Rule of Fate

Jerome stopped walking, surprised. "Wait, seriously?"

Vairaj nodded, his usual lazy demeanor replaced by a rare determination. "Yup. I'll train, I'll fight, and I'll rise through the ranks. Maybe I'll even make it to the top. Why not?"

Zoya, who had been walking behind them, suddenly spoke up with a fierce glare. "No way,Vairaj. Absolutely not."

Vairaj raised an eyebrow. "What, you think I can't do it?"

Zoya crossed her arms and stared him down. "You're lazy. You won't even walk properly without someone grabbing your hand. You think you'll survive the training? The monsters? The battles? You're not ready for that life."

Vairaj's expression didn't change. "I'll be ready. I've always been a genius, Zoya. When I actually care about something, I go all in. This time, I care."

Jerome looked between them, his mouth hanging open. "Are you serious, Vairaj?"

Vairaj met his gaze, unwavering. "Yup, I'm serious. I'm going to join the Saviors. And I'll prove I can make it to the top."

Zoya's face softened slightly, but her concern was clear. "You don't understand what you're getting into. This is dangerous. You might get yourself killed."

Vairaj shrugged. "I know the risks. But I think it's worth it."

Jerome, still processing everything, finally spoke. "Well, if you're serious about it... I guess I'll support you, Vairaj. But just remember, it's going to be tough. You better be ready for everything it throws at you."

Vairaj smiled, the first genuine smile of the day. "I'm ready." As they continued walking, Vairaj couldn't shake the thought of joining the Saviors. His mind raced with possibilities, and before Zoya could say anything else, he spoke up.

"By the way, even you could join me in the tech branch of the Saviors. They need tech experts, you know? You're good with machines too."

Zoya raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed. "Yeah, right. As if your parents are going to let you join the Saviors."

Vairaj's smile faltered slightly. "Oh, they'll have to. I'm born to change destiny. And especially when people need it, they'll see that my support could make a difference."

Zoya sighed but didn't say anything more. She knew Vairaj was stubborn, but she couldn't help worrying. Jerome stayed quiet, but a small smile tugged at his lips, as if he understood Vairaj's determination.

By the time they reached their homes, the air felt thicker. Vairaj knew he had to speak to his parents about it. He couldn't do this without their approval, no matter how badly he wanted to.

That evening, after dinner, Vairaj finally worked up the courage to bring it up. He walked into the living room where his parents, Orion and Elara, were relaxing. They both looked up as he entered, giving him their usual warm smiles.

"Hey, Mom, Dad," Vairaj began, his voice a bit hesitant. "I want to talk to you about something."

Elara, always attentive, put down her book and smiled. "What's on your mind, Vairaj?"

Vairaj took a deep breath. "I've been thinking about joining the Saviors. I want to train,become a fighter, maybe even work in their tech branch. I know it's a big deal, but I really believe I can make a difference."

Orion's expression became serious, his eyes narrowing slightly. "The Saviors? That's not a decision to take lightly, son."

Vairaj nodded, his voice steady. "I know. But I've been thinking about it for a while now. The world needs more than just barriers and protection. They need people who can fight, who can help—who can use technology to make things better. I want to be one of those people."

Elara exchanged a look with Orion. "Vairaj, you know how dangerous it is out there. You're not just talking about playing with machines anymore. This is real, and it's serious. You'll be in danger. We've been part of the Saviors in our own way, but this is different. You have to be ready for everything that comes with it."

Vairaj stood his ground. "I am ready. I may not look like it, but when I care about something, I give it everything I've got."

Orion, after a long pause, leaned back in his chair and let out a heavy sigh. "Son, your mother and I have always supported you, but joining the Saviors is something we never wanted for you. It's dangerous. You're not old enough, and it's not like any of the tech we work on here at home. You're going into a world full of warriors, of monsters, and you could be putting your life on the line."

Vairaj clenched his fists, his jaw set. "I understand the risks. But I don't want to sit here and do nothing when I could be helping. The world needs people who are willing to fight and work together. I'm not going to let fear stop me."

Orion looked at him for a long moment, and then slowly nodded. "You're a smart kid, Vairaj.You always have been. But this isn't just about smarts. This is about heart, and determination, and fighting for something bigger than yourself."

Elara finally spoke, her voice soft. "If you're truly set on this, we'll support you. But you have to promise us one thing."

Vairaj's heart skipped a beat. "Anything."

"You'll be careful," she said. "You'll train hard, and you'll remember that we're always here for you. And above all, you'll keep your safety as a priority."

Vairaj nodded vigorously. "I promise, Mom. I'll be careful. But I will do this."

Orion smiled faintly. "Then, we'll help you prepare. But remember—this is not an easy road. You'll have to prove yourself every step of the way."

Vairaj's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I will, Dad. I'm ready."

With a quiet sense of pride, Orion and Elara both nodded, realizing that Vairaj was no longer just the lazy genius they had known; he was a young man with a purpose—and that purpose was bigger than any of them had imagined.

Scene: At School the Next Day

Vairaj, Jerome, and Zoya were seated under the large tree in the schoolyard where they always hung out during breaks. Vairaj had a triumphant grin on his face as he leaned back against the trunk.

"So," Vairaj began, his voice full of excitement, "I talked to my parents last night, and guess what? They agreed!"

Jerome's eyes widened. "No way! They actually said yes?"

Vairaj nodded proudly. "Yep. They weren't thrilled at first, but I convinced them. I told them I'm born to change destiny, and they finally came around."

Jerome laughed. "Classic Vairaj. You always know how to get your way when it matters."He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Well, I have some news too. I talked to my parents, and... they said I could join you."

Vairaj's grin grew even wider. "Seriously? That's awesome, Jerome! We're going to rock this together."

Zoya, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke up, her voice heavy. "So you're both leaving? I guess I'll be all alone now."

Her words hit Vairaj and Jerome like a brick. They exchanged a quick glance before Vairaj leaned forward, his tone soft. "Zoya, you're not going to be alone. You're coming with us."

Zoya looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "You really think I should? I'm not... I mean, I'm not like you two."

Jerome shook his head. "Zoya, you're stronger than either of us. You've always been the one keeping us together. If anyone can make it, it's you."

Vairaj nodded firmly. "Of course you should come. We're a team, right? You've always taken care of us. Now it's our turn to stick together."

Zoya hesitated, then gave a small smile. "Alright. If you two are going, I'm going too. I can't let you guys get into trouble without me."

Jerome clapped his hands together. "That's settled then! The three of us, together."

Vairaj leaned back again, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "So, when does this all start?"

Jerome pulled out the book he had bought the day before and flipped to the back. "The new candidates for the training camp are scheduled to report in one month."

"A month, huh?" Vairaj mused. "That's plenty of time to prepare."

---

What They Did Until the Training Camp Began

Training Together: The trio began their mornings with a run around the park, much to Vairaj's annoyance. Zoya made sure he didn't slack off, often pulling him forward when he lagged behind. Jerome started teaching them basic exercises to build their stamina.

Studying Technology: Jerome dived into his books and notes, sharing what he learned about the Sphere and the Saviors' equipment. Vairaj surprised everyone by showing genuine interest and even helping with some creative ideas for armor designs.

Combat Practice: Zoya took charge of their physical training, teaching them basic fighting moves she had picked up from watching her father train. Vairaj often ended up on the ground but laughed it off, while Jerome focused on perfecting each move.

Spending Time Together: They made sure to enjoy their free time as well, knowing things would change once they entered the training camp. They visited their favorite spots, played games, and even planned a small farewell picnic with their classmates.

Gathering Supplies: Each of them began preparing for the camp, gathering essential items like sturdy shoes, notebooks, and snacks. Jerome modified a small gadget he had been working on to bring along, hoping it might come in handy.

By the end of the month, they were more prepared than ever, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them at the Saviors' training camp.