"It's okay," Alex said gently, offering a reassuring smile. "You don't have to tell me if it brings back bad memories."
He knew the system's judgment wasn't perfect. A single sin, a desperate act fueled by loneliness and misunderstanding, shouldn't overshadow the countless good deeds Aer had done since – the joy she brought to others, the playful spirit that shone so brightly.
He would have to learn to interpret these judgements, to see beyond the numbers and understand the complexities of his followers' lives.
Aer, sensing his empathy, offered a watery smile. "Thanks, Alex. You're alright."
A wave of unease washed over Alex as the notification materialized on his interface:
[Would you like to put 'Aer' in the afterlife?] (Heaven) / (Hell)
The starkness of the choice sent a shiver down his spine. Here, in his own bedroom with Aer's trusting smile reflected on the water's surface, he was presented with the power to judge her very soul.
