Tap. Tap. Tap.
A black wooden cane tapped against the stone road, his phase was calm, each step breaking the silnce.
'Ever since I was given the privilege of forging memories and thoughts, I have been daunted by a few lingering questions.
Was there ever truly a point if fate and destiny existed? And if so, what was it?'
Kael's gaze drifted upward, his eyes tracing the pale blue expanse of the spring sky. The clouds were scattered wisps, lazy and indifferent, drifting without purpose. His thoughts wandered, chasing shapes in the sky, questions twisting and turning like a slow, winding river.
'Was it fate that led me down this cobblestone path, coincidences and unforeseen events colliding, shaping a journey I was always meant to follow? Or was it destiny, my own choices and desires, my will imposed upon an unchangeable world, only to arrive at the same destination regardless?
If I was both fated and destined to walk this path, why was I cursed with awareness, forced to observe and endure the harrowing horrors of this world? Why was I given the ability to form opinions and feelings, to fabricate meaning where none may exist? If I was fated to love someone but destined never to be with them, then what was the point of my feelings?
Could I simply place the blame for my sins upon fate itself? If so, would I still be allowed into an after life? After all, I had no choice, it was destined. Did an after life even exist? It was a lovely, deeply human concept. Fragile yet profound in its design, even as it brushed against the edges of something vast and inhuman. An after life offered solace, a soft refuge from the unbearable weight of grief. It gave meaning to the hollow ache left behind when a loved one died, a balm for wounds that might otherwise never heal.'
The thought of eternal peace, of reunion, of something beyond this transient existence, it was a beautiful idea.
But the alternative was terrifying, a cold and unyielding void. The idea that someone, once vibrant and full of life, could simply cease to exist was a chasm too vast to comprehend. Just gone. Their laughter, their voice, their presence, erased, as if they had never been at all.
Perhaps the idea was born from humanity's refusal to accept this finality, a desperate reaching for permanence in the face of an existence that often felt fleeting and fragile. Or maybe, just maybe, it was real. A glimmer of hope that death wasn't the end but a transformation, a doorway to somewhere better.
Kael adjusted the coat around his shoulders, the fabric settling snugly against him. He shifted the cane to his other hand, feeling the polished wood glide smoothly against his palm.
'And could it coexist with fate? If every thread of existence was already woven into the grand tapestry, if every choice and every path were predetermined, then what was the point? What purpose did sin and forgiveness serve if the outcome was already decided?'
He sighed and looked ahead. The cobblestone path stretched out in front of him, winding through the busy streets of Farkath. People filled the streets, kids weaving between adults who had to step aside to avoid them. Market stalls lined the road, and merchants leaned over their goods, chatting and haggling with anyone who would listen.
As far as Kael knew, this was the city where he had been born and raised. It wasn't anything remarkable, but the people were friendly, and it offered enough to make for a comfortable life.
Kael took a deep breath, closing his eyes as the warm sun brushed against his face. After the long, harsh winter, the air was finally warming, carrying with it the fresh, faint scent of sprouting plants. Feeling a mix of boredom and inspiration brought by the changing season, Kael found himself crafting a poem in his mind.
'In winter's grasp, the world lay still,
A silver hush on vale and hill.
But whispers danced on warming breeze,
As sunlight sifted through the trees.
From frozen earth, green tendrils creep,
Awakening from quiet slee—'
"Ugff!"
His thoughts shattered as something bumped against his leg.
Kael's eyes snapped open, and he glanced down. A young girl holding a small basket filled with freshly bought vegetables had bumped into him. She rubbed her head, a slight wince on her face. Her wide eyes looked up at him, her expression instantly turning apologetic.
"I'm sorry, mister!" she blurted out, taking a quick step back.
Kael's stern expression softened. He crouched down to her level, a warm smile spreading across his face. Gently, he reached out and patted the girl on the head.
"Don't worry about it. Just make sure to look where you're going next time, okay?"
The girl looked up at Kael, nodding shyly.
"Good. Now off you go."
Kael rose to his feet with a gentle smile, giving her a slight nod to send her on her way.
The young girl hesitated for only a moment before she turned, her small figure nearly skipping down the bustling street, the basket bouncing lightly with each step. Kael watched her for a brief moment, a faint trace of warmth lingering in his gaze before he turned back to his path.
The streets grew quieter as Kael continued his walk, the bustling crowd gradually thinning. Buildings passed him one by one, their facades blending together as he made his way down what seemed like a random path. But it wasn't random. Each step was deliberate.
Soon, a familiar building came into view, the one he had scouted the previous day. Its worn stone walls and faded sign marked it as his destination.
Kael stepped into the building. It was a beautiful corner cafeteria, adorned with cherished photographs of family and friends from past generations of owners. The windows, painted a deep royal green, cast magical reflections on the wooden furniture inside, creating an atmosphere as serene and inviting as a forest.
It was not necessarily luxurious, but it was well-known and loved by the residents of Farkath. People often fancied the owner's homemade pastries, treasured delights crafted from a generational recipe.
Today, the café was unusually crowded, forcing Kael to stand in line and wait for his turn to order. He didn't mind. The space was filled with a diverse mix of people, ranging from students to the elderly, all adding to the lively atmosphere.
Behind the counter, a young woman in her early twenties, around the same age as Kael, moved with a natural fluidity. Her hands danced between the steaming cups and fresh pastries. Her golden-blond hair swayed gently each time the door swung open, catching the soft light. A bright, welcoming smile seemed almost second nature to her, warm and genuine, as she greeted each customer. It was clear that there was more to it than simply having learned the job, she genuinely enjoyed what she was doing.
With swift efficiency, she took orders, barely pausing to glance at each customer before moving on to the next. Yet, despite the rapid pace, she never forgot a familiar face. She remembered the old priest who always ordered coffee on Sundays after church, the student who never asked for anything but hot chocolate, and the young man who thought she didn't notice the way he stole glances at her when he believed she wasn't looking.
There was always a pattern to their visits, and she noticed them all. This was also the reason she immediately realised the man in front of her had never visited the cafeteria before.
She grabbed a towel, wiping her hands dry, before her gaze shifted to the new customer, a gentle curiosity in her eyes.
He was a young man with black hair cascading almost to his shoulders and styled in a middle part, his appearance was not meticulously groomed but it still exuded a sense of care and attention. He had a handsome, approachable appearance that made him stand out in a crowd. His features were well-balanced, with a strong jawline and eyes as cold as ice.
He wore a black coat draped over his shoulders and had a cane made out of dark wood neatly placed under his arm. In his deep green eyes, reminiscent of ancient emeralds, one could discern not only wisdom and curiosity but also profound traces of dejectedness, regret, and helplessness.
She greeted him with a warm smile, her natural friendliness shining through as she leaned in slightly to take his order. It was the first time she'd spoken to him, and there was a genuine warmth in her voice.
"Lovely day today, isn't it?" She flashed a warm smile. "What would you like to orde—"
Her words faltered, the smile wavering as her eyes caught sight of the young man's raised hand. His palm faced her, fingers pointing upward, and from its center, a soft yellow light began to glow.
Without warning, a solid yellow rod materialized, shooting forward like a lightning bolt. Its flat, blunt front struck her squarely between the eyebrows, piercing through her skull with brutal precision. Bone cracked, and a streak of pinkish-gray matter splattered against the wall and framed paintings behind her. The rod passed through her head, before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind only a faint shimmer of golden dust dancing in the air.
The young woman's body stood frozen for a heartbeat, her bright eyes dimming, before crumpling lifelessly to the floor.
For a moment, the cafeteria fell into silence, customers frozen in place, unable to process what had just happened. Then, as if the truth hit everyone simultaneously, chaos erupted. A woman dropped her glass, the sharp sound of shattering cutting through the air. A young man's face turned ashen, his hands trembling. Someone else stumbled, nearly falling as they scrambled for the exit, while muffled screams and hurried footsteps filled the room.
Kael flung his arm in a sharp arc, shaking the blood from his hand with an indifferent expression as it sprayed from the girl's lifeless body, splattering across the floor. Without a word, he reached under his arm and grabbed the cane, letting it fall naturally into his grip. Then he turned, walking calmly toward the exit. The people around him instinctively backed away, eyes wide, faces drained of color, too frozen by fear to speak or move.
Kael sighed as he stepped out onto the street, the refreshing spring air filling his lungs. His hair swayed gently with the breeze, and the distant song of birds echoed through the trees and rooftops around him.
"Hope the reward matches the mess," he muttered, brushing a drop of blood off his coat. They always made a mess.