All living beings will choose, at some point, what they want to live for. Still, it is an inescapable truth that, regardless of what they choose, the act of living itself will always pay the price of a small death, because every second of life brings us one second closer to the end of the journey.
And those who understand this are happier, because they understand that life and death are two sides of the same coin. That, in this world, everything is about a duality, and, where there is life, there is also death. And where there is sadness, there is value in happiness.
And when an attack is made, causing death, somewhere there is love being made, generating life.
Aeronn V. R. Thewnes
*
Surrounded by the bodies of dead coyotes, Dan analyzes the blood covering his arms and legs. His pants and jacket are bathed in a red liquid, and, of all his clothing, only the shirt if free of the stains.
Walking among the bodies on the ground, he analyzes the animals and, from time to time, he crouches in front of one of them, analyzing the fur and teeth. When faced with some better-looking dentition or claws, he pulls out his dagger and carefully extracts it and places it inside a bag, tied to his waist.
“They were bathed in energy from the convergence. Some merchants will pay a good amount for it. Enough to keep me out of trouble for the rest of the trip, at least.” He ponders, working on the task and, when he finds the best body among the corpses, he rolls up his sleeves and fastens all the buttons on his coat. He did not want blood to spill onto his clean shirt.
And, calmly and carefully, he proceeds to the task of skinning the coyote.
Such gestures are observed, from a distance, by Ohana, who collects the arrows from the bodies and exchanges a few words with the soldiers.
-My name is Julius Johanssen Yaelsen. - The mage she had helped before tried to bow, despite the difficulty caused by the wound. He is standing thanks to the help of the other soldiers. – I am grateful for all the help. If there is something we can do for you-
-Don’t worry about it. – The dryad shakes her head. Had it not been for the soldier's young age, she would not have taken the risk. Young people reminded her of her sister. Remembering her sister made her want to protect the lives of others. She retains that thought, intending to get rid of the feeling in the future. - What happened here? How were you ambushed?
-We're on an official mission. – Julius announces with pride. – We were sent to analyze the size of the new magical convergence and the damage it generated. We were finishing our search when the beasts attacked.
-Are you moving towards the convergence? - The dryad frowns. She struggles to hold the reins of two horses, hers and Dan’s, who she found nearby after the fight.
-Actually, we were on our way back. To make a report, we needed to go around the convergence’s territory.
-So, you're heading to the nearest realm?
-We'll immediately return to Naeva. - He waves to one of the soldiers, dismissing the help and standing on his own. The pain, despite bothering him, is not enough to bear the humiliation of not walking by himself. That is how Julius rationalizes it. - If you are going in that direction, I recommend that you come with us.
-Can I know the reason for the suggestion? - She is not pleased with his tone.
-Like I said, we were watching the convergence. - He points to the road. –To return to Naeva, we need to pass near it one more time.
The dryad sighs, slowly, closing her eyes and feeling a deep disappointment. The last thing she wanted was to go near the convergence after it became fully active.
-Is there any other route?
The soldier shakes his head.
-Unfortunately, it's the only way. If we stray too far from the road, we could encounter even more angry beasts.
Dan, who returns with the coyote's skin under his arm, heard the last bits of conversation and took the opportunity to interfere.
-You must not have been the only ones sent to analyze what is happening. Are there any other soldiers somewhere else?
The soldier confirms with a nod.
-The rest of our companions are placed further along this road. Wizards are trying to study the phenomenon, since the convergence is weaker in its early stages. We'll find them, and, from there, some men will be dispatched to Naeva, while others will stay to study the magic and deal with the beasts while nearby villages evacuate.
-Sir, - one of the soldiers announces. – We can't stay much longer. More beasts can find us here.
-Tell the other to pack everything up. - Julius orders. – We will rest for a couple of minutes and go away right after that. - He turns to the other two. – What do you think? How about coming with us? We could use the help.
*
Valkyrie had her eyes and ears open, carefully listening to Arthur's stories about his life on Earth. It had become a routine for him to delight the girl after dinner in Rinlia's living room. As always, Galaaz was lying on the rug with his eyes closed; Rinlia was sitting in an armchair by the window; Arthur had sat on the sofa, resting his body after the exhausting day of training.
He was talking to the girl who, sitting on the arm of the sofa, expressed herself in various ways while listening to him, all equally lovely: Waving her arms, shaking her legs, with hand gestures, eye expressions and smiles that shone in a way that was impossible for an adult. With a glow that is only produced by eyes that have not yet been harmed by life.
-Horseless carriages?
-Yes, they move at speeds you wouldn't believe. These carriages move on roads that exist almost everywhere outside the oceans.
-And how many of these carriages were there in your world?
The question is not asked by the child, but by the mother who, despite hesitant, also felt attracted to the stories. After all, the images painted by Arthur's narratives were a unique window to another world.
-Countless. There were so many carriages that, over time, they became a problem to the planet itself and the... Kingdoms and organizations advised everybody to decrease the use of such vehicles. - His speech was paused to choose the most familiar words for the girl. Still, at times he let out some word or concept unintelligible to the inhabitants of this world.
-That many? - The girl was always surprised.
-Some people had more than one, even. Some families had a carriage for each member of the household. – He reaches out and, with his index finger, pushes the tip of the girl's nose. – This is nothing, Val. One day I'll tell you about much larger carriages that flew between continents and about the devices that shine light over the streets without the use of oil or flames. I'll tell you about the devices that send instant letters across the continent and the pictures that can move in the palm of your hand.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
-Tell me! Please! I want to know about all of them!
-I will, but not today. - He looks at the window beside Rinlia. It is possible to see the starry sky. – Today, you need to go to sleep and so do I. Your mother wants you to go to sleep too.
-Mom, let him tell me more! Please!
The elf looks at Arthur's face and Galaaz opens one eye. The boy notices that Rinlia is not sure about what she wants. In fact, curiosity was what kept her from ordering her daughter to go to her room.
Faced with indecision, the storyteller's ego inflates. He is unable to resist the temptation to be the center of attention for a few extra minutes.
-Okay, okay. One more and you're going to sleep, okay?
-Yes!
-Promise me. Promise you'll go to your room after that.
-I promise.
The child's eyes shine. Arthur shakes his head, surrendering to the girl's wishes.
-Very well. What do you want to know about?
Undecided, she cups her chin for a few seconds, carefully considering how much she wants to know about each item.
-The flying carriages. – She says, with a straight face. – What do they look like? Do they have wings? Do they look like the dragons in the stories?
-One question at a time. – The boy smiles. – One question at a time, Valkyrie.
*
-It sounds like an interesting world. - Rinlia comments after Valkyrie finished.
Arthur, still on the couch, shakes his head.
-Maybe for outsiders. Many inhabitants of my world would be interested in trading everything to have the magic you have here.
The elf shakes her head, a half-smile in her face.
-I would say they have their own magic. They just called it by another name.
He needs a second to understand.
-Science?
-It's a shame you don’t know how to manipulate this “science”, don't you think? We could make good use of that knowledge around here.
-I read somewhere here that such knowledge has no use in this world. - He retorts. – Apparently, magic changed some basic concepts.
-Still, some principles should be usable, don't you think? Something could work.
The elf's phrase intrigues the boy's imagination – but only for a moment.
-It makes no difference. I wouldn't know how to reproduce the science of my world. I was never interested in it.
-And what had your interest back then? - Rinlia seems to be getting closer to her goal. – What was your profession in that world?
The memory bothers him. Of all memories about Earth, work is one of the least pleasant.
-Something useless, related to bureaucracy. No, worse than that, cause bureaucracy is important. What I did wasn’t important. Not for me anyway. And it wouldn't add any knowledge that this world doesn't already have.
-You didn't want to help make the carriages that can fly?! – Valkyrie seems personally offended by the statement.
-I didn't know how to make the carriages, Val. - The boy can't help but smile at the child's indignation. – Neither did I know how to make pictures that could move or messages that can teleport. I never learned about the “magic” of my world.
-Why?
-What?
-Why did you never wanted to learn magic? Or something else, other than what you did, since you didn't like it.
The child's gaze is innocent. It has the glow of the eyes of those who have not learned about the burdens their shoulders must carry in the future.
And that is why he does not want to lie. He does not want to divert or hide. Not when the question is asked with such innocence and interest.
-In my world there are also entities, you know?
-Really?
He allows himself to make use of a lie to get to the point. It seemed easier to tell the truth that way.
-Yea. But, in my world, they are not like the ones here. Nobody knows about them. People think they are just feelings.
-Like the Unbelievers?
Arthur had heard about the group of individuals who preached against the entities of this world. They believed that magic had nothing to do with superior beings – that such beings were just folklore.
-Yes, like the Unbelievers. - He agrees. – But, even if no one believes in them, the entities were still there. And I was possessed by one of them. A very bad one, that kept me from being happy.
-How terrible! Who it was?
-Its name was Depression. – He says, making an effort so the pain does not appear in his expression. It is strange the act of confessing to a child something he had not even talked about with his parents before. – Depression dominated me and, because of it, I had no desire to do anything. I didn't want to work, study or have fun. It kept me from being interested in anything. Even in magic.
-What a bad entity! Entities shouldn't be like this!
-In my world, they're different. – He continues. – And this entity dominated me because I let it get closer.
-Why did you do that?
-Because, at first, I didn't notice it. – He makes an effort not to let tears get to his eyes. – I didn't understand why I wanted to isolate myself and be alone. Because of... Some things, I thought it was better this way. And, over time, being alone became my life. I didn't want to change it and, once I got used to it, I couldn't change anything. I just wanted the days to pass. I let the world pass by me. And, without noticing it, I was letting my life get away too.
-And you didn't do anything?
He keeps smiling.
-I did something. One day I decided I was going to travel. That I would change things.
-And…?
He shrugs. He does not want to hide anything. Not from her. After everything that's happened, lying about it seems pointless.
Rinlia watches the conversation between her daughter and the man from another world. She hears about depression – a feeling that, in this world, is not attributed to any entity. Her daughter, however, doesn't know that.
And she allows him to continue.
-I still feel its influence, sometimes. When I'm feeling sad or hopeless. It's a terrible feeling that can keep people from enjoying life. Don't make that worried face. I don't feel it all the time like before. I don't feel it when I'm here, talking to you.
The girl, however, is still troubled.
-Mom! We need to help Art! What if he feels the Depression again? - She turns to him. – Can I feel it too?
-Not if I can help it. – Once more he gently pushes the tip of her nose with his index finger. – Besides, if you feel like you're getting sad, or lonely, I'll teach you a spell. One I learned after a long time.
-Really? Tell me! I can use it to protect you too!
-Oh, yea? Pay attention, because it's simple, but you can't go wrong. Are you paying attention?
-Yes!
-Well then. The spell is performed like this: You need to find someone who is good for you. Someone that makes you feel good. Someone you care about.
-Like Mom?
-Yes, like Mom. But, what about me? You don’t like me?
-Of course, I do!
-Oh, that didn't convince me. The spell may not work. You see, if you don't understand what you feel...
-I know what I feel! – She stamps her foot, annoyed. – I like you, Art!
-And Galaaz? – He looks over the girl's shoulder, to the lupine, who pretends to sleep on the rug and, now, has both eyes conveniently closed.
-I like him too!
Arthur gets closer to her, whispering the instructions.
-Excellent. If so, then you won't have a problem finding someone when you need it. Remember to always keep individuals like that around you, okay? - She agrees with an effusive nod. – Because, then, you need to do one thing and one thing only.
-What?
-You need to give them the biggest hug of your life!
Without warning, he hugs the girl and lifts her off the couch, twirling her in the air.
Valkyrie laughs and squeals with delight, waving her arms as they spin toward the hallway. After a few moments, he puts the girl down, next to the stairs.
-You got it? - He asks. - Big hugs. If you deliver enough of these, there is no entity that can imprison you. And you will feel the bad feelings leaving your body.
-Yes! – She answers with a big smile.
-Okay, enough stories for today. – Galaaz approaches, walking slowly after getting up. – Time to go to bed, Valkyrie. Let's go.
-Already?! - She pouts. - But-
-No. – Rinlia says, standing in the center of the room. – You promised, remember?
The girl hesitates but doesn't argue. Resigned, she climbs the stairs, escorted by the lupine.
-She really likes you. – Rinlia tells Arthur when they find themselves alone.
-She likes to hear the stories.
-I would say it's more than that. – She looks at the stairs. – She accepted you as family.
The elf sighs and heads for a shelf placed in the living room. Her hands rest on a bottle of liquor and she smiles, unscrewing the cap and pouring it on two glasses that were placed in the same shelf.
-Shall we have a drink? Or are you going to bed early, like Galaaz?
-A wise men would go to bed early, since there is so much to be done tomorrow. – He looks at the glass she offers. – But, to be honest, I’ve never been the wisest of men.
*
*