A change in fate

I suddenly woke up in a dimly lit throne room. I checked my torso and it was still intact despite being cut in half from what I remember. I looked around to see a bunch of different kinds of monsters on either side of the room. Some were the knights while others resembled the bishops. Most of these monsters were so high-ranking that even a single could become a threat to kingdoms. I looked up at the one sitting on the throne and it was the woman who had attacked me. Charlotte had lost to this woman and it wasn't even close, so it's safe to assume that currently she is the strongest.

"Stand up, Kenji." I did as told by the queen. It was foolish to even try to make an enemy out of her.

"Looking for the winter's constellation?" She asked and I looked at her completely shocked wondering how she even knew.

"Do not think of us as your enemy. You, in particular, are an error in the system. Somehow it was James... That summoned one was supposed to be the one standing in your place but despite that... fate changed. Was it changed by the gods in the heavens maybe? I can not tell. Yet... you found out about the winter's constellation." She continued.

"You see... I am the winter's constellation. And to get access to it, you'd have to marry me and I'm happy to tie a knot- is what I would say... normally. But you are not destined to usurp the throne... the treasures and the glory of ruling the heavens is not in your fate. And yet... the strength you've gained is best described as an error. Answer me this: How much do you know about the links of the gods?" She asked.

"L-links? You mean those five people sent down by the four gods?" I asked.

"Precisely. The actual title given to them is Links. They are essentially... envoys sent to spread the gospel and one of them betrayed the gods by learning the truth of time loop. He died... a pitiful death. There left four links. I am one of them. My title... The link of recollection. I know everything that has happened... that is happening and that will happen. And yet you... I can't see into your future. I'm afraid you're the replacement for king Askai. I wonder if the fate is playing a cruel joke by walking you down the same path he once traversed."

"A replacement? That's only a speculation on your part, right? I understand but then... why did Askai put that liquid that killed almost everyone in the city palace of the kingdom of Shulian? What was he trying to accomplish?" I asked.

"That? You're only assuming it was Askai. It could have been anyone, no? But I understand your suspicion. Askai had found records that before the world went into time loop, the origin was killed by someone. The current four gods are... most likely impersonators or some kind of false gods with no real power. What I think is happening is that the world itself has exhausted all its power and is trying to reach the end of itself. These time loops aren't maintained using the gods' powers but by using the world itself and world's powers are finite. In it's last attempt, the world showed you the truth. Now that I think about it... does the world itself favors you? Then why... why is the throne reserved for someone else?"

"Wait! I thought it was the assembly that showed me the truth?" I asked as it was going entirely against what I had known so far.

"No. You fell into the consciousness of the assembly but that was because of the world itself and not because of us. That's where we keep all the forbidden knowledge. So... Kenji, how about we make a deal?"

"A deal? What kind?" I asked nervously.

"Marry me, acquire the winter's constellation and correct the path of the world."

"Why do I need to marry you for that?" I asked.

"Because the winter's constellation is contained within this ring and it only works when put on ring finger. It is a security feature as winter's constellation is much more than what you know. It might make you the strongest... emphasis on might."

"Sounds too convenient but I already have a girlfriend... Isn't there a way where you can just give it to me?" I responded.

"Negative. As the link, I do have some pride and also certain responsibilities. My creator chose this method so it has be the right method." She responded.

"Then it can't be helped... I refuse. I do not want the winter's constellation. And it might not even be worth it. I'm not going to give up on my dignity for power. Especially when it's not even confirmed." I responded. It caused all the monsters to murmur amongst themselves.

"Order." The queen spoke and the murmuring stopped immediately. "I see. Still loyal to her and her alone. She too... is still loyal to you. I wonder why because even that is not part of fate. The future that I am seeing and the future that is unfolding in front of me... two entirely different timelines, it feels like. Well now that you've rejected my offer, what do you plan to do?"

"Plan? Of course it is to put an end to the time loop. The war between the beastfolks of the other side and humans is inevitable but maybe the two sides can come to an understanding if I prepare sufficient evidence to support my claim that the Gods never truly favored humans and never truly hated beastfolks. And that some outsider is responsible for all of it."

"I see... an ambitious plan indeed. Let me guide you a little then. You'll fail." She said with the most deadpan expression. "To gather evidence is to put a step into the world of the divine. You'll be burned by the flames raging in the world of the divine."

"You conveniently know a bit too much, no? Given you're a 'link' I think you know a lot more then why have you never tried to correct this world? Because of your inaction, beastfolks have suffered endlessly."

"My inaction? I think you're becoming arrogant because of that self-righteous act of yours." She got up and walked over to me. "You came into this world almost a year ago, no? And I've been in this world for centuries. I've lived through multiple timeloops. I know what to do and when to do. The origin is too powerful for anyone to fight and not only that, it hides its fate. We have no idea how to fight it. Didn't your pesky team... what were the called... Ah! Yes! Regulators... try as well? That woman I fought seemed quite powerful. What's the point of this self-righteous act when that companion of yours threw you to wolves to protect herself?" She placed a small knife underneath my chin and smirked at me.

"Threw me... The fuck do you mean?" I asked.

"She was fast enough to block the attack that chopped you in half and yet she didn't. Throughout the fight, she was keeping up with me and then whenever I tried to attack you, she pretended to act like she was helping you. I would say... that woman is... not thinking in your favor whatsoever."

"You're just trying to divide the group! I won't be manipulated by you." I growled.

"Oh?" She moved away from me. "I see... then let me tell you your fate... as I see it... The moment I chopped you in half in front of others was the moment your downfall started. That group... that king has told your cute and adorable girlfriend that you're already dead."

"I can just go back and prove I am alive..." I shrugged not understanding the gravity of the situation.

"You can't... To people, you're dead and that's a fact that cannot change. Even if you go back now, they'll think you're some phony pretending to be Kenji. Let's say you do prove that you're alive and real Kenji, they'll inevitably forget about you... why? Because I can control memories as well." She softly smiled at me. Given what she had just said, there was a certain eeriness to that soft smile of hers.

"Then... then what do you want from me?! I thought you knew about the time loop and wanted to end it, no?"

"Hm? I only acknowledged Askai's findings. I never said anything about betraying the origin. They birthed me and gave me a purpose in life. I will never betray them. And as you're the error, I have decided to deal with you personally. Now that your classmates hate you and your girlfriend thinks you're dead... I think this is where your suffering will start. I can indeed kill you but I want to see you fail first."