Bab 27: Fate and Freedom

Valen sat cross-legged in his chamber, the stillness of the room mirroring the calm yet intense storm brewing in his mind.

The recent revelations about his newfound powers, physique, and bloodline had drastically altered the trajectory of his plans.

However, there was one lingering question, a critical unknown that had yet to be answered.

He called upon Nyx, her presence always calm, waiting.

"Nyx," Valen began, his voice low and measured, "now that I am no longer under the influence of fate… what will happen when I encounter Children of Destiny?"

There was a brief silence, as if Nyx were processing the complexity of the question. Valen waited, his gaze fixed forward, already calculating the implications of her response.

[Analyzing… One moment, Host.]

Moments passed before Nyx finally spoke again, her tone firm, laden with the weight of the revelation.

[Host, now that you are no longer controlled by fate or bound to the roles dictated by the heavenly laws, your previous designation as the 'Villain' no longer applies. When you come across Children of Destiny, they will not automatically see you as a threat, neither will you be pulled in a plot where you are a Villain for them]

Valen's eyes narrowed slightly as Nyx continued.

[When you come across one they will view you neutrally, unless you directly oppose or harm them in their presence.]

[The usual fated suspicions, the ones that give them an almost preternatural sense of danger, will not be triggered unless you make yourself an obvious enemy.]

[However, they will still act according to their nature if they are aware of your opposition.]

Valen leaned back slightly, absorbing this information. "So I could, in theory, stand before a Child of Destiny, and unless I openly oppose them, they wouldn't see me as a danger?"

[Correct, Host. Even if you undermine their plans or work against them in the shadows, they will not receive the usual warnings from fate.]

[This means you can interact with them and operate in their vicinity without the usual restrictions.]

Valen's lips curled into a faint smirk. "And what of Fate Essence? Am I able to weaken or kill them without them losing their Fate essence?"

[Host can indeed kill Children of Destiny without weakening their Fate Essence. However, without decreasing their connection to fate by draining their Fate Essence first, you can only claim a portion—20% of their total Fate essence.]

Nyx's voice grew sharper as she continued, [To fully understand why, it's essential to know why the heavens choose Children of Destiny.]

[These 'chosen ones' are vessels of faith. Heaven relies on belief, on faith from the living beings.]

[When a Child of Destiny performs miracles, overcomes impossible odds, or my personal favourite proves doubters wrong, they generate faith from the world around them.]

Valen remained silent, listening intently.

[This faith empowers the heavens themselves, providing them with the energy needed to sustain their influence and control over everything.]

[In turn, this faith builds the Fate Essence of the chosen, ensuring they encounter good fortune, survive deadly situations, and form alliances with powerful entities.]

Valen's smirk faded, replaced by a steely contemplation. "So they're pawns… tools to collect faith on behalf of the heavens."

[Exactly, Host. Fate is essentially an elaborate mechanism, ensuring that these chosen ones act as conduits for heavenly influence.]

[This is why Fate Essence is so vital—both to the Child of Destiny and to the heavens themselves.]

"Then what happens when I cut them off from this 'faith' with Fatebreaker?"

[When you activate Fatebreaker, Host, you temporarily sever their connection to the heavens, making them vulnerable and invisible to heavens.]

[During that time, you can extract some of their Fate Essence, amounting only 20%. The reason you don't obtain all of it is that their connection with fate isn't fully severed—it's merely disrupted.]

Valen's gaze darkened. "So I can only extract a portion because I'm disconnecting them, not destroying their faith."

[Precisely. Because the heavens are not aware of their chosen one being under threat, their bond with the child remains intact. Moreover, only when their Fate Essence starts to plummets and reaches a critical point they are abandoned by heavens.]

[It's the faith and belief of others that sustains their Fate Essence, and until you sever that bond entirely or gradually drain it, you will only be able to take a fraction of their Fate Essence.]

Valen nodded, understanding the subtle intricacies. It made sense now—by using Fatebreaker, he didn't diminish their overall potential in the eyes of the heavens.

But still, 20% was more than enough when the situation developed beyond control.

"And killing them outright, without draining Fate Essence first?"

Nyx's voice took on a slightly cautionary tone. [You could, Host, but I would advise against it unless absolutely necessary. While you are capable of killing them without suffering repercussions, doing so would limit your potential.]

[If you want to gain the most power, you should destabilize them first.]

Valen's fingers drummed lightly against the floor cushions. Nyx was right, of course.

It wasn't just about eliminating these chosen pawns—it was about siphoning their essence, turning the heavens' influence into his own strength.

Patience would yield far greater rewards.

After a moment, Valen's eyes gleamed. "I see… so not only can I kill them without draining any of their Fate Essence, but I can also play a longer game, draining them until they are nothing but husks—perfect."

[Precisely, Host. You can continue to extract their essence until they are ready for harvesting.]

Valen's smirk returned, but this time it was darker, more calculated. "This changes everything."

He rose to his feet, his thoughts already racing ahead, planning his next move. The implications of this newfound knowledge were vast, and the power it granted him was intoxicating.

His mind ran through the possibilities—of manipulating the Children of Destiny, exploiting them, and eventually, draining them to nothing without the heavens ever realizing.

The mere thought of turning fate's chosen ones into his own stepping stones sent a thrill through him.

As the night deepened, Valen knew one thing for certain: his path was clearer than ever before.

His neutrality in the eyes of fate's chosen was a powerful asset, and now that he understood the rules, he could bend them to his will.

He would not just defy fate; he would master it.

With this new revelation, a faint smile played on his lips as he whispered to himself, "There's been a change of plans."