The Chain of Fate

The full moon hung low in the sky; the wind was still—like a calm before a storm. In a rusty alleyway, the dim light of the moon, escaping through the cracks of crowded houses, cast a pale, eerie glow.

Haru/Gillian walked slowly, like a broken toy, his eyes hollow and filled with tears that screamed to escape. Every step he took left behind a bloody trail. Behind him, corpses lay in a pool of blood, their eyes wide open from the shock of death.

"I… I killed people," he whispered, His hands, slick with drying blood, quivered before his eyes.

Tears rolled down his eyes and disappeared into the ground. "I have really killed humans," his voice escaped like a cold whisper. 

The chime of the system's message brought him back to reality,

[Level up – +3]

Stumbling like a drunkard, he forced his body forward, staggering towards what he now called home, He stood at the gate of his house—at least the house he had in this world—but he couldn't bring himself to open the door with his bloody hands.

He just stood there as the cold wind howled past. Suddenly, the system chimed again.

Gillian's breath caught in his throat, "What—" he gasped, before taking a step back. "What is this, no!" he immediately turned back in a rush.

The door behind him suddenly opened.

"Brother, where are you going? You left after dinner, and it's already too late." Elisia walked to him; he immediately hid his blood-stained hands.

"Ah—yes, it's… it's pretty late," he stammered. "You should go inside. I'll be back after I finish some work."

But Elisia stepped forward, her delicate hands reaching for his. Panic surged through him.

"Brother, why is there blood on your hands? Did you get hurt again?" Her voice was gentle, laced with innocent concern.

Before he could react, she pulled him inside, and despite their vast difference in strength, he couldn't resist.

She washed his hands and wrapped an old cloth around his wounds. Her innocent smile was the best thing Haru saw from the moment he stepped into this new world. He had even killed people to protect that smile.

I need to get out, I need to get away, this thought raced in his mind. He suddenly stood and ran toward the door.

"Where are you going, Gillian?" A voice, feminine but filled with years of hardship, cut through. It was Gillian Fredrik's mother.

Gillian lived in a small village on the outskirts of the Astresia Kingdom. His father died when he was 12, and now, he was the only earner for his little sister and his mother. He tried to escape the burden by committing suicide.

I need to run; I need to run. This thought echoed in Haru's mind as he turned, faking a smile.

"Yes, Mother. I have some work; I will be back soon." He said nervously.

A voice spoke in his head,

Shut up.

Shut up!

His vision blurred; his breath came in ragged gasps. Sweat lined his forehead as his damp white hair fell forward.

"What happened, brother?" Elisia started walking toward him.

"No, stay away!" he snapped, shouting.

"What happened, son? You are acting weird," Gillian's mother asked, worry lining her voice.

But their words were muffled, drowned by the storm raging in his mind.

I can't… I can't do this…

Kill me. I won't do it.

Those words crashed through his thoughts like a tidal wave. Sei. The only person who mattered.

Is sei also being tortured like this, I need to save him, I can't die.

These thoughts surged through his mind; they blurred his vision of himself. In this desperate moment, he lost control. His hand reached out for the dagger on his waist, and with a clean swift motion, he slit their throats, giving them an easy, instant death.

The lifeless bodies fell to the ground, but Gillian's face didn't waver. His eyes filled with water, yet not a drop dared escape. His heart shattered, yet no sound could be heard.

But there was no response in his mind—just a void, cold and endless.

Stepping out of the house, he struck a match, flicking it onto the house. Flames licked hungrily at the dry wood, roaring to life.

He stood there in front of the burning house, embracing the heat that thrashed his body. His once pure heart had been stabbed, and now, he burned it.

Haru died, and only Gillian Fredrik was left.

5 Years later:

The morning sun rose above the horizon, the sweet breeze touched the flowers, and birds chirped in harmony.

Sei woke up in a pool of sweat and ragged breaths. He clutched his head, "Not that damn dream again."

Throwing off the blanket, he swung his legs off the bed.

"Are you okay, Sei dear?" his mother's voice called from outside his room.

"I'm okay, Mom." He forced steadiness into his voice.

"Try to wake up early. What will you do when you get into the academy?"

"It isn't that late, is it?"

"Now come on, take a bath quickly. Breakfast is ready, and your dad is coming home today."

Sei quickly ran out of his room to the kitchen, "Really?" he asked enthusiastically, his eyes glowing bright.

His mother ruffled his black hair and gave him a warm smile. "Yes."

Sei jumped up happily. It was a big moment for him, as he learned about Nature Energy from his dad—Nature Energy being the basis of every skill and technique in this world.

Sei washed up hastily, ate breakfast with his mother, and ran out to play with his friends.

"Don't wander too far," his mom shouted from behind.

But he didn't listen and sprinted to the meeting point where he and his friends usually played. When he arrived, he saw a cluster of children huddled around something—or rather, someone. Curiosity surged, and he ran to them.

"What is happening?" he asked.

"Sei is also here, Rudo!" a boy called out, his voice tinged with excitement.

Rudo stood at the center—a boy eight years old, the oldest among them, and a prodigy. Typically, a person's core awakens at ten, but Rudo had defied the norm, awakening his at just eight.

With a confident smirk, Rudo stepped forward, his fiery crimson hair swaying in the breeze. He raised his finger, focusing intently, some red and blue particles moved along his fingertip, and finally, a little flame erupted on it.

"See this, you pipsqueaks? My core has fully manifested!" he said, laughing, his mockery aimed straight at Sei.

Sei's eyes narrowed. With a calm breath, he leaned in and blew a gust of air. The tiny flame flickered out.

"Heh, I thought it would at least hold up against a breeze," Sei taunted, a sly smile curling his lips. Laughter erupted from the circle of children.

Rudo's grin vanished, his expression twisting in fury.

He grabbed Sei by the collar, "You." He gritted his teeth and threw Sei on the ground. "You're just jealous because you're weak."

"You bet I am not." Sei growled, standing up. He snapped forward with his fist bared, but he couldn't land a hit. Instead, Rudo landed one straight on his face. Blood trickled from his nose.

But he didn't stay down. Gritting his teeth, he rose again, his fists clenching so tightly they turned pale. He rushed forward, but Rudo caught his fist with ease. The difference in strength was clear—Sei was just a weak five-year-old kid, while Rudo was the prodigy who had awakened his Core at the age of eight.

No one dared step in between them.

But suddenly, Sei screamed. A faint light erupted from his body. Rudo recoiled, his grip releasing instantly. The air around Sei thickened, pressing down like an invisible weight.

Sei's breathing grew ragged. His vision blurred, his heart racing like a drum. And then—particles appeared, swirling around him in a chaotic dance.

The ground beneath him cracked, threads of light swirling out. His chest tightened as colours exploded around him—fiery red, deep blue, green, golden light, brown, silver mist, pure white, and a dark ghostly energy.

"What—What's happening to me?" Sei gasped, clutching at his chest as pain crashed into him like a tidal wave.