Chapter 583: Earth: Pain

Everything is never eternal... things will always come an end.

One way or another.

Despite how much we struggle, despite how much we cling to these people, to these lives...

It all always comes to an end.

No matter how hard you try to make it different, no matter how much you'll struggle to bring them with you.

Many years passed since then, as Ivan and Maria fell in love, and married.

Meanwhile, Chris was in the battlefields, risking his life to continue protecting his nation.

But every time he thought about what was the purpose of what he was doing, he felt more and more dull, as if things slowly began to lose their meaning...

However, recalling his good friend and his wife, he always smiled.

He wanted to see that man and his wife happy.

Even though he had nobody waiting for him inside his home, he had a friend and his wife waiting for him to come back.

"Ivan..."

He always looked forward to meeting his old friend after his long missions were over, after having seen so many companions die, so many young soldiers perish horribly, after having seen the horrors of war, the only thing he wanted to do to fight his PTSD was to simply relax, drink a beer, and talk about life with his friend.

Chris had come back after a whole year of missions in Afghanistan, but when he met with some of Ivan's friends, he learned many things he had missed out.

Apparently, Maria was pregnant, and Ivan had been rather busy with her, and just today, she was giving birth... that day Chris felt like he had to hurry and see his friend on his most special day, so he even borrowed a helicopter and his pilot, who owned him a few couple of favors as Chris had saved his life more than three times, and he brought him to the hospital.

Of course, a helicopter really made a fuss, but he didn't had time to care about that, as Chris rushed towards his friend in the hospital, and found him inside of the hospital room, holding a newborn baby.

He was crying, but not out of happiness...

But sorrow.

Chris looked at the scene as his smile suddenly changed, his face grew paler, as he realized that the beautiful Maria sleeping over the bed might never wake up again.

Chris felt lost on words, as he stared blankly at the scene.

Seeing his friend crying so sorrowfully broke his heart.

"Nng... Maria... Maria! Nngh... Oohh... Maria..."

That day they told Chris that Maria had died after giving birth to Ivan's child.

In honor of Maria's wishes... he named her after Maria's deceased mother, Miranda.

A beautiful girl born with black hair like her mother, and shiny aquamarine eyes like her father...

She was such a pretty little princess.

Sometimes Ivan called her "my little goddess" because he adored his daughter more than anything.

After that day, Chris tried to help Ivan get through, but Ivan was having a hard time...

He didn't wanted him to get involved on his life because he didn't wanted to bother Chris, but Chris only just wanted to help his friend out.

That day things slowly began to change, Chris and Ivan grew more and more distant with one another, despite Chris wanting to help his friend get through the loss, Ivan locked himself on a cage of emotions, and only directed all his attention to his newborn daughter.

Chris saw that it was fair to do that, although it wouldn't had hurt Ivan if he accepted his help in raising Miranda... But Chris understood that perhaps things would never be the same.

Chris and Ivan grew more distant, although Chris still came to visit him sometimes after his missions, and sometimes Ivan accepted drinking a beer.

The only thing he ever spoke about was his daughter.

"Miranda is already three years old... I can't believe it... My little girl had grown so big... She resembles Maria so much..." sighed Ivan.

"...She's living through her," said Chris.

Ivan nodded as he seemed always melancholic when he recalled the name of his lost wife.

"Yeah... I like to think that too." Sighed Ivan.

"You're a good father, Ivan... I am sure your girl will grow strong and amazing just like her mother," said Chris, petting his friend's back.

"Thanks... Sorry for being so distant... I couldn't find time to spend with you..." sighed Ivan.

"Don't worry about it! Not like we are married or something, you got your life and I got mine, so its normal," said Chris.

"Haha... Thanks for being a good friend. I guess I needed to take a little break..." sighed Ivan.

Chris nodded while smiling back at his friend.

"Keep striving forward, Ivan, never give up," said Chris.

Ivan's eyes shone a bit as he heard his strong friend's words.

After having gone through all these battlefields... his willpower was so strong that it even exuded out of him and infected other people.

"Sure... I won't give up... As long as I have my daughter with me... I won't ever falter..." said Ivan.

"Good! That's the spirit! Want a second one?" asked Chris, looking at the empty can of beer.

"Sure! I am pretty hungry thought, want to order a pizza?" asked Ivan.

"Hahah, but you pay though!" said Chris.

"So stingy... you literally earn millions!" laughed Ivan.

Although the two friends seemed to have made things up and were once more close, it felt as if tragedy never left Ivan's life.

One after another, it felt as if life was striking him down, discouraging him to continue living as he was.

It felt as if everything on his life was suffering to him.

Despite all the things he had gone through, it seemed to never be enough...

After another year, Chris came back to his home and received a message from one of Ivan's scientist friends.

It was about Miranda, Ivan's daughter.

Three months ago shew as diagnosed with brain cancer.

And it was terminal.

"Ivan...!"

Chris didn't doubted a single second as he rushed towards his friend in the hospital where Miranda was hospitalized.