Fallen Fate Online

Chapter 203 Will Or Talent

?

The currents of wind swirled around Elein, giving her a power no one else around her possessed. The only one who could stop her now was Zayne, however, she was already seriously close to victory in just one move.

She still had plenty of energy and her wounds were insignificant compared to Zayne's ones. She could have made another such dash to finally leave her opponent no chance of victory, but she did not.

'You're wary.' The voice in Elein's head went quietly, 'That's right. Even I don't understand what's going on with this young man, he's dangerous and strange. Wait for the right moment.'

Most people in Elein's place would not have waited since, in fact, there was nothing stopping her from stabbing Zayne with her katana again.

He lost some of his strength and was seriously wounded, and his appearance returned to normal. As if accepting defeat, he knelt and stared into the starry night sky.

But, Elein was disciplined, it was how she was always able to win, not giving in to her emotions and acting as was right.

She felt that Zayne was not to be approached, just not now, so she was not going to do that and instead, she was building up energy.

"The wind..." Elein muttered with a serious expression, "It's coming toward me from all directions. All I have to do is use that power and finish it all off in the next attack."

Reporters as well as thousands of onlookers waited for Zayne's actions. At this time there were various discussions online and many people were predicting what would happen next, although many were already confident of Elein's victory.

'Hah, just as I thought Zayne Fellen was just lucky enough to stumble upon some unique quests!' someone left a comment.

'Agreed. They say he went through the whole time with NPCs, that's just not fair! Surely they always did all the work and that bastard just got all the rewards!

'I said that many times, but nobody wanted to listen to me! Idiots! Now you realize that he's just an ordinary Player, while Elein, a real warrior! She used to be strong, but now... now everything has changed!'

People had a real thrill for Elein, they had no idea how much she was going through at that moment. Any mistake against an opponent like Zayne could have been her last.

She couldn't forget the moment when Zayne's claws almost reached her neck, if not for the strength that had suddenly awakened in her, her head would already be lying in front of the hospital entrance, right on the road.

"Gael..." Zayne whispered, in a deep voice, "Yeah. You're flawless, aren't you?"

In Zayne's mind came all the memories associated with Gael. There were few, for in fact, they had never met in person.

Zayne seriously doubted that there was a real Gael in the cemetery near Landow Village, but the second time was in Selania's memories.

It was then that Zayne saw Gael fight, it was only a few movements, but it was enough for Zayne to feel the depth of them.

"Mastery, ease, and power... Unwavering and cold, that's it." Zayne muttered as he turned his head slightly to look at the bright blue moon that illuminated the whole city that night.

His eyes filled with light as the sign of the split moon appeared on his neck, just like the one Selania or Karin had. The sign vanished in a flash, but it was done, its role was done.

...

Somewhere far away, in a place covered in darkness and light at the same time from the bright blue crystals inside which seemed to be all the energy of the world.

A man in a long black coat, with a hat and a closed umbrella sat at the edge of a slope, enjoying the scenery.

In front of him, there was a majestic river, wide enough for an entire city to plunge into it and remain there forever, becoming one with the bottom.

The rushing stream of water, reflected the stars as well as the massive moon, which was a sign of one of the most powerful organizations in the world.

"It's actually beautiful. No matter how many times I look at it, every time I get an indescribable pleasure... deep and beyond my emotions." The man muttered, while his blond hair was blown by cold currents of wind.

Step. Step. Step.

The footsteps sounded light and as natural as water droplets crashing against the stone surface, covered with small depressions filled with rainwater.

Silhouette decided to remain in the shadows, casting a glance at the man.

"Why did you decide to invite that guy?" Karin asked, staring intently at Gael's back.

Gael didn't turn around as much as he answered, at least not right away, he used his time.

"Did I do that?" Gael spoke in a low tone, "I only gave him the opportunity to get rid of the inner demons that were slowly eating away at him. He did the rest."

Karin snorted, "Are you kidding me? The guy's a fucking monster. Travellers are no different from us even though they're from another world, so he's unusual for both worlds."

Gael sighed, "It only became clear after the gears started moving. Without energy, his gaze would have continued to grow darker, and his demons wouldn't have left even a piece of him. They would have eaten it all, all the way through."

Karin's face darkened. Even for her, who had known Gael for a long time, hearing something like that was quite difficult. Gael was not one to just talk, his words had weight.

"Anyway, you're hiding something. He was an ordinary guy, but it was because of you that he went to those ruins. He beat Selania and Enar. Damn, he made me get serious when we fought. His power is frightening." Karin said seriously as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Gael shrugged, "Against Enar he faced because of acts of fate, or chaos...? Well, they're similar either way. If Zayne became one of us, then that's what he needed to get rid of his fears."

"Pffffff, you're getting into philosophy as usual and trying to make sense of everything. In fact, what happened was, you gave him some of the power that started his journey." Karin waved her hand.

She continued, "Then, his talent awakened and he tore down every obstacle in his path until he became one of us. The problem is that he doesn't know anything yet, and if he becomes like Selania, we'll be in big trouble."

Gael smiled bitterly, "Karin, you are smart but also stupid. Tell me, are those two alike? Selania was arrogant, believing she was always right when she served Fate and when they became members of the Shattered Moon Order. Zayne is different."

Karin raised an eyebrow, giving him a questioning look.

"I don't hear confidence in your voice."

"Well, because it isn't. Zayne is different, but he's human, too. Only time will let us know if he has dealt with his fears and if he can choose the right path."

Gael was about to say something else when suddenly something changed in his eyes. For a moment they grew deeper, and his aura became unstable as the tiny crystals around him began to shake.

Karin felt it as she frowned. She wasn't expecting anything good from this.

Gael shook his head, "I just got an answer."

"Agh...?" Karin was puzzled.

"You said Zayne is talented, yeah, I agree, his talent is a natural one that has come through pain and suffering that made it unique, but is he the only person with that kind of fate?" Gael turned to Karin and glanced at her with his calm blue eyes.

Karin gulped, she didn't understand what Gael expected of her, what he wanted to hear.

"However, besides talent, he has something more important. Will. The will that awakened when our worlds came together." Gael exhaled cold air, "It is what allowed him to defeat Enar, Selania, and the other enemies in his path."

Gael lowered his gaze, guiding it toward the majestic river, hard to want to dive into it even though he was very far away.

"The will allowed him to go through his fears, face his demons, and choose what to do. Just now he did the last part." Gael took off his hat.

Karin's eyes went wide, "What... He's fighting right now?"

Gael nodded, "Yeah, but not here, in his world. He's no longer constrained by his fears, and the demons are no longer a frightening force that helps him in battle, but the fulfillment of his will."

Gael smiled slightly, "Every great warrior has gone through this. After all, even in our world, not everyone knows that within each person, there is a unique power that one must learn to unleash and control."

Karin nodded deeply. She understood what Gael was talking about, for she too had been through it. However, she didn't expect someone as young and inexperienced as Zayne to be able to touch it.

...

Whoooooooooooooooosh.

Powerful currents of wind swirled around Elein, while her gaze darted away from Zayne.

He was standing firmly on his feet, with palms down and eyes as bright as cold stars. Then all of Elein's instincts screamed at her to run.

Zayne took a deep breath before stepping forward.

A chill ran down Elein's back as she decided the moment was right and made a mighty dash forward, even faster than the last time.