Chapter 96: Chapter 50: One Regret (Part 1)
Girl: "And, in the end, both of us will be free."
On hearing those words said with a genuine on the speaker's face smile, Sneha was left with no seeming way to respond. To someone who was so happy with this outcome, she couldn't possibly try to tell them to live, not die. And even if she does, how would any of them be able to change the fate that awaits this girl.
Girl: "You don't need to be that shocked."
Seeing the expressions on the Aural's face, the girl said so. She had gained a better understanding of a person's feelings after having been confronted with the truth of her having human emotions. So, she could understand why Sneha was in shock.
Girl: "Although death may sound saddening to many, I would accept it wholeheartedly."
Sneha: "But why?"
Sneha gave a question that was to raise an objection to her line of thinking.
Sneha: "Shouldn't you rather try to live longer with the one you have come to consider a father?"
For a moment, the girl's face showed surprise. It was surprise at the fact that this woman would actually care about her. It was surprise at the fact that this woman would have a dejected and sad expression on her face for her of all people.
Sneha: "Isn't that what you should desire?"
Girl: "I-I …"
Seeing that kindness, she had become unable to speak. It was not that she had never seen someone with such empathy, but because she had seen people like that never direct it towards her. After all, she was a mass of energy and not an actual person.
No, that was not true. That had become untrue the moment the so-called god gave her human feelings. But, even she herself believed that she was just a mass of energy all this time. She wondered if even the dragon had noticed that change or not.
Girl: "I don't have a choice."
But in this moment, looking at the first and probably last person to ever show any real concerns for her, she had to brush all of those thoughts aside and answer her sincerely.
Girl: "The dragon would die and so would I. I think only a little more than two days are left. Even in those two days, one is going to go incredibly fast. So, this outcome is only inevitable."
She knew the facts, and had no intention of running away from them.
Sneha: "But still,"
Girl: "Tell me miss, why are you so worried about me?"
Sneha: "Huh?!"
Girl: "We have not talked much before, have we? In fact, the first time we talked was outside of the tomb two hours ago. So why have you started caring about me that much?"
Faced with a question she couldn't answer, her gaze lowered. The girl saw that and smiled.
Sneha Stone could not tell her the reason for this empathy was not a very noble one. She could not tell that it was just because her childish nature reminded her of her peers at the shrine. She could not say that it was a selfish want to not see someone die again.
Sneha: "I …"
She struggled to form words. She could not tell that such a selfish reason drives her to ask to continue to live longer in this godforsaken world.
Sneha: "I just started seeing you as a human, somewhere down the line."
So she said the part of the truth that she believed to be less selfish.
Sneha: "I just don't see you as some mass of energy."
The girl had understood that and was not benefitted by this answer, but she had a smile on her face and responded with a nod.
Sneha: "You said that we have not talked much. Maybe that is the reason."
Sneha answered to the best of her capability.
Sneha: "Because from what I have seen of you, I never saw you acting like someone who isn't human, I just saw you acting like an intelligent, little girl."
And that answer, even if lacking, was enough for the girl. She wasn't being deceived into thinking that was the real reason Sneha is so kind towards her. In fact, she understood that there is some reason for her kindness that she thinks is so bad she doesn't want to reveal what it is.
And seeing that, she understood that this empathy is not a result of some fool's kindness, but has a genuine reason behind it. And to this girl, that painted it as far more acceptable than a person who would be kind for the sake of being kind.
Girl: "Thank you!"
So, she could not do anything but thank her for this kindness.
Sneha: "…?"
And what she received in response was a confused face. In order to clear that confusion, the girl told her reason for thanking her.
Girl: "I am happy I met you before dying."
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Ethan Kales has finally started to understand the reason this Aural comrade of his is so down.
Ethan: "…"
But even though he understands, he can't muster up any words to say to her.
Sneha: "…"
And neither does she look to be in any mood to talk anymore.
In that uncomfortable silence that had come about, the two helplessly shift their gazes from the ground to the ceiling to each other to the ground.
They are not uncomfortable in speaking to each other even though they have been doing it pretty easily so far. The problem is that they don't know just what to say.
And as they try to muster up some words, a loud sound comes. This sound looked to have come from something falling to the ground.
Ethan: "Uh!?"
As he stared in the direction the sound came from, which was the direction of the stairs to the next floor, he glanced at the Aural.
Sneha: "That's suspicious, isn't it?"
Ethan: "That it is. But, are you willing to go and see what it was from."
Sneha looks down as she seems to consider for a second what she would do. And then, as if having made up her mind, she sighs.
Sneha: "I don't think I have the legacy of refusing in such a situation."
They are inside Ozyllus' tomb and a black hole had suddenly appeared once out of nowhere about an hour ago. Considering the both of those alarmingly dangerous things, she has no choice but to investigate if any suspicious activity happens.
Ethan: "Yeah, that's not wrong but, if you are not up for it, you can stay back."
His voice is not comforting at all, mostly because of the anxiety of what that sound came from, but his intentions still get through to her.
Sneha: "Sometimes you almost sound like a cliché good guy."
Ethan: "Hck!"
Ethan gets surprised as he sees her smiling on that remark, a remark using the word 'cliché' that he usually makes.
Ethan: "I guess you are ready then."
Needless to say, that remark was meant to ease up the anxious and tense atmosphere around them and it did its job.
Before moving forward, both glance at each other and nod, and carefully start walking towards the stairs making sure to match their steps.
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