Morning arrived softly.

  Sunlight slipped through the cracks of the old hut, resting gently on Samye’s face. For a moment, he simply lay there, listening to the quiet breathing of the world outside.

  The pain in his heart hadn’t faded.

  The memories hadn’t softened.

  But something in him felt… steadier.

  He sat up, washed his face with cold water from the clay pot, and gathered the few things he had left — the old man’s food tin, a worn cloth, the watch, and nothing else.

  He didn’t have much to carry.

  He had far more to lose.

  With his injuries still throbbing, he stepped outside and began the slow walk toward the edge of the village — toward Aren’s grave.

  The small mound of earth still carried the marks of last night’s rain.

  Flowers had not bloomed there.

  No offerings sat beside it.

  It was just soil.

  Silent.

  Ordinary.

  Yet more sacred to Samye than any temple in the world.

  He knelt down quietly.

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  His hand brushed the top of the grave. The dirt was cold.

  His voice trembled when he spoke.

  “You were my life in my worst time,” Samye whispered. “Without you, Aren… I think I would have died long before the Breakers took us.”

  He swallowed.

  “I know it sounds pathetic. But when I lost all hope… you gave it back to me.”

  Memories flashed — Aren laughing, annoying him, cooking badly, crying on his shoulder, gripping his hand in terror, calling him brother with so much trust.

  Samye’s chest tightened painfully.

  “I found my path because of you. I won’t… I won’t let that go to waste now.”

  His nails dug into the dirt.

  “I can’t let grief consume me again. Not this time.”

  He lifted his head, eyes red but determined.

  “I need answers.”

  His voice grew stronger.

  “Why is humanity the biggest enemy of humanity?”

  “How did all of this begin?”

  “Why did we become like this?”

  He stood slowly, breath steadying.

  “I’m going to leave this place. I’m going to find the truth. And when I’ve done what I’m meant to do… when my responsibilities in this world are fulfilled…”

  He exhaled softly.

  “I’ll meet you again — with my parents. With my family.”

  A small breeze swept across the grave, carrying the scent of wet soil and morning light.

  Samye blinked as tears slowly rolled down his cheeks.

  Then —

  he heard it.

  Soft.

  Warm.

  Familiar.

  “I’m always with you, brother… You don’t need to cry for me.”

  Samye’s eyes widened.

  He looked around, but no one was there.

  Yet the voice echoed inside him — not frightening, but comforting.

  He didn’t question it.

  A faint light flickered in his eyes, like the reflection of distant stars.

  He smiled softly — the first real smile since Aren died.

  “You’re right,” Samye whispered. “As always… you’re right, little brother.”

  He placed one final hand on the grave.

  Then he turned.

  And he walked toward the unknown — carrying grief, purpose, and the faint echo of a boy who refused to leave his side.

  A new chapter of his life had begun.