......The Twentieth Birthday ....
Two agonizing years elapsed for Aaron, marked by an unyielding absence of change. Not even a subtle alteration in his appearance surfaced; he remained unchanged.
On the contrary, matters worsened. Relentless mockery from other monsters persisted, despite Tarou's frequent interventions in his defense. The unrelenting taunts left Aaron spending most of his days ensconced in his room, engulfed by a pervasive sense of depression.
The perception of resembling a human at his age became a source of shame and discomfort for Aaron. Even in the absence of explicit comments from other monsters, he found it unacceptable.
Despite Tarou's earnest attempts to console him, doubt crept into Aaron's mind, and regrettably, his self-doubt seemed insurmountable.
Tarou, concerned for his brother, inquired:
- Aaron, are you okay?
- I'm fine..
- You don't look so.
- Tarou, please, leave me alone.
Aaron pleaded.
- How can I leave you alone while you look like this?
Tarou insisted.
- You are right, I look disgusting. I look just like a weak human. Everyone started comparing me to them, and some started thinking about kicking me out of the land.
Aaron lamented, expressing the weight of the harsh judgments he faced.
Tarou reassured his distressed brother, saying:
- Who will dare to do such a thing to the chief's son? You are not disgusting. Besides, you have not received your task yet. No one can do anything to you.
As Aaron voiced his anxieties about his upcoming 20th birthday and the temple task, Tarou tried to provide encouragement:
- Don't say that, Aaron. I'm positive that you will receive your task. Just be confident in yourself.
Aaron, however, expressed a somber resolve:
- Tarou, if nothing happens in the temple, I will quietly leave the land. I hope you won't interfere.
Tarou, witnessing his brother's descent into despair, felt powerless in the face of the land's unyielding laws.
- Alright, I will do whatever you want. If the holy heart didn't shine I will step aside and accept whatever you decide...
The holy heart, a crystal stone shaped like a heart, was mounted on a wooden stick crafted from the blessed tree. Ancient stories wove a tale of it being the amalgamation of the first monster's heart and that of his human lover. Their souls were said to be sealed together forever within that stone.
On the twentieth birthday of every monster, the Monk ceremoniously placed the holy heart stone on the head of the contestant. Normally, it would glow instantly, guiding the monster to the location where they must embark on their task to attain full power. However, uncertainty shrouded Aaron's case. He exhibited no signs of possessing any kind of power, putting him at the precarious risk of losing his task and facing potential expulsion from the land right from the outset.
The night before the significant day, Aaron was overcome with extreme nervousness. What was meant to be a day of celebration for him had transformed into his greatest fear. Sleep eluded him as he pondered the impending revelation.
"Tomorrow, the truth will be revealed to everyone. The ceremony will end up either with glory or with shame," he reflected, grappling with the uncertainty that loomed over the approaching day.
The morning arrived, signaling the moment for Aaron to confront his fear and submit to his fate. He struggled to wake up, his body weighed down by exhaustion. Unusually, his father came to check on him:
- Get ready, son, it's about time. We need to go.
Tarou, with a hopeful smile, joined them, encouraging his despondent brother:
- Come on, brother, smile. This is your big day.
Despite the weight of the possibility that it could be his last day in the land, Aaron made an effort to appear normal. As he stepped out of his house, all the monsters gathered to accompany him to the temple. Their collective gaze bore the anticipation of discerning whether Aaron was a true monster or a mere human, subject to expulsion.
The growing crowd intensified Aaron's nerves. With each step toward the temple, his heart raced, wishing for the path to extend indefinitely. Eventually, he arrived, acknowledging.
"This is it... This is the moment of truth."