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And suddenly, everything vanished, and this world folded in on itself—something that was impossible for the three of them—Oumnia, Jonathan, and Amin—to ever forget. The screams of humans trapped inside the flesh spheres would haunt the three of them forever.
Days passed, and the friends went their separate ways, each caught up in the troubles of life. Adam became the de facto ruler of all the lands, Oumnia pursued her dream of returning and taking revenge, though it was almost impossible since Adam's location was unknown. Amin had only a few steps left to return, but the obstacle was the Lich.
Oumnia took care of Jonathan as if he were her own child, nurturing him into a proper man. She cared for him more than herself, teaching him to help with cooking and fighting, handling hair, moving efficiently, and managing food. He accepted the bitter and painful truth, but after that event, Oumnia discovered she was pregnant. She wandered through the alleys and neighborhoods of her continent, seeking isolated villages to terminate the pregnancy.
Oumnia had lost every point of love she had found in life—her mother, the infant, and now her own child. Every time she finished her work, she would sit and remember the conversation in which she had confessed her love, and she could never get Adam's words out of her mind: "I will never change, for sure."
Only weeks passed before everything was turned upside down. Oumnia began questioning herself as she witnessed some nobility and goodness in Adam's actions. She kept repeating to herself: "Maybe he sees something we don't, or follows a path we cannot understand. His law is the end justifying the means… what a horrid means. Damn life, but that doesn't justify the method."
Every night, Oumnia repeated three rules to Jonathan:
1. Do not fear death—face it to escape it.
2. Raise your weapon, and as soon as the monster attacks, shoot it in the heart.
3. Never hesitate—wasted time equals wasted years.
Jonathan repeated these rules every night, every minute, every second, always ready. He transformed from a weak, cowardly child who feared his own shadow into a person capable of facing the impossible—a torrent of courage and strength.
This was proven one fateful day when Jonathan returned to Oumnia and found her in a pitiable state, overturned and seemingly in a fierce battle with a powerful force. That day she was sick and unable to move. I tried to take care of everything, but I couldn't. I noticed multiple bleeding wounds and swollen areas on Oumnia's body. What shocked me most was seeing Oumnia leaning against a tree, on the verge of death.
She told me she had been attacked by monsters, but Adam had been with them. Oumnia had attacked him without thinking, knowing he was the Prince of Light leading the monsters to his fortress. He tried to stop her, but she didn't relent, shooting bullets that couldn't pierce his light. Memories of the past would occasionally visit her, giving her strength to resist as long as possible. Yet, the difference in power was great, and Oumnia earned the honor of fighting despite her weakness.
She also said: "Take my gun—the strongest weapon I ever possessed, human…"
I grabbed the gun. Oumnia pointed to her heart and said: "Go ahead, my love… shoot… shoot, my dear… follow the second rule… I will transform."
I pointed the gun at her and said, "I can't… I'm powerless…" (crying).
Oumnia touched my cheek, smiled, and said: "It's been so long… you grew up so fast, my dear. I wanted to watch you grow until I die, but fate made that impossible."
I started crying, trying to hold back the flood of tears, and said: "Aren't you the one who always says, 'I won't let fate decide for me'? Speak!"
I grabbed her by the collar and started shouting at her unconsciously. She slowly caught her breath, smiling without fading, and said: "Humans always say what they do not do."
She raised her index finger, shaped it like a gun, placed it against her forehead, and fired a soundless shot from her mouth: Bam!
Then she hugged me tightly and said: "Hmm… I wish this hug could last… forever. Could you hold me for life?"
I couldn't control myself, fell backward crying. Oumnia grabbed my shoulders and said firmly: "What is the third rule?"
Through sobs and gasps, I said: "Never hesitate—wasted time equals wasted years…"
Oumnia said: "Please, my dear… (coughing) I never denied you a request before. Shoot toward my heart—here!" (she pointed with her finger), "but avoid the area where you are so I don't lose you." (smiling) "Please, my love… shoot…"
I gripped the gun tightly, my hands trembling, my throat dry, my mouth and hands shaking. I aimed at her heart, closed my eyes, and as a tear fell, I pulled the trigger without realizing it. The last thing she said to me: "I love you…"
And here I am before you, Amin, after searching for you for so long," said Jonathan.
Amin replied: "Let's move out of this tavern."
The two left and reminisced about the past and the companions they had lost. They remembered Malah's jokes and his funny dislike of Ziad, as well as their adventures together. Those were beautiful days, fleeting yet unforgettable.
As they walked, Amin said: "I have one last place left where we will face some challenges."
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