PROLOGUE
Three lone figures stood proudly on the cliff overlooking three particular mobile suits in line, their striking colors and huge forms contrasting the lush greeneries in the background. Those young men were silent, each contemplating their thoughts with mixed emotions. The sight of the mobile suits evoked memories of which each of them were forced to experience in different forms. Some were pleasant, while most were not.
Those mobile suits…they had caused so many deaths but it wasn't the suits who were responsible for all the lost souls that were taken away in the tragic events of war. Instead, those who piloted the suits had carried the burden of their sins on their shoulders since then, desperately hoping and praying that perhaps one day they would be forgiven for those unforgivable acts that were carried in order to protect their beliefs. They prayed for peace, not only for the people that had suffered the loss of a loved one or for the empty soul that craved to be fulfilled but for themselves as well.
Looking back, they had followed a clouded path of doubts, illusions and false securities which led them to consequences that would forever scarred their souls. Yet, now they knew it was meant to be. For all the lonely travelers looking for a home to go to, for all the lost souls following the tragic events of war, for all that had suffered and became a victim of the war, this was their sacrifice. And their promise to all the souls that were stolen, to protect as many people as possible from suffering the same fate they had.
The gentle evening breeze seemed to send a silent message to the three men. They exchanged glances with one another and shared a smile. In that brief moment, their torn and battered souls were exposed in their eyes while hope and promises to a better future reflected in their smiles. Each noted those secret messages with a nod from a brunette with emerald green eyes, a meaningful smile from a gentle blonde with baby blue eyes and an even wider grin from another brunette that possessed a foot long braid and deep cobalt, blue eyes. A moment of understanding, acceptance and gratitude settled between them, strengthening the bonds that was formed during the battles.
Turning back to their suits, the braided pilot lifted a palm-sized device with a button attached to it and murmured to the mobile doll that had once been his only friend, "So long, buddy. This time it's for real."
With that, he pressed the button and instantly, the three mobile suits vanished in a blinding light, followed by a thunderous explosion. The instant the light faded, so did the mobile suits, leaving no evidence of their existence.
Smiling, the braided boy murmured, staring at the spot where his mobile suit had once stood, "Finally, peace at last…"
In another location, the darken sky was filled with sparkling ornaments of the night. Tiny pinpricks of astral lights sprayed the sky in silvery streaks, forever dancing in its ever-changing patterns. Rare as it may sound, such beauty was hardly seen during the war. Nature wasn't as beautiful as it used to be, polluted in the environments of war and corrupted minds that lured the bloody battles. It was easy to take nature for granted. However to some, beauty could only be appreciated through sad eyes. That was when it struck battered souls the most, painfully taking in the beauty that laid across from them.
A pair of cerulean eyes stared intensely at the sky, trying to understand why did the stars seemed even more beautiful each night. It was almost too painful to look at as it triggered memories that lured her emotions to the surface. Blinking back her tears, the girl shifted her gaze towards the swing.
The wooden bench was held up by thick ropes that were attached to the tree limbs high above. Tiny batches of flowers were wrapped thickly around the rope, almost concealing it and the flowery fragrance was so fresh it almost stung her nostril. Green vines laced and curled lusciously around the rope, bringing out the beautiful red roses attached to it. Anyone could tell it was a beautiful work of art and it was, created by a gentle artist whose only intention was to spread beauty of all forms to the world when it was once filled with pain and loss. Unable to attain peace by himself with kind speech, he intended to provide serenity through his skills. And she had been his inspiration for this.
The sight used to provide her so much comfort. Now it seemed like a threat to her emotions, aching her, suffocating her with its memories. Her fingers gently touched the blooming rose and in that instant, the soft petals seemed to sting her. However, she resisted the urge to pull back and her hands slowly wandered around the flowers, caressing them and savoring the softness and beauty, all the while inhaling the scent that lingered in the air.
Still holding onto the rope with one hand, she went on her knees and placed a batch of fresh red roses in her arm onto the ground just across the bench. She stared at it for awhile, silently battling her raging emotions that came unbridled like a storm. Then, painfully, she glanced back at the darken sky and made a prayer. The stars twinkled in reply, as though noting her miseries and approving her secret wishes.
A lone tear slowly made its path down her cheek and fell on the rose's petal.