“The only thing war begets is madness, which would in turn eventually collapse into disaster. Why so many remain adamant in pursuing such a self-destructive course of action is clearly a sign of sickness of the mind. War should never be a civilized man’s tool of choice.” - Zanbataar ibn Balush, Anti-War philosopher from the Hassid Caliphate, circa 552 VA.

“Fact of the matter is that living people have needs, Kino. Needs that at times are just as important as life itself,” explained Aideen as the trio continued their journey east. “Core to these needs are the most basic ones, things that they need to continue living. Those who have died before like us three are fortunate in that it no longer pertains to us, as we can continue existing just on ambient mana alone, but most everything else aren’t so fortunate.”

“For most, the most basic of needs would be food and water, without which life would not be sustainable,” she added while her hand pointed out towards where some animals were gathered around a watering hole, drinking their fill. “Once the need for food and water are satisfied, most would then turn to the need for protection.”

“Protection?” asked Kino with a tilt of her head, a sign that she didn’t completely get what Aideen meant.

“Protection means many things. It could be protection from the elements of nature itself, which for us comes in the forms of clothing and shelter. Animals grow fur instead, but the purpose is the same,” she elaborated. “It could also mean protection from others, be it predators or people. This also manifests in animals in the forms of their antlers, fangs, claws, and other natural weapons or defenses.”

“Typically, after these basic needs were fulfilled and secured, people would start pursuing other needs that are not as vital to survival itself, but would make life more enjoyable. It’s not really a life if you’re not living it, after all,” Aideen continued. “This comes in many different forms from person to person. Some enjoy good food, others love to drown themselves in alcohol, while yet others pursue music or literature, for example. Some even find pleasure and purpose in the arts martial, while a few dedicated their lives to their craft, whatever it may be, and made it the meaning of their life.”

“So people start to look for meaning in life once their living is secured, is that so?” asked Kino. “Then that means those like us can skip the first part and directly search for meanings in our lives?”

“You can consider it that way, sure. It’s not a wrong analogy to make,” said Aideen with a smile on her face. “As for what you should pursue, that’ll be your own call, once you’ve learned more about the world and yourself. It’s a decision you’ll have to make on your own, as it’s a calling that would be yours and truly yours that way.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“Just be careful not to overdo it. Some people out there allowed their desires to control them, and these people often succumbed to it in ways that made not only themselves, but also others around them miserable,” cautioned Aideen. “You should be in control of your desires, not the other way around. Keep that in mind at all times.”

“What about you, big sis Aideen? Or big sis Celia maybe?” asked the naive girl once more. “What do you consider your calling in life?”

“For me, I mostly wish to make life better for others, especially our kind,” stated Aideen firmly. “I wish to establish a place that our kind could call home. A city where we could simply be ourselves, free from jeering and ostracization from others, shielded from envious and greedy looks,” she continued. “That’s more of a long-term goal in the works though, and I definitely also enjoy living the good life while I’m at it.”

“I’m not certain I have any concrete goal yet, Kino,” admitted Celia in turn. “My life has taken many unexpected turns that I never even dared to imagine, and maybe I’m still a bit worried that this is all a long dream sometimes. If I could, though, I think I’d like to find someone who truly understands me and accepts me for who I am, and to live peacefully with them.”

“That’s not a bad dream to have, though considering our long lives, you might get bored and look for adventure from time to time,” quipped Aideen with a grin on her face, which Celia returned with a nod. “As I said earlier though, everyone has their own goal in life. Some wanted to be left in peace, maybe alone, maybe with people they care for, while others wanted to make a bigger splash in the world. Which you prefer is entirely up to you.”

“No need to worry yourself overmuch about it, Kino. You still have a lot to learn still, and many things to understand. You can make a more informed call for yourself once you’ve understood enough, and you have all the time in the world for it, anyway, so no reason to hurry,” added Aideen. “For now, it’ll be plenty for you to enjoy life first, and set those worries for later.”

“Is it so simple? Just to find what I want to do in life and do it?” asked Kino once more with some doubt.

“Of course it’s not. Many people live a far more limited life, either because they barely manage to make ends meet and thus lack the time and energy to pursue other things, or because they lacked the freedom to pursue what they wished for some reason or other,” replied Aideen. “You won’t run into the first issue, but for the second one, while we can cover for you early on, later you will need to be able to depend on yourself.”

“With the way this world runs, most people are not completely free. They generally have someone above them, who dictates what they can and cannot do, to some extent which varies from person to person. For example, everyone in the Lichdom answers to Grandpa, but he’s a pretty hands-off person, and generally you’re free to do whatever as long as you don’t inconvenience others too much.”

“It’s not like that elsewhere then, from the way big sis said it,” noted Kino.

“Clever girl. Indeed. Most other places tend to have more rules you have to follow, and typically the only way to escape that is through power,” said Aideen. “The power could be in the form of a backing behind you, or better yet, your own. With who you are and the potential you hold in you, I have little doubt that you’ll grow strong enough to be able to choose your own path in life later on.”