5_Habits of the tree of life ＆ flying whale

Though the "Tree of Life" can transform into part of an animal, its core as a plant remains unchanged. It yearns for Gracia's energy. Even among its own kind, a survival war occurs; naturally, it chooses what's more beneficial for itself. That's why they kill Gracia. Once part of Gracia's body, they can continually absorb the earth's energy she emits, significantly increasing their chances of propagating their offspring. In short, any "Tree of Life" will try to become part of Gracia if she's injured, regardless of its current host. The "Tree of Life" is already widespread as part of various organisms across the earth. Killing Gracia prompts them to move towards her, allowing their collection. Gracia was killed that day for the collection of the "Tree of Life."

She believed it was to save someone, a misconception she accepted because of my casually spoken words, which I didn't even mean.

"Ugh, hah, hah," I collapsed on the floor. The skin on my face reverted to the "Tree of Life," struggling to reach Gracia before the others. The "Tree of Life" that was once part of me now became my enemies, pushing each other to get ahead.

In my fading consciousness, I wondered what I truly was. It became painfully clear how insubstantial my existence was, merely a temporary form created by various living beings with their own wills, with a consciousness that emerged by chance. My thoughts and emotions felt trivial. It seemed foolish to even think.

So, I was fragile as an existence. This realization brought a chilling sensation to my gut, a strange feeling of endless falling, losing sense of my own outline. I focused on the pain assaulting me, sharp as lightning in my head, reminding me of my existence.

After some time, the impulse subsided. The scattered "Tree of Life" dutifully returned to Yuzuki and me. I wouldn't have minded dying like this.

As my breathing steadied, Yuzuki looked at me worriedly, "Ruti, you have a scared look on your face."

"...Eh?" I stammered, causing Yuzuki to look even more concerned.

"I heard from the Ban. Are you okay?"

Under her gaze, I couldn't think straight. Lying seemed pointless, as she would see right through it. So, I spoke the truth.

"Ban.Dr thought I was stressed about being a research subject, but that's not it."

Yuzuki remained still, looking at me, absorbing everything.

"I feel fulfilled," I started hesitantly but then poured out my feelings. "This body makes me a subject of research, and that's why my daily life is fulfilled."

I remembered reading about the unjust lives of many people. Born in the wrong place, struggling for basic needs, caught in crimes, suffering due to political reasons. I hadn't seen it, but just thinking about it made me realize how overly fulfilled I was, living in a lab designed to minimize stress.

I sighed deeply, "I guess I'm happy."

Yuzuki watched my face for a while, then said softly, "You don't look happy, though."

"...Yeah," I replied, lying back. The grass beneath me, the tickle behind my earlobes.

"I'm supposed to be happy, but it's suffocating."

The light pouring down from above was irritating. I shaded my eyes with my hand.

How many times had I felt like this today? Slowly, gently sinking, unaware until I hit the depths.

"I thought about why I'm suffering."

Despite feeling everything else so faintly, the suffering only intensified.

"And your conclusion?"

"That there's no meaning in my birth, no purpose in living."

Yuzuki remained silent.

"I wish I wasn't born human. If I weren't human, I wouldn't have these worries. I wouldn't have to think."

My existence and purpose were vague, but this vagueness brought clear pain.

"That's why I'd rather be a plant."

Yuzuki seemed to understand everything. Yet, my unstoppable words continued, unasked.

"If I were a plant, there would be Gracia, an absolute being. Every plant in this world lives for Gracia. She gives meaning to life."

That was the one certainty in this ambiguous world. Even the "Tree of Life" making up my body agreed.

Yuzuki looked down briefly, her hair covering her eyes, then brushed it aside and looked straight at me.

"I get how you feel. If I didn't have this child, I can't imagine how I'd be. It's tough, isn't it?"

She said, stroking my head, spreading a pleasant numbness through my body, bringing a slight warmth to my frozen heart.

Yuzuki was truly strong.

Despite her own suffering...

How did she convince herself?

Most researchers saw Yuzuki only as a cultivation body for the "Tree of Life." The future of her unborn child was uncertain. It was unclear what would be born.

Yet, Yuzuki always seemed reliable.

What were her thoughts? Why was she kind to me? Wasn't she overwhelmed with her own issues?

Knowing my thoughts, Yuzuki murmured, "I'm happy now."

After a few seconds, she added weakly, "I wish tomorrow never comes. That time could stop."

She smiled faintly, looking at the ceiling. I followed her gaze, and we stared at the ceiling for a while.

The door clicked open, and the Ban peeked in.

"It's time to go. The whales should be visible now."

Standing up, Yuzuki grasped my arm.

"Won't you reconsider? Please rethink this."

She looked at me worriedly.

"It's the same either way," I replied, gently removing her hand.

This might be a chance. Deep down, I had always wanted to disappear, to die.

I quickly left the room.

Above the earth, 50-110 meters high, a whale swam slowly through the air, its size defying normalcy. It was like a small flying island, with trees on its back similar to those on the ground, as it was born as part of the earth before floating in the sky.

The whale swung its tail vertically, creating gusts that blew away nearby birds and clouds. The sound of its tail rubbing against the air echoed around.

The whale was clearly at the top of the food chain, with no natural predators.

However, its movements were awkward, seemingly in pain.

It ascended higher, towards the treetops of the "Tree of Gluttony," where people fled from the earth-bound trees to live.