Half-step Purgatory

Durin stroked the black cat on the armrest of his chair, sitting on the black leather sofa. Through the glasses perched on his nose, his gaze passed over the long table in front of him and settled on the man kneeling on the carpet:
"I understand, you've made money in Naples, your business has been very successful, and you've led a happy life. You've had those secret police, friends in both the law and the underground, and even the Royal Family speaking on your behalf."
"You don't need a friend like me, I know that. You're afraid of owing me a favor, and you don't want to get involved in troubles."
"But now you come to me and say, 'I beg you, Mr. Durin of the Corleon family, please help me seek justice, so that my life and my family will not suffer and sink into despair.'
Yet, in your eyes, I was nothing more than a second-rate artist involved in movies and music. Even at the brink of death, you still show me such disrespect, not even willing to call me by my title... Keeper of Secrets."

Durin's Diary

From the God of Destiny, the old Fate Walker Porter appeared at the gates of the Eternal Blaze Nest early the next morning.


Today's manor lunch consisted of somewhat overcooked corn, very salty kelp soup, and the shellfish had a bit too much sand.


But like Durin, he ate his share completely.


"What does destiny look like in your eyes?" Porter asked Durin after a day's work had ended.


"Destiny is harsh because it never caters to personal grievances or bends the law, treating all life impartially; everything is merely a test of life by destiny," Durin answered, and before standing up, he added, "But I am different. In my eyes, these children have suffered too much. I see all their distress and suffering. The Dual Mothers say life is equal, and what I must do is make this inequality a bit more equal."


Chapter 86: The Present World