May 8th, 2025
Even though I had already lived through this day once before, it still felt new. The same day when I had taken my own life… the same day that had led me into that strange Sunless World of immortals.
But today, things would be different.
Today, I wanted to test something. A theory that could change everything I knew about myself—and maybe even about the two worlds.
It was eight in the morning. In two hours, we had to leave for the Miyamoka Shrine, where I knew Claus and Ryan would be waiting.
For now, I walked into the living room where my parents sat, quietly sipping their morning tea. The sound of the television murmured softly in the background.
My sudden appearance startled them. My father, Freeze, looked up, blinking. "Garve? What's this? You're awake so early?"
Normally, I was the last to get out of bed. To them, this must have felt strange.
I kept my tone casual. "Nothing, Dad. I just remembered we have to go to the shrine at ten, for the prayers. So I thought… why not wake up early and get ready?"
His eyes warmed, his mouth curving into approval. "Good, my son. Very good. We must pray to God. God is great."
I gave him a small smile, though inside me a storm of thoughts whirled. Outwardly, I looked calm. Inwardly, I was planning something that, if true, could soon change the entire world.
I turned toward my mother. "Mom," I said gently, "can I wear our family's gold ring and chain today?"
Her eyes lit up with surprise, then softened with joy. "Of course, beta. You've never asked for such a thing before… this makes me very happy."
Even my father's stern face brightened at my request. Soon, I wore the heavy golden chain and ring, their cold metal brushing against my skin. They carried the weight of generations, of history.
I adjusted them, admiring my reflection in the mirror for the first time in a long while.
"Where are you going?" my father asked when I moved toward the door. "We're leaving at ten, aren't we?"
"Yes, Dad," I replied smoothly. "But today I want to look perfect. I'll just go buy a pair of sunglasses."
They exchanged a quick glance, then smiled. To them, this was a rare and hopeful sight—their son, who usually lived lost inside his own darkness, was finally taking interest in himself, in his appearance.
"Go on then," my father said warmly.
I nodded, stepping outside.
The shop wasn't far. When I reached, I asked for vertical-glass sunglasses—modern, sharp, reflecting the world back in fractured slivers. Slipping them on, I felt a strange sense of power, like the glass itself was another layer of armor.
On my way home, I paused on the street, tilting my face toward the sun. The morning light glared down at me, forcing my eyes shut for a moment. And then—
A memory struck.
I was back a few months earlier. A picnic with Claus, Umaima, Yashasvi, Ryan, and me. We sat beneath a great tree, our laughter echoing across the field. Ryan, especially, was unusually cheerful that day, his face glowing with pure joy.
I had asked him, half curious, half suspicious, "Why are you so happy today? What's so special?"
Ryan's smile had widened, almost childlike. "Because this place… compared to where I used to live, it's beautiful. Beyond beautiful."
"Where you used to live?" I leaned forward, interested. "Then where was that?"
He hesitated, scratching his head. "I was too young back then. I don't remember the name."
"Oh, I see," I'd murmured, but inside I found it odd. Ryan was in the last year of middle school, yet something about his size, his appearance—it all seemed strangely out of place. Almost as if he didn't quite belong.
The memory blurred, dissolving back into the present.
By the time I reached home, my parents were already waiting outside. My father, being a taxi driver, had his car parked, ready to take us.
I slipped into the backseat. My mother looked at me, her lips curving with genuine delight. "You look wonderful in those glasses, Garve."
I smiled faintly, watching the scenery roll by through the tinted lens. "Thank you, Mom."
From the front mirror, my father's eyes met mine. He chuckled softly. "She's right. You really do look good. A smart boy, who understands things quickly."
I gave another small smile, though my mind whispered darker questions. Did they really believe I had moved on? That the craving for an end had vanished from me? Or was something far more dangerous brewing inside me?
Only I knew the truth.
We arrived at Miyamoka Shrine just as the bells began to ring faintly in the distance. Standing there, waiting for us, were Claus, Yashasvi, and Ryan.
My parents greeted them kindly. "Children, we'll go ahead. You all join before the prayer starts."
"Okay, Uncle, Aunty," they chorused politely.
Claus turned to me, smiling. "Garve? You're here? But… weren't you not coming?"
I froze for a heartbeat. So he knows. He remembers that I wasn't supposed to come today. Which meant… the reset had only lasted a single day. The rest of the timeline was intact.
I forced a smile. "Yeah. I had some personal work to do, but I thought I'd finish it after the shrine visit. So here I am."
Claus and Ryan laughed lightly, accepting the answer.
But as I glanced at Ryan, my gaze lingered, sharp and searching. Something in my eyes made him stiffen, his laughter faltering. He looked almost nervous under my stare.
"Hey, Claus," Ryan said suddenly, his voice a little too high. "Look, that stall over there—let's go check it out!" Without waiting for an answer, he hurried away.
Soon, Claus followed, leaving only me and Yashasvi standing together.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling shyly. "Hello, Garve."
"Hi," I replied shortly—not rude, not warm, simply distant. My steps carried me forward, as if something else were pulling me. My heart longed not for company, but for truth.
Then the shrine bells tolled louder. A priest's deep voice rang out, calling everyone to prayer.
We gathered with the others. Hands pressed together, we stood in silence as the priest raised his voice.
"O Lord, we gather here in your presence today with a single prayer: grant us long life."
The crowd echoed in unison, voices rising: "Grant us long life. Grant us long life."
Around me, the air hummed with devotion. But inside, my thoughts turned cold, sharp.
Mortal or immortal—who suffers more?
Mortals live knowing the end awaits, their entire lives overshadowed by death. Fear consumes them, and in the end, does their existence mean anything?
Immortals, on the other hand, live knowing they can never die. That carelessness, that laziness, turns them into hollow shells. Their eternity robs them of purpose.
Having lived through both kinds of existence, my thoughts about God were nothing like those of others. Either God is a genius… or He is the greatest fool of all.
When the prayer ended, our group decided to spend the rest of the day together. I asked my parents for permission to go with them, and they agreed.
We made plans to watch the sunset later.
As the others scattered—Yashasvi heading to the restroom, Claus leaving to buy ice cream—it was just Ryan and me left, sitting side by side on a wooden bench.
For a moment, silence stretched between us, broken only by the distant laughter of children and the whisper of the breeze through the trees.
I turned my head slowly toward him. "Ryan… this sunset. Doesn't it look beautiful?"
"Yes," he said softly, though his voice trembled. "It does."
I leaned closer, my words sharp and deliberate. "Enjoy it well. After all, your time in this world is running out. You should savor it while you still can."
His head snapped toward me, eyes wide. "W-What do you mean?"
I raised my hand, the golden ring glinting in the fading light. Resting my palm against his neck, I whispered, "I mean… soon we'll both be reborn. Isn't your maximum age about to reach twenty-five?"
Panic flashed in his eyes. He scrambled to his feet, stepping back. "Who are you? How do you know all this?"
"You don't need to know how," I said calmly. "You just need to understand that I know."
Ryan's chest heaved. His fists clenched. He was about to strike at me when I moved first. With swift precision, I pulled the golden chain from around my neck and looped it around his, tightening it like a snare.
"I knew it," I murmured coldly. "This is why I came prepared. It's better if we leave this conversation here."
His face paled, fear overtaking his anger. He stumbled back and ran off, his retreating footsteps echoing against the stone path.
I sank back onto the bench, an eerie smile curling across my lips.
Moments later, Claus and Yashasvi returned. Claus held out an extra cone of ice cream. "Where's Ryan? I brought one for him too."
"He had something to do," I said smoothly. "So he left."
Claus sighed dramatically. "Well, I guess I'll have to eat two then. Oh well."
"Take mine too," I offered.
His eyes lit up. "Really? Thanks, Garve! You're a good guy, you know."
Yashasvi frowned, concerned. "Don't eat so much at once, Claus. You'll hurt your throat." Then she turned to me, her gaze softer. "Garve, it's getting late. We should all head home."
"You go," I said calmly. "I'd like to stay and watch the sunset a little longer."
Claus nodded. "Alright. Take care of yourself, friend. I'll drop Yashasvi home."
She hesitated, glancing back at me with a trace of worry. But eventually, she followed Claus.
The sky began to darken. Clouds gathered, swallowing the sun. Shadows stretched long across the shrine grounds.
And then—
A smile spread across my face. A dark, twisted smile.
"I knew it," I whispered. "These two worlds are connected. The immortals… their weakness lies in the ageless materials. Now, all that's left is to discover what weapons they hold against us."
The air around me seemed to grow colder as night fell.
"This," I murmured, eyes gleaming, "is where the real fun begins."
To be continued…