Chapter 51: Cosmic library
1310 Words
I gently opened my eyes. Turning my glance to my surroundings. Above was an endless night without lights. As I sat up, I found that I was located in a gloomy, dimly-lit forest.
What is this place?
I died and purified on earth. My soul goes to the afterlife. Judging from what this place looks like, this must be hell... I’m sure heaven doesn’t have this depressing scenery.
I deeply make sigh. Relieving myself, I put my hand on my bosom. The woods dance together with the blow of a chilling breeze. It was cold, but it didn’t affect my body that much. The freezing sensation doesn’t last a second on my skin.
“I had better look for someone in this place.”
I said and began walking aimlessly.
The forest seems to be endless.
There was a freshwater river where I could drink and quench my thirst. On the tree, unfamiliar fruits that I didn’t know existed hung waiting to be harvested. I took one fruit and took a bite without hesitation.
“This apple-looking fruit tastes like a banana… It is interesting.”
If this place is hell, there is a possibility that I will meet the people I killed. The holy text said that people in hell are going to pay for their sins for eternity.
Seeing the people I killed again is truly a definition of hell for me.
As described, this place wasn’t like the hell described in the holy text. Hell was supposed to be a space of endless flames. The flame that eats souls burns them endlessly. That is why a holy priest always said: “Evil people burn in flames.”
While I was deeply thinking, Somebody, put his hand on my shoulder. Startle, I moved to the side.
Sudden shock is bad for my heart. Wait, I’m already dead, so it's fine.
It was a young girl. Her age was about 4 or 5. Judging her by height.
“Who are you?”
“Kanae.”
“Kanae…”
She turned her head to the tree and pointed using her index finger.
“Please take one for me.”
“Sure… I guess you're just hungry.”
The fruit was especially great this time. I was confused because they were in a reachable position early. The woods also grow bigger.
I have to be a reliable big sister to this little girl.
I climbed the tree with all my might. Eventually, they reached the top, taking one fruit. The moment I took the fruit I slipped on the branch. This led to me falling.
“Ouch…”
Eh? I don’t feel any injuries on my body. The trees also shrink. Thinking about it is not important. The important thing is that I'm able to get the fruit.
“Thank you so much.”
The girl said in gratitude after receiving the fruit. She immediately peeled the fruit and took one cute bite.
“Little girl…”
“Call me Kanae.”
“Then, Kanae… Do you know what this place is?”
“Yup… This place is called the limbo.”
“What is limbo?”
“The bordering place between heaven and hell where dwell those souls who, though not condemned to punishment, are deprived of the joy of eternal existence with God in heaven.”
“This place is no heaven or hell… What should I do to get out of this place?”
“Nothing can be done… This place is also a part of hell. The first layer, to be exact. The souls in Limbo are not punished directly, but are condemned to "suffer harm through living in desire"; their punishment is to be left desirous of salvation.”
“Then, why are you here?”
“Because I’m unbaptized… My mother didn’t take care of me. She didn’t even know I existed. My father is very far away from my mother. I don’t know how long I’ve been wondering about this place. There are times I talked to an angel visiting here sometimes.”
“That means we’re going to suffer here forever.”
“God does have mercy… Angel told me. Those people in Limbo will have salvation but the exact time wasn’t specified. I’m waiting for it, our salvation.”
Kanae said, looking at the darkening sky.
She is waiting for salvation… It is no different from being desirous of salvation.
Suffer harm through living in desire…
I gulped my saliva looking at the same darkened sky together with Kanae.
“I’ll wait with you… For our salvation.”
…
Unknown time has passed…
In the cosmic library.
“Ahem! Ahem! Hello there, it is me again, your pretty narrator Akashic… Seems like Belle is going to Limbo with Kanae… Are they trapped in that place forever? The answer is no… They are not trapped in Limbo forever. The time in limbo moves differently. Kanae and Belle won’t age and they will and will not feel the passage of time. They will both feel they are waiting endlessly, but they will be salvation for them. That’s good to hear, isn’t it… Moving back to Hanayuki… This is the beginning when Hanayuki started to become a pessimist. She won’t kill starting at this point of the story. Instead of killing, she decided to give them another chance in life. Hanayuki is not the type of person that will grieve too much about something. She has the ability to move on very fast…”
Akashic flipped the book in her hand.
“... Umm… For the future of the story, there is still a lot to happen. Hanayuki will go to the beastman tribe next and beat lots of things that are about to happen… When I say lots… I meant a lot…”
Akashic had an exciting grin on her face. She took a sip of her tea. As she savored the tea after tasting her tea. She went toward the bookshelf and placed the book back and got another one.
“Kanae… Did you finish reading the book on this shelf?”
“I’m not done yet.”
Answered Kanae, who was reading the book on the floor. Akashic immediately got angry seeing Kanae doodling on the book's page. Frustrated, she got the book immediately from her.
“Kanae! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Those pages are blank. It's fine to draw on them.”
“ These pages are blank because their future isn’t settled yet.”
“But fate is something that already existed before you’re born in the universe.”
“Nope, that’s not true at all. Destiny and fate are not ones in play… Fate is just an illusion for those people who don’t have anyone to blame for their unfortunate lives. God didn’t even know what would happen next in someone's life… The happenings in your life are always based on your thoughts and ideas surrounding one person.”
Akashic lectured Kanae.
“But God is supposed to know everything.”
Kanae replied, averting her eyes away from Akashic.
“Nope, God didn’t know everything, all he can do is give him the chance of life… Create and destroy…”
“Based on someone’s thoughts.”
“Yup, everyone is the writer of their story... You have to be strong so that no one can overwrite your story. For example, happiness is something you must obtain with your own hands. You’re the one who has to make way for it.”
Kanae’s eyes glimmered while she listened to Akashic. She then looked toward her hands and realized.
It’s still possible to meet my father and mother. Akashic never lied to me. Mother, Father and I could live together with bright smiles on our faces… In a peaceful place… My Eden isn’t impossible.
Kanae made her move…
- Writer
