In the city of Mistwood, the gap between the rich and the poor had grown wider over the years. Only a small number of people could afford a healthy lifestyle. To make this clear, a grand palace named Evershade Keep was built, surrounded by high walls. Outside these walls, the poor struggled to survive. The lands outside were dry and rotten because it hadn’t rained in many years, and the air was heavily polluted. But inside Evershade Keep, everything was perfect. There were huge magical air purifiers, plenty of water for everyone, and life was comfortable and luxurious.
Three friends lived in the palace: John, Roy, and Ross. They had grown up together and shared a strong bond. Ross was born into wealth and had always lived in the palace. John and Roy, however, had fathers who worked very hard to move their families into the palace. Because of this, John and Roy knew how hard life was outside the walls.
As time passed, conditions outside the palace became worse. There was only one school in Mistwood, located inside the palace, and children from outside attended it too. John and Roy often heard stories from these children about the hardships they faced. Given their fathers' backgrounds, they felt deeply for those outside. Ross, on the other hand, ignored these problems, saying it was just their fate.
One day, while John and Roy were swimming on the terrace, they saw a group of five or six children staring at the palace from beyond the walls. The longing in their eyes was clear; they wanted to live a life like the one inside Evershade Keep. John and Roy felt a deep sense of empathy for these children.
The next day at school, a new teacher named Mr. Fedard arrived. He taught math, but he also shared some profound wisdom with his students. "Death is the ultimate truth," he said. "Sooner or later, everyone has to die. But those who work to make society better have a smile on their face in their last moments. They know that even after they die, they will live on in the world because of the good place they hold in the hearts of others."
John and Roy were deeply moved by Mr. Fedard's words. They discussed this with their fathers that evening. Their fathers, though financially well-off, explained that helping society was not easy. "Even we tried," they said, "but the truth is, the conditions are so bad that our little efforts didn't make much of a difference."
Despite this, John and Roy felt committed. They discussed their ideas with Ross, who laughed at their efforts. "We live only once. Enjoy your lives without wasting it trying to help others," he said dismissively.
Roy looked at Ross seriously and said, "One day, these walls will break, and the people inside the palace will come outside because there won't be any difference."
But John and Roy were determined. The very next day, they went outside the walls to understand the problems better. They quickly realized that the main issues were the lack of drinking water, poor air quality, and insufficient food.
Determined to help, they learned how to build a sustainable water system. They started bringing water tanks from the palace to the poor areas every day. However, they soon faced the harsh reality that their efforts could only help a small number of people. Despite this, John and Roy did not give up. They were committed to making even the smallest difference in the lives of those suffering outside the palace walls.
Meanwhile, they noticed that Ross's health seemed to be declining. They repeatedly urged him to see a doctor, but Ross always made light of it. "I'm too lazy to go outside the walls to see the doctor," he would joke.
One day, however, Ross's heart started to trouble him seriously. He had no choice but to visit the doctor. After a series of check-ups, the results came in. The doctor delivered the devastating news: "There is a hole in your heart."
Ross, trying to stay optimistic, asked, "What's the cure?"
The doctor looked at him gravely and said, "The hole will only get bigger. Even if we try to treat it, there is no chance that you will survive more than six months."
Ross was stunned. The carefree friend who had always laughed at the efforts to help others now faced the ultimate truth of his own mortality. This news would soon change everything for him, and for his friends.
