A/N: Whoa! Confessions!
So... now you know. Seiran is not painted by Guertena, but he's a creation of Garry's heart. He has no real place in the gallery, because he was not painted by Guertena and didn't die while in the gallery. So... he like some kind of wandering nomad... (Laughs)
Now that the cat's outta the bag and they have the mermaid elixir... there aren't gonna be too many more chapters... The epic finally is soon to come.
Any who... Enjoy rate subscribe REVIEW~!
Chapter 29: Familiar Light
I'd taken off running… after that's what I do best…
But I don't think I'll ever forget his broken, crushed state as he sank to his knees… and onto the floor as I backed away… towards the door.
I… didn't want to leave him exactly… I just wanted some time to think without being stared down.
As I ran, my whole brain was in a turmoil. He's… a creation of Garry's heart? What does that mean… The same question repeated over and over…
When I was a good distance away, I ducked into a room leaving the door open.
I sank to the floor panting. I looked around the room. This was another room with nothing in it except for a single panting…
I stifled back a gasp. I stared wide eyed at the canvas.
This… was a picture of a wilting yellow rose…
It was titled "Alone Once Again."
"Hm? Well what do you know? It's you. Never thought I'd see you again. Look at you, you're all grown up!" There was only a soft voice but it was distinctly familiar…
"Mary?"
"Yeppers!"
"I-I thought you burned…" I looked at the floor sadly…
"I did. It's just a little bit of my spirit that remains here in this room... You can never really destroy something here... You know? Because Daddy gave us his heart, and with it, we're able to live on..."
"….."
"Oh… It's fine… I know I took someone important from you… I've had the time to reflect on what I had done… and for what it's worth… I'm sorry… I really am."
"I…. know…. I don't blame you…." That's not entirely true… I wouldn't be here now if she hadn't killed him…" Well I do but….You just wanted to get out. You did what you felt was best. It wasn't right of me to pass judgment on you like that… I'm sorry too…."
"Too bad was didn't talk this out before… Maybe we could have worked something out…" she mused.
"Yeah…."
"What about you? I thought you left. Why would you want to come back?" There was a pause before the voice continued. "I'm not there to pull people in anymore. And the Fabricated World doesn't appear to just anyone. You had to be looking for it."
I bit my lip. "Well I wanted to bring Garry back with me… I guess I subconsciously looked for it…"
She was silent for awhile, and seemed to realize something. However what ever it was, she never commented on it.
She inquired about Garry instead, "I thought I destroyed his rose…"
"Yes… But apparently there was an extra task… called the Liar's Quest. And if you pass you can obtain the Mermaid Elixir. It can revive a wilted rose."
"Huh. I didn't know that…."
"Really? Because you were the password to the first part of the quest…"
"Weird…."
"Yeah… the question was 'what was the last work of Guertena's life…' "
"Wow. Yep. That's me." She paused, thinking of what to say next. "Wait… you already have it right?"
"Mm-hm…"
"Then… why… are you still here? Go get him."
I bit my lip again. "I ran into a problem…"
"Oh, please explain."
"Up till now I've been traveling with a man by the name of Seiran… He told me he was a visitor. But I found a painting here in one of the rooms… It was a portrait of him… And when I asked him he told me he was a creation of Garry's heart. I… don't know what to do anymore…"
"Follow your heart."
I stared blankly at the painting.
"If you feel you can trust him, then go back to him. It doesn't matter if he's not human; he's still you friend right? Do what you think is right."
She's right… oddly enough I… still felt like I can trust him… even after all of this. Nothing has changed. Not really…
I stood up. "Thank you. For helping me with…. This problem."
I looked away sadly "I'm sorry you can't come with us…"
"It's fine. Hurry up and scat! Someone's waiting for you. Oh. And hey Ib? If you ever come back here again... Remember who you are and what's truly important!"
"Right!" I ran over to the door and swung it open. Better not make him wait any more.
.
.
When I reached the door, I was completely out of breath.
I reached down to grasp the knob, but paused. Would he still want to travel with me? I mean... I know his big secret… But… you don't know until you try. Right?
I pushed open the door, a little sadden to find that he was in the same position as when I left him.
I walked over and knelt down in front of him.
"Seiran?" He looked up at the sound of his name.
My eyes widened. He looked so lost and hurt. His golden eyes were filled with a deep sadness.
Without thinking I threw my arms around him. "It's okay…"
Hesitantly he returned the hug, embracing me gently, as if he was afraid I would disappear.
"Ib… Ib… Ib…" He whispered my name… over and over…
I felt it…. When she entered the room. Her presence was everything… when did I become so obsessive? When did I realize that…. I liked her? More so than a friend…. When did I fall so deeply in love? Was it when I woke up and found she wasn't there? Was it when she saved me when I tried to take her own life? An action I'll regret for the rest of my horrible soulless existence.
She probably came to yell at me some more… whatever…. I can take it… all of it's true anyway…
She knelt in front of me. "Seiran…" She was so radiant… almost like an illusion… She probably is. The real Ib wouldn't want to come back here… knowing what she does…
I looked up. What happens now? After she leaves me… what am I suppose to do? Wander this god-forsaken world… and watch while she leaves this place with HIM… Damn… This hurts… so much…
If I knew it was gonna be like this I wish we never met…
Wait….That's not true…. I cherish the time we spent together. I don't ever want to forget…
Then her arms were around me….
I was so shocked I couldn't move for a few moments.
"It's okay…"
She was here…. Really here…. I knew this was her without a doubt. I'm not this creative… I can't mimic her sweet scent… or her soft touch… or…her melodic voice…
I carefully embraced her like she could shatter or disappear at any moment.
I could have stayed like that forever… this moment… I wish it never had to end. I whispered her name over and over as if it was my life line… the only thing keeping me here.
But always too soon the moment was over. She pulled away. I thought she was going to turn and leave, but she just smiled warmly at me. "Let's go." She held a hand out…
With a shaking grasp of my own I held onto hers.
We left the hallway … of forgotten memories…
Together.
