The Path Forward (2)

"This world is beautiful."

It was a statement utterly devoid of falsehood.

The Spirit Realm truly was a breathtaking world. Every time he turned his head, towering mountains and lush trees filled his view, while crystal-clear streams teemed with pristine wildlife in a mystical, wondrous wilderness.

'But Earth has places like that too.'

The Amazon, the Himalayas, unnamed islands in the Pacific. Though scarred by human hands, the wild still thrived on Earth.

'Ordinary people who can't sense spirit power might bring them here and feel nothing special.'

Yet the reason this world shone so brilliantly—the reason he, Sia, and Kupar fought to protect it—was singular.

"It's because of you all."

In flowing rivers, beneath vast leaves, atop warm rocks, at the crowns of lofty trees. Everywhere his eyes touched, these children were there. Because the spirits existed.

That was why this world gleamed dazzlingly bright, beautiful enough to bring tears to his eyes.

"You are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠this world's greatest miracle."

The Spirit Realm might seem like a mere untamed wilderness at first glance, but the spirits made it radiate beauty.

"To us humans, you're an unbelievable gift. You're lovable beings, worthy of all our love."

Despite the sudden words, Aqua listened intently, her eyes and smile sparkling. Prideful as ever about the Spirit Realm and her spirit kin, she was.

"So you mustn't suffer. A world where miracles and gifts like you endure pain is a flawed one."

Spirits weren't born to experience agony. They were meant to live purely, joyfully, innocently—singing, dancing, munching snacks, cherishing and hugging one another.

"In that sense, I agree with Pompeii to a degree."

Humans might indeed be harmful to spirits. They hurt them, make them suffer.

Aqua's face fell in an instant. Her pouty lips trembled pitifully as she looked up at him.

She didn't like hearing him question their bond.

He chuckled softly and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I'm not denying the bond between spirits and spirit users."

Quite the opposite.

"I'm saying that because you're precious, your choices are beautiful and deserving of respect."

If each one was a gift, their very existence a gift, then their decisions must always be honored too.

"If that's the choice you make, then it's the right path."

Just like the choice that brought her to him, seeking ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠him out. That choice had been his salvation.

"The wrong part isn't your choices. It's the pain that arises in the process and aftermath."

[Then what must we do?]

"Your choices are right, but too many spirits suffer along the way, right?"

Aqua nodded.

He smiled, brushing back her bangs.

"Then we protect the spirits. That's the role of a Spirit King—and a spirit user."

[Protect them, you say?]

"Or should we cut off contact with the human world, like Pompeii suggests?"

[Absolutely not!]

If a child cried from a thorn in a swing, what should an adult do? Banning swings entirely was never the answer.

"Exactly. Denying your choices isn't protection. So we shield you. Like we protected Mandu."

Pluck the thorn out yourself—that's the adult's duty. Smooth it down, sand it, varnish it so kids can play safely. That was the role.

The same went for spirits. If they hurt and grieved, eliminate the grief's root, not the encounters themselves.

[Become a hunter?]

Aqua's eyes widened round as she asked. Familiar with modern society, the term held no strangeness for her.

Spirits suffered because of gates, ultimately. Erase the gates, and no spirits would hurt.

"There's the hunter path, or the scholar's. Either way, we can contribute to resolving the gate crisis."

The Academy awaited them, after all.

"You can become anything you want. That's what the Academy is for."

A Spirit King studying at the Academy to aid against gates—for the spirits' sake—would embody harmony and positive fusion between realms.

Then, lightning-like realization struck him.

"Ah... I see. So that's it."

An indescribable fulfillment swelled in his chest. He hugged Aqua tightly and whispered.

"This is why. It was all for this."

[What are you saying?]

He met Aqua's upward gaze.

"I finally get why I met you and gained the Spirit Shop trait."

And not just that. His whole life had led here. The excessive effort and grit beyond his talents. The Academy miraculously accepting an F-rank. Even his hometown by Samcheok's sea.

"I entered the Academy to raise you."

It all fit perfectly. Even explaining why Mandu had fallen before them from that vast ocean.

"I met the Spirit Shop to protect other spirits alongside you."

How to put it? From Aqua's view, perhaps like noblesse oblige. From his, it was fate.

"I was born to meet you."

In that realization, a profound sense of wholeness filled him. His miracle. His treasure. His love. His spirit. Aqua's arrival was fate's guidance.

He wasn't one for "fate," but in this moment, he thanked the heavens for it.

[How shamelessly you speak!]

Aqua covered her mouth, giggling adorably.

[Trying to embarrass me to death!]

Yet her eyes sparkled with the luster of a child brimming with love.

[Truth be told, I wondered too! I was always proud to be me, but why was I chosen as Spirit King successor?]

Aqua giggled and hugged his neck tight.

[Now I get it! I was born successor to protect all spirits!]

Her sparkling eyes held him. His world gazed back, full of him.

[Born to protect everyone alongside you!]

He foolishly awaited the next words. Aqua's eyes curved into lovely crescents, delivering exactly what he hoped.

[Born to meet you!]

He bit his lower lip hard. Or tears would fall.

Instead, he kissed her cheek and pulled her close.

[Heeheehee!]

Aqua melted into him. Her endlessly relaxed, soft form stirred his heart once more.

"Let's protect them all."

So no spirits hurt or grieved.

"We'll lead the way in eliminating those who sadden the spirits."

[Of course! That's a king's duty!]

The Wind Spirit King must have thought the same, walking the path of sacrifice.

'This path might be harder for me than for Aqua.'

He was selfish. Could he truly let Aqua risk herself for others?

'Of course.'

If it was her wish, he'd walk through hell with her.

"I'll become a spirit user worthy of you."

[You already are a splendid one!]

Like Australia's guardian ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Uluru. Like the Academy professors.

They'd contribute for humanity and spirits alike.

'Without anyone getting hurt.'

Thus, they set their path.

As if blessing their path forward, a new power—Guardian Power—had awakened in Aqua. It suited the Spirit Realm's and spirits' proclaimed guardian perfectly.

But the notifications didn't end there.

He'd gained the Spirit Empathy skill.

They'd grown another step.

'Growth.'

A thought suddenly surfaced.

'How will ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Aqua grow from here?'

Spirits didn't grow much physically. The childlike forms of Uluru or Niagara were their mature state.

For spirits, growth meant mental maturity.

'Will Aqua one day mature like Uluru?'

Aqua admired and emulated Uluru. Perhaps she'd become a gentle protector, nurturing all with warm embrace.

He pictured Aqua with Uluru's serene, soft smile.

"Ahahaha."

It didn't suit her at all—he burst out laughing unwittingly.

But it was surely a heartwarming sight.

'Might feel a bit bittersweet.'

Probably the sentiment of every parent watching their child grow.

As they savored the afterglow of growth, someone approached.

Uluru's spirit user, Kupar.

"Might we speak a moment?"

Perhaps due to the late hour, Kupar wore not his stern tribal chief's face, but a kindly grandfather's.

"Of course."

[Sit here!]

As Uluru's contractor and his distant senior spirit user, there was no reason to refuse.

Kupar sat beside them, gazing at the starry sky awhile.

"You are a fine spirit user."

He spoke after a long pause.

"I was bound by my past, seeing only the Spirit Realm. But you saw the spirits themselves."

It referenced the Spirit Kings' meeting earlier that day.

"No. Had I endured your people's pain, I'd have said the same."

Kupar's face softened further.

"Aging doesn't bring wisdom—it's a lie. Experience and wisdom differ. True wisdom transcends age."

Kupar nodded faintly—a gesture of praise he realized belatedly.

"The spirits need humans like you. Spirit users like you, spirits like yours."

Kupar's eyes held an elder accepting what must come.

"Mr. Kupar..."

He chuckled heartily, reaching to stroke Aqua's bangs.

"If Terra vanishes after Aqua, Uluru would be so lonely..."

[Uluru?]

"When she meets me, she always speaks of you and Terra."

Aqua's eyes sparkled eagerly.

Kupar smiled softly.

"That's what old folks do. Sit in their hometown room, watching the young forge ahead from afar. That's our life, our joy."

He could understand why Uluru, contracted yet staying in the Spirit Realm—like his parents never leaving Samcheok.

'A grandmother spirit, then.'

Gazing at the star-filled sky, Kupar murmured.

"Visit the Spirit Realm often, please. So Uluru won't feel lonely."

His voice, as if departing any moment, left them speechless.