Amber sat in the back seat of the taxi, her gaze unfocused as she stared out of the window. The cityscape blurred past her in a haze of lights and colors, but she wasn’t really seeing them. Her mind was elsewhere, lost in memories and thoughts that refused to let her go. As the car turned onto a quieter street, she caught her own reflection in the glass. Her eyes immediately gravitated to the scar on her neck, a jagged reminder of battles fought and struggles that survived. Her fingers brushed over it absentmindedly, and she frowned slightly at the faint lines that marred her face, remnants of a life that had been anything but easy.
“Maybe Rex can heal these,” she mused, the thought fleeting but persistent. The idea of erasing the marks of her past was tantalizing, but she knew that some scars were destined to remain. They told her story, a narrative of survival etched into her skin. Would they ever fade, or were they meant to be permanent?
Suddenly, the taxi jerked to a stop, jolting her back to the present. The driver turned to look at her through the rearview mirror, his expression gruff. “We’re here,” he said, his accent thick and unfamiliar.
Amber blinked, momentarily disoriented, then nodded quickly. “Thanks,” she murmured, transferring the fare through her device. She grabbed the bouquet of flowers from the seat beside her and opened the door, stepping out into the cool evening air. The scent of fresh blooms wafted up as she held the bouquet close to her chest, a stark contrast to the heaviness that settled in her heart.
The cemetery loomed ahead, a place she hadn’t visited in far too long. She inhaled deeply, trying to steel herself for what was to come. Each step up the hill felt slow and deliberate, the wet grass beneath her feet clinging to her shoes as if reluctant to let her go. The weight of her memories pressed down on her, making her feel heavier with each stride.
When she finally reached the top, two gravestones stood side by side, their surfaces glinting softly in the fading light. Holographic images flickered gently on the stones—Daisy and Nicholas, her mother and father. Amber’s breath caught in her throat as she looked at their faces, forever captured in those glowing images, smiling softly as if they were still alive. It felt surreal, the way time seemed to pause in this sacred place.
She knelt between the two stones, placing the flowers down carefully. She arranged them so that they rested evenly between her parents’ graves, the vibrant colors standing out against the muted tones of the stones. The mingling scents of the flowers and the earthy aroma of the cemetery enveloped her, grounding her in the moment.
“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, yet it echoed in the stillness. A bitter smile creased her lips as she shook her head. “I bet Leon hasn’t seen you guys at all. He’s probably too busy with everything.” She chuckled dryly, knowing her brother well enough to understand that he hadn’t been here in ages. The war, the fighting, the missions—they all pulled them in different directions, leaving little time for moments like these.
Amber glanced down at the gravestones, her heart aching with the familiar sorrow that always surfaced when she came here. But today, she had something else to share. “Guess what?” she said, her voice lifting slightly. “I fought a Yeager rank in Japan. Almost won, too.” A fleeting smile tugged at her lips. “I mean, I got help, sure, but I almost defeated it on my own. You would’ve been proud, Mom.”
As she spoke, the words poured out of her like water from a broken dam. She recounted everything—the battle in Japan, the people she had met along the way, the chaos and the danger. She shared stories of close calls, moments when she thought she wouldn’t make it, but also of the times when she had triumphed, when she had felt her strength surge, her will overpowering her enemies.
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She spoke about Rex, her voice filled with a mix of admiration and confusion. Rex had grown even more powerful since their last reunion, and there was pride in her tone as she described his evolution. He was a mystery, one she was still trying to unravel, but she couldn’t deny the trust she placed in him. Deep down, she hoped he could heal more than just her scars.
Amber remained there, speaking to her parents as if they could hear her as if they could respond. Time lost its meaning; it felt as if she had been there for hours, pouring out her heart and soul. In this sacred space, she felt a sense of peace wash over her, a rare moment where she allowed herself to let her guard down completely.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the cemetery, Amber finally fell silent. She reached out and touched her mother’s gravestone, then her father’s, the cool surface grounding her. She stood back up, looking down at the flowers one last time, wishing they could somehow convey the depth of her feelings.
“I’ll see you soon,” she whispered, her voice barely audible as she began to walk back down the hill. Her heart felt a little lighter, as if sharing her burdens had made them easier to bear.
As she stepped outside the cemetery gates, she paused for a moment, taking a deep breath of the crisp evening air. That’s when she noticed someone waiting nearby.
“Hello, Amber,” Rona said, her tone crisp and professional.
Amber’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Ma’am, what are you doing here?” she asked, trying to mask her surprise.
“I came here to talk to you, Amber,” Rona replied, her voice steady.
“What do you want?” Amber asked, a hint of caution creeping into her tone.
“I came here to give you something,” Rona said, extending her hand to reveal a badge, its gleam catching the last rays of sunlight. It was the badge of rank five.
Amber’s eyes widened in shock and surprise. “Why are you giving me this?” she asked, a mix of disbelief and confusion coloring her words.
“Because you deserve it,” Rona said firmly. “After the events in Japan and Korea, you saved lives. That’s why you are worthy of the rank five badge.”
“But I…” Amber started, but Rona cut her off.
“No more doubting yourself, Amber. You have proven yourself time and again to have earned this rank,” Rona said, her voice unwavering.
Amber took a moment to process the weight of Rona’s words, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and disbelief. Just then, Rona seemed to shift gears. “Oh, yeah, who was that civilian who stopped that Yeager named Veer?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Oh, her? Her name is Emi Saito. She said she was trained by Lluvia,” Amber explained, remembering the fierce yet gentle spirit of the girl who had fought alongside her.
“And what do you think about Hanako?” Rona pressed, her gaze sharp and probing.
“Hanako? She’s a very kind fox. She saved Rex and Leon in Japan when both were trapped in a cave,” Amber explained, a fond smile creeping onto her face at the memory of the clever creature.
“That's good to hear,” Rona said, nodding appreciatively.
“Why are you planning to kill her?” Amber blurted out, her heart racing with sudden alarm.
“What? No way! I just want to talk to her, that’s all,” Rona replied, her expression shifting to one of mild irritation. Amber felt a rush of relief; she hadn’t wanted to believe Rona could be capable of such a thing.
“Get some rest, Amber. You deserve it,” Rona said, her tone softening slightly as she turned to walk away.
As Amber stood there, watching Rona disappear into the shadows, she felt a mix of emotions swirling within her. She clutched the badge tightly in her hand, the cool metal grounding her amid the tumult of thoughts. It was a tangible recognition of her efforts, a validation she hadn’t expected.
With a deep breath, Amber turned and began her walk back home. The night air was refreshing, the cool breeze brushing against her skin as she navigated the familiar streets. She found herself reflecting on the path she had taken, the battles fought, and the friendships forged in the fire of conflict.
Her thoughts drifted back to Rex, to Emi, and to Hanako. Each of them had played a crucial role in her journey, and she couldn’t help but feel grateful. Perhaps there was more to come, more battles to face and more victories to achieve. But for now, she clutched the badge tightly, a symbol of her strength and resilience, and she walked with purpose, ready to face whatever lay ahead.