Kopii did not know when exactly, at what precise moment, the performance would begin, only that the evening had, undoubtedly, already come into its own, full of expectation. But the stage remained silent. He was drowning in an enormous sea of people, seeing neither end nor edge of this motley crowd: humans, gods, half-bloods, elves… Why were there so many of them? Was the performance truly so magical that it attracted such a diverse audience?
— Miach-sama, how much longer do we have to wait? — Kopii asked, turning to Miach, who seemed absorbed in what was happening. He did not take his gaze off the stage.
— Kopii, one must know how to wait, — Miach responded, not changing his posture. — Where are you rushing? You decided to give yourself a day off today, don't forget that. Relax and enjoy yourself.
— Yes, Kopii, Miach-sama is right, just relax. — Naaza added, glancing at him.
Kopii looked at Naaza but said nothing.
But every second dragged unbearably slowly, as if an eternity. He shifted from foot to foot, feeling how his tension was binding his shoulders, creating discomfort. The crowd swayed around him, like a living ocean, full of whispers, laughter and impatient murmuring, chirping. Kopii tried to find something interesting in the faces around him, but, looking away from the stage, he noticed that they all looked equally focused on the stage, anticipating the start of the performance.
Suddenly, the hum of the crowd fell silent, and Kopii, like a spring, fixed his gaze on the stage.
«Finally!»
From behind the curtains appeared a figure in glittering garments, and the magical voice of the announcer, amplified by magic, rang out over the crowd:
— Ladies and gentlemen, lords and ladies, gods and heroes! We are glad to welcome you to our performance!
«Heroes, too loud a word for the nobodies who descend into the dungeon for money and fame. Someone like me will never become a hero…»
But he cast these thoughts aside, striving to absorb, to take in what was happening on stage.
The performance began with dances, and after their dance, the true show began. Graceful figures, woven from light and shadow, glided across the stage, telling a dynamic story about a dragon.
The music, like an invisible spell, mesmerized, and the costumes amazed with their beauty and detail. Kopii could not tear his gaze away, though he tried to remain skeptical, self-critical.
The dances were followed by acrobatic acts, which made the crowd hold its breath. The agile acrobats performed incredible feats, challenging gravity itself. Kopii involuntarily admired their skill, though he would not have admitted it aloud. He did not understand how one could achieve such a degree of control over one's body while being in complete harmony with the surrounding space.
Suddenly, a jester burst onto the stage. His jokes were simple and unsophisticated. Kopii did not understand what was funny about them and tried not to stand out from the mass of spectators. He simply waited for it all to end. He wanted to go home, to his quiet and calm room, where none of this existed.
«If this is all, then it's not as impressive as Miach said. He can't exaggerate that much. Or is this a different troupe? Did he simply mix them up?»
— Miach-sama, when will it end?
Miach looked at Kopii with some understanding and replied:
— It's still a long way off, Kopii. The most interesting part will be at the end, don't lose hope. It will get more interesting further on.
— And what will be there? Another jester? — Kopii said with displeasure.
— No, Kopii, there will be a true play, — Miach added with a light, mysterious smile.
— A play?
— That's enough, Kopii, just enjoy the process.
— ...
«A play… But on what theme?»
There are so many of them: war, famine, books, legends, fairy tales… He hoped it would be interesting, even a little. Now Kopii had a faint glimmer of interest in what awaited him at the end of this performance, which had not yet begun and concealed many mysteries.
«How long… How many jokes does he have left?»
He just cannot stop. Kopii never understood what was funny about it.
«Some kind of idiocy…»
All his interest in the finale evaporated. More and more, he regretted agreeing to come here. But he was consoled by the fact that there were so many people here. Surely, they were not standing here for nothing… probably.
Kopii shifted from foot to foot again, trying not to pay attention to the jokes, which seemed to become increasingly stupid and inappropriate. He stole a glance at Miach and Naaza, trying to understand whether they shared his displeasure. Miach's face was completely impassive, while Naaza was still looking at the stage with half-asleep eyes, enjoying the moment.
Even Miach had grown bored listening to the jokes, although at first he had laughed at the top of his voice, and his laughter had resounded through the crowd. Finally, the jester finished his act, and the crowd burst into applause, enthusiastically supporting the performer. Kopii sighed with relief, hoping that the most torturous part was finally behind him. The lights on the stage went out, and in the ensuing silence, the sounds of tuning instruments could be heard, creating an atmosphere of expectation and intrigue. The curtain slowly crept upwards, revealing magnificent scenery to the audience.
Actors in luxurious costumes appeared on the stage, and a new story began. Kopii did not immediately grasp the essence of what was happening, losing himself in the streams of his thoughts. This was already the second story, but in his eyes, they were boring and meaningless. He could not help but ask Miach how many more scenes there would be, and he replied.
– Three. The next one is the last.
«Finally, home soon.» — He thought. It was getting cooler outside, and he wanted it all to end as soon as possible.
At last, the second play ended, and the third began. At first, it was a story about love, deep and touching — a story about a hero.
«Finally, something interesting.» — Kopii thought, eagerly following the plot. He did not know where those two plays had been taken from – from old books or local tales — but, frankly speaking, he did not care. Yet this story, even he knew it, the story of a hero.
– The great dragon has fallen! Your last words!
– If I am a monster, then I do not deserve to be happy!
– A villain cannot be happy. – He raised his sword for the last time. – Die, calamity!
– You think you can win! You are a foolish child. You will never defeat fate. Befo...
Before the dragon could continue, the sword cleaved him.
– I must win...
The hero saved the city from the black dragon, but the dragon's poison had seeped too deep, and the hero fell.
– The hero could not defeat his fate. He and the dragon were destined to fall on the same day. And so it happened... One cannot run from fate.
The actors delivered their closing speech, and the crowd began to disperse. Kopii, Naaza and Miach headed to the Blue Pharmacy. Kopii walked silently beside Miach and Naaza, remaining immersed in his thoughts.
— Finally, we're home. To tell the truth, it was a rather boring performance. — Kopii muttered with slight displeasure.
— No-no, Kopii, boring for you, but for me – fascinating and enlightening. At least some variety in your routine life. Kopii, one must know how to relax and take pleasure in simple things.
— No, perhaps it's simply not for me.
– No, Kopii, you are simply still too young to understand. I liked the last story very much.
– A hero against a dragon? And what's so amazing about that? – Kopii said, looking straight into Miach's eyes.
– Fate cannot be defeated. – He said in a serious tone, without a smile. This made Kopii uneasy; he was not used to seeing him so cold and serious.
– I'm going to sleep, good night, Kopii and Miach-sama.
After she left, Miach returned to his former self. And having said good night to each other, they too returned to their rooms.
«Fate cannot be defeated.»
He recalled Miach's words, but to tell the truth, for him it was nonsense. Since childhood, he had thought that fate did not exist, and he still thought so to this day.
«My future is determined by me. Not by some fate.»