Day after day, month after month, year after year, time flowed like a never-ending river. Thousands of years had passed since the Sage Rat led his mice through all hardships, establishing peace and prosperity for both tribes. Yet one day, an inexplicable feeling overcame him. The Sage Rat suddenly felt tired, weak, and drained of his former strength.
He couldn't understand why. After consuming the immortal peach, he believed that time would no longer affect him. Immortality, to him, meant never aging, never weakening, and certainly never dying from old age. But now, as his body grew weaker, the Sage Rat began to fear the unknown. He could not explain what was happening.
The Preparation for Hibernation
In the following days, the fatigue worsened. Eventually, the Sage Rat reached a difficult decision: he would enter hibernation, an endless sleep, to preserve his life and evade the destruction that time seemed to be bringing. It was the only solution he could think of, though he knew it was risky. But before taking this step, he needed to arrange everything and delegate responsibilities to the other mice.
One misty morning, as pale sunlight broke through the fog surrounding the mouse village, the Sage Rat called all the mice together. Standing before them, looking exhausted but with eyes still shining with wisdom and resolve, he spoke clearly, without hesitation, assigning roles and duties.
The Sage Rat had decided to temporarily hand over leadership to the mouse he trusted most—the same one who had carried the gift to the Sage Raven. This mouse had endured many difficult journeys and remained loyal by his side, a smart and brave mouse who was more than capable of bearing this great responsibility.
A Heartfelt Farewell
After assigning tasks to each mouse in the village, the Sage Rat turned to take one last look at the place he had cherished for so long. He saw the worry and sadness in the eyes of every mouse gathered around him. Not a single word was spoken; only silence filled the air, yet within that silence was a flood of emotions that no one could hide.
"Do not worry," the Sage Rat said gently but firmly. "I will return—one day, when the time is right. But for now, I must rest."
The mice nodded, though their hearts didn't want to let their leader go. Still, they understood that it was necessary.
Having reassured them all, the Sage Rat began his journey back to his mountain home—the place where he had lived for many years. The path seemed longer than ever, as though each step was a farewell to the world he had protected and cared for. At last, he reached his small stone house, a place that had witnessed countless events, both joyous and sorrowful.
He moved toward the small bed he had prepared for this very moment. The house was quiet, with only the soft whisper of the wind outside the window. The Sage Rat sat down on his bed, gazing out at the distant landscape. For a brief moment, memories of adventures, battles, and moments of joy alongside his fellow mice rushed back to him like the pages of an open book.
The Eternal Sleep
Finally, the Sage Rat closed his eyes and let out a deep, peaceful sigh. "It's time," he thought. His weary body gradually slipped into a deep rest, his heartbeat slowing, and an eternal sleep began to envelop him.
The room fell into silence, with only the small, still form of the Sage Rat lying peacefully on his bed. Everything seemed frozen, as if time itself paused, waiting.
But deep within the Sage Rat's mind, a spark of life still flickered, like a small flame waiting for something greater to come. And somewhere in the stillness, there was a sense that—one day—he would wake again, to face new challenges, a new destiny awaiting him.
With this feeling, the chapter closes, but only to open another—a chapter of awakening and unexpected events yet to unfold.