CHAPTER: 11 "Reasons"

The bustling streets of the City teemed with life, like an intricate fabric woven from the threads of diverse cultures and vibrant colors.In the centre of this huge city there stood a large Gothic style temple, though contradictory to the surrounding building in terms of time period and culture, it still gave a harmonious vibe.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, vendors sold their wares and delicacies from when they were alive, from where they came from. In essence, this city was a trade market, full of opportunities and diversity.

But what truly set the City apart were the mystical beings that coexisted alongside human citizens. Majestic white dragons with their handsome manes flowing like banners in the wind, soared gracefully through the skies, while unicorns pulled carriages along cobblestone streets. Their presence alone made the city like a mystic plain, which in actuality it is.

I couldn't help but marvel at the splendor surrounding me, feeling a sense of awe and reverence for the City of Reincarnation, where magic and reality mixed seamlessly, creating a haven of wonder and harmony.

"This is Stork City at its finest." Said Blue whose mouth was filled with candies. "Normally it's not this vibrant, they must have made preparations due to the Rite of Reincarnation."

"Well, even without this I am sure it must be a neat place to live in." I interjected. "There is no hunger, no conflict, it's free to live here and above all it's a beautiful place."

"I got no idea why people would leave this place." Axel chimed in, his mouth too filled with candies.

"I am confused too." Pachu said the end of her mouth was stained with honey.

"You guys haven't visited this place before?" I asked, I was sure they came here since they worked as Reaper candidates way before I died.

"Well, to be honest, they were sent directly to the Supernatural Management Committee as they failed the Cage of Purification miserably. Even I was able to control myself for a couple of weeks before I realized the purification would take a lot longer than I expected." Right after explaining Blue started bragging about herself.

"So why do people reincarnate and leave this place behind?" The moment I asked it Blue went quiet.

We all looked at Blue expecting her to answer our questions, but she just ignored our gaze.

"It's because of two reasons pain and energy." An unexpected answer came from someone with a stoic voice.

"Milia can you explain with a bit of context." I requested getting closer to her while her hat, Ita was making a disgusted expression. What could I do? The road was pretty narrow in this place.

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Milia calmed Ita and continued. "The first reason pain. Well, there is no hunger, no conflict and no challenge as for the se–"

"Well, isn't it better that way? Why would they feel pained for having a 'lived happily ever after'." I asked before she continued to the second reason.

"Intriguing question, though a stupid one. Imagine this, well you are experiencing it already: Hunger is but a distant memory, conflicts are rare occurrences reserved for those of a specific calling like Reapers, and the world around you exudes unparalleled beauty. Yet, surely a sense of dissatisfaction will linger. Without the primal urge of hunger, the thrill of challenge, or the need to earn one's keep, life loses its essence. It's a paradox of comfort and emptiness, where abundance coexists with an insatiable longing for meaning and purpose. Would such an easy life truly be living, or merely existing in a state of perpetual stagnation?" The moment she finished half of what she said had already left my mind. I felt more confused now.

"Ummm, can you shorten it a bit?" I requested, feeling embarrassed.

She didn't mind and replied. "In a world where everything is perfect and easy, life might seem great, but without challenges and desires, it's actually pretty boring and meaningless."

Wow! That was simple.

With an admiring gaze, I complimented. "Wow, Milia I didn't know you were that knowledgeable." After a short pause, I asked her. "So what's the second reason, ummm in short sentences please."

Her hat looked smug for some reason, and after a bit of deliberation, she replied. "Their spirit are too weak to survive in this plane."

"Heh?" I couldn't understand what she meant, but Milia didn't bother explaining any further.

Slowly we caught up with the rest of the gang. Blue with a tone of admiration kept on praising Milia while I facepalmed myself in shame.

This unreliable blue-haired woman right there was supposed to be our guide, not the one being guided.

As we passed our fifth shop, Pachu who had been quiet the whole time started pulling my sleeves.

"What is it Pachu?" I asked, her actions being quite unnatural.

"The shop." She whispered.

"Heh?" I looked around, but the members were as confused as me.

"The candy shop." Pachu repeated herself, this time a bit loudly.

Looking around, there indeed was a shop, a big one. Wait?!! Was that a giant lollipop hung as the shop sign board?!!

Blue with sparkling eyes shouted in excitement. "Come on guys, maybe we will find a martial arts master in there, running the shop with his beloved."

Now where did she even get that idea from?

Ignoring Blue's usual banter, we headed towards the shop. It was quite well made, with wood furnishings, cute pieces of furniture and even a pink themed room. Quite a fancy room to be honest, but. But why the heck is the shop clerk a big macho man!! It feels so out of the gerne.

"Oi, Grey. Your inner thoughts are being projected on your face." Blue whispered while getting closer.

Ahm! Well, looking around it's quite a neat place to have afternoon tea. The menu was quite bizarre, in my opinion.

*Random flavoured Cookies.

*Random flavoured Candies.

*Random flavored Tea.

*Random flavored.........

*Ran......................................

*..............................................

Everything was random, quite weirdly it reminded me of a particular train snack.

Blue ordered a packet of random cookies for all of us, it was the one with the highest chance of getting a normal flavor. And so holding our breath we gobbled one cookie each.

Ughh! It's cheese, why was cheese flavor even on the list? The creator of such horrendous flavor must go off with the head.

"Mmhh! Vomit flavour, haven't gotten this since ages." Blue said calmly. The fact that her expression was that of nostalgia instead of disgust, creeped me from inside.

Taking a quick glance at the expression of my two companions and the hat of the third one, I could pretty much expect the results. Only Pachu managed to obtain a decent flavor, I guess.

I didn't have any courage left in me to try the next, so I just gave it to Blue.

"Hello my dear, we meet again." A soothing voice of a female rang in my head.