《Fallacy of Fate》


 Prologue

    Wisdom Begins in Wonder - Socrates


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    ¡°Monnss-turrr?¡± A small, strange, sickly looking child repeats while looking up at the crowd gathered in the room.


    The entire group of men flinch back with varying degrees of shock on their faces.


    ¡°By the gods, you weren¡¯t jesting Rubio!¡± A large barrel-chested man exclaims. A general murmur of assent rolls through the crowd and money is exchanged when looking at the boy.


    The same man nervously steps forward. ¡°Boy, tell me, how much do you understand?¡± He gingerly asks. With the question the crowd goes quiet. All attention focused on the child.


    A look of concentration is shown on the boys face as he scrunches the almost colorless eyes, deep in thought¡ªthen suddenly opens them and points at the big man while sitting on the ground in front of the door.


    ¡°What. Boy. Mean?¡± The child enunciates.


    Several people make signs to ward off evil and visibly pale. Others turn and leave the room shaken. The child put emphasis on each word, as if to confirm their meaning.


    ¡°I tell ya that boy ain¡¯t natural. When Rubio tells ya he noticed little demonspawn running around you better know he mean it.¡± The mentioned man speaks out but flinches when the boys eyes swivel towards him. He scowls, spits on the floor, and walks out.


    The barrel-chested man steps forward. ¡°Well, uh, you see a boy is, uh, when you have something that a girl doesn¡¯t have?¡± Caught off guard by this innocent question the man starts stammering and his face turns bright red, seemingly trying to hide beneath his beard. Several people laugh at his expense, and one gives him a hearty thump on the back.


    Most just stare at the boy.


    The boy just tilts his head, his eyes once again scrunching up in concentration. A question forming on his childish lips. A crash is heard in another room and the boys eyes dart to the source of the sound.


    ¡°Maker help whoever I catch bothering the boy. He is a child, and children should be asleep at this hour! Go on! Get out of here and go gossip like little love-girls at the tavern!¡± A shrill voice is heard and the intruders jolt up and head out, leaving the barrel-chested man behind looking torn. An elderly woman comes hobbling in a nightgown and gives the man a glare. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    She gives up quickly after it doesn¡¯t send him running, looks down and sighs. Grabbing onto the man''s arm, barely able to fit her hand around his wrist, she tugs on him motioning towards the exit.


    ¡°Come on. I¡¯m in no mood to hear apologies for others actions.¡± She coldly states.


    He resists just outside the door. ¡°Old Nan, you know I meant no ill will!¡± The man grumbles before allowing her to drag him through the door, hearing the gathered crowd talking just outside a distance off.


    Old Nan sighs. ¡°I was hoping to avoid this Marco. I was going to try to find the boy a good family before the rumors started. I¡¯ll be lucky if he now doesn¡¯t scare off parents for the other children at this point.¡± She scowls while looking into the dark. Before closing the door she rubs a pendant on her neck and mutters some prayer to an obscure deity.


    The man ducks his head and looks off to the side. ¡°I know what you are trying to ask of me...but we recently found out my wife is with child, and she has already been so sick...¡±


    ¡°You and your wife are with child?¡± She sends a sharp look towards him before sighing again and turning towards the boy, knowing of the trouble raising this one would bring to the new family and resigning. ¡°You aren''t needed here anymore.¡± She coldly states. The man named Marco takes the chance to duck outside.


    The boy, quietly watching the exchange, sees his caretaker heading towards him and stretches his arms towards her. She picks him up and slowly strokes the top of his head, frowning at the unnatural feeling. While walking towards her own bed she makes reassuring sounds and gently lowers the boy down. The boy looking more tired and satisfied after the brief contact. Not worried at all about what just happened like any normal child would be.


    Looking down at the child left a certain feeling in her chest. The boy truly was unnatural, having no hair on his body and pale grey eyes that left a disturbing image. It was two-fold worse when he looked directly in your eyes. The child was too smart for his age, an unnatural intelligence. Far too aware of things going on around him, and quiet. A child shouldn¡¯t be so calm and focused.


    Sure there were stranger things. As unnatural things went, it was rather tame. There were no extra limbs, no uncontrollable magic, not even a strange feeling in his mana. The only thing truly worrying about him were the events surrounding his birth and what caused the higher powers to fight over him. Oh yes, it was deeply worrying.


    Not many people knew what truly happened yet¡ªbut there were already rumors. She knew there would be trouble when black cloaked figures appeared in the middle of the night asking to take him in and care for him last week.


    She figured it was bandits without the heart to kill the child alongside the parents. That seemed to happen too often these days. The other rumors coming in were troubling to say the least. That the gods brought down one of the nine holy cities fighting back demons.


    It wasn¡¯t until a survivor told the story of walking among the ruins that she connected everything. More refugees began streaming in from the countryside. Then signs pointed towards the gods watching him started happening. Little miracles, unnatural things happening around him gave testament to that. Natural enough in the world they lived in, but never to this extent. Not here of all places.


    Trouble indeed would follow him.


    She set about her nightly rituals. It seemed the only thing stable in her future would be what she could earn from the gods. She thought she could get away by serving in a small out-of-the-way town like this. Sighing, she went from room to room. Checking on the kids to make sure they didn''t wake from the commotion. Offering a small prayer at each door.


    That done, she settled herself into bed, bones protesting as she adjusted herself with the child beside her. Every year her age became more apparent. Raising this child would be difficult, but she would follow through on a task given by the gods.


    They wouldn''t have it any other way.

 Chapter 1- Part 1

    Cheating is the gift man gave himself


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    I stare listlessly across the old dusty path, out into the forest. Only one thought on my mind.


    I need out.


    A proverbial iteration pounding itself into my head. It wasn''t always like this, it started with a casual thought of seeing what was over the hill just outside town, innocent. But just mulling over the thought was akin to scratching the bite of a bloodsucker from the creek¡ªit brought it to the front of my mind and knocked aside everything else.


    A prickling sensation runs down my neck and I seem to of taken a step onto the path that I¡¯ve never crossed before. The thought of seeing something new makes me catch my breath, and a shiver runs down my back.


    The shiver turns into a shudder. Reality rears it¡¯s head and I¡¯m hit with indecision, literally torn between paths. I try to reason on what I¡¯m doing here and what I want. Why shouldn¡¯t I just walk across?


    Strangely, it¡¯s stories I''ve heard as a child that held me back. The dreaded monsters, bandits, and cults that seemed to plague every inch that wasn¡¯t sanctioned by the gods. Somehow those ridiculous stories made me pause. There¡¯s no way that they¡¯re all true. The stories are just too ridiculous to believe.


    But what if they were?


    The unknown was dangled in front of me, and I was worried about the hook. Desire may be a great driving force for change, but I wouldn¡¯t be blinded by it. I knew what my sentence was. I had been told by Old Nan too many times.


    I sigh and turn back around, facing the town, and my decision. It¡¯s been like this for some time now. Almost a year. I¡¯ve been getting restless with the coming ceremony. Everything feels stale and wrong. Leaving seems to be the only way to feel something else. I know something is different about me. It brings the same set of emotions and reactions each time I think about it. The knowledge that I don''t belong leads me to this trail more and more often.


    If anything, I''m worried nothing would change once I leave. That I will always remain an enigma, a freak, a problem. Feeling stares on my back, hearing shushed whispers, and the feeling of wrong. It''s the idea that I could get away from my problems that drove me here.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    It''s not easy to muse on the unknown, to put yourself in a position you aren''t used to. What would I feel like if I were the normal one. What would it be like to have long luscious hair. I absently raised my hand and rubbed my head, eyebrows, and arms. My fingers running along the smooth texture. I let out a sigh and imagined myself with the hair of the heroes of old. Only monks are known for being bald.


    My thoughts were thrown off as I hear something scurry nearby. The roads back to town are safe, patrolled regularly by the town militia, but it''s not unheard of for the lesser creatures to slip by unnoticed¡ªor just be seen as not worth the time. Let the idiot walking alone in the woods without weapons face his fate.


    I pick up the pace towards the town. Though spending time in the village made me uncomfortable, it''s been something I''ve grown used too. Something that I know is safe. Even if the only reason people tolerate me is fear of retaliation, there are still ones who don¡¯t care about what the gods think and are friendly with me.


    Those particular idiots don¡¯t last long.


    And they say I am the walking disaster. It¡¯s been made clear that the gods hold interest in me and that any unapproved interaction wouldn¡¯t be tolerated. Sure, there are special cases, but for the most part people keep their distance. I hold disdain for those who can¡¯t see how the world works. Using pity and mercy for attention is an easy way to spite those watching and gain a god¡¯s ire. They brought it on themselves acting carelessly or on a whim.


    Vines seem to grow spontaneously from the underbrush, aiming to trip and ensnare, to hinder. I casually take a short hop over them, the situation of me wandering out was too good a chance to pass up it seems. Too often I am put to the test, to see if I would curse the gods for their actions, to see what I would do, to see what I am. I turn around and grin knowingly, seeing the vines become covered in insects and quickly devoured.


    In this game I am not alone.


    It¡¯s strange seeing interaction between god''s manifest in everyday life. When you think gods, you think grand and spectacular. Not a small clash in some secluded forest. Especially not bugs feeding on a vine. That level of magic is something you would expect spirits or followers to participate in.


    It¡¯s only until you realize the scope that it¡¯s most likely not just in that forest. But potentially all of the forest that the insignificance sets in. To only see a portion of the power that a god can wield. It makes you realize that we are truly tiny compared to them. They are gods after all.


    I eventually stumble onto the main path, elation tugging at my heart, but I stamped it down, keeping my face neutral. Best not to show anything. Always best to show them nothing. The need to visit that spot was foolish, but something I craved and desperately needed. The monotony of everyday life has been taking its toll on me and numbing my mind. There is little I can do in the small village I call home.


    Markeath, a place no one would want to house their grave. It was too boring and uninteresting. There were hundreds of villages with the same layout across the country. Simple farmers and ranchers make up the population that hounds me. Even with my situation, I was still a boy and wanted the grandeurs of adventure and travel, who didn¡¯t? Markeath was nowhere near any of it.


    Markeath was growing nearer as I made my way back.

 Chapter 1- Part 2

    ¡°Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone, that is the secret of invention; be alone, that is when ideas are born. That is why many of the earthly miracles have had their genesis in humble surroundings.¡± - Nikola Tesla


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    Markeath was growing nearer as I made my way back.


    It looked as dull as it sounded. A typical, dusty, out-of-the-way village. Farms lined the road sparsely with the farmhands working diligently. Nobody called out to me. They were too busy preparing for the festival so I angled myself home.


    The road was worn and untended. Small groups of people were walking to their destinations talking. Weeds and shrubs grew along the areas that weren¡¯t covered in farmland. Several hard-shell hunter hives were actively abuzz with the hybrid insect-birds hard at work keeping the fields clear of pest and small animals. Other than that it was strangely peaceful looking upon the place I wanted out of. My earlier tension seems to have faded upon seeing the familiar scenery.


    Several hard-shell hunters fluttered over to me curiously. The farmhands looked up at the change in behavior, but quickly looked away upon realizing it was just me. Several scowled and made signs to ward off evil. I grinned, ignoring them, and held out my finger in which a particularly bold bug took to my invitation and swiftly landed. I stroked its feathered carapace and it seemed to shudder in ecstasy at the touch, then quickly flew off after turning its beady eyes towards me almost appraising me.


    They were curious and small creatures. Made by the gods to help humanity survive the harsh lands. The chitinous body and limbs of a beetle, feathered wings, and the head of a bird made for a strange looking animal...thing. Nobody could refute their usefulness though. They worked relentlessly to eat anything that would bring harm to the crops.


    I thought they were cute.


    ¡°Oh it¡¯s you. I thought it was some goblin that got lost. It¡¯s gross how you¡¯re always playing with bugs with that smile. Only those creepy things would like a demon like you.¡±


    Ah. That must be Rue.


    I turn, sure enough Rue is standing there. Our eyes meet and lock for a second and she flinches away. Looking at her strikes up a pain in my chest as I observe her clutch a bag to her chest, knuckles tightening. Lightning blonde hair, sky blue eyes, and tanned skin set my heart racing. The contempt in her eyes had me on edge. My eyes darted around looking for the other two points to the village trifecta.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother looking for them, we¡¯re all too busy preparing for when the followers get here. Not everybody can slack off whenever they want to. Especially not now when it¡¯s so close.¡± A scowl appears on her face, marring her beauty.


    I thought about what to say to that. True I had been slacking off, I couldn¡¯t refute that. The whole reason I wanted to get away from this village was because of the upcoming festival and attitudes like this. It had been on my mind for weeks. Those people were coming here of all places. They would be a strain on the village resources, but also a blessing. It filled me with apprehension just thinking about how they would react to my presence. The villagers called me demon, and I don¡¯t see them thinking differently.


    ¡°Of course you got nothing to say. Just run home and cry to Old Nan like always.¡± She spat out. Contrary to her statement, she is the one who walks off first. Becoming unnerved by my stare with nobody to back her up. In truth, I just didn¡¯t know what to say to her statement.


    I sigh, feeling strangely tired from the short exchange, then continue down the path thinking about her¡ªshe was one of the few people my age. Rue was also one of the enigmas in the village. No matter what she did to me, she would always be untouched by any retaliation by the gods. Always. That didn¡¯t happen to anybody else. Even the school teacher would get signs.


    Of course the villagers caught on quickly like a tooth-fish smelling blood. This prompted them to pander for her attention in the hopes that she would drive me off somehow. Either that or they would try to channel their hatred through her like in the case of her father. Wishful thinking on all their parts. Just as she was untouched by the gods, she was untouched by their schemes or ideas.


    No, her disdain for me was all her own.


    She was the jewel of the village. Cheerful and bright. There was even talk of her garnering the attention of a strong deity for the upcoming festival. How else was she able to remain untouched? I didn¡¯t want to think about that. I had enough attention from the gods themselves. People were too tiresome to deal with also.


    Now there were more people walking down the road. Easily moving to the other side of the road. They carried wood, grains, bundles of cloth, and other essentials. Surprisingly enough several merchants made their way through. Surprising because most would opt to stay within the safety of the large group coming our way. These must be the fortune seekers hoping to secure a good spot beforehand.


    Buildings started to appear alongside the path. A shack here, a cottage there, until finally the village inn demarcated the entrance to the Markeath. My entrance to the village center was heralded by absolutely nothing aside from glares. The center was the busiest I had ever seen it. Much busier than it was this morning my first time through. Merchants were loudly calling their wares, nomadic priest were offering servitude, and villagers were moving with more energy than I¡¯ve ever seen before.


    I felt left out.


    Avoiding looking at any one place for too long in the case I gain someone¡¯s ire. If people felt justified enough they would be quick to take action. Quickly making my way around the crowd and out the other side of the village as unobtrusively as I could. Just like Rue said my destination was the orphanage.


    I knew I would get a scolding for wandering off.