

???: I… I don’t know.

Charlotte: Hmmm. Okay! Follow me then.

A distraction? I guess I’ll allow it.

Getting up, I took in my surroundings for the first time since gaining consciousness. Grass hills behind me and concrete looking houses in front of me. I must have somehow managed to get back to just outside Guileva.

???: So where are we going?

Charlotte: You’ll see.

We walked towards the town. Now that I’ve calmed down a little, I’ve noticed that my legs healed a little wrong. I can’t walk without limping.

Pax: sigh

I’ll just figure it out later… I guess.

We kept walking in silence for a while until we came across an unassuming alleyway.

Charlotte: Here

She held out her hand and gestured me to hold it. It was a bit strange so I was confused for a moment but then placed my hand atop hers.

And then she walked through the wall and pulled me through after her.

Pax: huh?

On the other side of the wall was what I could only describe as some kind of lab. Large tubes and chambers filled with some sort of green liquid, dimly lit by fluorescent lights.

Pax: What is this place?

Ignoring my question, Charlotte proceeded to the center of the room and asked me a simple question.

Charlotte: Do you remember how I told you that your soul appeared completely different to anything I’d ever seen before?

Pax: …Yeah, I remember that day.

Of course I did. I doubt that I could forget her words even if I tried.

Charlotte: Good… I am Charlotte, Sentry of Guileva. My job is to protect Guileva and to protect this…

With a wave of her hand, a giant door opened before Charlotte, revealing a large device reminiscent of a globe but with gears spinning across its surface.

I feel like Charlotte is acting a bit strange…

Pax: A relic?

Charlotte: Correct! I knew you were a smart one! Yes, this is a relic. Not just any relic, but the Cradle of Kronos itself! I’m sure you’ve never heard of it but basically it uses time dilation to keep the four Realms in equilibrium. If this thing were destroyed then the world would literally end!

Pax: huh?

Charlotte: Well, I guess the world wouldn’t end immediately. It would take a couple hundred years for that to happen but the end would be inevitable. So do you understand how important my job is now?

Pax: I… guess? But why are you telling me this? Why did you bring me here?

Ignoring my questions, Charlotte began circling the room and began speaking again after a moment.

Charlotte: You are important to me. A rare and valuable… friend. But that day we first met, I sensed you were dangerous… It wasn’t until recently that I figured out why… And the events that transpired yesterday all but proved my theory.

Her words now were slow and carefully chosen.

Pax: What are you trying to say?

I don’t like where this is going.

Charlotte: For some reason, Fate is trying to kill you.

Pax: What…

Charlotte paused for a moment as if trying to figure out the best method to explain it to a simpleton. Then finally she came up with something:
Charlotte: Fate is tied directly to souls and works very similarly to luck. It is the crystallization of coincidences that leads you to your destiny. Those born with stronger Fate are less likely to die before accomplishing their “mission”. Based on this, who do you think has the strongest Fate in this world?

Pax: …Uhh, I don’t know. Maybe the king of Artenia?

Charlotte: No, though kings are usually born with strong Fates, the being with the strongest Fate is Gaia herself. Also known as the world around us. Do you understand what this means?

Charlotte suddenly became intense and stared directly into my eyes as if peering into my soul. But the puzzle pieces aren’t coming together for me.

Charlotte: No?

Pax: …

Charlotte: What I’m saying is that the Fate of Gaia is attacking you personally. If you are not Adam, then whoever you are, you are a very dangerous man.

Pax: That’s bullshit. Fate? Are you kidding me?

Charlotte: It is for that reason, I cannot allow you refuge in my sanctuary. Goodbye… Friend.

Adam: Cheuok–

Looking down, I saw a large blade piercing through my chest.

Charlotte? What’s going on?

I looked back towards Charlotte, but her back was facing me as she walked away.

The large arm holding the blade threw me out of the secret lab and I collided with the opposite alleyway wall then crumpled to the floor.

I see. I get it now.

A mannequin fell from above me and swung at me, pulverizing the floor as I dodged out of the way.

This is hell.

The identity of the individual who initially stabbed me in the back, another mannequin, exited the invisible doorway and began running at me.

For the sins I committed as Pax, I was sent here to be punished as Adam.

I ran from the mannequin pair as fast as my misshapen legs could cary me.

Where can I go? What is left for me?

I weaved through various buildings in an attempt to throw off the mannequins. I thought I saw the hem of a white sundress rounding a corner but as I rounded the same corner, another mannequin stood before me.

No, I’ll fight.

I no longer had my sword so I just ran straight at the mannequin. It swung at me, but I ducked to dodge the attack, shaving a few hairs off my head in the process. With one Augmented punch, the mannequin was sent flying and I sprinted towards the gate.

An arrow pierced my shoulder as I ran.

Wait…Why was I fighting and running again?

Another arrow in my calf.

My running slowed as I exited the gate. But there was no reason to think that the mannequins would stop chasing me if I exited the town.

What am I running towards?

Out of stamina, I slowed down to a pathetic limp. A mannequin from behind me kicked me and I fell to the ground.

There is nowhere left for me to go.

I looked up at the mannequin as it held its sword above its head, ready to end my life once more.

Adam: Do it.

The mannequin’s emotionless face looked down upon me for a moment then turned and left.

Pax: Ahahaha

There is no reason for me to live.

I’d believed that the sins of my first life had been washed away when I was reborn in this life.

That was wrong. So very wrong

For perverting that which is most sacred to us all –You are Lust

Who had told me that?

Why did I only remember now?

I solidified my blood to create a blade and raised it to my own wrist once more.

I hesitated.

Why did I hesitate?

???: If that’s what you truly wish for then I will not stop you.

I looked up and saw a goddess before me.

???: To you, I can give nothing but a suggestion. Live for me. Die for me. But first, hear my name. Fool, I am Raya Drogo. Daughter of Dionysius Drogo and rightful wielder of Ryuzu’s Fang. I ask that you would live by my side as my shield.

I clung onto her words. I would live for her. She would be my everything.

Pax: Just… Don’t leave me alone.

Raya: Very well… Though you are weak and pitiful I will let you be my strength. With this we are even, so let us run away. Together.