It was very cold and dark in that place where Kkuṟai got right after closing his eyes. A place where nothing was seen around him, but which still seemed familiar to him. That’s why he pricked up his ears and carefully listened to what was happening around him. Why? Because something deep inside him was telling him that he should advance, even though he didn’t know where to go.

Yet, even though he felt all this, being a smart boy, Kkuṟai told himself, „If I wait a little bit, I’m sure that I’ll feel a current of fresh air from somewhere. Thus, from where the currents of fresh air are felt, it is also an exit. I’m sure I’ll find one here too, for my father is right when he says that only the lazy ones and the stupid ones can’t solve a problem: the lazy ones - because they are lazy while the stupid ones - well, because they simply don't know how to solve something.” Then, chortling because he thought that his father’s joke was a good one, Kkuṟai looked around.

However, even though he tried to see something, thinking that it should have been easier after spending some time in darkness, he didn’t see anything there. That’s why Kkuṟai frowned eventually. Then he got upset because he really couldn’t understand what was wrong with that place where he got, for… the Afterlife shouldn’t have looked like that as far as he knew and…

Kkuṟai winced eventually when he heard the voice of a boy floating around him, „And you, who are you?” That child asked Kkuṟai, chortling. A question that made Kkuṟai turned to the left and to the right, trying to understand from where he heard that voice. Yet… he didn’t see anything again.

Even so, he felt that he didn’t imagine all this and that he really heard someone’s voice talking to him. That’s why, closing his eyes, he carefully listened to what was happening around him. That time, however, he heard nothing. Yet, he was sure that that child was still there. Thus, knowing that one could make a child attentive through questions, he asked, „And you? Who are you?”

„Me?” The voice of the child asked. „I’m probably you. The one that lives inside you. Don’t you see me?”

„No,” replied Kkuṟai, extremely confused. He even shook his head, trying to chase those thoughts away, for… well, maybe he had visions about that voice. Or maybe not?! He wasn't that sure. Until the moment he heard the child talking to him again:

„Don’t you also feel me?” The child insisted, and the shaking of his voice resounded so sweet and innocent.

This second question made Kkuṟai very attentive. He even took thoughts, for even though he was sure that he should have at least felt that child, he didn’t feel anything at that moment. He only felt that someone was around him. Nothing more. That’s why he said, confused, „No, I don’t feel you.”

„Then… this is really strange,” the child said something that made Kkuṟai feel a certain confusion in his voice. „It’s definitely weird, for… I thought that I could be seen and heard by everyone. Nevertheless, I was wrong, I see. Or… maybe not?” The child chortled again. After that, Kkuṟai heard the boy snapping his fingers, a snap that turned the light around them on.

That light, however, bothered Kkuṟai. That’s why the boy covered his eyes with his sleeve, for he had stood too long in darkness to see something when there was so much light around him. Then, when he felt that he could see something without feeling dizzy or blinded by that light, Kkuṟai took his arm off his eyes and looked in front of him. There, he saw a boy about 7. Something that amazed him a lot, for, when he heard that voice, he thought that that child wasn’t older than four. Yet, the boy he was seeing was older. Even his posture was interesting, something that reminded Kkuṟai of an old man that was thinking about something. The boy even cooked his nose from time to time, a hint that something was bothering him while thinking.

Only when the child realized that Kkuṟai saw him eventually, he carefully looked at him. Seconds later, he frowned, to be very happy shortly after that. Then, in a cheerful voice, he said, „You see me. Ah, how stupid I was, thinking that I’m only a ghost.” A thought that made him cheerfully laugh again, for… he considered his remark a smart one.

Nevertheless, his exaggerated joy was something weird in Kkuṟai’s opinion. That’s why he looked askance at the boy. A behavior Kkuṟai considered not only weird, but somehow cunning too, for… on one hand - the child didn’t present himself, and secondly - Kkuṟai never heard that after death a child appears in front of you to lead your steps toward the Gates of Hell or of Heaven. In his case, however, a boy met him there. Something he disliked at first, for it seemed to him that even Father Chaos considered him a child and that’s why he sent a child to meet Kkuṟai there when he would have preferred an adult Spirit, for he thought he was a big boy already.

Eventually, seeing that that boy was carefully analyzing him, from top to toe actually, as though he would have read his mind and knew what he was thinking about him, Kkuṟai looked elsewhere. Then, not to let that boy know that he felt confused, he decided to carefully look at the walls of that place, supposedly he was very busy doing this. Thus, carefully looking around, Kkuṟai saw that they were in a kind of tunnel, which wasn’t larger than 10 meters, with uneven walls, and with torches in the form of angels all along those walls.

Then, looking up and down that place, at least how much he could see around him, Kkuṟai noticed angels engraved in the wet soil of those walls. Those angels, however, weren’t simply engraved on the walls but seemed to fly above a huge flowered field. This was seen on the wall from his right. Nevertheless, looking to his left, Kkuṟai shuddered a little bit because he also saw angels there, but those were flying above a field of flames. Thus, hardly swallowing several times while feeling fear inside him, Kkuṟai asked the boy, „This place… what’s this place?”

The child, extremely confused after hearing such questions, looked at Kkuṟai first. Yet, seeing him confused and scared, he also looked around: first - at the wall from their right, then to the one from the left. After that, he frowned as though those angels, engraved on wet soil, reminded him about his life. He even cooked his nose. Nevertheless, as the children’s mood is changeable, the child became joyful soon after this, saying, „They call this place Etirpārppukaḷ or the Tunnel of the Unrealistic Expectations if to speak your language.”

„The Tunnel of the Unrealistic Expectations?” Kkuṟai asked, extremely confused. „What… is this? Why do they call it that?”

„Because this is the Tunnel of the Underworld. That’s all. At least the innocent souls cross through this tunnel after death. Actually, there is a legend about this place and why only the pure souls can cross through it.”

„A legend?” Asked Kkuṟai extremely amazed. Thus, as he was an extremely curious boy, who also loved the stories a lot, Kkuṟai asked, „What kind of legend? May I also listen to it? I never heard legends about this place, to be honest.”

„It’s because only those who live here know it,” the child said in a mysterious voice. „To be honest, this is a legend invented by the Air. At the same time, the Spirits that have ever passed by here, say that the Air heard this legend from other Invisible Beings, those who have probably crossed through this tunnel once, but who have never turned back after that.” Then the boy turned his back to Kkuṟai.

Yet, doing this, he became sad and thoughtful; a fact also noticed by Kkuṟai, who wondered, „What has happened here in fact?” Nevertheless, seeing that the boy motioned him to follow him, Kkuṟai quickened his step, for… even though the child didn’t seem to rush somewhere, Kkuṟai didn’t want to be left behind.

Then, when Kkuṟai got to his left and were already walking side by side, the child said, „Actually, if you carefully listen to the surroundings, you will hear whispers. They say that these are actually the whispers that have given birth to the legend of Etirpārppukaḷ.”

„Words? Whispers? But… I hear nothing,” murmured Kkuṟai confused and amazed at the same time.

Kkuṟai’s murmur made the child stop. Then, looking behind them for a few seconds, he said, „It’s because you are trying too hard to listen to them. Yet, if to listen to them with your soul, child Kkuṟai, then… you’ll understand their real meaning.”

Nevertheless, he widely opened his eyes, just as Kkuṟai did, when Kkuṟai asked him, „How do you know my name? I… I didn’t tell you. Or… at least I don’t remember having told it to you.”

A remark that made the child smile, „I know it because I’m Niṉaivu.”

„Niṉaivu?! Aaaa… memories!” Murmured Kkuṟai as though trying to convince himself of something.

„That’s right,” said Niṉaivu cheerfully, turning his back to the boy again and forcing Kkuṟai to follow him. „I’m the Guardian of these places in fact, for… even though it doesn’t seem so… the memories can devour souls like any other mystical and soulless being.”

„Yet… why are you here? I thought that you are only a legend, just like this place is. Actually, we are calling you Oṉṟu.”

The child chortled, „Now you are wrong, for Oṉṟu is my brother and not me.”

„Your brother? Are there more children that serve the Underworld?”

„That’s right. Actually, there are many angels in this world. I also don’t know all of them and I think that nobody in this world has ever gotten to know this world completely. Or… the Universe. At the same time, I don’t think that there is someone that really knows what existence is.”

Kkuṟai frowned, „Why do you think so?”

„Because it’s obvious and you are a vivid example.”

„Me? A vivid example?” Asked Kkuṟai, suddenly shaking his head. „I don’t understand what you mean, to be honest.”

Niṉaivu chortled again. „It’s ok to be confused because… it’s the first time you are here, right?”

„Right!”

„Then… it’s normal not to know this place. More than that, I bet you also don’t know that the Tunnel of the Unrealistic Memories or Expectations isn’t part of the Underworld. It’s part of the Middle World and… to be honest… we are also the servants of the Middle World. That’s why none of us has ever seen what the Underworld looks like. Except Maranam and his servants of course. They, however, those souls I mean, won’t ever tell others what they have seen there. A wise thought… this one of not telling others about the Underworld, for… those who have ever entered that world haven’t ever turned back to tell others about what they have seen there. Yet, people and magic beings like you are, think that here is the Underworld in fact. However, there is a Middle World too, one that I’m also part of.”

„If you say that this is the Middle World, then it must be Maṇṭalam, right? Or this is part of that Land.”

„You are wrong again, for Maṇṭalam is part of Kkāṟṟu’s world, the part he controls along with Maranam. What you see here and what you’ll see right after crossing through this tunnel, is the Purgatorium, Kkuṟai, or, as the Magos call it, Dæn Chảra.”

Hearing the child talking so confidently, Kkuṟai shuddered. Then, stuttering, the boy asked, „The Pur…ga…to…rium? Do you mean that I’m dead and that’s why I am here?”

The child chortled again, „Once again you are wrong, for… who told you that only the dead souls get to Purgatorium? There are also souls that must get here while they are still alive and this is because they have a mission on this earth.”

„Yet, if you say that I have a mission on this earth, shouldn't I have gotten to this place through another place?”

„Through another place? Like?”

„What do I know?! The Tunnel of the Gnomes or something like that.”

„No,” said Niṉaivu confidently. „There is no other place through where to get where you need, for this is a path decided long ago. Much earlier than your birth. You should be here.”

„Maybe you are right, for I think that you are living here for so long and you know better than me how this world is. Yet, I would like to know where we are heading now.”

„Ei, don’t run before learning to walk. All in its good time. I assure you that you’ll find out everything you want to know. Yet, not now,” said Niṉaivu in a sweet voice. His words, however, felt as though he was trying to scold Kkuṟai. Then, not to scare the boy or enrage him, for he saw Kkuṟai frowning, Niṉaivu sweetened his voice more and said, „Let’s turn back to the Legend better… Well, I’m sure we should turn back to it, for… I simply hate not finishing things. That’s why…”

Kkuṟai, however, scratching the back of his head, said, „I thought that children simply adore not finishing what they started. Don’t you also love doing this?”

„Of course not. I don’t love doing this because I think I’m different from the rest of the children.” Then, innocently smiling and making that place be illuminated by a strange light, Niṉaivu murmured, „Not for nothing they call me the Angel of the Afterworld.”

Being too focused to understand what was Niṉaivu mumbling, Kkuṟai didn’t notice either the Holy Light around him or the weird smile on the child’s face. Yet… he felt something touching his back. Something damn unpleasant, which made him shudder eventually. That’s why he touched his back with his hand later, trying to chase that something unpleasant away. However, he felt nothing there touching him. That’s why he thought that it was strange because he was still feeling that unpleasant touch. Even so… he feared turning and looking at what was bothering him.

Suddenly, he remembered what Yellen told him: to be careful while crossing through that tunnel because he could have never turned back. Yet, he couldn’t remember the name of that tunnel Yellen mentioned. At the same time, he didn’t remember why he shouldn't have turned back from that tunnel or why he shouldn’t turn and look behind him.

Niṉaivu, however, as though reading the boy’s mind, put a finger to his lips and told Kkuṟai, „Don’t look back, ok? Not even a little, for… if you do that, if you see what is behind you, you won’t ever see the Outside World again.” Thus, thunderstruck after hearing such words spoken by a child, Kkuṟai looked straight into his eyes. He shuddered eventually, seeing a cunning sparkling in the child’s eyes. He even thought that Niṉaivu cunningly smiled. Yet, seconds later only, Niṉaivu also shuddered. Just as Kkuṟai did while he was trying to chase away what was bothering him while touching his back.

Nevertheless, what made Kkuṟai curious, more than why the angel felt the same as he was doing, was to hear Niṉaivu telling him that he shouldn’t turn and look back. That’s why he carefully looked at Niṉaivu and asked, „What’s the deal with turning and looking back? It’s a tunnel-like any other, right?”

„No,” replied Niṉaivu almost in a whisper. „This isn’t a usual tunnel. This is a place that can devour souls. In seconds only. If you allow this.” The way Niṉaivu said those words, somehow hissing them and whispering them, seemed weird to Kkuṟai, as though the angel was trying to make the boy fear. More than that, suddenly, the angel’s eyes started to move so fast on the orbits while he was looking all over through that tunnel, especially at the walls where shadows started to be seen suddenly appearing and disappearing. „You know, I’m not joking saying this. The legend I was talking about earlier says that the memories are more dangerous than the enemy’s sword, which cuts to the bones.”

„The memories?” Asked Kkuṟai, confused.

„That’s right. Actually, in this tunnel, the memories of those who have ever passed by here can be found. Do you know why? Because, right after passing through the next gate, each alive soul leaves his memories here. In this tunnel. That’s why it has been named the Tunnel of the Unrealistic Expectations or Memories: because the memories have been left behind by those who have considered them useless to be taken with them. The same happened to these memories - without a master, they are useless to the outside world. Here, however, they aren’t useless. That’s why whispers are heard around from time to time. It’s because the memories are desperately trying to do something not to be forgotten forever.”

Kkuṟai, however, feeling that it was something strange with that angel, frowned. Then, approaching Niṉaivu’s ear more, he asked, „Why do I feel that you are not afraid now because of those memories?” Words that made Niṉaivu swallow hard.

Staring into the boy’s eyes, Niṉaivu told him in a shaking voice, „Because it’s true. Yet, even though it seems that you don’t believe me, those memories are scary, too. They become… monsters. If you want to convince yourself that what I say it’s true, you can look back.”

Niṉaivu’s cunning voice didn’t deceive Kkuṟai, however. Even so, Kkuṟai felt confused after such words and started to doubt that what the angel said was true. At the same time, he wasn’t sure why they were there. Yet, hearing Yellen’s voice in his ears again, Kkuṟai winced, for he heard her voice so clearly that time, „Be careful when you pass through the Tunnel of the Unrealistic Expectations because you can remain captive there and never find the way back home. Thus, to be sure that you have one more chance to see the light again, listen to your heart only, and don’t trust fake memories, Kkuṟai. Only listen to the thought that tells you that Fate always waits for you at home.”

That’s why Kkuṟai murmured eventually, thoughtfully, „This is the place that that child talked about.” Yet, looking to his right, he didn’t see Niṉaivu and this amazed him a lot. Eventually, when the angel suddenly appeared in front of him, Kkuṟai winced. He even shuddered, seeing Niṉaivu staring in front, frightened. However, even though he felt tickles on his back and a bad desire to turn and look back, Kkuṟai decided that it was safer not to do that. He even told the angel in a sure voice, „Listen, Niṉaivu, maybe you are right about being afraid. Nevertheless, I think that’s time to go further, for… scary tales are good to listen to only in winter, at night, while staying in front of a big fire, when there is nothing else to do. We, however, have things to do. That’s why, tell me where I should head to eventually.”

Niṉaivu, however, looked as though he didn’t hear what Kkuṟai said. At least it seemed to be so at first, for he kept looking behind Kkuṟai with frightened eyes while shaking like an Aspen leaf. Then, with tearful eyes, he looked at Kkuṟai and asked him, „Don’t you want to see what is behind you?” A question that made Kkuṟai attentive, for even though he saw tears in the angel’s eyes, he also noticed a weird sparkling in them. More than that… he saw no fear in those eyes, even though Niṉaivu kept shuddering with all his body.

Eventually, seeing the angel’s behavior that seemed strange to him, Kkuṟai wondered, „What is he planning? Does he try to lure me?” In the end, Kkuṟai winced again when he saw Niṉaivu staring straight into his eyes as though reading his thoughts.

„You know,” the angel told him with a certain cunningness in his voice, „you should carefully look at this place. Who knows: once turning back between yours, you can tell them what is waiting for them here.”

„Why so?” Kkuṟai dryly asked. A question that amazed Niṉaivu.

„Why? Because everybody should know…”

„The wrong one is you now, Niṉaivu,” Kkuṟai told him in a severe tone. „The earthly creatures think differently. Do you know why?” Kkuṟai kept silent eventually, waiting to see how Niṉaivu would react after such words. That one, however, only innocently looked into the boy’s eyes, waiting for him to continue his thought. That’s why Kkuṟai told him confidently this time, „It’s because… before giving advice to others, you should live your life first. More than that, humans hate when others give them advice they didn’t ask for.”

„Why?” The angel asked. He was definitely curious.

„Because humans are so simple and complex at the same time. Most of them love to live their life as they want and not follow rules others decided for them. Yet, if they meet, on their way, things they don’t understand, the first thing they will do is to try to understand them by themselves. Then, if they don’t manage to do that, they will ask others. However, if they manage to understand something by themselves, then they will proudly walk through life while they are on earth.”

„What if they can’t do that? I mean… to learn something by themselves.”

„Then… they will ask for advice. From those who know and who have lived a lot, and not from kids like me.”

„I think you are wrong now.”

„Why?”

„Because not everybody can pass through this tunnel. More than that, not all of those who pass by here can leave this place. That’s why I think that the experience has nothing to do with age. Experience is closely related to one’s ability to learn from their mistakes or from what you call life, without being aware that you know nothing about life in fact. Not even after living an entire life on Earth. Now… let’s go! Until it’s not too late,” After that, Niṉaivu turned his back to Kkuṟai, a movement that let the boy know that the angel got upset.

Yet, even though Kkuṟai felt sadness in Niṉaivu’s voice, he still thought that that one was pretending. However, the angel wasn’t pretending: as though forgetting the game he was playing before that, he started to head toward the edge of the tunnel so fast soon after this. That’s why Kkuṟai also quickened his pace. Then, approaching the angel, he said, „Yet, Niṉaivu, maybe you should tell me that legend. Who knows?! Maybe, once home, I can tell interesting stories to others. I can even become a hero.”

Hearing the boy talking with such enthusiasm, Niṉaivu slowly turned toward him. Then, he stared straight into Kkuṟai’s eyes. Nevertheless, seconds only after this, he looked past the boy’s shoulder, with a certain fear in his glance. Later, he turned his back to Kkuṟai again, saying, „Maybe you are right. Yet… you know, it’s not that easy to be a hero.”

„Why do you think so?”

„Because, sometimes, dreams are only dreams. The same happens to one’s wishes and fears: we forget them, but they never forget us. They only turn into memories. Memories that can turn into monsters later.”

„Maybe it is as you say,” said Kkuṟai, careless. „Yet, I still think that’s not something wrong with dreaming. It’s not a sin or something. Eventually, our dreams are useful sometimes. For example, when you feel miserable, you can be happy again by dreaming. Thus, when you feel better, you can do wonders. Don’t you think so, too?” Looking to his right, where he knew Niṉaivu was, Kkuṟai didn't see him and this amazed him a lot. That’s why he stopped, for he realized that the angel was behind him. Yet, even though he knew where the angel was, the boy didn’t dare to look back. He only said, „Niṉaivu, are you coming?”

He didn’t receive an answer right away, and this seemed weird to him. However, how he was afraid and didn’t want to look back because he felt that he promised Yellen not to do this, Kkuṟai only waited and listened to the surroundings. Thus, soon after this, he got to hear someone’s weird breathing behind him. It wasn’t the angel’s breathing. He was sure about this because, while they walked side by side, he heard Niṉaivu normally breathing, almost unheard. At that time, that weird breathing was a hissing one, resounding right into his ears, and… he felt a stinky smell tickling his nostrils, too. A smell that made him sneeze eventually.

„Bless you!” Kkuṟai heard the angel’s voice, but he didn’t see him next to him again. He felt him right behind him where that weird breathing was felt too.

That’s why, surprised to know Niṉaivu right behind him, even though he saw him shaking because of fear, Kkuṟai asked, „What are you doing there? You said that it's better not to stay behind because…”

„I was just… looking around,” replied Niṉaivu randomly. Then he chortled as though he tried to make the boy look back at any cost.

A trick that didn’t work because Kkuṟai didn’t allow this to deceive him. He trusted his instincts more, for he was sure that it would be better for him this way. He even decided not to do anything out of the ordinary even though he was still hearing that hissing breathing right behind him. So unpleasant breathing in fact. He considered that it would be more correct to stay and wait for the angel where he was.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

A wise thought in fact, for… if he had looked back even for a second, he would have shuddered from top to toe. Why? Because… right behind him… a pilose creature was slowly walking by Niṉaivu’s side. The angel, however, even though was staying right next to that weird monster, didn’t look at all scared. On the contrary, he looked surprised while carefully looking at that strange creature that was next to him.

That creature was really strange - it had the body of a tarantula, a hooked nose as the crows have, and, instead of legs, it had octopus tentacles. Yet, even though those tentacles were so similar to the octopus', through them wasn’t flowing the ink, but venom. More than that, when that beast was rhythmically opening and closing its beak, a barely heard sound was heard around as though she was talking to the angel. At a moment, after listening to what the creature was saying, Niṉaivu frowned. Then, furiously looking at that creature, the angel put his finger to his lips, letting it know to be quiet and a good girl. Yet, when he saw that on those two sharp needles, which served as teeth to that creature, venom was dripping, Niṉaivu smiled and ran from next to her later, hopping from one leg to the other to approach Kkuṟai.

Once got next to Kkuṟai, Niṉaivu stopped and looked at him, amazed to see him staying in place. Then, ironically, he told the boy, „Were you waiting for me?” A remark that made Kkuṟai cook his nose.

Kkuṟai did that because he disliked the tone used by Niṉaivu while saying this. Even so, he said nothing to his guide, for he thought that it wouldn’t have been nice on his part to do that. However, because he felt upset after hearing such words, he said dryly, „Who else should I have waited for here? You know that I don’t know this place.”

„Then, let’s go!” After that, Niṉaivu turned his back to Kkuṟai, and, jumping from one leg to the other, he quickened his pace to the edge of the tunnel, without even looking back.

The angel’s carelessness bothered the boy eventually. That’s why Kkuṟai mumbled at a moment, „He could have waited for me. Eventually, I waited for him, too. And…”

„Are you coming?” Niṉaivu said when he was far from the boy already. A question that made Kkuṟai quicken his pace again, for he still felt the breathing of that strange being right behind him.

Then, when both Kkuṟai and Niṉaivu weren’t seen in that tunnel anymore, only the angel’s voice had been heard there. So clearly this time, talking to that pilose and weird creature, to whom he said, „It seems that you are unlucky today, Rị (frustration), and that you won’t eat him. Yet, I can’t help you with this. You must wait for someone else to come here. Someone who’ll be weak and will allow you to eat him. However, until this happens, be a good girl! If not, I’ll be back only to scold you.” Then, Rị, as though she understood what the angel told her, stopped, touched the front legs several times, and made a strange sound from her throat. Seconds later, at a slow step, she followed the two, for… she had her plans that seemed not to coincide with Niṉaivu’s plans…

***

„Finally, you are here!” Said Bodhi, worshiping in front of the two when Kkuṟai and Niṉaivu got at the Gate of Purgatorium. Yet, getting there, when Niṉaivu said that they weren’t heading toward that place or at least this was what the boy understood, Kkuṟai had been so amazed. More than that, what amazed him even more was seeing so much beauty around him, in the underground.

What amazed him even more than that was to see the Gate of Purgatorium that was so beautifully illuminating around him. At the same time, the same beautiful light was seen all over that room that was seen between the Gate and the Karuvil. Yet, right after seeing the engraving on the walls seen next to the Gate, the boy forgot about what amazed him at first. Then, he looked as fascinated at those representations, which were nothing more than fragments taken from the memories of those who ever passed by there… a wedding, a child’s birth, a lively dance on a flowered field, the union between a man and a woman, and… many more.

Yet, even though those fragments were impressive, Kkuṟai didn’t spend too much time watching them, for the light of the Gate fascinated him again. What fascinated him at that time was to see the twelve empty places where the Balances should be placed after being restored. More than that, he was amazed to see that the Gates of the Purgatorium were closing and not opening in front of him, as he thought that it was happening once a soul, meant to get there, stopped in front of them. That’s why Kkuṟai murmured as charmed, „So beautiful.”

„So it is,” said Bodhi, smiling. Then, flapping with her transparent wings, she raised in the air from the middle of the lotus flower where she stood before that, to sit on Kkuṟai’s right shoulder. After that, while carefully caressing the skirts of her vestment, she looked in the same direction Kkuṟai was looking at that moment and told him, „Actually, those Gates should be impressive because they are the Gates of the Purgatorium.”

„If I’m not mistaken, or at least this is what Niṉaivu told me while we were heading toward these Gates, is that the Magos call them Dæn Chảra.”

„You are right. Some people know these Gates as Dæn Chảra.”

„Yet, what I don’t understand is why I am here and who you are.”

„I?” Asked Bodhi surprised, for she knew very well whose boy Kkuṟai was. More than that, she also knew very well that the Rophions knew about that place due to Upprisinn, who could see it while she was still alive. Yet, even though she knew all this, she still decided to answer the boy, considering that maybe he was too young and that’s why the elders of his tribe didn’t talk to him about such things, „I’m Bodhi. The little-girl that guards Karuvil, this wonderful flower you see behind us.”

Only then, Kkuṟai looked at the lotus flower and saw that it opened its petals, something that amazed him a lot. At the same time, he became attentive when he saw the green leaves that were around the flower slowly moving as though floating around it. A movement that made a melodious clink, so pleasantly heard in that place. Thus, hearing that beautiful sound, Kkuṟai dared to take a few steps toward the flower. Yet, he stopped right away he saw Niṉaivu laying on the yellow middle of the flower, with his eyes closed and with his fists under his head, a position similar to Zeal’s when she was sleeping.

This made Kkuṟai often blink because he couldn’t believe what he saw. He even stretched his hand in front, pointing at the angel. Halfway, however, he stopped, when he remembered what Mai once told him: that it wasn’t good to point others with his finger. Moreover, if that person was someone he didn't know. That’s why he only asked, „Why is Niṉaivu there?”

„Because Niṉaivu simply adores sleeping in the arms of the Karuvil,” Bodhi kindly replied. „Actually, Niṉaivu is born from that flower, just like me. Thus, to regain power, after crossing the Purgatorium, he has to sleep for a while in the sweet embracement of Earth’s Womb.”

„But…,” Kkuṟai wanted to ask something more. He kept silent eventually and carefully looked at the sleeping angel that looked so innocently covered by the lotus flower’s petals. Niṉaivu was so calm at that moment, even though Kkuṟai saw him shaking because of fear several times while crossing through that tunnel. Then, when he remembered that the angel had been scared, Kkuṟai looked at Bodhi and asked her, „It seems to me that he saw who is hiding in that tunnel, right?” Bodhi nodded yes. „Then… what exactly did he see there?”

„Rị! The tarantula of that tunnel. The one born from the useless memories.”

Kkuṟai looked at her in amazement. „Why… did I feel her only? I didn’t see her and she also didn’t eat me, even though I had the feeling that she was waiting to eat me there.”

„Maybe because it wasn’t the time. Yet… you will probably meet her again.”

„To meet her? That Rị? When exactly?”

„On the way home,” whispered Bodhi. „If you have the right to turn back. Nevertheless, what probably nobody ever told you, Kkuṟai, is that that tunnel is a place where we get generally lost on our way home, for… in that tunnel, we leave our memories and the emptiness of our soul. Thus, if we are weak inside and look behind us when we hear whispers, those memories take over us and we are lost forever then. After that, when we stop thinking normally, we also fall prey to Rị, who devours our souls.”

„Yet, Bodhi, why is that tunnel so terrifying? I saw only the images engraved on the walls, but it seemed to me that those images represent parts of Hell and Heaven. Nevertheless, I can’t understand when or how this place appeared on Earth and why I had to see it while coming here.”

Bodhi sighed, „It’s because you shouldn't have seen it or crossed through that tunnel to come here. However, when you fell prey to Pakai’s curse, the Titan of Strife, you’d been forced to see that place earlier than it was planned, for a cursed soul, but which wasn’t meant to leave Earth yet, could return home only if he successfully passed through Purgatorium and cleaned his soul’s Light of other’s sins.”

„The vanity left in that tunnel!”

„That’s right. I see your parents taught you well about this world. That’s why if you manage to return home, tell them that they have done a great job teaching you about this world and how life should be lived.”

Hearing her talking like that, Kkuṟai looked at her extremely confused, for Bodhi suddenly raised in the air and started to fly in front of him. Then, when she finally stopped flying, the boy asked her, „Do you know who my parents are?”

„Of course! I know everything that happens on earth, even though I live in the Middle World.”

„But… how do you see all this?”

„Simply: the outside world is reflected on Karuvil’s petals. More than that, what nobody knows is that Karuvil isn’t only the Womb of Earth, but it’s also its mirror. Nevertheless, this isn’t the important thing here, but that tunnel and what is its meaning on this earth. Actually, I think you asked Niṉaivu already when that tunnel appeared here.”

„Yes, I asked him and he told me something about a legend. But… he didn’t tell me that legend eventually.”

„Hm, I also heard something about the legend. Nevertheless, I don’t know much about this, too, for… when I appeared in this world, born from Karuvil, both that tunnel and Rị were already there. Then, even though I had to cross through that tunnel many times, guiding the footsteps of the souls toward the Gates of Purgatorium before Niṉaivu was born, I never heard of that legend. I only know that those cursed by Fate, who got here and looked behind them, had never turned back home later.”

„Yellen told me the same thing,” murmured Kkuṟai, confused. „I mean… she told me not to look back if I want to return home.”

„That child is right, for… just like you, she’s an innocent soul, forced to see the barbarity of the world too early. Yet, it has been necessary to be this way, for you have a mission on this planet.”

„A mission?” Asked Kkuṟai in amazement. „Because of this I have been brought here and I have had to pass through that tunnel?”

„Not only because of this, Kkuṟai. Yet, unfortunately, I don’t have the right to tell you about the role that girl has on earth, yet. A role you will discover so soon. Nevertheless, I can tell you this: if you are forced to choose something important for you or for your future someday, choose with your heart and not with your brain. Thus, choosing with your heart, you won’t ever fail and your steps will always be led by light through life.”

„Choice,” Kkuṟai suddenly murmured, thoughtful, when he remembered about the breaking of the ritual and that the one who survived that ritual should choose his wife from those twelve virgins. „The one who should stay by my side later.”

Bodhi didn’t pay attention to his murmur. She only carefully looked at Karuvil and said, „Kkuṟai, do you know when Death appeared in this world?”

„At the beginning of the world?” He asked, confused.

„No, dozens of years or maybe centuries after that. This happened much earlier than Dike’s coming on this planet. If you want, I can tell you the Legend of Death.”

„Yes, I’m more than ready to hear that story,” said Kkuṟai happily.

Bodhi shook her head in denial, something that amazed the boy a lot. Moreover, when she said, „What I want to tell you now, Kkuṟai, is more than a simple story. It’s a lesson, a true story of Fate, which no one ever has learned yet.”

„Why?”

„I also don’t know the answer to this question. Probably… it’s because of humans’soul, which, like our soul, is weak and so easily tempted. Yet, it’s said that at the beginning of this world, there was only joy and welfare on this earth. This, however, didn’t last long because this world, where people and creatures were living already, happily living and not wanting more than they had, met Fate in the form of a Lie in its way.”

„Fate? In the form of a Lie?”

„That’s right. This happened the day when, so suddenly, right in the middle of each city that existed on earth, an apple tree appeared, known as Khwām or the Tree of Discord today.”

„The same name Tenebre’s apple has,” said Kkuṟai thoughtfully.

„You are right again. Nevertheless, there is something more complicated here than a simple apple. The legend says that right after those apple trees appeared in each locality humans were living and in each forest or field, the alive souls were very happy because they thought that the Supreme Force blessed them with this. That’s why they didn’t wonder for long why those trees appeared in front of them. They only decided that it was to feed their family. Nothing more. Thus, to allow those trees to grow up, the humans started to water them and kill the beetles that were threatening to infect the apples and pulled the herbs from around the trees. By doing this, no one realized that nature was sending those beetles and made the herbs grow there to protect them.”

„Yet… I don’t understand what was wrong with those trees.”

Bodhi smiled, „Anxious as always.”

„Actually, there is nothing I can do about this. It’s my name,” said Kkuṟai smiling. Then, comically shrugging, he let Bodhi know that he was ready to listen to her story again.

„Turning back to those trees: always being cared for and loved by humans, they grew up fast. Thus, after six years, pink flowers have been seen on their branches. Those flowers were not only beautiful but also had a pleasant smell, something that amazed humans a lot. That’s why they started to say that they hadn’t ever seen something more beautiful than that. Actually, they didn’t lie while saying this, for, until that moment, apple trees on earth didn’t exist. However, according to what the elders say, what the neighbor has seems to be better than what we have. The same happened to the humans of those times: they started to consider the apple tree as being Holy, to worship in front of it because of that, and consider that its fruits were a divine harvest. Well, the harvest of those apple trees wasn’t that big deal - only two apples on each tree - half golden and half reddish. Thus, charmed by the beauty of those fruits, nobody saw the weird creature that appeared in an apple tree one day, right after the two apples ripped.”

„A creature? What kind of creature?”

„A snake. His eyes were threateningly sparkling, slowly rotating on the orbits while charming humans.”

„A snake…,” murmured Kkuṟai, thoughtful. „This story seems familiar to me, even though I'm listening to it for the first time.”

„It can be because you have heard about this snake once: Tetapas.”

„The Titan from the Depths of the Ground.”

„That’s right, Kkuṟai, for, even though humans venerate him for millennia already, Tetapas isn’t more than the Titan of Lie and Discord. Our story, however, is about that time when he was only a little snake that appeared right between the branches of an apple tree. He appeared there because he had a mission: to sow discord among people.”

„Yet… didn’t anyone see the falsity inside him?”

„No, because the humans and the creatures of those times weren’t familiar with evil. At the same time, they didn’t know anything about Black Magic and other evil things we are so familiar with right now. That’s why it had been so easy for Tetapas to deceive them then.”

„But… how did Tetapas manage to deceive humans then?”

„By telling them nice words, but cunning.” After that, Bodhi raised in the air again and stopped in front of Kkuṟai, straightly looking into his eyes while her eyes were slowly moving in circles as though she had been the snake Tetapas at that moment. Her glance, which was focused on his glance, made the boy feel dizzy. That’s why he trembled to his feet eventually and covered his eyes with his palms.

His movement brought Bodhi back to her senses, for, like each time she was telling that story, she was deceiving herself while listening to the words told by the snake. Then, when her eyes got their usual color and light, she continued her story, „Actually, the real story isn’t about Tetapas, but about two twin brothers - Ēpel and Kāy, who were so similar physically but had so different behaviors and passions.

In fact, everybody knew at that time that Ēpel loved the soil and its fruits, while Kāy loved the animals and the shepherding. Because of that, Kāy started to wander the world only to find sweet herbs to feed his animals. Ēpel, however, being so tied to his hometown and soil, remained home. There, he started to sow different grains in the wet soil and work the ground that he had in possession.

Nevertheless, even though the two brothers swore to love each other always and to always think about each other, the distance, the routine, and other preoccupations made them think eventually more about their problems and less about their brother. Thus, they started to forget their promise.

Yet, once that apple tree appeared on their property, Fate changed the course of their life and both brothers met home again. However, it isn’t clear whether it was a simple random event or just a prophecy, but the legend says that one morning when the World’s Fate drastically changed, humans were still sleeping while the Apple of Discord, controlled by Tetapas, made the two brothers come in front of it. Then… the whole world worshiped in front of Discord while Discord stopped to worship in front of the whole world…

***

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD

„So beautiful this Apple Tree!” Murmured Ēpel, watching at the splendor of the branches covered by green leaves, through which two alluring fruits were seen. „It’s because our land blessed us all because only the ground can give eternal fruits to the world.”

„I think you are wrong now, brother!” Said Kāy, when he felt a certain discomfort in his chest, something he never felt before. „What can be considered welfare is undoubtedly the animals, for they give us meat, milk, and joy. Actually, I don’t think there is anything else more Saint and pleasing in this world than the sweet touch of a warm snout on your hand when the animal tries to share their love with their shepherd.”

These words made Ēpel feel weird this time. Yet, he didn’t feel hatred for his brother. Kāy, however, started to hate Ēpel more and more, when he heard a strange voice in his ear, „You are always right, Kāy. Don’t let anyone tell you the contrary.”

Ēpel, however, understanding that something strange was happening at that moment, told his brother, „Kāy, I think we can’t compare this. I mean the love of the animals with the fertility of the soil. However, to be honest, the soil…”

Seeing his brother’s glance focused on him, Kāy thought that Ēpel was scolding him for his conceit. Because of this, he gnashed his teeth and said, „Are you looking askance at me right now? Do you think that if you always bring more fruits to the world’s barns you are the king of the world?”

„King?” Asked Ēpel amazed and confused at the same time. „I never thought that I’m the king. I don’t understand what's wrong with you, brother, for… I see envy in your eyes.”

„Envy? In my eyes? Am I envious of you? Why?” Kāy became really mean at that time.

„Because you are disdaining the power of the ground. Actually, if there hadn’t been the ground and its fruits, there wouldn’t have been the grass and other herbs to feed your animals. More than that, even your animals wouldn’t have existed.” That time, it was Ēpel’s turn to be mean.

After that, forgetting that they were brothers, the two started to argue. Their loud voices brought the villagers there. Yet, even though the strife between the two brothers seemed weird to them, something they never saw before, the villagers decided not to intervene. What they didn’t know was that they decided this, controlled by Tetapas, who was hissing them from those branches to stay quiet.

However, tired of their useless argument, Tetapas decided to intervene in their talk. That’s why, slipping on a thick branch, he told the two brothers in a hissing voice, „What if you are both wrong?” A remark that made the two look at him. Then, Tetapas appeared in front of everyone. This made humans wince, for they never saw such a weird creature before.

Being smarter, Kāy quickly came back to his senses and asked, „What do you mean?”

„Same as you,” said the snake Tetapas in a cunning voice. Then, slipping a little bit lower, the snake approached the trunk.

The snake’s movement made Ēpel shudder. After that, taking a step behind him, he grabbed Kāy’s sleeve, trying to make that one move further from the tree too. Kāy, however, stubborn, stood where he was. He even suddenly withdrew his arm. Then, he took a step toward the tree, asking the snake, „At supremacy?”

„Exactly,” the snake hissed through his teeth. „Actually, each of you is right. However, as there can’t be two different truths in this world, you should also choose who is ahead of the other one. Thus, the submissive one should worship in front of the king.”

„Yet, how to get there?” Asked Kāy, charmed by the thought to be ahead of his brother.

„Tasting the fruit of this tree, for…”

„No, brother! Don’t do that!” Ēpel shouted at his brother when he saw Kāy stretching his hand in front to take an apple.

That shout made Kāy turn and look with hatred at his brother, hissing through his teeth the words Tetapas thought about, „Keep your mouth shut! I must find out! I have to!”

„There is no need to do that!” Ēpel whispered in a kind voice, taking a step toward his brother. „I think there is no need to see who is ahead of who. I also think that the thought we had before, that everything in this world is useful, is the right one.”

„Yet, something bothers you inside,” Tetapas said, and the sweet voice of the snake made Ēpel swallow hard. He did that trying to chase the doubt away from his soul. „I see this in your eyes,” Tetapas kept luring him, slipping toward the base of the tree until he got to Ēpel’s legs, around which he wrapped eventually while climbing up on his body. Later, when the snake got to Ēpel’s neck, he wrapped around it. Then, he hissed into his ear, „Why doubt when you can have the whole world to your feet?”

Seeing the snake preferring his brother, Kāy felt jealousy. Then, suddenly, when he was sure that Ēpel didn’t see him because he was looking into Tetapas’s eyes as charmed, Kāy took an apple from the tree. After that, he hesitated for a few moments. He wasn’t sure if to bite from it or not, for something deep inside him was telling him not to do that. Yet, being too charmed to be a king, Kāy listened to the snake’s voice who was talking to his brother at that moment in a sweet, but fake voice, „You know, Ēpel, this world has been created to worship in front of a king only. There cannot be more than one king. If this happens, it will be chaos on Earth. That’s why, not to doubt anymore, you should also taste that apple, Ēpel. Only then, you’ll feel the real taste of power on your tongue and you’ll understand what exactly…”

Suddenly, Ēpel gasped and looked at his brother with empty eyes. Then, lowering his glance, he saw that Kāy had bit from the reddish part of the apple already. Thus, as possessed, he stabbed the dagger into his brother’s heart, more and more.

„Why, Kāy? Why?” Ēpel murmured, barely heard.

„Because there can’t be two kings on this earth, Ēpel. Thus, if only one of us can be king, I must be the king!” Murmured Kāy with hatred. Then, suddenly, he took the dagger out of Ēpel’s heart, and his sudden movement took the heart out of his brother’s chest, too.

Yet… Ēpel didn’t fall to the ground as he should have done and this happened because of the shock felt after his brother’s betrayal. Nevertheless, he also won because Tetapas unwrapped his body from the injured one’s, while weird laughter was heard around and the snake moved toward the tree again.

Behind Tetapas, Ēpel fell to his knees while a painful sigh came out of his chest. Even though he heard the sigh, Kāy didn’t look at his brother, but somewhere in the distance, grinning, while he was seeing himself on the throne of the world, having the whole world at his feet. Yet, he winced eventually and looked at Ēpel when this one took the apple from his hand while sadly looking into his eyes.

„What are you doing?” Kāy hissed through his teeth. „Do you also want the throne of the world?” After that, he squatted next to his injured brother.

Ēpel only kindly smiled. Then, finally feeling that his end was close, he looked at his brother and said, „No. I give you that throne. I don’t need it. I only needed my brother. Now, however, seeing death coming after me, I understand one thing: that I can leave, taking the remorse with me. That’s why, Kāy, live this eternity in peace, for I take your sins with me.” After that, Ēpel bit from the golden side of the apple. Then, he left the apple, bitten from both sides, roll on the ground till it got to Kāy’s feet and Ēpel lay on the ground, slowly chewing the piece of apple he had in his mouth and squeezed his heart, that was still beating not being aware that it was its end too, in his hand.

Eventually, that nightmare ended when the heart stopped beating. This happened the moment Ēpel swallowed the piece of apple from his mouth and closed his eyes forever. At that moment, the thick cloth off Kāy’s eyes vanished, he suddenly stood up, and, mad, he headed toward the tree, mumbling, „What have I done? Oh, God, what have I done with my own hands?”

He stopped the moment Tetapas told him, grinning, „You wanted the throne of the world and I gave it to you!” A remark, which made Kāy wince and look up. After that, shaking, because of fear and hatred because he was already aware that Tetapas insulted him while saying, „Now… you finally have the supremacy to your legs. That’s why you must be my servant forever,” Kāy hissed through his teeth:

„Let the world serve you and its throne. I… won’t ever do that.” Suddenly, Kāy grabbed the snake by the tail and pulled him toward him.

Tetapas, understanding that madness took over Kāy, tried to escape. He wasn’t wrong thinking so because Kāy wanted to rip off his skin and break his neck. Moreover, when he saw that Tetapas tried to run away. That’s why he eventually cut his tail with the dagger.

By doing this, Kāy allowed Tetapas to run away. However, after that day, nobody ever saw Tetapas again and this happened because he hid in the depths of the ground where he left his ripped skin that couldn’t be stuck to his body again. After that, not only his skin took a new form on his body, but also his tail grew up. However, after that event, the snake started to leave his tail and skin away, just to be sure that he’ll survive and grow up again…

***

„What happened to Kāy?” Kkuṟai asked, confused.

„Nobody knows!” Replied Bodhi. „Only… some of those who knew him said that they saw him wandering the world, mad, surrounded by his black goats, whom he called Ēpel because of the guilt he felt.”

„Wow, this is a really interesting story!” Murmured Kkuṟai. „I know many legends, told by our elders, but none like this one.”

„It’s because this isn’t only the legend of death in fact,” added Bodhi. „This is also about repentance, betrayal, bad choices, and deceit. That’s why I told you this story, Kkuṟai, because you also have a difficult choice to make.”

„A choice? What kind of choice?”

„If to return home or go toward the depths of the ground. Yet, no matter what you decide, child, think very well at first and listen to your heart only, for… the world that you have left behind you cries after you.”

„The cry!” Kkuṟai said suddenly, as though having a vision. „Actually, I heard someone’s cry before meeting Niṉaivu. Yet, even though it seemed familiar to me, I couldn’t understand whose cry I heard then.”

Bodhi sadly smiled, „It’s the cry of all those who love you and are afraid of losing you, boy. Yet, even though they do that because they love you, they don’t know that they can sentence you to an eternity in the Tunnel of the Useless Memories.”

„Why?”

„Because when someone cries next to the body of the one who’s fighting with death while he’s still alive, I mean those who love the sinner, they only sentence him to suffer, even though they think that they show him their love.”

„Then? What should we do?”

„Nothing,” murmured Bodhi sadly. „There is nothing we can do. This will vanish only when a human’s heart will change. Yet, as this is impossible, just as it is impossible to make Styx’s water slowly flow, neither human beings can be changed forcibly. Nevertheless, Kkuṟai, you still have the chance to choose and change yourself. That’s why, listen to my advice and wisely choose, with your heart, not with your brain.”

***

After his talk with Bodhi, Kkuṟai chose to turn to light. Yet, because he was alone at that moment, he felt lost, he felt that the way back home wasn’t the one he had seen while heading toward the Purgatorium. That’s why Kkuṟai made a big mistake: he looked back when he heard Mai’s restless cry, something that broke his heart. A mistake that allowed Rị to attack him…