All Chapters of Beyond Fate: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

“Idris, how is she on that level of a journey?”“That’s not something that a newbie is even supposed to be witnessing. This is outrageous!” Seth slammed his coffee cup down. Thud! The sound echoed like a gavel in a courtroom of fate.“Seth, I don’t know. I never had that purpose, sorry,” Idris said, rubbing his forehead.They both stared into the relic bracelet Charlene was wearing, watching with frozen breaths. Through its shimmering lens, they could see and hear the Judgment Realm—an arena of souls and destinies—but couldn’t speak directly to her.“Who do we even complain to, Seth?” Idris threw his hands up, more in spiritual protest than confusion. “We weren’t even supposed to see this. How will we explain that we used the relic to spy on your daughter?”“Yeah, I get what you’re saying,” Seth said, pacing. “But in all my years as a journeyer, I have never—never—heard of a newbie’s first case being that magnitude! A mobster hit man and a female serial killer? That’s not a first step

Stumbling onto the beach, the voices intensified, surprising Darla. She called out to a familiar one, "Daddy is that you?" "Why, Darla, why, wasn't I a good father to you?" "Why did you kill me?" "I didn't mean to daddy, I really didn't!" Funnels of sand swirled around. She could barely see the wind was so strong. Sands stinging her face. A different voice shouting at her. "Wasn't I good to you?" "Darla, wasn't I?" "How could you do me this way?" "I loved you, Ricky!" "You shouldn't try to leave me!" "That's always what happens!" "They're always trying to leave me!" "It's not my fault you hear me!!" The others watched from on top of the dunes. "I'm going down there to help her." Mike started to run. Charlene pulled him back. "No, it's her journey, let her be." The sand funnels stopped and hit the ground "thud". Darla was on her knees wiping away the sand and hair from her eyes, laughing hysterically and weeping. "I deserve to be happy, and I'll do whatever I can to protect m

“That was the nastiest thing I’ve ever had to do, Seth!” Idris wiped his mouth, grimacing as he popped a breath mint into his mouth. “I’m still tasting his treachery!”“Why are you blaming me, Idris?” Seth looked at him, genuinely puzzled. “I didn’t try to poison us!”“That was your leader!” Idris snapped, voice tight with disgust.“Don’t remind me.” Seth clenched his jaw. “I can still feel it. The bile’s rising. I’m holding it back, but… man.”“I’m just mad, Seth.” Idris’ voice softened with frustration. “My throat’s burning.”Seth straightened, a gleam of determination in his eyes. “I have a plan.”Idris raised an eyebrow. “What plan?”“We need to get into his inner circle, and one of us has to befriend him.”“Torock? Head Council Torock?” Idris blinked, incredulous. “Have the fumes from your vomit gone to your head?”“I’m serious.” Seth held up his hands in mock surrender. “Hear me out.”“We can’t just waltz into Torock’s circle. Not you, not me,” Idris muttered, shaking his head.

Emotionally drained, Charlene stepped through the portal.“Welcome back, little one!” Argun greeted her warmly. The hounds began to whine and leaped forward, eager to greet her.“Down,” Argun commanded.All three hounds obeyed at once, sitting attentively. Argun’s face was tense, his expression pained.“What’s troubling you, big guy?” Charlene asked, trying to lighten the mood. “No coffee today?”“I fear things are changing for the worse,” Argun replied solemnly. “Be careful, little one. There are Fates who do not wish you well. Keep your wits about you—treachery walks among them.”Charlene’s brow furrowed. “What happened?”“While you were away,” he continued, voice low, “Council Member Byron was murdered in the Great Hall. They’re hunting for the killer as we speak. Chaos grips the realm.”“Oh no!” Charlene gasped. “Do you think my father is involved?”“That infidel?” Argun scoffed. “Please.”“I need to know if he’s okay,” she said softly, eyes pleading.Argun’s eyes glowed yellow as

As a child, whenever Charlene misbehaved, she would slide under the bed to hide from her father—Seth, the strict disciplinarian of the household. She believed the shadows would protect her, wrapping around her like a second skin. One time, Seth searched the entire house for hours, his voice growing hoarse from shouting her name, frustration bubbling beneath his skin. When he finally dropped to the floor and spotted her curled up beneath the bed like a coiled spring, she clung to the wooden frame with the tenacity of a wildcat. He grunted, trying to drag her out. No use. Charlene wrapped her arms and legs around the slats so tightly he had no choice but to lift one side of the bed and gently shake it. Still, she held firm, eyes fierce and jaw locked. From the doorway, Tamera stood with a fresh cup of coffee, amusement dancing in her eyes. She sipped, savoring the aroma—and the sh