Aliya stepped quietly through an abandoned house.
Another soul waited for guidance.
Why are humans like this?
The question echoed in her mind.
Her gaze fell upon the lifeless body of a rabbit.
Its soul hovered nearby, trembling in fear and confusion.
"Come with me," Aliya said gently, extending her hand. "I'll guide you away from this world filled with cruelty—away from the suffering humans caused."
The rabbit hesitated.
Will you hurt me? Will you starve me like they did?
Its voice trembled.
Aliya's chest tightened.
"No," she said softly. "You won't feel any of that anymore. Where we're going, you won't go hungry… and no one will hurt you."
Humans always say that.
But they lie.
They're liars.
Aliya lowered her eyes sadly.
"I'm sorry for what humans did to you," she whispered. "But I promise you… I'm telling the truth. There will be others there—friends who will play with you."
The rabbit slowly moved closer.
"There is a place meant for you," Aliya said gently.
She embraced the trembling spirit and reached into the empty space around them, opening a path to the paradise prepared for creatures like it.
"This is your home now," she murmured. "Be happy."
The rabbit nodded before hopping toward the light.
Aliya smiled faintly.
She didn't understand why guiding souls made her feel lighter—whole—despite the horrors she constantly witnessed.
Cruelty had become familiar to her.
Animals beaten.
Exploited.
Tortured.
All because of human greed.
She turned to leave—
But something tugged at her sleeve.
A dog jumped onto her happily, wagging its tail as it licked her face.
Aliya laughed softly.
The dog barked with excitement.
Don't you remember me?
I'm Blue.
"Blue… your name is Blue?" she asked gently.
The dog barked again.
Aliya's expression softened.
"I—I'm sorry, Blue," she said quietly. "I don't remember anything right now."
Blue's ears lowered in sadness.
Aliya pulled him into a hug.
A strange ache filled her chest.
Fragments of memories flickered again—
But something blocked them, preventing them from forming.
"Blue… I have to go now," she whispered.
Come back. Let's play again.
"I will," she promised. "When I have time."
Reluctantly, she left him behind.
Aliya returned to where the other soul keepers gathered.
She searched for Daniel—but he was nowhere to be found.
Suddenly her watch burst with light.
The world around her shifted.
Aliya gasped.
A forest was burning.
Flames devoured the trees as animals ran desperately through the smoke.
Many could not escape.
Their cries filled the air.
"Again!?"
A furious voice echoed behind her.
Aliya turned.
Tiara.
The guardian of nature.
"One day!" Tiara shouted, tears burning in her eyes. "One day the earth will take revenge for everything humans have done!"
So many creatures were dying.
Their homes.
Their forests.
Their sanctuary.
All turned to ash.
Aliya silently guided the fallen souls, gathering them gently and sending them toward safety beyond the flames.
When she finished, Tiara still stood there trembling with grief and rage.
Aliya said nothing.
She simply walked away.
XXX
"Daniel."
Isaac's voice called out.
Daniel turned.
"Isaac."
"You still haven't returned?" Isaac asked. "Weren't you finished guiding that child?"
Daniel smiled faintly.
"I'm just wandering while waiting for the next soul."
Isaac narrowed his eyes slightly.
Something felt different about Daniel.
"Are you investigating something?" Isaac asked.
Daniel froze.
He sighed quietly.
"I overheard the thoughts of a criminal," he admitted. "I tried to follow him… but my watch lit up. I had to leave."
"Daniel," Isaac said firmly, "we are not meant to interfere with the plans of those above us."
Daniel lowered his gaze.
"My apologies."
At that moment, both of their watches glowed at the same time.
Another soul awaited.
They were pulled instantly to a distant place.
A young girl cried desperately.
Beside her lay a man bleeding heavily.
But the truth was clear.
The girl was already dead.
Only her soul remained.
The man's life was fading as he stared helplessly at the child he could not save.
Isaac checked the parchment in his hand.
Name.
Age.
Cause of death.
Assigned guide.
"Daniel," Isaac said quietly. "You take care of the girl."
Daniel nodded and knelt beside her.
Suddenly, a radiant presence appeared.
An archangel.
"Thank you," he said warmly.
Both guardians bowed.
"I will handle them from here. Thank you, soul keepers."
"It was nothing," Isaac replied.
They withdrew immediately.
When they returned to their realm, Tiara was still furious.
Aliya sat nearby, sighing quietly.
"There was another disaster," Tiara said bitterly. "Caused by humans."
Isaac nodded slowly.
"Tiara," he said gently.
She glared at him.
"I've warned you before," Isaac continued, "do not let the affairs of Earth consume you."
She turned away.
"The earth will take revenge on those greedy humans," she muttered.
Isaac sighed.
They were guides.
Not gods.
Not judges.
They had no authority to rewrite fate.
Interfering with the mortal world carried punishment.
Those who broke the rules could be cast down to Earth as wandering spirits—lost between worlds forever.
Many souls, consumed by hatred, eventually fell into darkness.
Vengeful.
Restless.
Unable to move on.
Isaac watched the shifting world quietly.
Their duty would never end.
His gaze drifted toward Aliya.
Confused.
Fragile.
Unaware of her past.
Daniel shouldn't get involved.
He shouldn't get involved either.
But it was already happening.
Isaac exhaled slowly.
Something had already begun to change.