Unpatterned (2)

I woke up in my room feeling despondent and tired from the events of the previous day. A sense of longing and understanding of the responsibilities that many would shun engulfed me. I felt no different. The more I found myself entangled in this web of unfortunate events, the more I realized that each choice I made could either save or kill people. It was becoming increasingly difficult for me to continue.

I dragged myself out of bed and picked out my clothes for the day. I wore a trench coat that somehow symbolized us as Stele, along with a suit and black pants underneath. The trench coat embodied the war that honored the fallen individuals who had followed us into battle. It was a constant reminder to never forget them as we walked our paths together.

"I am unsure of what to do," I unconsciously muttered while walking down the corridor adorned with intricate and gracious designs. The contemporary patterns and symbols seamlessly integrated from one end to another, with a red carpet-covered floor exuding confidence as I strode down the hall.

"Y, are you there?" I glanced at the window pane beside me. "I guess you won't be coming out that quickly, huh?"

I remembered the abrupt encounters of the previous day, each discussion revolving around different topics. It seemed that I would be stuck amidst chaos and mayhem.

I entered the large living room, usually empty, except for Aion and Ron playing on the furniture, and Don keeping the hounds from wreaking havoc. Though we weren't close, I missed their presence as it offered a sense of comfort.

Approaching the standby servants, I inquired about Uncle Robert and his whereabouts yesterday. Did he mention anything about the matters he would be attending to?

They informed me that my uncle had gone to Shattershire for urgent calls that required everyone's attention. They handed me a letter with an embroidered seal—a Stele crossed sideways with a shovel at the end.

I continued walking through the house, still contemplating the events of the previous day. Time had slipped by unnoticed, and I realized it was already lunchtime.

Having no appetite, I headed straight back to my room as quickly as I could. Each step felt heavy, my emotions swirling within me, making it hard to carry on. I didn't want things to be like this. The situation I found myself in was riddled with ambivalence, as if it were orchestrated or simply destined by some unseen force. I despised it.

It was an inexplicable feeling, a mix of anger and desolation, overwhelming for someone suddenly burdened with such information. The sudden onslaught of information was too much to handle, bringing tears to my eyes. It was heart-wrenching.

Covering my face with my hands, I let out a long, deep sigh. Slowly, my hands moved to my hair, destroying its uniformity and grace. I was deeply frustrated, and I couldn't help but feel that way.

In frustration, I threw the letter onto the bed and walked around, deliberating on what to do next. How could I move forward? Would I have enough determination and strength to endure? I made my way to the bed and sat down forcefully, my mind filled with thoughts that made no sense, with no answers to rely on.

"Please, somebody, anybody, talk to me. I can't do this alone." Succumbing to frustration, I once again covered my face with my hands and lay down on the bed. "I don't care if you're a demon, an ancient being, a saint, or an angel. Please help me."

I lay there silently on the bed, my head sinking into the mattress, my feet anchored to the ground. I wanted to live, to scream, to throw everything in the room into chaos. I wanted to run away.

Glancing at the letter beside me, my annoyance only grew. Its rushed appearance and seemingly significant contents didn't help me in the slightest.

Lying on the bed, I peered out of my window and saw the skies darkened with clouds, slowly moving as they glided with the wind. The weather conveniently matched my mood.

Biting my lower lip from the agony and mixed emotions, I witnessed the world crying, water falling from the sky, and the regal roar of thunder echoing throughout the day. The weather provided some comfort, at least something was going my way. The sounds of raindrops and thunder were soothing as I acknowledged the sadness welling up within me.

Amidst the tranquility that the rain brought, the gentle screams of thunder, and the cold wind, the serenity of the environment enveloped me. Once more, I fell asleep.

Sleep became the remedy that encompassed all my problems, even if only for a brief moment. But it was a moment I was willing to experience.

I woke up in the afternoon, feeling energetic yet exhausted by everything. The fact that I had woken up so late left me feeling dizzy. I lifted myself off the bed into a sitting position.

Letting out a deep sigh, I glanced at the letter that lay beside me while I slept. I quickly picked it up. It bore the Stele seal and was made of high-quality materials. I opened it, revealing a large note inside. Carefully, I unfolded the note and silently read its contents. It was a long letter. I wondered if my uncle had prepared it in advance or if he was simply that fast at writing.

The note read:

—Enzo, I'll be direct. Being a sovereign is difficult. Handling not just yourself but others as well, especially when you have power over them. Strength sometimes eludes them of their purpose. But for you, Whisperer, your untarnished innocence is your strength. Never let it go.

I was once like you, lost in responsibility and bound by duty. It was a desperate time, and they needed someone. I answered their call, but it changed me in ways I can never undo.

During the Battle of Rivenguard, I saved an orphan. She was curious about my story, about how I became the person I am now. She asked if I had always been this dull.

I answered her, "No, but I need to be, for the sake of the world. This is how I was told to be."

She replied, "Then, do you still remember who you were before everyone around you told you who you should be?" It was an innocent question that I failed to answer.

That question lingered in my mind, even after the war ended. Over the years, I tried to remember who I 'was' and change. I may have been too hard on you or may have seemed indifferent. I apologize, Enzo.

I know about you, Seven Voices, Whisperer. You 'will' find out about this eventually. I hope you discover it on your own rather than through me.

Always remember: Manes are not kings because they are the biggest, fastest, or smartest; they certainly are not. They are kings because of their mentality. It's the difference between a Mane and every other animal—

That marked the end of the front page. It felt surreal. "So, he knew everything," I thought, feeling betrayed. Yet, I couldn't find it in me to be angry at my uncle. I knew he was trying to protect me. I am naive, and I understand that I may be too caring. But until I find myself deep in the muck and mire of the consequences of my choices, I will not stop caring.

There was a second page.

— I have said my personal statements on the other side of the note, please read it first before you read this.

It means that the 'world' acknowledges your presence. Due to circumstance, Unpatterned Oscillations will occur throughout the country, every day one of the four kingdoms would receive an unexpected attack, each changing course every day.

To stop this, one of the figurative voices must die, there is another way, however, it must not be mentioned to anyone, even to the closest friends. But I trust in you.

The other way to stop these unprecedented attacks is to attack the forest itself, go deeper, to the largest tree you can find encounter everything, and kill everything. To the forest we go, the tree of time immemorial, to where everything started, The Dreadspire.

Inside the Dreadspire is something that we call The Omphalos. The Omphalos stone holds power representing the unity and connection between the divine and mortal realms. It was believed to mark the meeting point of the earth, heavens, and the void. Destroy it and all of this ends.

Enzo, I need you to be brave. I've left you something. I'm sorry for not being there for you when you needed me the most. But I hope this gift will help you find the answers you seek. Be strong, my boy.

Your uncle, Robert

P.S. (Never do your Oath until I return, Don told me you tried to. Wait for me)—

I finished reading the letter and gazed at the second page, realizing that this was the turning point, the moment where I had to gather the strength to face what lay ahead. My uncle had left me a gift, a symbol of his love and faith in me. I felt a surge of determination and resolve.

Standing up from the bed, I wiped away the tears that had gathered in my eyes. I knew I couldn't let myself be consumed by despair. There were people counting on me, and I had a responsibility to fulfill.

With renewed purpose, I put the letter aside and started making preparations. It was time to face the challenges that awaited me and embrace the path that destiny had set before me.

As I left the room, I whispered to myself, "I will find the strength within me, and I will not let anyone down. I will face whatever comes my way."

And with that, I stepped out into the world, ready to navigate the intricate web of choices and challenges that awaited me.