Destiny's Fool

Someone commented earlier that they were confused as to how Kit got there and how they knew it was him specifically. This explains these things. I was actually intrigued that someone thought about it that far. I would've taken it for granted that they found out by magic or something. XD

Lots happening in this chapter, but its mostly relationship drama, but we also continue on with the main plot, finally.

This also addresses issues with kit being whiney. You'll see. :)

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Kit sat outside of Dalune’s door, sighing. Branret was inside, chatting casually with him. He couldn’t exactly hear what was being said, except the occasional laugh from one or both of them.

Holy passed by and paused, leaning over so he was nearly eye level with Kit, tilting his head.

“What’s wrong, Kit?” he asked with a small disarming smile.

“Nothing,” Kit lied.

Holy paused. “Is it because of all the time that Branret has been spending with Dalune?” Holy asked, “Because there’s definitely something wrong.”

Kit was silent.

“Hey, I was gonna go do a little bit of shopping for supplies,” Holy said, “His Highness Gate asked me to do it, but I could use some help carrying stuff back.”

“Okay,” Kit said and stood up. Holy smiled and continued walking with Kit a step behind.

“So… Are you worried about Branret spending all this time with Dalune?” Holy asked as he entered a dingy marketplace, sorting through and trying to pick out good supplies, paying the inflated prices for them.

“A little,” Kit replied.

“Kit, you need to be honest,” Holy said sternly, “You’re always so worried about how everyone else feels. You have a heart of gold and you’re compassionate, but you don’t ever seem to think your own feelings are valid…”

Kit was silent again.

“Come on,” Holy paused at the storekeep went to fetch the things he ordered, “Tell me what’s wrong, okay? You’ll feel better.”

“Why is Branret spending so much time with Dalune?” Kit asked, staring at his feet and hunching his shoulders.

Holy paused. “That’s a good question,” Holy said, taking the bags from the shopkeep and kept walking. “Is Branret your first boyfriend?”

Kit nodded.

“Have you had a girlfriend before?” Holy then asked.

“No,” Kit shook his head.

“You’re really too submissive to be interested in girls,” Holy said with a small smile, “I’m kind of the same way. What about Branret? Has he been with either before?”

“I’m pretty sure he hasn’t,” Kit replied.

Holy sighed. “And you two say you’re in love,” Holy shook his head.

“You say you’re in love with Gate,” Kit huffed, “Did you have a boyfriend before him?”

“No,” Holy replied honestly, “But he and I broke up for a period to make sure we weren’t making a mistake in staying with one another. I went on a few dates, even had one guy that was a total sweetheart. No one measured up to Gate, really. And Gate had several girlfriends and boyfriends before he met me.”

“So you know you love him because you’ve been with other guys?” Kit asked, sounding confused.

“Something like that,” Holy replied, “How can you say that someone is the love of your life if you have no one to compare them to?”

“But Branret is…”

“Being rather fickle right now if you ask me,” Holy said, “Personally, I was hoping you would end up with Jinn, but apparently that fell through.”

“Jinn?” Kit asked and sighed, “I doubt that would have worked any better. He’s pretty much a player.”

“He told you he loved you, right?” Holy asked, handng Kit a bag to hold for him.

Kit was quiet for awhile. “Yes,” he admitted.

“Players don’t use those words unless they mean them,” Holy informed him, “Truth is, they’re terrified of three words. ‘Love,’ ‘commitment,’ and ‘marriage.’ That is, until they meet the right person.”

“So you’re saying I should have chosen Jinn?” Kit asked.

“No,” Holy said, “That just means that Jinn could’ve spent the rest of his life with you and been happy. The question then is, could you have spent the rest of your life with him and been happy, too?”

Kit was silent.

“Does it matter?” he asked, “He’s gone now.”

“It does,” Holy said, “Now answer the question.”

“Jinn is…” Kit sighed. “He’s so… He had no respect for my wants or needs. He was insensitive. He was forceful and wild.”

“And that’s what you liked about him, right?” Holy asked.

“What? No,” Kit shook his head hard, “That doesn’t make sense. Why would I chose someone who treats me like an object over the person who was there for me heart and soul?”

“You’ve got safety issues,” Holy said, handing him another bag and heading back to the inn.

“Safety issues?” Kit pressed him to continue.

“Branret is a total gentleman,” Holy replied, “He waits on you hand and foot and, until recently, stuck to you like glue. He tries his best to make sure you’re happy. Holding the door open for you and all that bullshit.”

“It’s not… What’s wrong with that?” Kit frowned.

“It’s too safe,” Holy rolled his eyes. “How boring is that? How do you expect to learn and grow when he’s always there, giving you everything you need? Honestly, you should have done a lot of growing up all this time but I doubt you’re much different than how you came into this.”

“Why…?” Kit asked.

“Because Branret sheltered you so you didn’t have to change,” Holy pointed out, “He makes it so you don’t have to grow up. And growing up is what you need to do. Someone needs to tell you to do it yourself. That’s Jinn.”

“But if Branret and I are happy…”

“If you two are happy, why is he in Dalune’s room talking it up?” Holy asked, reaching his room, which was empty, unpacking the things they had bought.

“He’s coming to terms with his tribe’s death and…”

“Bullshit,” Holy replied, “Who wants to wait on someone hand and foot the rest of their life? Who wants to constantly protect someone who refuses to grow up from the world?”

“I…” Kit looked away, “Why are you being so mean?”

“See?! That’s what I’m talking about,” Holy walked over and put his hands on his hips, looking Kit in the eye. “You have got to get a tougher skin, Kit. Sometimes people are mean. But other times they’re just honest. Instead of crying and wondering why someone would act like that, maybe you should listen and decide for yourself if they’re right or not.”

Kit was silent.

“As for Branret… Well, he and Dalune make a good couple,” Holy said, turning back to his purchases, “And you’ll have fierce competition for Branret’s hand. Branret is quite possibly the last Katze on the planet. Dalune vowed from the day he laid eyes on the species that he would have one of them.”

“So? Branret loves me,” Kit said, sitting on Holy’s bed.

Holy sighed and walked over, sitting next to him, taking Kit’s hand. “He does,” Holy said, “You’re not wrong. But Dalune’s a better match. Branret’s already gone through a lot in his life. He’s mature enough that he no longer can be sheltered. So it’s okay for someone like Dalune to dote on him. You’re still young and you and I both have a lot of growing up to do. Branret’s meant to be taken care of and fawned over, not vice versa.”

“You’re wrong,” Kit whispered.

“Jinn… Was better for you,” Holy said gently, “Jinn took you outside of your own little box and showed you the world. He showed you how to walk the line of danger so that when you really were in trouble, you could handle it. He taught you. He pushed you. And the only thing you could think to do is run to Branret where it was safe.”

“No, you’re wrong,” Kit hunched his shoulders, struggling not to cry. Crying now proved that Holy was right and he didn’t want Holy to be right.

“I feel badly for you, Kit,” Holy sighed, “You must have lived a fairly easy life before now. And suddenly you arrive here from your nice little world and everything’s… horrible. People suffer daily and they all expect you to fix it. Fix someplace that isn’t even yours to fix. So many lives relying on you… All before you can even be called a man. If you’ve been weak… Well, I can’t say that many would’ve done better in those circumstances.”

“I’m trying,” Kit said, rubbing at his eyes, “I really am trying…”

“I know,” Holy smiled and leaned over, giving him a small hug, “And you’re doing a good job. Not only did you have all that to deal with, you have two amazing men vying for your attention and now… In your confusion, it seems you might have accidently lost both of them.”

Kit let out a small sob, but tried to contain his tears.

Holy pulled him closer. “You can’t keep running away,” Holy said softly, “You have to turn and face things. Face Melanie, face love… But you seem to think you’re all alone. Your fears and your sorrows… even as you wear them on your sleeve, you tell others they aren’t there so they won’t worry. That doesn’t make sense. We’re here to help. With whatever. So just be honest.”

“I want to go home…” Kit said softly, leaning against Holy, “Except I don’t even know where my home is anymore.”

“It’ll be all right, Kit,” Holy said.

“Is it okay to still hope Branret loves me?” Kit asked.

“It’s okay,” Holy said, “Just remember to hope for the best but assume the worst. If nothing else, just ask him about it.”

Kit nodded.

“What am I going to do…?” Kit said softly, “If Branret leaves me, what am I going to do now that Jinn isn’t here?”

“You’re going to rise and stand on your own two feet,” Holy told him, “It’s that simple. You can support yourself. And if you need to talk, I’ll be nearby. But I won’t carry you.”

“Be honest and support myself,” Kit whispered, “Is that all?”

“Yep,” Holy smiled.

“Then can I start by saying your hair looks really dumb short?” Kit said.

“Ah hah, sometimes white lies are okay,” Holy said, “Especially concerning my hair which stupid Scrape chopped off…”

Kit laughed a little, causing Holy to join him. Together, they finished unpacking their supplies and storing them. Gate arrived and Kit slid out the door to leave the two of them alone.

As Kit walked down the hall, Branret slipped out of Dalune’s room, smiling and laughing to himself about something.

“Branret…?” Kit said.

“Kit!” Branret said, his smile fading a bit, “What’s going on? Any news on when we’re moving out again?”

Kit shook his head. “Can you and I speak to each other privately?” he asked.

“Um, yeah, come on,” Branret nodded, walking into his and Kit’s room and sitting on one of the beds, patting the spot next to him. Kit sat down, thinking.

“What did you want to talk about?” Branret asked.

“I…” Kit frowned, unsure how he should word it, “What’s going on between you and Dalune?”

Branret seemed to tense up, saying nothing for a long time. Kit watched him, unable to keep sadness from creeping up on him.

“Well… He and I are friends…” Branret said, not meeting Kit’s eyes.

“I may act like a baby but I wasn’t born yesterday,” Kit said, “I’m not stupid so please don’t talk to me like I am.”

Branret winced.

“I’m sorry, Kit,” he whispered, “I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know what Dalune is. I wish I could reassure you and say that he was just my friend, but I’m not sure. And something tells me that if I’m not sure, then there’s a good possibility that… that I may like him as something more.”

Kit gave a dry humorless laugh. “This sucks,” he said, “So bad. You and I aren’t really mean to be, huh?”

“I guess I should’ve guessed that by the things you and Jinn did so late at night while we were together,” Branret replied.

Kit blinked, this time being the one to tense up. “Y-you… what things?”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m stupid,” Branret said with a small smile, “I’m not. I noticed. I didn’t figure it mattered. I figured you were young and you needed to experience that while you were. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of sex so its not like I could do the same things, and I never got the impression it was your idea to begin with.”

“I’m sorry, Branret,” Kit said softly, “It wasn’t but… I could’ve had more self-control.”

“I’d say we’re even, but saying that feels sad and ugly somehow,” Branret replied.

“Do you love Dalune?” Kit asked.

“Maybe,” Branret replied. “Do you love Jinn?”

Kit was silent. “Yes,” Kit replied, “As much as I never wanted to, I think I do.”

They both fell quiet.

“Should I leave now?” Branret asked.

“Please,” Kit said.

Branret stood up without another word and walked out the door. It became official as soon as the door shut that the two of them were broken up.

That hit home, right in the center of Kit’s chest, and he began to cry. He stayed there for a long time, stretched across his bed, tears rolling down his face.

He didn’t want to cry anymore. He wanted to be strong, like Jinn or Branret both were. He wanted to be daring, like Jinn. He wanted to be able to face his fears and not run away anymore.

And for as badly as Kit wished that Jinn was still there, he knew that it was for the best that he wasn’t. Because Kit couldn’t learn any of those things with a solid pair of arms that wrapped around him unconditionally.

Kit decided that as soon as this was all over, he was going to find Jinn. Because now, somehow, Kit knew that it was Jinn. It had always been Jinn. Except that on some level, Jinn frightened him.

Holy had been right. Jinn had pulled him from his small secure box and it had frightened Kit. Instead of embracing the freedom and maturity of escaping that box, he’d run back in where Branret was there to say it was okay.

With Branret, Kit didn’t have to be any different. Jinn forced changes in him. Kit had been angry and told someone so for the first time in his life. Jinn made him experience the intense physical pleasures of sex. Jinn showed him life without fear of tomorrow.

Kit realized he should have known all along that it had been Jinn for one simple reason. Branret’s kisses had never left him feeling the way Jinn’s had. Jinn’s kisses had nothing to do with sex or lust. They had to do with freedom and adventure. A kiss from Jinn was tasting all the wild passion that terrified the young blonde boy.

And now, as he realized completely that Jinn was gone, Kit craved that passion and adventure with everything he had, only to realize that Jinn had just offered him a way to experience it. It didn’t mean that Kit couldn’t make his own way.

Close to night time, Kit got up and walked to Gate and Holy’s room, simply opening the door. Inside, the two of them were talking with Rose.

“We’re leaving early tomorrow,” Kit said, “So make sure you’re up. No more spending more than one night in the same spot. We’re going to get this done.”

Holy smiled and folded his arms.

“And who made you leader?” Holy asked.

“I’m the one risking my life to save your world,” Kit said, “How about a little appreciation here? If you’re not up, I’m going on my own. And if one of you sees Branret, tell him the same thing.”

With that he shut the door, Holy’s laughter penetrating the wooden frame. Despite all his sadness and the way that his chest felt heavy, he felt a tingle of pride in himself, a feeling he’d yet to truly experience in his lifetime. Pride because, for that moment, Kit had sounded just like Jinn.

~:~

Without any prompting, everyone was awake early and getting ready to go. Even Dalune had deemed himself fit to travel, though his motives were solely for sticking with Branret since he didn’t know what their goal was.

Kit met with all of them in the hallways, trying not to look at Dalune as he slung his arm over Branret’s shoulders.

“Ready?” Kit asked, holding his head high.

Everyone agreed and Kit walked out the door. He met eyes with Dalune’s just once, and they were the eyes of a person who were wary of someone who might steal Branret. Kit couldn’t help but be amused and slightly smug that he was actually more mature than someone about something.

Kit had changed his disposition, but even Gate looked uncomfortable with how Branret and Dalune were acting; that is, as if no one were there but the two of them. Not understanding their situation had made Dalune seem almost insensitive.

“So I don’t think anyone’s said exactly where we’re going,” Dalune finally said, “Ths some kind of pilgrimage or something?”

“What?” Kit said suddenly, turning and pausing, causing everyone else to stop, “Branret didn’t tell you what this is?”

“No,” Dalune said, raising his eyebrows.

“Well, let me tell you so that Branret doesn’t have to worry about being the one to freak you out,” Kit said, “We’re going to go kill your mother, Melanie, who for the past three years has been totally destroying Aradon. For those three years you have been serving as the Vice-Commander of the Suit of Fire in her name, and in her name you—“

“Kit!” Branret snapped.

“—destroyed every Katze tribe in existance, including Branret’s entire family,” Kit finished, “You ran away from Melanie, only to be nearly killed by her soldiers and we saved you and righted your soul so that you were yourself again.”

Dalune stared, somewhat pale. “I… I did what?” he whispered.

“That’s right, that’s what happened,” Kit continued, “And before you start freaking out and going crazy with guilt, its totally and completely not your fault. Anyone who is reasonable and knows the whole story could tell that. Now, supposedly I’m going to give my life to take out your mother, so I’d appreciate a little bit of respect for the gravity of the situation.”

Dalune was staring at him, torn between being amused and horrified. Holy had selected being amused, leaning against Gate as he laughed soundlessly, trying not to let Dalune know he was.


“Shall we?” Kit smiled and turned, continuing to walk.

“I’m so sorry,” Branret said in a hurry to Dalune, “You have to understand, with us breaking up and the other guy he loved leaving and with this whole thing about him destroying Melanie he’s…”

“Pretty much right,” Dalune replied, “Maybe we should catch up to the little guy. You know, I gotta give him credit. He’s not as wussy as I thought he was at first.”

“It’s like he changed in an instant,” Branret said, frowning up at Kit, “I’m not entirely sure I like it…”

“You just don’t like it because it’s not the Kit you fell in love with,” Holy interjected, “Admit it, you perferred him all scared and wimpy so you could protect him.”

Branret started to deny it, but just blushed because he couldn’t do so truthfully.

“I, for one, am refreshed by this sudden change,” Gate said.

“Don’t underestimate the Little One,” Rose said, “He’ll be the one to destroy Melanie for a reason. Fate does not select at random.”

“Hurry up!” Kit called, turning back to his pathway and jumping back as someone appeared directly in front of him. He stumbled backwards and looked up at the person standing before him.

Immediately, Kit snatched up his cards, staring at the wrinkled face of the gray haired man before him. The man had a long beard and a flowing blue cloak around his entire body. In his hand was a knarled walking stick to match his liverspotted hands.


Kit unwrapped his cards, one of them immediately appearing in the air. Kit grabbed it and looked at it, then at the man.

“The Hermit,” he said.

“Kit!” Branret called, catching up, then stopping dead at the sight of the man and the card. “Did you take out that card on purpose, Kit?”

“No…” Kit shook his head.

“That has to be a mistake,” Branret turned back to the man, who was remaining silent for the time being.

“Why?” Kit frowned.

“Because,” Branret pointed in awe, “That’s Ezra, the Prophet.”

Ezra bowed. “A pleasure to meet you,” he said in a gruff, unused voice, “It pleases me when my predictions come true.”

“You work for Melanie?!” Branret asked, astounded.

“Ah, yes,” Ezra replied. “I’d also like you to meet my apprentice.”

From behind him, a woman stepped out. Kit immediately recognized her. She had deep purple eyes and hair that was darker, but also a shade of purple. Hair that seemed to float around her face. Pale face and ruby red lips. She wore a tight dark outfit, nothing like the ones that kit had seen her wear in the past.

Another card shot up and Kit stared, shocked.

He shook his head. “No,” he said, “That doesn’t make sense. You helped me, so why would you give me the…? Why…? I…”

“That was before I worked for Melanie,” she replied, “Take the card, Kit. Prove it to yourself.”

Kit slowly took the card and stared at it. “The Magician,” he said softly.

“Who is she, Kit?” Holy asked, two daggers drawn.

“The fortune-teller from when I was nine years old,” Kit said.

No one seemed to know what that meant, but the woman’s lips curved into a sweet smile.

“True,” she said, “But if you must know, my name is Flora. Melanie has insisted that we come and take care of you.”

“We tried to tell her that we could dispose of everyone else, but fate would never allow us to kill you, Kit,” Ezra added.

“But she won’t listen,” Flora finished, “It’s a little sad. If she had never heard the prophecy of your coming, she would have never had you brought you to Aradon and the prophecy would have never been fulfilled.”

Kit was scowling slightly.

“We’ll just have to fight you,” Kit said bravely.

“What a change!” Flora’s eyes widened a little, “Did you take this into account in your predictions, Ezra?”

“No, I didn’t,” Ezra said, “I doubt much will change.”

“Things will go according to plan, then?” Flora asked, looking concerned.

Ezra nodded.

“That’s enough!” Kit shouted. He felt himself grow angry and instead of suppressing it, he unleashed it full force, “I hate all this talk! I want to know exactly what’s going on here!”

Ezra and Flora glanced at each other.

“No harm, I suppose,” Flora said, “Well Kit, you can’t control Fate. But you can manipulate it a little.”

“What…?” Kit said softly, a horrible feeling creeping up on him.

“Allow me,” Ezra said, “Eight years ago, I predicted that Melanie would come and I and my apprentice would be destined to work under her as minions. I predicted that she would come and one day destroy the entire planet of Aradon. I couldn’t have that.”

“So we started looking for ways to avoid this particular Fate,” Flora said, “Sometimes, if you can initiate the right series of events, you can alter Destiny.”

“And we found it,” Ezra said, “That is, we found you.”

Kit felt his hands clench into fists. “Explain…”

“My predictions said that if we were to give out a prophecy when Melanie arrived that she would be destroyed by a boy from Template, she would have us find you and bring you here,” Ezra went on, “And when we did, you would die, but you would save our planet.”

“You mean…” Kit said softly, “I wasn’t ever supposed to be here? That you just said the right words to manipulate the results?”

“In your prophecy, you say that the Traveler would be assisted by a Katze companion!” Branret cut in, “Because of that, Melanie had us all killed!”

“It was necessary to add that,” Flora shrugged, “For you to be in the right place at the right time and assist the Traveler, your tribe had to be destroyed.”

Branret growled deep within his throat.

“You used us!” Kit hissed, “Instead of asking me to do any of these things, or asking someone with more power, you ruined my life in order to save your planet…”

“Completely necessary,” Ezra replied, “Our lives or yours, we had to make the choice.”

“You’re right,” Kit said, “So what do you think of your choice now?!” With that, he held up both of their cards, the surfaces starting to gleam.

“Don’t be stupid,” Flora said, holding up a hand. Suddenly the entire deck disappeared and reappeared in her hand.

Kit gasped and stared, shocked. “But… those… are…”

“Yours?” Flora asked, “Well, actually, they’re still considered mine.” The deck appeared in front of her and she snatched it out of the air.

“We gave them to you so long ago so you would be able to use them,” Ezra explained, “They had to have time to adapt to your energy.”

Kit fell to his knees, staring.

Flora simply smiled, holding them up, a card jumping up from the deck. She took it and smiled softly.

“You know, not only the villians in this story are reprisented by the cards,” Flora said, holding up the card, “This card reprisents you, Kit, and has from the very beginning.”

Kit leaned forward, gaping ahead at the card she held. “The Fool…” he whispered.

“Fitting, no?” she asked, tilting her head.

“How is it that the number of cards and the number of people involved are equal?” Holy asked, folding his arms.

“That was Destiny’s doing,” Flora replied, “Except, there was a flaw. One person for each card was supposed to serve under Melanie, but two ended up missing. The Fool and The Star. We thought Branret here would fill in for The Star, but the elf fell out of reach of our radar.”

“Jinn has a card, too?” Gate asked.

“He does,” Flora smirked, “He proved to be quite useful in keeping our Fool alive. But now things are getting sticky. I don’t like this new devil-may-care attitude our hero has adopted. So for that reason, I’ll take over transferring him to the palace.”

“What?!” Branret growled.

Flora simply smiled and held up The Fool. Kit gasped as it began to glow, shielding his eyes. A strange floating sensation filled him as he was pulled into the card, crying out. Flora smiled as the surface turned black, filing it in with the rest of the deck.

“Kit…?” Branret said quietly, “Kit!!”

“Haven’t you made him suffer enough?!” Holy snarled, drawing his blades.

“Don’t worry, I’m just speeding up his fate,” Flora said.

“His chances of dying are probably greater without your assistance, but we’re running out of time,” Ezra said.

“Let him go!!” Branret screamed, charging them.

Suddenly, Flora held up a black card, the surface starting to glow. However, instead of pulling something in, it spit something out.

Scrape floated an inch off the ground in front of them. Flora waved a hand and suddenly his eyes snapped open.

“Scrape!” Flora shouted, “Kill them! Portay!”

Without warning, the large ogre appeared next to her.

“Yes, Flora?” he asked.

“Assist Scrape in dealing with these pests,” she said, putting the cards in a pouch on her belt. “Ezra and I have work to do.”

“Gladly,” Portay said.

“Kit!” Branret shouted.

“Let the Little One go,” Rose said, stepping forward, making her scythe appear.

Ezra suddenly jerked, looking at her. “You. Who are you?” he growled, “You aren’t part of this story. As if the elf wasn’t enough of a surprise…”

Rose said nothing.

“Make sure they’re all dead,” Ezra said, disappearing, Flora quickly after him.

“No!” Holy cried, “Kit!”

Scrape and Portay stood before them, Scrape looking somewhat disoriented. However, he seemed to know what was expected of him, facing them.

“They can’t have gone far,” Rose said, “No one on this world can teleport great distances.”

“Then it’s a matter of catching up,” Branret said, crouching down.

“If you get by us, you mean,” Portay smirked with blackened teeth.

“Well, guys,” Branret said, “All or nothing…”

“Right,” Gate said, drawing his sword.

“Are you fighting, Dalune?” Holy asked.

“I’ll fight,” Dalune replied with a nod.

“You know what I wish?” Branret said suddenly.

“What?” Dalune asked.

“I wish Jinn was here,” was his reply as he launched himself at their opponents.