124 Looking for an Impossible Answer (2/2)
”There are too many factors to count when looking at fate. You don't have the slightest understanding. Death is a part of life, you'll have to accept that as one of the chosen champions. If not, how will you ever take on the world when you and your loved ones are threatened by your foes?”
Jack kept silent. Anger was still bubbling inside of him, but now he was angry at himself. He had nothing to say to refute Daruun's words, even though he wanted it more than anything at that moment.
”Jack, like I said before, who are you? Who do you want to be? This is the question you need to answer,” stated Daruun. ”If you can answer this question, not only with words but actions, then you'll truly become the champion you and I know you can become.”
As the world was frozen in time, Jack spent a long while in silence. He tried to control his emotions while thinking about Daruun's words. Jack wasn't sure how long he waited to finally speak up. ”Daruun…”
”Yes, Jack?”
”I'm… I'm sorry.”
”No need to apologize. I'm only acting according to the laws of fate. I refuse to act against those laws, no matter the circumstance,” said Daruun. ”If you're mad at me, that's up to you. I only hope that you will do everything in your power to become the champion the world needs.”
More silence passed between the two of them.
”Daruun, why did you choose me?”
”I've already answered that question so there's no need to repeat myself.”
”No, really, why did you choose me? I'm too weak to do anything and I'm too scared in the face of danger to try and change the world. I couldn't even save the woman I loved…”
”You loved her?” asked Daruun, startling Jack.
”Of course I did!”
”Why? What did you love about her?”
”She was always so nice to me! Whenever I needed someone to talk to, she would listen. When I was hurt, I was always the first person she would heal,” answered Jack. ”She--”
”Sounds like a good friend, not a lover,” stated Daruun, not letting Jack continue his explanation.
”How do you know?!” Jack yelled at Daruun, glaring at him angrily.
”Really? You're asking me, the god of fate, how I would know?”
”You…” Again, Jack struggled to find a suitable answer for the all-knowing deity in front of him.
”What has she done for you that others haven't? Did she do anything for you that she wouldn't do for someone else?” reasoned Daruun.
It took a moment for Jack to blurt out an answer. ”She died for me! You can't deny that!”
”True, I can't. But you also can't deny the fact that you had already saved her life twice, and risked your own life against a troll captain to do so. Don't you think she would feel indebted to you for that? Especially emotionally?”
”S-she…”
Jack choked on his own words. No anger was left in his body, only sorrow and pity. He couldn't bring himself to deny Daruun's reasoning, but he struggled to accept it as well.
”Jack, there's nothing wrong with your relationship with her. Also, I'm not saying that you two may have genuinely fallen in love given time, but you must realize the truth behind it all. To her, you were a knight in shining armor that was the best prospect for a relationship that she had ever met. She had gone through a lot and wouldn't dare miss an opportunity to get closer to you. Given what you had done for her, that only strengthened her reasons to do so.”
Daruun's dry, emotionless explanation was the hardest pill to swallow. It was harsh and brutal for the young Jack, who had never been in a relationship with a girl other than Slivia, which was extremely short-lived.
Jack took his time to digest the information and eventually speak up. ”So, you're saying that we were in love yet?”
”That's one way to put it, yes.”
”Then there was a good chance that we would've fallen in love for real, given time?” asked Jack.
Daruun nodded. ”Of course, the mortal heart is easily swayed. With time, almost anyone can start to fall in love.”
”Then I know what my last question is. How can I bring her back to life?”