Thread 9 – No More Broken Wings. [0.5. Red Thread of Fate]
On November 27, 2024 By Fang Dokja In Arc 0.5. Red Thread of Fate
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Content Warning:
This story contains explicit language and themes that may be disturbing to some readers. It addresses complex emotional struggles, ambiguous relationships, and intense personal conflict. Please proceed with caution if you are sensitive to the following:
1. Emotional Distress: Themes of inner turmoil, self-doubt, and vulnerability.
2. Romantic Tension: There are moments of sexual and romantic tension, though they are not explicitly graphic.
3. Mental Health: Depictions of self-destructive behavior, coping mechanisms like substance use, and emotional volatility.
4. Imbalance of Power: Subtle power dynamics are present, which may make some readers uncomfortable.
5. Emotional and Psychological Tension: There is a strong undercurrent of emotional complexity in the relationship dynamics, including moments of emotional vulnerability, confusion, and inner turmoil.
6. Age Gap: There is a significant age difference between the two characters (approximately 5-6 years). Although the story does not include any explicit or inappropriate content, the dynamics between the characters may involve moments of power imbalance or discomfort based on their ages.
7. Foul Language: The story includes instances of mild foul language or profanity used in casual contexts.
8. Mental and Emotional Struggles: Characters experience moments of emotional confusion and vulnerability, potentially leading to feelings of frustration or isolation.
9. Subtle Tension in Relationships: Some interactions may feel strained or uncomfortable due to conflicting feelings, and this could include moments of awkwardness or unspoken emotional tension.
10. References to Personal Reflection: Characters engage in moments of introspection, which could delve into deeper emotional or personal struggles without explicit descriptions.
11. Psychological Vulnerability: The story explores the characters’ mental and emotional vulnerabilities, including moments of self-consciousness and social discomfort. These moments may feel intense for readers who are sensitive to psychological struggles.
If you are sensitive to any of the above topics, it is advised to reconsider reading further.
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Status: Draft #1
Last Edited: November 27, 2024
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The rooftop was quiet, save for the occasional breeze that ruffled the edges of their school uniforms. The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a muted glow over the concrete, and for a moment, Reine found himself relishing the peace. That was until Noah Noel sat next to him, his presence sharp like a subtle warning.
Noah’s gaze was as sharp as his mind—intelligent and piercing, but today there was something else, something that made Reine shift uncomfortably on the edge of the rooftop. It wasn’t the usual lighthearted teasing or easygoing banter that came from Noah. No, this time there was something… off. Like Noah was processing a thousand thoughts and none of them were good.
“What happened?” Noah asked, his voice calm, but his expression unreadable—an odd mix of judgment and genuine confusion. He studied Reine closely, eyes narrowing as if he could see right through him.
Reine’s stomach flipped uncomfortably. He shifted his weight, legs dangling over the edge of the rooftop, and looked out at the skyline, feigning disinterest.
“Hmm?” he asked, deliberately avoiding eye contact.
“You’ve been weird lately.” Noah’s tone wasn’t accusing, but it was laced with the kind of curiosity only a best friend could get away with. “Like, I know we had that little… moment last night.” Noah’s lips quirked slightly at the corners, but his eyes were steady. He hadn’t yet forgotten the chaos of the nightclub party, nor had he forgotten the warning he gave Reine before he left early for some “business stuff.” He was a perceptive guy, Noah, and he didn’t miss the subtle cracks in Reine’s usual façade.
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The night had been a blur of too much alcohol, drugs, and women. Reine had drowned himself in it all, trying desperately to erase the feeling of Deon’s presence, to forget how she somehow had gotten under his skin, like a splinter lodged too deep to pull out. Fuck that girl. He’d tried to drown the thought of her—literally and figuratively. But now, sitting here with Noah, he was suddenly remembering Deon’s face too clearly, and it made his stomach twist.
“She’s gotten under your skin, hasn’t she?” Noah said, as though reading his mind. “I warned you, Reine. I said you’d regret it. But you, with your usual ‘I’m too good for anything to bother me’ attitude…” He shook his head. “I really thought you were just going to brush her off like every other annoying person in this school.”
Reine froze. Shit. He tried to push the thoughts away, but they came rushing back.
It was true—he had hated Deon. From the first day she showed up, messing with him, taking the piss out of his every move. She made it personal, got under his skin in ways he couldn’t explain. The fights, the competition between them, the humiliation… Yeah, Reine had been through plenty of those, but nothing like her. And now… now things had changed. What the hell was wrong with him?
Reine rubbed the back of his neck, trying to salvage his usual cocky confidence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, man.” He leaned back casually, grinning as if nothing was wrong. “You’re imagining things. I’m always cool.” He shot Noah a sideways glance, hoping to deflect the conversation.
Noah raised an eyebrow. He was quiet for a long moment, clearly weighing whether to press on, but then—perhaps wisely—he decided not to. Instead, he glanced over to the classroom window, where Deon sat, aloof as always, her usual detached air about her.
But there was something different today. Noah had noticed it during class too—Reine wasn’t glaring at her. He wasn’t even thinking about how he hated her or how much she pissed him off.
No. Reine had been… lost in thought, staring at her from across the room, completely dazed. And that, to Noah, was not normal. Not in a million years.
“Reine, seriously,” Noah said slowly, turning to face him again. “You’re not one to act all weird and dazed. What happened last night?” He tried to look casual, but there was a weight to his voice that suggested he wouldn’t let it slide much longer.
Reine’s heart skipped a beat. The words caught in his throat. “Nothing happened.”
But Noah wasn’t having it. “Nothing?” he repeated with a raised eyebrow. “After everything that went down last night? That nothing?”
Reine clenched his jaw. “It’s not a big deal, okay? I just… I had some drinks. Got distracted. Maybe a little too much.” He waved a hand dismissively. “You know, same old.” He forced a chuckle, trying to make it sound like he was above the whole situation, but it came out a little flat.
Noah wasn’t convinced. “Reine…” he trailed off, his voice softer now. “You’ve been acting different. And I know it’s got something to do with Deon.”
The guilt gnawed at Reine’s insides, but he wasn’t about to spill it. He wasn’t about to tell Noah about Deon, about her weirdly warm, awkward smile this morning or how the hell she had somehow managed to make him feel things that were definitely not supposed to be there.
Reine cleared his throat. “You’re overthinking it, man.” He leaned back, his usual cocky grin reappearing, even though it was shaky this time. “I don’t get involved in… whatever you think’s going on. I’m good. You know me.”
Noah gave him a long, skeptical look. He clearly wasn’t buying it. Reine could feel the weight of his best friend’s stare drilling into him, but Noah—like the good friend he was—finally let it go, even though the question was still hanging in the air.
“Well,” Noah said, standing up and brushing his pants off, “I’m not gonna push it. But just know… if you need to talk about it, I’m here.” He glanced at Reine with a knowing look. “Just don’t start acting like you’ve got it all together when you clearly don’t.”
Reine watched him walk away, his chest tight. He didn’t respond. He couldn’t.
As Noah disappeared back inside, Reine sat there, feeling more lost than he had in a long time.
He wasn’t sure what had happened last night. And he sure as hell wasn’t ready to admit it to anyone—least of all himself.
But he did know one thing. He wasn’t sure what Deon was doing to him. And that terrified him more than anything.
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Due to Royal Road's content policies, some chapters of God's Protagonist are not available in full on this platform. However, links to the full chapters are provided at the end of each chapter for readers who wish to continue on the official website. Please heed the detailed warnings provided for each chapter before proceeding.
The official website also hosts the complete story, free from platform restrictions.
Link to Full Chapter: Thread 9 – No More Broken Wings. [0.5. Red Thread of Fate]
Official Website: God’s Protagonist by Fang Dokja
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