I kept walking, staring at the golden needle of Lachesis in my hand. There was still a small strand of Clotho's pitch-black thread hanging from the needle's eye. My hands were trembling with excitement. These two sacred relics were just as powerful as their names implied—they could alter someone's fate in the blink of an eye.
And then, an idea struck me.
Since traveling with Jason was clearly a terrible choice, maybe I could use this golden needle to rewrite my fate again—maybe, just maybe, I could avoid the disaster that awaited me.
But what should I write? The thread I had was soaked in darkness. Every fate it could create would be just as grim.
My thoughts were cut off by a voice—someone shouting in the town square. I turned to see a handsome, muscular young man trying to rally the villagers.
But… who was he? I'd never seen him before.
Only a handful of townsfolk came to listen—barely twenty. Which wasn't surprising, considering most background characters were still stuck in the Arena of the Moirai, unable to reincarnate without their destinies assigned. And the only golden needle that could do it was now in my hand.
Still, the young man continued to speak with confidence, undeterred by the small crowd.
A bad feeling stirred in me. My right eye started to twitch—always a warning that disaster was near.
"O people of Iolcus… is there anyone brave enough to join me…"
Oh no!!!
I clapped my hands over my ears.
I didn't need to hear the rest—I already knew who this guy was.
He was none other than Jason—the hero who would lead me straight to my death.
I bolted from the square before his charismatic voice could enchant me into joining the Argo. Thank the gods I realized in time.
I ran far enough to escape the influence of his speech, but in my rush, I accidentally crashed into someone. I fell hard on my rear, but the person I hit didn't even flinch.
The man calmly extended his hand to help me up. Instinctively, I reached out and took it. And the moment I touched his hand, a strange rush of memories surged into my mind. Something about his touch felt… familiar. But I couldn't quite place where I'd met him before.
"I'm sorry… I wasn't watching where I was going," the man said gently.
When I heard his voice, it clicked. I looked at his face to confirm it—and yes, it was him.
Once, I had fought beside him. He was none other than Achilles—my former commander.
But… what was he doing here?
"Hmm… have we met before?" Achilles asked, peering at my face with curiosity.
He didn't seem to remember me. His reincarnation must've erased his memories. I shook my head to let him know we were strangers.
I had to end this conversation quickly. I was in a rush. If I stayed too long, I might miss my one chance to escape Jason.
"Wait… where are you going?" Achilles asked, holding onto my arm.
"Sorry… I really have to go," I replied, trying to pull away.
"Please… I'm new to this city. I don't know my way around. I need your help," he pleaded.
His voice stopped me in my tracks. The power of his persuasion was taking hold.
I slapped myself hard to snap out of it. I couldn't fall under his spell.
"Can it wait…? Just let me leave this city first."
"No. It's important. I'm searching for someone… but I don't know where to find him."
My heart skipped a beat.
Please, no. Please don't say that name.
If he's looking for the person I think he is, I'm doomed.
"A young man named Jason. Do you know him?"
There it was.
I tried to say I didn't know Jason, but the words wouldn't come out. It was like some magical force compelled me to speak the truth.
Not only that—I volunteered to take him straight to Jason in the town square.
By the gods… Zeus help me