43 Chapter Forty-Three

"Three birds are flying to summer. Two of them fall and only one finishes its course safely to summer. How many died?"

"...Two..?"

"You are not sure, Lady Ash. Think wisely.. You've lived a long time and fought many people. You are a greater person than I.. That riddle was one my mother taught me. And each time I failed to answer correctly, she would put a scar on my back.. I dare say that now, I am free. I learnt my lesson and the answer."

"You will hit me?"

"..I could never, Lady Ash. I just want an answer. Nothing more and nothing less. How many died?"

"Maybe, a tips would help me find my way.."

"The two logical answers I said; None died and the two birds who fell arrived lately to summer; All three of them died because no life is eternal. The answer isn't logic or instinct. It is just three birds. Can you tell me the answer now?"

"...Thank god I wasn't in your freaky family.. Getting scarred for not knowing the unknown.. Your mother is crazier than mine."

"Was--I know the unknown because I've fought it, Lady Ash.. You are a greater person than I, because you fought known lads who was targeted by almost everything. I shed blood by fighting the shadows for a long time. I am not saying you doesn't deserve your name. I am merely stating that this world is infinite. You are the greatest for now.. Soon, a new wave of strengths will hit."

"Definition of time flows, I know.. I'm just a pawn. My past self was just a pawn.."

"Lady Ash, it's okay to doubt life. I doubted death for my whole life.. I wished for death so much, I died one day."

"And yet, you are here, asking me a riddle too hard to answer.."

"The sight is a form of death, Lady Ash. You've killed for as long as you can remember. I'm sure you understand my words.. You saw death closely..."

"You are right. Death is a close parent of sight.. And regarding your question. I think I got an answer.."

"Go on, Lady Ash."

"One died. Only one.."

"Explain, Lady Ash."

"Two fell and didn't reach summer wich means sun. One reached the sun and burnt itself. Only that one died. Just three birds like you said. Am I wrong?"

"You are lucky, Lady Ash. Unlike me who died too many times, you died twice."

"So, it wasn't that answer either. Okay.."

"Three birds are flying to summer. Two of them fall and only one finishes its course safely to summer. How many died?? My mother asked me to answer the riddle a thousand times and I failed a thousand times. Lady Ash, third times the charm. How many died?"

"...I don't know.."

"It's okay to fail, Lady Ash. One day, the answer will be revealed. You just have to wait.."

"I am old. Too old to wait.. Tell me."

"One day. Sleep now.. Your eyes are starting to fall.. Sleep, Lady Ash."