10,000 years ago, at the birth of human civilization, thousands of tribes of hunter-gatherers converged toward the place that would become known as modern-day South America. Except for the most desolate of places in the world, beacons in the form of a glowing star shone in the sky, guiding scattered tribes and men toward one destination. Some groups travelled across the globe just to follow the light that guided them toward destiny.
When most of the tribes arrived at their ultimate destination, it was revealed that the stars were, in fact, humans capable of flight and generating sparks using their bare hands. These superhumans, as it turned out, were among the first to discover the power of the crystals and to ascend to Godhood. They had led the world into this one singular place, where, using their power, they would create the first civilization in human history.
It all started when the primitive people who inhabited the land started sacrificing their own to appease their made-up Gods. Yet, by pure coincidence, they used crystals as their sacrificial blade, causing those compatible with the crystals to unlock their potential. These man-made Gods will then discover the secrets of this world using their power and ultimately tame nature to serve their will. Thus began the age of men, led forward by these demigods.
While isolated tribes still feared the cold and died at the teeth of wild beasts, the Ulnir civilization had already mastered metallurgy and rudimentary medicine. With another few hundred years, humanity would officially stand above the challenges of nature and dominate as the masters of this world. Yet, it was not meant to be.
The crystals, as it turns out, were the shards of something beyond human comprehension; They were the shards of the conceptual entity of Freedom, defeated by Fate after an infinity where these two battled for the right to maintain the balance of the universe. With Fate's victory, the balance of the universe will now be maintained through the absolution of outcomes. In a sense, every outcome exists across the dimensions, but each dimension is bound to only one inescapable outcome.
Fate and Freedom aren't good or evil, but concepts that must ensure balance. For every action, there must be a consequence. Under these rules, each universe must submit to its predetermined path, or risk disturbing the equilibrium of existence. As for the shards, those compatible with the crystals are blessed with the power to transcend their fate and acquire their own destiny, which went against Fate's design.
As much as Fate wanted to eliminate even these shards, the molecular structure of these crystals exists simultaneously across all 10-dimensional planes of existence, thus making them indestructible and eternal. In the end, if Fate could not prevent the disturbance caused by these crystals, it would make them a part of its design.
As the Ulnir Empire entered its 300th year of existence, Fate had already determined its ultimate destination. Inside the Empire, the previously primitive humans now had a complex language and a technological edge equivalent to the early industrial revolution. Yet, no amount of progress will triumph over human vices and the flaws built into their DNA.
Unexpectedly, the ruler of Ulnir died in a freak accident without leaving behind an heir or appointing a new successor. Within a few short years, the Empire descended into civil war and chaos. Ethnic tensions, organized crime and political factions battled for control or ruination of the crumbling Empire. The previous beacon of humanity, the demigods, ascended from their crystals, chose sides.
Ashes replaced the Empire as the light that had assembled humanity together became a raging, all-consuming flame. What was meant to be the promise of a great future became fuel for the ugliest impulses of human nature. We tried to defy Fate, and we learned a lesson that would humble us forever. If Fate has not designed us for success, then we shall inevitably fail. Against an infinitely large concept, we are but infinitely small digits.
In the end, the demigods' power brought them, as well as humanity, into their tombs amidst the ashes of the ruined Empire. Humans will stagnate, suffer and live through the painful progress of life as it has been designed to. Looking at the ruins, four men stood as the last members of the Ulnir Empire. They were the same demigods who had started everything, and now the same men who watched everything burn.
There were no tears, no emotion, just quiet acknowledgement. Though Fate has no form, these men understood the cosmic infinity that held dominion over their paths. Together, they kneeled before their ruined Empire and stared up at the poisoned sky.
[Death] - "Fatum... "
Uttered Death on a whim.
From that day onward, they were no longer free. They weren't even Gods anymore, as they had come to realize that their powers meant nothing before true Godhood. 'Fatum', through the generations, will be known as the word 'fate', a conceptual force that maintains the order of the universe through pretermination of outcomes.
These men, after the fact, will retreat out of sight and found the Cult of Fate, dedicated to the worship of the master of existence. They will act only if Fate instructs them to do so and live impartially to the rest of the world, letting events, good or bad, occur according to Fate's design. They are the Horsemen of Fate, living proof that Freedom has lost against Fate.
In 2025, they were ordered by Fate to find Sniper and ascend him to Godhood so he could accomplish his fated mission. When Sniper rose to power, the delusional God-Emperor was under the impression of freedom, while unwillingly setting Fate's plan for this universe in motion. The crystals, once the last vestige of Freedom's influence on the existential plane, are now traps meant for those foolish enough to believe they can defy Fate. Even Mike, who had lived according to his rule, was ultimately chained by Fate as well.
Under the Empire, the four Horsemen of Fate served as Grand Priests under the leadership of the Pope of the cyberknights, CR-455. Together, they worked to spread the word of Sniper's divinity as well as recruiting more cultists for the Cult of Fate. However, with the schism of the Empire following Sniper's death, these men were once again forced to take a side. However, unlike their previous selves, their choice this time was made for them by the voice of Fate itself.
Yet, a few days ago, for the first time, a single individual committed an action that had caused an insurmountable disturbance across the universal equilibrium. Just to compensate, Fate had to change the outcome of seventeen quintillion universes.
"Do you believe in fate, War? "
Said the voice as it echoed through the dimly lit church.
Raising his head, one of the tall priests standing at the altar looked up at the painted glass ceiling. Streams of the fading afternoon sunlight flooded into his irises, illuminating a pair of eyes shaped by experience. Despite the relatively young age of the priest, there lay something ancient, more than human civilization, in his regard.
[War] - "Fate is the end result of all existence and events. As a part of the great machination, we have no choice but to submit to fate. "
Said War in a firm voice as he savoured the last of the fading light.
[Death] - "Yet not all had submitted. I hear the voice of fate, and it speaks of a transgressor. A heretic fighting against the absolution of our beliefs. "
Said the tallest priest, standing in the middle of the altar.
Below, hundreds of cultists gasped in shock as they heard Death's revelation. The previously silent prayer turned into the chatter of surprise and condemnation. Upon the altar, where there are four spots, only three Grand Priests stood.
[Death] - "Conquest... Has perished. "
Said Death as he accusingly pointed at the vacant spot where Conquest used to stand.
Panicked chatter quickly spread through the ranks of the cultists, while even War and Famine, the two other Grand Priests, were shaken out of their indifferent demeanour.
[Death] - "It was not by the machination of fate that Conquest had met his end. Instead, a champion of Freedom was responsible. Conquest was never meant to die, yet he was slain. "
Said Death, his voice echoing through the church without the need for loudspeakers.
In an instant, the cultists and even the two Grand Priests beside Death began to panic. Yet, with a single raised hand, Death silenced the dissent in the crowd with unnatural efficiency.
[Death] - "Alas, the individual in question is but a mere mortal. She is not an ascendant of Freedom, yet. Fate still holds dominion through the cosmos and dimensions. "
Said Death as his crystals began to shine.
While the crowd and Famine gradually relaxed their tension, War remained in a state of shock. A confusing sensation filled his heart, a sensation so unfamiliar, but at the same time so nostalgic to him. However, when War realized that it was hope he was feeling, he immediately suppressed it out of fear. He mustn't even show the slightest defiance toward Fate, as he had learned this very lesson 10,000 years ago.
Suddenly, Death's body jerked as a blinding white light burned inside his eyes. For a moment, the whole church was bathed in an infinite expanse of white that invaded the mind of every cultist and priest. As the light morphed into strands of tangible colours, every single person in the church saw a vision of the future where Kadyn was burned to a crisp in a sea of inferno by Grand Priest Famine. Without warning, the vision abruptly came to an end, leaving the crowd temporarily stunned in a trance.
[Death] - "We are servants of Fate, and it has spoken! Grand Priest Famine will deal with that anomaly. By the design of our divine master, she shall perish in her fight against him! "
Said Death abruptly as he raised his arms in the air.
[Crowd in unison] - "Bless be the will of the master of creation! "
As the crowd's voice died down, Famine immediately kneeled down and bowed in submission and gratitude.
[Famine] - "I shall follow your commandment, great master of creation! "
On the other side, however, despite War's attempt to fight the conflicting thoughts in his mind, he couldn't help but feel doubt about the revelation. There's a part of him that seems to sense that Kadyn wasn't just the simple rogue digit she was shown to be.
During this time, while Kadyn was still peacefully sleeping on a hospital bed, the crystal on her chest slowly began to glow, but not in the usual way. Instead of the blue glow of normal crystals, a gradual shade of black began to overtake the azur colours until it had completely tainted the crystal in complete darkness. Looking at it, the darkness was so complete and obscure that it appeared as if an endless pit opened on Kadyn's chest. Yet, it unnaturally glowed as well, the darkness shining just as bright as any Euclidean illumination.
Suddenly, Mike opened his eyes to the sight of light. With great difficulty, he fought against the painful light sensitivity in his eyes until he was finally able to see the flames of a campfire. However, it wasn't all, as he also noticed the glow coming from above through a massive crystal-shaped window. He then looked around, realizing that he was surrounded by an endless veil of darkness in all directions.
[Mike] - "What the hell is this place? "
Said Mike as he stared at his hands.
Then, as he tried to touch himself, he was shocked to find his hands phasing through his own chest. Maybe this was the afterlife, but Mike was far from being convinced of such superstition. Reaching forward, Mike tried to activate his ability, but nothing happened, no matter how hard he tried. Mike tried screaming, punching and running, yet he understood he was ultimately alone in this inescapable prison.
Finally, left with nowhere to go and no answer, Mike sat down on one of the logs by the campfire and stared into the flame. Although he felt no warmth due to his ghostly state, things began to piece together in his mind. Looking up, Mike saw the ceiling of a hospital room and a very distinct breathing sound. Having slept by his dear wife for so many years, Mike could easily tell that it was Kadyn's breathing.
Suddenly, Mike gained a slight understanding of what was happening. For some reason unknown even to a seasoned cyberknight like him, something similar to his soul was contained in Kadyn's crystal, judging by the shape of the window above him. Though even this explanation left him confused, he nonetheless was glad to see that Kadyn was alive and well.
[Mike] - "You just couldn't let it go, can you? If anyone in this world can pull my ass back from the dead, I'm not surprised it's you. "
Said Mike while staring at the flame.
Meanwhile, as if by instinct, Kadyn unknowingly smiled in her sleep, happy to feel Mike's presence by her side once again.
Elsewhere, War stood on a balcony as a storm raged around him. Despite the rain and wind that battered restlessly against his hood, he remained unmoving and silent. Suddenly, he was joined by Death, who appeared without warning like a ghost by his side.
[Death] - "Our master is angry. "
Said Death in a low voice.
Despite how Death's voice should've been drowned out by the raging storm and thunder, War was somehow able to hear his brother clearly.
[War] - "I had a feeling... This transgressor is capable of far greater feats than we expect. Even for someone who had not unlocked their full potential, she is capable of defying– "
War paused, and swallowed his words, not daring to finish his sentence.
Death crossed his arms, a troubled look appearing on his face as he faced the wrath of the storm by revealing his face under the hood. As a streak of lightning flashed in the sky, Death nodded as if he had just received a message. Turning toward War, Death opened his mouth, his words drowned in the din of the unforgiving storm, but still clearly conveyed to War without issue. As War listened, the fear on his face slowly faded away.
[War] - "Fate is inevitable. "
Whispered War, while nodding slightly.
[Death] - "As it has always been. Have faith, brother. "
Said Death confidently.
To be continued...