"The world's secrets?"
"Yes. The world has secrets that even if you live a very long time, you'll never know."
"You don't know what they are either?"
"Yes."
"So, the researchers' theory is almost correct, but because there's no evidence, it can't be confirmed?"
Zain nodded.
"It's quite complicated." Zidane sighed.
"Brother Zain, I've been investigating something lately." Zidane looked a little gloomy.
"The Eternity Project?" Zain said casually.
Zidane's eyes widened at that.
"How did you know?"
"Evan told me."
"Mr. Evan Dante?"
"Yes."
"Why did he tell you that?"
"I don't know." Zain's face remained expressionless.
Zidane looked uneasy for a moment.
"Brother Zain, what if someone finds out that you're immortal?"
Zain was a little surprised by Zidane's question.
"Is it possible they would find out?"
"I don't know either. But the information they're gathering is pretty good. Maybe one of them knows."
"So what if they know?"
"Maybe you could be their research subject."
"Are you worried about me?"
"Of course. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here." Zidane's face darkened.
A faint smile appeared on Zain's lips. Zain stroked Zidane's head.
"I have a story. Want to hear it?"
"Yes." Zidane nodded.
...
Far south of the Luminaria nation was a vast ocean. Several large ships were sailing across the ocean. On board were men in uniform and carrying weapons. They belonged to the military.
"Hopefully, there aren't any gates in the ocean." Said a soldier.
"Yes. You're right. It's already troublesome on land, but at sea it's even more so."
Since it was still early morning and the sun hadn't fully risen, the air still felt a little chilly. Someone on the mast surveyed the area with binoculars.
"Chief, there's something up ahead!" Shouted the member with the binoculars.
The group leader pointed his binoculars in the direction indicated.
"Shit. Everyone be alert! There's a red gate up ahead!"
The members quickly readied their weapons.
["To all groups, this is group one. We've spotted a red gate, approximately one hundred meters from our ship. Alert the others to be alert."]
Everyone who heard this began to feel a little tense.
"Please, I hope it hasn't cracked yet." Muttered the group leader.
They were getting closer to the gate. A giant red gate with ancient-looking carvings gave off an ominous aura, standing above the surging seawater. A member monitoring from above reported.
"Chief. There are no visible cracks in the gate."
Hearing the report, he checked again with his binoculars.
"Thank goodness."
["Group One, how's the situation?"]
["There are no cracks yet, but we should stay here and call for backup."]
["Okay. Understood."]
...
In a different world. A simple house was built in the forest. A girl lived there. She had blue eyes and hair the color of a clear sky.
Why would a fifteen-year-old girl live alone in the forest? Not only did she gather medicinal plants, but she even hunted animals and skinned them herself for food.
One day, while exploring the forest, she saw an old woman. The frail-looking woman was carrying a large basket full of firewood. The old woman fell, spraining her ankle, and the firewood fell to the ground.
Hearing a soft, pained cry, the girl wanted to approach her. But she paused for a moment.
A wave of doubt arose in her heart. This doubt stemmed from the long time since she last saw someone.
"Should I help her?" The girl looked left and right.
The forest was silent, not even a bird's voice could be heard. Only she could help the old woman. The girl sighed and clenched her fists. She dared to approach the old woman.
"E-excuse me?" The girl spoke nervously.
The old woman looked at the girl.
Her lips trembled a few times before she spoke.
"I-is there anything I can help you with?"
"Yes?" The old woman hesitated for a moment.
"I-it looks like you've sprained your ankle. I-I'll help you."
The girl gathered the scattered firewood into the old woman's basket. Then she helped the old woman to her feet. She supported her limp.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I've caused you trouble." The old woman said.
"I-it's okay." The girl replied nervously.
After walking for a while, they finally arrived at the girl's modest home. The girl sat the old woman down on a chair on the front porch. After setting down the basket of firewood, she took some medicine. She applied some homemade herbal oil and massaged the old woman's foot. After finishing, she wrapped a cloth around her foot. She also gave her some water to drink.
"Oh my. Thank you so much, you're such a kind girl." The old woman praised her.
"Ah, n-nothing. I was just helping." The girl was still a little nervous.
The old woman looked around.
"You live alone? Where's your family?" The old woman asked.
The girl was a little surprised and unsure how to answer.
"Y-yes, I live alone. My family... they're... gone." The girl answered with her head bowed. She fiddled with her fingers.
The old woman also looked surprised.
"Excuse my question." The old woman lowered her head and apologized.
"N-no, it's okay. It's not your fault." The girl replied awkwardly.
The old woman smiled and patted the girl's shoulder.
"You're a good girl."
"T-thank you." The girl blushed.
After a while, the sky was starting to turn dusk.
"Ah, it's already this late. Thank you for treating my leg and letting me rest here." The woman tried to stand.
The girl reflexively grabbed the old woman's arm.
"I-I'll take you."
"No need. Your help is enough." The old woman tried to walk, but her leg was still limping.
"I-I'll take you." The girl took the initiative to help her. She carried a basket of firewood on her back and helped the old woman walk.
"Are you sure? It's quite far from here?"
"Y-yes. It's okay."
After walking a few meters from the girl's house, they reached the edge of the forest.
A settlement began to appear there. Seeing several people passing by, the girl suddenly froze. Her eyes trembled with panic.
"I-I'm sorry, but I can only take you this far." The girl released her grip.
"Uh, but..."
Before the old woman could finish her sentence, the girl had already run back into the forest. She ran quickly towards her house. Her breath was ragged and her face was pale.
She entered her house.