Unknotting Fate

CHAPTER 14: Ko's Personal Hell

Ko felt like his usual self again as he woke at 5 am sharp the next morning, but instead of his regular slayer routine, he started his day in Kana's library, trying to figure out his next move.

Kana was on the other side of the long table, asleep. He was not a morning person. He did not even change his clothes and dragged his feet, following Ko to the library. He went to sleep as soon as he sat down.

Sol and Amu brought Ko a breakfast tray. He refused, arguing that he had his own food. But Sol and Amu completely ignored him and left the spread of food on the table. Ko took a peek at it and saw a massive spread of white rice, stir-fried glazed pork, scrambled eggs, and dalandan juice. It looked very appetizing, but this was not a healthy meal. This was too much saturated fat. Ko opened his backpack and ate a packed breakfast of dried fruits, chilled soy, and coconut water. This was not a perfectly balanced breakfast either, but much better than the spread before him. He truly felt like his old self again.

After an hour, Ko decided to try the spell, but this time to summon a less powerful God. The things one can accomplish if they are not aroused 24/7.

Ko said, "HOY, WAKE UP!"

Kana did not move at all.

"I had an idea. I need to try your spell again," Nothing, Kana was dead asleep.

Ko rolled his eyes, walked closer to Kana, and started poking his arm. Ko was shocked by how solid and muscular Kana's arm was. Looking at the beast in front of him, it only occurred to Ko how fit Kana's body was: broad shoulders and small hips; high cheekbones and a long slender neck; muscular biceps and a firm chest—Ko blushed.

He then realized what he was feeling and slapped both of his cheeks.

Get it together. This is just the red string's doing. Stupid fate!

Ko took a deep breath, grabbed Kana's shoulders, and pulled him upright.

"WAKE UP!"

But Kana was still sound asleep.

"You're doing this on purpose, are you? I swear if you don't wake up. I'll dump all this food on you."

Kana's eyes fluttered open. He slowly stretched, yawned, and said, "That was a glorious sleep. Oh... Ko, did you say something?" Kana smiled mischievously.

He must be getting used to Ko's presence, considering all his shyness and timidness have gone.

He adjusts really fast. I've only been here for a day. Well, he better not get too comfy. I swear, I'll be leaving real soon.

Ko ignored his teasing, "Get up; I have an idea. Let's go to the garden."

Ko did not even wait for Kana's reply. He stormed out of the library, leaving Kana chasing after him.

****

The heat was unbearable. Sol assisted Kana with an umbrella while Amu did the same for Ko.

"I said I don't need an umbrella. Can you just leave me alone?"

Amu protested, "My... my, you're very ungrateful, aren't you. If the master did not favor you..."

"You'd what?" 

Ko stopped drawing the array on the hot pavement; he stood up and stared down at Amu's face.

"Stop it, both of you," Kana said. Amu immediately gave up and apologized.

Ko continued drawing the array. Once again, he refused Kana's help.

"I don't think this will work too. No Gods would be happy being summoned by a mere human. And you expect them to carry out a favor."

"Shut up; you just don't want this to work."

"Well, that's true, but I'm also not lying."

Once the array was completed, Ko and Kana took their positions. Ko kept telling Sol to stop assisting him with an umbrella, but he completely ignored him. Much to Ko's annoyance, he only left Ko alone when Kana ordered him.

The array lit a blinding glow. The howling wind spooked the entire garden. Watching Ko's desperation to break their fates, Kana's heart broke. Then the light and wind disappeared. Ko opened his eyes and saw a floating green blob in the middle of the array.

It spoke, "You dare summon me, human!"

Ko knelt on one knee. "I'm very sorry for summoning you. But please, I'm very desperate. Ple...

"How dare you talk to me, you insect!"

This God is so dramatic.

Suddenly, the bright sunny clouds turned dark.

Fuck! Why does disaster love me?

The floating green blob was about to attack Ko.

Kana teleported in front of Ko and said, "Please, calm down, Lord Tuko. We mean no disrespect." The blob stopped on his track.

Unsettling silence.

"I will let you go with a warning only because I don't want to fight 7219, but heed my warning. If you summon me again, I will not play nice."

As Lord Tuko disappeared, a strong gush of wind smacked Ko. He flew across to the other side of the wide garden and was about to crash into a stone column. Before he could use his telekinesis, Kana caught him.

BANG!

Kana crashed onto the stone column instead. A crack trail formed from top to bottom, but Kana looked unscathed.

 "Are you okay? I mean, fucking leave me alone. I could have handled that myself." Ko said.

"Sorry, my body just acted on its own. I told you that it would not work."

Ko felt dizzy.

Does this mean there is no hope? Am I trapped here forever?!