© Faris S. J. 2024. All rights reserved.

Chapter Five: Crossroads of Destiny

I was walking behind Elena, heading back home, my mind caught in a whirlwind of tangled thoughts. The choices before me were anything but simple. Should I decide to stay here in Desilta, this strange land where I had found myself and become an immortal young man… or should I use the few remaining days to search for a way back to Liverpool, my hometown, the city I knew so well? Or perhaps, and this I hoped, I might wake up from this bizarre dream that felt so real it was unsettling.

Everything I saw, touched, and heard here pulsed with life. This world seemed like one of those parallel universes I had read about in science fiction books, but I had never imagined I would experience one myself.

I felt as though this was a unique opportunity to live the life I could never… a life full of adventure and discovery, a new existence. But with this choice came heavy obligations, meaning I would have to tie myself to this strange land and abide by its laws, which I still knew so little about. As I weighed these options, a middle-ground idea surfaced—a solution that might allow me to stay in Desilta while also finding a way back to my world.

Unable to hold back my words, I called out,

‘Elena… I have an important question. What if I left the Kingdom of Desilta and live somewhere else? Is that possible?’

Elena stopped walking and turned to look at me, surprised and intrigued, as though she hadn’t expected my question. She took a deep breath before answering.

‘Yes, Bradley, you can leave Desilta if you wish. If you do, you’ll live like anyone else outside our borders—you’ll age and grow old, with no need to follow Desilta’s laws. That way, you’ll avoid the consequences of the Seven-Day Law we told you about.’

I felt a small sense of relief at this option, but before I could process it, Elena added in a serious tone,

‘But… there’s something important you need to know. Unfortunately, the kingdoms surrounding us are not like Desilta. They’re plagued by constant wars and conflicts. If you decide to go, there’s a high chance you’ll find yourself caught up in these struggles, and you may not be lucky enough to survive.’

A sharp pang of disappointment hit me as I heard this. I didn’t want to live amidst wars and conflicts. I screamed,

‘Wars? Conflicts? That’s not what I want at all!’

I had hoped for a peaceful life, to start a family, to watch my children grow up before my eyes, and one day enjoy seeing my grandchildren. These simple dreams now seemed out of reach in the face of such hard choices.

Elena shouted a warning:

‘Bradley! Watch out!’

At that moment, a heavy goods cart came hurtling down the hill at a reckless speed, heading straight for us. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around Elena and leapt with her out of the cart’s path, landing at the side of the road. A surge of adrenaline coursed through me, my body moving with an agility I had never known before, as though I had tapped into a new strength.

Elena looked at me with deep astonishment and genuine gratitude, then said,

‘How did you move and, Bradley? You’re incredible! Thank you for saving me.’

I replied,

‘No need to thank me. It seems the poor driver lost control of the cart, and it slid down the hill like that.’

In that moment, I questioned this newfound strength and energy I had discovered within me. It was strange; even in the prime of my youth, I had never possessed this level of vitality and power. But what puzzled and amazed me even more was that I had prioritised Elena’s safety over my own—a behaviour that was uncharacteristic of me.

Was this the change I had been searching for all along?

At that moment, I made a decisive choice. I would live a new life, one filled with meaning and purpose. I would build honest relationships with those around me, care for them, and share in their joys and sorrows. I would become the version of Bradley I had always wished to be—the version I had lost during all those years spent in that isolated flat, regretting each passing day.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I heard a familiar voice calling out from a distance:

‘Mum… Bradley… you’re late!’

It was Luca, standing in front of the house, waiting for us. As we approached, I noticed his curious gaze scanning my clothes. He smiled and said,

‘Wow, you look like a person of Desilta, Bradley! Those clothes suit you, as if they were made just for you.’

Then he burst out laughing, trying to lighten the tension that hung over everyone. I tried to return his smile, but it was a nervous one, as my mind was still preoccupied with all the information I had just learned.

We entered the house, and Elena went straight to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Meanwhile, Luca approached me with a curious look and said,

‘What happened, Bradley? Tell me everything!’

I saw no reason to hide the truth from him, so I explained the entire story, starting with my meeting with Thomas, the laws of Desilta, and the hard choices I now faced.

When I finished, Luca shared his own ambitions and personal story. He spoke of the outstanding leader he was named after, and of his father, who could not achieve his dreams and had resigned himself to reality. His words carried a weight of unspoken emotions, as though these stories were wounds that had never healed.

As Luca spoke, I noticed the sadness on Elena’s face as she listened to us while continuing to prepare the food. It appeared his words touched something deep within her—memories and sorrows she was trying hard to conceal. When she finished cooking and began serving the meal, a heavy silence fell over us all. The atmosphere was thick, as though Luca’s words had opened the door to painful memories of everyone.

I felt the need to break the silence, so I asked Elena a question that had been on my mind:

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‘Elena, is it true that Thomas is 200 years old?’

She nodded and said,

‘Yes, that’s true. In fact, Thomas is one of the great sages of Desilta, thanks to his long life and vast experience.’

Before I could ask more, Luca interrupted with his usual enthusiasm.

‘Our village is lucky to have a great sage like Thomas, not to mention my father, who was a friend and companion of the outstanding leader Luca!’

This new information piqued my curiosity even further, so I continued,

‘Does that mean Thomas is immortal? I mean, can he live forever?’

Elena’s eyes widened in surprise at my question, but she answered,

‘Well… immortality is the trait of the Elves, but even the immortal can die if they suffer an accident, like drowning, falling, or being caught in a war.’

I felt the need to clarify my question, so I said,

‘I understand that, but what I mean is: if someone doesn’t get sick and avoids accidents, could they live forever?’

Before Elena could respond, Luca jumped in with excitement.

‘No, that’s not possible. In the end, when the glow of your Life Bracelet fades, it returns to its original colour—silver—and that means you’ll die for certain.’

Elena added to clarify his point:

‘Yes, that’s correct. Every person’s life in Desilta is tied to their Life Bracelet. If the bracelet’s glow fades, it means the end of their life. They lose the traits of the Elves and revert to being human, which makes them vulnerable to illness and death, especially if they’re already ancient. We don’t understand how it happens, but we know it’s connected to our lives and the bracelet itself. Take Thomas, for example; even though he’s over 200 years old, he’s still healthy because his bracelet continues to glow.’

The secrets that governed the world of Desilta fascinated me, as though an invisible system coursed through the lives of everyone here.

All this new information made my head spin. How could a simple bracelet on the wrist hold the power to control a person’s life, determine its course, and even its end? How could something so small wield such a profound influence? My mind felt like it was about to explode from the sheer number of questions and the overwhelming amount of unfamiliar information.

After finishing dinner, I felt an urgent need to rest. I thanked Elena and Luca for their generous hospitality and for all the support and knowledge they had shared with me, then told them I wished to retire for the night. The day had been filled with events that left me in awe, and I needed some peace to reflect and process my new reality.

The days passed as I wandered through the fields surrounding the village and strolled through its narrow streets, savouring the rich, tranquil beauty of nature. Those days were filled with deep contemplation, and I felt as though I was on a journey of self-discovery, searching for the answer to a lingering question: Was this an opportunity to start a new life, or just another test I had to overcome?

During this time, I began learning about the strange and complex laws of Desilta. The more I delved into them, the more I realised they would take months of study to understand. Among these laws, I discovered that the leaders of Desilta always came from the Path of Warriors, while advisors and ministers were chosen from the Path of Sages, reflecting the high regard for wisdom in governing the kingdom’s affairs. What surprised me was that those in the Path of Builders could not hold positions as advisors or ministers, and it was impossible for men in the Path of Servants to marry outside their path. However, women could move to other paths through marriage.

As the days went by, I continued to test the capabilities of my new youthful body brimming with vitality, as though I had been reborn. I no longer suffered from any illnesses or fatigue; I could run long distances without feeling the slightest exhaustion. The physical transformation I had undergone was obvious to everyone, and my renewed energy and strength astonished them, which I had never possessed before. Whenever someone needed help, whether physical or emotional, I offered my hand without hesitation, feeling a deep sense of joy as I helped others.

Bit by bit, I opened up to the world around me. I laughed and smiled, joined in conversations and jokes, teased the children and played with them, delighting in their innocent laughter. Every morning, the villagers greeted me, their genuine smiles radiating true happiness. I had become the Bradley I had once dreamed of being—the Bradley I had always wanted to be.

I noticed that Elena and Luca avoided discussing my plans, wanting to give me the time and space I needed to make my decision and without pressure. Every evening, I enjoyed listening to Luca talk about his day, his work, and the events he had experienced. Those moments were some of the most enjoyable, filling me with a sense of familiarity and safety.

In truth, I felt as though I had an actual family. A comforting warmth enveloped me, a feeling of unexpected connection blossoming in my heart. Each time I sat with them, the thought of leaving drifted further away, and I thought: I don’t want to lose this family… I don’t want to leave them.

I saw in Luca something of the son I had never had. I enjoyed watching his enthusiasm and the positive energy that filled our days. As for Elena, she was more than just a gracious host; she had become a close friend who stood by my side, cared for my needs, and made me feel comfortable.

As the days passed, I felt I was no longer just a guest here, but a part of this small family. That evening, as the aroma of delicious food filled the kitchen and their laughter echoed through the house, I descended from my room to where they were preparing dinner. Looking at Elena with newfound confidence, I said,

‘I’ve made my decision.’

Elena stopped what she was doing and turned to me, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and anticipation. She said:

‘I was wondering when you’d decide. Tomorrow is the seventh day, and I was worried the time would run out before you decided.’

There was a note of relief in her voice, as though she could breathe again. She glanced at Luca, who was watching, and I announced with a smile,

‘I’ll take the Life Path test tomorrow.’

Their faces lit up with joy, but I added, still feeling a little uncertain,

‘But as I understand it, people take the test when they turn twenty. I’m over eighty years old! Can I even take part in this test?’

Confusion clouded my thoughts. Even though I had regained my youth here in Desilta, I knew I was far older than twenty. At that moment, Luca burst into a loud, hearty laugh that made me smile despite my uncertainty. Elena, with her warm smile that always made me feel safe, looked at me and whispered,

‘It seems you hit your head. When I examined you, I confirmed that you’re no older than twenty-four.’

Her words were shocking. I had been so certain that I was much older. She continued, explaining,

‘In Desilta, any outsider who stays can take the Life Path test. From that moment on, they are bound to the land of Desilta forever.’

I felt the weight of the decision I was about to make, the depth of its significance and the impact it would have on my future. Luca interrupted with his usual childlike enthusiasm, exclaiming,

‘What do you want to become? Will you choose the Path of Warriors?’

His eyes sparkled with anticipation as he waited for my answer. I smiled at him and replied in a calm tone,

‘Luca, I’m a peaceful man… I’ve spent my life working in construction, so I think I’ll choose the Path of Builders. That way, I can stay by your side and help you.’

His face lit up with joy, and this was what he had hoped I would choose. Elena, her eyes shining with pride, said,

‘Tomorrow, you’ll need to wear the ceremonial attire and head to the celebration grounds.’

Her words were a simple reminder that the time for my test—and my choice—was drawing near. The tone of her voice carried a mix of excitement and seriousness, making me realise the depth and importance of this step in my new life. I understood that my choice wasn’t just about staying in Desilta; it was a vow I was making to myself to become part of this community and take on the responsibility of a new Life Path.

That night, as I lay in bed, I felt a mixture of excitement and anticipation. My emotions swayed between the thrill of starting a new chapter and the anxiety of facing the unknown. I could never have imagined that I would find myself in a place where I felt I belonged, surrounded by a family that had given me unconditional love and support.

In this new world, I was certain I had made the right decision, and that tomorrow would mark the beginning of a life filled with purpose and strength.

© Faris S. J. 2024. All rights reserved.