I will change this so-called fate

The sky was still dark when Karli left Morrin's house, the pendant back around her neck and a heavy pouch of stolen wages tucked into her belt.

Morrin, meanwhile, was left groaning under a pile of blankets with a few sore bones and a bruised ego.

Karli walked out, stretching her arms with a cheerful smile.

"That was satisfying," she said, patting her pouch. "Though honestly, I should've broken more bones."

Beside her, Kaelir blinked slowly. "You should've disguised yourself as a demon instead of a boy," he said dryly. "With that behavior, the demons would welcome you with open arms."

Karli gasped, placing a hand on her chest in fake shock.

"Oo, Almighty Dragon," she said with exaggerated drama,

"How can I — a mere, weak human — disguise as a demon? That role suits you much better. You looked like you were enjoying that moment more than I was."

Kaelir gave her a flat, unamused smile.

Karli leaned forward, grinning. "Look, look! Who's smiling now!"

"I saw it too," said a third voice.

Karli turned to the side and beamed.

"Right, Troy?"

Troy, the tall brown horse standing next to them, gave a short huff.

"I saw it with my own eyes. That dragon smirked."

Kaelir rolled his silver eyes. "You both saw it wrong."

Karli and Troy exchanged a look.

"Suuuure we did," Karli said, snickering.

---

Earlier, Karli had walked up to Troy calmly, rested her hand on his neck, and gently whispered through magic.

"Hey, I'm in a bit of trouble. Would you like to help me get away?"

Troy, after a thoughtful pause and a few sniffs, replied,

"Hmm… only if you give me apples later."

"Deal," Karli said, smiling.

Now, she was riding steadily, Troy's hooves clicking along the empty road, the wind cool on her face as the first hints of sunrise lit the horizon.

Kaelir perched on the saddle horn like a grumpy cat, his tiny claws gripping the leather as he tried to stay balanced.

"Where are we going now?" he asked, breaking the silence.

Karli sat straighter in the saddle.

"To Ceraster Village. It's about five hours away on horseback."

Kaelir tilted his head. "Why there?"

Karli smirked. "Because that's where we will find it."

---

The road stretched long and quiet under the soft morning sky. Troy's steady steps echoed through the forest path as Karli sat with her arms resting on the saddle horn, eyes half-lidded.

Kaelir flew a little ahead for a while, then returned, landing lightly beside her again.

Her thoughts drifted as the wind played with the ends of her cloak.

(In the manga… there was this one silly story.)

She remembered it clearly — the kind that was told to kids before bedtime. A tale about Three great beings chosen by gods and goddesses from other worlds. Each of them was blessed with a powerful artifact.

They were called "The Beloved of the Divine."

A weapon the change according to the weilders will.

A mysterious book which holds all the truth of this world.

A healing ring, which can ever bring a person back to life but only within 2 minutes.

According to the story, when the world was at peace, these three entrusted artifacts were no longer needed. So, they decided to hide them across the lands — scattered and sealed with ancient magic.

People later started calling them the Three Treasures of the Divine.

When the book first came out, many believed the tale. Treasure hunters, scholars, and even kings tried to search the lands, hoping to find one of these mythical items.

But decades passed.

Nothing was found.

And slowly, people began calling it what they thought it truly was.

A myth.

A fantasy.

A well-written bedtime story.

Karli scoffed.

(Yeah, I get why they gave up. It sounds ridiculous when you think about it. I mean — who hides powerful magical items around the world without even mentioning where?)

She snorted, crossing her arms.

> "Three beloved children of gods,"

she muttered under her breath.

"My foot. More like Three forgetful idiots, who don't even know how to give hints."

Kaelir glanced at her.

"What are you muttering about now?" he asked.

Karli raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, just cursing some ancient heroes who thought it was smart to write a whole story about divine treasure without including a single map."

Kaelir narrowed his eyes. "You speak as if you know something."

She gave him a wink.

"I know enough."

---

After hours on the road, the peaceful roofs of Ceraster Village finally appeared on the horizon. Sunlight warmed the cobbled streets, and fresh mountain air drifted with the soft scent of herbs and bread.

Karli slid off Troy's back with a content sigh, patting the horse's neck.

"Thanks, Troy. You were amazing."

The horse huffed, almost smugly.

"I know," he neighed. "Take care, kid. And keep that dragon from burning your hair."

Kaelir, floating nearby with his stealth magic, let out a quiet scoff only Karli could hear.

Karli waved goodbye as Troy galloped off down the path, disappearing behind the hill.

She turned toward the village entrance, adjusting her cloak and glancing around. The guards paid her no attention — Kaelir was invisible to everyone else, and her disguise still held strong.

"Alright, Kaelir," she muttered under her breath. "Let's explore."

---

The day passed like a breeze.

Karli and the invisible dragon wandered through the village streets, passing colorful stalls and lively shops.

They tasted sweet buns filled with berries, browsed trinkets and shiny necklaces in the accessory stores, and even stopped at a clothing stand where Karli tried on a wide-brimmed hat with feathers sticking out.

"You look like a confused pirate," Kaelir commented flatly.

"Bold words from someone floating around like a ghost puffball," she replied, sticking her tongue out.

Then, they stumbled across a small archery stall near the village square.

A cheerful man called out, "One silver! Ten shots! Win a prize!"

Karli's eyes lit up.

She paid the coin, picked up the bow, and took her stance.

Thwack!

Miss.

Thwack!

Miss.

Thwack!

Miss.

Nine arrows later — only one barely hit the edge of the target.

Karli stared at the board, dead inside.

Kaelir, who had been floating beside her the whole time, burst into laughter.

"Guess bows aren't made for you," he said smugly.

Karli turned red.

She pointed the bow at him dramatically. "Why don't you try, Mr. Ancient Dragon?"

Kaelir raised a brow. "With what hands?"

"Ohh, right!" she gasped, mock-serious. "I forgot. Your tiny, adorable little paws can't hold a bow."

She grinned wickedly.

"Poor baby."

Kaelir's eyes glowed. A moment later, the entire wooden target exploded into splinters with a flick of his magic.

The shopkeeper blinked, confused, and shocked.

Meanwhile, Kaelir was flying in a proud circle like he had just saved the world.

Karli shook her head, walking away.

"You had to hit the board," she called over her shoulder. "Not annihilate it."

Kaelir huffed.

---

As the sun dipped lower, the village lights began to glow. Lanterns lit up the square, children laughed in the streets, and shopkeepers closed for the day.

Karli and Kaelir sat for a while near the fountain, watching life unfold around them.

People here were kind. Honest. Unaware of the danger quietly creeping through the empire's edges.

Karli knew this peace wouldn't last forever.

And tonight, their mission would begin.

This is the first step to change this so-called fate.

---

Later that Night…

The moonlight spilled like silver ink over the quiet land as Karli and Kaelir headed north, leaving the cozy village lights of Ceraster behind. The air grew colder, and the trees got taller and thicker.

Ahead loomed a vast, shadowy forest.

Kaelir flapped beside her, glowing faintly in the dark.

"We heading in there?" he asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Don't tell me… We're going monster hunting?"

Karli shot him a deadpan look.

"No. We're going to an elf village."

Kaelir stopped mid-air, wings freezing.

"…Elf village?"

"Mm-hmm." She kept walking.

"Wait—wait—aren't their locations supposed to be secret?" he asked, squinting at her. "How do you know there's one here?"

Karli gave him a sweet smile.

"I just know."

"'I just know,' she says…" Kaelir muttered. "That's very reassuring. Definitely not suspicious at all."

They stopped near a massive, ancient tree with silvery leaves. It towered high above the others, roots twisting like a nest of sleeping snakes.

Karli pointed at it.

"Alright. That tree is the gate."

Kaelir tilted his head. "The gate? To what, a treehouse tea party?"

She ignored him and pulled her cloak tighter.

"Listen, the elves hate humans. They'll toss me out or even kill me if they sees me."

Kaelir smirked. "Good thing I'm not human, then."

Karli turned to him, arms crossed.

"Oh sure, go ahead. And when rumors spread that a pink-eyed fifteen-year-old boy is traveling with a dragon, I'll just vanish in the chaos. No problem."

Kaelir blinked.

"…You make an excellent point."

"Glad you agree. So." She crouched low, motioning him to do the same.

Look ,"We sneak in, we sneak out. No diplomatic disasters. Think: ninja style."

Kaelir landed beside her, muttering,

"Great. I, the mighty Kaelir, will enter an ancient elven village like a ninja."

Karli grinned.

"Exactly. Ninja dragon. Sounds cool, right?"

"Sounds insulting," Kaelir huffed.

She patted his scaly head.

"Don't worry. If they catch us, I'll tell them you're my emotional support lizard."

"I will burn you in your sleep."

"Aw, that's the spirit."

As they crouched behind a cluster of glowing mushrooms near the giant tree, Kaelir whispered, "So… what now? We just knock on the bark and hope for the best?"

Karli ignored his sarcasm, stepped closer to the tree, and placed her palm on its bark. The texture felt old—ancient, even—as if the tree had been watching the world long before humans ever came.

She closed her eyes and whispered:

"> Whenever the sunrise,

Direction will guide.

When it sets,

Star won't lie.

As we live,

The nature will hold,

Even if we don't care,

It won't scold."

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then the bark shimmered, ripples of golden light running up the trunk like fireflies racing toward the stars. The roots shifted slightly, revealing a narrow, spiraling path that led down into the earth beneath the tree.

Kaelir's eyes widened.

"…Okay. That was actually impressive."

Karli grinned.

"I still say I should've been the one to say the spell," he huffed.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? And what would you have said?"

Kaelir puffed up.

"'Open sesame, or taste dragon fire!'"

"…And that's why I'm in charge of spells."

They stepped into the glowing path as the entrance slowly closed behind them, sealing the world above. The air shifted, cool and full of magic.

The elf village awaited.

---