story_totter_2_1

It all started in the company bathroom. That day, I was sobbing uncontrollably on the toilet, overwhelmed by despair over my chaotic life.

Outside the stall, a few colleagues who had just returned from a trip to Sargon were chatting about their vacation. From their conversation, I overheard a name and a profound theory that helped me calm down.

And so I packed my bags and traveled from the steel jungles of Columbia to the dense rainforests of Sargon, braving countless hardships along the way. Eventually, I arrived here and met the sage.

Welcome to the Sanctuary. So, did you meet the sage today?

I did. It was truly an honor. Even though it was quite late, he still listened patiently to my questions and shared his wisdom.

What did he say?

Nothing. He just coiled the rope in his hands, without saying a word.

...Rope?

Yes. He was trying to show me my troubles were like tangled threads: if I just have enough patience, I can untangle them to be weaved into sturdy ropes.

And those ropes will rest neatly in my palm. They will no longer cause me any headaches.

That... makes sense. The sage is as wise as ever.

Of course, you're also very perceptive, to be able to grasp the sage's wisdom so quickly.

Yes. Before I left, he gave me a long, contemplative look. I think he was praising me, in his own way.

Yes. I think you're right.

To be honest, at first I thought this whole 'spiritual journey' thing was all just a rumor.

No. We follow the sage. He has never led us astray.

I think I'll sleep soundly tonight.

Then go sleep. Tomorrow's sermon will start at 8:00 A.M. sharp. I will be there to escort you all to the lecture hall.

...Each person walks through their life alone.

Like a solitary boat drifting on a lake...

The sage sits cross-legged on a massive rock in the lake beneath the waterfall, calmly sharing insights gained from observing the flowing water with the crowd gathered on the shore.

The crowd listens intently, letting his gentle words seep into their hearts.

Hello, friend. When did you arrive?

Just yesterday. How about you? How long have you been here?

Almost a month now. Hard to believe, right? Just a month ago, I was still stuck in the shadow of my last relationship, completely dejected.

But you look positively enlightened... Oh, I get it. It's because of the sage.

Yes. He led me out of the pain and darkness.

Hearing the chatter from the crowd, the sage pauses for a moment, gazes into the distance, and smiles warmly at everyone.

Shh. The sage is looking my way! I...

The sage's gaze is so warm. All my pain and suffering just melt away under it.

As I look into his eyes, so full of compassion, understanding, and detachment, I can finally find harmony with everything around me.

Everything that happens to us is but like flowing water...

All will flow away, and all will pass.

Look! He's reaching out towards us. That's his signature move!

Shh! He's gonna say it! This is my favorite part!

Say what? What's the sage going to say?

Just wait a minute, and you'll find out.

Ask nothing from life...

Let the river take me where it will!

Wooooah.

Totter, you stopped in the middle for a little bit. Why?

I heard someone's voice in the crowd, so I stopped to take a look.

Oh? Who was it? Which of them weren't paying attention?

I don't know. I wasn't wearing my glasses, so I couldn't see.

Tch... Can we find a new location for the next sermon? There are too many mosquitoes here by the water.

Ahem, there won't be a next one. According to our script, you're about to step out of the spotlight.

About time...

Thanks to you, we've made a fortune off of these tourists over the past few months.

*sigh* If only we hadn't been dead broke these past few years, we wouldn't have bothered a sick person like you.

It's fine. Being away from my hometown for so long and coming back empty-handed... I have to admit, I do feel a little guilty. So I'm glad I can help.

After all, it was the villagers who pooled the money for my travel expenses after my father passed. Now it's my turn to repay their kindness.

I must admit, I feel a bit embarrassed for disturbing the peaceful final chapter of your life.

I didn't expect saving that tour group would bring so much trouble. No idea what they said when they got back that brought all these people here...

At first, I thought someone important had come to the village.

When I listened to their story, I realized they were looking for you. Back then I just wanted to play along and make a little in the process.

So, you were already planning to rip them off?

I just told them what they wanted to hear. It takes effort and skill to speak to people's emotions. So what if I charge them a little for it?

(Narrows eyes)

Compared to those psychiatrists in the nomadic cities, it's practically pocket change.

Why did you return the money I gave you, anyway? It was quite a lot. There's really nothing you want to buy?

Not a thing. I just want to live out the rest of my days in peace and tranquility.

As long as you embrace the flowing river, you will find your way to the distant horizon.

...Isn't that from tomorrow's script?

Ha. Seems like you've already memorized your lines.

My time working together with the sage was indeed short.

After spending half a month in the rainforest, he suddenly announced to everyone that he was leaving to embark on a new journey to somewhere entirely new.

He announced his own death.

Hello, sir. Has there been an emergency?

I'm just as clueless as you are. All I know is the sage told me to gather everyone here.

What? Why didn't you tell us earlier? I'm still in my pajamas. I can't go see him wearing this.

Worry not, for the sage does not care about such trivial matters.

Good. Oh look...

A few hornbeasts slowly walk out of the rainforest, stopping by the waterfall. A few seconds later, more animals walk out, settling at the riverbank.

A fin leaps out of the water, but the ripples it creates do not disappear.

Immediately, everyone realizes that the river and the waterfall are frozen in place. In fact, they stopped flowing some time ago.

The sage slowly makes his way out from behind the curtain of water, clad in plain clothing.

Fellow travelers. I am sorry to keep you waiting.

As soon as he starts speaking, the river starts flowing again.

The sage!!!

Hey! Hey! Stop shoving your way to the front!

I have to get closer to him, so he can see how much I support him!

Sage, the sun has only just risen. What do you wish to tell us?

Last night, while exploring the jungle, I saw starlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, falling onto the surface of the lake, and I...

*sigh*... Fellow travelers...

It was there I saw that my days are nearing their end. I called you all here today, to bid you farewell.

Surely you're joking, dear sage?

Nonsense. The sage never tells jokes!

Sage, does this mean you can see your own future?

The past and the future are just two segments of the same river. As long as we are in the river, we can decipher the messages from the future that come with those ripples.

But glimpsing into one's own destiny comes at a price. I can feel this place rejecting me; my journey in this world is nearing its end.

Sage, how can you be so indifferent in the face of death?

I accepted my fate long ago. I have found my inner peace.

Fellow travelers, do not weep for me. For me, death is but the start of a new journey.

Wow. I see the tranquility in your face. It's clear as day...

I have long come to terms with everything I've experienced, just as the river embraces everything that flows into it and continues its journey toward the distant horizon.

Sage, before you leave us, can you tell us how to interpret all of this?

It is not my place to reveal those hidden secrets.

Farewell, fellow travelers...

A fowlbeast lands on the sage's shoulder. He closes his eyes and lowers his chin, as if in some kind of trance.

The current surges beneath his feet, creating a whirlpool.

The water splashes violently. In the blink of an eye, the sage disappears into the vortex.

Only a small whirlpool is left, quietly spinning on the surface of the water.

In Columbia, I was a failure. I was dead broke, and my family was on the verge of breaking up. But this trip has given me the courage to face life again.

The sage's calm acceptance of his own fate has convinced me that there will always be a river to carry away the pain I've endured.

Odd... this isn't where we agreed on.

Can't trust the guy to dig a proper escape ditch.

Sage?

The river flows.... as the sands of time...

Enough. I already know what's going on here.

You won't tell anyone, will you?

Did you know? I happen to be a Sarkaz mercenary.

Uhh... Relax, If I wanted to tell anyone, I would've done so a long time ago.

From the very first day I arrived, I sensed something was off—simplistic platitudes like that rarely resonate with anyone.

But I never saw anyone complain.

Why would we?

The scenery is beautiful, the food is excellent, and to be honest, you looked quite striking in your 'Sage' getup.

Most important of all, the cost of living here is pretty reasonable. For us, it was the perfect place to spend a vacation.

But every time I spoke, you guys all seemed so invested in what I was saying. Like, true believers.

Meh. I treated it as cosplay, or maybe dinner theater. I saw a similar performance in Lungmen once. Only that time, the guy was dressed up as a gangster.

I've never been to Lungmen.

You should go some time. It's nice.

I don't think I'll get the chance.

Don't worry. No one's going to call you out.

Everyone comes here for a brief respite, a temporary escape from the troubles of real life. Who cares about the truth?

In the end, we will all return to our own rivers.

Just as the sage says.

Yeah, just as the sage says. Our thoughts and troubles remain in our respective rivers.

Totter, you know... if you want to stay at the office, you can. Rhodes Island has a great hospice program.

Thanks, but I'd rather live out my days back in my hometown.

But didn't you say you couldn't contact your family?

Yeah, because they're all dead.

Then you want to return home to live alone?

Yup. Great, isn't it?

Great how?

It's peaceful alone.

Having other people around pitying me would only be a pain.

Here, some dry clothes. Put them on.

What took you so long?

...It's quite a ways from the waterfall to here. You couldn't find me a shortcut?

Our other plan was to have you disappear in a flock of fowlbeasts. The problem with that one was you'd end up covered in poop.

Okay, you made the right choice.

I just hope that once I'm gone, my 'grand finale' will be enough to keep drawing a steady stream of tourists.

To be honest, the rainforest is huge. There must be somewhere you can stay and rest. You don't need to leave.

I promise that future visitors will not disturb your peace. We'll also pay for your food and clothing. If you need anything, just say the word.

No. I still plan on leaving.

Maybe everyone else sees me as a slick talker, but we grew up together—you know I wouldn't lie to you.

I know. I'm not stupid.

...Then why?

The sage is right. I should find my own river, the tranquil river that will embrace me and carry me onward.

Aren't you the sage?

No. I was just pretending to be him.

Everything he said, I made it all up, Totter. It's all beastshit.

Doesn't matter. I've always gone with the flow anyway.

It doesn't matter whether the sage is 'real' or not.

What matters is that we all have our trials and tribulations. The day we accept that is the day we shall find true peace.

I think I'm ready to face my future again.

It's been over six months since Totter returned to his hometown. In another six months, let's find some time to visit him together.

Hey... that's...

Totter?!

...Some stuff happened. Change of plans.

Huh?

Anyway, I'm back now.

So now you're planning to... uhh... I don't know what to think.

Oh good, now that you're back, I won't need to hunt you down in the rainforest. I've got a letter for you.

Huh? ...For me?

From where?

The snowfields.

That's strange...

Who sent it?

Uhh... probably some old friends.