Ash X Harem Pregnant Lemon

A king reincarnated into a new world dominated by magic, This is a story of myths and tales, a story of knowledge. Knowledge is Key!

In the nation of Avrael, power is both a blessing and a curse. Sixteen-year-old Ayato Daath, a poor orphan, had always hoped to live unnoticed in the shadows of the city. But when he is forced to undergo The Rite of Manifestation, the ritual that determines one’s magical potential, his worst fear comes true—he is an Elite. Now torn from the only life he’s ever known, Ayato is thrust into a brutal world of magic, bloodshed, and treacherous politics. In a society where the strong prey on the weak, where rival factions scheme in the dark, and where a single misstep could mean death, Ayato must quickly learn one thing—adapt, or perish. And one thing Ayato already knows is that in Avrael, only the ruthless survive.

In the realms above, supernatural beings of unfathomable magnificence exist, far beyond mortal comprehension. These divinities wield unimaginable power, capable of obliterating worlds with a mere breath. However, what unfolds when these gods meet their demise? Set in a remote corner of the vast universe, long after the apocalyptic Thousand Millennium War of the Heavenly Beasts and Deities, this tale delves into a forgotten world. Here, the ashes of fallen gods descend upon an insignificant pebble, adrift amidst the cosmic tapestry of space and time. Their impact alters the life of a proud young man, who embraces the abrupt changes thrust upon his world. Refusing to yield to the clutches of fate and karma, he dares to defy the heavens themselves. Will he triumph over an insurmountable destiny, or succumb to fate like gods of unimaginable might did before him? The dreams of a deceased deity and the fate of a dying world hang precariously, hinged upon the future of this young man. He treads upon an endless bridge, forged from the corpses of the fallen. Unlock this epic saga of death, sorrow, war, blood, love, vengeance, and triumph with your own eyes. *** You can also reach out to: Discord:https://discord.com/invite/QQ3vybav Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=9xjl0tq1cs3e&utm_content=qx5nrdu

What makes dragons strong? It's not their power or magic, but their mind. Arrogance, greed, Iron Will, and the lack of human restraints. What would happen if you threw such a creature into human society? Would they understand humans? What does love even mean to them? This is the situation that our MC, Arad Orion found himself in. A newborn dragon bringing "Might make Right" to the humanoids, but why? Due to an abnormal condition, the mighty void dragons are on the brink of extinction. Their bodies have suddenly started rejecting their kind. Due to that, Arad's mother dropped his egg into a forest where he could hatch safely, leaving him with a fragment of her consciousness and informing him of the condition of their race. From that point, his goal became clear. To save their race by either finding a cure for their condition or going the second route of making more void dragons. But, sadly, nothing is ever that easy. Finding a cure is almost impossible. Arad is still practically a newborn and cannot tap into the terrifying might of his race, and his rarity makes him a prime target for mages and scholars seeking to study the dying race. Dragons are arrogant, proud, and vicious. Yet those feeling extends to those whom they love. You who touched a dragon's love, Retribution is an insult, and life is a crime. Beware as merely existing draws the dragon's wrath. Follow Arad on his journey as he grows from a naive wyrmling to a grown dragon with enough wisdom and power to stand with the strongest of the world. *** If you liked the story, please support it with power stones and comments! The story now has a Discord server. Please visit it to see character art by me and the community. https://discord.gg/CPJXDj6Adg *** You can contact me at Discord at any time Alen_Tanor#1599 And last. Please don't forget to leave a review, it really helps!

Kieran Valtheris awakens to the stench of blood and the roar of an execution crowd—only to realize that he has been reborn in a body that isn’t his own. Sentenced to death for crimes he never committed, he fights his way to freedom, escaping into the shadows of a city that should not exist. The memories of his past life are fractured, glimpses of a war that already happened—or should have happened. The kingdom he remembers falling still stands. The people he once knew are gone, their legacies erased. Something is deeply, horribly wrong. As Kieran navigates a world both familiar and foreign, whispers follow him, voices of something watching, waiting. With no allies, no power, and an identity that isn’t truly his, he must unravel the truth before history itself collapses around him. Because if he was reborn in the wrong time—what else has been changed?

Toz ve Kül – Synopsis Kaelen appears to be an ordinary orphan, unaware that he was once a hero who burned demons to ashes with his flames. A hundred years ago, in the final battle between humanity and the demons, he sacrificed his body to defeat a demon prince and saved the world. But now, he has awakened in a weak and powerless body, living as a boy with no memory of his past. In this new era, Mirakels still exist, trained in prestigious academies to protect humanity from demonic threats. However, the world has changed—power and status now dictate everything. If Kaelen wants to regain his strength, he must enter an elite academy where even ordinary gifted children struggle to survive. Yet, his past refuses to stay buried. Forgotten enemies, hidden truths, and threats beyond human comprehension are beginning to surface. Though Kaelen has awakened to wind magic, a fire still burns deep within him—one that is eager to reignite. Ash and Dust is an epic academy fantasy about power, the echoes of the past, and rebirth. In a world where Mirakels are the only line of defense, Kaelen must reclaim his lost identity and surpass his limits. But the real question is: Is he the only one who remembers who he truly was?

Liam feels increasingly suffocated by debt, paralyzing shyness, and the monotony of everyday life. However, everything falls apart when he is falsely accused of a crime and is on the verge of being expelled from university. But as he's wandering hopelessly back home, a strange voice echoes in his head, informing him that he has received the "Harem App." Suddenly, his life is turned upside down, and he now has supernatural powers to win over beautiful women. At the same time, he finds himself entangled in conflicts far beyond those of a mere human.

When they tell you that history repeats itself, you should at least expect some details to change. But no, in our case, things went exactly as they did the first time: a crack in the sky, a couple of monsters a bit taller than usual, and a myriad of people who, for some reason, were surprised. Because who, honestly, wouldn't have bet on a good demon invasion every few hundred years? Although, to be fair, this time the causes are much clearer. Man always finds new ways to destroy himself. If the first time the solution came in the form of a shy librarian who unknowingly found the key to stopping the end of the world, this time it came in the form of a weak and hungry boy, who would have preferred to destroy it rather than save it. Let me ask you a question: who said that magic was reserved for muscular and dramatic warriors? No, my friends, true salvation, this time, doesn't come from paper, scrolls, and the patience of a genius, but from hunger, fear, and the will not to give up on your fate.

The reclusive Peak Master Fu Ran held onto a simple wish, a fleeting hope that the man of ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶d̶r̶e̶a̶m̶s̶ his nightmares, would have stayed in his dreams! Since a young age, Fu Ran had been plagued by prophetic visions of his own demise at the hands of a tyrant emperor, but he had managed to keep some semblance of self with a simple fact: dreams couldn't kill you. But what happens when conjured fears become real? When they exist outside sleep? Fu Ran must struggle with learning to deal with an unwanted presence in his day-to-day life as he discovers that there's far more to this tyrant emperor than he first thought.

Daughter of Ash and Night In the vampire-ruled kingdom of Varneth, where humans are little more than pawns in a deadly game of power, Aliana Everan has always been nothing—an unwanted daughter, a shadow in her father’s household, a stain upon his noble name. Born to a concubine and despised by her stepmother, she has spent her life enduring cruelty in silence. But when she is falsely accused of treason and sentenced to death, fate takes a dark turn. Instead of dying, she is bound by blood to the most feared man in the kingdom—Kaelith Veyne, the forsaken prince. The firstborn son of the vampire king, Kaelith should have been heir to the throne. But his mother was a witch—an unforgivable sin in Varneth. Branded as an outcast, he was cast aside in favor of his younger, purer brother. Yet, the magic in his veins makes him more powerful than any royal would dare to admit. Now, fate has tied them together—an unwanted human girl and a cursed prince. Thrown into the treacherous world of vampire politics, Aliana must learn to navigate a court that thrives on deception and bloodlust. As whispers of war stir in the shadows, she soon realizes that being Kaelith’s mate does not mean protection—it means becoming a target. And as enemies close in from all sides, she must answer one question: Is Kaelith her salvation… or her doom? Betrayal. Blood. Power. A love that could bring a kingdom to its knees. This is the story of a girl who was meant to die, and the prince who was never meant to rule.

"If the world stands in my way, if people threaten me or those who are dear to me, then I shall become the true darkness, the fear in their hearts that haunts them forever!" Lee Gaon was a professional gamer until one day she was framed as a cheater by a big gaming company and betrayed by those she held dear. Now she is known as Death Eater, a powerful dark entity in the game system world, slicing her enemies in half if they dare mess with her. Her path is now filled with blood and adventure as she desperately tries to find all who were dragged with her into this world—those who destroyed her life. She has only one goal now... "Revenge!" Content Warning: This work contains scenes of gore, violence, and strong language. Reader discretion is advised.

In a world where Ki is the cornerstone of society, Julian is the youngest son of the powerful Hale family, whose lineage is known for its immense Ki strength. However, Julian is an outcast in his own bloodline. His Ki pool is minimal, and despite years of training, he cannot control itas well as others. While his peers demonstrate remarkable feats of power, Julian struggles with even the simplest of tasks—he can’t enhance his body as others do. In a world where strength equals respect, Julian is seen as weak, useless, and a disappointment to his family. Despite his failings, Julian refuses to give up. He knows the weight of his family’s expectations and the consequences of his weakness, but he is determined to carve his own path. His daily life is filled with the quiet desperation of hiding his incompetence, avoiding confrontations, and trying to maintain the dignity of his name. Though he doesn’t experiment or look for quick fixes, there’s a part of him that refuses to believe he is destined to remain insignificant forever. One fateful day, a catastrophic event shakes the kingdom—a massive disaster strikes, one so immense it disrupts the balance of Ki itself. Amidst the chaos, something inside Julian stirs. The air around him crackles with energy, and for the first time in his life, he feels a shift within his Ki—an unfamiliar sensation, like a force rising up from the deepest corners of his being. His Ki doesn’t surge with power, nor does it become any stronger. But there’s something there, something he can’t comprehend. Julian can feel it, something changing deep within him, but he has no idea what it is yet.

Legends fade. Names are lost. But some things… refuse to disappear. A lone figure walks a path drenched in silence, leaving behind only ruins and whispers of fear. No past. No identity. No reason to stop. Something is hunting. The world trembles under an unseen force—unstoppable, relentless, inevitable. The skies darken, whispers grow louder, and in the void, something stirs. A king watches. A god waits. And far beyond, something long forgotten begins to rise. Is this fate? A curse? Or the return of something that was never meant to be erased? When the past is buried, does it stay dead… or is it simply waiting to return?

When Felix Arundel, a disgraced scholar, awakens to find himself inhabiting the body of Lord Varrick Dreadmoor, a ruthless tyrant who ruined kingdoms, he can hardly believe his fate. Varrick, once a respected lord and military hero, is now remembered for his cruelty, betrayal, and failed conquest. Felix, a pacifist with no experience in politics or warfare, must now navigate the dangerous web of enemies, alliances, and betrayals that come with being Lord Dreadmoor. Forced to live in the shadow of a name he never wanted, Felix must unearth the truth behind the fall of the once-great lord, fight for a kingdom on the brink of civil war, and attempt to salvage what little humanity remains within him. As Felix struggles with his new identity, he begins to uncover dark secrets, hidden motives, and the real reasons behind Lord Dreadmoor's downfall. With the kingdom in turmoil, the blood of innocents on his hands, and betrayal lurking in every corner, Felix has to decide whether he will become the tyrant the world believes him to be or rewrite history in the hope of redemption. Can Felix break free from the chains of a villain’s past, or is he destined to be forever trapped in the shadow of the fallen lord?

When Elora loses her family at a tender age, she is sold into slavery, her true heritage forgotten. Bound in chains, she is thrust into a cruel world of auctions and buyers, her memories buried deep within her. But fate takes a turn when a mysterious figure—clad in a dark hood—buys her freedom for a price few are willing to pay. Taken to a small apothecary in a bustling market, Elora finds refuge in the home of a skilled herbalist, a woman whose knowledge of plants and healing runs as deep as the scars hidden beneath Elora’s skin. While the herbalist tends to her body, the silent bond between them begins to form, offering Elora the first glimmer of hope in years. Yet, questions about her past continue to haunt her. As Elora’s physical wounds heal, secrets unravel—secrets that will reveal her bloodline, the true identity of the man who saved her, and the path to her destiny.

“Now tell me Amasir, what were you doing in his room last night?” As Rughald took a step towards her, she mirrored him with a step backward. His lips curled up in a deep frown. “You were with him again.” “Rughald—” “Don’t,” he snapped. In an instant, he closed the distance between them. He was do fast that he left her breathless. His hands caressed her waist, and she suddenly became aware of how difficult it was to breath. “You reek of him, love,” he murmured. “His scent, his touch, his kiss, they are all over you.” She gasped and before she could say anything, his lips crashed onto hers, claiming her mouth into his. He sucked on her lower lips, his kiss punishing. She couldn’t breath, couldn’t think, couldn’t move. When he finally pulled back, her lips were trembling and her chest was heaving. His eyes darkened with hint of possessiveness. “There,” he smiled. “Now Mikhaz lips are gone.”

Ana miller a strong willed and resilient young woman found herself in a difficult situation where she isn't able to pay for her mother's surgery. Then she met him " he's ruthless and powerful" Marcus blinge a powerful billionaire and Ceo who offers to help her pay for her mother's surgery, but... on one condition... she would sign a contract to become his lover for five years no feelings attached and also become his secretary. Ana found out she was pregnant along the line but there's a problem.... Marcus hates kids infact he despise them and he is also engaged to daisy Davis the daughter to a rich business tycoon. She decides to keep the pregnancy hidden because she's afraid Marcus will hurt her and the baby. Ana decides to resign to protect her baby but Marcus isn't making it easier for her the more Ana wants to quit the more Marcus wants her. Which left her in a confusing state. Marcus is making things difficult for her she doesn't know if Marcus loves her or he's being possessive and just needs her to satisfy is sexual urge. Ana reconnects with Andrew Scott her childhood friend whom she lost contact with, this makes Marcus becomes jealous and possessive he feels Andrew wants to take what belongs to him. Ana is being kidnapped by Ben jersey who is one of Marcus shareholder in his company ben is Marcus rivalry he wants to take everything Marcus owns including Ana. Ben forces Ana to take a substance that would terminate her pregnancy. Marcus came to save her but on getting there he met Ana bleeding profusely he immediately rushed her to the hospital that's was when he was informed that Ana had a miscarriage. Ana hates Marcus now and wants to cut off everything she had with him but Marcus isn't making it easy for her to do so. Andrew offers to get her a new job at his company because he feels Marcus is a toxic person and Ana shouldn't work or be with someone around him. But he doesn't know behind the boss and secretary relationship lies two sexually attracted lover's. Which makes it difficult for Ana to take Andrew's offer. Ana will also face challenges with her mother's devious behavior towards her and start questioning her existence. Only for her to find out she is an orphan her mother isn't are real mother no wonder she had suffered all through her life without her mother being there for . But... Who is then are real mother? Things begins to unfolds for her through the help of Andrew as they go on a quest to find her real family and.... Will they accept her?. Daisy being delusional would do everything possible to swipe Ana away from the world because she sees Ana as a competitor.

Arthur Basalan was a ruthless Alpha; his inhuman deeds were sung like a liturgy throughout the country, leaving anyone who heard it in fear and trembling. He was also a billionaire and a CEO who owned a very productive company. In business, he was second to none, and in all aspects, he was feared as the mighty and heartless Alpha. It didn't matter if he was dealing with his own family or with other people; he was simply menacing. His cruelty extended to a beautiful girl named Livy Angela; she was more like a prisoner, a prisoner who was very much below him in age. However, she was already entangled in Arthur's love regardless of the way he treated her, but he didn't seem to care, love was a language he would never be associated with. One mysterious night meant so much to Livy, but not to Arthur; he didn't care. *** Punished in a very dark room illuminated only by a faint light, Livy's voice rang put in pain. “Please, get me out of here.” Livy cried. “It's not that easy to get away from me, Livy! Once you are my prisoner, you will be under my control forever, understand?” Arthur growled. And every day Livy had to think of a way to get out of Arthur's mansion, which was heavily guarded by large bodyguards. How will Livy get out of the Alpha's cruel clutches? Will she ever be able to escape the strong webs of torture and unrequited love?

For a decade, peace reigned across the four continents of Romero. Ogres, Azures, Demi-humans, and Humans coexisted in harmony, their unity culminating in the grand Dragons Festival. But this era of tranquility shatters when colossal Voidrifts tear open the sky, unleashing monstrous hordes upon the unsuspecting celebrants. Romero's weapons prove laughably inadequate against the invaders' superhuman strength and monstrous forms. Just as hope dwindles, a desperate act—the shattering of the Orb of Chaos—changes everything. The Orb's destruction unleashes its power upon Romero, imbuing its people with extraordinary abilities. Empowered, they repel the invasion and seal the initial Voidrift. Yet, this victory is short-lived. Smaller Voidrifts begin to appear across Romero, unpredictable and relentless. The newly empowered warriors, the Riftblades, now face a new, daunting task: hunting down and closing every scattered portal. Meanwhile, on Earth, John Smith meets an untimely end in a New York City supermarket. He awakens in Romero, reborn with a mysterious, uncontrollable power. His destiny is intertwined with the encroaching Voidrifts, and he must learn to master his newfound abilities in this perilous world. Join John as he navigates the treacherous landscape of Romero, battles monstrous foes, and unravels the secrets behind the Voidrifts. Will he rise to become a legendary warrior, or will Romero succumb to the encroaching chaos?

“Lin Yunfeng! Stop right there!” Lin Yunfeng gazed back at the speeding figure behind him. Heart racing, he picked up speed and ran through the abandoned corridor. “You better stop Yunfeng!!” Ren Muchen growled loudly. The little brat was much faster than he had expected. “This is how you wish to face me after you fucking slept with me? Fine! Run then! Let’s see how long you can last,” Panting Lin Yunfeng looked back in panic. “I’m so sorry, it was a mistake. think of it as Stepping on shit. Please forgive me!” he placed a hand on his lower stomach and ran even faster. “Watch out!” Yunfeng gazed ahead in surprise. a half-rotten corpse stood in his way. He came to a screeching halt but the slippery floor made it hard for him to come to a complete stop. He fell unceremoniously face down on the ground. “Fuck,” The zombie jumped onto him with its mouth wide open. Its bloody saliva dripped onto his face. Yunfeng held his breath. He had read about this before but this was the first time he had actually seen an undead. It petrified him. ‘Is this how I die?’ “Growl,” the beast aimed at his neck precisely, Just as he thought his life was coming to an end, a long axe cut through the decayed neck of the Zombie. The heavy zombie fell right on top of him, oozing blood and puss. A hand grabbed him by his collar and lifted him up. “You are not dying, not today, not anytime soon...” Ren Muchen said with a nasty grin/ Yunfeng gulped. Muchen peered into his trembling black eyes coldly. “You know why?” because we are having a baby.” Yunfeng’s hand reflectively went into his tummy. “h-how do you know?” “You knew?! Yet you ran!” Muchen laughed coldly and shook him like a rattle. “Take responsibility you bastard, we created a life that day! “y-yes, I’ll take responsibility!”

**"Leave me alone! Please, just let me go!"** My voice cracked as I thrashed in his iron grip, but it was useless. He scooped me up effortlessly, his hold unyielding, carrying me off to a fate I couldn’t escape. This can’t be happening. Not now. Not like this. "I don’t want this," I whispered, my voice raw with terror. "Please… just let me go." My pleas barely reached his ears, or if they did, he didn’t care. His silence was louder than any threat, his indifference a dagger to my chest. A heartbeat later, my body hit the softness of a king-sized bed, but there was no comfort in it. My tears had nearly dried, leaving only silent sobs wracking my frame. I forced myself to speak, desperation lacing every syllable. "Luciano, please," I choked out. "If I’ve wronged you in any way, I’m sorry. But don’t punish me like this." A deafening crack split the air, and before I could react, fire exploded across my cheek. The force of the slap sent my head whipping to the side, my skin stinging from the brutal contact. The room pulsed with danger. **"No one calls me by my name,"** he growled, his voice like crushed glass—sharp, merciless. **"And no one tells me what to do."** His fingers curled under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. Cold, dark, and bottomless, his eyes held no mercy, no hesitation. "You will warm my bed," he murmured, his voice dangerously soft, laced with cruel intent. "You will satisfy my every craving, no matter how disastrous, no matter how dark." A wicked smirk ghosted over his lips, his grip tightening. "Because you are mine to break. And no one stops me." He leaned in, his breath fanning against my trembling lips. "Now… come here." --- Story by white pheonix

My mind was in a haze, nothing really made sense anymore. I stood there on this hell of a battlefield surrounded by screams and shouts for help. Rumors has it that a demon in a black armor appeared on the field, many stated than even if you killed it, he came back to haunt you until your last breath. You may not remember it, but your soul was doomed from the beginning if you crossed path with him in another life. If you crossed path with me.

Zane Thaleward has always lived in the shadow of his powerful family. Born into the famous Thaleward clan, known for their unbeatable magic barriers and legendary sealing spells, Zane is a disappointment. With the lowest potential ever recorded in the family, he’s been labeled the weakest—a title he can’t escape. Now in his third year at the prestigious Arcana Magic Academy, Zane struggles to survive among proud nobles and talented students who look down on him. Bullied and ignored, he feels trapped in a life where he’s expected to fail.

Melissa discovers that she is pregnant for Alpha Knox her sugar daddy, and the only man she has ever loved, but she is met with a devastating blow when he coldly reveals that he is getting married to her sister who is also already pregnant for him. Heartbroken and crushed, Melissa decides she doesn’t want to be Alpha Knox's pet any longer, but her defiance is met with cruel banishment from the pack she once called home. 6 years later, Melissa has become a successfully acclaimed star, the mother to Knox’s twins and engaged to be married to the most wonderful man in the world, so what would she do when Alpha Knox changes his mind and demands for her to return to him immediately even though he is still married to her sister?! And how is Melissa supposed to react when she discovers that she is surrounded by traitors and the man she loves is trying to destroy her life?

~ Rowena "My ancestors stood shoulder to shoulder with the founders of Glenmorvane, centuries ago. Yet, in a cruel twist of fate, my family and I have been reduced to nothing more than hunted prey, subjected to unimaginable torture and brutality. My kind has been all but exterminated, and my sister was burned alive at the stake. Consumed by a burning desire for vengeance, I now live for one purpose alone: to unleash my wrath upon the world that wronged me, one devastating spell at a time." ~ Emris "We're the blighters responsible for the utter misery and suffering that's ravaging the globe, old chap. I've got everything one could possibly desire - wealth, power, the whole shebang. And yet, my dear, all I seem to be hankering after is... you. I daresay you must be wondering why on earth I've chosen to spare your life. Why I haven't, shall we say, indulged in your... particular brand of sustenance. Well, my dear, it's quite simple really. There's something dashedly special about you, and soon you’ll find out." ~ Irene "I'm so... done. I should've ended it all when I had the chance. But no, I hesitated. And now... now I'm paying the price. We've always been prey to them, and I'm no exception. I'm just a fragile, foolish, complicated thing... and I'm so tired of fighting. Tired of running. Tired of being hunted. I can’t wait for him to kill me and task my body with the rest… I’m exhausted

After living in hellish prison for 16 years, you're finally rescued. But what do you do when you soon realize that there is now a thread, a connection to the warden you've escaped from? BLURB: He could clearly see the way the water droplets ran down her back. The brown curls, almost black due to being wet, stuck to it, gave such an alluring contrast to her skin that seemed to glow in the moonlight. She turned, causing her ample breast to come into view. A single droplet hung precariously from a pebbled nipple. Was his eyesight always this sharp? It appeared like a pearl, begging to be licked away. He groaned as he could almost taste the cool freshness on his tongue before it was replaced with the heat of her flushed skin. Unzipping his jeans caused his member spring forth, drenched in the constant precum that flowed. Just the thought of sucking on her breast made him groan in frustrated desperation. He buried his face between the fleshly orbs. Biting and licking, he was pleased to see his marks on her skin. A fierce desire to possess came over him and even his wolf growled at the feeling. How is it that she smells even better that the soap she just used? Other Omegas used the same kind, yet their smell would cause his stomach to feel upset. Inhaling again, he pinning her against a tree. The same tree he was hiding behind before. Lifting her up, he devoured her lips while wrapping her long legs around his waist. Slightly bending his knees, he entered her in one deep thrust. She was hot and tight. So tight that if it wasn't for her juices, he wouldn't be able to move. Gripping himself tighter, his imagination became wild. Just thinking about her breathy moans or her screams of pleasure caused a shudder to pass through him as he came into the tissue he had thoughtfully grabbed. Why, why not just take what he so obviously wants? What's stopping him? If it were anyone else, he would have slacked his lust, had some fun, and moved on. The fact that this question ran through his mind without an answer was the reason for his pain.