The starry skies were cloudless that night. Add that with a full moon and the effect was little more than astounding. The sounds of shuffling feet is the only thing that is really truly audible… however the soft caress of the wind upon our faces holds its own weight. We have been out on our adventure for a few weeks now, constantly surrounded by tall mountains, harrowing deserts, and endless valleys. At times, I can hear them grow exhausted from our journey at hand…. Other times they merely wish to give up. No matter how much their feet ache… no matter how frightening it may get… I'm constantly there, supporting them in ways they can't quite comprehend. I'm not the type to shout in excitement or to dance around. I'm not the one who constantly strives to keep our blistered feet from further destruction, nor am I the one who cares so much about the technology that surrounds us so that I have to take a few minutes to work it out. No, I am the silent one in the back whom offers advice… regardless if it is accepted or not.
I'm sure they think me cold and heartless. I've certainly portrayed myself as such, however I am more than merely a killing machine as I am always constantly thrusting myself, blade in hand, in the way of things bearing ill-will. At times I am too late… but I am there urging my comrades on to achieve whatever is needed to be done… and if a sacrifice is needed I shall give up my life willingly. I know why I am here. I know the real reason Shu, Marumaro, Kluke and Jiro are at my side. In a way… I am their shepherd. Farming them so I can reap their fully matured souls for the one known as Nene. I am cultivating their bodies and pushing them forward to gain power… and in that quest I will do whatever I can to keep them alive.
But when it's quiet and they're all asleep… I can hear my heart beating thickly in my chest and I know that my original objective has begun to change far sooner than I had expected. I have… grown to love these strange creatures as well as the man who whispers secret sweet-nothings to me when nobody is looking. I can hear his whispers deep in my beating heart and throbbing skull. His voice chases me up and down the endless mountains and flies above me on the wings of birds…. I have grown to love him, too, only… much more than I thought I could ever love another human being….
"Zola, when will this be all over?" I can hear Kluke's voice shatter through my unbridled thoughts and it brings me back to reality with a harsh slap to the face. To answer this question, it takes only mere seconds and I offer her a small, rare smile. "Just keep close to the path and always on the alert. We shall get there when we are destined to for tomorrow will follow when above, your promise is today." She looks back at me, confused. I don't blame her for this… but she takes it to heart and we continue our long, perilous journey onward…
… to our possible victory.