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Chapter 2: A Change of Heart

  As the years passed, questions began to form within Adana’s mind—clear, persistent thoughts that refused to fade. They were not born of emotion, nor of sudden desire, but of careful observation and reason.

  Why was she forbidden from doing the things Adano did so freely?

  Why was she confined to the home, tending to endless chores, while Adano roamed the wilds, hunting beneath the open sky?

  Why was she the only one who bore the burden of pregnancy, the pain of creation, while he remained untouched by it?

  And why, above all, was she not free?

  These thoughts lingered within her for many seasons, growing sharper with time.

  One bright afternoon, as sunlight poured into their dwelling and Adano prepared his tools for the day, Adana finally broke her long silence.

  “Adano,” she said, her voice calm and composed.

  "We have lived here for many years, yet there are questions that continue to arise in my mind. I wish to know why you are allowed to roam the wilds while I remain here, bound to the house. Why I am the only one who bears children. And why I cannot live as freely as you do.”

  Adano paused and turned toward her, surprised by the clarity of her words.

  “How did such thoughts come to you?” he asked.

  After a moment, he exhaled slowly.

  “To speak honestly… I do not know the answers myself. All I know is that these were the instructions of our Great Father. And you are aware of this as well.”

  “I am aware,” Adana replied.

  “Yet I, too, wish to roam the wilds. I wish to hunt and to do the things you do. I do not regret our children—but I no longer wish to be pregnant again. I simply want to live freely, as you do.”

  Adano’s expression grew heavy, not with anger, but with concern.

  “That cannot be,” he said gently. “You are a woman, and I am a man. These are the roles given to us by our Great Father. The wilds are dangerous—He knows this well. That is why the duty was entrusted to me: to protect you, to provide for you, and to care for our family.”

  Then he added, as if offering a solution, “If you wish, you may come outside with me. I will show you places you have never seen.”

  Adana shook her head. “No. That is not what I seek,” she said. “I am weary of repeating the same life, day after day.”

  She looked at him directly, her resolve unwavering.

  “I have already decided, Adano. I am sorry… but this will be our final time together.”

  Adano’s eyes widened.

  “I will leave,” she continued. “And I will take Alona with me. She is also a girl, like me. Surely, she will think and feel the same.”

  “What?” Adano cried.

  “No, Adana! This is not what our Great Father commanded. You must not disobey Him!”

  “Do not worry,” Adana replied calmly.

  "I will speak to Him myself. I know He will understand.”

  Tears welled in Adano’s eyes.

  “Please, do not leave me,” he begged. “You know how much I love you. Can we not speak of this further? Must it end this way?”

  “I am sorry, Adano,” she said firmly. “My mind is already set. I wish to live the life I have chosen.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  The pain became too great for Adano to bear. Without another word, he turned and walked outside, unwilling to witness her departure beneath the daylight sky.

  Adana gathered her belongings and knelt before her youngest child.

  “Alona,” she said, “prepare your things. We are going outside.”

  “Really, Mother?” Alona’s face lit up with excitement. “Yay! I’ll prepare right away!”

  Unaware of the gravity of her mother’s decision, the child happily packed her belongings.

  Before leaving, Adana knelt and prayed.

  “O my Great Father, forgive me. I depart from Adano to walk the life my mind hath chosen. I know thou shalt understand, for thou art wise and merciful. I take Alona with me upon this path, for she too is a maiden, and her thoughts and reason mirror mine own. For this, I humbly beg thy pardon, Father.”

  When her prayer ended, Adana left the house—hand in hand with Alona—while the sun still shone high above.

  When Adano finally returned, the dwelling stood silent.

  Adana and Alona were gone.

  Grief crushed his heart, leaving him hollow and lost. He did not know where to go, nor what to do. In his despair, he knelt and prayed to Bathara, seeking comfort and guidance.

  "O Father, our Creator, I beseech Thee now, that Thou wouldst hearken unto my prayer, for I seek Thy help and understanding. My wife, Adana, hath turned away from that which she was ordained to do, and hath departed with our youngest child. As the one whom Thou hast entrusted to be with her and to cherish her, and as one who loveth her dearly, this bringeth grievous sorrow unto my heart. Thou knowest all her ways, O Father, and I humbly entreat Thee—grant me Thy guidance and Thy aid in this matter."

  (O Father, our Creator, I pray to You now, hoping that You will hear me, for I seek Your help and understanding. My wife, Adana, has turned away from what she was meant to do and has left with our youngest child. As the one You entrusted to be with her and care for her, and as someone who loves her deeply, this brings great sorrow to my heart. I know that You see all that she does, Father, and I humbly ask for Your guidance and help concerning this matter.)

  But exhaustion soon overtook him.

  Surrounded by sorrow, Adano collapsed to the ground—and drifted into a restless sleep, alone.

  Bathara heard Adano’s prayer, for He already knew this would happen. Then Bathara appeared to Adano in a dream and answered him, saying:

  "I have heard thee, my son, and I know the sorrow that dwelleth within thy heart. Rest thee now, my child, and when thou awakenest upon the morrow, go unto the nearest brook. When thou hast come thither, thou shalt behold a woman. She is Evea, the one appointed unto thee. She shall abide at thy side, and she knoweth a place wherein ye shall dwell together. Go thou with her, and there shalt thou live in peace and in abundance. Forgive Adana, for she too was formed by Mine own hand; love her still as thy sister and let her walk the path she hath chosen. Fear not for thy child, for no harm shall befall her."

  (I have heard you, my son, and I know the sorrow in your heart. Rest now, my child, and when you awaken tomorrow, go to the nearest stream. When you arrive there, you will see a woman. She is Evea—the woman meant for you. She will stand by your side, and she knows a place where you shall live together. Go with her, and there you will dwell in peace and abundance. Forgive Adana, for she too was created by Me. Continue to love her as your sister, and allow her to follow her own path. Do not worry about your child, for no harm shall come to her.)

  When morning came, Adano awoke with a lingering sense of awe.

  Slowly, the words Bathara had spoken to him in his dream returned to his mind. Realizing their meaning, he rose at once and prepared himself.

  Without delay, he stepped outside and headed toward the nearest stream, just as Bathara had commanded in his vision.

  Upon arriving, Adano stood frozen in wonder.

  “So it was true… My dream was real. My Great Father truly heard my prayer,” he whispered within his heart.

  At that moment, Evea noticed his presence. She turned toward him and smiled gently.

  “Good morning, Adano.”

  Adano’s breath caught in his throat. The beauty before him was beyond anything he had ever imagined. He heard her words clearly, yet for a moment, he could not speak.

  “G–Good morning… Evea?” he finally replied, his voice uncertain, as if questioning reality itself.

  “Our Great Father Bathara has already told me everything I need to know,” Evea said as she walked toward him.

  When she reached him, she embraced Adano and spoke softly:

  “From this day onward, you may be certain of this—I will love you always and never leave your side.”

  Tears welled in Adano’s eyes.

  “I… I cannot believe that our Great Father heard my prayer,” he said, his voice trembling. “My heart is filled with joy and gratitude. I promise to love you and cherish you for as long as I live.”

  Evea smiled warmly.

  “How wonderful it is to hear such tender words from you, my beloved Adano.”

  Adano then led Evea to his home, where he prepared a simple breakfast for them. Later that day, they began their journey together—toward the place Bathara had destined for them.

  At last, they arrived.

  “We’re here, Adano,” Evea said. “This is the place our Father told me to bring you. This… is Edena.”

  Adano gazed around in amazement.

  “This place is beautiful. It feels warm, yet a gentle breeze cools my skin. Look—so many living creatures, full of life and grace. I truly love this place.”

  “It is indeed wondrous,” Evea replied. “My heart is filled with joy knowing this will be our home, where we shall live and love for all our days.”

  “I feel the same,” Adano said softly. “My heart overflows with gratitude to our Father. Come—let us pray together and thank Him for this paradise He has given us.”

  “Yes, Adano,” Evea answered. "Let us thank Him with all our hearts.”

  They knelt together in prayer, offering their thanks and devotion to Bathara. As their voices faded into silence, a radiant golden light descended upon Edena. The air trembled gently—and from within the light, Bathara’s divine voice spoke.

  "I am glad that ye are now here in Edena. I would have thee tend to this place and all that dwell within it—the land, the beasts, and every living creature. Live, therefore, in peace and in abundance."

  (I’m glad that you are now here in Edena. I want you to take care of this place and everything in it—the land, the animals, and all living things. Live in peace and plenty.)

  A gentle pause followed, yet His next words bore solemn weight.

  “Yet one command I lay upon thee. Of this tree thou shalt not touch, nor shalt thou eat of its fruit. Forget not this law, and keep it ever within thy hearts—thou and thy children after thee.”

  (But there is one thing you must never do: do not touch this tree or eat its fruit. Remember this command and obey it, you and your children after you.)

  The light shimmered softly, as though the world itself listened.

  “Now, Adano and Evea, I shall depart and leave thee to the life I have bestowed. Dwell in peace, and fill this place with love and harmony. Multiply, and care for every living creature, for all that breatheth here is thine to cherish. Let thy hearts remain pure; let not pride nor discord take root within thee, that Edena may forever flourish beneath the light of My grace.”

  (Now, Adano and Evea, I will leave you to live the life I have given you. Live in peace, and fill this place with love and harmony. Have children and take care of every living creature, for all that breathes here is yours to cherish. Keep your hearts pure, and do not let pride or conflict grow among you, so that Edena may always flourish under My grace.)

  As Bathara’s final words faded, the golden radiance slowly dissolved into the sky, leaving behind a profound stillness—gentle, sacred, and eternal.

  Thus began the life of Adano and Evea in Edena. They lived in peace, guided by love and faith, and were blessed with all that they needed. Under the light of their Great Father’s grace, Edena flourished, and harmony reigned over the land.

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