Chapter 43: The Black Door Part 3

"Agh," two satisfied sighs carry in the dense air. Noe and Daniel bathe in the realm's light, absorbing every morsel of vitality possible.

Their suits and shirts hang loosely over a protruding branch along the treeline. The clothes sway toward Noe and Daniel in the distance. 

After their soak within the realm's blue river, their skin is supple with the sap of rejuvenation. The light only adds to its liveliness. 

Indeed, Noe and Daniel lie side by side, bare as the day they were born. Daniel's leg hair shines.

"Daniel?" Noe turns his head to look at him, feet moving side to side in contentment.

"Hm?" Daniel raises his eyes, a smile playing along his lips.

"What is 'pride'?"

"It depends which pride you mean. The old-age pride or the etymological pride?"

"The etymological one."