Real?

Suddenly, a sneeze shattered the tumultuous thoughts, bringing Draydon to an abrupt halt.

He turned his attention to the baby nestled in his arms, observing the tiny, delicate features scrunched up in discomfort.

Reacting with tenderness, he reached out, gently rubbing the baby's running nose, his touch an offering of solace.

Resuming his descent, Draydon adopted a slower, more deliberate pace, granting the infant the time it needed.

Soon enough, his five companions caught up with him, their concerned faces mirroring his own.

"What's wrong?" one of them inquired, eyes flickering with a mixture of curiosity and worry.

"Go ahead. I will follow along at a slower pace," Draydon replied, his voice carrying a note of assurance.

His gaze shifted towards the baby nestled in his arms, their connection unspoken yet understood.

Understanding passed between the companions as they exchanged glances.

"Alright, but make sure to return before nightfall," one of them advised, a gentle reminder of the pressing matters that awaited them.

With that, his companions continued their journey, leaving Draydon to navigate the descent at his own unhurried rhythm.

The mountain's whispers seemed to grow louder, echoing in his ears as he ventured forth, his steps guided by a bond forged with the child he cradled. The shadows cast by the retreating sunlight danced around them, whispering secrets yet to be unveiled.

As draydon ambled along, the weight of the baby in his arms, he surveyed their surroundings with a sense of relief.

"Ah, we have finally arrived," he whispered, a hint of satisfaction lacing his words. His gaze shifted, and there it was—a magnificent sight that captured his attention—the vast expanse of a serene, blue lake.

Its tranquil surface mirrored the fading light of the sun, casting an ethereal glow upon the scene. Valin found himself transfixed, his eyes drinking in the beauty that unfolded before him.

For a moment, he lost himself in the stillness of the lake, his thoughts drifting like wayward clouds.

The soft snap of grass beneath his feet jolted him back to the present, snapping him out of his reverie.

He glanced at the person carrying the baby, realizing they too were captivated by the picturesque view.

"This lake, especially in the evening as the sun sets, it holds such breathtaking beauty," draydon remarked softly, his voice tinged with awe.

His expression grew intense, a mixture of emotions swirling within him. He fought back tears, his attempts at composure evident as he gently bounced the baby in his arms.

"Do you like it?" he asked, despite knowing that the infant lacked the ability to respond in words.

The baby, crying softly, seemed to convey its preferences through sound rather than words.

Draydon ceased his rhythmic movements and settled down, placing the child in front of the scenic vista.

"Alright," he acknowledged, a faint smile gracing his lips.

As Valin contemplated his circumstances, he couldn't help but question the reality of it all.

"Is this even real? Or is it just a dream?" he murmured, his gaze shifting between the monkey and the captivating landscape. "I felt as though I died, and now I find myself in this place, transformed into a monkey."

A surge of emotions coursed through him, the weight of his previous struggles echoing in his thoughts.

"Sixteen years of my life wasted, enduring suffering. And now... what? A new world to add to my burdens?" His voice wavered, the intensity of his feelings threatening to overwhelm him.

"I have spent a lifetime resisting the urge to end it all," he confessed, a raw honesty permeating his words.

"Now, suddenly, in the wake of my own demise, I am thrust into what? A new world?" A mixture of anger, sadness, and a sense of detachment settled upon him.

"I don't know if I am angry or sad or happy. Frankly, I don't care anymore," he admitted, his internal sigh a silent echo of his weariness. "I don't know if this is reality or merely a dream, but it is what it is."

Lost in introspection, draydon and the baby spent an extended period of time by the lake, cherishing the fleeting moments of serenity.

As dusk approached, a sense of urgency nudged him. Gathering his resolve, he quickened his pace, traversing the path back to the village with a renewed determination.

The day's end was imminent, and he needed to ensure their safe return before darkness blanketed the land.

"Draydon," the elder called out, his voice carrying a sense of wisdom and authority.

"Elder," Draydon responded respectfully, acknowledging the elder's presence.

"I have been informed of everything that transpired," the elder began, his voice steady and measured.

"You discovered the baby atop the mountain, near a cracked and weathered stone. Is that correct?"

Draydon nodded, recounting his encounter. "Yes, elder. The baby was found near the stone, which appeared to have been its birthplace."

The elder's expression grew contemplative. "This is a peculiar occurrence. We must discuss this matter further in the privacy of my home."

Draydon agreed, leading the way towards the elder's dwelling. "Very well," he replied, his voice tinged with anticipation. "Let us continue our conversation there."

As they settled into the elder's house, Draydon gently placed the baby down and instructed others to keep watch over him.

Two individuals attentively tended to the child, kindling a fire to ward off the encroaching darkness of the night.

While the discussion unfolded, Valin, feeling a sense of detachment, moved away from the warm glow of the fire, seeking solace beneath the embrace of a nearby tree, its shadows offering respite from prying eyes.

Lost in contemplation, Valin grappled with his transformed existence.

"Am I truly a monkey now, a mere reflection of the creatures around me?" His thoughts swirled in confusion. "Who am I? Human or monkey? I don't know anymore."

A wave of nostalgia washed over Valin, as he pondered the fate of those he left behind.

"What of my mother, my father, my siblings?I wonder what they are going through right now,I hope they at least cry?" His gaze dropped, his emotions mingling with the flickering flames before him. "And my friends... I don't wanna even think about that."

"Always a disappointment"

Yet, amidst the isolation, Valin found solace in the company of his internal voices.

"I have never truly been alone. Even in the darkest moments, the voices in my mind have been my unwavering companions." His eyes wandered, absorbing the scene around him.

"And here, in this inexplicable situation, they persist, offering their silent support."

Valin's gaze fixed upon the crackling fire, its dancing shadows casting flickering images upon his face.

"My situation is absurd but I accept them as they are because what can I really do,acceptance becomes the only path when faced with an unyielding game, one that defies comprehension." He sighed softly.

"Fight, struggle, resist... But to what end? Is it not futile to resist a reality that remains elusive?"

Valin's thoughts turned introspective as he became enveloped in the fire's radiant glow.

"What lies ahead is unknown, and the weight of existence feels burdensome. I long to fade into obscurity, to disappear into the depths of an anonymous world, far from the reaches of others." The flickering flames mirrored the turmoil within his soul.

"Yet, despite my resolve to accept this new world, its complexities prove overwhelming," Valin whispered, his voice laden with uncertainty.

"I find it difficult to come to terms with what transpires and what lies ahead."

As the murmurs of the surrounding villagers grew hushed, Valin noticed Draydon's return, accompanied by an aged figure.

"Oh, to be forgotten, to escape to a place where my existence remains unnoticed,

" he mused, his voice laced with longing. "But now, in this enigmatic realm, I am faced with a new reality, defying my desire for anonymity."

The weight of his existence pressed upon him, echoing in the depths of his being. "I wish I had never been born at all"

The stillness of the night was shattered by the commanding voice of the elder, resonating with wisdom and authority that stirred the village from its quietude.

"Now, let us gather and offer our prayers, expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the bountiful nature that surrounds us," the elder declared, his words carrying a profound sense of reverence and connection.

"Take hold of the ripe fruits and refreshing water, and let us find solace under the protective embrace of the tree's shadow."

As the villagers began to heed the elder's call, Draydon approached him, his voice filled with a mix of concern and responsibility.

"Elder," Draydon spoke with a touch of uncertainty, "what about the baby?"

A comforting smile graced the elder's face, understanding the weight that rested upon Draydon's shoulders. With a reassuring tone, he responded,

"Fear not, for I shall care for the little one. You must go and join the others in prayer."

With gratitude and relief filling his heart, Draydon set forth on his path, his steps guided by a renewed sense of purpose.