Chapter 81: A Bittersweet Farewell (Part 2!)

Even as the Oligarchs got in their ears and bothered them, even as they were plagued by wounds and fears, they weren’t going to end it unceremoniously. Vega deserved better than that.

“You know, when we went to the Second Tower, I told them to watch out for your Soul Gem.” Skaldi said, not fully looking at Vega.

“Really? A… Soul Gem.” Hearing the words, her dream had begun to make more sense. What the Shadow had said, of the Soul and not revealing whose it was. Of what she had asked of Ani Arma in that dream.

“I told them because they thought you weren’t alive. You know, it was Krimm who also kept them from throwing you out.” He pointed at her, of which Krimm blushed slightly.

“Whatever. I was… just waiting for you.” Krimm crossed her arms and pouted.

Vega rubbed her head, treasuring that had waited this long for her.

Then followed another realization. One that Vega detected in Skaldi’s eye. Him not wanting to speak and look at her.

“I see… then… ya guys are going to accept this offer?” As Vega spoke, everyone’s resolve fell. Valiato stopped and sat back down, and Bolato sat straight up. None of them wanted to be the first to answer.

“Yes.” Skaldi gave her the answer she knew. He didn’t give it any explanation, for their wounds and histories gave it all. Defending Uvi Jantok drained a part of them that would take a lot to recover. And that needed time. Time to go away.

“...I get it.” Closing her eyes, Vega got up and marched over to her gear. Her pickaxe and guitar were laid on two fabrics, having been cleaned and tuned. Some of her gold was gone, likely used to help with repairs and charity. Many of her drawings, of her friends and letters were there as well.

“Vega… we can talk if you’d-”

“No. I… I want to think a little bit.” Holding a hand to stop Florato, Vega stuffed all of her gear back into her body and put the pickaxe and guitar on her back. Seeing the stairs up, Vega began to climb, to seclude herself from them. When she left, two of the candles burned out.

Up and up she went, going through the floors and seeing what her friends had made of them. Some of them still had their clothes and weapons, others had flowers and others had papers. Soon, there would be nothing.

As Vega climbed up to the same floors of the tower, she found the sixth and final floor, she felt an unexplainable melancholy.

How long had it been since she first entered this tower? A year? A century?

No, it was two weeks ago, at most!

Yet for some reason, Vega felt sad when entering this room. An emptiness. Like one finds the house they grew up in and finds it a skeleton of itself. There being no one they remember left. No memories. Just like before.

Collapsing her on knees, the scarecrow cried like never before. Not a loud or whimpering one, but a long and needed one. Tears fell from her animated eyes, and she tried to wipe them away.

Her chest and head hurt, with a psychic pain. Almost complete. Almost whole. And now she felt like whole parts were being ripped out. In a way, her friends were a part of her. Her only memories of people respecting her and wanting to be with her. The only memories that made sense.

The only memories that she had made.

The only memories that were her own, rather than Kaliber’s or Ani Arma’s.

When she grabbed her chest, she felt a paper rustling. Pulling it out, she remembered there was a paper she had found here, on the sixth.

“I miss you Kaliber… why… why those words?” Vega spoke to herself, struggling with a memory that wasn’t hers. Her tears slowed down, with her trying to focus.

What the Shadow said, about her Soul Gem.

What Skaldi said, about the hair glowing in her head.

What was it?

Staying quiet, she half expected Ani Arma to speak, to taunt her. And a faint part of her hoped that he would explain.

But no one could explain. No one could find out. Except for her.

Vega had her purpose. But she desperately wanted her history. The history of the Soul Gem that she had, that she was born from.

Pulling out the paper she had found here, she read it out…

“To Ena,

Whatever you do, don’t try and leave. I know you are scared and alone but you are strong. When I return, I promise that all will be better. You will be better. Give me a few months. All will be better.

I won’t leave you. I won’t become distant.

From,

Kaliber.”

“I won’t leave ya… I won’t become distant…” As she read the words aloud, Vega felt flush, warmed by an answer. An answer she formed.

As her friends are debating on whether to leave or not, Vega shouldn’t be worried about being alone. Although they are far away, far from her in physical space, they won’t abandon her. For they will always be with her.

In the memories and stories they had together. And in the lessons and hopes they had given each other.

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Pulling out of her chest, she felt several plush things there. As she grabbed them, she saw the plushies of her friends, the ones she took from her dream. Vega’s tears stopped, seeing that she had pulled them out of the dreamscape. And that they were here with her.

Stacking them side by side, Vega smiled like a little girl with her toys.

Once a unsure, neurotic girl who simply wanted friendship, who didn’t want to be alone anymore. Now she was a proud, well traveled and loved person. That doesn’t change because her friends are going away.

Not life, not death, not chaos, nor unity could ever take that away from Vega.

Was she scared about Ani Arma, scared that he might invade her dreams again? Yes. But she is stronger than she had realized. She is better, and she will be better. Give it a few months and they all might stand a chance.

“...They won’t leave me. They won’t be distant.”

Opening the hatch down, Vega entered back to the ground floor. Florato and Skaldi sat up from their seats and Bolato and Krimm turned to see her. All of them had worry on their faces.

Florato walked up to Vega but Skaldi stopped her, seeing that she was the least composed. However, Skaldi stepped right in front of Vega and began to speak.

“...Vega… It’s been… amazing. I’d be a shit liar to say you haven’t changed me for the better. And… and…”

“Skaldi. Don’t worry.” Laying a hand on his shoulder, Vega spoke without any sadness.

“W…what?” Skaldi spoke less with surprise and more worry.

“It’s okay. I understand.” Vega turns to everyone and walks up to each person, laying her hand on each of their shoulders.

“Bu-” Florato backs up as Vega shushes her.

“Florato. Everyone. We all have been facing death for… I don’t know, month-months now. It’s tiring. While I can get repaired and sewn back together, ya guys can’t.” Vega held her eyes to the ground, being overwhelmed by the people looking at her.

“Vega…” Tilting her head like a loving mother, Florato blinks away a few tears.

“Are you sure? You… you can come with us.” Skaldi offered, knowing that Vega had an option betweening finding out her history in the Second Tower, or going over to Core Civitus.

“I know how much ya guys care and how much-much you guys have fought for me. For me. Never in all my years I-I have found people as… cool as you!” Vega laughs, unable to put it into any other words. The party collectively smiled sadly, appreciating the compliments but feeling awful that they’re leaving.

In these months, they had seen the scarecrow develop from an insane and annoying kid, to their most emotionally mature and brave friend. Well, most of the time.

“And… if ya guys want to leave for a bit… I’m okay with that. My place is here, right now. And if ya guys have to go… I can come to-to terms with that.” Vega felt a heavy weight lift off her, finally accepting their decision.

“~...This scarecrow. You ought to learn from her.~” Amir rested his elbow atop Valiato’s head.

“~Learn how to be set on fire?~” Valiato joked, bumping her elbow into Amir’s hip.

“~Haha! Sure kid!~” The old man laughed out, making everyone relax even more.

“It’s your guy's choice. I don’t want ya to feel forced because ya think I’m in danger. I can take care of myself now. I… can figure it out.” Finally returning to Skaldi, she relaxed her smile and looked directly at him.

Skaldi as he looks at Vega has a mental picture over her form, the one he had originally met, the one at the Concert of Combat. And here she was now. If he had to describe it, it was like watching a little kid sister grow up.

“...I’m staying.” Sorbet announced. She shrinks up when everyone stares. “Oh, is that not how you’re supposed to do it?”

“Sorbet-”

“Vega, I’m not doing it just for you.” Firmly stating it, Sorbet wasn't going to let Vega talk over her. “After seeing those Soul Gems and finally being free, I want to help you figure out magic and how it works! I think…I think I can do good here.”

“Me and Amir… we want to recover. And what that Oligarch Graham guy is offering is pretty good. The training allows us to prepare for Ani Arma.” Valiato says, only giving a few glances at Vega.

“Plus who knows what he has to offer. We might not need to steal anymore. At least anything beyond the bank. Soul Gems are going to be premium from now on!” Bolato announced, resting his arm over Skaldi’s shoulder.

“...I’m staying too.” Florato whispered, catching only Skaldi and Vega’s initial attention.

“Florato. You aren’t much of a fighter. You can rest.” Vega patted her on the shoulder.

“You helped me Flo.” Valiato held onto Florato’s hand. “It’s okay to be scared of this stuff. We can relax a bit.”

“I know that. But… whenever I see you guys fighting and all I can do is support, I feel bad. Like, I had all that armor on and I could hardly do anything. Valiato did more than me!” Florato couldn’t help but to feel ashamed that she and to rely on her to deal damage.

“But I’m cool!” Valiato stood proudly.

“But you’re a little kid. That’s barely a teenager. I… I want to work here. Whether it be repairing or… learning or whatever. I want to help. Even if I just put on shows to make people feel happy. Is that okay?” Florato got down on one knee and held Valiato close.

“Honestly, that wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Skaldi commended her, giving her a thumbs up. “As for me… my body had seen a ton of damage. You’re right Vega. I just… didn’t want you to be hurt.” Skaldi’s words hurt Vega the most.

Not because he was lying about his motive, but because he was telling the whole truth.

“I get it Skaldi. No more need for it. I’m okay. I’ll be okay.” As she finished, Florato and Sorbet stood by her side. Slowly, her gaze moved to Krimm was hadn’t spoken the entire time.

“...I need to do good here. I feel… I don’t fucking know, like I need to repent. Repay. Redemption. Those are words, right?” Krimm asked, not being used to expressing feelings aside anger and hate in a while.

“Those are good enough. Ya are good enough.”

Within the day, the party planned and said their goodbyes. They ate at open air restaurants, dipped their feet into the cool lake waters, read the random manuscripts at the Second Tower, and for the first time in a long time, didn’t feel the edge of death at their backs.

They were able to be themselves. They weren’t fighting to survive, they got to live.

Walking them over to the now full dockyard, each of them said their praises and goodbyes to each other. Tears fell and smiles rose.

The last two to say goodbye were Skaldi and Vega. As they talked, they didn’t see each other, rather past versions they were talking to. Like touching the sands of an hourglass.

Soon, the people that were leaving got on top of the Oligarch vessel and started to leave. They waved as they left and within an hour they disappeared into the horizon.

The scarecrow and her friends stayed there for a while, seeing the day turn into a cool blue as evening arrived.

Standing over her, Krimm had a few questions for her first new friend. A simple one to ask but a hard one to answer.

“Vega… I forgot to ask… what is your mission?”

“Misson?” Vega looked up at her, laughing at the particular word.

“Ah, sorry. Military speak. I know it has to be something with…destruction? I mean… what is your purpose?” Krimm clarified what she meant, looking back at the horizon.

“...” Vega savored the cool air, letting it blow past her.

“I am Vega the Scarecrow. The mightest, smartest, kindest, and most bestest construct of all.” She stood up, stronger than she had been ever before.

Holding her pickaxe and guitar to the sky, the Scarecrow was ready to face the future. Her future.

“And now, Ani Arma must die!”