Do you think free will truly exists?

  Or is it merely an illusion—some comforting fabrication by our consciousness to shield us from the harsh truth that our destiny is already set, and at this very moment, we're merely walking a linear path toward it?

  Dear observer, if you’ve already considered an answer, let me ask you this:

  Do you believe Apharel can prevent the course of his and his brother’s predetermined fate—trapped in that wretched dungeon?

  You scoff. “How could he? He’s just a character you wrote—why ask me?”

  I smile. “Exactly. That’s the point.”

  If a being of higher authority has already determined the fate of individuals... do their choices, their beliefs, even matter?

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  You scuffle. “Fueh?”

  You blink. “Scuffle? Do I even use that word? And seriously—Fueh? Who even says that? It’s like someone corny wrote this.”

  I laugh. “My, my. We’re barely past the prologue and already breaking the fourth wall?”

  You groan. “I thought this was supposed to be a grimdark high fantasy webnovel, not some edgy meta-narrative trying to stand out.”

  I reply, “Well, you’re already reading it... so what now, observer? Care to make a bet?”

  You sigh, scratch your head, and say, “Fine. But there's a condition. Let me change something in the story—to help Apharel.”

  I grin. “Good. No problem at all. But before you name your change, here are the rules:

  One—no overpowered twists that break the world’s logic or scaling.

  Two—your aid must be apposite to the story’s tone and theme.

  Three—it must affect Apharel and Apharel only. No turnabouts where he empowers others through loopholes.

  Three rules. Three changes. Three choices.”

  You mutter, “Talk much, do you?”

  Then you sigh and declare:

  “One—give Apharel a natural talent for holy magic and healing. That’s his role, right? A divinity-bound healer.

  Two—grant him a secondary sight. Even if he goes blind, he should still be able to perceive the morality and essence of a soul.

  Three—give him revelations. Glimpses of the future. Vague, yes, but just clear enough to change the outcome—if he understands them in time.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “Now who talks a lot?”

  You smirk. “Bruh.”

  I laugh again. “Enough with the chitchat, then. I accept your terms. Consider your conditions granted.”

  “Liberum arbitrium non in fuga fati consistit, sed in modo quo ei respondemus—passus eligentes, etiam cum via iam posita sit.”

  — Anonimus, saepe Kierkegaard falso adscribitur