Aethernea : Soulbound [Book 1]

Episode 78 - Fate needs two pairs of hands to hold

He thought that he could learn from this experience so that nothing similar would ever happen again, only to realize that he couldn't find a fault in his previous behavior. Should he stop shaking people's hands just because one person poisoned him through a handshake?

Should he wear gloves for the rest of his life because of one time he was poisoned?

Elaru smiled wryly. "You're right. Living like that... always on your guard... suspicious of everyone... it isn't a nice way to live. And for you, who is trying to be a social butterfly... it isn't an option..."

Kiel chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Are you saying that there is nothing I can do about it? That I cannot prevent this from repeating in the future? That I'll always be someone's prey?"

Elaru's eyes glazed in thought. "There are measures you could take to protect yourself... You could develop an immunity for some of the poisons that are the hardest to defend against."

"There are a countless number of poisons out there. I will never be able to develop an immunity to all of them. A weakness... there will always be one that is my weakness." Kiel argued.

Elaru didn't respond. He was right.

He could select a few to guard against, but different kinds of poison were so numerous that one couldn't even learn all of their names, let alone develop immunity to them.

Kiel's laugh became louder and more bitter. "Does that mean that no matter how hard I try, no matter how powerful I become, I will never be able to hold fate in my own two hands?"

Elaru remained silent.

Just like Kiel, she had always sought to control her own fate. She worked harder than anyone else, she had more opportunities and backing than anyone else. And yet, no matter how "in control" she felt while dealing with the world around her, in reality, there were far too many things out of her control.

Eighteen years of struggle and she was still no closer to changing her own fate.

Elaru looked down to her left hand that was slightly trembling. "Perhaps, fate is not something one can hold in a palm of one's hand." She murmured, her eyes glazing over with sorrow.

She stared at that hand, covered by dark markings, for a while. Suddenly her eyes widened until they became as wide as saucers. They brightened up, like two balls of flames.

Her sorrowful expression morphed into enlightenment. "Fate isn't something that can be held in the palm of your two hands."

Her right hand that was holding Kiel's arm suddenly grabbed Kiel's hand instead and brought their intertwined hands upwards to their eye level. "Perhaps, fate is something that needs two pairs of hands to hold!"

Kiel's heart skipped a beat, his mind froze, and he stared at their intertwined hands in a stupor. His eyes landed on Elaru's face. She was glowing brightly like the sun, excitement flickered in the depths of her eyes.

"Perhaps that's what Aetherneal bond is all about. A way to control fate!" Her eyes moved from their intertwined hands and locked with Kiel's. "It takes two! It takes two people to control fate!"

Kiel opened his mouth several times to respond, but his mind was completely blank.

"Kiel, alone, you will never be able to fully guard against your enemies." Elaru exclaimed confidently.

Kiel's face fell. That's not good news. Why are you saying it in such an uplifting tone?

"But, you are not alone!" She smiled brightly, and the whole world stood still. "Not anymore. I am with you."