THE QUESTION OF IDENTITY

Kael had taken a few steps toward the exit when he heard the boy's voice again, this time more serious, laced with something deeper.

"Hey, wait a minute," the boy called out, his voice carrying an edge. "Where are you going, man? At least ask my name or something. Or—hell—ask why the fuck I was trying to fool you." He paused, catching his breath. "Don't you people usually do that? You know, find out who the hell you're up against?"

Kael stopped and turned, eyebrow raised. "You really want me to ask your name?" he replied, his tone almost amused. He was still trying to process the whole fight.

"Well, yeah," the boy grinned, despite his earlier exhaustion. "You just beat the hell out of me, and now you're walking away like I'm some ghost. At least show a little curiosity. You know, you should at least know who you're dealing with."

Kael studied him for a moment. "I know enough," he said simply, already ready to leave, but the boy seemed determined.

But the boy wasn't done. He stood up straight, a strange spark in his eyes, almost like he was finally ready to say something of importance. "You know, though, you really don't know anything about me. And you probably don't care. But if you're gonna walk away, at least let me give you something to think about." His voice lowered, his tone taking on a more serious edge. "Want to know my life's ideology?"

Kael's curiosity piqued, and he nodded. "Alright, let's hear it."

The boy let out a bitter laugh and leaned in slightly, like he was about to drop some kind of deep revelation. "Life... this thing we're all living, it's absurd." His eyes glinted, and his voice grew darker, almost philosophical. "Think about it. You're telling me conscious sperm raced from one place to another, right? No awareness, no choice, just... fate, or chance. Then you get to where you're supposed to be, and boom—you're born. No consent. No plan. You're just thrown into the world by some random act."

Kael blinked, his brow furrowing. He had expected something a bit more profound, something that would challenge his own beliefs. But instead, he was met with a grim, almost nihilistic view. "Okay...?" he responded, unsure of where this was going.

"A fuck brought you here, man," the boy continued, his voice bitter but matter-of-fact. "Now you're stuck with it. You get shoved into this existence, forced to deal with everything. And none of it is fair. None of it is planned. It's all an accident."

Kael stood there for a second, dumbfounded. He had thought the boy might offer some grand philosophy, something that would make him rethink his own approach to life. But this? This felt more like a rant from someone who'd given up.

"Is that really your whole philosophy?" Kael asked, raising an eyebrow. "You think life's just some random accident? That's it?"

The boy shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, why not? What else is there to say? You didn't ask to be born, you didn't get any say in this crazy ride, so why should I pretend it all makes sense?" He seemed almost proud of his nihilism. "Life's a joke, and you're just along for the ride."

Kael's mouth opened, then closed again as he tried to process it. "I expected... more, I guess," he muttered, still surprised. He had anticipated some grand, life-changing insight, but instead, he got... well, this.

The boy gave him a sly grin, sensing Kael's confusion. "You thought I was gonna drop some wisdom on you, huh?" he laughed lightly, shaking his head. "Sorry, man. This is all I've got. The world's messed up, and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

Kael stood there for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I don't know what I expected," he admitted, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "But... guess I'm not really sure you have it all figured out."

The boy's grin widened, as if he found Kael's uncertainty amusing. "Yeah, well, none of us do. But I'll tell you this—don't go looking for meaning where there isn't any. Sometimes, it's just about getting through it and surviving." He rubbed his neck, easing the tension from the fight. "I won't make the same mistake next time, though. You're not the kind of guy to be fooled that easily."

Kael nodded, still processing the boy's words, but there was something in his tone—something that showed the boy wasn't completely convinced of his own ideology. Maybe he was just saying it because it was easier than facing the harsh realities of what he'd been through.

"Next time," Kael agreed, looking at him one last time. "But don't expect me to just walk away. You might surprise me one day, but until then..." He gave the boy a meaningful look, his expression steady. "Don't rely on cynicism to win battles."

As Kael turned to leave, he couldn't help but wonder about the boy's perspective. It wasn't what he had expected, and yet, in its own way, it made sense. Life was chaotic, unpredictable, and sometimes meaningless. But Kael had never believed in giving up, even when everything seemed absurd.