The Second Departure (Klonoa)
Ten minutes. That's how long I thought I'd be here for. However, I found I've been crouching near this small tombstone, in the graveyard behind Breezegale's Claire Temple, for what felt like hours.
I glanced just to the right of the tombstone once again. Planted near the stone's edge was a small, pink flower bloom – the same Radiant Flower that Pango used to revive Boris – the same one I gave to Lolo before she left for the Sky Temple.
Glad Pango left his own offering for her, too… I thought to myself.
A few tears rolled down my cheeks, as I read the inscription yet again:
LOLO
A noble priestess and hero,
who gave her life
to defend the world's dreams.
May the Goddess Claire
protect her… in her next life.
R.I.P.
Lolo… I hope you're just as heroic with Claire, as you were here…
I stood up and turned around, about to head back to the birch district… but was startled to see two people staring at me – a wolf and a dog-like boy, the former of whom had a gold hero medal pinned to his chest. They both bore pensive looks on their faces.
"Oh, hey guys…" I said to them. "C-came to pay your respects too, huh?"
"Y-yeah." the dog-like boy said – it was Popka. "At least, that's why I came."
"Figures." I turned to the wolf. "And Guntz, I can probably guess why you're here…"
"Of course. But first, how're you holding up, Klonoa? Are you… feeling any better?"
"Somewhat… but…" I hesitated. "Last night, I… I dreamed that Lolo survived the fight against Nahatomb. The three of us and… Pango, Chipple, Boris, the whole village… we threw a welcome back party for her… I never felt happier in my life…"
Tears welled up in my eyes again. "And once I woke up, I thought I saw her lying next to me, smiling, but… but when I blinked, she was gone again…"
"Yikes…" Popka said worryingly. "And I thought seeing her in my dream was depressing enough… you sure you're feelin' better?"
"Y-yeah…" I told him. "Just a little, though."
"I see…" He hesitated. "You know, if you think it'll help your mood, Guntz told me about his offer earlier, and…"
"And he wants to restate it?" I cut in. "Figured that'd be the case."
I turned to Guntz. "I mean, I'm leaning toward it, but… what would our first job be?"
"Well…" he began, "like I said, I had several jobs lined up, but… for now, I read there's still some phantom beasts lingering in Volk's main factory."
"Wait… what?"
"Yep. We could probably start off by clearing them out… help you take your emotions out on-"
"Okay, you had me at 'phantom beasts'. I don't know if it'll completely help, but… it's probably worth a shot."
Guntz grinned a bit. "Good to hear. So, I was thinking I could give you today to get your affairs in order, then we could head out in the afternoon?"
"Sounds good." I turned back to Popka. "You wanna come along? I'd imagine you could let off some steam too, given your past with Lo-"
"Thanks," the dog-like boy cut in, "but… I'm not really much of a fighter, so… perhaps I'd be better off staying here – I know Lolo's parents'll need consoling… as does Chipple…"
"I see… best of luck to you, then."
"Thanks, Klonoa."
Just before Guntz and I headed off, I turned back to the tombstone, Popka slowly approaching it.
Lolo… here's hoping I can visit again…
I spent the rest of the day making preparations for my departure: packing my weapons, Guntz's radio, extra clothes, a few sets of nightclothes, and various other supplies. I briefly considered bringing the bundle of dorees I got from the moon people – my share of our reward for dealing with Garlen – though depending on what Guntz has us do after Volk, I thought it best to leave it with Grandpa.
Once my bag was ready, I checked in on some of the villagers, seeing if anyone else wanted to come along. Though Chipple looked to be doing better for himself, he said as much as he wanted to join in, he needs to make sure his brothers will be alright. Pango, meanwhile, said he and his son, Boris, need to prepare for the summer festival, three months from now.
A few hours before sunset, Guntz and I hopped onto the Red Clan II (paid for with his share of the moon people's reward), about to be seen off by Grandpa, Chipple, Popka, Pango, Boris, and several other villagers. Once Guntz started the engine, however, Popka rushed up to us.
"Hold on!" he yelled.
"Changed your mind?" I asked once he came to a stop.
"N-no, but…" He held his scarf pensively. "Can you… can you promise you'll come back safe… once you and Guntz are finished?"
"O-of course. I mean, if I could withstand Janga's poison, I'm sure I can handle a few phantom beasts."
"I know, but…" He clutched his scarf harder. "You know how hard it was losing Lolo, right?"
"Right."
"So…" He shed a few tears. "How do you think I'll feel if I lost you, too?"
I thought it over – he'd probably be just as devastated, if not mor-
…Oh…
"…Well…" I hopped off the bike and kneeled in front of him, my hand on his shoulder. "You won't have to worry about that… I'll do everything I can to make sure I come back safe."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
He grinned a bit. "Thanks, Klonoa…" He hugged me, our arms wrapping around each other's backs. "You know how much this means to me, right?"
"Of course."
"Good." He let go. "'Cause I really wanna see your promise fulfilled this time."
"Agreed. I'll see you later, Popka."
"See you then, Klonoa."
I hopped back on the bike, the villagers and I waving to each other.
"Alright," I told Guntz, "ready to head off?"
"Of course." He slipped his goggles over his eyes, revved the bike's engine, and drove us off towards Volk, my ears flapping in the wind. I had to hold onto my hat so it didn't fly off.
I looked back at the villagers, slowly disappearing behind the horizon, as my parting words to Popka echoed in my mind:
I'll do everything I can to make sure I come back safe.
