Shattered Destiny : Fate

As a second-class noble, Ajax often felt trapped in a world where he belonged yet never truly fit in. He couldn't befriend commoners or third-class nobles without risking his family's reputation, and first-class nobles were too arrogant to approach. Royals, meanwhile, were an entirely different breed—distant, untouchable, and uninterested in those beneath them.

Without his sister, Arrow, to keep him company or his father to entertain him with his childish jokes and sparring matches, life at the mansion felt unbearably dull. His mother, Athena, did her best to keep him engaged, but her love alone couldn't fill the void.

His days were structured—training, studies, etiquette lessons—but nothing could shake the lingering emptiness inside him.

One day, fed up with his isolation, Ajax decided to escape. His mother kept a close watch on him, with maids and guards shadowing his every step, but that didn't stop him. With Lucius's help, he planned his escape meticulously, slipping past the mansion's staff with surprising ease for someone his age.

For once, he wanted to experience the world—not from behind a carriage window, but up close, on his own terms.

The city was alive in a way the mansion never was. The air buzzed with voices, merchants called out their wares, and children darted through the streets with laughter ringing in the air. Ajax wandered, marveling at the energy, feeling free for the first time.

Then, as he turned into a quiet alley, he saw them—a group of well-dressed noble children surrounding a girl about his age.

She stood rigid, her small hands clenched into fists. One of the boys sneered as he shoved her backward.

Before he could think, Ajax moved.

His presence alone was enough. One sharp glare, a firm voice, and the bullies scattered, not willing to test the son of Alex and Athena.

Once they were gone, Ajax turned to the girl and offered his hand.

"What's your name?" he asked.

She hesitated before mumbling, "Emy." Her gaze flickered downward. "But… I'm just a commoner."

Lucius's voice echoed in his mind. She's lying. Something's off about her.

Ajax felt the weight of Lucius's warning but didn't press. She must have her reasons. Instead, he smiled.

"I'm Ajax," he said, "son of Alex and Athena."

At his name, Emy's eyes widened. She stepped back.

"You're a noble?" she whispered. "You shouldn't be talking to me."

"I don't care about that," Ajax said firmly. "I just want to be your friend."

She hesitated but eventually nodded.

That afternoon, they walked through the streets together, talking and laughing. Ajax hadn't felt this comfortable with anyone in a long time. By the time the sun set, they had agreed to meet at the same spot the next evening.

Days turned into weeks. Ajax and Emy met regularly, their friendship growing in secret.

He never asked about her past, though Lucius remained wary.

"She's hiding something," Lucius often reminded him.

Ajax didn't care. He valued her company more than her secrets.

They spent their time playing, sneaking food from their homes for each other, and causing harmless mischief in the neighborhood before running when spotted.

Then one day, Ajax had an idea.

"Let's go on an adventure," he said eagerly.

Emy raised an eyebrow. "An adventure?"

Ajax grinned and held up a worn parchment. "I bought this from a street vendor. It's a map that leads to a magical amulet hidden in Whisper Forest."

Her expression faltered. "Whisper Forest?"

It was a mystical woodland—known for its glowing mushrooms, shimmering streams, and trees that whispered people's deepest fears.

Emy hesitated, but Ajax's enthusiasm was contagious.

"We'll be fine," he promised. "Come on, where's your sense of adventure?"

Eventually, she sighed, shaking her head with a small smile. "Alright. But if we get eaten by a monster, I'm haunting you."

He laughed. "Deal."

The forest was beautiful yet eerie, the faint glow of bioluminescent plants casting strange shadows. Ajax, ever the troublemaker, kept trying to startle Emy, laughing each time she jumped.

Then, the whispers began.

They started softly—like a breeze carrying distant voices. But soon, the words sharpened.

"You will never be great."

Ajax flinched. The voice sounded like… his own.

"No one will accept you."

Emy froze. Her hands trembled.

The whispers wrapped around them, feeding on their doubts.

Realizing the fun had turned into something else, Ajax stopped. He grabbed Emy's hand.

"We're almost there," he said, forcing a confident grin. "Come on."

She hesitated, then nodded.

Pushing forward, they finally reached a small, hidden chest nestled between the roots of an ancient tree. Ajax yanked it open—inside lay two silver amulets.

One for each of them.

The moment they slipped them on, the world around them changed.

Every animal in the forest began to speak.

But instead of gentle words, the voices hissed—low, venomous.

"Kill them."

"Kill them."

Emy gasped. Ajax's heart pounded. The voices weren't whispers anymore—they were commands.

Then, the rustling began.

"Run," Ajax ordered.

Emy turned to flee but tripped. As she fell, Ajax caught her, hoisting her onto his back before sprinting toward the exit. The whispers grew deafening, surrounding them, clawing at their minds.

And then—silence.

The moment they crossed the forest's edge, the voices vanished as if they had never been there.

Ajax collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air. Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.

"That was terrifying!" he wheezed.

For a moment, Emy just stared at him. Then, to his surprise, she laughed too.

Despite the fear, it had been an unforgettable adventure.

They removed the amulets, and Ajax—now wiser—returned them to the vendor, swearing to never trust street maps again.