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Jude sat at the desk at his parent’s clinic, explaining what went on in the past year. Derrick, his father, looked on at Jude with a bitter scorn and mild skepticism.
“So, you’re telling me all that stuff about Elympios… you went there despite the schism, among all the other things you’ve done! And here I am, hearing about spyrites and spirit fossils. Tell me, whatever else happened while you were away from med school? I’m sure all this is just some way to-“
Jude reprised, his voice urging in anger, “If you need proof to know what happened, why not ask Alvin? He was on that ship in Elympios all those years ago. Actually, feel free to ask anyone. Everyone even. Rowen, Elize, Leia…” Jude paused before finishing, hushing on the part where he would have said Milla’s name.
Derrick’s silence spoke volumes too before he fired back, “Yeah, I was on the Z.S.S Zenethra those 10 years ago. So what? It’s not like it matters to your research as a doctor!”
“And that’s the thing, Dad.” Jude’s parents turned to look in surprise, “I don’t want to be a doctor anymore. I want to research the power of spyrites.”
“And why would you do something so brash?” Derrick’s confusion contorted with anger, “You know nothing about what you’re doing!’
“Well then, tell me; we know nothing about spyrites, so we never know until we try. If we never pick our feet up and only insist on whatever someone else says and does, you’ll be hopeless and get nowhere. That’s what Milla taught me.”
Jude paused briefly, “I always wanted to be a doctor to heal those of Rieze Maxia, but when I saw the plight of what was happening in Elympios, I knew something had to be done so both worlds can exist in peace. That is my decision- to research spyrites as a way to regulate the mana between our worlds.”
“Jude…” Ellen paused, “You really are a do-gooder, aren’t you?”
Derrick remained with whatever hesitance and adamancy remained in his heart, “Give us some time to ourselves.”
Jude lifted his head before leaving the clinic to the now dim roads of Leronde.
Jude gazed at the starry night, now sighing a heavy sigh of relief as he eased his anxieties. Before he was able to process what was around him, a sudden voice called.
“You talking with your parents about what happened on our journey as well?” Jude’s eyes turned towards Leia, strolling down the path.
“Yeah. I was just telling them about my new decision to become a spyrite researcher.”
“I see,” Leia said, now standing across from Jude.
“Did you come outside to get some fresh air?”
“Yeah. I mainly came out here also because I wanted to reminisce and also ask about something.”
“Sure. Shall we find somewhere to sit?”
“What,” Leia teased, “You exhausted from all the walking we did?”
“After an awful lot of running and fighting and overexertion and stress, I could use a seat.”
Leia agreed. The two walked down to the Seahaven and sat down.
“So, what do you want to start with?” Jude inquired.
“Well… I suppose that’s no way to really start looking back on our journey, but I just wanted to say… We made some great friends and memories, didn’t we?”
“Yeah. Alvin, Rowen, Elize, and Milla. They were all great.”
“Heyyyy, what about me?” Leia lightly bopped Jude on the head.
“Owww…” Jude laughed, “Well, what I was gonna say was that I missed you. Honestly, you coming with us made this trip more fun.”
“You saying your trip wasn’t fun before me?”
“Yeah. I’m thankful for your help with what you’ve done. Helping Milla and I when we were at our lowest; you truly have my heart.”
“Yeah.” Leia kicked her feet, gazing down at the ground, “Jude?”
“Yeah?”
“It feels like everything you’ve done over this journey has been for Milla. Hell, your whole journey started because of her; I only ever saw you again because you wanted to help Milla!” Leia’s voice grew startlingly quiet, “Jude… Do you… love… Milla?”
Jude returned Leia’s silence with his own. Jude didn’t know himself. He said he did, but how?
Parts of Milla’s description in secrecy returned to him, and it was as if his mind had become clear of the truth he had been living. The way Milla had cared for him when they were younger, and he hadn’t remembered all these years later who she was. It could be seen as romantic, but Jude settled into to the realization that he had felt a sort of agape love; he admired Milla because she had admired humanity and spiritkind alike. She could’ve accepted her “death” in the Zenethra, but she refused. Jude had no real courage before her- she inspired him to keep going.
But what of Leia? What of his childhood best friend who playfully teased him, who trained with him, who was there for him when he could’ve died?
“I did.” Jude replied. “But not in the way you think.”
Leia’s words came before thought, tears before rationale, “What the hell do you mean, “Not in the way you think?” You were so mwah mwah over her at every second!”
“Take a second to think about what I meant!” Jude’s fists balling up, “I loved Milla because she-“
“It’s not like you’d take others consideration into the fact!”
“And I did!”
“What of my own?”
In a rush, Leia ran towards Jude to punch him as he rushed back with his own fist. The two fists landed in unlikely spaces- Leia’s on Jude’s left cheek, and Jude’s on Leia’s chest.
Jude and Leia stumbled back. Leia had been hit where the bullet hit her in Hamil, but she didn’t notice Jude, who the railing saved him from hitting the concrete, now stared blankly into what could’ve been the abyss.
Leia recognized this blankness as she did in Hamil, yet not knowing why. Tears began to stream down her face- how had she not known what had happened with Jude?
Leia went down to heal him just in case, to which Jude muttered, “It’s okay.”
Jude slowly got up and sat back down on the bench.
“I’m sorry for what just happened. I was brash, but did I hit you too hard or…?”
“It’s okay. You just happened to remind me of something that happened when you weren’t conscious.”
“Weren’t…. conscious? Do you mean…”
“I suppose it’s my fault for not telling you.” Jude began explaining what happened in Hamil again to Leia.
“The cheek you punched was the exact one Alvin punched me in. When you punched me, I was brought back to blind madness. Rage. And the fear that I didn’t notice in that moment that you could’ve died in that moment, but I was too enraged at Alvin to know you were hurt.”
Leia paused. She was more worried for Jude in that moment, but Jude was as blind and impervious to the moment as she was now.
“You scared me in that moment. I thought I lost everything, but even though you reminded me that Milla died for all of us to live, I was most scared for you.”
“Jude, I –“
Jude hugged her from behind, “I promise you, it’s okay now.”
Leia blushed before breaking out of the hug.
“I suppose I never bothered to listen to your answer, Jude.”
“Ah, yeah! That…” Jude explained, “In reality, I loved Milla only because she loved the world. How she wanted to see Elympios as equal as Rieze Maxia. I admired her for what she believed in and how she wished to see it carried out.”
“I see.” Leia said with a sigh.
“And to be honest, I could see bits of Milla in you. Or should I say, bits of you in Milla.”
“Bits of me in Milla?”
“Yeah. How the two of you care for everyone and everything as I do. How we share the compassion between the two worlds. But with that in mind, you’re also different. Well, how else should I say this?”
“I’m… different?”
“Yeah. I followed Milla as her desire was mine, but ironically, it seemed as if you followed me too; you share that same do-gooder nature I do, but you’re upbeat and peppy. Your humanity and care comes through, like it did now.”
Leia awkwardly laughed, a blush evident on her face, “I guess that is true, hehe.”
“I-it’s hard to say what I want to say, but I…” Jude echoed the awkward mood between the two, tension yet boiling as he trailed his words.
“Y-yeah… I kinda want to… want to say something too…”
“Is it okay if I…?” Jude asked, reaching his arms out.
Leia gave a silent consent as Jude went to hug her, then leaned in for a kiss with Leia, to which Leia joined.
Their lips merged, clashing as if the schism between them broke between themselves; the kiss being brief and amateurish, as if the fact of two awkward 15 year olds having their first kiss could not be more evident.
The two pulled away from the kiss, blushing as they said in unison:
“I love you, Jude.”
“I love you, Leia.”
Despite the fact that the two had already kissed, Jude and Leia shared a hint of surprise before both began to tear up.
“I never thought you actually felt that way about me, Jude.” Leia smiled.
“I’m good at keeping secrets most times. And you’re a bit obvious for a loudmouth.”
“Who said I’m a loudmouth?” Leia then turned to see the front desk of the inn lean their heads out the window, shushing Leia. “Aw, c’mon!”
“Well, there you have it, haha.” Jude then was hit by mild realization, “Back to what you said earlier; Leia, you wanted to ask about something?”
Leia’s smile through tears of joy gradually turned back into a melancholic frown.
“Jude, you said you wanted to become a spyrite researcher, right?”
“Right.”
“How is it that you came up with an idea for what you wanted to do for your future?”
Jude felt slightly taken aback, but hid it behind a confident tone, “At first, I settled on being a nurse because I wanted to help those around me. But after learning about Elympios and how it was doomed to die from mana loss, I realized that my whole worldview was all Rieze Maxia focused. And after learning about spyrites, how they gave off mana and provided Elympios with something either than spyrix, I knew that was the boot that fit the shoe. The shoe that fit the boot?”
“The shoe that fit.”
“Heh, guess words aren’t my forte today.”
“Yeah. I’m just wondering if nursing is my best option. Because I, like you-“
“I know.” Jude playfully teased.
“Let me finish.” Leia pouted.
“I, like you, realized not only do I want to see you smile, but I want to see both Rieze Maxians and Elympions happy as well. There’s no reason one world should prosper over another. But I’m wondering… What can I do to help?”
Jude paused, “I’d say there’s a lot to be done before our worlds can be happy. Frankly, I’d say it isn’t just uniting the worlds mana wise, but through several ways. We have to see if both worlds are willing to coexist, form peace treaties, send products to and from each other, and several other things. But I find what’s strongest within you is your heart. Your compassion AND your passion. You’re willing to follow something, even if it does mean say, getting in a barrel. What you’re willing to go to the lengths of your wit’s end to do… If you take that compassion of yours and your determination together, you could do anything.”
Leia stared out from the bench view to the sea in bewilderment. Perhaps Jude is right; perhaps even I can do great things, even if it doesn’t involve complicated stuff like spyrites and mana.
“Say, knowing you, I think in the next while, you should visit Trigleph again. See the sights, see what people are like. But at the same time, let’s give it a rest. We did just beat Gaius and Muzet after all.” Jude added.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Leia gazed out into the open again, “It’s best not to try and wrap my head around what the future will be like when today has already been pure chaos.”
“But hey,” Leia threw her arm around Jude’s shoulder, “I know someone has made my journey worth it entirely.”
“Quit it!” Jude laughed before adding after a short pause, “I’d say you made my journey too.”
“Yeah, ehehe!” Gazing her gaze from the sea and towards the night sky, Leia pondered, “Jude, where do you think everyone will go after what happened during the journey?”
Jude’s gaze met the night sky too, gazing at the numerous amounts of stars, “Who’s to say but them? All I know- no, what I am certain of is that the times we spent together and the friends we made are one that can’t be erased. I know that we’re all gonna have some part in creating the new world; one where Milla- pardon, Maxwell removing the schism will bring Rieze Maxia and Elympios together, and maybe if we all do our part, it will be a world worth living in harmony. We’ll make it so Elympios won’t have to suffer anymore.”
As soon as Jude stopped talking, the two took in the atmosphere around them. The tick of the central clock in the seahaven, the numerous stars in the sky, the serenity of the night, and at last, one another.
Jude noticed, “Hey, it’s kinda late out. Should we go back?”
“Yeah!” Leia got up from the bench and nodded, “Thank you for letting me talk to you tonight. You helped me get a lot off my back.”
“You’re welcome. Honestly? Same here. Lord knows how long-“
Leia’s gentle finger shushed Jude, almost as if she predicted what Jude would say next.
“I suppose we’re both a little obvious, hehe.” Jude tilted his head, “Well, shall we?”
Leaving the seahaven, the lover’s teases and remarks echoed faintly in the distance.
“You kiss like a loser, Jude!”
“Oh, do I now?”
The two laughed as they walked back to their houses, soon to lay down and wake up, laying the foundation for what would be a new tomorrow.