September 1, 2019.

  Under the scorching sun of the desolate desert, the fine sand grains had turned into a deadly trap. Tehimosin – Master of the Forgotten Souls – was facing a great trial. The thread of destiny guiding him here, yet his feet were slowly sinking into the burning-hot sand. His ultimate move, “Speed of Light,” was completely nullified in this harsh terrain.

  With no other option, he was forced to return and seek assistance.

  “You again… I’m troubling you, Nebelselle.”

  “Master, please leave it to me!”

  Nebelselle unleashed the technique “Unraveling the Clouds.” A pure white, fluffy cloud appeared, carrying the two of them deep into the land of the Braifiwita.

  They were a strange nomadic people. The name “Braifiwita” in the ancient tongue originally meant “caramelized fish in tamarind sauce” – a name that sounded simple, even harmless, but in reality referred to a tribe filled with violence, ignorance, and a complete absence of moral standards. To them, blood and power were the only languages that mattered.

  Inside a shabby cluster of tents, a mysterious girl with a pure, gentle appearance was trying to talk to the local children because she found them so adorable. Yet she didn’t know that she carried a terrifying power.

  Every word she uttered unintentionally created waves of sonic shock. The poor children couldn’t withstand the pressure; they collapsed, their ears bleeding.

  “You monster! What have you done to my child?”

  Muscular Braifiwita men rushed over. A strong blow from a club struck her head, knocking her to the ground as her vision blurred with blood. They tied her tightly to a wooden pillar under the blazing 50°C heat. Whip after whip tore her skin apart, leaving deep, gaping wounds.

  Yet the girl made no sound. She bit her lip until it bled, forcing the pain down her throat. She knew that if she made a single noise, the sonic power from her voice would crush everyone around her. She chose to endure the torture to protect the very people who were torturing her.

  When Nebelselle’s cloud descended, Tehimosin’s heart clenched. Before him hung a fragile figure, suspended in the air, blood streaming down from her head onto her bare shoulders.

  “Don’t be afraid… I’m here to save you.”

  Tehimosin quickly untied her and lifted her into his arms, running. But a moment of distraction cost him dearly. A poison?tipped arrow from the Braifiwita sliced through the air, embedding itself into his back.

  “Return our Goddess to us!” the raging nomads shouted as they charged forward on horseback.

  Goddess? Why would they call someone they brutally tortured a Goddess? – The thought flashed in Tehimosin’s mind amidst the ripping pain. More arrows struck his legs, his bones. Blood soaked through his clothes and dripped onto the sand.

  Unable to watch her savior be slaughtered, the girl in his arms could no longer suppress herself. She turned toward the pursuers and let out a scream that shook the heavens.

  BOOM!

  A sonic explosion swept across the desert, flinging the horsemen aside and leaving them completely disoriented.

  “Don’t… you’re injured, don’t use any more strength…” Tehimosin whispered hoarsely. He looked up into the sky and shouted, “Nebelselle! Lower the cloud!”

  “Master! How could you let yourself end up like this!” Nebelselle cried as she saw his blood staining an entire patch of white cloud.

  “Use the Mist technique now!”

  A thick fog swallowed the battlefield, blinding the enemy and helping them escape the deadly desert by a hair’s breadth.

  Once they made it home and the pain had eased a little, Tehimosin finally explained the strange title:

  “They call you a Goddess because they saw the supernatural power within you. But in places steeped in ignorance, people sometimes worship gods by… destroying them. They believe gods are immortal, so they torture them to witness a miracle.”

  The girl still looked shaken. Tehimosin smiled gently. Secretly, he cast a forbidden spell, transferring all her wounds onto himself.

  “Try moving. Does anything still hurt?”

  She stood up, astonished to find that the deep wounds and the pain in her head had completely vanished.

  “This is unbelievable… thank you!”

  “From now on, your name will be DeesSwano. In French, Déesse means Goddess, and in Italian, Suono means sound. Live a new life here.”

  Finishing his words, afraid she might notice the blood seeping beneath his clothes, Tehimosin quickly turned away:

  “Nebelselle, take care of her. Don’t tell HuaZessin that I’m injured. I’ll go find a place to rest… I don’t want her to worry.”

  In the flower garden, HuaZessin had just returned, her hands still carrying the scent of soil. She froze when she saw the new member:

  “Was it humans… who caused those wounds to you?”

  “Yes… but who are you?” DeesSwano asked shyly.

  Nebelselle gently introduced: “This is your second sister. We are all people who were cast out by the outside world. HuaZessin was burned alive by humans when she was only three months old. As for me… they considered me a monster who brought natural disasters, even though I did nothing at all.”

  The three girls held hands and toured the house together. DeesSwano stopped in front of a strange room, its walls riddled with countless tiny holes.

  “That’s our second sister’s room,” Nebelselle explained. “She’s so afraid of humans that she asked Master to build it like this, so she can observe the outside through those holes before daring to step out.”

  “Better safe than sorry…” HuaZessin replied, embarrassed.

  “Then where will I sleep tonight?”

  “For now, sleep with me. Once Master comes back from ‘buying materials,’ he’ll build you your own room.”

  They did not know that somewhere in a dark corner, their “Master” was silently enduring arrows lodged deep in his bones, all for the sake of the peaceful smiles of the “Goddesses” he protected.

  Tuesday, October 1, 2019.

  A month passed like a fleeting dream. The small house on the prairie remained peaceful, yet everyone felt a quiet emptiness.

  “Master is back!”

  HuaZessin’s clear voice broke the silence. DeesSwano turned around in surprise. “How do you know?”

  HuaZessin smiled softly and pointed to the tiny buds blooming on her hair and hands. “Do you see these flowers? They bloom when Master is near.”

  Just as she finished speaking, a familiar figure appeared at the doorway. The silver hair, the deep yet gentle eyes like a full moon, and that warm, kind smile. Tehimosin stepped inside and gently patted HuaZessin’s head out of habit.

  All three girls, like children who had been separated from their mother, rushed into his arms, clinging to the man they trusted with all their hearts.

  “Master, where have you been for the whole month?” HuaZessin asked, her teary eyes revealing the worry she had held back for so long.

  Tehimosin sighed, his eyes filled with guilt. “I went to heal my injuries… I’m sorry for hiding it from you. But I’ve thought it through—since we live together, we should be honest with one another.”

  HuaZessin lowered her gaze, gripping the hem of his clothes. “Why… why did you hide your injuries from me?”

  “I just didn’t want you to worry.” Tehimosin gently stroked her hair, then turned to Nebelselle and DeesSwano. “Thank you, Nebelselle and DeesSwano. You did well keeping the secret.”

  Nebelselle stepped forward, still a bit resentful. “Your wounds took a really long time to heal this time—an entire month.” She lightly touched his shoulder. “Last time you got injured because of me, it only took a week.”

  “That’s because this time the injuries reached the bone. Last time, it was only the flesh.” Tehimosin explained, his voice tired but still trying to reassure them.

  Tehimosin turned to DeesSwano and smiled warmly. “What have you been doing this past month?”

  DeesSwano just giggled softly, unable to say anything.

  HuaZessin immediately “reported” her. “She didn’t do anything! When she helped me in the garden, she accidentally broke plants and stepped on flowers. I had to spend so much effort fixing everything!”

  Nebelselle added, shaking her head playfully. “She can’t sew either. She can’t even thread a needle. And whenever she tries, she keeps poking her own fingers!”

  Tehimosin chuckled. “Alright, I’ll find a job that suits you.”

  He then took DeesSwano outside. He let her try everything—from the simplest tasks to those requiring dexterity. But nothing worked. Then a sudden idea struck him. With her hidden power of sound, why not turn her into an… Idol?

  He decided to start the project.

  First, an introductory video:

  Video 1: “Portrait of the Goddess of Sound – DeesSwano”

  The video title appeared against gentle background music.

  DeesSwano, dressed elegantly yet still radiating innocence, smiled brightly at the camera.

  Tehimosin’s warm voice narrated softly:

  “Hello everyone. Today, we introduce a promising new face: DeesSwano. How old is she? What is her nationality? Why does she want to become an Idol? Everything will be revealed…”

  Next, a video showcasing her true potential:

  Video 2: “DeesSwano: Echo of the Soul – Singing, Dancing & Rap Performance”The virtual stage lights shone brightly.

  DeesSwano appeared with a completely different aura. From a shy girl, she now glowed with confidence.

  Part 1: Her clear, high voice carried a mystical resonance of sonic waves, touching the hearts of listeners.

  Part 2: Strong yet graceful dance movements, precise and controlled.

  Part 3: A short rap segment—fast, sharp, displaying incredible control over rhythm and tone.

  In the ending shot, DeesSwano stared straight into the camera, as if sending a powerful message to the world.

  Monday, October 21, 2019.

  A dry mouse click echoed through the silent room. An email from an entertainment company appeared on the screen. Only a few short, cold lines:

  “We regret to inform you that you do not meet our criteria.”

  Result: Rejected.

  DeesSwano lowered her head onto the desk, her shoulders trembling.

  “I’m useless… worthless… Even though I carry the power of sound, I can’t sing, can’t dance, can’t rap. The only thing I have is my love for music.”

  Tehimosin placed his hand on her shoulder, his voice steady like a calm lake.

  “Don’t be discouraged. Persistent effort will one day pay off.”

  “But no matter how much I try… nothing improves!” she cried, tears blurring her vision.

  “No one in this world is useless,” he replied firmly, meeting her eyes. “They simply haven’t discovered what they’re truly good at. What you need to do now is look for it.”“How… how do I find what I’m good at?”

  “Try everything. When you do something and your soul feels genuinely happy, free, unburdened—that is when you find yourself.”

  Tehimosin took DeesSwano to a singing class. However, tragedy repeated itself. She repeatedly made technical mistakes, unable to control her breath, her pitch rising and falling in chaotic irregularity. The strict vocal instructor finally shook his head:“I’ve tried everything, but your singing cannot be improved. Don’t waste any more time.”

  She was expelled.

  He then took her to a dance studio. Music began to play, but DeesSwano’s legs felt like they didn’t belong to her. She kept making mistakes, bumping into other trainees. The choreographer exploded in anger, harsh scolding raining down on her like a storm.

  “It’s okay. If you make mistakes, you just try again,” Tehimosin encouraged patiently.But when he saw the light fading from DeesSwano’s eyes, saw her beginning to fear the gazes around her, he said nothing more. Silently, he took her small hand and led her out of the studio.

  Walking under the sunset, DeesSwano timidly asked:

  “A?Are you not angry or scolding me?”

  “Why should I be angry? Why should I scold you?”

  “Because I’m useless! I keep messing up, and people keep yelling at you because of me!” she cried.

  Tehimosin stopped, stared into the distance, then slowly began to tell a story:

  “Let me tell you something. There was once an employee who made a mistake, and a customer complained to the boss. The boss took out his anger on him. He brought that resentment home and unleashed it on his family, causing everything to fall apart. You see, none of us has the right to scold or hurt others.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  He gently patted her head, his eyes filled with endless compassion.

  “Everyone carries their own burdens. Before doing anything, think of how others feel. Don’t let selfish pride hurt them. If an employee makes a mistake? Then they do it again. Mistakes create experience, and experience leads to success. No one is a boss forever, and no one remains an employee forever.”

  DeesSwano froze for a moment, then gently clapped her hands, her eyes shining:

  “Wow… Master, you speak so beautifully!”

  They happened to walk past a musical instrument shop. As if drawn by an invisible force, DeesSwano stepped inside.

  And then, a miracle happened.

  Without anyone teaching her, she picked up a guitar and played a flawless melody. She sat at the piano, her fingers gliding across the keys like trained dancers. From bass guitar, electric guitar, to drums, violin, or organ… every instrument in the shop came alive under her hands. She wasn’t just good at one thing—she was a Master of all musical instruments.

  Tehimosin didn’t say a word. He smiled and bought every single instrument in the shop.

  Right at that moment, DeesSwano’s new room had just been completed. It was a special room with extremely thick soundproof walls—shielding her from the outside world, and shielding the world from her latent sonic power.

  The entire “treasure hoard” of instruments was moved into the room. DeesSwano stood in the center, surrounded by her new wooden and metallic friends, her face glowing with happiness.

  At last, the Goddess of Sound had found her true throne—not on a sparkling idol stage, but within the pure world of melodies.

  Friday, November 1, 2019.

  In the cozy living room, the evening sunlight stretched across the grass. Suddenly, DeesSwano rushed into Nebelselle’s arms, burying her head like a small kitten seeking comfort.

  “Sis Nebelselle… after Master took me to meet humans, I realized how much I hate them.”

  Nebelselle gently stroked her hair, her eyes showing a flash of sadness.

  DeesSwano continued, her voice trembling: “They only yelled at me and scolded me. I was so scared…”

  “Being able to face them like that already makes you far braver than us,” Nebelselle sighed. “We fear humans so much that even hearing their voices from afar is enough to make us run.”

  HuaZessin, trimming leaves nearby, looked up and agreed: “That’s right. It’s been over 5 months since I last saw anyone besides Master. And sis Nebelselle hasn’t seen a human for almost 10 months now.”

  Nebelselle held DeesSwano’s hand, repeating his lesson:

  “Master once said that people living under the same roof should be honest with each other. If you truly hate humans and don’t want to face them anymore, just tell him. Master will understand.”

  Gathering all her courage, DeesSwano went to Tehimosin and confessed everything in her heart. He fell silent for a moment, then smiled apologetically:

  “I’m sorry… I was too impatient and didn’t consider your feelings. From now on, you don’t have to force yourself to deal with humans anymore. If you have free time, why not try composing music?”

  “Composing? But I don’t know how…” DeesSwano blinked in confusion.

  “It’s simple. Whatever you feel—put it into music.”

  “I feel… stressed. Very stressed from dealing with humans.”

  “Then that’s perfect,” Tehimosin nodded. “Write all that pressure out.”

  Sunday, December 1, 2019.

  After spending a month secluded inside the soundproof room filled with every kind of instrument, DeesSwano finally stepped out with a sheet of music still smelling of fresh ink. Her very first song had a short title: “Stress.”

  Day after day, night after night,Searching for sleep but finding only emptiness.Meals taste bland, the heart feels numb,Life is like a dark and gloomy painting.

  Tehimosin carefully read each line, his eyes brightening.

  “This song is very good! You really have a talent for composing. See? You only know how good you are once you try.”

  Motivated, DeesSwano eagerly composed three more songs dedicated to the people she cherished the most. She decided to “sell” them for 6 dollars each — a small amount, but a symbol of the value of her effort.

  For Master, she wrote about the warmth of the kitchen:

  The kitchen song, let’s sing it out.To the kitchen, to the kitchen.The kitchen song, echoing everywhere.To the kitchen, to the kitchen.

  For HuaZessin, the melody of flowers and morning sunlight:

  In the morning sunlight, we walk,Dreams are blooming bright and fresh.Our hearts flutter, welcoming a new day,The sun is always by our side.

  For Nebelselle, a song of white clouds and the endless wind:

  White clouds drift, wind flows through my hair,My soul wandering boundlessly.My soul, like a boat upon waves,Riding the wind, crossing the vast ocean.

  In truth, HuaZessin and Nebelselle had no idea what they were supposed to do with the songs, but they had already received “secret orders” from their Master.

  “If DeesSwano tries to sell you two any songs, just buy them. Then… sell them back to me,” Tehimosin had instructed carefully.

  Nebelselle smiled mischievously.

  “Yes, I understand, Master.”

  HuaZessin stifled a laugh.

  “You don’t want her to feel disappointed, right? I get it—you're always thoughtful like that.”

  And so, a warm little cycle was created.

  DeesSwano was delighted to sell her music, the two sisters were happy to support her, and in the end, all four songs ended up in Tehimosin’s hands.

  He sat quietly before his computer, uploading all four works onto online music platforms. He did not seek profit—he simply wanted the whole world to know how extraordinary his “Goddess of Sound” truly was.

  Saturday, December 20, 2019.

  The TV reports that the Braifiwita people are being attacked.

  DeesSwano's reaction: Great, that's right, kill them.

  Master: DeesSwano, you and I will go there to help them.

  DeesSwano is surprised: They attacked and hurt us before.

  Nebelselle whispers in her ear: Even if people hate us, even if they resent us, the master still treats them with kindness. That's his way of living.

  HuaZessin: The master is so kind that it makes others feel heartbroken.

  Some of the techniques the master taught DeesSwano: High-intensity sound waves, Sonic waves, Shockwaves, Supersonic speed, Sonic booms, Seismic waves.

  DeesSwano can now fly by creating a musical staff and sitting on it. Stepping on the musical staff also creates sound.

  This time, all four of them go together. Nebelselle rides a cloud carrying the master, and DeesSwano carries HuaZessin on the musical staff.

  When they arrive, they see the beasts creating a very unpleasant cacophony.

  The master orders DeesSwano and HuaZessin to stop them.

  HuaZessin uses the "Wood King Binding" technique to bind the beasts, and then DeesSwano uses "High-Intensity Sound Waves" to destroy them.

  However, these beasts are very special and cannot be defeated. Every time they are shattered, they regenerate.

  The group retreats as DeesSwano and HuaZessin are exhausted.

  Many days pass, and there is still no way to defeat these Noise Beasts.

  On the eighth day, the master decides to change the plan and lead the Braifiwita people away from this dangerous place.

  At this moment, one of the beasts transforms into a human form and stops them.

  Part 16: The One Who No Longer Believed in Humanity

  Takaamko: Who are you? Why are you trying to protect the Braifiwita people?

  The master remains silent.

  Takaamko: What does this have to do with you? Stop meddling in other people's business.

  Master: What happened? Why are you attacking this place?

  Takaamko: It's a long story.

  Takaamko's Past:

  Ficlimatree (meaning "fish climbing a tree," the author can name it whatever he like).

  Braifiwita (meaning "braised fish with tamarind," the author can name it whatever he like).

  The principal of Ficlimatree University was a good person. During his travels, he saw that the Braifiwita children were not attending school.

  Upon returning to the university, the principal came up with the idea of a "Student Exchange" program to promote cultural exchange and integration between the Braifiwita and Ficlimatree people.

  A total of 15 students participated in the exchange program.

  Despite studying at a prestigious top-ranked university in the world, the Braifiwita people retained their immoral, uneducated, violent nature and lack of respect for public spaces.

  This includes rules on how we should talk, eat, dress, and behave with others.

  Community etiquette helps maintain harmony and connection among community members. It also helps prevent conflicts and disputes within the community.

  Takaamko had to endure the rude, arrogant, and stubborn behavior of the Braifiwita people who refused to learn.

  Lack of awareness: They didn't sleep at night, gathered to talk, made noise, sang, screamed whenever they wanted, howled like dogs … without caring about or respecting others' sleep … causing a lot of trouble for others.

  They only slept for 1-2 hours, usually from 3-4 AM.

  Lack of morality: Swearing, disrespecting teachers and friends.

  Unhygienic: Spitting everywhere, urinating and defecating inappropriately…

  Passion for violence: Gathering in groups to fight, competing for girls, solving problems with fists.

  This tribe had many bad habits. They were very troublesome and rude, pushing into crowded places without queuing.

  They also liked to stare at others provocatively.

  A month passed, and the student exchange period ended.

  The entire school and Takaamko could only cry in frustration and helplessness without being able to do anything.

  Unable to endure it any longer, Takaamko decided to erase the Braifiwita people from the world map. He began researching and creating: "How to create beasts?"

  He successfully researched and created beasts by combining: The sound of an instrument + the shape of a musical instrument.

  He himself became a beast, believing that humans are also musical instruments, so why not become a beast himself?

  Part 17: A Confession in Heaven

  The master decides to organize a music competition.

  Master: If I win, you must stop the fight. If I lose, we will withdraw and not interfere in your affairs.

  Takaamko: Agreed.

  Master: DeesSwano, you sing first.

  DeesSwano: I will sing a song called "I LOVE YOU LIKE I’VE NEVER LOVED ANYONE."

  DeesSwano sings: I want you, I miss you, I need you, I love you.

  Takaamko: Alright, it's my turn. I will sing the song "I WILL LOVE NO ONE ELSE BUT YOU."

  Takaamko sings: La la la la la la la, La la la la la la la la.

  Master: And the winner is … Takaamko.

  Master: This song is really good. How long ago did you compose it?

  Takaamko: I composed this song a long time ago, three years ago.

  DeesSwano comforts herself: That's why his lyrics are so good, while my song was just composed on the spot, so it's not good. Losing is understandable.

  Master asks Takaamko: Did you compose that song for the girl you love?

  Takaamko: Yes.

  Master: How is she now?

  Takaamko responds without hesitation: She is dead.

  Master: What? Why?

  Takaamko: Her name was Mynidyli. She was one of the exchange students, and she lived with the Braifiwita people.

  Takaamko: She couldn't bathe, couldn't sleep, she was afraid the Braifiwita would beat her, or even rape her.

  Takaamko: She was depressed for a long time, which led to her suicide.

  Master: I'm sorry for bringing up such a painful memory.

  Nebelselle: So he is not only avenging himself but also avenging his girlfriend.

  HuaZessin: This is entirely the principal's fault.

  DeesSwano: One wrong decision led to so much suffering.

  Master: Acting on emotions only leads to mistakes and failure.

  At this moment, the beasts appear, summoned by Takaamko.

  Takaamko shows them how to defeat these beasts.

  Takaamko: These beasts can only be destroyed by the sound of the instrument they are made from.

  Then Takaamko takes out a recorder, which has recorded the sounds of various instruments.

  The sound of the flute, piano, guitar, violin, drums, trumpet, and bells.

  And finally, the voice of his girlfriend.

  Mynidyli: I'm sorry... Maybe... I won't be able to be by your side anymore... Once again, I'm sorry.

  The beasts gradually disappear into the air.

  Master: I don't understand, why did you do that? You are the winner.

  Master: Answer me!

  Takaamko: Today, at this exact time, I lost her.

  Takaamko: There is one thing I haven't done, and now I will do it.

  Takaamko: That is to confess my love to her. I will confess to her in heaven.

  He takes out a soul ring from his shirt, then flies high into the sky, and then he disappears into the air.

  In a miraculous way, the ring also disappears with him.

  Master: I hope he meets her in heaven. They will have a happier ending.

  Master: Let's go home.

  Nebelselle, HuaZessin, and DeesSwano: Yes, master.

  Part 18: The Echoes That Remained

  The four of them returned home as dusk slowly fell.

  No one spoke.

  Nebelselle silently released the clouds she had been riding; they dispersed as if they had never existed. HuaZessin walked more slowly than usual, the flowers on her body gently swaying in the breeze. DeesSwano walked behind them, her gaze lowered, the musical staff beneath her feet dissolving note by note.

  The house was still there. Still intact. But the feeling was different.

  There was no laughter. No innocent questions. Only a void that was difficult to name.

  Night fell. (Saturday, December 27, 2019)

  DeesSwano sat in the living room with the Master. The warm yellow light spilled across the floor, stretching their shadows.

  She remained silent for a long time, then finally asked softly:

  “If you were in Takaamko’s place… would you have done things differently?”

  The Master did not answer right away.

  He looked out the window, toward a night sky without stars.

  After a while, he spoke slowly:

  “I’m not sure.”

  DeesSwano looked up: That answer… didn’t sound like him.

  The Master exhaled deeply, his voice lowering.

  “There are depths that kindness cannot fill, and no kind of power can mend a heart that has already shattered. I never stood in his pain, so I don’t dare claim I would have been more noble than him.”

  DeesSwano lightly clenched the sleeve of her clothes.

  That night, DeesSwano did not sleep.

  She entered her soundproof room.

  The instruments were all there — guitar, piano, violin, drums… All of them were silent.

  She did not touch any of them.

  She simply sat down on the floor, leaning her back against the wall.

  There was no sound. No sound waves. No power.

  Only memories.

  Mynidyli’s final voice echoed in her mind — not loud, not clear, yet impossible to erase.

  “I’m sorry…”

  DeesSwano closed her eyes.

  For the first time, she understood that silence, too, is a form of sound.

  Inside the soundproof room, she could hear her own heartbeat, the blood flowing in her ears.

  The next morning — Sunday, December 28, 2019.

  When DeesSwano came in, the Master played a song for her and said:

  “There are sounds…not meant to save others.”

  He looked at her, his gaze softening.

  “Only to save oneself.”

  DeesSwano did not answer.

  But for the first time since everything happened, she smiled faintly.

  Part 19: A New Truth Revealed

  That night, after everyone had gone to rest, the Master did what he always did and checked his message inbox.

  There was a message from a man who introduced himself as Eiran.

  He explained that his son had lost the ability to speak after an accident. There was no physical injury. He simply… stopped talking.

  One day, when Eiran accidentally played a song he had purchased online — “Stress” — the boy cried.

  No sound came out. But tears fell.

  “It was the first time my son reacted to the world,” Eiran wrote.

  “Not doctors. Not medicine. Your music.”

  The Master called DeesSwano over to read it.

  “Your song reached someone’s emotions.”

  DeesSwano didn’t know how to respond.

  She had never imagined…that songs born from her own stress and fear…could touch another person.

  The Master and DeesSwano continued reading.

  “Did you know that music was once used for treatment, not only for entertainment or combat?”

  Eiran went on to describe an old research group — now disbanded — that had studied the effects of sound on the human mind.

  Not to create monsters. Not to control people.

  But to heal things that cannot be seen.

  “But then people realized that sound can also be distorted. And when distorted… it creates monsters.”

  At that point, the Master felt a suspicion rise and replied:

  “Sir, do you know who Takaamko is?”

  Eiran responded:

  “He was my student.

  I was his academic advisor and the one who approved his graduation project.”

  Eiran sent another message:

  “You know him? How is he now?”

  The Master replied:

  “He is no longer here. He chose an ending… one you may have already foreseen.”

  After that, the Master sent the location of Takaamko’s grave.

  Eiran replied again:

  “So you already know about Takaamko’s project — using musical instruments to create monsters. Then why did he die?”

  The Master answered:

  “He wanted to go to heaven to confess his love to his girlfriend, Mynidyli.”

  The Master sent another message:

  “You knew that project was meant to kill the Braifiwita people. Why didn’t you stop it?”

  Eiran remained silent for a long time before words finally appeared:

  “I once despised the Braifiwita people and believed that hatred was justified.”

  “I thought eliminating them was a necessary purge for this world.”

  “But perhaps… I was wrong.”

  “Now I must pay the price for my silence and complicity.”

  “My son was involved in a traffic accident. This is my retribution.”

  “Some losses only make us understand, once they happen, that hatred never makes anything better.”

  “I do not ask for forgiveness.”

  After that message, the conversation received no further replies.

  The Master stared at the screen for a long time.

  Then he turned it off.

  That night, DeesSwano added a line beneath her composition “Echoes”:

  “Sound is not meant to be screamed,but to have someone willing to listen.”

  DeesSwano composed the song “Echoes” with notes that felt deeply human.

  Outside, the wind drifted softly through the garden.

  The echoes lingered—like things that continue to exist in silence, long after they are no longer spoken of.

  From that day forward, Eiran returned to Takaamko’s grave every year, accompanied by his son.