The Answer To One Simple Question

Aoi led Alex through the labyrinthine streets of the district, her steps purposeful and unwavering. As they ventured deeper, Alex's intrigue grew, the stark contrasts in the scenery only adding to the enigma of the place.

They soon arrived at an area that seemed to be a remnant of a bygone era. The narrow streets were lined with wooden buildings, some leaning precariously, their faded facades telling tales of time and weather.

"Welcome to the Castle, Alex," Aoi declared, her voice tinged with awe. "This is our sacred sanctuary, where we, the noble Shifters, draw strength and find our peace."

Alex took in the sight. It looked like a rundown Japanese castle town that had been partially rebuilt. The architecture was distinctly traditional, with sloping roofs and wooden beams. Paper lanterns hung from eaves, their soft glow adding a warm ambience to the late afternoon light.

Furry-eared children played in the streets, their laughter echoing between the buildings. Adults went about their business, some mending clothes, others tending to their small market stalls that sold a variety of everyday goods. The air was filled with incense and the earthy aroma of aged wood.

At the centre of this rebuilt town stood the main building, an ancient Japanese shrine. Unlike the other structures, this shrine seemed untouched by the chaos of the world outside. Its pristine state contrasted sharply with the surrounding buildings.

The shrine's roof was elegantly curved, adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures. Stone lanterns lined the path leading to its entrance, and cherry blossom trees, despite being out of season, seemed to eternally bloom around it, their petals creating a pink carpet on the ground.

"A shrine?" Alex asked, surprised to see the familiar structure.

"Yep, it is. The heart of our section and our symbol of peace," Aoi explained. "It also serves as our community centre, where we come together everyday, sometimes to celebrate certain matters. Like unions, for example."

Alex nodded, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over him. He had never seen a place like this in the district—one of the last preserved remnants of the old world.

As they approached the shrine, Aoi led him past several small groups of townspeople. Each person they passed gave a nod or a warm smile to Aoi, and she reciprocated with equal warmth. Finally, she stopped at a group of elderly people sitting around a game board under one of the trees. Alex managed to catch a glance and realized that they were playing chess.

While it seemed out of place with the environment around them, it was a comforting surprise to see one of the oldest world's pastimes still around after so long.

"Good day, honored ladies and gentlemen. May I introduce this man to you?" Aoi said to the group. The group nodded and faced them, their eyes twinkling with curiosity. Aoi smiled mischievously, "This is Alex, the man who will be my partner from today onwards."

"Huh?!" Alex exclaimed.

The atmosphere grew tense for a moment before one of the elderly ladies started laughing, and everyone followed suit.

"Oh, Aoi, you jester! This is Lydia's partner!" chuckled one of the elders.

"We haven't grown that old! We still have ears, you know?" said another.

Aoi frowned as she pouted, annoyed at the elderly group for spoiling her fun. One of the elderly men walked over to Alex and greeted him with a tap on the arm. "How are you, young man? Have you been fitting in with everyone? It might be a little wild around here, so take your time."

Alex bowed respectfully. "Thank you, sir. I'm fine. I'm…having a bit of trouble getting used to the place. I'm just…"

"A little conflicted, I assume?" said the elderly lady who was playing chess.

"Eh?" Alex was stunned, once again surprised by how well the elderly in the district understood him so well without ever speaking to him before.

"Ah, this is Madam Hana, Alex. She's one of our wisest elders here in the Castle." Aoi introduced the lady.

"Indeed, I am. Thank you, Aoi. It's nice to finally meet you in person, Alex. I've missed the gathering you've had with Yan and Wendigo. I'm one of the Elders on the council, but spare me the silly title. I'm just an old lady who likes to play chess."

Madam Hana looked like she had stepped out of a folklore tale, embodying the very essence of the mythical white fox. Her hair, long and silvery-white, cascaded down her back in soft, flowing waves, shimmering like moonlight. It framed her delicate, wrinkled face, accentuating her sharp, fox-like features and piercing ice-blue eyes that sparkled with otherworldly wisdom and mischief. Despite her aged look, she seemed like the youngest among the other elderly in the group.

She wore a traditional kimono made of the finest silk, adorned with intricate patterns of cherry blossoms and nine-tailed foxes. The kimono, a soft, snowy white, almost blended seamlessly with her hair, while detailed embroidery in shades of silver and light blue added a touch of elegance and mystique. The deep, midnight blue obi around her waist contrasted beautifully, tied in an elaborate, graceful bow at her back.

"A-Ah. Yes, it's nice to meet you too, Madam Hana," Alex stammered.

"Hmm," Madam Hana nodded, her expression serene. "I'm sure you're here to talk. Make yourself comfortable."

Alex's eyes widened as he watched Madam Hana make a subtle gesture. The ground in front of him rose, forming itself into a cylinder before solidifying into a seat made of dry, compacted dirt.

"Go ahead, have a seat," Madam Hana said, gesturing towards the newly formed chair. Alex, still in awe, sat down obediently.

"So, what troubles you, Alex?" she asked, turning to face him with her piercing, ice-blue eyes that seemed to stare straight into his soul.

Alex took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts as he met Madam Hana's intense gaze.

"I've been…struggling," Alex began slowly. "I've lost my memories, and it feels like a part of me is missing. I thought finding out about my past would help me understand who I am and give me a sense of purpose. But Elder Yan, Elder Wendigo, and even Scarface… they've made me question everything."

Madam Hana nodded thoughtfully, her expression unreadable. "Hmm. That's a common struggle even among our ranks. But we all have reached a point where we have come to terms with it. Some of us through time, some through experiences. But we all are here because we were able to find the answer to one simple question."

"…what would that question be, Madam Hana?" Alex asked.

Madam Hana smiled serenely, looking around her fellow elderly, and asked, "What do you truly treasure in this life?"

Alex blinked, surprised by the simplicity of the question.

"If you can answer that question, Alex, even with hesitation, everything will start to make sense. If you find the things that you truly treasure in this life, focus on them, and soon, nothing else will matter. Your past, your struggles. Nothing will stop you. So, I ask you this simple question again. What do you truly treasure in your life, Alex?"

Alex stayed silent, considering his answer seriously. And the answer came easily.

"I…" Alex began to answer, "I want to protect the people I care about," he said slowly. "Lydia, Jeb, Linda… they've become my family. I want to be someone they can rely on."

"Exactly," Madam Hana said, a gentle smile curving her lips. "The past is unchangeable. It does not alter the person you are now simply because you are experiencing your life now. What matters most is the present and how you choose to live it."

"But what if one day, I find my memories, and my past self is different from who I am now?" Alex asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "What if those memories change me?"

Madam Hana shook her head. "Even then, Alex, the old memories do not and will not define you. You have lost them once, and you have now become a different person. From the moment you lose your memories, you become who you are because of the choices you make every day since the day you wake up without them. Instead of worrying constantly about whether the past will change you, you can embrace the present, cherish your relationships, and live your life to the fullest. That is where you will find your true purpose and identity."

Alex sat in silence for a moment, absorbing her words. It was a perspective he had not considered before. Focusing on his present life and the people he cared about seemed so much more attainable and fulfilling than chasing the shadows of his past.

"Thank you, Madam Hana," he said finally, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. "Your words have given me a lot to think about."

Madam Hana smiled warmly. "I'm glad I could help. Remember, Alex, the present is a gift. Treasure it and let it guide you."

As Alex rose from his dirt-made seat, Madam Hana added one more statement: "By the way, I do recommend talking with someone you treasure the most. There is no better way to get through your troubles than with your loved ones."

Alex looked at Madam Hana, and she winked at him. Alex immediately knew who she was referring to.