Chapter 389: Endings and New Beginnings (1/2)

The story didn't start with him. He was simply a character in the grand scheme. When Jizo gave him the legacy, asking him to stop people from going beyond the dungeons, he fell into the cogwheels of fate.

Arthur looked at the sunrise as he sat all alone. Lin Zhao has left him to look for Hana, who was playing somewhere with wandering spirits. The responsibility he was left with became heavier with every person he meets in Alka and Earth.

Seven of the Guardians betrayed the people. Two of them remained neutral when the time needed them most, choosing to disappear from the world.

'How can we trust such gods?'

They were powerful beings, almost toppling the natural order of the world. Arthur wasn't even sure that they were humans, but the fact that people worshiped those who betrayed them irked him.

”Are we going back to the ship?”

The monk's aged voice came from behind him. Arthur nodded before standing up. Luckily for them, Gywnevere was still on the island, as they didn't spend much time on it.

It was time for the final destination of his journey in the Spirits Realm: killing his friend.

***

”Like this?”

Arthur woke up to the puzzled voice of the girl traveling with him. He rolled over to look at her from the edge of the roof, peeking at his two companions below.

There was a brief moment of confusion before he realized that Dia and Gala weren't his companions anymore, but different ones instead: a runaway child and a monk with grand ambitions. It was sad to think how fast things change, and Arthur greatly missed the ice girl's bickering with the witch.

The thought that he would never meet Gala again after leaving the Spirits Realm left him exhausted and discouraged. He knew better than linking his happiness to a single person, but how would he go on without the thoughts-inducing teasing of the witch?

Gala acted like she was only doing things for the fun of it, but Arthur knew her well enough to conclude that was far from the truth. She helped others become their better selves, she sought meaningful relationships with others, and she wanted to take a short break from living.

Such a decision cannot be changed by reason nor feelings. Arthur knew that he didn't even have the right to devalue the conviction she built over the years. However, he selfishly chose to do so, but it wasn't enough.

The stone man seemed knowledgeable about every place in the Spirits Realm. Thus, when Arthur said his next destination was the valley of peace, the stone man had two things to say.

”The trip will take ten days to fifteen days,” the disinterested captain said as he tied two ropes together. ”Have you ever been to the Valley of Peace?”

”No,” past him denied.

”I can tell,” the stone man smirked before he stood up. He waved the ropes he got from somewhere before throwing them over the mast. ”That place is one of the rarest destinations.”

”Why?” Arthur followed after the man with intrigue.

”Because it's where things end and goodbyes are said,” the stone man left him with this poetic line and went on to hammer away from the mast. There were always things to do for him and never a limit to this giant ship's growth.

Arthur could only suspect that Gala chose this place on purpose. It was their final meeting and their eternal goodbyes. She might not die, but he didn't think that he would live long enough to meet her again.

As he closed his eyes again to the sound of a giggling girl and splashing waves, Arthur felt someone stand next to him. The monk was looking down on him as Arthur opened his eyes.

”You are awake,” the monk said with a nod.

”You make it sounds as if I have risen from the dead,” Arthur turned to the side and closed his eyes again. ”How many days have we been on the ship?”

”Nine,”

”One to go, then.”

”The captain said it might get delayed,” the monk said beside him. ”Aren't you interested in forging new friendships? To learn about the stories of others?”

”Are you a disguised bookkeeper?”