A World Unraveled

A lone traveler rode a camel through the scorching desert of Zalther, the relentless sun beating down upon him. He wore a wide-brimmed hat that shielded his short, dark blue hair, a single silver strand falling across his forehead. A thin blue cloak draped over his shoulders, protecting his skin from the unforgiving heat. At his waist hung a long sword with a deep blue hilt, its guard adorned with a full moon insignia—an emblem of the saint who watched over the mystic night sky.

As he neared his destination, the towering walls of a grand city emerged from the golden dunes. Built of reinforced concrete, the city's fortifications stretched high, enclosing the bustling civilization within. Two massive gates stood at the front and back, serving both as trade routes and emergency exits. This was one of the four independent cities, unaffiliated with any alliance—but perhaps, after today, that would change.

Dismounting with practiced ease, Elias patted the camel's side before grabbing its reins, leading it through the city's entrance. The gates were manned by four guards, two on each side, their eyes keenly observing every traveler that passed. With a nod, he stepped inside, the shift from open desert to urban life almost overwhelming.

The streets were alive with merchants calling out their wares, the scent of ripe fruits and spiced delicacies mingling in the warm air. He guided his camel to a stable, securing it in a free stall before rubbing its head one last time.

"Rest well, my friend," he murmured with a small smile before turning toward the heart of the city.

The rough concrete pathways led him deeper into the vibrant streets, past stalls selling intricately woven fabrics, polished trinkets, and exotic spices. He paused at one particular stall, where an elderly woman was selling fine, embroidered shawls. Her hands moved with the care of someone who had spent decades perfecting the craft.

"Ah, you have a good eye, traveler," she remarked as Elias slowed his pace. "These are woven with threads from the mystic silkworms of Zalther. Very few have seen such fine quality."

Elias examined the shawls, running his fingers lightly over the fabric. "They are exquisite," he said, meeting her gaze. "How much for one?"

The woman smiled, her wrinkled face lighting up. "For someone with an appreciation for art, let's say four silver coins."

Elias reached into his pouch, retrieving the coins. "I'll take two, if you would be so kind."

With a soft laugh, she handed him the shawls. "A wise choice, sir. May they bring you good fortune on your travels."

"Thank you," he replied, nodding in appreciation before continuing his walk.

As he quickened his pace, a sudden impact against his side made him pause.

A young girl, no older than ten, stumbled back, rubbing her head. She wore an emerald-green dress that accentuated her bright green eyes, her dark hair swaying slightly from the collision.

"You need to be more careful, little one," Elias said, his voice gentle so as not to startle her. "Are you alright?"

The girl looked up at him, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm okay… Sorry, sir. I wasn't paying attention..." She averted her gaze, fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

He chuckled at her shyness. "It's fine. Just be careful—you wouldn't want to get hurt running into strangers."

She gave a quick nod, muttered a quiet "Mhm," and dashed off, her hands covering her face.

Shaking his head in amusement, Elias refocused on his destination. Rising before him was a stark contrast to the surrounding modernity—a grand white building, its pristine architecture standing solemn against the backdrop of technological advancements. The heart of the city's faith lay beyond its large wooden double doors.

Straightening his posture, he strode forward, stepping inside.

The heavy double doors swung inward, revealing a pristine gray interior. A large circular light hung from the ceiling, casting a warm orange glow that contrasted with the cool metallic walls. Elias strode toward the front desk, meeting the gaze of the clerk stationed there.

Tilting the brim of his hat slightly, he offered a polite smile. "I'm here for an important meeting with Primarch Orion. Please let him know that Elias has arrived."

The clerk nodded, swiftly jotting down the information before placing the note inside a golden tube. A moment later, the message was whisked away, sucked up through the pneumatic system. Elias watched it disappear, momentarily fascinated by the contrast of this simple mechanical device within such an advanced structure.

Seconds later, a response arrived, sliding back down the tube. The clerk read the note before gesturing toward an elevator, leading Elias inside. The walls of the lift gleamed with a dim silver sheen. As she placed her hand against a scanner, a soft glow pulsed beneath her palm, activating the mechanism. The elevator ascended smoothly to the top floor.

When the doors slid open, Elias turned to her, inclining his head in appreciation. "Thank you."

She returned the gesture with a small bow before stepping back inside, descending once more.

Before him stretched a long hallway, its polished floor reflecting the ambient light. At the end stood a set of heavy oak double doors. Without hesitation, he approached and pushed them open.

Inside, seated behind a desk stacked with documents, was Primarch Orion, the man who governed this city. His gray hair, a testament to his years of leadership, framed a face that balanced both wisdom and strength. His sharp but kind eyes lifted from his work, locking onto Elias with a smirk. He casually waved toward the chair in front of him, wordlessly inviting him to sit.

Elias took the seat, interlocking his fingers as he leaned forward. "I know you're busy, but I wanted to check in on an old friend." A small smile tugged at his lips before his expression grew serious. "But more than that, I have something important to discuss."

Orion immediately picked up on the shift in tone, setting aside his papers. "And what matter is so urgent that you'd travel all this way?"

Leaning back slightly, Elias' voice turned firm. "I came to propose an alliance between the Zalther Kingdom and the Persian Kingdom. As you know, the Five Great Alliance stands against us. Despite our technological edge, our only true ally is limited. If they decide to unite against us, we could be overwhelmed. This alliance would secure mutual protection and stability. Of course, our trade will continue even if you refuse, but I'd prefer to strengthen our bond beyond mere commerce."

Silence stretched between them as Orion weighed Elias' words, his expression unreadable. The pause lingered, but Elias knew better than to rush him.

He exhaled softly, preparing to ease the tension. "You don't have to answer right away—"

"I accept."

Elias blinked, caught off guard by the sudden decisiveness. Orion had always been methodical, never one to make hasty choices, especially regarding his kingdom.

He hesitated. "You still have time to think it over."

Orion smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. "I've made my decision. Or do you doubt my judgment, as if I were still some naive ruler?"

Elias met his gaze before smirking, extending a hand toward him. "I would do no such thing."

With a low chuckle, Orion clasped Elias' hand, sealing the agreement with a firm shake. "Then let us ensure this alliance lasts for years to come."

The blazing desert sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky in hues of deep orange and gold. The lingering heat clung to the air as Elias stepped out of the grand building, the meeting with Orion still fresh in his mind. With the alliance secured, his next priority was simple—food.

The streets of Zalther had begun to quiet as merchants packed away their wares and travelers sought refuge from the cooling desert night. Strolling through the thinning crowd, Elias approached a modest stall where an elderly vendor was arranging fresh fruit and sweet bread.

"Good evening, sir," Elias greeted with a warm smile, making eye contact with the older man. "I'd like five apples and five sweet breads, please."

The vendor nodded, his aged hands surprisingly quick as he packed the requested items into a small sack. "A wise choice. The apples are fresh from the southern orchards, and the bread was just baked this morning."

Elias handed over the payment, a small purse of coins. "Thank you. It's rare to find such quality in the desert."

The vendor chuckled, his wrinkled face creasing further. "It's a gift of Zalther's land, young man. A desert is harsh, but it gives in its own way."

"Indeed," Elias agreed with a nod before turning to leave, offering a small wave. "Take care, sir."

With his supplies in hand, Elias made his way back toward the stables. The evening had settled in, and the city's streets were quieter now, the noise of the day replaced with the soft hum of crickets and the distant sounds of the desert winds.

He selected a sturdy camel for the journey ahead, making sure to stock up on water and other necessities before mounting it and urging it forward. Passing through the towering city gates once again, he ventured into the vast, unending desert.

The journey back to the coast took three hours, the rhythmic sway of the camel providing him ample time for contemplation. With no further missions awaiting him upon his return, he mulled over what to do next. The alliance was a step forward, but the larger conflicts brewing across the continents left much uncertainty.

At last, the docks came into view, the scent of saltwater replacing the dry air of the sands. Elias guided the camel to a caretaker, leaving it in his care before making his way toward his vessel—a small wooden boat, designed for a single traveler but built with remarkable durability.

Untying the rope securing the boat to the dock, Elias tossed it aboard and hopped in. The boat's propulsion system was powered by magic rather than traditional means. A blue crystal core embedded within the motor absorbed magic, activating a controlled burst of wind energy. The force was channeled underwater, propelling the boat forward with surprising speed.

Placing his hands on the controls, Elias poured a measured flow of magic into the mechanism. The blue crystals pulsed with light, the hum of activated wind magic filling the air as the boat surged forward. With expert precision, he guided it toward the distant shores of Persia, the desert winds fading behind him as he embraced the open sea.

As Elias makes his way closer to the shores of Persia, he thinks back to when the gods gave him and the other saints these crystals as gifts. They were called Emrylite and only they could activate it since they had blessings from the gods. It also has an immense energy storage so you could use it every day and you would still have some left over once you are well into your 70s. He sees the shores of Perisa in the distance, getting closer and closer every passing second.

Soon, he arrives at Perisa docks. He deactivated his crystal by stopping the magic flow, stepping off the boat and tying it up to the dock. After making sure it's tight, he opens the compartment of the engine and takes out the crystal, placing it in his pocket. He grabs a sweet bread from his back and eats it as he walks down the cobblestone path to the capital. He walks by green fields filled with cattle and farms, a somewhat refreshing site from the previous endless brown sand.

He makes his way into the city, passing stores and markets alike, heading straight to the three towering buildings in the center of the kingdom. Once he makes it to the front of the buildings, he goes to the one in the middle,walking through the large doors, walking straight to the elevator. He activates it as he ascends to the meeting/training room floor.

He exits and heads straight to the meeting room, walking in to see a few familiar faces. Emilia, the ever stern woman sat next to Lucian who was always a carefree spirit. That's probably why me and him got along so well. Across from him was Aubry, her usual gentle smile was always a warm welcome. Sitting next to her is Zarik, his name is pretty similar to Zarex, the one who sits at the head of the table. But as I walk over to sit down next to Lucian, I notice that the atmosphere is somewhat serious.

I sit down as I glance at everyones expression. Lucian and Emilia seem to have more serious expressions than the rest. Aubry, who wasn't as serious, still had some sign of seriousness in her posture. Zarex, on the other hand, was very serious. I have no idea what expression Zarik is wearing considering he's always wearing his helmet. Odd but I've gotten used to it. I turn to Zarex as I begin to speak, "Did something happen while I was gone? What's with the serious expressions?"

They all dont say anything.

Suddenly, a voice speaks.

Zarik.

"The God of Fate has been Killed"

Elias freezes for a moment, his fingers still curled around the half-eaten piece of sweet bread. He slowly lowers it, eyes scanning the faces around him. No one is joking. Even Lucian, usually the most carefree of them all, has his arms crossed, his usual smirk replaced by something far more grim.

"The God of Fate… killed?" Elias repeats the words carefully, as if testing their weight.

Zarex leans forward, his hands clasped together. "Yes. We received confirmation just a few hours ago. His divine essence has completely vanished. There are no remnants of his power left in the realm of the gods."

Elias exhales through his nose, mind racing. This wasn't just an assassination—it was something much bigger. Gods weren't easy to kill.

"Who did it?" he finally asks.

"That's the problem." Zarik speaks again, his voice steady, yet laced with something unreadable beneath the helmet. "We don't know."

Silence stretches across the room.

Elias clicks his tongue, leaning back. "A god doesn't just drop dead. Someone did this. Whether it was a mortal, a god, or something else, there has to be a trail."

"We've already started investigating," Emilia interjects, arms still folded, eyes sharp. "But the divine realms are sealed tighter than ever. The gods are on edge. None of them will talk."

Elias processes this, chewing on the information. The gods were powerful, but they followed strict rules. If someone had managed to break those rules and kill one of their own, it meant the old order was beginning to crack.

Aubry finally speaks, her voice softer but no less serious. "And there's another issue." She looks directly at Elias. "Without the God of Fate… there's no one maintaining the flow of destiny."

A slow chill creeps up his spine.

Fate. The very concept that dictated the paths of all living beings. If it was no longer being woven and maintained, that meant—

"The world is unraveling," Zarex finishes, his voice grim. "And we need to find out who did this before everything collapses."

Elias exhales, his fingers drumming against the table. His journey was supposed to be over for now. But it seems fate—ironically—had other plans for him.

He smirks, despite the gravity of the situation. "Guess I picked a hell of a time to come back."

Lucian chuckles dryly. "Yeah, well, you always had the worst timing."

Elias stands, stretching his arms before placing his hands on the table. "Alright then. Where do we start?"

Zarex slides a folder across the table. "There's one lead."

Elias picks it up and flips it open. The moment his eyes land on the first page, his smirk disappears.

A name is written at the top in bold, elegant handwriting.

One he hasn't seen in years.

One that should have been dead.

His heart beats a little faster.

Zarik speaks, his voice low.

"We think he might be involved."

After the folder slides across the table, Zarik's eyes lock onto the name written in bold, elegant handwriting. His breath catches, and for a moment, everything around him blurs.

Kael.

His fingers tremble as he grips the folder, though his face remains stoic, betraying none of the storm raging inside him. He had suspected something like this would happen, but he never imagined Kael had the power to go this far. He thought the boy—no, the man—was only fighting against fate, never dreaming that he would actually shatter it.

The name on the page taunts him, but there's no time for hesitation now.

Lucian leans in first, voice full of confusion. "Kael?"

Zarik swallows, struggling to form words as he processes the weight of this revelation. Finally, he manages to speak, though his voice holds a strained calmness. "I knew something like this would happen. I just didn't think Kael would be the one to make it happen."

Emilia raises an eyebrow, glancing from Zarik to the name. "Kael? The same Kael who was barely standing the last time we saw him? How could he possibly have done this? He was vulnerable..."

Zarik's expression hardens, and his voice lowers. "It's not about how strong he was back then. It's about what he's become. Kael's always had the willpower to change things, to defy fate. But this... this is far beyond anything I thought he was capable of. Killing the God of Fate wasn't just an act of defiance. He absorbed its power. That kind of magic doesn't fade easily."

Emilia looks to Lucian, still struggling to understand. "But how is it even possible? Kael, with all that power? He was so broken, so close to death when we last saw him."

Zarik's gaze turns dark. "You're right. He was vulnerable. But something happened after that. Whatever he did to defeat the God of Fate... it changed him. I don't know if it was his will, the power he absorbed, or something else entirely, but Kael isn't the same. And if he's involved in this, then we're all in far deeper trouble than I thought."

Lucian clenches his fists, his mind racing to process what he's hearing. "So, Kael killed the God of Fate... and now we're seeing the effects of it? The world's unraveling because of him?"

Zarik nods grimly. "Kael didn't just kill a god—he severed the ties that fate held over this world. If he's still alive, he's the one responsible for the collapse. And he may not even know the full extent of what he's done."

Aubry, who had been silent until now, speaks up, her voice quieter but still intense. "Then what do we do now? If Kael's the one causing all of this... how do we stop him?"

Zarik hesitates for a moment, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. "We find him. We find Kael before everything falls apart completely. And we do it fast."

Lucian furrows his brow, his skepticism still lingering. "But where do we even begin? Kael could be anywhere by now. The ruins are a lifetime away."

Zarik's eyes narrow with certainty. "The ruins. That's where Kael would go if he needed a place to hide. It's where he fought the God of Fate, and it's the only place I can think of that would be far enough from everything, and yet close enough for him to… I don't know, come to terms with what he's done."

Aubry's eyes widen with realization. "The ruins? You mean the ones on the outskirts of Persia? The cursed ones?"

Zarik nods slowly. "Yes. Those. Kael would have gone there for isolation. After what he did, it's the only place that makes sense. He may be hiding, or worse... he might be trying to figure out what to do with the power he's absorbed."

Emilia's voice is cautious, full of doubt. "But how do we know he's even there? How do we track him down in a place like that?"

"We'll have to look for clues," Zarik replies. "Kael's power won't just disappear. If he's still alive and hiding there, we'll find traces of what he's done. Magic, energy, something... the aftermath will leave a mark."

Lucian shakes his head, still processing. "So we're just supposed to go to the ruins and hope we find him?"

Zarik's eyes burn with determination. "We don't have a choice. If Kael's the one causing this, we need to face him. And if we can't stop him... we need to be ready for the consequences."

Aubry glances at the map before speaking up again, her voice tinged with hesitation. "The ruins are dangerous, Zarik. It's a place that's been abandoned for centuries. Who knows what could be waiting for us there?"

Zarik doesn't flinch. "Kael will be there, or he won't be. But we're going. We don't have time to waste."

Lucian lets out a long breath, stepping forward, his resolve hardening. "Alright, then. Let's go find him."

Emilia looks at Zarik, then the others, and nods. "We find Kael. And we find out what the hell is happening to this world."

Zarik's gaze lingers on the name written in the folder one last time. Kael—the man he thought he knew, the man who was once just a boy lost in the chaos of fate. Now, he's something else entirely.

And Zarik's resolve hardens. They will find Kael. And when they do, they'll have to decide whether they can save him—or stop him before it's too late.

Meanwhile, back at the heart of the continent, a different set of challenges is brewing. Elias, Emilia, and Lucian stand at the forefront of the political storm that threatens to tear the world apart. Looks like fate had other plans for him once again instead of going to find Kael, ironically. The collapse of destiny has set off a chain reaction, and the rulers of the world are scrambling for control, each vying to gain leverage in the wake of the God of Fate's death.

Elias looks out the window, his gaze distant as he contemplates the task before them. "The political situation is only getting worse. Everyone wants to claim their piece of the world now that fate's hold is gone."

Emilia nods, her arms crossed. "We need to take control before it devolves into chaos. The Five Continent Alliance won't sit by idly, and neither will the others."

Lucian, his brow furrowed, adds, "If we don't act now, the power vacuum will swallow everything. We've got to keep the peace—or at least keep things from falling apart entirely."

Elias turns to them, his voice hardening. "We'll be the ones to set the course, then. Zarik, Aubry, and Zarex have their mission, and we've got ours. We can't let the collapse of fate pull us under with it."

Emilia's eyes darken. "The world might be unraveling, but the people still need us. We can't let this become another war for power."

Lucian nods. "Then we make sure the right people take control. The only way to stop this madness is to keep some semblance of order. Otherwise, Kael's actions—whatever his reasons—will have been in vain."

Elias's jaw tightens. "Let's get to work."

They know the stakes have never been higher. But while Zarik and the others chase the trail of Kael, the political storm on the horizon looms large—and only time will tell which path will lead to salvation and which will lead to the end.