1 Could This Be Karma?

Seated atop a tree branch, the figure of a fourteen-year-old boy could be seen closing his eyes as he enjoyed the cool breeze that swept across the field with a content smile plastered on his face.

"It's so much better than how it was back on Earth." The boy said, raising his eyelids to reveal his amber-colored eyes that gleamed like precious gems.

He was talking about the atmosphere being better than that on Earth. Even though he was in a field that would be devoid of all types of pollution, he had a feeling that it would be better than the best Forest on Earth.

Heaving a sigh, the boy jumped off the branch he sat on and ran his gaze across the field. "I hope those guys can keep us from going extinct."

If the Ascenders from their planet that were in Heaven's Dimension failed, he knew that there was a chance for everyone from their planet to perish.

The day Heaven's Dimension got known was when the lives of everyone in the Universe changed drastically —making the Universe an even deadlier place than it initially was.

"Hopefully I won't be one of those unlucky dudes." The boy said, putting his hands into the pockets of his black shorts.

That's right, he deemed all Ascenders as unlucky individuals. Having power is fun and all but when it comes with responsibilities it becomes a chore. Considering the responsibility that came with becoming an Ascender, Alistar would rather lose his family name than become one.

The thought of fighting continuously for a Race that may not even know about your existence was something Alistar would never do —he wasn't the type that was capable of such a feat. That was the work of selfless individuals or aspiring heroes and Alistar was neither.

"Brother Alistar!"

"Huh?"

A feminine voice that was coated with childishness traveled through the field, pulling Alistar out of his thoughts.

Hearing the familiar voice, Alistar turned to look behind him and subconsciously let a smile creep on his face after seeing the face of the person who talked.

She had long silver hair that reached the middle of her back seeming like a silver waterfall when rays of sunlight fell on it, purple eyes that carried childishness but deep within sadness could be seen if one paid close attention, and a slender frame that was coupled with the perfect height for her age. In short, she was a beauty that would keep becoming prettier the older she became.

"How are you doing, Sylvia?" Alistar asked, making his way towards the seven-year-old girl while waving at her. When Alistar reached her side, he patted her head with a smile on his face.

"I'm doing fine Brother Alister." She said before adding. "And stop patting my head like that. I'm not a child anymore."

Even though she said so, Sylvia showed no signs of stopping him —clearly enjoying the feeling of Alistar patting her head.

Alistar chuckled at her words before having a bitter smile appear on his face as he joked. "If I'm unable to pat your head now I doubt I'd be able to when you're a mature lady."

His expression was soon replaced by sadness before it was clouded by anger and he added. "All those pervs would be all over my beautiful younger sister. I swear if they lay a finger on you I won't hesitate to break their third legs."

Aware that Alistar was putting on an act —since he had done it more than once, Sylvia had a puzzled look on her face as she asked. "Brother Alistar, what is a third leg? I thought humans had only two?"

Caught off guard by Sylvia's question, it took Alistar about a second to regain his wits and brush off her question. "Cough... Let's go to the orphanage. It's almost lunchtime."

Easily changing the subject, Alistar didn't give Sylvia a chance to reply before he began walking. Knowing that she would keep pestering him until she got answers, Alistar began thinking of what to tell her.

'I almost screwed up. I got to watch my vocabulary when around her.' He thought, looking at the sky while periodically glancing at Sylvia who was behind him.

"Stop walking as if the path is booby-trapped," Alistar said calmly, staring at Sylvia who was walking extremely slow.

Ignoring the puzzled look on her face as he knew she was thinking about what he meant by third leg, Alistar stared at the clear blue sky and said. "It's beautiful."

"Yes, it is," Sylvia replied, mesmerized by the beauty of the cloudless blue sky that extended beyond the horizon.

As they walked toward the orphanage, Alistar kept talking to Sylvia to stop her from pondering and whenever she asked about what he meant by third leg he'd look at the sky and say. "It's extremely beautiful."

After a while, the duo could see the outline of their orphanage not too far away from him. Both exchanged a few words as they moved closer to it.

"Is Sister Lilith around?" Alistar asked, staring at the figure of a brown-haired fourteen-year-old boy in front of him.

"Na, she's gone to the supermarket." The boy said, not bothering to look at Alistar who just passed by him.

"I see. Well, I'm in my room if you're looking for me." Alistar replied, making his intention to get some sleep known to the children outside.

"Wait!" Another child called for Alistar after seeing he was about to enter the orphanage.

"Any problem Theo?" Alistar asked, leaving his hand to rest on the doorknob.

"How about we have a trash talk competition since Sister Lilith isn't in?" Theo asked with clear excitement in his eyes.

Having their eyes glow akin to candles at night, the children outside looked at the Alistar expectantly. They prayed to all gods they knew that Alistar should accept Theo's offer.

"Sure." Alistar shrugged as he replied. Placing his hand on Sylvia's head, he said. "Go in, I'll be coming soon."

"Good girl," Alistar said after seeing her nod, ruffling her hair with a smile on his face.

After Sylvia went in, a smirk appeared on Theo's face as he said. "Why'd you send her in? If it's so that she won't see you lose, you didn't have to as I planned to go soft on you."

"Ohhh... The Trash King has started with harsh words."

"It's finally time for all males to be dealt with by the Trash King."

"Don't give up Alistar."

Dumbfounded by the remarks to Theo's half-baked roast, a smile blossomed on Alistar's handsome face as he said. "I just don't want her to learn bad words."

Alistar had a noble expression on his face as he spoke such crap, acting as if he hadn't spewed such shit in her presence about fifteen minutes ago.

Assuming that it was his turn, Alistar decided to be a little cruel forgetting that they were all orphans.

He pointed at the sky and had a smile as he said. "Yo Theo, that cloud looks like your Dad."

"Huh?" Theo turned to look at where Alistar pointed and only confusion was on his face after seeing a clear sky.

"But there is no cloud," Theo replied puzzled by Alistar's weird counter.

Seeing Alistar smile in response, Theo as well as the other kids finally realized what he meant making their eyes redden as Alistar's words had hurt them.

"Are you guys okay?" Confused, Alistar asked but after remembering they were orphans he could only facepalm and sigh within him.

"I didn't mean it that way." He said, with a bitter smile. Even though he knew they won't believe him he still apologized, he wasn't an ass who won't apologize nor a good guy who'll apologize till they stopped crying.

So after his apology, Alistar walked back to the door but just when he was about to open it a blue screen he desperately prayed never to see appeared before him.

"Could this be karma?" Alistar asked feeling a cold breeze sweep over him.