
The moon, previously hidden behind the clouds, began to reveal its pale face. The moonlight flowed gently into the ground, reflecting the mysterious rays of the fish pond in the corner of the garden. The pool water seemed so calm, though the occasional colorful koi jumped, dancing for a moment above the water surface before diving back in.
Rudi felt Elsa's hand grip tighter. "How can we fix this?" ask her with a trembling voice.
Grandfather grabbed onto Rudi and Elsa's shoulders, leading them closer to the edge of the pool. "Look at this pool" he said. "This "column is similar to the flow of time. The time you guys were interrupting with that machine."
The reflection of the moon in the pool water made Elsa's eyes emit an incredible sparkle. Slowly, he asked, "Do we have to go back in time to fix it?"
Grandpa smiled thinly. "Not always the solution lies in the past. Sometimes, we need to look ahead."
Rudi shook his head slowly, his brows furrowed, trying to find some understanding. "But how can we look ahead?"
Grandpa pointed to the pool water. Suddenly, a picture of a future begins to appear on its surface: a world that is broken, chaotic, and full of sadness. "This is what will happen if you do not correct your mistakes" said the grandfather in a serious tone.
Rudi and Elsa stared at the picture with wide eyes. It looks how technology that should bring progress, even lead to destruction. Tall buildings collapsed, the sky was endless overcast, and people lived in fear.
"There's a solution, right?" elsa asked in a hopeful voice.
Grandfather closed his eyes for a moment, as if looking for an answer within him. "You have to break that machine. But it's not that easy. There's a price to pay."
Rudi gulped, "What price?"
Grandfather looked at Rudi with deep eyes, "You should be willing to lose something precious."
Rudi felt as if his heart had stopped. His mind drifted straight to his mother who now looked so young, then to Elsa who had always been by his side. He couldn't imagine losing one of them.
Elsa took a deep breath. "We have to make a decision. And we have to do it now."
Before Rudi could answer, there was a loud explosion from the direction of Rudi's house. Rudi, accompanied by Elsa immediately headed for her house, and what they saw was thick black smoke rising from the window of Rudi's study.
"The engine!" Rudi yelled.
Without thinking, Rudi ran into the house, followed by Elsa. Fire raged everywhere, but amidst the chaos, the sophisticated AI engine was still functioning, its screen lit up with codes running at a rapid pace.
Elsa screamed as sparks approached, but Rudi was already hypnotized by the machine. He knew what to do, and that was when he understood grandfather's intention of "losing something precious."
With determination, Rudi began typing the code that would destroy the machine, even if it meant that he would lose everything. Elsa, realizing what Rudi was doing, pulled him. However, Rudi brushed it off.
At the last seconds, before the fire touched the machine, Rudi pressed the 'enter' button'. It all went dark.
When Rudi regained consciousness, he was in a familiar place: his home garden. But everything seems different. The chaos has gone, the world looks peaceful again. Beside her, Elsa smiled gently.
"You did it" he said.
However, this victory came with a price. The machine had been lost, and with it, all the memories of its existence had also disappeared. Rudi has returned to that world without advanced technology, a genuine and pure world.
But, at the same time, he had discovered the truth about himself, about what was really important in life. A priceless lesson.
The cool morning air made Rudi feel more refreshed. As if understanding the mood of the young man, nature acts as a solace. The birds chirped merrily, echoing the soothing symphonies of nature. The dew leaves are still perched on the tips of the leaves, reflecting the warm morning sun.
Rudi stepped slowly around the garden, enjoying the beauty of nature. Each step produces the sound of grass still wet. A scent of fresh soil and leaves filled his veil.
"Justie!" call Elsa from a distance. She walked over, her beautiful face illuminated by the morning sun. His eyes looked at Rudi with warmth. "How are you feeling now?"
Rudi tilted his head, trying to find the right words. "Me.. relieved, Elsa. But also a little loss. That machine, everything we do..”.
Elsa nodded, understanding her feelings. "We've done our best, and sometimes, letting go of something is the best move."
It was then, in the midst of their conversation, the sound of baby crying could be heard from behind the bushes. They both turned, curious. Elsa, carefully, approached the source of the voice. Among the bushes, he found a baby wrapped in a blue scarf.
Elsa's face flushed red, reflecting her confusion. "Who left the baby here?"
Rudi, slowly, approached and raised the baby. "She looks familiar, Elsa," said Rudi, staring at the baby.
Rudi let out a long sigh, "I have a feeling that this is all related to that machine. Maybe this is a side effect of what we do."
Elsa's eyes grew bigger, "You mean...?"
Rudi nodded, "Yes, maybe this is a second chance. A chance to start over, to live life the right way."
However, as Rudi raised his face, he saw a familiar female figure standing in the distance, staring at them expectantly. That woman is his mother. His face looked younger, yet his eyes were radiating wisdom.
Elsa surprised Rudi by saying, "Maybe she knows something about this baby. We should ask him."
They walked towards Rudi's mother with doubtful steps. However, before he could get close, his mother had already run over, hugging Rudi tightly. "I know you'll be back, my son."
Rudi, with tears welling up in her eyes, looked at her mother, "What happened, Mother? Who's this baby?"
Rudi's mother smiled, patting Rudi on the cheek gently, "He is you, Rudi. Your chance to start over, to right the wrongs of the past. That machine has given you a rare opportunity to see life from a different perspective."
Rudi and Elsa looked at each other, surprised. This is not something they expected. However, this was probably the most beautiful surprise they had ever received.
Heavy rain is pouring down the city. Dews begin to gather in the windows of Rudi's house, creating a fine sprinkling that reflects street lights. In the distance, an overcast sky covered the moon, leaving behind only darkness and a subtle roar of lightning.
Rudi sat by the bed, looking at his mother who was lying down. He clasped his mother's hand, hoping for a sign of life. However, the pulse had disappeared, leaving a deep sadness in Rudi's heart.
Elsa walked into the room, her face flushed red. Her tears wet her smooth cheeks. He approached, patting Rudi on the back gently. "I'm so sorry, Rudi."
Rudi shook his head, "There's nothing we can do, Elsa. It's his destiny." His face was red, his eyes were puffy. His lips trembled as he spoke.
In another room, baby Rudi was crying. The sound of crying added to the burden in Rudi's heart. In the midst of grief, she knew someone had to take care of the baby.
Rudi's mother another version, with hesitant steps, approached Rudi and Elsa. "I will take care of her, Rudi," she said in a soft voice.
Rudi looked at him with incredulous eyes, "Why? Why would you want to do this?"
Another version of Rudi's mother smiled gently, "Because I want to give you a chance to grieve. Let me take care of your little one. I want him to grow up to be a good man like you are now."
Elsa looked at the two figures with teary eyes. "But are you ready, Mother? It's a big responsibility."
Mother Rudi another version nodded, "I'm ready. This is a second chance for me too."
That night, three figures walked out of the house, leaving memories and sadness behind. The rain started to subside, the sky was starting to clear. In the eastern horizon, the light of dawn began to shine on the world, promising new hope.
Day by day passed. Baby Rudi grew up to be an intelligent and active child. Mother Rudi another version, with compassion and patience, taught her everything. They live in modest homes in the suburbs, away from the crowds.
However, one day, when Rudi's son is five years old, he begins to show signs of extraordinary genius. He can solve complex puzzles, read books quickly, and show an interest in the medical world.
Rudi, who was now living alone in the city, heard this news. He decided to visit them. When he arrived, he was surprised to see his own version of the child doing a simple experiment with a microscope in the living room.
"You must be Rudi," said the boy in a plain voice. "Mom used to tell me about you."
Rudi smiled, "And you must be my small self. How can you do all this?"
The boy smiled, "Because Mom taught me. He's my best teacher."
Rudi hugged his mother, "Thank you, Mother. You've taken good care of him."
Mother Rudi another version nodded, "This is my duty and happiness."
That was when the biggest surprise came. Elsa emerges from the back door, holding a baby girl. "This is a small version of Elsa" she said with a smile. "Maybe we can raise them together?"
Rudi, Elsa, and Rudi's other versions laugh, realizing that although life is full of twists and turns, affection and togetherness always bring new hope.