Chapter 389: Endings and New Beginnings

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?" 

"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.