CHAPTER 266: Lesson of Accountability
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After breakfast, Jay slept for 12 hours straight, though not peacefully. His sleep was plagued by dreams of the lives he had unintentionally taken when his most powerful attack,
The memory of 102 innocent bystanders who had perished hung over him like an invisible weight, a burden he couldn’t shrug off. Though Jay was indifferent and cold toward those outside his close circle, a persistent string of guilt gnawed at him, refusing to let go.
As the weight of his actions bore down on his mind, the memory of a warm summer day when he was just 9 years old resurfaced vividly. It was a rare occasion—a family picnic with just the children and their grandfather, Ojasvi. Jay, his siblings, Qew and Kay, and their cousin Lokesh had been eager for an outdoor adventure, and their parents, busy with work and other responsibilities, were initially hesitant.
But Ojasvi, understanding how much the children longed for a day in nature, volunteered to take them. He freed up his schedule to spend time with his grandchildren, knowing how important it was for them to have these moments away from the usual routines.
The kids were thrilled, and they eagerly piled into the car, heading to a lush, green meadow on the outskirts of town, excited for the day ahead.
The day had started perfectly. The kids ran through the fields, their laughter echoing in the air as they played games, climbed trees, and explored the little creek that wound its way through the meadow. Ojasvi watched over them with a warm smile, always nearby but never interfering, allowing them to be children—curious, carefree, and full of life.
As the day wore on, they discovered a small, stray dog near the edge of the meadow. It was a scrappy little thing, dirty and thin, but with a wagging tail and hopeful eyes.
The children instantly grew attached to her, playing with the dog, feeding her scraps from their picnic, and even giving her a name—Bella. They were so caught up in their fun that they didn’t notice the dog growing tired.
In their excitement, they started playing a game where they tossed a ball for Bella to catch. The dog eagerly chased after it, each time returning the ball with a wagging tail. But the game escalated. They threw the ball faster and farther, laughing as Bella sprinted after it with all her might. In their youthful exuberance, they didn’t realize that the little dog was overexerting herself.
Then, it happened. Jay, in the excitement of the moment, threw the ball a bit too hard. Bella, despite her tiredness, sprinted after it with all the enthusiasm she could muster. But halfway through the chase, her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the grass.
For a moment, the children stood frozen, confusion and fear creeping into their minds as they watched the little dog lie still, struggling to catch her breath. Panic set in as they tried to revive Bella, but it was too late. The dog took one last shuddering breath and lay still.
Tears welled up in Jay's eyes as the reality of what had happened sank in. The other three kids stood frozen, their faces pale and filled with horror. They hadn’t meant to hurt Bella; it had all been in innocent fun. But the playful day had turned into a nightmare for them.
Ojasvi approached them quietly, his expression slightly grave but compassionate. He knelt down beside the lifeless dog, gently placing a hand on her head. The children looked up at him, guilt and fear written all over their faces.
"Grandpa, we're so sorry," Jay choked out, tears streaming down his cheeks. "We didn’t mean to—"
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Ojasvi held up a hand, silencing him. His voice was calm, but there was a weight to it that made the children listen intently. "I know you didn’t mean to, Jay. None of you did. But intentions don't always match outcomes, and sometimes we have to face the consequences of our actions."
He then pointed to a small box near the bushes, where four tiny, helpless puppies huddled together. They were Bella’s pups, too young to fend for themselves. The realization struck the children hard—their playful game had left these four pups without a mother.
"These pups are now your responsibility," Ojasvi said gently but firmly. "You took their mother from them, so it’s up to all of you to make sure they survive. You'll care for them, feed them, and make sure they grow up healthy and strong."
The kids nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of what they had done. They took the pups into their arms, each child holding one close, their tears mingling with the realization of what they had to do. The weight of their actions hung heavy, but so did the lesson.
Later that evening, as they were preparing to leave, Jay found himself alone with his grandfather. The question that had been gnawing at him all day finally burst out. "Grandpa, why didn’t you stop us? You could have prevented all this."
Ojasvi looked at him, his wise eyes filled with understanding. "Everything happens for a reason, Jay. If I had stopped you, maybe Bella would still be alive. But what would have happened to these pups? They would have most likely starved and died without anyone to care for them. By taking responsibility for them, you're ensuring their lives are peaceful and plentiful. Sometimes, life teaches us lessons in ways we don’t expect, and it's up to us to learn from them."
Jay nodded slowly, the weight of his grandfather’s words sinking in. It was a lesson that stayed with him, a memory that shaped his understanding of responsibility, the consequences of actions, and the sometimes harsh but necessary truths of life.
As they drove home, with the pups nestled safely in the backseat, Jay felt a mix of sorrow and resolve. He knew his grandfather was right—everything did happen for a reason, even if the reason wasn’t immediately clear.
He recalled how their Grandfather had guided him and his siblings through the aftermath of their innocent mistake, teaching them the importance of taking responsibility for the lives they had affected. The image of those four tiny pups, left helpless after their mother’s accidental death, haunted him.
Back then, Jay had learned that even unintended harm came with consequences, and it was up to him to make amends by ensuring the well-being of those left behind.
As he grappled with the aftermath of his devastating attack, Jay felt that same responsibility. The Trial Zones that had lost their Alpha Chosen, the ones who remained alive were like those vulnerable pups, left to fend for themselves in a harsh world.
The guilt that tugged at him wasn’t just a reminder of the lives lost, but also a call to action. He knew he couldn’t undo what had happened, but he could still help those who remained.
With a renewed resolve, Jay decided that he would do what he could in his power to support the Trial Zones that had lost their members.
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