A wave of dreadful silence, washed over the room.

Selene: “What should I do? Run? Hide?”

Attar: “Both are an option. But can you do it?”

Selene: “Which one?”

Attar: “Either one. Can you spend your whole life, locked up in a cave like this one? Or be forever on the run, always looking behind your back, never settling down anywhere, long enough, to make connections with anyone, let alone build a family of your own?”

Selene: “Are we still talking about me? Or you?”

Her soft voice, made his heart skip a beat. His sad eyes, made her want to hug him. Neither one of them, moved a single step from their seats. Had they done so, the attraction they each felt for each other, would have escalated further. They finished eating their lunch, in an awkward silence. She was the first to break it.

Selene: “I can't do it! I can't spend the rest of my life, locked inside a cave even if it is as wondrous, as this one. I don't want to read countless books about the world. I want to see it for myself. I want to visit the grasslands of the East. The forests to the North, as well as the white miracle, that turns to water in your hands, when you touch it!”

Attar: “It's called “snow”.”

Selene: “What is?”

Attar: “That white stuff, to the furthest North, is called “snow”. And it's actually what happens to water, once it gets very cold.”

Selene: “Oh, I didn't know that. Have you seen “snow”? Wait! What am I asking. Of course you have. You said it yourself, you are very old. You have probably traveled the world, twice over by now. Haven't you?”

Attar: “Five times over, actually. Around every hundred years, many cultures change, to an unrecognizable state. Then again, many, never do.”

Selene: “When did you last see the snow?”

Attar: “When I went home, 500 years ago.”

Selene: “Home? Who would choose to build their home there?”

Attar: “It wasn't always like that. Back then, the whole planet was covered in lush vegetation. Even the Sphinx, was swimming in a pool of water. Although, back then, it was just a giant rock.”

Selene: “Wait! One by one. First, tell me more about your home!”

Attar: “There is nothing to tell. It got destroyed, a long time ago.”

Selene: “But you said, you went there 500 years ago?”

Attar: “Don't you, miss your birth home too?”

Selene: “I guess so. OK, second question! The Sphinx?”

Attar: “It's where my lab used to be, back then. Soon, after my sister-in-law came, we expanded the underground levels, added more chambers, and even added a nursery. It's where my nephew grew up, gazing at his parents bodies, never being able to touch them.”

Selene: “Why?”

Attar: “Why what?”

Selene: “Why wasn't he able to touch them?”

Attar: “In short, let's just say, that weird things would happen to this world, when he does.”

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Selene: “Has he ever done so?”

Attar: “Once! And it caused a global climate change to occur.”

Selene: “Oh, that must have been hard for him.”

Attar: “It still is. I guess the reason he stays away from people, is partly due to that, and partly, because of his oracle powers.”

Selene: “Oracle? Powers?”

Attar: “Yes. When he touches someone, he can see their whole life. Past, present and future.”

Selene: “Has he seen mine, and my brothers?”

Attar: “Yes. On the day you were born.”

Selene: “How did he know, when I was going to be born? Has he seen my mother's life as well?”

Attar: “Yes. On the day, she was born.”

Selene: “Then, why didn't he stop her?”

Tears began to form, in the corners of her eyes, as the thought crossed her mind.

Attar: “As he puts it: “Time is never changing. What will happen, will happen. Even when one tries to change things, and many often do, in the end, that, which is meant to happen, will happen.” or so he says. Honestly, I don't believe much of it, but whenever I say so, he tells me the story of the beginning of a war, which will drastically change the way people live.”

With similarly deep conversations, Selene spent the better part, of the next few days. In that time, Attar kept on telling her stories of the past, of her mother as a child, and of the many wonders, that surrounded them, in the cave. But what fascinated her the most, was the vast library, hidden in the deepest level of the complex. It was bigger, than even the library of Alexandria.

Selene: “How many books are there?”

Attar: “Not that many.”

Selene: “Not that many? This must be the richest library of the world.”

Attar: “Umm. Nope. Not the richest. Thee are just the hard copies, of every nation, that existed, in the last 5000 years.”

Selene: “What?”

Attar: “Yes, it's not even ours. My people's knowledge, is far greater, than this.”

Selene was speechless. Her eyes, had become round, as pancakes. He chuckled, then turned around, and from the near dresser, took out a simple quartz crystal, the size of her palm. In terms of monetary value, it was cheap. As he placed it in her hands, his smiling face, was in a complete contrast, with her doubtful eyes.

Selene: “What is this?”

Attar: “Our library. Each story, is condensed in such a way, that all of my people's history, is now stored in here. But don't worry. This is just a copy, and without the proper equipment, it can't be read.”

Selene: “I don't understand. Why are you giving it to me?”

Instead of answering, Attar blushed. This was, to be their last day together, yet it was only in this moment, that he himself had realized his feelings for her. Whenever she looked at him, his heart fluttered. He liked everything about her. Her charm, her curiosity, her looks. He felt he could tell her everything about himself, and she would understand him completely. But at the same time, he knew it was hopeless. Ever since the war, not even a direct blood transfusion, would activate the dormant nanites, that now lay, in every persons body. Which meant, that even if she was to stay with him, they would only have at best, 30 more years together. It was better for everyone, to let her go, because, as one final gift, Nunamnir, or rather, now Zeus, had made it so, that no one but him, could gift women of the mortal realm, with a child. Attar tried reversing the process, but even he, was at a loss. He didn't want to deprive Selene, of the opportunity to build a family. He had to let her go.

While those thoughts were running through his mind, Selene was thinking of confessing her own feelings. As she watched his face expressions change, she stepped forward, and kissed him gently on the lips. A little startled, he pulled back, took her hands in his, looked her straight in the eyes, and said:

Attar: “There is one last story, I have yet to tell you. Please understand.”

As such, he proceeded with the explanation, of what had happened to his people, how none of them could father children, and how she would be happier living her own life without any regrets. She just stood silent for a moment, then ran to her room crying. All he could do, was silently stay in one place.

That same night, as he was laying in bed with his eyes closed, he felt the slight heaviness of a figure, sitting beside him.

Attar: “Selene, what are you doing?”

Selene: “I've taught about it. And you are right. Circumstances being what they are, it would be better for me, to be with someone else.”

Attar: “I am glad you understand.”

Selene: “But, I also know, that not being with you tonight, would be the biggest regret of my life.”

Attar: “Selene...”

Selene: “You once said, that I should give my first time, to the one I love.”

Attar: “...”

Selene: “That person is you!”

Drawn to her eyes like a magnet, he blushed, as the words: “I love you too” slipped out of his lips. Next thing he knew, they were already locked, into a passionate embrace.