Lying on the floor was Ender unconscious, Zack was also unconscious sitting on a bench with Sara alongside him. Misha who was kneeling down to collapse Ender and had placed her palm over his forehead opened her gaze.
She gets up and brushes the curtains to the side, orange-golden rays welcome her. She didn't get blinded with the sudden exposure; instead the warmth of the dazzling gleam made her feel at peace. Her amber pearls are glossing in it.
The gentle breeze of wind passed and everyone felt it. Misha stretched her white fingers outside the window, her expression went soft.
"It's all over."
Lisa who was sitting on another couch,
leaning to it. Watch the still air flow by the breeze. Her hairs brushed each time over her face when the breeze passed through her. Yet she was completely unbothered by this. Closing her red jewels.
Suddenly a portal appeared from which Ruis came through, exhausted. His legs were enervated so much that he fell down to the wall instantly when the portal disappeared.
Taking deep breaths with his mouth open, he looked at his surroundings subconsciously.
"I'm never doing that again."
He muttered while scratching his messy hair. Misha who was standing at the window turned behind.
"We will leave by dusk."
Moments Later...
The minka mansion. It was the same minka mansion shrouded in deep forest. The lanterns moving along with the trail. While everyone was walking and working like nothing had happened, nothing had changed.
From a distance stood Sara, watching the mansion from afar. Having an unreadable expression so it was hard to say what was on her mind, yet her eyes were tired. This time the sun was gradually setting down.
It wasn't golden hour yet golden rays of light were piercing the dense foliage, painting the forest floor in warm hues.
"You're here?"
A familiar whisper comes from behind before being taken away by a cold breeze. She turned behind to see Ruis, not surprised. After what Ender revealed to what happened to her own self and her mother. It was inevitable.
Ruis sighed, hands in his pant's pockets. He strolls towards her. She was just staring there, no expression at all, it was weird to see this, when the only person you cared about died and the killer was right in front of you. Vulnerable. You didn't scream, take vengeance, make them atone.. For the sin they did.
"He was right..."
Sara spoke, shattering the silence between them. Ruis didn't get startled, his face was relaxed as ever. Watching the gorgeous sun over the minka, his silver pearls shimmering when the mist gently rolled over them.
"I really... forgive them. Am I a child of heavens?"
For 10 seconds, silence wrapped them until Ruis was the one who broke it.
"The aspect that makes us human is the ugliness of our emotions. It's our only true flaw. Angels are pure goodness, which is why they are called angels; demons are pure evil, which is why they are called demons; and Gods are perfect, which is why they are called Gods. But humans are flawed and that is exactly why we are called humans."
Sara was speechless, in the end what he said was the truth. And it's the truth which makes people speechless.
"Prophets are an exception. They're angels in human form. Beings who never did a sin. It's impossible for a human to not do a sin. Then are you a prophet?"
This surprised her, it wasn't the question, it was the one who asked. Though she solemnly declared, without a second thought.
"I am not a prophet."
"Then who are you?"
"I– I... don't know..."
Seeing this hesitated answer. Ruis scratches his hair, sighing.
"It's okay to forgive. It's okay to follow the path of prophets. This is what we all should try to be, after all. It's the best way to live."
Sara went quiet, she didn't know what to say. Ruis placed his palm over her shoulder.
"If you will make the same decision like I did. You will be me."
"At least you atone for your deeds. Don't you?"
Ruis shut his lips, like he didn't want to say anything about this. Turning his head to the side nonchalantly.
"I don't know if I could create a perfect world for you. But I can definitely find that world for you, after all I am just a wanderer who moves through worlds. There should be a world where you can rest and be yourself... what you want to be..."
Sara bit her lips, but before she could say something.
"Let's go, they're calling."
Ruis said with a smile. Moving his hand towards her which she grabbed and clenched gracefully.
After a while, Ruis and Sara were strolling together on the sand. It seemed like they had come to a beach. In the distance their gaze went over two girls. The girls were wearing a modern shirt dress outfit, one was wearing an elegant red one while the other was wearing a brown one. Watching the sunset, now the golden hour had begun.
The golden glow of the setting sun illuminated the scattered clouds, making the entire sky look like a blazing fire. The calm water of the seashore acted like a giant mirror, perfectly reflecting the glowing twilight colors. The rhythmic crash of the ocean waves against the damp sand provided a soothing soundtrack to the descending sun.
It was indeed a beautiful scenery, as Misha and Lisa were lost staring at it.
"Misha! Lisa!"
Sara started running towards them, while Ruis glared like an idiot. When the girls got distracted, it was already too late. Thankfully Sara bumped into both of them at once and she was small compared to them nevertheless they still almost lost their balance. Barely standing.
Giggling like nothing happened, they started chattering in the next second. Amidst the scene, Ruis noticed Zack wasn't here and for Ender, he thought he's still in that state.
Strolling towards them, he hesitated to ask because they're still busy blabbering.
"Where's Zack?"
"He had to take care of something quickly and will return shortly."
Lisa answered amidst their blabble, before getting lost in it again. Ruis sighed, pushing his tongue to his roof of mouth. Like he was mustering the courage to say something.
But before he could, he felt someone glaring at him, intensely. He looked in that direction where a man was sitting on a rock, nonchalantly. Wearing a white shirt and black pants, he was glaring at him. Ruis was surprised.
~ He got unsealed?
"I unsealed him after some time. He hasn't said anything and has been in that position since we're here."
Lisa said with a smile like she didn't give a shit about him. Hearing this information, Ruis made eye contact with him, for a moment amidst the girl's chatter. They both stared at each other's eyes, exchanging no words. Until...
Ender turned his gaze to another direction, to the shore. Ruis sighed, before strolling away.
***
It was Anne's home. Zack gently gets outside from his car in their garage. Going home, he went to the TV launch room where Anne was watching dramas, slobbing. With her baby daughter dozing off on her stroller beside.
"Anne!"
Hearing his voice, her gaze went where Zack was standing with a ridiculous smile, a warm smile.
"I promised, didn't I?"
Anne started laughing, tears falling on her puffy cheeks. Zack goes and sits on the floor, resting his head on her lap.
"Sorry for the wait."
For a moment, no words were exchanged between them. Then she gently started brushing her fingers on his flaxen hair.
"If only you had told me when you were going, so I wouldn't be that concerned."
Zack took his head off from her lap and leaned to the glass table. This face went composed in an instant.
"What if?... I told you I am going somewhere?"
Anne was stunned, she couldn't even believe it. She thought he was joking or something. Nevertheless she tries to ask, stuttering.
"... Again?"
"Dad just finalized everything for my studies abroad. He sorted out my university admission and even rented an apartment for me. I'll be living there for the next four years, and tonight is my flight."
Hearing the explanation, Anne, who still was believing this is a joke, still inquired him with questions and questions.
"Why not study here? Harry can talk with him..."
"Who will take care of you there? And you are not big enough to take care of yourself..."
Zack bit his lips, though he expected this outcome. His breath hitched as he tried to answer her questions.
"Dad decided I should move because the academic opportunities are better there. He has already set up a bunch of support services for me."
Hearing these bitter answers. Anne turned her head down, her hair covering her face. Her hands covered her mouth, sobbing.
Zack clenched his teeth, he can't understand what to do now, his mind wasn't giving him a clear message to confront her. Seeing no clear way, he sighed and hugged her. Choosing his instincts over his mind. This is how you are.
"I will... come from time to time.."
"W– Why? I feel like... You are deliberately doing this. Intentionally going away from us.. me... Did I do something wrong? Do you not like me?"
Hearing this. Zack hugged her a bit harder.
"No... You are the reason I had the best years of my life.. you... Marine.. Ender... I– I don't know how much my mom loved me, but I know.. I know.. how much... You cared for me.. as your own child.."
Anne's tears stop falling yet Zack could still feel them on his shoulder.
"I– I am sorry... sorry for everything.. Anne."
He backs off, sitting below in front of her. His head down.
~ This is the best way, no this is the only way. I don't want anyone to take the burden of mine. I'm too worthless for this.. This is... probably the end... My existence will bring disasters here, this is the best choice.
He did everything to make a smile, a warm smile. An exaggerated smile. His eyes closed and some tears fell which were suppressed.
"I'll come... Promise.."
Unexpectedly he felt a warm feeling, when he opened, he saw Anne hugging him this time.
"I... believe you.."
He gently gets up along with her, when she takes her arms off him. His gaze went towards Anne's daughter who was still dozing on her stroller. He carefully picks her up in his arms and cuddles her. Smiling. He wasn't the only one who smiled.
After putting her back in the stroller, their eyes meet.
"Video call me when you reach there."
"... Ok."
Zack hesitated, then sighing before turning around while Anne could watch his shadow disappearing from here.
When she heard the door slam, her knees collapsed. Barely holding onto the sofa, while breathing heavily. Her gaze goes on her baby and her mother's instincts took over, taking her out from the stroller and hugging her just enough to feel her heart beat, closing her eyes. She laid down on the sofa.
***
On the beach, the golden hour was at its peak. Yet Ender was still sitting on the same rock, Ruis was making a castle of sand. Misha and Lisa were at sea shore, splashing water on each other which was bought by the waves.
Sara was letting her feet be washed by the waves, the waves were truly gentle on her, probably because she was quite far where waves had lost most of their momentum.
All of a sudden, a small wave reached the castle's edge, washing away one corner. Ruis's jaw dropped but then he simply smiled and rebuilt it.
Unexpectedly out of nowhere, Ruis and Sara who were near the sea shore heard footsteps floundering on sand. Even Ender noticed this, except Misha and Lisa they all turned their gaze there.
"Yoo!"
This time even Lisa and Misha turned around, amidst their play. To see a boy coming towards them.