It was early morning when it happened. Leona was blinking awake to the familiar firecamp sight as she witnessed dew formed on the leaves of nearby shrubbery. The thin trail of smoke signaled the fire had just gone out recently.
As per usual, the washed blue bandana man was on the opposite side of her laying sideways on the grass that was strangely dry in a place so humid. He held the notepad and pen while making strange expressions as if he was thinking too hard.
“Um…”
“Hm?” He glanced over the paper and his eyes lit up once he saw her. “Oh, Leona, welcome back. What did you wish to discuss this early in the morning?”
“It’s regarding my place in the story…”
“I see.” He put the notepad down with the red pen on top of it, as if showing that she had his complete attention. “Go ahead, what is your question?”
“Is this really the way?” She raised her left stump of a limb that was only part of her shoulder. “I’m not against sacrificing myself for my ideals but… is this really what I had to do?”
“Do you believe you could’ve done anything differently?”
“In that situation…” She glanced down with frowning brows. She was a tactician—she knew her purpose was to plan ahead and come out victorious but thinking back of the situation she was in. There were hardly any other options. “If only we had more people… then maybe…”
“You didn’t have much of a choice.” He showed a sympathetic smile as she quickly turned to him. “I am an avid believer of causality. My choices through the story, being the people you encounter and the battles you fight, have an effect on your life and your own choices. To defeat Akamui you risked death in order to obtain victory. I hardly gave you any options and yet you, Leona, chose the selfless path to triumph. As your creator, I’m proud.”
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“But isn’t this you choosing my path?”
“I weaved this world like many others through my passion but you, along with all others I’ve created, are my cherished children that I have bestowed upon this world. I may be the god of this place but the choices are your own. Isn’t that right?”
He seemed to address someone beside her which made Leona turn to her left only to realize there was a tall waist-long haired blonde woman of aquamarine eyes. She wore a military garb not unlike Leona’s but it was entirely black in color.
“Our choices are our own. I’ve come to realize that too late.” Her slightly deep pitch and serious tone showed experience. Something that Leona knew she herself lacked. “I gave up on my morals in exchange of power to fulfill my ideals and in the end, this very power shattered the future I fought for.” She then turned to Leona with a bittersweet smile which seemed filled with both pain and happiness. “I’m glad you’ve found your answer. Leona.”
“I… I remember you…”
The man chuckled sourly before ripping one paper off his notepad and flicking it over the campfire.
“Rest easy now, you’ve earned your rest.”
The paper fell on the smoldering charcoal.
“Thank you…” The woman brought her right hand in front of her stomach and bowed. “We may finally rest in peace knowing our future is a bright one.”
Once the paper lit up ablaze, the campfire burned bright once again. The woman seemed to vanish from existence into dust. There was a lingering sensation of grief and sadness within Leona’s breast.
“Was she…” She silently uttered. “...also one of us?”
He stared blankly at the crackling fire with a despondent gaze.
“One of the best.”