"That... Big brother Zain why did you hit him?" Zidane asked a little nervously.
"I don't know, maybe because the old me was a little different from the current me?"
Zain answered casually.
Zidane's lips twitched slightly at that.
"So that means if I asked the old Brother Zain, I'd already be beaten here." Zidane thought to himself.
"What do you think life is?" Zain asked Zidane.
"Life? The life we live now? Like breathing and being active?" Zidane replied.
Zain tilted his head slightly at Zidane's answer.
"Then what do you think death is?"
"When someone no longer breathes, no longer moves, no longer lives?" Zidane was a little confused by his own answer.
"Your answer is really simple."
"Sorry."
"No, that's good. It's precisely simple answers like that that make life easier for humans."
"Makes it easier?" Zidane tilted his head in confusion.
"Once, someone asked what life is. Then someone answered, life is the path of human growth. During life, humans will have knowledge, feelings, dreams, work, love, and so on."
"People will meet each other, help each other, socialize, and if they fall in love, they will marry and have children. And that child is the new life that is created."
"A repeating cycle." Zain said without changing expression.
Zidane listening could only tilt his head.
"And then someone asked what death is?"
Zain's eyes looked into the distance.
"Someone said death is the end of life. A person dies, their body disintegrates, and their soul goes up there." Zain pointed to the sky.
"What do you think?" Zain looked at Zidane.
"That... is the correct answer?" Zidane replied, slightly confused.
"Yes, that is indeed the correct answer. But I think it's too long and convoluted."
"Then what do you think brother?"
Zain looked back up at the clear sky.
"Life is a story. And death is the end of that story."
Hearing that, Zidane's eyes widened slightly.
"A story?"
"Yes. A story without a written script and a mysterious ending."
"What do you mean?" Zidane scratched the back of his head.
Zain who saw him smiled faintly.
"Think about it. I'll tell you tomorrow."
Zain stood up and picked up his long shovel, which he had propped against the large tree behind him.
Zidane didn't ask where Zain was going and remained sitting where he was.
He watched Zain leave until his back was no longer visible. Zidane remained there for some time.
He finally decided to leave before sunset.
...
'Knock' 'Knock' There was a knock on the door. Hearing it Zidane who had been sitting daydreaming on the bed got up and opened the door.
"Uncle Zidane, let's have dinner together." A girl said cheerfully.
"Is it time?"
Zidane took the small hand outstretched to him and walked together to the dining room. Halfway there, he suddenly remembered something.
"Ah! I forgot to ask if the person with him this morning was Evan Dante." Zidane thought to himself.
He shook his head and planned to ask tomorrow.
...
At an inn in Aria Village, Evan and Rian were having dinner together. The atmosphere was calm and comfortable.
"Although the inn here is quite simple, the service is on par with those in the city." Evan praised the inn.
"Yes, you're right. The food here is also delicious." Rian complimented him.
"Sometimes a bit of an atmosphere like this is really needed."
Evan and Rian looked around. The inn, made of wood and still using firewood for heating gave it an appealing classic feel.
The inn was very clean and the service was friendly. There were several other people staying there as well. Although not large, this inn has twenty rooms. The ambiance makes them forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
"Classic is indeed the best." Evan took a sip of his warm tea.
"Ah, may I ask you something?" Rian asked.
"What?"
"How long have you known Mr. Zain?"
"Hmm, quite a long time."
"You seem quite close to him."
"Does that seem so?"
"Yes."
"Good." Evan smiled and took another sip of his tea.
Rian was silent for a moment.
"Why did you discuss the Eternity project with him?"
"Why? Is it not allowed?"
"No, it's not like that. But..."
"Yes, I understand what you mean. But don't you feel it too?"
"Feel what?"
"A calm feeling when talking to Zain."
Rian remembered his thoughts from that morning.
"So I'm not the only one who feels it?"
"Yes." Evan nodded with a smile.
"Why is that?"
"Hmm, how do I explain it?" Evan closed his eyes slightly and thought.
"Well, basically, he's an understanding person."
Rian's lips twitched slightly at Evan's answer.
"Hahaha." Evan chuckled at Rian's reaction.
"If someone has lived long enough, met many people, and seen a variety of life, things like that can happen."
The piece of meat stopped in front of Rian's mouth. With his mouth open, Rian looked at Evan. After blinking a few times, Rian chewed and swallowed the meat.
"What does that mean?" Rian asked with a confused and serious face.
"Do you remember the story he told?"
Rian nodded.
"I know how the story continues."
Hearing that, Rian immediately focused on Evan. His eyes seemed to say, 'Let's tell it.'
Evan chuckled at the sight.
"It's late, and it's time for bed." Evan immediately left and climbed the stairs to his room.
Rian's lips twitched a few times as he looked at Evan.
...
In the silent night, the moonlight shone along with the stars that filled the sky.
A heavily pregnant woman walked through the empty, deserted streets alone. Her face grimaced in pain.
She seemed to be on her way to a hospital.
The woman stopped and fell to her knees. She clutched her stomach and lay there in pain.
"H-help... Someone... Help me..." She whimpered for help.
As she struggled with the pain, the sound of footsteps was heard. A pair of pristine white shoes appeared before her eyes.
"Why didn't you call an ambulance?" The man with jade-green eyes helped her up.
"My phone's broken... and no one's home." The woman's voice was soft.
"Just close your eyes now and trust me."
Hearing that cold voice the woman followed his direction.
"Quickly prepare the delivery room and call the doctor!!" A nurse's voice was heard.
When the pregnant woman opened her eyes, she was already in the hospital.