- Four Fated -

Tranquility

What is it worth to be in Karma's realm?

Some are willing to give up everything.

I call bullshit.

Why give your life to a woman you dont even know exists?

Why give your life to see memories instead of making them?

Why?

Why?

Asher, why?

I can hear Lunar calling to me.

I broke my promise. I didnt want to.

I thought it would be painless after I died.

The flower is in my nervous system. In my body.

Perhaps a gun might've been easier?

No. I made the necessary sacrifices.

I turn to Lunar. He's across the river. I could mildly scent flowers. Is he bound to Karma for eternity? Surely I'd go to hell. Is this river worth crossing?

"Get up."

"What?" I twitch. I was on the ground, unable to tell where the voice was coming from.

"I said get up."

I shakily get up. I don't know who this is, but they might be important.

"Cmon kiddo, lets get you to your cat."

I look up at who was speaking to me. Despite never meeting her, I somehow knew. Octavia, Goddess of Time. Savior of the Prince. I look at her, then Lunar, then her. I don't know how to swim and i dont think Octavia's wings can carry my body weight. Either way, she picks me up as if I'm a baby. That's dumb to say. To her, I am a baby. Shes a thousand years old. Oh. I didn't think about the idea that gods can walk on water. Demetrius did it one time. It was kinda shocking. Lunar fainted. Hah. My memory is fuzzy, but at least I can remember that.

She carried me across the river, which, was way longer than it seemed, and dropped me next to Lunar before walking back. My first instinct was to hug Lunar. I always pretended to not like him, but that's because he can be annoying sometimes. But then I realize I'm just as bad as those who hated Demon Asher a longgg time ago. (Demon Asher was annoying, though.) Lunar is well just a pureform thats 5he embodiment of my will to live. So I just hug him. I don't cry. I can't cry. I'm already weak enough for breaking my promise. I don't need to remember anything worse that I've done to Lunar. I just need to remember those final days. He knew I was considering it. Sad that nobody else did.

We were sitting there for 5 minutes at least. At somepoint Lunar went back to his normal form. I always liked the three tails. But I guess the beast form was a bit bloodthirsty; so perhaps not a good idea.

"Lets go. I dont want to do this because Karma might take me from you, but we'll get in trouble if we stay for too long," Lunar meowed. I nodded. I hate Karma. She's not a good person. Sure, she's improved, but her design has many, many flaws..

We staggered through the foggy forest. I tripped a few times. I was still weak. The poison.. I didn't expect it to do this to me. Maybe I had taken too much. Maybe it was my fault. Whatever. That didn't matter.

We finally reached the flower field. There was a building in the middle. It reminded me of the Greek Acropolis. I gaze down on the flowers. Reflected in the middles were my memories.

I gazed around. There was one. Just one, that I wanted to find. Lunar's words were drowned out. I somehow knew exactly where it was. Maybe that was just a gift of ending up in Karma's realm. Either way, I was glad I wouldn't have to search all day.

Lunar was still close behind me. He was a part of me, he should know what memory I wanted to find. As I approach the flower, I drop into a crouch, before just sitting in front of the flower. It was a good memory. I could smell donuts from it. I had to be 5 or 6 at the time.

Back then, I was in soccer. It wasnt too big. We had a game every Sunday or something like that. And every game, my grandfather and grandmother would bring donuts. Those were the good days. Looking at myself now, they'd be so disappointed. They didnt give me the world for me to turn out like this, did they? It's my fault I'm depressed.

I take the flower and put in my pocket. I probably wasnt allowed to do that, but it's Karma's realm, so I'm gonna do what I want.

"Asher? Are you okay? You've been staring at that flower for like, 5 minutes." Lunar commented. I twitch. "Im fine. Lets just get to the Acropolis lookin' place." So then we just start walking. It was a lot farther than it seemed. There were a lot of hurtful memories on the way.. I didnt like it. A lot of them, Lunar hadnt been there for.

"Asher, cmere." I turn. Lunar was gazing into a flower. I saw a pink box. I knew what was going on in that memory. I just grabbed Lunar and started running towards the building. I didnt have the time nor the energy to explain that to him. He'd probably seen most of it by now though.

We finally made it to the building. I put Lunar down. He was surprisingly light in this realm. Before he could say anything about the memory, I dashed into the building. It was elegant. I nearly tripped a few times.

I didnt really recognize anyone besides Mantis and Maxwell. Mantis was a forest spirit from Sanctuary and Maxwell was Orchidamia's little brother. I walked up to Mantis. I hadnt really met Maxwell. I just created him. Luckily I didnt spot Karma.

"Mantis! Heh heh.. Hi."

"...Asher? Wh- how-? How did you die? And how did you end up in Karma's realm? I honestly thought you would've ended up in Octavia's-"

"Err. Long story short, drank some poison. Also, I dont know. Octavia helped me across the river, though."

"Oh. Did you get a lot of poison? Im sure Karma will have some sort of elixir to help if your still in pain," Mantis suggested. I like Mantis. Shes really nice. But I hate Karma.

I shake my head. "Im fine.." Mantis gazed at me silently for a moment. "If you say so."

I needed to visit Karma at somepoint. Might as well get it out of the way. "Hey, do you know where Karma is?" Mantis nodded and pointed to a door atop the crystal staircases. It was just a big flex.

"She might be busy. Just.. be careful," Mantis advised. She seemed a bit shaky. Maybe something had happened between her and Karma. Whatever, its not my business. Lunar was still quietly following me as I went up the steps to the door. I had to admit, I was scared. Yes, I created Aysteria, and I could easily overpower Karma, but I no longer have access to the pages that allowed me to bend my abilities. I knocked on the door. Karma opened it pretty quickly.

"Er. Hi."

She gazed at me silently before smiling and replying. "Oh. Its you. Come in, please!" She allows me in and I enter. Her private room was.. decent. Not my style though. "I assume you've come here for a blessing? I wont hesitate to give one to you, child. I know who you are."

My wings must've been twitching or something. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Sorry. Im just nervous. Im powerless and your one of the high ranked gods," I just spat it out suddenly. I felt stupid. Karma had to be the worst person to vent to. She just blinked at me for a moment before saying," Oh. Dont worry. I would never harm you, child. Come here. I have a gift for you." I took a step forward. She placed something in my hand. She took a flower from a plant and tucked it in my hoodie collar. "With this flower, I give you hope, child. Use it to find the light for others."

I gazed up at her, nodding.

"Now go. Find a way into Satuna's realm. Do what you must."

And then I woke up, at the same place where I started. Standing in front of a river, and on the other side was Satuna's forest.