"I honestly… don't know."I said to her, who was gazing at the three scenes.I had no idea how to accept any of this.If only all of this were a dream—if only it were a lie.
"Silence!!"She suddenly shouted.Her voice pierced deep into my soul like a blade.
"Just shut up! And listen to my story!!"
Her eyes froze cold.From within that gaze, I could clearly feel it—if I interrupted her again, she would truly kill me.
I swallowed dryly and nodded.Satisfied with my reaction, she said nothing more and refocused on the three scenes.
"You remember what I said earlier?"She spoke quietly, her eyes still fixed on the scenes.I didn't dare answer. Even a single word could provoke her anger.
"When a planet nears its destruction, we create a new Sinbearer."She continued her explanation calmly.
"In every world, on every planet, as time flows, civilizations advance.And when civilizations advance… conflict is inevitable."
Her story went on.I didn't want to listen, but I had no choice.All I could do was lend my ear.
"Of course, there are those who deserve to die.But among them, there are also those who should never have died."
Her voice grew quieter."Sadly, as time passes, there are more and more of those who should not have died.Because as your civilizations rise—you only seek more efficient, more massive ways to kill."
There was anger in her voice."That is why we always wonder… should we just destroy it all?But that would be too heartless, wouldn't it?"
On her face, as she gazed at the three scenes,I could see regret—and through that regret, I could sense her pain as well.
"So instead, we create your kind—Sinbearers—and send them in."Her words did not stop.
"In other words, we make them choose.Your Sinbearers choose,and we respect the choices and decisions they make."
As she spoke, one of the three scenes expanded before us.In it, a massive meteor was colliding with a planet.The planet began to burn, slowly collapsing.
"We burn everything, until all traces of the past are gone.And when the flames die down,we cool the blazing world with a long, endless winter."
Her tone was cold.The words themselves were horrifyingly cruel.The gods, like humans who kill with weapons of warwithout ever feeling guilt,seemed utterly merciless.
"And when the scorched planet finally cools,we create life there again."
The second scene grew larger.
"But if your Sinbearer refuses destruction,we also respect that choice."Her words continued quietly.
"Yet the result is the same.Eventually, another Sinbearer will be createdand sent to that world."
She turned to face me.Sadness lingered on her face.
"Do you understand now?"No words came out.I couldn't speak,because I didn't know what would happen if I did.
"I will not ask you to decide the fate of your planet, Thea, right now."Her voice sank low."Even if I were to give you the choice now,you would still say the same thing—that you want to give it another chance."
Even as I listened to her,my eyes turned toward the planet Thea,where endless tragedy repeated itself.
"But that's fine.It is also my duty to respect your choice and decision."
"I will not force you."
At her words, I lowered my head in silence.Thea.My home, my final refuge—the world where I had laughed and cried with my family.
"When time passes, another Sinbearer will be created,sent there again,and given the same choice."
Finally, I gathered my courage.Though I couldn't ask her to destroy Thea,I needed to make my decision clear.
"I would rather choose destruction right now…But still, I want to give it another chance."
She smiled.But her smile carried no warmth.
"I knew you would say that."
She lifted her hand and gently touched my cheek.Behind that faint smile,there was unmistakable sorrow.
"But I can't promise what your next Sinbearer will choose."
Her words made it hard to breathe.I realized then—I was not a being with free will,but merely a variable in a script already written by the gods.
"Then why not just destroy Thea right now?"I said, my voice trembling, almost defiant.
She didn't answer.Instead, she slowly raised her head,glanced at me once,then extended her hand toward Thea.
At that moment, Thea began to burn.The ground, the seas—everything was engulfed in flame.
She looked back at me again.Her face was filled with anger.
"If this is what you want Thea to become,I can do it right now. Is that what you want?"
Her words made my whole body tremble.She had the power to destroy Thea at any moment,regardless of my will.
But she didn't.She was still respecting my decision.
"I'm sorry."I bowed my head.It was the least I could do as a Sinbearer.
She looked at me and smiled again.
I turned my eyes back toward Thea.The planet where, because of my wrong choice,wars and disasters still raged—where countless lives that should not have been lostwere dying.
"At the very least… I want to take responsibilityfor the great war that began because of me."
She gently placed her hand on my head.
"Yes. You'll keep fighting until the end.That's the only meaning you have left."
When she finished speaking,the burning planet Thea slowly returned to its original state.
"But remember—even if you refuse Thea's destruction now,someday, a Sinbearer after youmay choose destruction instead."
She looked at me one last time,a mysterious smile curving her lips.
"But don't worry.You'll never live to know that."
Why does my heart ache and throb like this?
I wanted to give this planet a chance—
right up until the moment of its death.
But the fact that I cannot…
that simple truth has begun to torment me.
I stayed silent and kept my eyes on Thea.
I wished it would never be destroyed—
but that was only my selfish desire.
Perhaps I have stopped Thea's destruction for now,
but the Sinbearers who come after me
may still choose to bring its end.
Even so, there was nothing I could do.
All I could do was pray—
pray that only merciful Sinbearers
would be sent in the ages to come.
As I remained silent, staring at Thea,
my eyes slowly turned toward her face.
She seemed to sense my gaze—
perhaps it made her uncomfortable,
for she turned her head away
and avoided my eyes.
And then, I gathered my courage once more—
for the second and final time.
"But… who are you?"
She glared at me, her face twisted with anger.
It was clear that she wanted to strangle me right then and there,
yet she was holding herself back—barely.
Even so, she still refused to tell me her name.
I drew in a deep breath,
and once again, I gathered what little courage I had left.
"At least tell me your name.
It's not like I'm going to brag about it…
I just want to know."