Some people can't cry… because their pain turned to stone long ago."
---
It was an old fort.
Crumbling. Forgotten.
And inside it… sat Sir Galven.
A retired soldier — a name known across the region.
People said:
> "He once sliced a monster in a single strike."
"He never lost… never cried…"
---
We had come to this area for a small music tour.
The villagers told us:
> "He's the most broken man inside…
but he never says a word."
Mira-ma said:
> "Noen… maybe you could try."
I went silent.
> "He was a warrior…
and I'm just a singer."
But Papa Toren looked at me and said just one line:
> "If a melody doesn't reach pain…
it's just noise — not a song."
---
I walked into the fort.
There he was — Sir Galven.
An empty chair, an empty table… and an emptier gaze.
He didn't even look at me.
> "Come to make me laugh?"
"No… just to let you listen."
---
I sat down.
Took out my guitar.
Didn't say a word.
I just started playing.
---
> "You won every battle…
But lost one — with yourself."
> "You carried a sword…
But your heart carried only silence."
> "You saved everyone…
But locked away your own tears."
> "I'm not singing today…
I'm just giving your silence a voice."
---
He didn't say anything.
But his hands… they trembled.
I finished the song… and went quiet.
And then…
just one drop —
slipped down his cheek.
He was crying.
Maybe… after years.
---
He looked at me.
And said softly:
> "I learned how to fight enemies…
But never learned how to face my pain.
Thank you… for reminding me I'm still alive."
---
On the way back, I asked Papa Toren:
> "Did I become like a soldier today?"
He smiled and said:
> "No.
You became something more.
You gave a soldier his heart back."
---
To be continued…