Se Astringo Fatum - To Commit to Fate

Uneasiness – That was what I felt even two weeks after my first encounter with Pegasus. I was not the person I used to be. I was no longer the useless girl resented by her parents. I was now a person who had a purpose and a destiny but this very change was the reason for my growing uneasiness.

With my new powers, I had transformed myself to look as normal as possible. I clothed myself in a simple manner – a plain light blue blouse with long sleeves, black trousers and a pair of sandals. The clothes I was able to produce were common enough to help me blend in with crowds. After much discretion, I decided to keep my hair and face as they were. Nobody would be able to recognize me anyway…

I stood just a few meters away from the gates of Gaudium, which was known as the City of Bliss. I had headed for this place after pondering over the last words given by Pegasus. The winged horse – and my guardian – had temporarily returned to its place in the stars but I was promised that it would return come the proper moment in time.
"The place of promised happiness is not what it seems. There you must head out and search for he whose courage burns as that of a lion’s spirit. He is of a pure heart but his innocence is what makes him vulnerable to the fantasies of bliss. Beware, beloved, for you too might be tempted to its illusions."
Gaudium, the City of Bliss, certainly would fit Pegasus’ words. I was certain that this was the place of promised happiness, but uneasiness paved the way for my hesitation. My first mission seemed clear enough – I was to search for the man whose courage was so great and comparable to a lion’s spirit. But the warning of Pegasus was truly what got me worried. Just what did ‘tempted to its illusions’ mean?

I walked through the busy streets of Gaudium with caution and alert. I took note of every man I passed, wondering if the one I was searching for was one of them. He whose courage burns as that of a lion’s spirit… Just how was I supposed to look for a person like that? Goodness, Pegasus... Why are you making me do this? I was given not only an enigmatic warning but also a seemingly-impossible task. I may have felt powerful but whatever power I possessed seemed to prove useless in the situation I was currently facing.

I continued on walking and this time, I was already praying to whatever gods might exist in the world. Guide me towards this endeavor...Whatever outcome, I commit myself to whatever fate is waiting for me.

Then as if my prayers were truly heard, I stumbled upon an old tavern found in the farthest corner of the city. Nothing about it appeared extraordinary but it certainly drew my attention. My eyes could not help but dart towards the signboard hanging loosely by the tavern’s entrance. The words carelessly painted in white on the old wooden board were truly striking.
The Lion’s Den

Swallowing hard, I braced myself and prepared to enter. Once again, I called on the gods - Guide me towards this endeavor...Whatever outcome, I commit myself to whatever fate is waiting for me.
Yes, whatever fate…

Se Astringo Fatum - To Commit to Fate
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