37: If my pursuit of Truth will be the destruction of my beliefs?
She shakes her head repeatedly, looking more perplexed than when she checked the Manus followers' math homework.
37: I came for the Truth, and my faith is the Truth. Why would the Truth be destroyed by the Truth?
37: If it's because I did the calculation wrong, I'll go back and do it again!
37: And next time, I will do better!
An answer without hesitation, causing the gatekeeper to pause for an extra moment of silence.
6: What if the essence of Truth is there is no "Truth"?
37: Hm, isn't that also a form of the "Truth"? Its non-existence is an answer in itself, is it not?
37: You're speaking like 210. Are you really 6?
37 has clearly run out of patience with the sophistry.
She stares at 6 in annoyance, trying to detect any sign on his face that he might be playing a joke on her.
6: I should be more specific. You may see it as another allegory.
6: A gate stands before you. Open it, you will find the "Truth" you seek.
6: But at the same time, the world as you know it will crumble. Will you still open it?
37 blinks. This time, her answer is even more clear and resolute.
37: Yes!
37: If my world changes because the Truth is revealed, doesn't that mean my previous understanding was wrong and should be corrected?
37: If what's behind the gate is really the Truth, why would I give up the Truth for falsehood?
Vertin: ...!
6: I see.
6: You've passed. As a reward, I will bestow upon you this sacred ritual.
6: It will bridge the gap between you and the supreme existence during communion.
A gilded scroll is presented to her.
But the winner only furrows her brows even harder.
37: Was that it? You didn't even ask a question that posed a real challenge!
37: See, Vertin? I knew this was just a formality.
37: Vertin?
Vertin: No, 37, I think this question ...
6: 37.
6 interjects.
6: There are some words I'd like to share with you.
6: Not as 6, but myself, who used to live under the name "Atticus."
6: We know the story of Socrates's life, how Truth and politics are at odds with each other.
6: Either be wise, uninvolved, and look on; or be practical, involved, and suffer.
6: I hope you will remember your answer when the defining moment comes for you.
He leaves.
The game has been a disappointment. 37 frowns in frustration, but she keeps a tight grip on the scroll.
The gate in the center of the circle has swung open, but the path ahead is still shrouded in mist.
37: We should go, Vertin. There's a long way ahead.
37: I hope the next question will be more fun.
COMBAT
37: Nothing I haven't expected so far! Just like what Mom told me.
37: They're just games, like skipping rocks, kottabos, and hopscotch. I've always been good at games!
37: Look, there's the gate, Vertin. We're almost at the end!
37 claps her hands with satisfaction, having resolved yet another obstacle.
But her companion is much more pensive.
Vertin: ...
37: What's the matter, Vertin? You've been quiet since we met 6.
37: But you're number 0, not 6. You have no common factor with him.
Vertin: No, I'm only thinking ...
Vertin: What's the question you're going to ask? We've only got one chance.
37: The most important question of all, of course!
Vertin: About the "essence" of the "Emanation," right?
It was not a hard guess.
The islanders devote their lives to the study and service of "the essence." Nothing is more important than this question.
The "essence" reveals the ultimate truth that underlies all existence. Everything else is just fragments of the phenomenal world.
It might not directly solve the issue of the "Storm" immunity, but knowing its nature will certainly help with that aspect.
And it's the key to solving not just one problem, but many others.
37: Well, the essence of it is important.
37: But one day, we will eventually come to understand it. Even if we leave it alone for now, it will still be there, yes?
Vertin: I think so?
She seems to have something else in mind.
37: I can't stop thinking about Regulus. Despite being so close to the answer, she turned back in the cave, determined to earn the answer rather than receive it on a silver platter.
37: It's like covering your ears in front of the oracles at Delphi! How typical of an irrational number.
37: But she was also right, wasn't she? None of the precepts forbids one from doing so.
37: People like her may fall behind or get distracted along the way, learning at a slower pace. But in the end, we will all converge. It doesn't matter if some arrive sooner than others.
Vertin: So, are you going to ask something else?
This time she nods.
37: Yes, I have come up with a better question!
37: A question that will solve all our problems once and for all, and free everyone from the "Emanation"!
37: It's not as profound as my first question, but it's an equally good one.
Vertin: I see.
Vertin: I will stop here then.
37: Hm?
She turns around, eyes wide with surprise.
37: Vertin, are you turning back like Regulus?
37: But you're a 0. You're not an irrational!
Vertin: No, I won't go far. I will wait for you here.
Vertin: This is your gate to open. It is your question, your answer.
Vertin: I will stay here and watch over you. If you encounter any danger in there, I will come to your aid at once.
37: But don't you also have a question to ask Apeiron?
37: Aren't your doubts unresolved?
Vertin: No. I don't need to ask anymore.
Vertin: The question you're going to ask, the one that will free us all from the "Emanation,"
Vertin: is exactly the question I want to ask, 37.
37 tilts her head curiously, but her confusion soon fades.
She quickly understands, as she does with most things in life.
37: I see! So you're choosing to be the one who looks on, like the third kind of men in the Olympic Games!
37: A choice of insight, most appropriate for the number 0!
Without further hesitation, she turns and steps into the final gate.
37: In that case, I will see you later then, Vertin!
Vertin: See you soon, 37.
Put the suitcase down, and breathe. Be ready for anything.
Vertin: Will this really be the collapse of her world as she knew it, like 6 said? If that happens ...
Vertin: I'll be here to hold the umbrella for her.