Chapter 389: Endings and New Beginnings (2/2)
”Is it a sin to be interested in others?” Lin Zhao sighed helplessly. ”You make it seem as if it was the forbidden pleasure to let your guard down and allow others to take root in your heart.”
”Not to the extent of calling it a forbidden pleasure, but I do believe that you are better off without getting attached to people.”
”Which one of your parents disappeared?”
The monk's question was met with silence. Then, finally, it seems he realized the error of his words but seemed unable to fix it, so he decided to go on with it after a short apology.
”Forgive my directness,” the monk said as he sat down on the edge. ”I have a habit of answering the questions that people hate,”
”You overestimate yourself,” Arthur sighed and sat up. ”It was my dad, but that has nothing to do with it. On the contrary, it is my personal belief that meeting people will only bring hurt and misery.”
”Such a dark outlook on life for a personal belief,” the monk snickered. ”And everyone says that the past doesn't affect who you are. But if it doesn't, then what does?”
Arthur didn't entertain the monk's philosophical indulgences and simply looked ahead. As he watched the waves roll past the horizon, land appeared in the distance that resonated with his soul.
'Here,'
Arthur's heart throbbed when he heard her voice: something he missed so greatly yet wished to never hear again. He wanted to meet her again, but he didn't want it to end.
When he stood on his feet alert, the monk seemed to realize that they have arrived. The line in the distance began to grow bigger until they could tell it was the end of the ocean.
'Here I am, Arthur,'
His teeth gnashed against each other when she muttered his name. It seems no one else could hear it, so it must be a guide left behind by the witch for him to find her.
”Land!”
The stone man roared, and the ship buzzed with activity. The Skyey World was filled with oceans and ever-stretching lands. A new chapter was beginning once they reached solid grounds.
”We are here, boy,” the stone captain walked toward them with a smirk. Arthur looked down from the roof before jumping to land in front of him. ”It would have taken us five days with my baby, but we had a few stations along the way.”
”I'm very grateful for the kindness you showed me,” Arthur bowed down to the stone man. ”Without you, I wouldn't have been able to cut across the ocean this easily.”
”Save it, boy,” the stone man sighed. ”We both know that I've used you as much as you used me. The spiritual energy you gave to the core is enough for Gwynevere to evolve into something more glorious.”
”I truly hope that it does,” Arthur raised his head and said with a smile, his chains seeming to itch at the prospect of a new adventure.
”I need to warn you that the laws on the land differ from the ocean,” the stone man said with apprehension. ”Domains that belong to different powerful spirits, vessels of His Majesty himself. They might execute his will, but each of them has their ego, so be careful on land.”
”I will take good care of him, don't worry,” Lin Zhao interjected as if he was Arthur's guardian. Before he could dismiss the monk, Hana jumped in as well.
”I will take care of Mister too!”
Despite knowing his name, Hana was smart enough to realize that names were dangerous things to share, so she retained his identity as a secret. Her words made the three men laugh, and Arthur rubbed her head as he looked onto the horizon.
”Things might end here,” he muttered, and the monk turned to look at him. ”But new beginnings are everywhere.”
”Your voice doesn't carry optimism about the future, but resignation to the will of others,” the monk sighed. ”However, it's a good start in the right direction. I was getting sick of your downcast drama act.”
”Don't call it a drama act,” Arthur scowled. ”Thank you for everything again, captain,” he turned toward the stone man, who nodded at him with a smile.
”Who knows, we might meet in the future,” the stone man, who Arthur has yet to learn of his name, waved his hand and walked away.
”Let's go say goodbye to the other seekers, Hana,” the monk offered her his hand, and she grabbed it. Arthur was left alone beside the railings, and he heard the meows of the cat again.
Arthur turned to see that the cat was looking at him from a few meters away. It gave another meow of approval before running and entering Arthur's body, disappearing once again.