Disclaimer:
"Arc the Lad " is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. © 1995-2002 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Published by Working Designs under license by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. English Translation © Working Designs 2002.
Remembrances and Weaknesses
On the day Arc and his companions destroyed the power of the Dark One that reigned inside of the seal, the world was in ruins, towns in shambles, and people desolate with no hope for their future. During the battle, the darkness that consumed Kukuru easily disposed of her powers, which were cruelly used against her companions. Had not Kukuru called out to Arc during those last few seconds before the Dark One completely annihilated the planet, Arc would not have been able to tear the darkness that was shrouding her presence. Arc, while reaching out to Kukuru, knew that to destroy something as powerful as the Dark One would consume his entire soul. Kukuru, who desperately retrieved a small amount of her powers, was able to occupy the Dark One with feeble attempts as Arc, with all that he can give, resealed the Dark One and rescued Kukuru. Although Arc and Kukuru sacrificed all their powers to seal the Dark One, Elc felt as though their efforts were in the end meaningless. Looking out in the distance at the world sadly wounded and weak, Elc sighed deeply with utter regret. His dark demeanor was obvious to all, especially Arc, who once known as the strongest warrior now a common lad.
The impact of Sky Castle on the rich town of Romalia indeed hurled through more damage than the town could bear. Once impermeable walls that stood high among the city streets were scatter in pieces and dancing as dusts do when the shady winds whisper through the creaks and leaks of injured buildings. Arc and his companions were hurled off of the castle from the huge impact of the sealing of the Dark One, landing in a barren patch of land not far from Romalia borders. Elc, standing within several feet from the copper gate to Romalia, gripped his bleeding arm. Arc looked around the area, finding his companions tired, weary, and most of all, dismal of what had happened. He closed his eyes, seeming to understand how they all felt. His pale gray eyes glistened with determination as he turned and walked towards Elc. Kukuru silently sat next to Chongara and Tosh, who were clearly wounded all around their body. After watching Arc prepare to talk to Elc, Kukuru peered at her hands curiously. Feeling the emptiness and the bitter chill that now reside in her struck her with confusion and sorrow. The light that once purified the bodies of her friends from ruinous wounds and injuries was now gone completely, taking away the warmth and cherished purpose. Powerless, and now without the sincerity that even she depended on, she silently mourned over the loss of her inner strength. Tosh looked at her usual pale face, which seemed to grow darker by the second. He opened his mouth for a moment, but closed it and looked away, realizing that there was nothing he could say to raise the colors of her dappled spirit.
Arc took a place next to Elc, as they both watched the first bright shades of blue at the distant horizon. Elc didn't look up at Arc as he was filled with much discontent and frustration.
"Elc, the world is still-"
"Arc…Why have we been fighting? Were we fighting for this? For...our world to become nothing more than a waste land with towns as ruins. Your...your powers are gone…there will be no sense of hope within anyone now. Even after resealing the Dark One, people would look to us as a hero, but how…how can we be called heroes, when we made our world like this, an empty world? What hope can we have for the future?" Elc gripped his hand tightly and bit his under lip, as though to not explode with anger. Arc, after listening closely, put his hand on Elc's shoulder.
"Elc, listen to me. The world may be barren with nothing but ruined towns and hapless spirits. But I believe that there is still hope. There will always be hope as long as there are those who are still living to create a future for this world. Hope is not gone, just dim for the moment. We can help kindle spirits within each other and in people who survived the disaster, without the power given by the ARK." Elc seemed to want to speak but hesitated as Arc continued. "Little by little, we can help this world grow beautiful once again. And…this can only happen with a strong will and heart…a heart like yours, and everyone here. I may be powerless, but I won't stop trying to make a difference as long as I'm still alive and breathing." Elc didn't reply, just looked down as if there was no more to say.
Arc gave Elc a final glance and quietly passed him to join Kukuru. Elc stood with downcast eyes, merely watching the sands beneath him slither by the breeze and slowly fade against the color of the land. As the slight gleams of white showered over the sky, the light shimmered against the Silver Noah, perched inside the walls of the shattered shrine. Elc raised his head, as Arc's massive ship peered over the land. Hope…a chance, a renewal, the light within the heart of every soul, seemed to grow faint compared to the glistening resilience reflecting off the Silver Noah. Yet, Elc whirled around to face Arc, as he quickly redeemed his vigor and pulled his spirit into the persevering mindset for the future.
"Arc…" Arc stops to turn and face Elc. "You…you are right. There is hope…just dim, like inside of me and maybe others around us…but…I…I won't give up. As long as there is a fighting chance for our world, then I want to make use of every second of it, for those who can help to create hope in this land once again and for those who tried." Arc smiled at Elc's renewed determination.
"Thanks, Arc…for reminding me of why I started fighting…"
Arc nodded, "No, Elc…it was you who reminded me first." With this Arc turned and stood close by Kukuru, who was now standing on her feet. "All right, everyone, it's about time we start heading out to our next position."
Everyone looked at him in uncertainty, as Shania raised her voice, "Arc, where do you propose we go from here?" Arc gave a little shrug, which surprised everyone again.
"Wherever one wishes to go, I suppose. Whatever our next course of action might be, we are free to do whatever we please. Let's rest for a while near the Silver Noah, before reaching a conclusion. Chongara, will you be willing to check out the Silver Noah's condition?"
"Hehe, Chongara willing to do more than that! How about I test the baby out a bit, neh?" Chongara walked towards the ship, as Arc smiled at the ever lasting enthusiasm and gestures of his friend. Tosh gave a smirk as he turned to face Kukuru.
"I'll just go and keep that senile firebrand a little company," Tosh winked and walked towards Chongara, yelling at him to slow down. Kukuru's smile didn't last long even after the passive attempt of Tosh to give her a little lift. Hope was a fragile, gentle cover, easily torn from slight motions. Yet, the strands are fixable, and a continuous network of weaving patterns of silk, like the patterns woven against the emerald shawls that hang over her shoulders of her crimson leather clothing. After Arc checked on how the rest of his companions were doing, he politely asked Iga and Shu to keep a watch out for surviving monsters. Agreeing to this matter, Iga sat silently a few feet away from the crowded circle as did Shu. Shu took the moment to rest the heavy burdens he carried and closed his weary eyelids. Poco softly played a soothing melody that unfortunately didn't relieve Sania and Gruga from the irritating task of trying to piece back Diekbeck's misplaced head and feet. Elc resided with Lieza, who chose to sit and nuzzle Paudit behind his ears. Shante, walking next to Elc, smiled at Lieza's affection toward her faithful friend. After observing the peaceful nature of his allies, Arc walked towards Gogen, who was silently taking the time to meditate in midair.
"How are you feeling, Gogen?"
"As fair as in the many merry days I've lived in, Arc," he said, keeping afloat and his eyes closed. With a sigh, Arc sat quietly under Gogen.
"These are not signs of contempt and fatigue, I trust?"
Arc briskly shook his head as he grabbed his forehead, hiding the burdened signs within his eyes. He continued to sigh, unlike his usual replies with optimism and confidence. Remembrances of Arc's faith and hopes in himself and the Guardians passed Gogen's unconscious thoughts. Even within the risks and bleak chance of victory, Arc never gave up his heart to fall victim to the claws of despair. Gogen remained silently afloat, piecing the events like a puzzle, noticing that Arc was now completely at the mercy of any more burdens that could be thrown on him. His spirit, not completely broken, was wavering, and with this realization Gogen couldn't find any yoke to lift the afflictions that Arc was facing. Gogen opened his old eyes, although they appeared to be closed most of the time, and peered around the area. Finding another in the same disposition as Arc, Gogen raised an eyebrow and with his glorious cane, nudged the edge of Arc's blood red cape. Releasing the comfort of his hand from his face, Arc stared ahead.
"Arc…I might suggest that you take a place next to a more attractive presence than I, for I believe she might be one to give the comfort you need." Arc blinked as he realized that he had not gotten the chance to speak with Kukuru after the entire episode of peril. He got up into a standing position, as the wrinkles of his clothing began to unravel behind his tattered armor. Before heading towards the place where Kukuru sat by herself, Arc turned to peer at Gogen, who decided to continue his meditation hovering over his fluctuating shadow. Arc walked towards Kukuru with haste. Feeling the absence of Arc's presence, Gogen prayed that Kukuru would hopefully appease Arc's unnatural drawback. Arc and Kukuru, seldom showing signs of affection towards each other, were certainly a rare twosome. Not in all his years had Gogen seen a unity so destined for each other. Even without the continual presence of one's material body, Arc and Kukuru are clearly able to thrive on each other's hopes and spirit. Even at the sudden union of Arc and his company at Seirya with the Sabatico Shrine that Kukuru was trapped in for eternity, if not for the sealing of the Dark One, he recalled no signs of impatient embraces or songs of the anguish that were endured without the other. Not even a gentle smile or quiet words of love, passed during their short lived visit to Kukuru's confinement. Yet, Gogen felt a strong bondage that was formed between the two, without the display of their fondness for one another. Evidently, Arc would be the first to rush to Kukuru's side when danger would approach. Throughout battles, his actions became almost predictable, but Kukuru's self-reliant nature and pride seemed to get the better of him and save them both from irregular threats. Arc's and Kukuru's will to sacrifice themselves during the last battles for the entire world, clearly showed their allies the unbreakable link that held them together. Rarely would a man die for a good person. Arc and Kukuru certainly passed the limits of most people around the world. Nevertheless, the extent of Arc's limit was not provoked from Arc's unyielding spirit, but from the set destiny that he shared with Kukuru and his father, Yoshua, alone. Ironically, destiny brought them together, and kept them together. Still, now what does destiny have in store for them? Gogen wondered of this as he continued to contemplate silently of the matters at hand.
Arc silently stood behind Kukuru as she sat quietly staring into the empty sky, now illuminating with faint signs of the dawn. He noticed her pale complexion seemed to reflect the disposition of her spirit. The ruby shades of her iris lost the luster of brilliance and vitality that he could still clearly picture and feel from first looking upon her stunning appearance at the base of the Guardian Peak. Without the guardians' and their blessings, Arc and Kukuru are left desolate and weak. Arc wondered if this was the matter that seemed to shape the downcast lines of her soft lips. Even when Arc and Kukuru showed a complete different personality from their first meeting, as they began to act to fight the darkness that was consuming the world, they discovered a foundation that they shared so deeply together that it felt impossible to complete a feat without the other's contribution. From Arc's submissive nature and Kukuru's loud, spunky life, they both advanced into a mature stage of soaking in responsibilities and seeking the good of those around them and not themselves. Their values were so strongly deemed by each other that an inescapable route to their common destiny placed them inseparable in spirit. Arc remembered the moment he took up the courage to share his affection on the fateful day of the Cion Shrine, where they shared their first intimate kiss. He knew that their destiny were intertwined but he wished that she could understand that his reasons for loving her were beyond the trivial duties that destiny commanded them to face. Arc, again deeply pondering of Kukuru's distemper, wondered if his misleading actions are what are causing Kukuru's thoughts to limply flow without energy. It's true, that his feelings were never clear from the beginning and even during the event at Cion Shrine. Nonetheless, he believed that the task at hand was to be completed first, and now that the duties of destiny were fulfilled, he sternly rebuked himself for not taking the time to finally confess his mind-sets. As he prepared to clear his throat and speak, he came only a few seconds short to Kukuru's unrelenting wit.
"Arc…"
"Uh…yes?" Arc flustered as he noticed how long he had been standing without saying a word and just staring. With her back still faced towards him, she continued with a mild tone, lacking the clear dominance that he learned to adore.
"Why have you been standing there for so long…?"
"I was wondering…" A brisk silence walked by.
"Wondering…about…?"
" …About…you." The simple silence took its time to reside between them, before Arc's soft voice politely chased it away. "Kukuru, is something the matter?"
"…Yes, something is indeed the matter. Arc…" She turned to stare into his handsome but equally tired eyes. "We are free of our destiny's duty, but I never felt more imprisoned in my life. Had there been another way to defeat the Dark One, I would never think, without a doubt, about giving up my powers in return for the world to become helplessly bleak and you…without the guardians' gifts and strength. Had the Dark One did not come to consume me…had it not been for me…" Arc listened intently, understanding where her troubles were now brewing. "It…it's…not that I don't understand what would have happened if I weren't there…but I also do understand that…that the reasons events turned around to this were…" She stopped and turned away, overwhelmed with her frustration and lack of strength. Her grip on her loose wine attire tightened as she tried desperately to control her raging emotions. She shut her eyes and let her head fall on its own will. She couldn't bear to show her weakness in front of others, and in front of Arc it was twice as hard for her to handle her vulnerability. Powerless and now without purpose, she understood even with her powers she had been incapable to face the strength of the Dark One. Yet, if only she were to cling on to the last seconds within the final moments of her death, perhaps there could have been hope to shut the seal. Even with her life sacrificed at that moment, it would be far better than to let the world face what it is facing this very second. Constant regrets and rain of doubts devoured her last remnants of her free spirit, as she began to hate herself most for being the cause of Arc's loss of power. The glow of her inner strength shivered to the bellowing winds of her conscience. Her eyes could only see deep inside, the failure that brought everyone to ruins, including herself. She shuddered from the amount of bitterness that went whirling around in the whirlpool of her mind.
She felt a gentle touch against her cheek from Arc's soothing hand as he silently brushed off the tear that she fought so hard to not shed. Then she broke, like she's never been broken before; the great wall that hindered the warlike mass of emotions and anger from revealing anything beyond the world on the other side crumbled as the way Achilles lost control from the strike on his heel. She shielded her mouth, muffling her cries as she shed a thousand more tears unwillingly. She cowered her head, unable to face Arc, but only sob his name, overthrown with guilt. Arc knelt in front of her unhappy poise, feeling stabs of daggers striking his heart as he heard every cry and saw every tear that flowed from her eyes. Gently, he lifted her hands, damp from her flood of tears, away from her mouth as she tried her hardest to prevent last of her small whimpers to escape her mouth by distorting her face and mouth. With one hand, he held both of her hands together as he brushed the remnants of tears that held the yokes of her sorrow and burdens with the other. Kukuru signed roughly, the shortness of her breath quivering whenever she breathed in. Arc gently pressed her towards him so that she could lean against him, with the melancholy temperament of her spirit.
"Kukuru…" He began to lightly caress the flow of her amethyst hair. "The blame does not lie in you. My loss is clear as yours. It was unavoidable for both of us to save the earth that we are standing on without losing our powers. The way you chose to act was decisive. There was nothing that could have been done at the moment. The same would have happened to me, if I were to be the one that was suppose to protect the seal of darkness." Kukuru remained silent against his shoulder as Arc stopped to find a reaction, but reaching none. "I'm sorry Kukuru if I've put my burdens on you. Forgive me for failing to notice your exhaustion and giving you no help when you needed me most. I don't deserve the humility that you are trying to show me. The guilt you feel is as great as mine for you. When the Darkness began to demolish the world, and the remainder of the light faded into the shadows, I was with our friends, and they were with me. Together, we found comfort and a greater strength by our numbers and bondage. But you were alone…and by yourself you confronted the Dark One. That's why…that's why no one would ever think that what you have done was in vain or the cause of what had happened…because it wasn't." Kukuru remained ever silent. She was lost in her thoughts but did listen to every bit of the words that came from Arc's heart. Yet, she was in solitude, and her mind was shrouded in darkness. Arc realized that even if her mind had heard his words, her heart did not find any comfort. Kukuru gently clutched Arc's hands and smiled at him.
"Thank you…Arc." She smiled but Arc felt as though nothing seemed to have changed. "I feel much better…forgive me for worrying you." Arc stood up and pulled her up gently. He stared into her garnet eyes and finally grabbed the courage to begin.
"Kukuru…let's leave." Kukuru looked at him in confusion, but he smiled and continued. "Let's go back to Touvil, and there we can live freely away from the world. We had many good memories there…and there, we found each other." Kukuru stared at the floor as her face showed signs of understanding. "We are not obligated to anything anymore. We can really live…live like everyone else and at peace." Kukuru's everlasting silence began to worry Arc a little. "I would like to makeup for the all the time we couldn't spend with each other. There is so much I have left to tell you and share with you." Kukuru's face returned to glance at him with a smile that reappeared as she drew closer to Arc.
"So do I, Arc. I really want that as well." Kukuru sighed and she leaned against him. Arc was clearly happy and held her close to him, feeling the warmth of her spirit returning. Unfortunately, Kukuru looked uneasy at the decision she had just made. She held Arc closely but the usual happiness that she was expecting was lacking. She sensed her spirit lifted by Arc's proposal but the course of her future was still veiled in confusion. As Arc continued to gently stroke her long hair, she could only wonder of what the future would be like if she took this merry course.
Tosh, on his way from the Silver Noah, came upon the scene of their affection and looked away slightly troubled. Kukuru, noticing his presence, drew away from Arc as Arc soon realized that Tosh was a little uncomfortable seeing them so close. Kukuru looked at Tosh's figure and remembered the first time they met, how he was abrupt and coarse to others' problems. Yet as time went by, she admired his perseverance and his independence. His strong physic made his companions feel stronger by his side, and that's what helped Kukuru come to respect him. Tosh looked up at Kukuru, where they faintly locked eyes until Kukuru looked away. Tosh smirked, knowing that the only one Kukuru would lock eyes with would be Arc himself. Tosh didn't deny the fact that he loved Kukuru and many of his companions still wondered if he still held those feelings. Even so, Tosh understood Kukuru's feelings for Arc, and thus, politely backed away. During their past adventures, Arc was the first to realize Tosh's affection for Kukuru. At first, Arc willingly left the issues aside for he knew a greater importance was ahead. Unfortunately, Arc was just as human as any other man and couldn't help but continuously wonder about Kukuru's feelings. Kukuru was a mystery to him, and more or less, it seemed as though she had a strong bond with Tosh, but never exposed her true feelings to anyone.
Arc never felt angry with Tosh for attempting to capture Kukuru's heart during their visit to Zariban at the Ishima Rocks. By that time, all companions were well informed about each other and a strong relationship was shared by each and everyone of them. After their conversation with the Water Guardian, Arc and his companions resided peacefully inside the shrine. Arc noticed Kukuru was not with them. As he searched around his companions, he realized Tosh was absent as well. Iga did offer to go and search for them, but he decided there was no need to trouble him. Thus, Arc went out to search for Kukuru and Tosh. Kukuru walked silently along the desert and reached a subtle area to relax. At the Ishima Rocks, she decided to practice her skills and reinforce her inner strengths. Her light actions ceased as she felt another presence around her. She whirled around to find Tosh attempt a powerful blow, but she quickly dodged his maneuver and countered his attack, with a simple kick towards his back. The impact caused Tosh to land flat on the floor, humiliated. From his position, he regained himself and sat in a comfortable position.
"Haha. I was so certain I would hit you then." Tosh gave a playful smile, which Kukuru received warmly.
"You're not quick enough for me, Tosh. I heard that blow coming in three feet away from me." Kukuru sat down on a flat boulder and smiled deviously.
"Hmph. I sure wish I could throw that conceit on the dirt, the same way you threw me on the floor." Tosh chuckled, clearing knowing how angry Kukuru would receive his message.
"Hehe. At least I got to throw yours down first and ensure the safety of mine." She looked away and smiled. Tosh and Kukuru frequently enjoyed a nice quarrel but in most cases, she realized it began to draw her closer to him. She was glad to know that their friendship could be treasured in this way. She glanced behind her and was surprised to see that Tosh had disappeared. As she stood and peered around the area, still finding Tosh's disappearance a mystery, she took the moment to marvel at the surrounding beauty. The shades of the stones glistened with the shades of red and yellow, reflecting the colors of the setting sun. The way the light faintly reflected amidst the area created a peaceful atmosphere. Lost in her thoughts, Kukuru walked a few steps in front of her, until she realized Tosh's presence was right behind her. She turned but came a few seconds late as Tosh roughly wrapped his arms around her, yelling, "Got You!" Unfortunately, Tosh did not expect to grasp her body head on and was expecting to pull her from behind. Kukuru stood rather shocked at the sudden impact and stunned by the fact that their faces were so close. Tosh, too, didn't know what to do but stare into her burning eyes. The winds faintly let out a whisper, whirling past the desert sands. Kukuru began to feel troubled, thus broke the link that held her eyes to Tosh's eyes. She slowly drew away from him, but was softly brought back as Tosh moved his face closer to hers. Before his lips could meet hers, she quickly pulled away from his grasp, noticing Arc who apparently came a few seconds after their unintended embrace. Although Arc usually looked composed in any situation, his face mirrored the sudden drop of his heart. Yet he turned away quickly to not let them notice. At this reaction, Kukuru completely turned away from Tosh, who realized that Arc's presence influenced Kukuru's sudden unease.
"I…um…Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt anything." Arc's voice remained steady, but Kukuru and Tosh felt the abrupt change in his spirit. Kukuru and Tosh remained silent, still staring away from the scene like Arc. The awkward silence began to weigh more and more as the seconds passed by. Tosh was out of words; his mind drew a mere blank while Kukuru didn't know how to react to his words. All she could recall was the painful facade of Arc's face, before he looked away from them.
"…We're going to be boarding Silver Noah pretty soon…I just came to tell you that." Arc began to walk away from the Ishima Rocks, heading towards the Water Shrine. He didn't glance back, not knowing what he would find. Kukuru stared at the figure that walked silently away with sorrow. She felt a sudden lump in her throat that stopped her breath. After Arc was completely out of her vision, she closed her eyes and tried to erase his painful face expression. Unfortunately, the task was much easier said than done for she began to feel a bitter anger rising in herself. Clearly away from the Ishima Rocks, Arc's steps seemed to feel a bit heavier than his last, and walking through the soft sands of Salyan Desert did not create the peace that he felt before. Upon reaching the Water Shrine, he stood alone for a moment reflecting on what he had saw. His eyes gleamed with faint disappointment, but he shook his head and stared ahead. There was a task to be done, and he did not want to feel that what had happened held of more importance. Even though his mind spoke ways to veil the pain inside, Arc could not get rid of scene from his mind. So instead, he tried to link events that showed how Kukuru and Tosh showed signs that they did have feelings for each other. To him, the pieces seemed to make more sense as he realized that perhaps they have carried their feelings much longer than he imagined. Suddenly a cheerful voice called out to him and he looked ahead as he saw his merry friend, Poco, running towards him.
"Arc, did you find Kukuru?" Arc smiled, deleting what had happened earlier.
"Yea, she was at the Ishima Rocks…" Poco seemed to have nodded but he looked a little perplexed as if a piece of the puzzle was missing.
"Isn't she coming? What about Tosh? You went to look for him too, right?" Arc didn't want to reply at first but he meekly smiled and gave Poco a pat on his small shoulder.
"He was with Kukuru," Poco seemed even more perplexed when Arc spoke those words as Arc gave a little chuckle at his friend's sudden reaction. "I didn't want to bother them, you know." Arc started walking towards the Silver Noah, still speaking to Poco. "I told them to come to the Silver Noah. They'll be here soon enough." Poco watched as his friend walked further away. He stared towards the desert and wondered about what Arc had told him. Poco never expected Tosh and Kukuru to hold any feelings for each other, whereas Arc and Kukuru seemed more inclined to fall in love. He held this thought for a moment but was quickly interrupted by the light growls of his famished stomach. A faint blush ran across his cheeks as he hurried towards the Silver Noah to grab his lunch.
Meanwhile Kukuru and Tosh stayed silent after the ordeal with Arc's appearance. The heavy atmosphere seemed to be almost chocking Kukuru. She did not gasp or wheeze but she felt as though her heart couldn't breath. The mellow air did not seem so calm anymore. Mixed feelings of anger, bitterness, confusion, and love filled the gap between her, Tosh, and Arc's relationship. The silence was killing Kukuru and she couldn't stand it anymore as she rose up to leave the area. "We should get back to the Silver Noah." Kukuru started walking away as her light steps only made heavy imprints within the desert sands.
"Wait…" Kukuru paused for a moment and decided to not turn to look at him. "We…we need to settle this."
"Settle what?"
"…you know what I'm talking about…" This time Tosh rose up and looked towards Kukuru's direction, feeling a bit of impatience brewing under his tongue.
"No, I do not." Kukuru kept her calm, saying those words with perfect ease. The ease of her mind ceased when she felt Tosh's broad hand grab her arm harshly and straighten her so that she can look right into him.
"There is no use denying it because you clearly showed it when Arc came to make an appearance!"
"Wh-What exactly did I show…"
"That's not for me to answer now, is it!"
"Then what are you trying to imply!" She callously tried to release her arm from his hand but he abruptly tightened his grip.
"I'm not implying anything." His voice lowered as he seemed to have regained control over his eruption of emotions. "I want to know the truth…"
"…." Kukuru let her eyes fall for she too wanted to know the truth more than anyone, not only about herself but about Arc. Tosh's feelings for her were rather evident. She has to admit, she knew his feelings long before now, but she always caught herself in the habit of denying everything, even the possibility that Arc had feelings for her. Her feelings were more jumbled than she realized. She felt a sudden gap inside that she could not combine. It's as if she had to choose one path from the two shown. The only problem was, both paths seemed to promise much happiness and delights. Her feelings for Tosh were clustered into many piles of events. She remembered times when she hated him, as well as times when she admired him. She remembered herself giving slight glances at him, and also the way he gave slight glances at her. She remembered so many good memories that made her feeling comfortable around his presence. Then there was Arc. Arc was the most mysterious person she had met. Even after their first meeting under the Guardians Peak, she continuously felt a strange, calm aura when she was around him. She and Arc held no similarities except their goal and destiny. Perhaps that's what helped her to lean towards his direction more often than not. There was always this need to be around him, but her doubts about his feelings for her kept her from coming close. She couldn't think of it anymore. The matter was too difficult to reorganize at the time. "…I…I don't know."
Tosh dimmed with bitter disappointment. "…I see…" He let go of his grasp on her arm and looked towards the desert that led to the Water Shrine. A moment of another silence marked the walls of the cliffs before them. The sun lowered to emit dashes of ginger gleams through the red crags. "Kukuru, there may be nothing that I have that is comparable to Arc but I can tell you that my feelings for you may have reached a point where it can't turn back anymore." Kukuru looked at him seeming to understand him.
"I know Tosh. I'm sorry…that I've just confused you. I…I think I feel nothing, nothing for anyone. Or maybe those feelings are just not tangible yet. I have to wait for them to turn up to maybe truly find out where my heart is leading. But for now…I find that I could only hold feelings of friendship for you."
"…What about Arc?"
"…Arc…same with him…I don't want the wrong information to be said to anyone."
Tosh gave a little sigh and scratched his head. "Well, if there ever is a need for you to spill some information, I hope that you come to me first and tell me…I wouldn't want to be the last to know about anything." Kukuru was glad that their uneasy mood returned to its normal status. She nodded as they both realized their conversation lasted much longer than they expected. The gray moon began to peel away from the purple sky and shade the world with its dim light. As Kukuru and Tosh ran towards across the desert, the slim shadows of necromancers began to travel across the cliffs with them to foreshadow their impeding doom. On the other hand, Gogen hovered over the window of the Silver Noah with annoyance, grumbling curses under his ancient beard. Chongara let his pot settle next to his feet as his huge desert hat shaded his sleeping eyes. Iga also seemed a little worried that their two companions seemed to be missing. Poco jumped from side to side, holding a pale expression and mingling with his Wild Lion Drum, until Gogen slammed his wooden cane on his head.
"Would you stop your rattling for crying out loud! You could wake the dead with your clatter!" Gogen grumbled as he grew ever more impatient at Tosh and Kukuru's absence.
"Gomenasai, Gogen. I'm just getting a little worried about them. It's getting so late and who knows what is out there. I have a feeling that something might have hap-
Unfortunately, before Poco could finish Gogen slammed his magic cane once more onto his head. "Now that's the problem with you edgy youngsters! You can't keep your mouth from spelling out disasters! ARC!" Arc, who seemed to be leaning against the wall with ease, looked towards Gogen. "My goodness gracious! Have you nothing to say to what's going on here?" Gogen reacted to Arc's ease with contempt.
"Oh…," Arc began to realize that he has been only thinking about what had happened before and hasn't been paying attention to what was going around him. "Go men, Gogen. I haven't realized how much time has passed."
"Well for guardians' sake, don't keep your head within the clouds and think of the matter at hand! It's passed many hours and our friends haven't arrived yet." Arc looked outside the window looking a little worried. He wondered if something could have happened, but taking that Tosh is one of the greatest warriors and Kukuru's blessed with the Guardians powers, it would be rather unlikely for them to find trouble within the desert. Before he could reply to Gogen, a gut retching scream had resonated from the distance. Everyone except Chongara reacted immediately as their bodies began to tense. Poco looked to Arc with worry, "That sounded like Kukuru!" Iga opened the shaft of the Silver Noah and looked to Arc. Arc immediately grabbed his sword and ran towards Iga. "Poco, I want you to stay here with Chongara. Having all of us go might be risky. We need Silver Noah protected. Gogen, I believe we would need your assistance to take us there fast enough to-
"No need to state the obvious! TELEPORT (telepoto)!" Immediately Gogen, Arc, and Iga disappeared from Poco's sight.
Kukuru had her foot entangled by the malicious ooze of the blood slimes. She thrust her Phantom gauntlet down into their amoeba flesh as her strike began to dismember their body all together. After being free, she was thrust down into the desert sands from the impact of Necromancer's Thunder Storm. She felt the burning sting on her right cheek as the Necromancer thrust his cane across her shoulder but barely missing and slightly hitting her face instead. Tosh came into view as he slashed the Necromancer across its back.
"Kukuru, are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Suddenly a whole mass of Mad Puppeteers came into view across the desert sands. "…Ugh, more company." But before the mass of monsters began to surround Tosh and Kukuru a loud voice sounded from beyond the group of demons. "EXPLOSION!" Tosh and Kukuru smiled at the relieving voice of their friend as the rest of them came into view. As the blood slimes began to split into many counterparts, Iga ceased their action with a Taima-Kodan, throwing threads laser beams towards the massive group of blood slimes. Arc slashed the few of the mad puppeteers that survived from Gogen's elemental attack and looked to Kukuru and Tosh, noticing they were fighting back to back from the final row of necromancers. Tosh thrust his long sword across the necromancers, finishing his blows with Ouka-raibaku-zen, letting the flutters of small cherry blossom petals flash by. Kukuru stepped in front and dashed through necromancers that were ready to attach with her fist sparking with faint blue energy. looks much like Kasumi's dashing move where she slashes the opponents the stomach with her hand Tosh slashed upwards as the necromancers were almost frozen from Kukuru's last attack.
"Nice assist." He chuckled under his breath as he got into position for more.
"Same to you." She smiled, seeing Tosh rush into the fury of battle once more. As she followed she looked back at her other friends, finding Arc and Gogen attacking the few blood slimes left. She looked a little worried that everyone seemed so preoccupied and wondered if what had happened earlier had affected Arc at all. Suddenly from behind her, a necromancer dragged Kukuru down onto the floor. She winced as she felt a sudden pain flow through her arm. With one of the monster's hand wrapped around her neck, and the other holding up his cane, Kukuru couldn't budge from the position. Tosh looked back, finding Necromancer about to smash Kukuru's face with his cane. As Tosh dashed in, his steps came a little late as Arc tackled the Necromancer. Kukuru gasped for air as Tosh took to her side and lifted her to her feet. As the necromancer threw Arc over, he prepared to end his poise with a shocking exit, but before he mutter the words for his 'Thunder Storm,' Kukuru blasted a sealing mark on the desert floor where the necromancer stood, shouting, "SILENCE! (Silento)" The necromancer panicked as he was out of words but that state of alarm was short lived as Arc and Tosh slashed across it before anymore harm could be done. Arc put his sword back in his sheath and looked at Kukuru, who returned his glance with a sincere smile. Reacting in no particular way, he looked at Tosh, who chuckled lightly.
"It's a good thing you all came. We were certain this battle would have lasted all night without any help." Gogen and Iga came over and peering across the horizon. The storm seemed to have passed and the safety of everyone was ensured. Yet, the one responsible for their previous battle stood high on the mountaintop, observing their every action. The man, shadowed by the moon glare behind him, smiled, letting his glasses shimmer from the light. Before he turned to leave, he muttered a few words as the winds carried the heavy terror and brought it below. "Well then, I believe it would kill Poco if we left him waiting in the Silver Noah any longer. Why not we take leave of this dismal graveyard?" Gogen balanced on his staff, getting ready to teleport everyone back.
"Good idea, Gogen." Arc replied, but before he could take another step towards his companions, he felt an ominous weight upon the winds. Kukuru immediately noticed what Arc was feeling for her body started to weight heavier than the mountains themselves. Arc dropped to his knees feeling gravity pull everything below them.
"Ugh! …What in the-
Tosh and Iga were barely able to withstand the sudden change in the atmosphere. Gogen quickly hovered over them, strangely unaffected by the dilemma, and leaned his staff closer to his companions.
"Quick, grab my staff! There is a strange spell cast in the earth and wind! We must leave now!" Tosh and Iga struggled to lift their arms, fighting against gravity, and as Arc tried his hardest to crawl towards the staff, he felt the earth beneath him crumble. He looked below him, shocked that the sands began to sink deeper and even sputter from the crevices that erupted from the floor. Kukuru tried her hardest to limp towards Arc, but before she could step further Arc's voice yelled from the distance.
"Kukuru, don't come any closer!" Arc felt his foot suddenly give way as he felt the depth of the unknown and the abysmal height of where he would possibly fall into. Kukuru, being stubborn as she was, dashed towards him and held out her hand.
"Arc, hurry! Grab my hand!" She felt the desert floor rumble and fall out of place. The pain of the Earth Guardian rang through her veins and she knew Arc could feel the same sting in the Wind Guardian. Arc finally through all his strength grabbed her hand, as they began to pull each other towards Gogen cane. Gogen tried to reach closer to their falling companions but the weight of the winds were now causing him to lose way. Tosh cursed under his breath as he tried to bring Gogen's cane closer to Arc and Kukuru. Iga with all his might tried to hold Gogen in balance. Arc lost his balance as the last piece of earth fell below, causing him to lose his grasp with Kukuru's hand and hang barely by digging his fingers through the sands of the desert, if that would last long enough to keep him steady. From the depth he was in, he could see Kukuru trying her hardest to reach him from below.
"Kukuru, go back!" The last piece of earth that he held balance to began to crumble. "Or you will fall as well!"
"No!" The winds began to react differently as the sands began to pick up and blind their sight. "Arc, my hand…" Although Arc could barely see her figure, he tried his hardest to reach out but it only caused him to lose way and find it harder to hold onto the earth. From far away, Kukuru heard Tosh's voice call out. It seemed as though they could not see them as well.
"This is no use; we must leave now!" Gogen ready to use his spell was stopped by Tosh's sudden grip.
"Not without Arc and Kukuru!" Tosh and Iga seemed to agree with one another as they tried their hardest to dash towards the blinding winds. "Arc! Kukuru!" Although Tosh shouted as much as he could, the sands began to nearly choke him. Suddenly he heard her faint voice holler out to them.
"Just go!" Tosh looked faintly bewildered by what she had said. Arc, on the other hand, looked just as bewildered at the fact that Kukuru would stay for his sake. Gogen nodding, clutched Tosh and Iga unexpectedly. "WAIT!" Unfortunately, Tosh's request was brief as Gogen had already transported them to the Silver Noah. Kukuru held out her hand further and as she barely felt Arc's fingertips, the earth below her perished. Arc and Kukuru barely stayed in balance as their bodies tumbled over and fell into the darkness. Kukuru let out a yelp as Arc reached out to her.
"Kukuru!" She reached out her hand to him as he grabbed it. He pulled her closer to him and she clutched onto body, feeling the darkness consume them. He held her close to him and shut his eyes, feeling a little ease from her presence. Kukuru leaned into him, feeling that this might be the end. The rush of their fall broiled fear and dread for what to come in the end. Wails of the darkness sent shivers behind her back and made her shudder. The extent of their fall began to make both of them lose their conscious, however, a faint glow had caught Kukuru's attention that she glanced behind her.
"…this light…is this…?" Arc glanced up as she spoke those words, feeling the warmth from above. Kukuru and Arc's bodies faintly glistened as the darkness around them began to fade away and the light carried them from the abyss. The figure on the mountain looked pleased as he saw both of his victims disappear into the hell hole that he created. As he took his index finger to lift his glasses up a bit, he turned to leave. Suddenly he stopped and whirled around with a confounded look, finding a faint glow emit from the darkness.
"…im-impossible!" Then he covered his eyes as the darkness completely vanished from the seal of eternal doom, and burst of light fluttering like the rush of thousands of doves flying toward the sky flared from the darkness. "How can this be…" He grumbled under his breath and shut his eyes from the sudden brightness. As the last flutter of wings took flight from the illumination, a small wave of energy waved around. He peered carefully and saw two figures held safely within a transparent sphere of energy, which blasted away from the area and headed towards the Water Shrine. Finally, the area ceased to be bright and the shades of the night filled the area like it was before, casting shadows from the falling moon. The man gripped his hand into a fist and gritted his teeth. "Damn those guardians…Soon…Arc…Soon, you will die." With this, he flung his large coat about him and walked away crossly.
Meanwhile, Poco cringed in the corner of the room as Tosh and Iga were rushing about, angry and confused, trying to leave and find their lost friends. Gogen, however, stood in their path. Frankly, it seemed as though Tosh and Iga were ready to tackle Gogen down, but Chongara got in the front and held them.
"ACK…Now now! No need for violence among friends!" Chongara pushed Tosh away as Poco immediately came to hold Iga from advancing.
"Are you mad, Gogen! What do you mean, we must stay here!" Tosh seemed to almost boil over and erupt like a volcano.
"I mean what I say, Tosh! There is no way we can survive out there…at least not with our powers…" Iga calmed himself as he approached Gogen.
"What can we do then, to help our friends?" Gogen looked distressed and shook his head. "The truth is, there is no real answer. Yet, one thing for certain, that attack was not directed towards us." A silence grimaced among them as Tosh spoke up from the grim situation.
"I don't understand…then who-
"That spell was aimed at Arc and Arc alone. Although I don't know anyone strong enough to cast such a spell, I believe that spell was strictly forbidden to be spoken because of the damage it does to nature itself. They may be in grave danger but out presence there, will only be burden. If you've remembered, we weren't even barely able to pass through the sand barrier…" Iga sat down against the seat and sighed, dusting his hair from the sand storm.
"Damn, then…then we can't do anything…" Tosh gripped his hand and lowered his head in grief. Gogen hovered towards the window and peered forth.
"No…we can only wait, and pray for their safety…" The Silver Noah stayed silent that night, if not for Poco's soothing melody from his golden harp. The light of the moon began to fall short to the growing light of the waking sun, as the spread of its light brightened the sky to a cerulean ray. The following rays gleamed through the crevices inscribed on the walls of the Water Shrine. The light crept across the floor and fell across Arc's face. He cringed from the glaring daylight and slightly opened his eyes. The calm azure palace glistened from the sun's reflections. The atmosphere was welcoming as Arc slightly got up, feeling a pounding headache and his aching body disturb the serene moment. He shook his head and glanced below, finding Kukuru lying slightly on his chest peacefully asleep. He stopped in his position, just staring at her pale face. Then he noticed that her face had a slight cut from last night's battle with the Necromancer. He lifted his arm, as if to softly heal the wound, but held his hand for a moment. The scene of Tosh and Kukuru's embrace flashed through his mind for a second. He felt a little reluctant to stay close to Kukuru, but he shook his head and chased away the silly thought. Feeling it was unnecessary to hold back, he lightly stroked her lovely face, emitting a small glow that magically healed the scratch. His gentle gesture woke up Kukuru, who at the moment noticed Arc hand lightly stroking her face. A little surprised, Arc quickly took his hand away and leaned away for her to get up. Kukuru slightly leaned back and stared at Arc, who stared at her back in the same confused gaze. Arc couldn't find any words to say and the only ones he could think of made him sound incredibly stupid that he decided not to speak at all. Kukuru, on the other hand, didn't know how to respond. Even a thankful reply would sound a little dismal at the moment, that Kukuru just kept her mouth shut. Fortunately, their silence were interrupted by the sudden flow of water that burst from the fountains within the end of the Water Shrine. From the pool of crystal clear cascade, the Water Guardian arose with a splashy entrance. Arc and Kukuru got up and approached the weak Guardian, who seemed almost transparent against the sky blue walls of the shrine.
"Arc…Kukuru…." The Water Guardian weakly bobbed along the pool, like a beach ball that has been over inflated and couldn't balance.
"Thank you for rescuing us, Water Guardian." Kukuru lifted her eyes up with worry for the protector of all that held water on the planet.
"Yes, we are in your debt again…"
"No…no, Arc and Kukuru…it was not I who was responsible for your safety…" The Water Guardian began to vanish from the bottom. "There isn't much time…the other Guardians grow weaker by the days…The Light Guardian with all its strength was able to save you from the bottomless pit of darkness…He seemed to have found your bond intriguingly powerful that he was able to render your strengths with his own. Your will, Arc, to survive and to protect as with your will, Kukuru, to guide and to save created a powerful harmony that the Light Guardian used to rescue you two." Arc and Kukuru looked at each other briefly, but returned their glance back towards the Guardian.
"Last night's incident…was not accident, was it?" Arc questioned the nature of the occurrence, knowing clearly well that it would be nearly impossible for the planet to act in such a manner, without the hands of some powerful force such as the Guardians.
"Indeed…a dark presence looms about us…but he or she is deceptive. Some time, we Guardians, felt the presence but it seems as though our adversary knows more about the Ark and its power than we perceive. Be careful, Arc…Kukuru…Evil comes in many forms…" And with those last warnings, the Water Guardian couldn't keep its physical form visible for too long. Arc and Kukuru looked deeply distressed, contemplating on what the Guardians had spoken. Then Kukuru stared into Arc, beginning to drive at a conclusion.
"Do you suppose…what we felt last night could have been him…or her?"
"…I don't know. Whoever it was, that person was too powerful to actually grasp. For a moment, I felt as though my body was frozen stiff, as if all that remained a part of me vanished."
"Exactly how I felt! I felt…the Guardians tremble…not in fear, but from agony. If this force had the powers to hinder the strength of the Guardians, then we must act quickly to stop this madness from prolonging." Kukuru turned and started walking towards the direction of the exit. "Let us hurry, Arc."
"Right…Tosh would also be worried." With this, Kukuru stopped and looked at him a little lost.
"Tosh?" Kukuru, standing a few feet from him, looked into his eyes, which seemed to look nonchalant but hide a touch of gloom.
"Well, you know…what I mean." He began walking towards the exit, reaching to the area where Kukuru stood, who was still staring, puzzled at his words. "You and Tosh are…well…" He stumbled as if he was out of words and a little confused. "…not that I would know clearly but uh…you guys are just…um…" He scratched his head for a moment and looked towards the exit, as if he was about to run and embrace the freedom of accepting what he didn't want to believe was true. He sighed as Kukuru walked to stand in front of him.
"…in love?" She questioned, as if to finish the last words of his mumbled sentences.
"Yea…" He looked solemnly away, not in disgust, but as if he was now ready to accept what he didn't wish to face. He passed her presence and began to walk towards the exit, keeping his face steady and stern until he heard Kukuru sudden footsteps catch up to him. She ran in front of him, looking straight into his eyes with annoyance as if to pierce the very bottom of his soul.
"ARC! You—you—you Ignorant FOOL!" Arc looked baffled for a moment, as though the last two words spoken by Kukuru hit him with a lightning effect.
"I…uh…don't understand why-" Sadly before he could finish, Kukuru advanced towards him portentously, glaring into his face.
"Did you actually think I was IN LOVE!"
"Um…I— "
"How dare you assume without really knowing!" Kukuru turned away as if to shun his very presence. Arc's face changed from his baffled pretense into his original stature, as Kukuru's words seemed to sink into his mind more clearly. He stepped a little closer and had a great need for the answer to his next question.
"You mean—you mean you're not?" Arc's face seemed to light up with surprise but more of like a child anxiously waiting to receive a gift. With a sweet smile and a tone that seemed to be clearer and more understanding, she turned around to face him once again.
"Of course not, silly. What made you think such a thing?" With an angel face as such as hers, no one would expect to find the face of a lion when she was upset. She continued her path towards the exit with a sense of relief, letting him know the truth of the matter. She heard his voice answering, as he walked along with her.
"I guess I just misunderstood from yesterday…" He gave a sigh of relief and shook his head as if to curse himself for even getting so preoccupied with the situation.
"Indeed you misunderstood!" She started walking backwards, speaking to him directly. "Tosh and I are just friends…for now at least. There is just so much to do, I don't think it's the appropriate time to think of such things. I mean, we should think about it after the whole messy situation is over. That way, peace will find its way of joining two hearts together. Don't you agree?" He smiled at her as they have finally reached the exit. The long corridors ended with the small path that led to the desert sands.
"Yes…I agree. Let's go back, Kukuru…" He began to walk first onto the tiny specks of dust, leaving foot prints through his course. Kukuru followed leisurely right after his foot steps, relieved by the breaking of tension between them. At least now, they would be comfortable around each other again. Yet the mysterious figure that the Guardian warned about stayed in their minds for quite some time. The problem was, they both haven't met him, even till now, after defeating and resealing the Dark One. The world seemed to continue its tragic course without the Dark One present within the time.
Arc reflecting upon the memory, suddenly started to wonder about this mysterious person. True, the strength of their companions increased greatly from that time, but he couldn't budge the fear that entrapped him whenever he wondered if he or anyone else had to face his powers one day. Just as it takes the Dark One many years to recuperate its energy, the Guardians would need time to return to its complete health. Arc continued thinking of ways to somehow stop the dreadful end to the Guardians by stopping the one who held the power of darkness. Then Arc stopped, realizing again that he wouldn't have any strength to fight with his allies even with the skills with his sword. His sudden flow of memories was interrupted by the gentle shove of Kukuru.
"Arc…? Arc…? What are you thinking about?"
"Hmm? Oh…nothing. Just about the past, Kukuru." Kukuru turned back to face Tosh, who smiled and pointed towards the Silver Noah.
"The ship seems to be ready for a lift off. Chongara had a hell of a lot mess to fix in the beginning though. Why don't you check it out a bit?"
"Thanks, Tosh. I'll do that." Arc, Kukuru, and Tosh began their travel back to the Silver Noah. Inside the powerful ship, Chongara began his tragic search for his money pouch. Every moment he searched under the seats, Kelack held it above where he couldn't see. The moment he lifted his head, Kelack dropped the pouch to Mofly, which snickered mischievously as it crawled away towards the cockpit. Chongara grumbled and looked towards Kelack.
"Kelack! You've seen my pouch, neh?" The Kelack merely gave him innocent faces shaking their heads. He groaned and looked away, giving them a chance to cheer with glee by the fact that they were terribly annoying Chongara at the moment. Chongara walked towards the cockpit, which made the Kelack act in panic and run inside before him. Unfortunately, as they entered, Mofly still had trouble finding a good place to hide the pouch. Kelack rushed and grabbed the pouch, running between Chongara's legs before he could recognize what they were carrying. Mofly slouched as if to pretend it was sleeping, as Chongara passed by his little friend and searched frantically under the mechanisms. Then he scratched his head and looked at Mofly in suspicion. Noticing the peacefully state Mofly seemed to be in, he humbly accepted the fact that searching for it might be pointless and walked out into the hallway. Unfortunately for Kelack, who were rushing towards particularly no where, stumbled and fell, dropping the pouch, which produced a large crashing sound. Chongara rushed out and recognized the sound the instant he heard it. Finding his precious on the floor, he gleefully walked towards the pouch. The Kelack argued amongst each other, telling each it was one of their faults for the fall. Suddenly a chilling shadow befell on them, as they stared upwards to notice that it was Hemo-ji. Hemo-ji gave its usual groan and looked at the object he had picked up. The Kelack smiled, noticing it was the pouch that had fallen. Chongara reaching to the area where Kelack fell, smiled gratefully at Hemo-ji.
"Ah, Hemo-ji…Chongara say good job to you. I might not have found it if you haven't—" Suddenly without a second thought, Hemo-ji, with all his stupidity, gobbled the entire pouch down his throat. All was filled with a trembling silence. Kelack looked shocked, all three faces, and even the Mofly that approached them from behind stopped in horror. Chongara, frozen with the smile still pressed against his face, looked at Hemo-ji as if he didn't exist, as if what he saw before him was just a mirage to trick his idle mind. Yet, Hemo-ji sounded its usual lethargic groan, breaking the silence, and gave a little smile after his satisfactory meal, proving the validity of its existence.
"YOU IMBECILE! What you done!" Chongara immediately grabbed the obviously clueless Hemo-ji and began nearly choking the uninformed creature. "Hurry! Chongara demand you spit out! Spit out! Now!" With haste, Chongara pulled Hemo-ji and shook him vigorously upside down. Of course, nothing plopped from the mouth of Hemo-ji. Chongara abruptly dropped Hemo-ji, who fell right on top of his furry cone-shaped head, rolling to his side. "Ohh…all my life work and now inside Hemo-ji stomach…Ohhh…" Kelack and Mofly looked at Hemo-ji with panic and rushed him toward the exit, telling him to run before Chongara would start a tantrum and find other means of reaching the pouch. Hemo-ji, however, being slow as he was, groaned and walked slowly towards the exit until Chongara's large voiced echoed through the hall. "Where is HE! Hemo-ji, You come back this instant!" Hemo-ji began running quickly through the exit, sadly, crashing into Tosh, who had just arrived.
"What the-!" Tosh losing his balance, stumbled into Arc and soon fell onto him.
"..Tosh! What are you— " Arc immediately lost his balance as well and wavered. No matter how hard he tried to keep them all in balance, the last of the bowling ball, Chongara, shouting Hemo-ji's name, smashed into his friends as if they were markers that ended the bowling round and broke the point of balance that Arc nearly stabilized. As they rolled down the lift with extreme speed, Kukuru slightly moved towards the left side and avoided the sudden catastrophe with ease. A large thunder of their weight hitting the bottom was heard from above, where Kukuru looked back with worry. Within the pile of three men, who all looked terribly in pain, Hemo-ji lifted his head and opening his mouth, revealing the untouched pouch within its mouth.
"Hemo-ji! I'm going to-" Chongara stopped and grabbed the pouch inside Hemo-ji's mouth and looked inside, finding all the coins intake. He cheered with joy and hugged Hemo-ji forcefully, swinging him from side to side and stepping more than twice on Tosh's back. "Hurray! Chongara thank Hemo-ji! Pouch is back and Safe! What Joy!"
"Chongara! It hasn't even been three days since the last battle, and we happen to have broken bones here! Get off! You Big Baboon!" Chongara began skipping elsewhere as Tosh demanded while Kelack and Mofly, standing next to Kukuru, looked relieved. Tosh placed his hand behind his lower back and stretched to lean back, creating a few crackling noises within his spine. "Urgh…the things we suffer through even after the Dark One…right, Arc?" He gave a little chuckle as he helped Arc up from the bottom of the piggy pile.
"You can mention that again. Urgh…now let's…head into Silver Noah."
Together they started to head inside their faithful ship. Upon reaching the interiors, the sky began to fall through the noon and faded to the blissful night, where everyone took a relaxing sleep within the cabins of the Silver Noah. Shu and Iga also returned from the job of securing the safety of their companions and returned to their rooms to receive their sleep. Lieza, inside her room with Shante, briefly took a moment to observe the stars that illustrated the hours of darkness. The moon vibrated intensely against the wounded planet, glistening through the windows in Elc's room. Elc relaxed on the comfort of his bed, sighing as he found it hard to fall asleep. Finding the world in ruins not only disturbed Elc but made him wonder how long it would take to let the world return to normal. The profound situation made Elc wonder about what to do in the future as well. Would he go on being a hunter? He didn't have the answers to the questions about his future, thus, he felt a bitter sentiment that fate was not done toying with their destiny. The hour passed by viciously and Elc felt his eyes lids drop heavily.
Suddenly a crisp step caused Elc to immediately open his eyes and stand up from the bed, looking straight towards the direction of the sound. He grabbed the remaining portion of his partisan and slowly pushed the door open. Again he heard light steps falling into a rapid dash. With the eyes and ears of a hunter, Elc was already experienced when it came to detecting where the steps came from. He looked across the hallway, finding the shadow of the person lagging behind. Before more suspicion could fill Elc, he sighed and relaxed his partisan for the shadow belonged to none other than Kukuru. Yet, curious of where she would travel off to in this hour, he decided to slightly follow her. From behind, he could barely hear her breathing and even make a sound, but he made sure to not let himself be noticed. Elc noted the strange way she was behaving, as if she became nostalgic over all the aspects of her life. He noticed the constant way she touched the seats of the Silver Noah and even wondering inside the cockpit. Whatever she was doing, Elc suspected as though she was being stealthy, even if that didn't match her character at all. Suddenly the lift of the ship was opened and Elc immediately hid within the shadows to not let the sudden burst of light reveal his presence. Now Elc was more confused by her behavior. Just exactly what was she planning on doing, Elc thought to himself. Then Elc scrutinized her pale face from the light outside, showing only signs of sorrow but determination within itself. Kukuru stepped outside and walked lightly down the lift. Elc, taking a moment to piece the puzzle like situation together, nearly jumped from fright when he heard Kukuru's soft voice call out to him.
"Elc…" Elc did not speak, trying his hardest to veil himself. "I know you were there from the beginning…" Her sigh was heard from outside of the ship as she continued. "Do me a favor…Will you close the lift for me? I'm afraid I won't be able to do so…" Elc only sent back silence, but Kukuru didn't let the moment last as she began to run towards the thickets, hoping to find a place unknown to many. She ran and she did not turn back. She was leaving her friends, and she was leaving Arc for as long as she could find herself again. Elc, hearing her rapid footsteps become fainter and disappear from his audible range, finally realized what was going on. He jumped towards the lift and ran quickly down, attempting to stop her path, even when he couldn't know where to look, for all the thickets looked exactly the same around the ship. Nevertheless, he must try and find her. He was just about to run before a hand grabbed his shoulder, stopping his course of action. Elc whirled around to find Arc, looking towards the thickets seriously. Elc couldn't find words to describe the expression Arc held, they were not that of sadness or anger. He looked composed, as if there was a link between her and him that helped him know almost exactly what was going on.
"Arc…?" Elc looked backed towards the thickets, wondering how far Kukuru would have gone by now. He returned his gaze to Arc impatiently waiting for some sort of reply.
"Let her go…" Arc took his hand off Elc's shoulder, still keeping his eye on the thickets where Kukuru disappeared into.
"But…but Arc. She's alone and all by herself she's going to be—"
"Kukuru could handle herself. Don't worry, nothing would happen to her. She's stronger than she looks." His voice remained calm and distinct, revealing the sharp undertone within his voice that seemed to cover his confusion as well.
"I don't understand…why would she just run?" Arc remained silent. Elc wondered that he may be have been asking the same question to himself. The night remained dark as ever, lit only by the pale grace of the moon. The winds shuddered passed the Silver Noah as Elc's dark hair swayed from side to side. The intensive look on Arc's face, made Elc feel a little awkward or perhaps awestruck by the way he didn't take his eyes off the thickets.
"She ran so that she can find herself again…"
"Find herself? What do you mean?"
"…the truth is, I don't know either. She needs to regain her strength…that's what she believes. Perhaps the shock of what had happened after the fall of the Dark One had taken toll on her…"
"…She blames herself…"
"More than anything…"
"Then ARC! We have to get her back here! There's no use in keeping oneself away even when the person is feeling completely guilty all over. Only through us can she face those doubts…and win over her guilt"
"No…I will not follow her…"
"What? Why not?" Arc closed his eyes and faced Elc sternly. His eyes had signs of bitterness and pain, which Elc could completely relate.
"Elc, how did you deal with Mariel's death? Was is not the struggle that kept you from waking up, finding yourself, again?" Elc looked a little shocked by Arc's sudden reference to Elc's past, and surprised by his solemn expression, an expression that told him he knew much more than Elc could imagine. "Had it not been for your victory, would you be trapped in the eternal emptiness of your nightmares. Kukuru…doesn't want to sleep…she doesn't want to fall into the struggle the way you have…the way others have…" Finally, Arc looked at the thickets one last time. "I'm not going to follow her…it'll only hurt her." With this, Arc turned around and headed towards the Silver Noah, Elc quietly stood behind watching him walk forward on the lift and disappear into the ship.
Elc turned around to face the thickets again. He gripped his hand and looked up into the sky. The stars speckled the dark velvet within cluster and masses of themselves with different sizes. Elc looked intently but stopped for a moment, finding two stars separated from the rest of the stars that were clumped together. The lonely stars glistened the brightest, emitting a glow that shined beyond the faint light of the other stars. He let his head fall as he closed his eyes.
"Sometimes one has to face his inner demons by himself…" Elc walked towards the Silver Noah, prepared to take a long rest before the morning caught up to the time within reach.
