Kismet’s Tale

      On the hill years ago, he saw memories of a man who watched a screen with moving images.

How did those memories come to be? Were those memories came with those bright stars that seemed to leave a streak on the evening canvas?

Mavin felt like he was standing in that dark place for a single moment. His mind ripped from his body and he stood in front of the man who sat happily playing the game. Once in a while he would see the man taking calls from what seems to be a thin device.

“I’ll get the paperwork ready, sir. Okay, thank you for the time,” said the man. He would place the device back and return to playing.

Mavin saw that those faces were familiar. It wasn’t long until he realized that he knew the portraits of those who he was playing. Memories flooded inside of him like a raging river unimpeded by the flow.

Mavin shook. There was a cramp in his heart and stomach that made him want to exhale it. He gasped inside this place, he despaired at the thought of these memories coming through.

He was afraid.

Afraid of the dreams that kept him locked inside the man’s memories. Did the stars carry these memories? Or were these fragments of what he saw back then? He had no concept of what this place was. He had not met with the Nullers or the Magi before. The ‘spark’ that was called by the memories was nothing more than the force of those around him. The very energy that gave birth to the world itself.

But yet he was even more afraid.

He was in a box.

His world was merely nothing more than a creation inside a box.

Was he even alive?

Those dreaded thoughts gave him a crisis. He wanted to believe that his existence was real. That there was more to it than just a box. He convinced himself that the concept of what he knew was nothing more than the infinite number of realities. That in one of those realities his life was possible.

That this world was not a lie. That all of the people he knew were not determined by an unchangeable kismet.

He didn’t understand how he could experience so many years in a single moment of time. It came to Mavin that the ‘memories’ had memories of the pains and sufferings of the young man.

He was nothing more than a working man who enjoyed a hobby. He was like the usual man who was fond of one thing. He grew up normally, though there were problems with his childhood, he was a man who strived to do his best.

He was not perfect. He had many flaws and he had sinned a lot. Mavin could feel and recall the memories as if it was him. He truly did wonder if such memories belong to a past life or merely an essence that came to him during the day in that hill. That it was nothing more than the effect of being in the presence of those stars that day.

But there was more to the man’s life.

He was fondly playing in front of that screen without care for the world when something rang. Mavin saw the man pick up that device he pressed in his ears and answered it. The man froze and widened his eyes, jaw shaking.

The carefree man roared suddenly, “What do you mean cousin got hit in an accident!? That  can’t be! That isn’t true! How could this!”

The man shouted while releasing body-shaking sobs. He pressed his left hand on his scalp and released tears as if it was endless.

“How...are Sister’s kids? Are they okay? I see…”

Mavin followed the trail of memories. The man turned the screen off and traveled using a car that was rather strange and streamlined compared to what Mavin saw. It didn’t take long before the man was in the hospital where the cousin was.

He entered a room and saw a short woman whose bruises had swollen her face. Her face was weak, and her limbs were twisted all over because of the accident.

“It was a hit and run accident.”

“She wanted to buy groceries with her husband when an accident hit them,” the man’s benefactor said.

The accident was close to her home. Her daughters saw her mother get hit by the car and her eldest ran and tried to help her mother.

The husband survived. His eyes were dulled. His hands shaking at the sight of his wife.

“Sister,” the man said slowly.

“I need...to feed my youngest...he needs to drink,” her soft-spoken voice was something that the man adored.

Mavin could tell that the man adored her Sister figure dearly. He worshipped her and thought of her greatly as a benefactor. She was dying in front of him. He could nothing but stare emptily, barely holding his tears as he watched the light in her eyes go away.

It was then that Mavin found the man’s eyes dulled. He walked out of the hospital room. Mavin could feel his chest break. And yet there was a fire inside the man’s heart that kept him going.

He didn’t understand it itself. Why he was remembering so many memories in an instant. The scene that followed was the eldest daughter speaking towards a crowd about her love or her mother.

There were many who loved her dearest sister figure. She was a woman who you couldn’t underestimate no matter what and she was loved because of that.

In the funeral the man cried as she was taken to her resting place. He asked himself if she was proud of him. If the foolish child succeeded.

The man’s nightmares didn’t end. Many tragedies followed him as if he was being forced into a corner.

And yet Mavin admired his spirit. Though there was darkness that covered him. He always placed one foot then another.

But even that man’s light slowly started to dim.

With so many problems he had faced. He found himself unable to play that game that Mavin wanted to know more about. The man was busy taking calls and he barely slept. It was then that the man heard the news.

The news broke him. The despair of seeing the people he loved gone broke him. Mavin didn’t understand. The memories were fuzzy but he found it horrifying how a man who was normal and was fond of his normal life became something else.

He carried a pistol and was in front of a man who had been beaten until his legs were crippled.

“You fuck. I found you. You don’t even remember them, do you? The couple you decided to fucking butcher because you can’t work for shit in your life!”

He shot the man in the stomach and pressed his foot on it. “You are old! Why do you have to take the lives of those who have so much more to live! So much more!”

He shot the man again.

He lashed out all of his anger at the man until he heard a click on his pistol. The place he was in was an isolated house near a mountain cliff. He brought out a device from his jacket and stared fondly.

In just a few months this man’s life had taken a drastic turn. It was nothing more than a life who had gone astray.

The man had emptied his pockets to do what he could. He was empty, but at the same time glad that he got rid of the filth that killed his parents.

His parents meant the world to him.

No one knew what happened to the man. He got away with it and spend more years living with such a secret.

Even if they did know he was already a wanted criminal that ran from the law. At best they would be confused why he didn’t ask the authorities for the bounty reward. He didn’t want any of it. He despised the thought of it.

No money could get them back. He understood that well.

Life went on for that man. He got back up, returned to his life, and was back staring at that screen again. Mavin saw that the man’s life had ups and downs. But nonetheless he would stand back up and never give up.

One day the man would die. He would have regrets.

And he had a wish when he was alone in a hospital bed.

He called for mother and father like a senile person.

No one answered. The nurse beside him held his bony hand and waited for him to pass away.

Mavin didn’t understand why he saw this man’s life.

And yet he understood that the man was fond of his family. He was a normal man who was driven to kill and then went on with his life after the deed. He made use of what he had and what he had to accomplish what he needed.

Seeing such memories Mavin felt afraid.

That he wouldn’t be able to take a step forward like this man had. If the ‘memories’ were right then one day they would be gone as well.  The parents that he had looked up to. It was either he stays ignorant or be proactive instead.

Mavin knows that the moment he takes this mask. He would change. That he would inherit the mask that drove this man to do what he had done but even a grander scale.

Mavin knew what his duties were as a Marcher Lord of an Empire. He had the power and the resources to change things, but only through moving pieces to his desired places. He tried to desperately change the things that would happen.

But he was a child and he knew that they were going without a doubt. They had made a difference but in the end they still died in the hands of the demifiends. They fought magnificently compared to the ‘memories’ .

But Mavin was not satisfied with that.

Hate was born as easily before he could try to suppress it.

Like a child who could not accept what had happened.

His mind desired revenge.

Mavin understood that even though he had memories of the man. They were different in so many ways. 

And if there was something that he acquired from seeing the memories of that man. It was his single-minded desire for what he wanted to accomplish. That strangely warm yet dulled heart that cared for his family. The heart that could kill and torture a man when he had reachedh his lowest point.

So he took that mask and wore it.

But Mavin knew that the ‘Mavin’ who ran to that hill wanted to see the stars. And instead he saw a terrible future and a mask that would protect him.

The real Mavin was a child who was afraid of a future to come. Who molded himself to become someone that could find the boons, lay out the plans, and find a way to destroy that nest of evil no matter what it takes.

He had decided that when he saw the future became true. The future where he could not save his parents.

Many obstacles would have to be overcome before he could reach it.

Back to the lighthouse where he saw the atoms split.

Mavin Tomas still stood on top of the lighthouse dully. The light in his eyes had faded. He nodded to himself, walked back to his car and drove to his ancestor’s house.

There was panic among the masses as the bombs went off. He could hear that there were some who thought it was the end.

The reddened sky didn’t fade.

There was an ominous sign that made the garrison of every city calm the people. The garrison announced it as nothing more than a testing of a weapon.

It was not a lie.

The Nation of Holmia and the Empire of Athesia had cooperated to create these weapons of mass destruction. In the memories it would take about twenty-seven years before this world would have them.

He merely made it happen to quickly end the threat.

There were many more problems to happen even after the end. Empress Mildred of Anastasia, who would rule after the death of Rene and Kristine against Imperator Viola Whitefall would face the problem of the demifiends and the demikins who approach from the east.

Mavin simply acted before any of that could happen.

Perhaps it would change the world again.

And perhaps the world who had noticed the overwhelming power of the weapons that the Athesian and the Holmians have would reconsider before pursuing their self-interest. Mavin understood that there would be nations who would seek out the blueprints of such weapons. And at the same time they would have to face the reality that they could not face the Empire without fear of said weapon.

The same weapon that the Nullers feared.

The bomb that would split the atoms.

The bomb that brought the ‘green wind’ in the form of radiation to the world.

Many problems would come for the Empire. But this was the piece that Mavin wanted to introduce to this world.

He did this for self-interest. He wanted the bomb to destroy the nest and at the same time prevent the tripartite alliances from making a move. They would know and the Empire would make sure to tell them that they can crush them.

After the successful test of the bombs. Mavin was sure that the Empire and Holmians would move on to creating a gadget similar to a streaking star. A ballistic projectile that could carry enough explosives to wipe out an entire city without them knowing.

Mavin understood that this was all because he funded the research and development of the Empire and the Holmians through the resources he had on the South of Lazon. The resources there were untapped, and it wouldn’t take long before the Empire used the islands found east of the mouth of pustalo and the nest itself to harvest resources to fund their weaponry.

A sky filled with flying machines, troops that towers over normal man, and projectiles that could spell doom for any city.

Mavin allowed it.

He followed the steps that the Imperator would take, but with an even greater drive than the Imperator who moved with so much calculations, allowing the ‘heroes’ to prevent his weapons.

But the ‘heroes’ were still clueless young adults who could barely resolve their issues. He made sure that they would care about themselves first. When they are distracted by war and their own personal problems, he would make sure to move and do what he must to reach this point.

There were things that Mavin did not predict. Things that he had no control over and was unable to predict.

Mavin arrived in front of the ancestral house.

Old Fred waited with his hands on his back. His palm smashing Mavin so hard that Mavin felt his ears ring at the impact.

“Congratulations, young master.”

Mavin spat blood. Old Fred had a heavy hand. He felt his gums bleed. “Thank you, Old Fred.”

Mavin took a single step.

“Did Robert at least fight?”

“It would have taken hours for him to reach the insides of the nest. We rigged them to make sure that no accident would come. I gave them the freedom to die. I asked them to go there. I asked them to stray from the path more than once. They chose this.”

“Are you happy?”

Mavin didn’t answer. He left Old Fred in front of the gate and entered the house. He didn’t spot Natalya in the kitchen or in the living room so he climbed the stairs, entered his bedroom and stared at the glass panels.

‘That’s done,’ he thought. ‘The nest should have been destroyed. The huntsmen of the Emperor would have to worry about the cleanup next. The Emperor would probably use the island as a testing field.  They can enter using the Vulcans and protect themselves from the radiation, but there is no guarantee that they would not suffer if they do.’

‘What’s next?’ Mavin blinked. He leaned his elbows on his lap and wondered what’s next. ‘Rene, Kristine, they are adults, and have better minds compared to the memories. They’ll fare better, and even if I get close to the Crown Prince now, he’ll be busy attending to the nobles who would be questioning what the Empire had done. They’ll be shivering now that they know that the Emperor has weapons like this. They might be able to deal with their own problems, right?’

Mavin said, pulling the handgun that he holstered in his belt.  He pressed the handgun on his forehead and closed his eyes.

It was heavy.

So heavy for some reason.

The mask that he wore was dropped and shattered.

He heard a gasp and pointed his eyes on a single point. He saw a woman drinking to herself looking at him with widened eyes. He could see her pupils tremble, reflecting the image of a man who was  pointing a gun on his head.

“What are you doing!?”

The dull look on her face was replaced with panic. She tackled him, took the gun away, and pressed his wrists on the floor.

“Are you an idiot!?”

“I…”

“You...what did you do!? Ah, that explosion...did you? Is that it?”

“No...I...just.”

Mavin smiled without any expression. “I did...hey…,” he reached out to her face. “Do you know? I just paved the way for the world to destroy itself…The world will thank you if you destroy the person who had helped in creating such a terrible weapon.”

“So you want to destroy yourself for that?”

“Yes...perhaps?”

She wrapped her hands on his cheeks, “Mavin Tomas, you know what I can do. Because of that you destroyed my Imperator’s Crest and crippled the the spark itself.”

“I know.”

“The Nullers...the Magi...you gave them more reason to kill you. For crippling the spark, and the appearance of the ‘green wind’ that the Nullers hate.”

“They can try, but I don’t think they’d know me. They’d be more interested in destroying these weapons and their creators.”

“Why did you do that?”

“...”

Mavin didn’t know how to answer.

He saw the man doing it in those memories. It calmed him, the face of death on his forehead.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know why you’re trying to kill yourself?”

“Maybe.”

“You can’t die.”

“Why?”

“You’re mine now. How can I make you miserable if you die?”

“More reason to die then.”

“I won’t let you.”

“I see…”

Mavin felt helpless.

She stared at him for a long time. Her eyes tracing down his neck and into his chest. “We never really consummated our union, didn’t we?”

“Your silver hand is hurting me.”

“Well, you want to die anyway? So why care?”

Mavin didn’t put strength in his hands. He was sure that he could push her away. But he found no reason to do that. He felt tired. As if that long goal that he was after had been reached. There was no catharsis he could feel, only extreme burden and responsibility for what he had done.

He was used up. He had exhausted his heart and found out that he could not take a step. Ending it here now would bring him peace.

He was sure of it.

But he was hesitating.

Even if Natalya wasn’t drinking in his bedroom. He would have no courage to pull the trigger.

Because he saw Kohl.

How happy that man was to be back to his beloved Maria.

Mavin really did care about what had happened to him. Even the man in his ‘memories’ wanted a happy ending for the two.

He wanted it.

There was a happiness that Mavin wanted to grasp when looking at them.

He was envious of that happiness and at the same time treated their happiness as if something he could remember.

Their reunion was among the many things that Mavin was happy to see. Even the man in his memories would sometimes wonder what would have happened when he would play the game to reminisce on old memories.

“What are you thinking?”

“I...saved a person in the war,” Mavin began. He wondered if he should tell this to Natalya. “He was a person who wasn’t suited for war. Among the people I know he was one who felt real. A person that I could not think like he was someone who I could use. Hey, do you know? I am a person who treats people like they are lists. I know how they would react and I speak to them while consulting that list. That person was not like that. I confirmed it myself and I only know a few who don't act like they should.”

She leaned her hands on his chest, listening to what he had to say.

“I have people that I treat as friends...but there are days where I want to forget.”

To forget what they find lovely.

Their hopes and dreams.

He felt awful knowing what was inside their heart and soul. What they cherish and how they would react when faced with something that threatens what is inside their heart. Using those he could pull and influence them in the direction he wanted.

“Why do you want to forget?”

“Again...I don’t know.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Why would you? I am speaking what’s coming out of my head,” Mavin locked his eyes on her.

“I really want you gone, you know?”

She looked at him dully.

“Do you hate me?”

“No, in fact, it would have been better if I only knew you as just the beautiful lady I saw in Flost City. You looked amazing in that dress. But knowing what you are and that crest of yours…Perhaps because you are one of the few that I can’t pull to my direction. It's s because of that crest of yours that I want you gone and I did it.”

She stared coldly at him. “You are an empty man. It’s like the fire that has kept you going had run out. Do you think that I am brainless? If I kill you now, do you think Old Fred would let me off? Do you think the Emperor will? They’ll use it as an excuse to threaten my family, and now that you have such a weapon...do you think that I would do that? I told you already, Mavin. That when you are finally worn down, when you strength fails and when you would break. I'd be around, husband.”

Mavin had trapped her. He had destroyed her crest and prevented her from the Imperator’s path. And she wouldn't have allow him to be free from the consequences of his actions.

“Don’t think that you can run away so easily after what you have done. I can see that you really did plan this. I heard from Old Fred, how you were so eager to destroy the demifiends. How you spend so much time achieving this. Did you even think what would happen after you did this?”

“I did.”

“Then why are you pointing a gun on your head?”

Mavin remained silent. She clawed his neck with that silver hand of hers. “Don’t think that you can just die so easily. Leave me to become a widow while I’m stuck between a rock.”

Her voice was spiteful. 

“I don’t care what you are feeling right now,” she pressed her forehead on his. “I’m not letting myself suffer through this alone. Don’t forget that you are mine, and you made me yours. I will not be a widow while I am stuck in a pit of mud that you placed me into. It’s not fair. So until then...don’t even think about it.”

Mavin opened his mouth, but it was sealed by hers. He could barely move as she started to move, and did as she pleased.

She was a snake coiling around him.

“Please don’t die,” she whispered as she pulled back for a moment. “Don’t you dare die in front of me again.”

Mavin could barely breathe as she kept her silver hand around his neck.

He could only let the snake bite him and coil herself around his neck.

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