Far along the riverbank, an inconspicuous mound stood beside a ditch.
The wild grass of early spring swayed thickly. Wind blew in from the River, tousling the hair at the Abbot's temples. She stood quietly, listening to the broken, heart-piercing sobs carried on the wind, and gazed in silence at the vast sweep of water.
The wild grass rustled as Black Snake, exhausted and covered in wounds, came to the Abbot's side.
"Why did it turn out like this..."
Black Snake truly did not understand. Despite giving everything, despite enduring so many desperate battles, it had all ended in this cold, merciless outcome.
The Abbot stood with her hands behind her back, her figure slender and solitary in the morning light.
At last she spoke, her voice so soft it seemed meant for the wind.
"Because of fate. Heaven's will is hard to defy."
Black Snake lowered that great head slightly, pondering what fate really was: a path fixed long ago, or an unknown woven from one chance occurrence after another. "If it was already destined, why did we have to give everything to save him?"
There was a trace of stubborn bewilderment and unwillingness in that voice.
The Abbot turned, her gaze settling on the battered Black Snake.
"Whatever the outcome, we must still do our utmost. The journey matters too."
"You fought bravely, brought him medicine, and strained every nerve to reach him. You let him know that there was kindness in this world as well as evil."
"Because you fought so desperately to protect him, he could feel your kindness and leave with a little warmth in his heart. That was the meaning of it all."
Black Snake tried hard to understand her words.
"He came from the Upper Realm. Why did he have to suffer like