Chapter 36 - Threads of Destiny

Mary was the first to push herself up, her heart pounding as she took in their surroundings. The forest around them was tranquil, almost unnervingly so. The air carried the crisp scent of damp earth and pine, accompanied by the soft trill of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves in the breeze. She frowned, the serenity seeming surreal, “Are we… back?” she asked, her voice hesitant, as if saying it out loud might shatter the fragile peace.

Yumiko groaned softly as she sat up, still clutching the serpent staff tightly against her chest. The dark bronze surface of the artifact gleamed faintly in the sunlight, her pale fingers gripping it like a lifeline. “I think so,” she murmured, her wide eyes scanning the towering trees and the golden light filtering through the canopy. The forest felt almost dreamlike after the alien, otherworldly grassland they had just escaped.

Lukas remained silent as he stood, brushing dirt from his leather armor with quick, rigid movements. His jaw was clenched, and his expression dark with frustration. “She didn’t answer everything,” he muttered, his voice low but simmering with barely contained anger.

Mary turned to him, offering a hand to help Yumiko to her feet. “No,” she countered, brushing dirt off Yumiko’s knees as she steadied her, “but she told us plenty: that Meino guy, more artifacts, portals to hell, the end being close... And those headaches you and Yumiko had—there’s a lot to unpack.”

Yumiko nodded, her gaze lowering, her expression clouded. “Lukas, you looked—distraught,” she said carefully, her tone measured.

Lukas exhaled sharply and shook his head. “You’re right. I am upset,” he admitted, his words cutting through the quiet. “We still don’t know anything useful about who this Meino guy is, other than some vague hints that he killed a god. A god. I’ve never read or heard of him in any scripture, yet he’s supposed to be the worst one of them all?” His voice grew louder with frustration.

Yumiko hesitated before speaking, choosing her words deliberately. “When you saw him... it caused a lot of mana to gather around you,” she said softly, glancing at Lukas cautiously. “It was... unsettling.”

Her eyes flickered briefly with something she didn’t say—the way that energy had felt disturbingly familiar to her.

Lukas’s expression shifted, a subtle hint of guilt flashing across his face. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, lowering his gaze. “I didn’t mean to scare anyone. But seeing him—I felt rage. Pure, hate, like I’ve met him before. Maybe in a dream. I don’t know. But the moment I saw him... I felt some kind of connection. He has the same kind of energy as the man I’ve been hunting all this time—the one responsible for my group’s death.”

Mary crossed her arms, frowning thoughtfully. “Do you think it’s connected to the eyes Meino gives his followers? They must be extensions of his power, right?”

“Maybe,” Lukas said with a shrug, his voice heavy. “But when those two lackeys attacked us back in the caves, it didn’t feel the same. They were strong, sure, but they didn’t have the same presence as Meino—or the Dark Knight I’ve been searching for.”

Mary glanced around the forest, her instincts prickling at the memory of their enemies. “Speaking of lackeys, what about that Vanessa woman?” she asked, her voice sharpening. “She was wounded and heading into the forest. Maybe we should track her down—”

“In our current condition?” Lukas asked, his voice sharp with frustration. “Besides, it doesn’t matter. According to Sofia, Meino’s already been alerted. Killing that crazy fool now changes nothing, and I’m not in the mood to comb through an entire damned forest for a lunatic.”

Yumiko inhaled deeply, steadying herself. “Ronan—the warrior who chased us—he claimed to have seen you before, right? Have you ever crossed paths with him in your life?”

Lukas shook his head, his expression darkening. “Never. I’d remember someone like him—one of those freakishly strong Chosen. Why?” His gaze narrowed. “Where are you going with this?”

Yumiko hesitated, her fingers brushing the serpent staff as she searched for the right words. “The strings of fate. Our futures are tied together somehow... I keep thinking about it. Randomly, I feel like we’re catching glimpses of ourselves—or of people we’re destined to meet. Lately, I’ve been having these... visions.” Her voice dropped, a tremor slipping through her words. “Nightmares of the world ending—armies clashing on a devastated, blood-soaked battlefield.”

Mary’s face tightened, and she nodded. “You’re not alone. I’ve had those dreams too.”

Lukas stilled, the weight of her words pressing against his own doubts. The memory of Sofia’s twilight realm flickered in his mind, unsettling and vivid. “How do we even know these visions are real?” he asked after a moment, his voice skeptical. “What if Sofia’s feeding us these images—planting them in our heads for her own reasons?”

Yumiko shook her head, her expression clouded with thought. “I don’t think so… Sofia has never told us to do anything with malice, and I’ve never had that feeling from her. But there’s something she said that’s been bothering me,” she said quietly, lifting her eyes to meet his. “She mentioned that gods are turning away from humans… Why?”

Mary shrugged, her tone half-casual, half-concerned. “Probably because of all the conflicts we’ve stirred up.”

Lukas let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. “And what’s new? Mankind hasn’t changed. We’ve always been like this.”

Mary bent down and picked up a large pinecone, studying it for a moment before plucking off a scale. “Let me spell it out for you,” she said, her voice taking on a serious edge. She tugged another scale free. “There’s the rebellion brewing in the Nordman Empire against the guild’s occupation.” Another scale. “Hoffman’s still seething about being occupied.” She continued, her tone matter-of-fact. “Mania’s slaughtering beastmen refugees from Tierreich, which itself is in the middle of a civil war.” Scale after scale fell to the forest floor. “And in the east, the guild’s fueling a proxy war with the Surozemli Empire. That’s not even counting the southern nations sinking ships over trade route disputes. Want me to go on?”

Yumiko stared at her, both awed by Mary’s knowledge and disheartened by the sheer weight of the world’s conflicts. “You... know a lot,” she murmured, her voice tinged with sadness.

Mary sighed, dropping the now-bare pinecone onto the ground. “I’m a bounty hunter,” she said simply. “Part of a brotherhood. We gather information—stuff the guild doesn’t want people to know. Secrets that never make it this far west.” Her gaze flicked to Lukas. “If this keeps up...” She trailed off, her voice heavy as she gestured at the fallen pinecone. “A lot of people are going to die… You don’t need to be a general or a politician to see that.”

Yumiko felt a chill settle over her, her chest tightening with dread. “Which brings us to the rabbit’s foot and the Voice of Souls,” she said hesitantly, gripping the serpent staff tighter. “Those two artifacts... they could be the key to stopping all of this.”

Mary nodded, her expression grim. “More artifacts like the serpent staff. No doubt. Sofia said she’d tell us about them later.. So all we can do in the meantime is wait. It sounds like she is a careful planner when it comes to bringing us together. It sounds like the overall goal is to keep finding these artifacts to stop Meino.” Her eyes drifted to the staff in Yumiko’s hands. “Speaking of which... Yumiko, can’t you hide that thing with your magic?”

Yumiko blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?”

Mary gestured to her, her expression expectant. “You summon your bow out of nowhere—it just appears. Couldn’t you do the same with the staff?”

“Oh!” Yumiko’s eyes lit with understanding. She raised her right hand, twisting a small ring on her finger. “This ring is enchanted. It’s bound to my bow and quiver—a common technique my people use to preserve their weapons. Well, specifically, it’s something practiced by ninja and certain assassin classes. I thought it was smart, so I applied it to my own weapon.”

Mary rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “So… could we do something similar for the staff?”

Yumiko shrugged, her lips pressing into a thoughtful line. “It’s possible. But we’d need to find someone who knows how to enchant items. That kind of magic isn’t common in the West.” She paused, considering. “Even if we did, there’s a catch. Summoning it requires focus, and you have to feel a specific emotion or memory each time. Plus, it consumes a small amount of mana with every use.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Mary grabbed the staff and carefully slung it across her back. The weight of it settled awkwardly but manageable. “Might be easier to deal with later once we find a skilled enchanter,” she mused. “There’s probably someone like that in town. For now, though, I guess it’s okay if I carry it. My hammer can sit over it and mostly keep it hidden.” She adjusted the strap, giving it an experimental tug.

As her eyes swept over the group, she couldn’t help but grimace. “You know,” she said, half-joking, “we looked better in the dark. Out here in the light? We look terrible.” She gestured to her own blood-soaked armor, the deep crimson stains a grim testament to their recent trials. “Oxes, rats, murderers, and a giant snake. Yeah, I think I’m officially done with this place.”

Yumiko let out a weary sigh, her shoulders slumping. “I could go for a nap. And a bath,” she added, brushing dirt from her clothes. “Where are we headed next?”

Lukas shifted his weight, reaching behind him for the herbalist pouch strapped to his gear. With deliberate care, he pulled out a smaller pouch from a hidden pocket beneath his breastplate. “Next, I deliver some of these flowers to the research group in the Urkade Mountains.” He opened the smaller pouch, gently placing a few of the rare blossoms inside, their petals still shimmering faintly with an iridescent glow. Once finished, he tucked the pouch back into its hidden compartment.

With a casual toss, he handed the larger herbalist bag to Mary. “Split those flowers in half,” he instructed. “Send one half to the guild under my name. Keep the rest for yourself. Here.” He reached into another pouch on his side, retrieving a silver guild tag, which he tossed to her. “Use this for the delivery. When you’re done, just leave it at the guild—I’ll pick it up later.”

Mary caught the tag and stared at it, the weight of it more than just physical. “Wait a second,” she said, frowning. “I thought you were coming with us?”

Lukas hesitated, his gaze dropping to the forest floor. For a moment, he seemed lost in thought. “I’ve got some things I need to take care of,” he admitted quietly. “There’s a friend I like to visit now and then. I’ve been keeping them waiting long enough.”

Mary raised a brow, her curiosity piqued. “A friend? This is the first I’ve heard about them.”

“Two friends, actually,” Lukas added with a shrug. His tone was casual, but there was a hint of something deeper. “It’s… complicated.”

Yumiko, who had been listening silently, glanced at the guild tag in Mary’s hand, her brow furrowing. She noticed the well-worn copper tag Lukas still wore around his neck. “Wait,” she said, her voice tinged with confusion. “You’re still wearing your guild tag. So what’s the deal with the one you gave Mary?”

Lukas sighed, pulling the tag around his neck into view. The copper surface was dulled and scratched, its number "1" still faintly visible. “This one,” he said, his voice softening, “was from when I was partied with your brother. It’s the tag I’ve worn ever since.” His fingers brushed the surface almost reverently. “It means a lot to me. Since he passed, I’ve never taken it off. And I don’t plan to. Not until…”

There was a long pause, birds chirped happily from the tall trees above.

“Until?” Yumiko pressed.

Lukas lifted his gaze to meet hers, and for the first time in what felt like ages, a flicker of life glimmered in his striking blue eyes. “Until I’ve kept my promise,” he said firmly.

Mary let out a long breath and dropped onto the damp ground with a soft thud. She leaned back on her hands, staring up at the towering canopy of trees above them. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the forest floor. “And what promise is that?” she asked, her voice quiet but insistent.

Lukas patted his battered breastplate, the dull clang of metal ringing faintly. “Find the cure for the Silent Plague. Avenge my comrades.” His voice was steady, but there was an edge of weariness in it. He turned his gaze toward the forest, the towering trees swaying gently in the breeze. “Until I fulfill at least one of those promises, I’m not taking this off. It’s my reminder… my curse.”

He closed his eyes, drawing in a deep, steadying breath. When he spoke again, his tone softened, but the weight of his words remained heavy. “Yumiko, you’ve been following me all this time, and after what happened in that realm—with Sofia—I think I understand why. But…” Lukas turned to face Yumiko, his blue eyes locking with hers. “Your life isn’t mine to dictate. Don’t live as my shadow. You have your own goals, your own ambitions. You deserve to chase them, not follow me around.”

Yumiko looked down, awkwardly rubbing her arm. Her fingers traced invisible patterns against her sleeve, as though searching for the right words. “The truth is,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “my goals and ambitions ended the day I found out Hiro had died. Leaving my country was always my dream, but now that I’ve done it… I don’t know what to strive for anymore.” She lifted her gaze, and there was a flicker of determination in her dark eyes. “Helping you, though—it doesn’t just seem right. It feels right. Like it’s what I was meant to do.”

Mary stepped up from the ground, brushing dirt and dampness from her rump. “She’s right,” Mary said with a grin. “Besides, that Sofia woman kind of spelled out the whole ‘end of the world’ thing back there. She has faith in you—in all of us. After everything we’ve been through, don’t think you can shake us off so easily.”

Lukas shook his head, his jaw tightening. “Listen,” he began, his voice hardening, “I know I’ve been wrong about… a lot. About the voices you’ve heard, about what you’ve seen. But that doesn’t change anything. I can’t have anyone else with me.” His gaze dropped to his broken arm, his frustration palpable. “I can’t even use magic the way I used to. I can’t focus because I can’t sleep. I make enough mistakes to make a low level adventurer laugh. More importantly… I have this constant anxiety that anyone traveling with me is going to end up—” He stopped abruptly, his throat tightening as he forced the words back. He took a moment to collect himself, then spoke again, his voice quieter. “Having someone as reckless as me around won’t help either of you. It’ll just… it’ll kill you. I’m not someone to follow or to look to for help.”

Yumiko shook her head, “That’s not true. You’re a lot more capable than you think.”

“Because of luck.” Lukas said, shaking his head. “But if this keeps up… It will run out, and because of that, I won’t be able to protect either one of you.”

Mary’s expression softened, though her smile didn’t waver. “Then don’t protect us,” she said gently. “Be our sword. And we’ll be your shield.”

Lukas froze, her words cutting deeper than he’d expected. He exhaled slowly, his shoulders slumping. “No,” he said at last, shaking his head. “That would be even worse. I won’t let you protect me. That’s not what I want.” He looked away, the tension in his posture easing slightly. “Tell you what—I’ll accept your company to Braint. But that’s it. Once we get there, we part ways. That way, no one else has to die leaving this place.”

Mary scrunched her nose, crossing her arms. “Braint? Really? Gross.”

Yumiko tilted her head, puzzled. “What’s wrong with Braint?”

“It’s a pit,” Mary groaned. “A town full of thieves, gamblers, and hustlers. Smack in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to do but drink and lose your money. Everyone there is either drunk or picking pockets.”

She turned to Lukas, raising an eyebrow. “Why Braint of all places?”

Lukas shrugged, the motion casual but his tone firm. “Like I said, I have friends in that direction. It’s the closest settlement from here, and I need to find some aid… maybe even a warm meal. If we’re lucky, we’ll get there in three or four days. It’s the closest town by far.”

He paused, then glanced at Yumiko. His voice softened, carrying an unexpected gentleness. “Dryffn—the place where your brother died. It’s along the way... Maybe we could stop there if you want.”

Yumiko’s breath hitched, her composure faltering as her chest tightened. She looked down, blinking rapidly to fend off the sting of tears. Lukas frowned, tilting his head. “What? Did I say something wrong?” he asked, his confusion genuine.

Mary smirked, her tone light but teasing. “Way to go, Lukas. Trying to make her cry already?”

Lukas turned back to Yumiko, baffled. “What did I do? Why are you upset?”

Yumiko let out a soft giggle, wiping her face with her sleeve. “I’m not upset,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “Just... surprised by your offer.” She took a steadying breath before looking up at him with a small, grateful smile. “Yes, I’d like to go to Dryffn. Thank you.”

Lukas nodded curtly, clearly uncomfortable with the moment of vulnerability. “Very well,” he said, his tone stiff. Then, almost as if to reassert himself, he quickly added, “But don’t think this means you can follow me once we’ve reached Braint. After we get there... that’s it.”

Mary folded her arms, leaning casually against the trunk of a towering tree. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she observed the scene. It wasn’t often Lukas let his guard down, and this fleeting moment of empathy was a rare sight.

“Way to go, Lukas,” she said, tilting her head back to enjoy the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. “You’re finally acting human.”

Lukas scowled, his brows knitting together. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Mary opened one eye, her grin widening. “It means you’re normally a hardass.” She raised a hand to forestall his protest. “And before you get all defensive, I’m saying it’s a good thing, you daft man.”

Yumiko sighed deeply, brushing the last of her tears away. “So,” she said, her voice lighter, “you said we could visit his grave before heading to Braint, right? How far is it from here?”

Lukas turned, glancing eastward. “A day or two to his grave,” he said. “Another day or so to Braint after that.” He hesitated, then glanced at Mary with a pointed look. “I’ll need to meet a friend along the way. Promise me you won’t start making jokes.”

Mary’s face lit up, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes. “Is this friend a woman?”

Lukas groaned, his shoulders sagging. “Not in the way you’re thinking.”

Mary’s grin widened, and she began to circle him playfully. “Ooohhh, so it is a girlfriend.”

Lukas snapped, his patience finally wearing thin. “Enough!” His voice rang through the clearing, startling a flock of birds from the branches above. He scowled at her, exasperated. “I told you, it’s nothing like that!”

Yumiko stifled a giggle as the two continued their bickering in the background. She tilted her head back, looking up toward the canopy, where sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves. The rays seemed to glow brighter, as if answering her unspoken thoughts.

A soft smile spread across her face as she whispered, “See, Hiro-nii… I’ve found my a path now. My own destiny. And I’m sharing it with friends… This is the next part of my life… My next trial.”

The breeze stirred the leaves above, carrying her words skyward as though delivering them to someone unseen.

Fin Book One.

See you in the next one, adventurer.