Now, if Luther wasn’t mistaken, the reason the Flow treated him so well was because of Serenity. The Flow of Destiny wasn’t showing him special favor; it was simply paying back to that one.
To be honest, there had been times in the past when Luther had resented that mysterious ancestor for everything he had gone through. But now, there was also a faint sense of admiration and respect.
At last, he asked Acher:
“So… what does he want me to do?”
Ever since completing the Moon Ascension and learning about the existence of that ancestor, Luther had always believed that the man needed him to fulfill some kind of fate.
He had never asked Acher before. He despised the thought of his life being decided by some mystical power, and he hated the lonely childhood he had been forced to endure. In his mind, he had even sworn that he would never follow any plan laid out by that ancestor.
Acher fell quiet for a moment.
…
“So, what do you want the boy to do? I’ll do my best to guide him toward it,” Acher asked.
He was perched on the shoulder of a figure draped in a cloak woven of blood and fire, holding a blazing red scythe in his right hand. Two huge black wings spread wide from the figure’s back, while a full blue moon glowed behind his head, casting a soft, calm light.
“What do I want him to do? Nothing at all! Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to be a ‘Chosen One’?” The youthful face of that being twisted into a frown of irritation. “If I had to say, I’d only wish for him to… travel across the cosmos, to see what the worlds look like after nine thousand years of peace. To explore new lands, make new friends, experience all the strangest customs, live a life free of burdens yet full of adventure, and, of course, to drag you along so the two of you can eat your way through every delicacy in the universe.”
“Then why do you still want to help the kid complete Moon Ascension? Wouldn’t that just make him into a Chosen One?” Acher asked in confusion.
“Quite the opposite. If I succeed, the Flow won’t trouble him. In fact, it’ll have to favor him greatly because almost all living beings owe me a debt,” the being replied. “Helping him complete Moon Ascension is just to give him the chance to truly control his own life. In this world, without real power, anyone can be swallowed whole or sacrificed at any moment.”
A quiet sigh slipped into the air.
“I know for sure that even the punishment of violence can only keep the peace on a macro level. A flawless world without any conflict at all will be just like Icarus’s wings under the sun, beautiful, but destined to break,” he said. “Besides, I also want to help the kid become the first living ascended one ever. Don’t tell me you aren’t curious to see what a being like that could do.”
“And what about you? You idiot!” Acher snapped.
“This is the fate I choose.”
…
“To be honest, I thought you’d never ask about this,” Acher said with a short laugh. “You don’t have to do anything at all. In fact, you’re already doing it. Just keep going places, enjoying life, and, most important, don’t get yourself killed.”
Sensing that Acher’s mood was darkening, Luther didn’t press the matter further. He believed that one day, he would tell him everything.
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“Don’t cry,” he said, running his fingers over the raven’s feathers.
“What the hell did you just say? Cry?? Do you even know who I am???” Acher barked.
“Who?”
“… it’s not time for you to know yet.”
Luther smiled faintly.
“Try this coconut water! I just bought it from a seal over there, it’s super sweet!” Aaron walked over and said, handing them several coconuts already cracked open with straws sticking out.
“Thank you,” Luther said.
Acher took a sip from one and commented:
“You really are obsessed with food, aren’t you?”
“Heh, life’s meant for eating!” Aaron grinned.
The two boys sat side by side, watching the little pumpkins playing in the distance.
“Squashy, don’t run into the sea!” Luther called out.
“They look almost the same. How can you tell?” Aaron said, watching the three pumpkins dart around.
“Jack-O is the biggest and as round as a ball. Pompo has a scar under his left eye. Squashy’s got a long vine,” Luther pointed out.
“Hahaha, you really are a farmer.” Aaron laughed, reaching over to ruffle his hair.
“A happy farmer,” Luther replied, smiling. “When we get back. Help me work the garden.”
From now on, he could grow plants all year round thanks to the set of spring weather scrolls he had just bought. He’d already stocked up on a whole pile of magical seeds, ready to be planted.
“Piece of cake, look at these muscles of mine,” Aaron boasted, flexing his arm.
Then, a deep, low sound rolled in from the ocean.
Both boys turned their heads toward the beach, just in time to see the three pumpkins racing back toward them in a panic.
Farther out at sea, the waves parted, and from beneath the dark water, a massive black monster rose up, moving steadily toward the shore.
“Inkshadow!” Aaron shouted.
The massive octopus remained in the shallows without fully leaving the Tranquil Sea. He lifted one of his huge tentacles in greeting toward them. Luckily, the spot where they were standing was rather deserted, and because Inkshadow’s body was as black as ink, no one noticed him at all.
Luther stepped forward, reaching out to stroke his smooth skin and sending a small pulse of magic into his body. Inkshadow seemed pleased by the gesture. He slid back into the water, then beckoned with a curling motion of his tentacle.
“I think… he’s calling for us to follow,” Aaron said.
Both boys looked from the pitch-black water to the raven. Catching the sparkle of excitement in their eyes, Acher gave a short laugh and swore:
“You two brats just can’t resist playing, can you? Fine, let me check first.”
He plucked a small feather from his wing and tossed it into the air. Watching the way it drifted and fell, Acher said:
“Oh… there’s a big thread of fate waiting for you two on this trip. Looks like you’ll have to go. In any case, this little octopus doesn’t seem to mean you any harm. You can trust him.”
“Yay!” Aaron cheered.
“You two can follow him. I don’t sense any creatures that are too dangerous within a hundred-mile radius, but don’t go beyond that limit. First, Aaron climbs onto that octopus and summons Luther. Then Aaron returns to the shore, and Luther summons Aaron back. That way, if either of you cancels the summon, you’ll be back here in an instant.”
“Whoa! I didn’t know you could use the Covenant like that!” Aaron said, eyes wide with wonder.
“I’ll stay here and watch these little ones.” Acher pointed toward the pumpkins. “If we came along, it’d only cause trouble since we can’t use the Covenant to escape. Remember this well: never light a flame in the Tranquil Sea. Doing that down there is the same as begging for death. And if you face danger, cancel the summon immediately,” he warned, his voice turning serious. “Don’t take risks. Some powerful creatures, or ones with spatial abilities, can cut off teleportation. In the worst case… just call my name out loud.”
“Got it, Mr. Acher!” Aaron replied quickly. “But… how are we supposed to swim after this octopus?”
“He’ll help you,” Acher answered.
Hearing that, Inkshadow raised a tentacle and created a massive bubble that enveloped both Aaron and Luther.
“Squeak squeak!” Jack-O hopped forward, calling out loud.
“Stay here for a bit, we’ll be back soon,” Aaron patted and told him.
“Squeak squeak…” the pumpkins let out small cries.
“Be good,” Luther said.
The three siblings lined up, watching the two boys with wide, expectant eyes.
Once everything was ready, Aaron and Luther followed Inkshadow into the Tranquil Sea.
The big octopus held the bubble containing the two boys in one of its giant tentacles and began pulling them along, diving into the lightless waters.
Aaron held his breath as he looked around. The world outside was shrouded in complete blackness. The seabed of the Tranquil Sea at night was pitch black and eerily silent. However, with their divine vision, Luther and Aaron could see this was no dead ocean.
