18 Slave

After a long day, Karma went to the garden and decided to lay down beside what had been called the elder tree. The tree was grand, with its arms extending across the entirety of the field and it's legs standing tall above all else around him. Often, strong winds would come by and the rustling of leaves could be heard as one looked upon the majestic sight of the tree dancing among the clouds.

For Karma, this tree was a place where he would go to reset his mind. He found the time he used here precious moments where he would think back and simply take in the world surrounding him. After all, this world was his own and sometimes focusing on the trivial matters in nature under the roof of such a grand tree felt rather pleasant, even calming.

But for some reason, today felt awfully bitter.

Initially, the words that he would often hear were, "could it be possible? Is it true? That boy… has he still not developed any magic?"

These words; however, were things that Karma would never pay attention to. As a child, he had dreams of becoming someone amazing. Words filled with doubt matter not to him because he knew or at least he thought he knew that one day he would rise above everyone.

But sadly, as he grew older and his magic proficiency was still at level zero, he, himself started to have doubts. And today, after hearing a single phrase, it felt as though his soul was shattered.

"You're a failure."

"Did I do something wrong?" Karma asked himself. "Did I not work hard enough? Why am I still powerless? Am I… really going to continue to live my life as a cripple?"

As a young boy, he was filled with hope but being called a failure years later while Karma remained to be the same, changed that hope into doubt.

In such a state of dismay, a sudden gust of wind blew onto him and once it passed, Karma's eyes gravitated towards a girl in a fascinating white dress. With a pair of oceanic blue eyes shining in front of the grassy plains, and luscious silver hair flowing in the summer's breeze, she gracefully danced in a field of flowers.

As if the whole world revolved around her, she could be seen dancing alongside the atmosphere. Never missing a step. Pure perfection. Each time she turned, Karma caught a glimpse of her face. A warm smile, a beautiful face, and a mesmerizing dance. As the seconds passed, the scene only became all the more magnificent.

However, Karma could feel an aura of sorrow and loneliness behind all the wondrous twirls and jumps. She seemed to be searching for something, anything to fill the void in her heart. With no music playing, she continued to dance but even so, Karma was able to hear something. Strange, he thought to himself. The melody he imagined was something he has never heard before and possibly something never heard by anyone. A beatific melody that endlessly played filled with both happiness as well as sadness. It was a song that had highs and lows. Sometimes slow and dark and sometimes fast and uplifting.

Karma was unable to move his eyes away, completely captivated by everyone about her.

One minute passed. Five minutes passed. Ten minutes passed.

And finally, her dance ended. As she prepared to leave, Karma and the girl made eye contact. Dazed and somewhat embarrassed as he had watched the entirety of this girl's show, Karma gave a nervous smile.

The girl smiled back. A smile of pure good intention, of gratitude. And soon after, she randomly asked, "Karma... What do you want to be when you're older?"

How had she known his name? Did Karma know this person? Were they possibly already acquainted? She seemed familiar but just who was she?

Her name was… Karma couldn't recall. She seemed familiar but just who was she? She seemed to have a gentle and mature aura surrounding her. But, something told Karma, that this person wasn't as mature she seemed. She was… playful, childlike maybe. No… more importantly, she was lost. She was simply someone searching for an answer. And so, although still confused as to who this was, Karma answered.

"What does the future hold… I don't know. I'm… a person like me… is destined to rot and eventually die."

The girl held an intrigued look on her face.

"Eh? What are you talking about? Dreams! You must have them! After all, everyone has dreams! Maybe you want to bring an end to all wars. Maybe you want to bring about world peace. Maybe you want something simple like becoming a member contributing to society. Come on, you must have something!"

"I…" Karma hesitantly said. "Can a person like me even be qualified to have dreams in the first place?"

"Qualified? There are no qualifications to have dreams silly. Dreams are one of the few things only you own. Whatever dreams you may have or had, they're yours. So, I'll ask again. What do you want to be when you grow up? What do you desire and more importantly, what is your dream?"

Although Karma still seemed unsure, he answered, "Ever since I was little, my parents have always told me that I'll become someone amazing. Someone everyone aspires to be! A person who brings happiness to everyone! I… I don't know if this counts but my dream… I guess I just want to become someone everyone loves. Someone bound by no rules. Someone who lives freely. And someone who is a genuinely kind person."

Immediately after hearing Karma's response, the smile on her face only grew warmer. "That's amazing, Karma. I'm sure," she said. "I'm sure that dream can come true."

And just like that, the girl vanished from his sights.

Back to present time

I wonder, Karma thought. Why did I think back on that moment? A childish dream like that is simply wishful thinking. Dreams are dreams because they are separate from reality. And thus, they are things that can never come true. But even so, after meeting that girl I believed. I truly believed that it was possible. But… Dammit! To become such a person, you need to have power. Without power, you can't achieve anything. And look at me now. A pitiful existence, trying his hardest to survive but…

Karma looked at Rin. The dagger that he had stuck remained in his hands. The all or nothing plan that he had created. By slashing his own wrists, he planned to blind Rin and strike for Rin's heart. But, he was unable to bring himself to commit the deed. Rin wasn't his enemy. Rin was simply another victim of this game that these nobles set up.

If it meant that to survive Karma had to step over those who did nothing wrong, Karma didn't want to take part in it. His dream. His impossible dream was something he would make true. And the method he would partake in to reach his goal was something he would decide with his own morals and ethics.

"Rin, I'm sorry," Karma said softly. "Even after all that I couldn't do it."

Rin wasn't the enemy, Karma reminded himself. The enemies were the Hiragi family and the other nobles connected with them.

"You know Rin. I think… that even if I did kill you here and now, in the end, I'd end up like you wouldn't I? A slave to this game of death. To this game we are forced to play… As time would pass, I would only get into more battles and slowly become desensitized by the concept of death... I… I don't want that. I want to be free. And a slave is never free. A slave is a slave till death. So, how can I become free?"

Karma's eyes grew red with killing intent. Not for Rin but for something else.

"Simple, I'll kill our masters."