Everyone imagines that they are a hero in their story.
In fact, I have encouraged many people to stop saying that others have a main character syndrome. Everyone is a main character, just in different genres. It is true that everyone is at the centre of their story.
But you also have to remember that you are a side character in everyone's story at the same time.
We all like to imagine we are the hero.
Many would think that they would have escaped from the Kingmaker's control while in the chapter building, knocked out Eunice, or grabbed a guard and taken them out. Some might have… and ended up as side characters in a tragedy movie.
Someone might have succeeded as a main character in an action hero movie.
But that is not my movie.
My movie is one where I follow a suspicious character into a dark tunnel so that they can tell me the secrets hidden in it. Perhaps, they will help me decode a cypher. Immediately after, they will try to kill me.
These were the thoughts I had after I was ushered once again into the intimidating vehicle that brought me to the chapter. I thought the vehicle was taking me back to Agatha. However, when it kept going on for over three hours, I was no longer sure about my destination.
Or location…
I must have dozed off for a while, but I could not be certain how long I might have slept.
All I knew was that someone knocked on the window, and I was shaken free of my disturbed dreams. It was already night. I felt deep hunger pangs as I stumbled out of the vehicle. Unfortunately, I could hardly complain to my captors about their lack of consideration.
When I looked outside, I found we were no longer in the quaint traditional area where the chapter was, but in the uptown area of a city. When I looked in front of me, I saw a tall skyscraper, gleaming in the night like pure obsidian.
A dark tower…
The cold-faced driver and his co-driver (I hope) flanked me and ushered me 'politely' into the building. We entered an elevator that rose with impressive smoothness to the highest floor… I think.
The numbers seemed to move too fast and looked a little blurry to my still sleepy eyes and clouded mind. I could not tell if there was a number when we finally stopped, and the doors slid open.
The two men flanking me looked at me meaningfully, and I stepped out with them. The elevator opened to a narrow hallway, which led to a single door. The driver pressed a button on the door.
There was silence for a moment before the door opened. I could not tell if it was an automated process or not. The two men indicated for me to enter through the door, but they remained outside.
When I entered, I found an empty space except for a single desk in the middle of the room. It was more accurate to say it was a console or some other kind of tech table. The structure gave me a sense of déjà vu.
It reminded me of the basement in the Guild of the Gracious Quill.
As expected, the Kingmaker was in the spacious room, standing at the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the city. I hesitated before walking towards him. He did not turn or acknowledge my presence when I stood about two metres from him.
I chose to mirror his stance and look at the city.
I was still not sure about my location because I could not distinguish any significant architectural buildings. However, it was a beautiful city. Everything seemed to shine against the background of the dark sky.
"Was your day productive?" The Kingmaker asked after a long silence.
"It was," I answered.
"Who did you find more convincing, Marta or the Matriarch?" The Kingmaker did not say the Matriarch, but her given name.
I should have been shocked, but I was too tired. I did not even have the strength to question whether the Matriarch tricked me. I decided to assume that she was sincere and accept that the Kingmaker had eyes everywhere.
"They both had great points," I answered calmly.
The Kingmaker looked at me with a bit of surprise. "You will not deny it? Quite foolish of you."
I smiled as I looked back. "Would it make a difference?"
"No, I suppose not." He replied with a light laugh.
Silence fell in the room before I decided to ask the question that bugged me since I spoke with the Matriarch.
"Do you really intend to rebuild the earth as heaven using young children?" I asked the Kingmaker with uncharacteristic earnestness.
"What do you think?" The Kingmaker asked.
As expected, the leopard does not change its spots. He was not going to give me a straightforward answer even when it involved something important, something that could change what the world would be like in the future.
But I was already too used to playing the game.
"People like me are too set in our ways. We have gotten used to our brand of freedom, our sins. I thought I understood Marta for a moment, but you were right. I am a hypocrite because I understand her, but I do not empathise."
"To me, she is a unique case. I have met countless women, and a large portion of them have expressed misery. I cannot change my mind because I have met a few who are happy within the system that hurts others."
The Kingmaker did not respond, so I continued.
"If you are indeed building a new world, you would need to get rid of those who cling to this mindset. If people like me are in the world, walking free, they will spread the rot to the new generation, and the same mistakes will be repeated."
"Therefore, I think you plan to squeeze the last bit of value from those you do not want to exist in the new earth. You will get rid of them. For those who will comply with your new world order, you will allow them to remain, but they will be nothing more than servants."
"The new generations will be indoctrinated with the ideas of the Order of the Paragons. They will learn to embrace these ideas at a young age. As they say, when you teach the children from an early age, they will not depart from the righteous ways."
The Kingmaker looked back at the dark city.
"Are you certain I cannot persuade you to join the mission to restore the world to how the creator intended?" He asked in a quiet but sincere voice.
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.