Life was simple.
Wake up, go to school, study, play sports—repeat.
Boring? Maybe.
But for people like us, boring is good.
I had parents who always supported me. They shaped my career choices, encouraged me at every turn. I had a group of friends, ones who used to meet up every month without fail. But as time passed, they each followed their own paths, and our meetings became rare.
Now, I am a university student.
Unlike my school days, not everything was easy anymore. Straight A's weren't guaranteed—especially when you chose a path different from what you were actually good at.
There were moments of doubt.
Maybe I should've chosen differently. Maybe things would've been easier if I had just followed what I was supposed to do.
But thinking about the past changed nothing.
Instead, I focused on what always gave me peace, books.
I had a habit of finding quiet places to read, places where I could let go of everything. Today was no different. But this time, I took out a book I had been carrying for years.
It was old, slightly worn from being read too many times.
Not because it was my favorite.
Not because I liked it.
But because this book… was perfect.
A novel that took the world by storm.
Four supporting characters. One protagonist to bind them together. A villain so well-crafted, we had no right to condemn him.
An award-winning masterpiece.
Back in school, my friends and I were obsessed. We would gather around and go full hardcore fan mode, arguing over theories, debating power rankings. The Avatars, the four strongest characters, had entire fanbases devoted to them.
But as I sat there, flipping through the pages, I wasn't thinking about them.
I was thinking about him.
The character no one cared about.
A supposed steppingstone and an extra.
He worked hard, fought against fate, carried the hopes and dreams of his people. He was their heir, their leader. He thought he had a future.
But the gods had already chosen his adopted sister as their Avatar.
And so, his purpose changed.
He was just meant to keep the throne warm for her.
When she finally took his place, he stepped aside without resistance. He became her sword, her shield, her subordinate.
His parents even planned an engagement between them, not out of love, but to give her full control over the family.
He obeyed. He fought. He died for her sake.
And then she moved on like he never existed.
His name was forgotten.
The world celebrated the Avatar's rise, never mourning the steppingstone she used to get there.
Even in the novel's side stories, where every minor extra and disposable villain got attention, he never did.
Not once.
Not in a single spin-off.
Not in any reader discussion.
Even the author herself said:
"His only role was to elevate his sister's position. That's it."
I closed the book.
How sad is it to be forgotten by the world?
To fade into the background while others thrive?
To be discarded, as if you never mattered?
I leaned back, exhaling.
"...I wonder."
A bitter smile formed on my lips.
If I could change his story… would he get a proper ending?