After noticing that his strength has increased somehow, Alex was shocked thus he sought Silveria's help.
〖You have killed two Demigods so naturally the amount of exp gained would be extraordinary and your body couldn't handle everything at once, so you've got one part and the second one arrived shortly later. Doing intense activity may have accelerated the coming of the second part. Quite a good job.〗
''I see.'' He nodded, her explanation did make sense. He was glad he had progressed so much. As for the little jab at the end of her explanation, Alex decided to act as if he hadn't heard it.
''I wonder what Luna and the others are doing?" He suddenly wondered while gazing into the night sky.
〖Probably not good as you.〗Silveria teased him but he was not in the mood to reply as at the moment he was enjoying the scenery in the sky.
In the night sky were stars, as if the Gods had sprinkled them so sugar-sweet upon the most perfect of black birthday cakes.
Alex suddenly opened his mouth and said, his eyes still locked on the distant stars.
''If the souls dreaming in this city became as lights in the blackness, they would very much be as awe-striking as the stars.''
〖Tch! Trying to be poetic, please use those lines on your lovers because on me they won't work.〗
Alex chuckled but said nothing, it would be if all his girls were present, together they would have enjoyed this beautiful scenery.
°°°
Meanwhile, in another location, two girls sat around a bonfire.
Silence hung over them until the white-haired girl opened her eyes, her ruby eyes were staring at the golden-haired fox lady before her.
Alice stared at Kuina for a moment before raising this question.
''Kuina, what is happiness?"
Kuina on the other hand stayed silent for a moment as if she was searching for the right answer before finally answering.
''At first, I can say Happiness is a quiet blooming of the soul, one that has learned to love itself and the world, one at peace with its natural connection.''
Alice nodded but her eyes were still locked on Kuina as if to say she wasn't satisfied with this answer yet.
Kuina chuckled before explaining using a more concrete example, though her explanation was quite lengthy.
''Happiness is in everything; I dare you to invite it in. It is in the rain, cool and fresh, just as deeply as the sunshine, for they bring forth different emotions. Happiness is enjoying the moment, being present for that gift that is living, and allowing it to become intense.
For me, there is something about chopping a homegrown vegetable that soothes me to my soul; I listen to the sound as the knife cuts and then the metal meets the wood. I let my hands move slowly in the silence of the room, allowing random birdsong and windy gusts to infuse my mind. The earthy flavors develop an intensity, there is a burst of aroma with each cut, and in the quietness within, I am happy.
Other times I burst with life in the joy of movement. I love to dance to vibrant music, loud and strong. I feel my limbs move with the beat, my mind enjoying the heady ride. There is something about cycling in the countryside, with or without music, in any weather, that invigorates me. There is part of this human animal that was born to move. To exert myself feels like freedom, there is pleasure in pushing myself to new levels. Yet to ride slow can be a chance to savor the flow of the air and the finer details of the trees, earth, and birds. This is not the mantra to find the good in everything, not quite, for there are times of tragedy, but to enjoy what is good and to learn from the rest.
Pain is a chance to become more empathic, and more sensitive to others in pain. Problems are an opportunity to innovate. In isolation, we can think and let the creative mind spin new ideas. In unfulfilled expectations, we can learn patience and understanding. In grief, we can learn to cherish the gift of life each day. We can use our pain and fear to mature the mind and develop the soul. For how can the soul dance if it is hiding in the shadows? Thus, only the brave of the heart can know true happiness. So, be bold in love. Meet life as an equal. Especially when it comes to things you want because fulfilling them can bring you closer if not to achieve happiness.''
''I see, I understand somehow. Thank but I still have some questions.'' Alice declared.
'Only somehow even with everything I said?' Kuina didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Normally, Kuina would have stopped Alice from raising more questions but this girl isn't talkative, she could use this opportunity to make more open toward the others, after all, it was what Alex wanted and ordered them to do.
If previously, most of them have thought of this expressionless girl as nothing but a tool, they rapidly changed their minds after spending some time with her, she might have been born in a tube she was still a living being nonetheless and deserves to live like any other species. Thanks to Alex they quickly understood this truth.
''No problem, go ahead, we can kill time this way.''
Alice nodded still her trademark expressionless face.
''How can you define Life?"
To this question, Kuina frowned and went into deep contemplation. She was not good with a topic like this but she would try her best.
''Life is the most sacred of gifts heaven can bestow, that which is yours and those in the rest of creation.''
She went further with her next example.
''There is no life without one another, without the beetle and bird, without the leaf or cloud. We are all born with unique talents and passions to be a gift to the rest of creation, to become a wonderful addition to the whole. When we feel to the core of our souls that life is sacred, when we see that the natural world is woven into our hearts, that we are all part of this great tapestry of creation, then we will finally be home. Then our mother Earth will feel that we have returned.''
''Do you get it?" Kuina asked at the end of her explanation but Alice didn't immediately answer because she was still digesting Kuina's explanation, she liked her explanation, especially the part where she said there is no life without one another. She did not regret asking for guidance from Kuina on a matter of such importance, Alice believed that if she had gone to the library, the information she would gotten wouldn't be as satisfying as the ones Kuina gave her.
''Yes, I understand and I still have another question.''
'I wonder still how many questions you have?' Kuina thought inwardly before nodding her head to indicate that Alice could ask her next question.
''What is Love?"
''I knew you'd eventually ask this question.'' Kuina chuckled after hearing Alice's last question.
''Love is a quiet emotion that in time becomes part of the oxygen you need to breathe, and so though you may feel not sure that it's there, any form of removal and the emotions begin to choke.''
Alice stared blankly at Kuina after her answer and it was obvious that the expressionless lady didn't understand anything she said, therefore Kuina gave another example.
''As sunlight enters raindrops and emerges as rainbows, so love enters the soul of each person and emerges as their passions in the arts, in science, in nature... in whatever sparks their curiosity and drive. It is how they find their truth and purpose. It is how they give of themselves to others. Love is what makes us who we are, it is the energy that brings us to life.''
Alice's eyes opened wide, finally, she was able to understand something and as praise, she told her.
''Kuina you will make a good teacher.''
''I often hear this.'' A slow smile worked its way across her face and into her eyes.
Alice could feel that her compliment seemed to have made Kuina happy and she secretly compliment others often. Without noticing she had started to take others into account, how to please them, how to make them smile, it was a small step but it was a good start.
Kuina continued with another example.
''Love is sweet, yet more as fresh fruit than candy or confectionery. Love is colorful, yet more as summer blooms than the neon lights of frenetic city streets. Love is steady and forgiving, yet more as the wise mother than the servant in chains. Love hears and speaks with the wisdom of the heart, with a sense of the soul of the other. In love we have our "forever home" and it gives us the ability to fly so freely, joyfully returning when each heart calls for the other's touch.''
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