Lost in Chaos (LMK fanfic)

Chapter 1- After the sacrifice.

Destiny is a predetermined path—a road laid out by those who came before, carved from countless, seemingly insignificant choices. It can be steep and treacherous, but it is meant to be walked. Those who stray from this path often face the harshest trials, inviting chaos into their lives. Chaos disrupts, but it also reshapes. The Cycle was meant to ensure that chaos would not derail destiny entirely, but rather keep it in balance.

The creatures of the chaos beyond, however, are not inherently malicious. They act according to their nature, unaware of the pain their actions bring. I tried to ease their burdens, to guide them, but chaos seeps into even the most carefully laid plans. To contain it, I created the Harbinger of Chaos. His destiny was clear: to sacrifice himself, mend the pillar, and begin a new cycle. I foresaw the end, but I also glimpsed a new beginning.

For centuries, the Cycle repeated. Over and over, my people chose the paths that led to their destinies. The creatures of chaos, though their steps varied, always reached the same inevitable conclusion. I tried to show mercy, to shield my people from the pain of chaos. But was I wrong? Did my Cycle bring more suffering than salvation? Could my people ever withstand the chaos to come? And would the Harbinger make the right choice?

The answers came when the Cycle shattered.

One creature from the chaos woke my Harbinger prematurely. From that moment, he began to learn and grow. Cracks formed in the pillar, and though my guardians worked to mend them, the Harbinger found an unexpected mentor—another being from the chaos. Together, they forged a new destiny, and the cracks deepened. A third creature, still unaware of its own ties to chaos, began to carve its own path. These beings endured pain and suffering I had never intended for them.

All I could do was watch.

The Harbinger came to understand his destiny far earlier than planned. When the time came, he faced his choice: to continue the Cycle or end it. Either way, this Cycle had already unraveled. I knew there was no saving it.

I longed for a way to protect my people from chaos, but I knew the truth. Their survival was never guaranteed. I had done what I thought best, shaping their destinies to spare them from uncertainty. Yet when my Harbinger defied his fate and embraced the end, I was stunned. He chose to break the Cycle, to bring about the end of my people and the world as it was.

This was my destiny—a pain I had always known I couldn't escape. Losing my people was inevitable, and I felt the chaos they had endured echoing in my heart. But in that pain, I found something unexpected: love. A love deeper than I had ever known.

Chaos is harsh and cruel, but it also binds people together in ways destiny never could. In the light of others, the unknown becomes bearable. The reward of forging one's own path, no matter how uncertain, far surpasses the comfort of a path already chosen. The unknown breathes life into a stagnant existence.

Chaos is terrifying, unpredictable—but it is worth it for even a fleeting moment of true happiness. For this, I am grateful to my Harbinger, my child, for showing me the truth. I pray for his safety and for those who helped him find his path. Though chaos is not finished with this world, I have faith in him. He has the strength to overcome it.
Be safe, my child. Know that my love goes with you into the unknown.

—

As the night stretched on, the tension from earlier slowly unraveled, giving way to a newfound sense of ease. The sky above Flower Fruit Mountain was alive with fireworks, brilliant bursts of color painting the darkness in dazzling patterns. MK sat on the ground, leaning back on his hands as he stared up at the display. His wide-eyed gaze reflected the shimmering lights, a rare look of peace after the chaos he had endured.

Beside him, Mei practically vibrated with energy, her laughter as bright as the explosions above. She nudged MK with her elbow, her grin infectious. "Hey, you better not fall asleep on me, noodle boy! You don't get to zone out during fireworks!"