A young man lay in bed, burning with fever, while a group of children kept watch beside him.
The scene was broken by Elan's voice.
"Food's ready, kids."
He picked up the purple-haired girl who refused to leave Karon's side.
"I said food's ready, Aria."
"But..."
"If you don't eat, you'll never grow as strong as Brother Karon."
Aria nodded with determination and took her seat at the table.
"Come on, children. Let's pray first."
Though some were reluctant, they all placed a hand on their foreheads and raised it toward the sky.
"Now we can eat."
A warm atmosphere filled the room as everyone enjoyed their meal.
Elan helped the children, refilled their plates, and fed those too weak to feed themselves.
The pleasant mood was interrupted by Karon's groan.
"Mmh... My whole body hurts."
"You're finally awake."
"How long was I out?"
"Long enough to make me worry."
"About four days."
The children gathered around him stared with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
As Karon pushed himself up using the wall, most of them hurried behind Elan.
Only Aria continued watching him, her eyes shining.
Elan placed a hand on her head.
"The children you saved owe you a few words."
"Go on, kids."
In unison, they answered:
"Thank you."
The purple eyes reflecting back at him carried nothing but remorse.
"I'm sorry, children."
"I think you're supposed to say 'you're welcome.'"
"Don't ruin their enthusiasm."
"Alright... alright..."
Noticing the light in Aria's eyes, Karon turned to her.
"What's your name?"
"Aria."
"If there's something on your mind, don't be shy. Just say it."
"How can I fight like you?"
Karon looked at Elan.
Elan looked at Karon.
Both burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha..."
"You'd have to be crazy to fight like him, Aria."
"If you want to become strong, I'll show you the proper way."
"Uncle Elan is right. Fighting like me isn't a good thing."
"But you looked really cool."
"My pride is flattered."
"Alright, children. Go back to your meal. I need to have a private conversation with Brother Karon."
After the children returned to eating, Elan sat down beside Karon.
"What are we going to do with the children?"
"I'll give you an address and a seal. Take them there and show the seal. They'll take care of the rest."
"What about you?"
"I was living alone before you arrived."
"The girl who just called you cool doesn't want to leave."
"So what do we do?"
"She has talent. I'm thinking of taking her as my student."
"Is it because she's around your daughter's age?"
"That's part of it. But the girl is stronger than I expected."
"It would be a waste to let that determination go to waste."
"Well, it's your decision."
"I'll teach her while you're away."
"I'd appreciate that."
After the children had fallen asleep, the two sat together, drinking and talking.
"Am I asking for too much?"
"What do you mean?"
"Would it really be so terrible if those children could live happy lives?"
"If God exists and loves everyone, then why does He give some people trials like these?"
"Does a child this young deserve such suffering?"
"Does a child this young deserve to die?"
"Tell me, Elan."
"Did Keln deserve to die?"
"Did my mother deserve to die?"
"Do I deserve this emptiness inside me?"
"..."
"Words are inadequate. Anything I say would feel meaningless, Karon."
"It's impossible to understand how God thinks."
"All you can do is believe in Him."
"It's not my place to trust or believe in someone so unjust."
"When I was a child, fear silenced my questions. But now, faith can't silence my anger."
"This is no longer about belief or disbelief."
"It's about me and God."
"If we stood face to face, how would we hold each other accountable?"
"Would I weigh the sins I've committed while He weighs His?"
"We're both worse than the other."
"I'm nothing more than a man who slaughters people in fits of rage."
"And yet He watches children die."
"I'm the one who destroys families, while He merely watches."
"So who will pass judgment on us?"
Elan drained his drink in one gulp.
Then he refilled both cups.
"It's impossible to fix everything in this world."
"And judging everyone is just as impossible."
"The more you dwell on it, the more exhausted you'll become."
"I destroyed a family too. But I've tried to protect what's left of it."
"And you're doing the same by saving these children."
"You can't undo the evil you've done. But at the very least, good deeds can ease your conscience."
"It doesn't work, Elan. It doesn't."
"It doesn't ease the emptiness inside me, and it doesn't ease my conscience."
"I see doing good as a responsibility. It's impossible for me to find comfort in it."
"I wish there were an executioner out there to deliver my punishment..."
Hidden nearby, Aria listened to every word.
For a child of thirteen, it was a conversation far beyond her years.
She engraved each sentence into her memory.