Chereads / Living Insanity / Chapter 7 - The Heart of Existence

Chapter 7 - The Heart of Existence

Harith and Himzed walked through the busy streets, filled with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This vast market was surrounded by stalls selling all kinds of goods—fresh fruits, colorful spices, and local crafts. People were milling about, some haggling over prices, while others engaged in lively conversations. The low roar of voices, the enticing smell of food being cooked at the corners of the market, and the vibrant colors of the merchandise created a lively and bustling atmosphere.

"Harith, do you want to gamble again? What do you plan to do with your winnings?" Himzed asked with a curious tone.

"Gamble? Haha, if I were to gamble, I'd surely become a noble. And besides, I want to use this money for charity," Harith replied with a chuckle, a sly smile on his face.

"Your confidence is sky-high, kid," Himzed said, laughing.

Himzed continued, "For charity? Wow, a young child with a generous heart. It's certainly a normal and realistic thing to do, but what's unrealistic is a kid beating a gambling master." Himzed laughed again.

"Because I'm smart," Harith chuckled.

"Anyway, there's no point in using this money for something bad. What's the use of being human with feelings if you let poor people starve by the side of the road?" Harith smiled.

"Haha, very true, kid. I admit, you're much more mature than I am," Himzed laughed.

Harith and Himzed walked into a narrow alley connecting several wooden shops off the main street. This alley was a bit quieter compared to the market area, with sunlight filtering through the gaps in the wooden roof. Inside the alley, a homeless person lay beside a metal container used for donations.

Harith stopped in front of the homeless person, gazing at them attentively. With kindness, Harith placed 500 Gold Florins into the metal container near the homeless person. The money gleamed softly in the light filtering through the roof gaps.

Himzed observed Harith's actions with a sense of admiration, saying nothing.

After performing the act of kindness in the alley, Harith and Himzed exited and continued on their way. Himzed, still impressed by Harith's actions, said with a gentle smile, "Harith, I thought you were a cold and merely cunning person. It turns out your heart is very pure. I hope you remain this way as you grow up."

Harith chuckled, "Thanks, I'll remain the same no matter what happens. I know how to control my emotions." He smiled.

However, Harith's attention quickly shifted when he saw a group of bandits beating a cat. Without hesitation, he ran over and stopped them, "Stop!"

Himzed was startled and followed, "Harith!"

The bandits looked at Harith with disdain. "Look, look, what do we have here? A little kid acting like a hero," one of them laughed.

Harith confidently replied, "Yes, far braver than you who dare to beat a weak cat. Isn't that far more trashy and cowardly?" He gave a sly smile.

Harith's words struck the bandits like a knife, making them even more irritated. One of them drew a knife and shouted, "Watch your mouth!"

Himzed, seeing the situation escalating, tried to defuse the tension. "Uh, sorry. This kid is a bit mischievous," he said with a nervous expression.

Meanwhile, Harith picked up the cat and placed it in a safe spot, letting it go. "Heh heh, when the time comes, I'll be ready," he said with a sly smile.

"Besides, people like you shouldn't have hands and feet, as they're utterly useless. Your brains are clearly damaged," Harith said mockingly.

Himzed, feeling nervous, quickly said, "Enough." He smiled at the bandits and immediately pulled Harith away from the scene.

Himzed looked at Harith with concern. "Kid, you nearly gave me a heart attack! Why did you confront armed bandits just to help a cat?!"

Harith looked at Himzed with a cold expression that suddenly turned into a sly smile. "Heh heh, why don't you realize your existence as a human?"

Himzed was puzzled, "What do you mean?"

Harith said with a smile, "You were given hands and empathy, and they are for fighting, finding food, and helping. You were also given feet to walk, a heart to breathe, and a brain to think. God gave you everything... Your purpose is just to go through this wheel of life, which might be short or long. You might be given happiness, sadness, solitude, or maybe... death. If you die, then you die. There's nothing to fear. As long as you live, you can still walk, breathe, see—why fear and waste your life? You were given emotions, given everything. If you fear death, it means you're not aware of your existence as a human. A person who is not afraid of death is not necessarily strong; they just realize their existence as a mere human moving through the wheel of life. Life and death are equal. What matters is knowing who you really are, not being a superior figure."

Himzed was taken aback by Harith's profound philosophy. ".....You emphasize existentialism and the meaning of life. Your thoughts are very broad..."

Harith chuckled, "Humans don't just exist; they must 'become' something through their actions. Even though life may seem absurd, we must accept it and continue living with full awareness. Death is not something bad, but rather the end of suffering and a natural part of the life cycle."

"Understand that," Harith said with a sly smile before continuing on his way with his hands in his pockets.

Himzed quickly followed Harith, still impressed by Harith's deep views on life and death. "You are indeed smart... Yes, you are really smart, I admit it," Himzed smiled.

"Thank you for the advice," Himzed continued.

Harith laughed, "Heh heh, you're welcome."

In a dimension called the Altar Dimension, the boundaries of space and time are stretched by a highly complex cosmic order. The Altar Dimension is a 4D dimension, where space and time no longer function in the way we understand in the 3D dimension. Here, time and space intertwine in a dynamic and elastic weave, forming structures that surpass traditional understanding of existence.

In this dimension, the rulers of time—known as Timekeepers—have complete control over the flow of time and the existence of 3D beings. They control the flow of time with powers that exceed the limits of the lower universes. Timekeepers can bend, twist, and even manipulate timelines with near-perfect precision, creating and destroying realities according to their will.

This dimension consists of a network of space and time that encompasses multidimensional layers. The 4D spatial structure allows them to see and manipulate the entire spectrum of possibilities, from the smallest moments to the grand events shaping the cosmos. Every part of the Altar Dimension vibrates with cosmic energy, emitting light that forms intricate patterns, like a kaleidoscope of shifting time and space.

Timekeepers exercise absolute control over this dimension. They exist beyond the 3D dimensions, observing and influencing reality like conductors directing an orchestra. They can create points of eternity, where time stands still and everything is in perfect balance, or introduce uncertainty and chaos to test the strength and resilience of realities under their influence.

A Timekeeper stands amidst a space glowing with cosmic energy, their eyes shining as they gaze at reflections forming an image of Harith across layers of time and space. Their face shows astonishment as they speak to other Timekeepers.

"I can sense something from this child, even though I don't know what's inside his mind. He seems to have an existence that transcends our own limitations. We consider him a fictional entity. How could this happen?" they ask with a tone of confusion.

The other Timekeepers, who were previously occupied with managing and monitoring the flow of time in their dimension, now turn with curiosity. They compare recordings of energy and time waves surrounding Harith. Each piece of data reveals a depth and power of thought that is difficult for them to measure.

"His thoughts are abstract," one Timekeeper responds with a reflective expression. "He seems to touch upon a realm of understanding that surpasses our current existence. Although he rarely reads books, he is wise in a way that cannot be explained by our methods."

"Yes," says another Timekeeper, "his thoughts and insights are truly abstract and difficult for us to comprehend. It is as if he operates beyond the limits of our conventional understanding, confronting reality in a way we cannot control."

One by one, the Timekeepers observed more closely, trying to understand how a human from the 3D dimension could possess qualities that seemed to transcend their own existence operating in the 4D dimension. The energy and patterns emanating from Harith suggested that he might embody a higher principle or entity, possibly even connected to dimensions greater than those they governed.

Daro and Master Joshi sat at the dining table in the warm temple. In front of them were grilled fish emitting a tantalizing aroma, fragrant rice, and chili oil adding a spicy touch.

"Daro, eat to your heart's content. Today you deserve to rest. Tomorrow we will continue with the training," said Joshi, handing over his plate with a warm smile.

Daro tasted his food, nodding with satisfaction. "It's delicious! Thank you, Master Joshi."

The atmosphere in the temple felt familiar and warm. Their conversation flowed easily, far from the fatigue of previous training. Joshi and Daro discussed various topics, from training experiences to future plans. The temple, once just a place of training, now felt like a home, a place where they could share and enjoy each other's company.