Tales of Astora: Legacy

Chapter 112: Rebound

Chapter 112: Rebound

"But why? Why would Origin try to hide the child's existence?" uttered Rouge.

"Why you ask? Origin dictated the path of the universe as well as the action, emotions, the thoughts of each and every one of us...Asking why is a bit ridiculous at this point, considering how much the book has been changed." Cronos spoke.

"...Why do I feel like there is something you two didn't tell me?" The woman in red spoke.

".....Well you never ask so...." Smiled Cronos before a parasol hit at his location. But like a mirage, his body phased a few steps back, avoiding the strike. "Hold your horses, Madame Rouge! It's not good for a lady to be that violent."

"What are you not telling me?" Rouge pointed her parasol to the young man. Suddenly, she could feel a shiver on her spines as a malicious aura point targeted at her. The owner was not happy to see a fight in his home. In addition, the eerie expressionless ivory mask only added more to the already terrifying figure of the man. Aware of her own league compared to his, Rouge decided to take a step back and withdraw her weapon, much to the relief of the aura. "My apologies, Master!"

"Emotions are fascinating. It transforms a paper character into a real one, someone we can love, hate, envy, pity, sympathizes...We ourselves are no different than them in this aspect. However, it is also a weakness and needs to be controlled in order to move on. Sometimes, they can be the driving factor you need but can also be the hindering obstacle. There is a place and time for everything.

What I am trying to say is: don't fight in my bar!" the bartender said in a grave voice.

"Yes, Master!" Cronos and Rouge said.

"Good! Then we can move on to the next topic then. There is no use in questioning Origin's motive as long as....!!!!!"

"WHAT?" The couple uttered in shock upon turning their head back to the book shelf near the counter.

A burst of flame has sparked out from a specific item which was held in utmost care from the owner.

"THE BOOK!!!!" Rouge reached out to the burning tome but was stopped by Cronos.

"No! You can't!"

Within seconds, the once mysterious book has been turned to white ashes. Nothing of its traces was left, much to the bewilderment of the people in the bar.

"No no no! Why....?" Rouge fell on her knees in despair. Her love for books was profound and this could be devastating to her to say the least, especially for this special kind of book that was so rare she never thought she could get her hands on one. And now, one of them has just been destroyed.

Scratching his chin as he watched the piles of ashes, Cronos turned to the silent bartender who did not show much emotion compared to Rouge. Or rather he could not see it at all because of the mask. "Master...do you think it's because of the anomalies?"

"Highly possible! In addition to that, our actions have completely changed the tides of the war....well at least that was our intention but we never know what will actually happen from now on." The bartender spoke. "I kind of expect this but still...such a pity that it's gone!"

"What are you talking about?" Rouge raised her voice.

"Madame Rouge, the book has been written and finished. However, by changing the events taking place in it, the contents change as well. As they said, even if we try to alter the course of nature, fate will always find a way to go back to the path it was intended, as it was dictated by Origin. However, in some rare cases, there are simply too many modifications, pushing fate to go beyond the point of return.