☀️ Arselia and Akonia

—The afterlife, you say? —Garrett snorted skeptically. —In my understanding, it's not much different from the real world; it *is* the real world. The difference is that in it, the *you* that exists is not real. Only an empty shell remains, trapping the soul, or at least a part of it. Many are no longer fit for anything but menial tasks after that, but those who were close to the deceased in life, provided there was a spiritual connection, can continue to communicate with them. And this miracle is not granted for any particular merit, but simply as a result of death. And not to the chosen ones, but to everyone whose body is found and who still has at least one loved one among the living. This is the way of life and the tradition of my homeland. Here's a living example, —he waves his hand again towards the skull, —hm, although now it's dead.
Garrett continued to speak, now more like thinking out loud than addressing Kline.
—That's why I'm not so much confused because I apparently died and am standing here as if nothing happened, but because I died, and this has not physically affected me in any way. Well, supposedly. Apart from the fact that, according to you, I was transported to who knows where. And also, why, if I suddenly turned out to be alive, did he remain just a mindless husk, technically both of us being here? And there was something else, a feeling that I forgot something important...
Suddenly remembering that Kline was still here, he looked at him.
—Okay, I understand that you're not much help. If this is all you're authorized to tell me, please take me to the princess.