31 Chapter 31: Open Your Eyes

"Well, in simple terms, I guess it is the human nature of wishing to have a purpose in our mundane existence." Yao said.

Hagoromo looked at her with an expression that showcased his confusion, seemingly not understanding his expression.

"What makes humans special, Hagoromo?" Yao asked as she sensed his confusion.

Hagoromo thought back to the people he had met over the years, from friends, to his wife, to his own children, with him then formulating his response.

"Their will to succeed and reach their goals, even if their goals are foolish." He answered.

"Perhaps that could be one answer, but their true nature is far more complex. Humanity, as a whole, are beings that are filled with flaws. Our arrogance and conceit are what fuels conflict, as does our greed or wish to obtain something greater than what we already possess. 

The constant need to grow and surpass our ancestors is what leads to our ingenuity, showcasing our will to succeed.

And the will to achieve the unachievable, to reach the stars that were supposed to be outside of our reach, is what truly encapsulates the best of humanity.

Even with our many flaws, we still strive to become the greatest that we can be, no matter if that description is to be used for something good or bad.

Anyone who is able to see the wide expanse that is the cosmic cosmology that encapsulates the entirety of our Universe like I can would begin to choose a purpose in life, no matter if that would be done so that they didn't feel useless or if they didn't wish to lose out on the chance they have to become someone important."

Hagoromo could only look at the woman with an uncertain expression, not quite understanding what she was referring to.

"Hmm? Perhaps I could show you better than I could tell you." Yao said after some momentary pondering, a small amount of amusement evident in her tone.

Hagoromo was a bit confused as to what she meant, though he suddenly found himself being hit in his chest by the woman before him, with him seeing his soul knocked outside his body.

He found himself facing a feeling like falling, with him hearing Yao's words echo throughout the entire space.

"Open your eyes."

Hagoromo could barely register the world around him as it twisted, turned, changed, and folded in on itself as if the world was never solid, only fluid.

Before he could even gain a sense of recognition, he found himself standing on a bench, one with yellow sand and beautifully colored water, making it seem as if the past few second were nothing more than a dream.

"To understand the nature of humanity, you must understand that the Universe is far more complex than anyone could ever understand.

Humanity is not all that resides in it, yet throughout many worlds, throughout many dimensions, and throughout many Universes, it is the main focal point that many of these realities center around.

Even I have yet to discover why, but I do know that some worlds are closer than others, and that many of the people who discover that they may not be as important as they perceived themselves once being, that they lose the purpose that makes them matter completely."

Yao stated, with Hagoromo only able to slightly turn his head at her before he found himself transitioning through all sorts of dimensions, falling into all types of worlds that would make many feel both pain and hope.

Worlds where Demons thrive at night and mere swordsmen combat them.

Worlds where Demons rule their world, turning it into whatever they feel it should be.

Worlds where Peace was finally achieved after the destruction of enslavement of their population.

Worlds where War thrived as even children took up arms against one another.

But, suddenly, he found himself back sitting across from Yao, as if his prior experience had never occurred. 

"What?"

Hagoromo could barely get the words out, him straining to catch his breathe due to the otherworldly experience he had just dealt with.

"So now, after knowing how seemingly small you could be seen as Hagoromo, why do you think I protect a backwater planet that can't even spark electricity yet?" Yao finished, still sipping her tea as if nothing had occurred.

Hagoromo seemed to come to an answer on his own as he smiled at Yao before deeply bowing his head.

"Thank you, Lady Yao. For everything."

Yao merely smiled, a smile that remained even after the boy had left and she had the chance to close the gates of Kamar Taj again, letting it remain as a place that one merely found when they searched for a place of healing.

And as the years passed, Kamar Taj stopped being a physical place, but one of fantasy to the outside world, with many thinking it was simply imaginary, a place that didn't actually exist.

And over time, nearly a Thousand Years flew by.