Chapter 54 (1/2)

Grandline, Paradise, Skypea

Up in the sky Robin and Chopper were rushing back into the ruins of Shandora after Robin had found him in the nearby still sleeping camp of the party group. When Chopper had seen the slightly panic-stricken face of Robin he immediately knew something was wrong and after she told him what had happened with Azul a few minutes ago his brain was already working on conclusions to the origin of said mans condition, all the while rushing back into Shandora. Though as they arrived at the city a shockwave had smacked straight into them, taking them off their feet in the process.

After they had climed back onto their feet all that remained in the city was an eery silence. Not even the occasional animal or gust of wind made a sound. Just silence.

Not bothering with their thoughts any longer they rushed up the giant stairs of the temple at the end of the city and soon came upon the slumbed over body of Azul. Checking him over in a practised fashion Chopper soon discovered that Azul was only unconcious but couldn't figure out why. The only thing that caused him to worry a little was the thin string of blood that was leaking from the corner of Azuls mouth but after checking this as well, didn't find any injuries inside his mouth so he came to the conclusion that it must be internal. Nothing he could do at this very moment, so with Robins help they laid him down with a jacket under his head for comfort and waited, as that was the only thing they could do at this very moment.

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???, ???, ???

After going through all the pain and then finally succ.u.mbing to darkness, Azul opened his eyes groggily. Though what greeted him was even more darkness, contrary to what he had expected.

Looking down at himself he was gobsmacked to find that his own body was ethereal, though still seemed to be standing on the darkness as if it was solid.

Arriving at the only conclusion that seemed logical to him at the moment Azul formed the thesis that this was his soul, so he mused that he was either in his mind, inside his own soul or somewhere he didn't know of.

Finishing his musings, Azul began to walk with careful steps further into the darkness, since he couldn't see where a pathway was or not but soon discovered that it didn't really matter, surprisingly.

He kept on walking, further and further and began to think that exploring the darkness wasn't the reason why he came to this place and maybe he should start meditating or something instead to find out the reason for the shaking of his soul previously, when a slight shimmer of ethereal light appeared in the distance. Happy that he finally had found a clue on what to do in this seemingly endless darkness, Azul walked towards the faint light, only to be shaken to his core by what he found.

A staircase made of ghostly vapor that ascended further upwards and what greeted him there wasn't a thing. No. It was a person. One that looked very familiar and he thought he would never see again. His own master stood before him, though he seemed a lot younger than what he could remember.

”W-What is this? A dream?” Azul croaked out with a shaky voice, not sure what he was seeing at this very moment.

”No, young one. This is not a dream. But before I tell you more let me introduce myself. My name is Lee Mu Bai, last known member of the Sanga, but deriving from the fact that you are here it stands to reason that you are a member of the Sanga as well.” The younger version of Mu Bai spoke with a happy smile after discovering that the Sanga hadn't ended with him after all.

”B-But how are you here? You died! Am I dead as well?” Azul asked, voice riddled with emotions after meeting his master after such a long time once again.

”Dead? I assume then that you know me?” Mu Bai asked with a serene but contemplating expression on his smooth ethereal face.