Rama Tree

The Rama Tree, a solitary tree standing tall and strong in the center of the city. It reaches a height of about 132 meters, its dense foliage providing shade to the surrounding area. Many people take shelter beneath it, while the sunlight shining through the tree creates a beautiful reflection of light.

In that moment, time seemed to reverse. As if everything that had happened, had never happened.

In the silence, a faint voice could be heard again.

Unknown female voice:

"Time moves, time stops. Does he know?"

Unknown male voice:

"He might know, because he is the creator."

Writer:

"Shut up, let me do my task."

Time passed as Vin, Renz, and Jeannie arrived at the Rama Tree. The atmosphere was calm, as if nothing had occurred. But Vin sensed something strange.

"(Wait, hasn't this happened before?)"

Vin's inner voice questioned the recurring event, his face cold and neutral, but his thoughts remained unchanged.

"(This should have happened.)"

"(Something happened, again.)"

His brows furrowed, his gaze grew serious as he observed his surroundings.

Vin turned his body around, noticing that Renz and Jeannie were still in the exact position they were in before he spoke.

Renz was still mesmerized by the beauty of the Rama Tree, his face filled with awe, eyes focused on the tree.

Jeannie remained gloomy and sad, her head still lowered. She wasn't as enchanted by the Rama Tree's beauty as Renz was. Jeannie's fingers tightly gripped her green elf dress, seemingly upset and saddened at the same time.

Vin studied them both closely, his gaze sharp as he looked at them.

"Guys, come on. Don't just stand there, we might as well take shelter."

Vin's voice was cold, his gaze serious.

Renz, who had been mesmerized, suddenly snapped back to reality, then responded with a small smile.

"Sorry, sorry, let's go. Come on, Jeannie."

After looking at Vin, Renz turned his attention to Jeannie, cheerfully urging her to join him and Vin.

Jeannie, who had her head down, slowly raised her face after hearing Renz. Her tired and sad face was now clearly visible to Vin.

Seeing this, Vin let out a small sigh. Then, he persuaded Jeannie to come along.

"Jen, come on, we need to rest too."

Vin said, giving a subtle gesture toward the base of the Rama Tree.

Jeannie didn't say anything but walked toward Vin.

Renz, who had been quiet, now followed behind Jeannie. Seeing them both, Vin turned around and walked toward the base of the Rama Tree, followed by Jeannie and Renz.

In no time, they reached the base of the tree. There were several people resting, along with about ten guards securing the area around the Rama Tree.

Under the tree, there was an altar-like structure, with the roots of the Rama Tree at its center.

Vin, Renz, and Jeannie walked to the center of the altar, where there was a place to rest. It was a wooden platform covered with Rama Tree leaves as their bedding.

They arrived there, sitting together, their faces slightly relieved. Vin removed his left chest armor and shoulder guard, while Renz took off his metal-laminated wooden shield from his back.

"Finally, a moment to rest. My back's been sore from carrying this since this morning."

Renz's voice sounded relieved, his face happy as he took off his shield.

Vin watched his good friend relax, then asked in a slightly teasing tone.

"You wear that while eating too, right?"

Vin smiled faintly at the corner of his lips, placing his sword next to him.

Meanwhile, Jeannie sat silently. Her long ears drooped a little, indicating that Jeannie was feeling drained.

Vin noticed Jeannie's gloom, then casually asked her.

"Jen, aren't you taking off your gear?"

Vin and Renz both looked at Jeannie, focusing on her.

Jeannie responded softly.

"Nah... I'm fine."

Her voice was quiet, and she didn't dare look at Vin or Renz.

Vin and Renz exchanged glances, silently understanding each other.

Renz sighed, then urged Vin to apologize to Jeannie.

"Come on, Vin. Just apologize."

Renz's voice was gentle, trying to coax Vin into apologizing to Jeannie.

Vin, hearing his friend's words, turned toward Jeannie, who was still gloomy.

"Jen, sorry. I didn't mean to be harsh."

Vin's eyes were focused on Jeannie's face, which still looked unchanged.

Jeannie slowly turned her face toward Vin, her eyes meeting his for a brief moment.

"Yeah... I forgive you."

After answering, Jeannie lowered her gaze again, seemingly unwilling to look at Vin.

Renz, frustrated, replied to Vin with annoyance.

"This is your fault, Vin. You should be more sensitive."

He pointed at Vin's face with his finger.

Vin turned toward Renz after hearing that remark.

"Yeah, sorry. I've been trying."

Vin responded dismissively, then looked up at the leaves of the Rama Tree swaying in the wind.

Renz retracted his hand, then briefly responded to Vin.

"Oh, I see. Is that why you can't socialize, Vin?"

"You always downplay everything around you."

Renz's voice was tinged with frustration, mocking Vin's response.

Vin turned back toward Renz, letting out a small sigh.

"Look, it's not that I don't want to socialize or that I'm indifferent."

"But, I'm sure there's something pushing me to act this way."

Vin looked at Renz with a serious expression.

Meanwhile, Jeannie started to pay attention to Vin again. Her face, which had been sad and tired, now looked more neutral. Her long ears began to perk up.

"(What does Vin mean?)"

In that moment, Jeannie started noticing the closeness between Vin and Renz, which was now quite apparent.

Renz, still irritated, asked Vin.

"Something? Come on, don't hide it. We're bestfriends."

His eyes were focused, waiting for Vin's answer.

Seeing that Renz was now paying attention, Vin responded with a brief reply.

"I'm just Lazy."

"That's it."

Vin smiled faintly as he answered.

Renz was taken aback by Vin's strange response. He became more irritated, his veins showing slightly as he got angry.

"HAH, THAT'S IT!?"

He raised his voice, asking Vin again.

Vin, with a blank and cold face, answered Renz's question.

"Yeah."

A simple and direct answer came from his mouth.

Renz's mouth opened slightly, frustrated. He clenched his fists tightly, muttering under his breath about Vin's answer.

"You... you really want to be-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Renz was cut off by a nearby laugh.

Vin also looked in the same direction as Renz.

It was Jeannie, laughing at the behavior of the two friends. She had been listening to their conversation the whole time.

"Hahaha"

A cute and sweet laugh escaped from Jeannie's face. Her previously tense posture relaxed, and she appeared much more at ease.

Vin and Renz both spoke in unison.

"What's so funny?"

After realizing they had said the same thing, both Vin and Renz laughed as well.

Vin with a small chuckle, Renz with a cheerful laugh, and Jeannie's delightful giggle made the atmosphere lighter. The tension started to fade, and happiness began to appear on their faces.

The voices of Vin, Renz, and Jeannie slowly faded away.

A sudden silence filled the air, without warning.

Author:

"Absolute? There's no such thing as 'absolute.' Because you are merely creations."