With Log mostly back in spirit, the atmosphere on the boat grew noticeably livelier.
The earlier tension had given way to a sense of cautious optimism. I gathered some metal scraps and began repairing the damage from the earlier confrontation, my hands moving methodically, the familiar rhythm of work providing a much-needed distraction.
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"How old is this boat?"
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I focused intently on the task at hand, the rough texture of the metal cool against my fingertips.
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"I've used it for the last seventy-nine years,"
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Lizy had a hint of pride in her voice. She looked fondly at the vessel, her connection to it clear in her expression.
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"That explains a lot,"
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I muttered, my fingers deftly making the final adjustments to the patch. The sound of the metal scraping against the hull echoed around us.
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"That’s why the boat got a hole from a single harpoon attack. It's old, very old."
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I finished securing the patch, giving it a firm press to ensure it held.
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"Hey, RoseBud~"
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Log materialized beside me, his sudden presence accompanied by the faint scent of cedar. I was getting accustomed to his sudden appearances; he preferred to skip the stairs, and this boat had two floors. His unexpected arrival no longer startled me, but it always managed to catch me off guard in some small way.
He held out a halo, its design echoing his gray and red-tinted palette, with silhouettes of thorns etched into its surface. It was a striking contrast to the mundane surroundings, its intricate design catching the fading light.
Our halos change in design according to our personalities, which is why his is unique. His was always so intricately detailed, reflecting the complexity beneath his playful exterior. It was as if his very essence was captured in the delicate patterns and colors.
The fact that mine remained in a default design didn’t worry me too much, but it did make me ponder what kind of person I really am. What does it say about me? I looked down at my own halo, its simplicity a mirror to my current state of mind. Perhaps, over time, it would evolve just as I would.
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"You can draw the union from here if you want,"
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"Wait, what?"
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I blinked in surprise. I had heard that Max’s core thought was rare; why was Log offering me his union?
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"Well… secrets!"
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He giggled, the sound light and infectious, clearly enjoying my confusion. I should have known better than to expect a straightforward answer from him.
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"Well... thank you."
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I reached for the halo. The warmth enveloped my hand even before I made contact, a comforting presence amidst our uncertainty. The halo’s energy felt like a gentle pulse, steady and reassuring.
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"Since this is such a rare moment, why not try your Union Magic?"
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I hesitated; I had been concealing that part of myself from the group. But now, with him here, I couldn’t really deny it, could I?
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"I want to see it!"
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"Alright, I’ll try."
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I steeled myself. I gripped Log's halo tightly, feeling the surge of energy coursing through my body as it synchronized with my thoughts.
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"He deserved it! He deserved to be bullied, I tell you, that was hilarious!"
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"Didn't you see her puppy eyes, how pathetic! I'll have fun kicking her ass all year."
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These are... positive thoughts of bullying, flowing from the halo. I thought, shocked and disturbed by the cruelty of his core union thoughts.
Ignoring the shock, I extended my arm, focusing on my weapon—a union-forged yo-yo. I concentrated, willing the union to manifest in my palm. The air around us seemed to hum with anticipation, a slight vibration running through my fingers.
But... nothing happened.
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"Huh?"
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Log blinked, confusion etched on his face, his playful demeanor momentarily replaced by genuine concern. His eyes searched mine for answers.
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"Is that supposed to happen?"
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Lizy asked, concern creeping into her tone, her brows furrowing.
I knew exactly why it didn’t work. The truth weighed heavily on me: I didn’t even know who I was. The clarity of my thoughts wavered under the pressure, the realization like a cold, hard slap. My hand fell to my side, heavy with disappointment.
Weren't we all just tied to the thoughts of humans? A byproduct of their consciousness?
The air was thick with tension, their silent disappointment like a weight pressing down on me. I dropped my arm, frustration bubbling up.
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"Why can't I access it? I should be able to."
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Log’s hand landed on my shoulder, steady and grounding.
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"You've done great without Union. Remember that."
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I took a deep breath, absorbing his words. The cool night air filled my lungs, easing some of the tightness in my chest. Yeah, my knowledge and the technology I've created have carried us this far. My studies of Union technology in Valance weren't for nothing, anyhow.
I mentally reminded myself that I was as capable as anyone, with or without Union Magic. I straightened my posture, taking a deep breath to steady myself, feeling the pulse of energy from the halo in my hand.
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"Miss RoseBud, you're amazing,"
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Lizy's voice brimming with admiration, her eyes sparkling with unwavering belief. She stepped closer, her smile sincere and filled with warmth, a gesture so genuine it almost made me believe it too.
Lizy's eyes sometimes scared me. If we three were dreaming, she would be the only one blissfully unaware. It made me even more curious about who had sheltered her for so long. I watched her for a moment, her innocence and optimism a stark contrast to the world we were navigating.
I glanced at Log, his eyes twinkling with mischief, and then back at Lizy, who was practically vibrating with anticipation. Breaking out of our own systems felt like a foreign concept, yet here we were, trying our best, navigating through uncertainty with determination and a shared sense of hope.
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Having patched up the boat, I saw no reason to stay on the bottom deck, so I climbed back to the top.
When night fell, we were embraced by a sea of stars that seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance. Log and I began recounting stories of the Dafael Angels, our voices mingling with the gentle sounds of the waves.
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"When Rubberband first fell into Justitia, she was called a fallen star, a Messiah to help humanity. They saw it as a symbol of hope,"
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It is a story I told myself again and again.
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"Each of our falls had to be discreet to avoid attracting attention, to not end up like the first one,"
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I continued, watching Log's eyes light up with a mix of nostalgia and amusement.
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"Both Max and I fell during the night when most people were asleep. But the disadvantage is that you can't see clearly."
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"And the first object you touch would determine your entire life!"
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Log added with a hint of dark humor, a smirk playing on his lips, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint.
Lizy listened to our discussion with rapt attention, her eyes wide with curiosity. She seemed drawn to knowledge, leaning forward slightly as if to catch every word.
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"How does that work?"
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Her curiousity was obvious.
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"We don't really know."
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I can see Lizy's dissappointment on her face as I replied. Yes, the thing I know least, is ourseleves. Log somehow seems alright with that, but that gets me lost a lot.
The conversation flowed, each story we shared weaving a tapestry of memories. Log's laughter would sometimes echo across the water, a sound that felt both comforting and bittersweet.
Eventually, the chatter died down, leaving a peaceful silence. My mind wandered to our next destination, North-East Axerith. The last I heard, new villages were being reestablished there. Maybe there, we could all find some answers. There was a page I needed to read once we arrived.
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"We'll reach Axerith by three days at this pace!"
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Lizy chimed in, seemingly staring into the distance, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her face.
The gentle rocking of the boat and the soothing sound of the waves lulled us into a peaceful silence. For a moment, the uncertainty and fear of change seemed to melt away.
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As the night grew darker and the sea calmed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still weighing heavily on Log. His usual playful demeanor had returned, but there was a shadow in his eyes that I couldn’t ignore. The starlight reflected off the water, casting a gentle glow over the deck, but it did little to lift the heaviness I sensed in him.
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“Hey, Log,”
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I stepped closer to him as we stood at the railing, the cool sea breeze tugging at my hair and the scent of salt filling the air.
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“Are you really okay? You seemed...”
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Log glanced at me, his eyes momentarily reflecting the starlight before he looked away, staring out into the dark expanse of the ocean.
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“I’m fine, RoseBud,”
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He interrupted, but his voice lacked its usual spark. It was as if he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince me. The usual lilt of mischief in his tone was absent.
I placed a hand on his arm, the warmth of his skin a stark contrast to the cool metal of the railing.
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“I don't know everything about you, but I know enough that Kartheina's leave only brought you pain.”
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He sighed, a sound that seemed to carry the weight of the world.
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“She was the only one who made me feel alive.”
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His shoulders sagged slightly, as if the admission took the last of his strength.
I nodded, understanding the pressure he must feel.
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“I'm certain of it.”
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The wind whispered around us, carrying away the unspoken words.
Log turned to face me, his eyes searching mine for reassurance.
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“How about you, Yoyo?”
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“She is, keeping me alive,”
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I admitted softly, feeling a jolt of surprise as he used my real name in this situation.
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“But... maybe this is also her wish.”
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My voice wavered, heavy with the truth.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
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“Hm, maybe so...”
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His eyes softened, the shadow lifting just a little.
I squeezed his arm gently.
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“Anytime, Max. We are here together.”
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He nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
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“At least we aren’t completely alone.”
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There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice, one that he rarely showed.
We stood there in silence for a while, the gentle rocking of the boat and the sound of the waves creating a soothing backdrop. The stars above seemed to shine a little brighter, as if offering their silent support.
For a moment, the weight of our journey felt a little lighter, knowing that we had each other to lean on. The darkness of the night seemed less oppressive, and the promise of dawn felt a little closer.
As I gazed at the stars again, I couldn’t help but feel a spark of hope. Perhaps in Axerith, we would find the answers we sought. The stars, like silent sentinels, watched over us, a reminder that despite the challenges, we were not alone.
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