Goodbye, Hiro
We walked through the doorway together, for the last time. We all knew it, even if it was a little hard to accept. Hiro was going. We should have been happy, of course: Hiro was going to be united with Lucia forever, and after all that all of us have been through, who can blame him? I wanted to say something, anything, to relieve the tension in the room. Nothing came, and the moment passed. Hiro slowly turned back to us. He had looked exhausted after his fight with the Star Dragon, but when he looked back, I saw Hiro as he was before Lucia arived: young, carefree and afraid of nothing. It hurt my heart to see him that way, and I knew that I would miss him for the rest of my days. Then I remembered that my days would be long, for I was the Red Dragon Of Althena, wasn't I?
Hiro just stood there, looking at us. Then he took a deep breath and said "Well, everyone, I guess this is goodbye. Jean broke the silence first, then Ronfar, Lemina, Leo, last to me. I told Hiro That I was happy He was going to Lucia, It wouldn't be fair to her if you stayed here. But it's not that fair to me if you go to the Blue Star, was it? Hiro just stood there and looked at me. He said, "Ruby, you've got to be strong. I'm going and your'e staying. But remember what Nall said, about your memories and how you'll always be with you? I'm just leaving sooner. remember me in your memories, Ruby.
He turned again, and walked to the crystal, where he touched it. It was different than the time Lucia came here: Hiro seemed to fade and flicker like a candle, and for a few seconds we saw the other side: It was very snowy and white, and there was several ice lakes. There was also a huge tower. It loked identical to the Blue Spire. Hiro walked into the crystal. We saw him for a few seconds on the other side. Then that, too, flickered and faded until it was all gone. The booming voice of the Star Dragon filled the chamber: YOU'RE FREIND HAS MADE IT TO THE BLUE STAR SAFELY. YOU HAVE NO MORE BUISNESS IN THIS TOWER. PLEASE LEAVE AT ONCE. I hovered over to Ronfar's shoulder. I curled up and went to sleep.
When I woke up, we were at the inn in Dalton. It was raining. Leo was looking out the window. Everyone else was sleeping on the beds. Leo looked grim and thoughtful, which seemed like his only attitude, beside his booming laughter and joy. He looked around and saw me awake. He stared at me. "What, Leo? Why are you staring at me? He looked at me a while longer and then said, "Where are you going to go, Ruby? I thought about it for awhile. Where, exactly, is home to me now? With Nall at Taben's Peak? Or with Grandpa Gwyn? My fist thought was to got to Gwyn's place. But, no, there was too many memories I didn't feel up to taking on.
"I guess I'll go to Taben's peak for awhile. Nall told me he would teach me how to change into a human shape. Then I'll go surprise Gwyn. I wanted it to be funny, but it came out sounding lame. Leo turned back to the rain. "Where are you going to go, Leo?" I asked him. He answered without facing me. "I will go with Ronfar to Raculi, then I will take the Destiny and sail on the ocean. I need some peace for awhile". I nodded and Leo went over to his bed. "Goodnight, Ruby. "Goodnight, Leo." I slept and did not dream. Or didn't remember.