章 33: A Prayer from the Heart
The journey through the sacred forest was unlike anything the old man and the child had ever experienced. They walked for hours, but their legs never grew weary.
It was as though the very air around them was carrying them forward, a silent force gently aiding their steps. Along the way, they picked berries and fruits, each bursting with flavor and leaving them refreshed.
Animals seemed to welcome them. Birds sang sweet melodies, and the underbrush rustled with curious creatures peeking out. The air was thick with life, as if the forest itself had come alive for their visit.
In the past few days, the forest had grown even more vibrant. Animals from far and wide had migrated to the area, drawn by the energy emanating from the crystal stag at its heart.
But not all creatures were allowed to remain. A mysterious force kept predators and dangerous animals at bay, preventing anything or anyone with ill intent from approaching.
Attempts by outsiders to use hawks and trained animals to retrieve the crystal had failed; those creatures were repelled the moment they came close the barrier.
As the pair approached the heart of the sacred site, the crystal stag stood gleaming in the golden light of the pool beneath it. The old man, overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of the sight, fell to his knees in prayer.
His lips moved silently, his head bowed low, while the little girl giggled with delight as tiny fairies flitted around her, their luminescent wings a blur of motion.
From his villa, Alex watched the scene unfold.
[What's he saying in his prayer, Alex?] Lily's voice chimed in his mind, full of curiosity.
Alex paused, listening to the old man's heartfelt murmurs. "He's praying for good health. He's asking for the strength to live long enough to see his granddaughter grow into a capable woman who can take care of herself. And he's offering his soul in exchange for this wish."
Lily's voice softened. [What makes him different?]
"Maybe because he's never done anything selfish his whole life," Alex replied thoughtfully. "He's suffered so much, yet he's willing to endure even more, after death, no less, just to ensure his granddaughter is safe."
There was a pause before Lily spoke again, her tone pleading. [Will you help him?]
Alex smiled. "Sure."
Without another word, a golden glow emerged from Alex's ring, forming a chibi version of himself no bigger than a palm. The miniature Alex shot into the sky like a comet, streaking toward the Sahara.
The old man remained deep in prayer, his granddaughter still enraptured by the fairies, when she suddenly gasped. "Grandpa! A little golden boy!"
"What are you saying, child?" the old man murmured, still bowing.
"Grandpa, Grandpa! There's a little golden boy in front of you!" she exclaimed, tugging at his sleeve.
He raised his head and blinked in astonishment. Hovering before him was a glowing figure, small, radiant, and unmistakably alive. His weathered face mixed with awe and confusion. He had imagined the divine being he prayed to as grand and imposing, not…cute.
For a moment, he sat frozen, then bowed again. "Great God, please hear my wish. After I die, I am willing to serve and protect this sacred place."
The golden figure tilted its head. "Do you know what will happen to you both when you leave this place?"
The old man hesitated. He thought of the eyes watching from beyond the barrier, the agencies that would undoubtedly seek to exploit or harm them. But he clenched his fists and nodded. "Yes, God. But if it helps my granddaughter have a better life, I will face whatever comes."
Alex's chibi form studied him, sensing his sincerity and the raw emotions beneath his words. "I will help you," he said after a moment. "If you truly have no other family or ties to this world, I'll find a place where you and your granddaughter can live in peace."
The old man glanced at the girl by his side. After a long pause, he nodded firmly.
"Follow me," Alex said.
The pair followed the golden figure toward the gleaming pool beneath the crystal stag. Around the world, countless eyes, through cameras, drones, and satellites, watched in rapt attention. To the onlookers, it appeared as though the old man was speaking to a golden orb of light, an enigma leading him to the heart of the sacred site.
Reaching the edge of the pool, the old man knelt again. Alex gestured toward the water. "Drink," he instructed.
Cupping his hands, the old man scooped a handful of the shimmering liquid and brought it to his lips. It tasted of sweetness and warmth, as though sunlight itself had been distilled into liquid form. Within seconds, a golden glow spread across his body.
The transformation was immediate. His frail figure straightened, his wrinkles smoothed, and his eyes brightened. In moments, he had reverted to his middle-aged self, a robust man in his prime.
Around the world, people watching the scene grew envious. The rejuvenation was undeniable, the evidence clear. Governments scrambled to analyze every detail of the pool and the energy around it. Discussions erupted, proposals for covert operations flew, and plans to seize the site began forming.
Alex's chibi form hovered, watching them with a faint smile.
In Washington, D.C., a classified briefing was underway at the Pentagon.
"Are we certain there's no way to bypass the barrier?" asked General Martin, his tone sharp.
An intelligence officer shook his head. "Every attempt we've made has failed. Drones lose signal, and physical probes are destroyed upon contact. The field appears to repel anything that doesn't align with… whatever criteria it uses."
"What about the people inside?" another official asked. "Who are they?"
"Our records indicate no surviving relatives or affiliations. They were displaced by the war in Ukraine. It seems they're completely off the grid."
General Martin leaned back, frustration evident on his face. "If that liquid really grants immortality, we can't let other nations get to it first. Keep monitoring."
In Beijing, a similar conversation unfolded.
"This is beyond our comprehension," a senior scientist said, pointing to the glowing pool displayed on a large screen. "If we could obtain even a sample of that liquid…"
The head of the Central Military Commission cut him off. "Our priority is finding a way to secure the site. Have you explored using biological organisms to bypass the barrier?"
"We've tried hawks and other animals. They're all rejected the moment they approach," another official reported. "It's as if the barrier can distinguish between benign and harmful intentions."
The room fell silent as they watched the old man scoop the shimmering liquid into his hands and drink. His transformation left everyone in stunned silence.
"Immortality," the head finally said. "The entire world will covet this. We must act quickly."
In Moscow, the Kremlin was abuzz with activity.
"Rejuvenation," whispered a high-ranking official. "Do you understand what this means? Soldiers who never grow old, leaders who never die…"
President Volkov sat in silence, his fingers steepled. "And the rest of the world is watching," he murmured. "If we act recklessly, we risk exposure."
"But if we hesitate—"
Volkov raised a hand. "Find me a way to approach without triggering the barrier. If this substance truly grants long life, it is worth any risk."
Private individuals were also paying attention.
In Silicon Valley, billionaire tech mogul Nathan Kane stared at the screen in his private office. The sight of the old man regaining his youth sent a shiver down his spine.
"This is it," he whispered to himself. "The ultimate prize. No more death. No more aging."
He turned to his chief of operations. "I want a team dedicated to this. Hack every feed, and use our connections. Money is no object."
In Riyadh, Sheikh Al-Fahim, one of the world's wealthiest oil magnates, watched the scene unfold with growing envy.
"Contact my advisors," he instructed. "I want a strategy to access that pool, no matter the cost."
Meanwhile, online communities exploded with activity.
On forums, message boards, and social media platforms, discussions ranged from reverent awe to wild conspiracy theories.
"This is divine intervention," wrote one user. "We must make a pilgrimage to the site and pay homage!"
"Forget that," replied another. "We need to figure out how to break in and get some of that liquid!"
Hashtags like #ImmortalityPool, #SacredStag, and #GoldenFountain began trending worldwide. Videos and photos of the old man's transformation went viral, with millions of comments flooding in.
"This is the real deal," one influencer declared in a live stream. "I'm organizing a group to head to the Sahara. Who's with me?"
In response, governments scrambled to control the narrative. Warnings were issued about the dangers of approaching the site, but they only fueled public curiosity.
Travel agencies reported a surge in bookings to North Africa, with many openly advertising "pilgrimage tours" to the edge of the sacred site.
Back inside the barrier, the old man stared at his rejuvenated hands, tears streaming down his face as his granddaughter hugged him tightly.
"Grandpa, you're young again!" she cried, her voice filled with wonder.
The old man held her close, his heart overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you," he whispered, looking up at the golden figure hovering above them.
クリエイターの想い 
Kiro_Chan
Kiro_Chan Credits and Acknowledgments
This is a work of fiction. Any references to real-world institutions are used purely for storytelling purposes.
Mentions of agencies or people. All rights reserved.
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