Chapter six: Embers Ignite The Wheels Of Fate.

Ludachel, weary from the events of the day, decided to allow his eyes to drift shut as he settled onto his bed. It didn't take long before sleep claimed him, ushering him into a realm within his dream, Ludachel found himself immersed in a vast, dark expanse. The ground beneath him rippled with deep blue waves, the only hint of colour in the otherwise shadowy void. Confusion clouded Ludachel's features as he took in the unfamiliar yet oddly comforting surroundings.

"What is this place?" He whispers to himself, perplexed, feeling oddly at home in this expansion.

A voice, ethereal and resonant, pierced the silence of the void. "This space exists because of you and your significance to the cosmos," it intoned with a hint of angelic arrogance, its words carrying both wisdom and mystery.

Startled, Ludachel turned around, searching for the source of the voice. "Who's there?" he demanded, but there was no reply. Instead, a hand reached out, grasping his ankle and pulling him down into the swirling waves of the void. Panic surged through Ludachel as he desperately tried to anchor himself, the pressure of the void threatening to overwhelm him.

Just as hope began to fade as his head went under what felt like water, a force lifted Ludachel from the depths, setting him back on solid ground. Before him stood a figure of indescribable presence, with hair as white as pure light and eyes that shimmered with an otherworldly silver, casting an inquisitive gaze upon Ludachel.

With a mixture of fear and resolve, Ludachel faced his mysterious saviour. "What was that, and who are you?" his voice braver than his retreating steps that echoed in the vast expanse, accompanied by the distant sound of rippling waves and the lingering sense of unease that permeated the realm.

The figure tilted his head in contemplation, observing Ludachel, the God of death, who stood perplexed and unaware of his own nature.

"If I'm here, his awakening is nearing, signalling a significant juncture." Jutis, the god of time, mused to himself, a hint of a faint smirk playing on his lips as he regarded the confused deity who believed himself human.

"It matters not who I am but who you are," Jutis spoke cryptically, acknowledging Ludachel's distress. "I am not here to guide you on this journey of self-discovery. The events that transpired were of your making. Do not ignore your destiny, for the cosmos and souls will not forget your existence for much longer. They will seek you out, like a lighthouse in the dark."

"What are you even talking about?" Ludachel questioned, his skepticism evident.

Before any explanation could be given, Ludachel woke to the sound of knocking at his bedroom door.

"Hey, it's 8:30 pm. Aren't you getting ready to go to that gathering?" Eve's voice called from the other side. "Don't be late unless you want all eyes on you."

Startled and disoriented, Ludachel sat up, wiping sweat from his forehead, still reeling from the vivid dream.

"What kind of bizarre dream was that?" he whispered to himself as he sat up wiping the sweat from his brow as he headed towards the bathroom, brushing past Eve on his way out of his bedroom. His mind lingered on the mysterious man from the dream, leaving him troubled.

Observing Ludachel's haste to the bathroom, Eve scoffed, feeling a tinge of irritation. "Is this his rebellious stage?" she wondered to herself, the distant sound of running water echoing from the bathroom.

—— —— —— —— —— —— ——

In the quiet moments before their departure, the trio's tension simmered beneath the surface, the electric charge of anticipation and apprehension mingling in the cramped space of their apartment. Brain, with his blonde waves now tamed thanks to Rin's diligent brushing, couldn't mask his nervous excitement. This night was a breach into the unknown, a step beyond the safety of city walls and into the wild promise of the night.

"We need to discuss a safety protocol." Jax started loosely putting on his best shoes ignoring the signs of wear and tear.

Rin, ever the spark in their trio, radiated impatience and frustration. Her hands moved with deft, practiced strokes through Brain's hair, her movements speaking louder than words. "Seriously, you two need to loosen up," she scolded, her voice cracking like a whip in the tense air. "We're supposed to be having fun tonight, not prepping for a siege."

Jax was the picture of conflicted irritation, his every muscle coiled tight, his expressions fluctuating between concern and vexation. His hand, pausing in the air as he reached for his keys, was a silent testament to the internal debate raging within him. He understood Rin's desire for recklessness, for a night untethered from worry, yet his instincts screamed caution.

"It's not about being high strung, Rin," he finally said, his voice steady but laced with an underlying edge. "It's about being prepared. If you think I'm going to let anything happen to us over some misguided need for one night of fun, you're mistaken." He laid out the plan, simple and non-negotiable: stay together, leave at the first sign of danger. "Let's go before I decide this is a bad idea altogether."

Rin's retort was a silent storm, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and hurt. In her mind, a single night of freedom was not too much to ask. A night to forget the looming threats beyond the walls, to dance and laugh and live as if their world wasn't on the brink of chaos. Yet, she knew arguing would get her nowhere. With a sense of resignation and defiance vying for dominance in her chest, she followed Jax out, her steps heavy yet determined.

The night air greeted them with a chill, a reminder of the risks and thrills that lay ahead. The city's towering walls loomed large in the rearview mirror as they drove away, symbols of safety and confinement alike. Tonight, they ventured beyond these boundaries, chasing the allure of the unknown.

As the city's lights faded into the distance, a blanket of stars unveiled above them, it wasn't too long before they arrived at gate 12 and parked Jax's shitty car and walked out of the safety of the city's walls.

When they arrived at the party, the heat radiating from the trash pile of discarded scraps was intense. People lounged on old cars and makeshift chairs around the bonfire, while a soldier played music on his worn guitar.

"We're here. What next?" Brain asked nervously, surveying the scene with wide, anxious brown eyes behind his glasses.

Jax adjusted his red hair and leather jacket, unaware of Rin's judgmental gaze. "I guess we should introduce ourselves," he suggested.

Rin rolled her eyes at Jax's self-fixing. "Quit preening, Jax. You look pretty," she teased. "Let's find Link, the one who invited us. Oh, and I could do with some alcohol."

"Invited you," Jax corrected her smugly.

"What?" Rin shot back, clearly irritated.

"He invited you, and you invited us. Just setting the record straight," Jax replied, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

Rin stared at Jax in disbelief, clicking her tongue in disapproval. "Uh-huh, says the guy who invited an outsider who could possibly be a psycho," she retorted, enjoying his reaction.

"Uh, guys behind you," Brain interjected, trying to redirect their focus, but his words were ignored.

"Psycho? That's rich, coming from you, pipsqueak. And you needn't worry about the psycho; he already turned me down, remember?" Jax shot back, his temper flaring as he glared at Rin.

Rin laughed at Jax's outburst. "Aww, poor Jaxy. Maybe he could sniff out a hypocrite from a mile away," she taunted, matching his glare.

"GUYS!!!" Brain finally screamed, capturing their attention as they turned to look at him, irritated. "WHAT?!"

Nervously nibbling on his nails, Brain slowly raised his finger to point behind them. They turned to see Ludachel aka said psycho, standing there, causing them all to freeze in shock.

As Ludachel's intense gaze of piercing blue bore into Jax, the night breeze seemed to hold its breath for a moment, but the music and laughter continued in the background, ignorant of the tension among the small group.

Jax, still slightly in shock, managed to stammer out, "I-I didn't mean..." before trailing off, unsure of how to respond to Ludachel's pinpointed look.

Breaking his silence Ludachel casts his gaze over Rin, showing off a deadly smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "It would seem I have unknowingly gained the reputation of a 'Psycho', I'm quite amused as to how I gained this title and what I did. However, it appears I have also gained the attention of strangers who find it amusing to watch me when I myself have no interest in them."

Stepping forward pining Rin in her place with nothing but his presence, he delivers a cutting piece of advice to the pixie-haired spitfire, "Before passing judgement on someone, consider waiting for them to reveal their true colours. Jumping to conclusions before you truly know someone, only reveals their own folly."

Rin, not amused by the scolding from a stranger and never one to back down from a challenge, met Ludachel's gaze with her own defiant look. "Well, well, well, look who decided to grace us with his presence," she remarked sarcastically, her tone laced with a mixture of curiosity and bravado. "Seems like the mysterious outsider has a flair for dramatic entrances."

As tensions escalated between Ludachel, Jax, and Rin, the bonfire party atmosphere was abruptly charged with unease that snaps Jax out of his trance, pulling Rin to his side harshly, "That's enough Rin, just shut up and apologise! You're being a bitch."

Glaring up at Jax, Rin tore out of his grasp, "Oh fuck this, I'm going to enjoy this party with or without you! so you two can kiss Mr dark and righteous ass if you want, but you can count me out." she muttered under her breath, her pink hair aglow with the flickering firelight as she pivoted to leave the confrontation behind.

"You can't leave Rin!" Brain says exasperated, "We made a promise to Jax, to stay together."

"I don't give a shit anymore, if you guys want to leave so badly, then fuck off then." Rin huffs not stopping her stride.

Jax, torn between loyalty to Rin and the desire to defuse the situation with Ludachel, called out to her retreating figure, "Wait, Rin, let's not—"

But it was too late. Rin's determination to enjoy the party on her own terms had led her to part ways with the group, leaving Jax, Ludachel and Brain standing in an awkward silence amidst the crackling bonfire and the music wafting through the air.

Ludachel, his attention shifting from Rin's departure to Jax's conflicted expression, broke the silence with a calm yet firm tone. "Appearances can be deceiving, as can first impressions," he remarked cryptically, a subtle glint of intrigue in his eyes.

Jax, grappling with the aftermath of Rin's abrupt exit, turned his attention to Ludachel with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "I apologise for the misunderstanding," he began, a hint of sincerity in his voice. "Let's not let one moment cloud the rest of the evening. Shall we start fresh?"

"Don't hurt yourself trying to save your friends face, you're not the one who needs to apologise. Anyway I'm not here to disrupt your gathering. It seems I've made a mistake by coming, I'll be leaving now." Ludachel states as he turns to leave, but was stopped in his tracks for the second time today, as a sneaky tanned hand found its way around his pale wrist.

"Wait- uh, you can't leave." Jax says frantically,albeit forcefully, not realising his body moved on its own again.

Brain, always the peacemaker, tried to salvage this awkward tension. "Um, hi! Ludachel was it? Nice to meet you. I'm Brain and this is- uh, well you know who he is haha, Um what my friend here is trying to say, is that it'd be a shame if you left because of this misunderstanding and we'd love for you to stay, only if you want to of course. Would you like a beer?" he asked, his voice a bit shaky.

Ludachel regarded Jax and Brain for a moment, his expression unreadable. After a brief pause, he nodded slowly. "Perhaps a fresh start is in order," he agreed, his tone softening slightly. "I'll stay for a bit."

Jax nodded in agreement, relieved that the situation was beginning to diffuse. Turning to Brain, he gave him a grateful smile before addressing Ludachel again. "How about that beer? Let's grab a drink and enjoy the rest of the evening. Who knows, maybe we'll find some common ground after all," Jax suggested, hoping to steer the conversation towards more positive interactions.

Brain, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, chimed in with a nervous yet friendly smile.

"Absolutely! Let's move past this and make the most of the night. I'm sure we can all have a good time together," he added, gesturing towards the makeshift bar where the drinks were being served.

Not too soon after they acquired a dusty old couch to settle down on after purchasing their drinks. It was at this moment Jax finally took notice of Ludachel's laid-back appearance. Usually clad in leather coats and black gloves, Ludachel was dressed more casually in black army shorts and a thin brown tank top that accentuated every curve and even revealed the sight of his hardening nipples due to the abuse of the cool night air.

Feeling the sudden shift in attention, Ludachel adjusted awkwardly in his seat, noting Jax's gaze lingering on him. The intense stare made him acutely aware of the younger man's focus, first on his lips, then on his chest as he had since shed his black coat at this grunge-up party that was becoming slightly hot because of the heat of the fire they all found themselves drinking around.

"What do you like to do for fun?" Jax's voice cracks, breaking the silence, his eyes probing.

Ludachel, not one for small talk, replied coolly, "I enjoy drawing."

Jax's dusty red eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Drawing? That's cool. What kind of stuff do you draw?"

Ludachel hesitated, not used to discussing his art with strangers. "Just... whatever comes to mind, I guess." Dreams of figures that plague me and the salutes of things and people who aren't even there! his mind protests.

Jax, trying to keep the conversation going wanting to listen to Ludachels soothing voice forever, asked, "Do you exhibit your work anywhere?"

Ludachel glanced at the bulky teenager with spiky red hair and shook his head at his question. 'Where in this shithole would I find an exhibit to share my work?' "No, I mostly keep it to myself."

As Jax's gaze flickered down to Ludachel's chest, a smirk tugged at Ludachel's lips. "Like what you see?" he teased, noticing Jax's discomfort.

Jax's cheeks flushed as he quickly averted his hazel eyes. "I, uh, sorry, I didn't mean to..." he stammered.

Amused by Jax's genuine reactions, Ludachel couldn't help but find some humour in the situation. "It's alright, Jax. Your body speaks volumes, even when your words stumble."

Jax blinked, perplexed by Ludachel's cryptic comment. "What do you mean by that?"

Ludachel waved it off dismissively, not wanting to delve into deeper explanations. "Forget it. Just enjoy the party and leave the analysis for another time."

As Jax observed Ludachel's subtle reaction, he realised that delving into deeper topics might not be the best course of action at the moment. Wanting to steer the conversation in a lighthearted direction, Jax decided to switch gears and focus on something more casual.

With a slight awkwardness in his voice, Jax cleared his throat before mustering up the courage to speak, "So, uh, I'm glad you decided to showed up despite this mornings conversation, but what made you change your mind about sticking around? I mean, I'm glad you decided to stay."

Ludachel leaned back slightly, contemplating his response as he took a sip of his beer. His enigmatic aura remained undisturbed, adding to the air of untamed beauty that surrounded him.

Not missing a beat, Jax tried to ease the tension with a playful tone, "Cool, cool. We're just having an awesome chat here, huh? You're not much of a talker, are you?" he teased, hoping to elicit a more animated response from Ludachel.

As the crackling of the bonfire provided a comforting backdrop to their conversation, Jax found himself drawn to Ludachel's presence, curious to unravel more about the intriguing individual seated beside him. The night was young, and there was still much to discover amidst the flickering flames and the shadowy depths of Ludachel's sultry blue gaze.

'Maybe coming to this party isn't so bad after all.'