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The ROB, ever-shifting and impossible to pin down, gave him a final look—or perhaps no look at all. Then, without a word, it vanished, leaving only silence in its place. The ever-changing presence, the voice that had weighed his karma, the chance he had been given—it was all gone, as if it had never existed.
Ren remained in the quiet aftermath, the stillness pressing around him. Memories of his life swirled in his mind, fragments of laughter, tears, and moments he could never take back.
He sat alone, replaying fragments of the life he was leaving behind. He closed his eyes, and memories surfaced unbidden.
His mother—tireless, gentle, endlessly patient. The early mornings she woke to cook, the nights she stayed awake worrying over him and his little sister, the quiet encouragements when he doubted himself. He could almost feel her hand on his shoulder, hear her soft voice saying, "It's alright, you're doing your best."
And his sister—bright, stubborn, endlessly hopeful. He remembered her laughter, the way she clutched his hand when they walked together, the dreams she spoke aloud before the world told her they were impossible.
Ren felt a sharp ache in his chest. Adventure, power, a new life awaited him—but it came at the cost of leaving them behind. A lump formed in his throat as he whispered into the stillness, "I… I hope you'll be happy. I want you to have everything I can't give you now."
A subtle warmth passed through him, the echo of the ROB's granting his simple wish for their prosperity. He didn't understand all the mechanisms, but he felt a sense of relief, knowing that even if he left, they would be safe, cared for, and able to thrive.
Yet longing lingered. He would miss the small, irreplaceable moments: the laughter at the dinner table, the quiet companionship during homework, the little smiles that carried more meaning than words ever could. Those memories were now both a comfort and a tether.
Ren took a deep breath, steadying himself. The new world he was about to enter, the challenges awaiting him, the adventures that beckoned—all of it was uncertain. But one truth remained clear: whatever came next, he would face it not just for himself, but for the family he loved and had vowed to protect, even from afar.
Opening his eyes, Ren felt the pull of the new life waiting for him. The horizon stretched endlessly, full of unknowns—but he felt ready. His family's safety and prosperity were his quiet strength, guiding him into the world beyond.
Even so, a small, unspoken sorrow lingered. He knew, deep down, that this might be the last time he ever saw them. Perhaps he would never hear their laughter again, never feel the warmth of their presence.
Slowly, imperceptibly, his form began to fade. The world around him blurred and softened. And then, as if marking the finality of his departure, a single tear traced down his cheek before vanishing along with him.