In the old days people died and that was that; you might hope to see them in heaven, but once they were dead they were dead. It was simple, it was definite. Now … " He shook his head angrily. "Now people die but their Soulkeeper can revive them, or take them to a heaven we know exists, without any need for faith. We have clones, we have regrown bodies-most of me is regrown; I wake up sometimes and think, Am I still me? I know you're supposed to be your brain, your wits, your thoughts, but I don't believe it is that simple.
In the past, death was an unequivocal end; a person would pass away, leaving loved ones to hold onto the hope of seeing them in the afterlife. This straightforward concept of mortality allowed for a clear line between life and death. The individual's departure was absolute and final, which left a deep impact on how people processed grief and loss.
However, in the contemporary setting of the narrative, death has become less definitive. With advancements like Soulkeepers who can resurrect the deceased and the existence of the afterlife that doesn’t require faith, death takes on a different meaning. Individuals can be brought back through cloning and regrowing bodies, leading to existential questions about identity and what it truly means to be oneself, as the line between the original self and the new physical form blurs.
