Chapter 281: The Shattering Of Human Illusions
“Even if they once would not easily die, if the suffering they endure cannot be reversed, then all living beings will still remain cautious and careful.”
“It is you, Prometheus. It is you who always excessively intervenes, always easily relieving them of the pain they suffer due to their own faults.”
“Among them, some are unintentional mistakes, some stem from ignorance, but a considerable portion are simply due to carelessness, or even indifference.”
“Just like this drowning incident, in this small tribe alone, right under your nose, how many times has it already happened?”
“What makes them fail to learn their lesson, repeatedly disregarding the danger of death? Why do they disregard past lessons?”
Prometheus, upon hearing this, instantly grew even paler, his blood color nearly dissipated entirely.
Thanatos’s words were like an ice-cold heavy hammer, shattering Prometheus’s last fluke and self-deception.
And Thanatos’s words continued:
“Ignorance and vulnerability are not obstacles to survival; arrogance and recklessness are.”
“I believe that from today onward, in this tribe, and in all tribes after the news spreads, too many accidents and tragedies that should not have happened will greatly decrease because of this.”
“Making mistakes will bring painful consequences, even the final outcome of death; only then will living beings have fear and not easily do it.”
“It is precisely because of the pain of death and the eternal loss that ‘being alive’ becomes more worth cherishing, and all that is still alive should be cherished more.”
“Only by knowing how one might die will living beings understand how to avoid death.”
“Only by truly bearing irreparable painful consequences will they truly think.”
“My sister Keres has also begun to fulfill her duties. She will use her way to tell the world: What is awe? And what is the preciousness of life?”
Thanatos finally said: “Prometheus, gods can do many things, can help mortal spirits, or harm mortal spirits.”
“But all these behaviors must be carried out under the sacred justice order established by my great Father God.”
“I will steadfastly uphold the sacred duty given to me by Father God, because I am the god who can least afford favoritism. I represent the most serious laws in the universe, just like destiny itself, not to be blasphemed.”
With that said, Thanatos’s figure had already vanished without a trace, leaving in the void only a final admonition and a trace of final tenderness:
“Prometheus, every living being should have their own path to walk. Do not let living beings place all their hope in praying to gods.”
“In the end, they should still rely on themselves.”
“What gods should give is necessary guidance and key enlightenment, not meticulous, endless direct help. This may be true compassion and loving-kindness.”
“I promise you one thing: I will let this child’s departure be peaceful and painless; I will let his soul find a tranquil harbor in the netherworld.”
“Go tell his mother: In the netherworld, this child will also receive the tenderness he deserves.”
This final trace of tenderness brought Prometheus some consolation, but far from enough to erase the immense loss and grief in His heart.
He stood dazed in place for a long time.
The humans prostrated beside Him had no idea of the sacred debate about laws and emotion that had just occurred in another dimension.
They only saw that the great deity, who was always omnipotent, had a face growing increasingly dark.
Just like the sky after the sun sinks below the horizon, growing darker and colder.
They did not know that this deity they worshiped and depended on was now deeply plunged into self-doubt and endless remorse.
If… if He could have taught humans earlier, more harshly, how to awe life and live cautiously, then perhaps today’s event would not have happened at all.
But in this world, there are no ifs, nor any more maybes.
The birth of new life is always accompanied by loud cries.
That is life announcing his arrival to the world in its own way.
But the arrival of death never has any prelude.
It is equal and cruel, merciless and resolute.
It is precisely with this abrupt and determined way that it warns all who are still alive: To have awe, to learn awe, to learn caution, to learn carefulness. Only thus can one live longer, live better.
Prometheus slowly turned his head, looking around at these humans prostrated and trembling on the ground beside Him, and let out a heavy sigh.
With an unprecedented solemn and grave, heavy and determined tone, He loudly declared:
“The master of death has arrived! From this day forth, death will be inevitable and irreversible!”
“Do not delusionally think you can salvage death, for the God of Death is utterly just and righteous! He will treat any living being equally under the sacred heavenly dao order!”
“You must truly learn to awe death, to face death, and more importantly, learn how to avoid death.”
“Those who have left have left. And those still living in the mortal world should cherish the present and future even more, cherish all that is still alive around you.”
“For those who have departed, keep them forever in your hearts. Eternally, in those most beautiful memories.”
“Praise the great Mother Goddess of the Muses! Praise the all-knowing Goddess of Memory Mnemosyne!”
“Pray to her mercy, ask her to forever preserve all this in the boundless sea of memory.”
“Let all the beautiful memories of the departed live on forever for the living.”
“Carry this memory and live on! Live on for him, live on in his stead! Let this trace of life continue forever in your hearts, in your bloodline!”
After Prometheus finished speaking, all the humans still looked at Him in bewilderment and helplessness.
Their eyes were filled with inexpressible apprehension and sorrow, and many had already tearfully wept without realizing it.
They finally truly realized: One day, those closest, most irreplaceable people around them would also, like this child, inevitably and completely leave them.
When the first second generation human was born, humans experienced their first taste of something called “joy” amid intense emotional impact.
At that time, they understood, they learned what the most precious emotion was.
And now, when the first human passes away, they must learn what is the heaviest “grief” among emotions.
The most precious first joy in human emotion is the arrival of new life.
Therefore, the deepest first pain in human emotion is the passing of life.
Cruel reality is forcing all humans to immediately learn one thing—that is, parting.
And an even crueler reality is that they finally confirm: Although they are the gods’ favorites, in the face of this final destiny called “death,” there is still no difference between them and other mortal spirits.
In fact, there is no difference at all.
The pain of this “shattering of illusion” even surpasses death itself.
Prometheus looked at the mother who was still dazed and wooden, His heart harboring the same grief, and the deepest guilt.
If He could have better taught humans, let them become independent faster, then perhaps today’s event would not have happened.
If He could have arrived one step faster, then perhaps He could have prolonged this child’s life before the God of Death.
But now, all He could face was a mother whose heart was deadened and in utter despair.
Prometheus slowly walked to the mother’s side, bent down, and gently blew a breath of divine power pure qi containing “invigoration” and “consolation” onto her body.
This pure qi repaired her consciousness on the verge of collapse from grief, and nourished her already heartbroken body.
He let her fall into the deepest deep sleep.
In deep sleep, the God of Sleep would envelop her with His silent tenderness, letting her temporarily escape this pain she could not bear at the moment.
Prometheus knew that His era of “spoiling” was over.
He looked at everyone again, and in the most serious tone, loudly said: “Death is irreversible, parting inevitable. The living must firmly remember the dead, carry their hope, and live better!”
“One day, perhaps you will meet again in the netherworld. Then, together recount endless longing, tell him of your wonderful life, all the beautiful things.”
“So, living better is the greatest consolation for the departed!”
Prometheus ultimately placed a thread of hope and vision into human cognition, because they were His children.
“Now! In the name of I, Prometheus, I establish for you the sacred ritual for the coming of ‘birth’ and ‘death’!”
He loudly said: “When new life arrives, celebrate his coming with joyful song, dance, fine food, and fragrant fruits!”
“When precious life departs, with the most solemn and dignified posture, send his body into the embrace of the Mother Goddess of All Things, send his soul on the path to the netherworld!”
A man with a resolute and tough face, eyes originally lively but now filled with grief, stood out among almost all the bewildered and apprehensive people.
He bowed forward, suppressing his inner pain, and asked in a hoarse yet respectful voice: “Great god! Respected god! Please give us ignorant ones enlightenment!”
“We mortal spirits, how should we let our departed companions return to the embrace of the great Mother Goddess of All Things?”
