Fate: Alternate Prologue

    What is the nature of Fate? There are those who say that Fate is a hunter, seeking out prey with an uncanny eye, drawing with deadly aim the bow that launches destiny into the ever beating heart of the world. It is a rustic creation, taken from the fireside stories that emit from the mouths of poor farmers to their children.
    There are those who say that Fate is a soldier, battling his way through the universe, making the most of every opportunity to control those who are guided by his battle grid. He sends the chosen ones to death and the fortunate ones to love.
    No one is truly certain as to which school is correct, but since we wander along the realms of the metaphorical, we must say that it is our opinion that Fate is but a child at play. He has no more thought for the soul of his toys than a kitten has for the soul of a piece of yarn. And so we are tossed to and fro throughout our lives by someone we have deemed to be called this poor monosyllabic word. Fate. That is the hopelessness that is perceived by the infidel.
    Is it this child that sends empires to the cold torn ground through an unexpected twist in battle? Is it he that draws the line that so determines the course of a human life? Is it he that draws the hear of a woman to the heart of a man and so unites them? Can it truly be he that makes the true hunter, Orion, shine so brightly on those two familiar stick figures?
    Or is it something...someone...bigger? Perhaps if you listen closely to our story you will discover the truth.
    Whatever the case, it is our duty to relate the following events with such a cliche as this hallowed word. Be forewarned that the Fate of this tale is tragic, but of course it may yet be that this fact will be forgotten, so the story must still be told.
    And so we begin in a beautiful city, on a starry night, where Orion does shine down brightly and a small child Fatefully plays with his toys...