Chapter 24

The Next Adventure

“Reconstruction continues smoothly around the world, as reports come in from various villages and settlements,” Freddy Chapman spoke, his gleaming smile on every television available. “Of particular note, today, is the seaside town of Lumarina, where former commander of the Guardian Corps Amelia Chavez and numerous other world leaders plan to make an important announcement. There, reconstruction has been heaviest, building a base and settlement for their new endeavors.”

“It’s certainly a new era we’re heading for, Freddy,” his female co-host said, just as gleaming as he was. Shots took over her face of the various towns under construction, and the many lands beyond. “Much has changed in the month since the falls closed in, and now they’re so far out there, it’s impossible to see it from the newest island.”

“Indeed. We’ve kept ourselves up to date on the latest news, but exploratory committees from Lacardia have yet to share their expert findings on all but the remaining magic cores, each seeming to have increased in power and volatility. For anything else, it looks like we’ll be waiting a while yet.” The shuffling of papers was heard about Freddy’s desk before he continued on, broken apart only by the banging and hammering of the garage. “For now, all eyes turn to Lumarina. After the official confirmation that Chief Commander Marcus tragically perished in the destruction of Corps Castle, and that Raymond Childs’ prior reconstruction efforts are to be suspended, it will be good to get some news for the Guardians that remain.”

“Plus the Order and the Renegades. The former remain a question about their intentions and what’s to become of them to this day. The latter, of course, have stirred up the recent reports with releases from prison after serving their short sentences.”

“Well, with any luck, we’ll receive word at the press conference this afternoon, so stay tuned!” The television shut off, causing Meredith to look down at who had turned it off.

“You know I was watching that, right?” she called. Making sure the joint she was working on was secure, she rappelled down the side of the skyship to plant her feet firmly on the ground. Vivian scoffed.

“It’s all a bunch of speculative nonsense,” the blonde said, rolling her eyes. “How’s the skyship coming along? It better be a good one.”

“It’ll fly and get us where we need to go,” Meredith said, her insistence hammered in by her patting the hull of the newly constructed vehicle. “This kind of construction is just what the town needs.”

“If you say so…” Vivian looked down at a clipboard, acting more like a secretary than any role Meredith had seen her in before. A checklist was there, one that she ran down. “Looks like everything’s in order. Are you going to the reopening?”

“It’s this morning, right? And our special dignitaries are arriving this afternoon…”

“Along with the other media hounds my father happened to coordinate. Whoever decided to make him head of media relations is an idiot, but I guess Max is his leash, so whatever.”

“Tell that to Amelia and wait to see her reaction.” Vivian considered the words she’d just spoken and then nodded, finding them fair. It led to an outburst of giggles between the two girls, doubling over and getting some amused glances from the mechanics above. Meredith’s father, in particular, leaned over to watch what was going on between the two. “Sorry, dad. It’s nothing.”

“Nothing, I’m sure. It’s never ‘nothing’ with you girls. Where’s your brother?”

Now that Meredith thought about it, she hadn’t seen Raymond the whole day, leading her to give a shrug. He didn’t consider it much of a loss, and returned to work. Neither was surprised that Raymond was nowhere to be seen. Ever since their return home, he’d kept to himself, helping at odd jobs or otherwise sulking. She knew there was something on his mind, but couldn’t figure out what, and she wasn’t going to use her magic to cheat in that regard, knowing he’d tell her when he wanted to.

“Anyway, if we want to make the reopening, we should get going. Please tell me you’ll wash yourself off. You smell like a grease monkey.”

“Oh, shove off, Viv.” The sentiment was shared, the two girls knocking into each other as Meredith made her way out of the garage. If anyone had said that Lumarina had been destroyed by the encroaching falls a month ago, no one would have believed them now. There had been a few alterations made, and quite a few more streets and buildings added, but the place was always home, including the garage, bigger than before, but an otherwise perfect recreation. That came all the way down to her home, from the kitchen to bedrooms and the bathroom where she showered off and changed into the freshly laundered robes she once wore in the Corps.

“I thought you’d want them for the press conference, even if you might not appear on screen,” her mother said on seeing her in them. “I figured you wouldn’t make it home after the reopening.”

“You’d probably be right,” Meredith admitted, waving farewell to her mother as she stepped back out on the streets of Lumarina. Still cobblestone, and still swamped with street vendors, the sea breeze tickled her nose and made her feel at home, despite the land’s changed shape. Vivian was strolling alongside her, down the length of road to where a crowd was gathered. One of the boys in the crowd saw them.

“Hey, you made it in time! They’re just about to cut the ribbon!” Emil shouted, waving them over. Next to him were Conrad and Felix, the two Lacardians looking up at the restaurant they’d had a hand in constructing with pride. Emil took equal pride in it, and Meredith knew Eddie would be proud. “Can’t wait to eat some of the Lumarina cooking.”

“Hey, I thought I called dibs on being first in line.”

“I can make all of you last in line. Besides, ladies should always go first.” Both Emil and Felix had a hand in striking Conrad on the back of the head, to which he frowned. “Anyway, you guys all packed and stuff? Wish I could go with you…”

“Aw, we’ll keep in touch when we can,” Meredith assured the boy, tapping his cheek. He flushed, as much as could be seen, and looked away.

“Well…long as we…do that…”

“Aw, Conrad, you’re losing your touch,” Vivian mocked, receiving an annoyed glare from the boy. Any further retorts or insults were deferred by the wave of applause that emanated from the front, causing Meredith to stand on tiptoe. The Montgomerys were there, a red ribbon draped across the front door of the restored Lumarina Diner, still as rustic and homey as when she’d left it, but ready to receive many more visitors.

“It’s been a while since we’ve all been able to eat well in this town!” Mr. Montgomery called. “So, let’s not stand on ceremony. Everybody inside, and welcome to the Lumarina Diner!”

The large scissors cut through the ribbon, and the doors opened wide, revealing a smiling Summer and Autumn on either side, welcoming the guests in. They came in by the flock, from townspeople looking to parch their thirst to reporters that had arrived early, dying to taste the food that had been surreptitiously hyped up by the media. From how Vivian looked away, twisting her foot this way and that, Meredith felt it was a silent admission to her hand in it.

“Let’s eat! I’m starving…” Felix said, patting his stomach. The twinkle in his eye caused Emil to try and cut in front of him, only for both to end up falling outside the door. Some things never changed. The girls and Conrad stepped over them.

“Idiots…” They groaned at Vivian’s words, but were still able to join them at a large table moments later. Summer and Autumn gladly put some water on the table before walking around to take orders, professional waitresses despite having little experience. The Montgomerys appreciated their help it seemed, smiling at many of the people there, welcoming them back.

Meredith sat back, taking in the atmosphere, indulging in the wood rafters and the cheerful chatter. It felt like home; one that she would always be able to return to. When she smelled lunch, placed on the table in large amounts, that feeling increased, and the five of them dove in. From the side, Mrs. Montgomery watched, nodding. It still took time for Meredith to notice, glancing up at the mother.

There was nothing to say that hadn’t been said, and nothing to feel that hadn’t been felt. For some, Eddie’s soul joining with the Great Soul was still raw, but knowing what their son was doing for the world and the rest of them, the Montgomerys were able to smile.

Meredith watched one flourish on his mother’s face, and before she went back to her food (before the others could consume it all), she saw her mouth something. It looked suspiciously like a “thank you”.

That was what Meredith chose to take it as, nonetheless.

When their stomachs were full of the homecooked meal, all of them exited the establishment, soaking in the sun’s rays on their skin. It felt good, and only got better at the familiar engine that came roaring through the air. Perhaps it was even purring; Meredith thought it sounded better than it had for a while. They turned their gaze skyward, witnessing the Defender coming to land inside her parents’ lavish garage.

Careful to not disturb their full stomachs, they still ran towards it, now attracting much attention from who was arriving. It wasn’t a surprise to any of the teens when they entered to see Tempest Squad, escorting some very important guests off of the skyship.

“What’s up, peons? You kids ready?” Amelia greeted them immediately upon seeing them. On her left hand was a shimmering ring, matched only by the wattage of her grin. There was a memory still in Meredith’s head of their journey to Lacardia, witnessing the woman’s wedding. Of course, her husband was currently nowhere to be seen, replaced instead by Emil’s mother.

“Now, I’m sure we have all the defenses figured out, though I’m not particularly concerned,” the woman said. She caught sight of her son, nodding at him before putting her attention back where it belonged: on President Nestor Parradyne of Lacardia. There was an extra smile on her face, and a pride in her son.

“I’m sure things will be just fine. It’s just a routine press conference. Right, Nelson? Guild master?”

“Nothing’s ever routine these days,” the guild master bristled. President Nelson of the Metropolis laughed at his remark, commenting on it as witty. He didn’t take offense, but blushed in mollification.

“Well, I’m sure our expert Guardians and Miss Taylor will handle the worst, should it come to pass,” Nelson said. From behind the Metropolitan president stepped the pink-haired leader of the Home Guard, a new symbol upon her breastplate indicating a promotion. She lifted her hand in greeting to Meredith, but remained sharp in the service of her president. “Well, Chief Commander Chavez, shall we make it on site. The conference is due to begin in a few minutes, correct?”

“Never a bad idea to run fashionably late, but sure,” Amelia said with a dismissive grin. “Catch up when you’re ready, peons. I want our lovely-”

“Commander, shouldn’t you be setting up?” Emily asked, shaking her head. The commander bit her tongue back, considering how best to retort, but eventually giving up and shaking her head. She followed the presidents, Brynn and Emil’s mother right out the door of the garage. The cheers outside were deafening. “It’s looking like we’re going to be very busy these coming days. You guys especially. Tomorrow morning, huh?”

“Amelia wants us on the first trip to the ends of the world it looks like,” Emil said. To anyone who didn’t know him, he sounded resigned, but to Meredith, his excitement bled through his scarf. “This idiot’s coming along, too…and someone from the Home Guard. They never told us who…Pretty sketchy on details, now that I think about it…”

“Hey! You’re the idiot!” Felix shouted. His complaints went ignored by the rest of Tempest Squad descending…or what was decidedly left of it. “Uh…aren’t you guys two short?”

“Hm? Oh, Bruce and Trent? Deciding to pursue other passions, it seems,” Sal told them as she slid down the ramp. Kenny attempted the same but failed in emulating her finesse, leading to laughter from Jay. “Time for change, after all.”

That it was, Meredith felt, shoving her hands inside her pockets and beginning to follow the path Amelia had taken. She ignored Emily’s imploring glances, intending to ask after her brother, in favor of the bustling crowds gathered outside. They were as thick as molasses, only parting with Meredith lightly shoving them aside to reach the grand, new building. It wasn’t as ornate as Corps Castle was, but was of far greater size than the previous base in the town, all to house more Guardians and visitors. Set up outside it was a long table, upon which were seated the dignitaries and Amelia. Emil’s mother stood to the side with Brynn, and it was there that they approached, right in front of the camera. Victor Lacroix was with them, looking surly as Max jotted notes down next to him and instructed the reporters to follow their marks. Cameras flashed, and on the tablet in Mrs. Baroné’s hands, the press conference was displayed live, showing them. She wasn’t nervous.

The camera flashes slowly died down, and the crowd quieted, waiting for the big announcement that was ready to be made. It was Amelia who stood first, straightening her clothes to look as professional as possible.

“Ladies and gentlemen, fellow citizens, welcome to this press conference outside our newly christened Council Headquarters.” Many of the reporters and citizens that hadn’t been aware started to murmur amongst themselves at her title for the large building behind it. Hearing that confusion gave the woman a rather glowing smile. “Yes, you heard that correctly. Council.

“See, we haven’t been sitting on our thumbs for the last month. What remnants there were of the Corps, in light of the world’s newest developments, have been working with Lacardia, the Metropolis and her Home Guard, the alchemic settlement, and many other places besides to craft something anew, which we think will benefit the people far more than our past system; something we’ve decided to call the Guardian Council.”

“What’s the Guardian Council, Commander Chavez?” a reporter blurted out before anyone else. It would have led to a cavalcade of questions if Amelia hadn’t silenced them with an immediate glare. It was President Nelson who took the question.

“The Guardian Council is, as Commander Chavez has shared, an alliance between the many countries and organizations that currently comprise our world. Each with an equal stake, including those that you don’t see here, such as the Renegades.”

“And don’t worry your pretty heads over them,” Amelia said, cutting off any of the dissension as soon as she could. “We had hoped their new leader, Lovelia, could make it today, but unfortunately she’s rather busy. Her second-in-command, Carlton, is also getting ready for his own first big task. We’re not stalling our activities just for this press conference, after all.” Amelia folded her arms here, nodding to the cameras as they waited for her to elaborate. She didn’t, and one reporter stepped forward.

“Commander, what does this mean of the Corps?”

“The Corps…?” Meredith could feel Amelia’s eyes on her, burning a hole through all of her protégés. She chuckled under her breath. “Dead. In its place, we’ve tried to create something better, and that means changes. Gone are the old ways of our disparate forces being in segmented groups, rife with rivalry. We’re moving towards a new future here, one where you don’t have to worry about whether your Guardian will run away, because there will be many you’ll be able to turn to, from a member of the Home Guard, to a Lacardian, to a Renegade. We want to make a world where working together, sharing ideas instead of stagnating in the old ones, becomes a reality. It will take a while, but we think it will be most rewarding.”

“Don’t forget the alchemic settlement!” the guild master piped up. “We may be rebuilding our forge, but we’re still peerless in the creation of new technologies.”

“Of course. We don’t wish to consider anyone out of reach.”

“And what of the World Restoration Order?” The question wasn’t an unexpected one, not to Meredith. Though Amelia lacked Masters’s silver tongue, she was nevertheless prepared.

“Scattered, and thanks to the events that took place at the Gash, our world is larger than ever,” she told them. “Of course, not all of them were a full and willing participant in the Reaper’s schemes, and we will begin to welcome back any who need assistance, be they a believer in the goddess or just want a place to call home. But for those who assisted him and his wicked deeds, we will find and capture them, to further protect the populace.

“However, I’d like it to be known, most of all, that the Council as it is will keep its focus on restoring the lives of citizens affected by the shrinking, and on rebuilding ranks for those worthy to join.”

“Worthy to join? What does this mean for your trial system? And what will each group do in this new Council of yours?”

“I believe I can take that,” Parradyne spoke, buttoning up his suit as he stood and cleared his throat. “Through our many discussions, we’ve each determined a role within. The Home Guard will be a primary defensive force, while the former Guardians will handle administrative roles and any rescue operations. Lacardians will work closely with the alchemic settlement to form a research and development division for all citizens, and the Renegades have been put on archaeological duty, to uncover any potential ancient threats, like the Gash, that we might put an end to them before they can harm the citizenry.”

“As for the trials…” Amelia glanced back, clearing her throat as she watched the teens. Meredith looked away slightly, hoping a camera wouldn’t move on to them. As she turned, she caught a glimpse of her brother, near the back of the crowd, staying out of sight. “The trial system of the Corps was a failure. Passing a test, winning a fight, being able to walk away with the wrong lessons…it all reinforced a mindset that caused our Corps to crumble. We grew too large, and we fell.

“Never again. From now on, we may be smaller, but we want Guardians with the passion and zeal to serve others over themselves. It will be hard, honest work, and we will turn many more away than we keep, but…the trial system will be revamped. In that time, the Home Guard and our rather illustrious Tempest and Flare Squads will serve on duty as Guardians.”

“What does that-?”

“There’s a brave new world out there. The events that happened at the Gash have led to unbelievable effects. The land has grown far beyond what our current maps would suggest, and there are a great many things we’ve yet to discover about it. Our trial will become a simple one: someone who has walked the world, seen its flaws and have seen their own flaws. Those who accept who they are at the end of a journey. No more ranks. No more titles outside a need for structure. Just good, honest, selfless Guardians.”

Amelia’s proclamation was met with applause, though some reporters were skeptical. Behind them, Raymond turned away, leaving them to enter the garage. Meredith was prepared to follow, but the last pertinent question was asked, and she knew she had to stay.

“What does this Council plan to do about the larger world? What about the missing and unaccounted for who were at the edge of the world?”

“Glad you asked,” Amelia said, slamming her hands upon the table with a feral grin. The questioning reporter jumped in surprise. “There’s a reason we can’t have all our Guardians on hand, you see. We’ve put together a group of expert Guardians that will sail to the unknown, find those who are missing and explore the wide world here and beyond! Today marks the creation of our very own Expeditionary Force, led by our esteemed Captain Meredith Childs!”

The camera most certainly panned over now, putting her on the spotlight. She raised a hand, waving to the flashing bulbs from reporters until they subsided, and all attention was back on Amelia and President Nelson, who was standing, himself.

“Captain Childs will be joined by some expert Guardians in Captain Vivian Lacroix, along with representatives from Lacardia, Felix Lawers and Emil Baroné, and our very own Brynn Taylor, whose duties will be taken over by her subordinate Edgar…”

“You didn’t tell me you were joining us?” Meredith hissed to her friend. Brynn winked at her, her tongue sticking out as a tease.

“I’ll be glad to join you, captain…though rumors suggest we might get one more.”

“Oh boy, let’s make the trip even more interesting…” Vivian said with a deadpan.

The conversation had long shifted away from their new announcement, leading Meredith to a series of chuckles. The press conference opened itself to more questions, ones that the reporters were eager to ask. With no more eyes on her, Meredith found hers seeking the garage, and with a tap from behind, Vivian sent her out of the picture. The blonde nodded to her, and before she knew it, Meredith’s feet were carrying her along to her home, all the way to Raymond’s room.

He was inside. She knocked.

“Mera, I thought you were still at the press conference,” he said. Not too surreptitiously, he slid something behind his back, but to Meredith, it was obvious. He was packing.

“They’re talking all that boring stuff now. Where are you going exactly?”

“Who said I was going anywhere?”

“Ray, you have a bag full of stuff. I’m not an idiot.” Raymond blinked, his glasses reflecting light but still making his eyes fully visible. He sighed, hauling the bag out from its poorly concealed hiding place and hitching it on his shoulders.

“I’m taking off.”

“That much is obvious. You don’t want to join the Council?”

Raymond paused here, his hand tightening on the bag strap. His eyes were elsewhere, distant, and he looked to the few personal objects that had been rescued, scattered on his new desk. “I don’t think I can…not as I am…”

“Ray…” Meredith walked forward, careful about her actions. When he didn’t reject her, she wrapped her arms around him. “It’s okay. All that’s over now.”

“Maybe for you…” he whispered, but he still returned the hug. “But I hurt you, Mera. I hurt my friends. I lost myself for a fanatic ideal. I can’t join the Council, and I can’t stay here. There’s still something I can do, though.”

“You’re hunting down the Order…Bringing them to justice.” Emily’s sudden statement caused the siblings to jump apart. She wasn’t alone, the rest of Tempest Squad behind her as Raymond stared at them, flabbergasted. “Sorry, the door was open.”

Meredith doubted that.

“You don’t have to go, captain,” Jay said, leaning against the wall as he regarded her brother. Raymond’s shoulders sagged. “I mean, you were stupid. Way stupid. But at the end of the day, you were just as devoted to protecting people as we are now.”

“Even if you can’t forgive yourself, Ray, we forgive you,” Sal said. Kenny nodded next to her. To Meredith, her brother looked close to tears. He wanted to give in, accept their invitation of forgiveness, but he was still too resolute.

“You guys are the best. Really. All of you,” he said, looking each of them in the eyes and ending on Emily. “But right now, I’m not quite ready to forgive myself. Not until a crime that I committed is seen finished. I will hunt down the last of the Order, bring them in, and…maybe at the end of it all…I can forgive how much I’ve hurt you for myself.”

Emily smiled and stepped forward, and without warning, kissed him softly. The rest of Tempest Squad looked away with embarrassment, while Meredith internally argued about whether she should call her parents or not. It was over as soon as it had begun, leaving Raymond dazed, but with a clearer mind than he’d had in months. “Take your time. We’ll be here when you’re ready.”

“Th-thanks…Em…and all of you.” He didn’t give any more words to his actions. Just a nod to his sister as he made sure his bag was secure and then walked out the door, disappearing before they could give further goodbyes. Jay gave a groaning sigh.

“Think he’ll be okay?”

“Of course, he will,” Meredith answered back, offering a grin that couldn’t be squashed. “He’s my brother, after all. He’ll find his way back home.”

She believed in that wholeheartedly.

The celebration over the announcement lasted through much of the night. Lumarina was colored in many hues over the fireworks, and dancers took to the streets. The Lumarina Diner was a hotspot for all new and aspiring Guardians, while final preparations took place. Even the presidents cut loose, enjoying their time in the safety of the town. Others joined in at some point, including a happily drunk Matthew and Benjamin, leading the diner in karaoke and rambling academic nonsense.

Hope had been born for the people in an uncertain world, and to Meredith, that spike of adrenaline, signifying that a new adventure was about to begin, came to rest in her bones.

So full of energy was she, that Meredith was certain she didn’t catch a wink that night. As everyone partied and enjoyed their time, passing out on the floor or the street, Meredith turned her eyes to the journey ahead.

It felt different from when she’d last left Lumarina, but she welcomed it with open arms, her friends and companions at her side.

So it went, that, in the early hours of the morning, unable to sleep, Meredith climbed the hill outside town. It wasn’t the same as the one she’d always climbed, but still upon it was the reconstructed grave, adorned with flowers. Someone else had come to visit recently, and Meredith knew there would be many more. Elated at that, she sat in front of it, greeting the first rays of sunrise to touch her skin. Her hand reached out, patting the grave and smiling down at it.

“Well, Eddie…it looks like a new beginning for us,” she said. The sea breeze was inhaled into her lungs, refreshing her. “I can’t wait to see what’s out there, you know? What other secrets does the world hold? I know we’re going to find great things! After all, I’m not alone!”

The grave didn’t respond to her, but Eddie may as well have. She knew he was smiling, continuing to support the world with Rico guiding him and the other souls to peace. It was all the encouragement she needed.

“I’ll see you around. Be good, okay? Watch over everyone.”

She tapped the grave one more time and then turned away from it, peace inside her soul.

It was no surprise that the garage was insanely busy by the time she’d returned to it, and a giant bag was being thrown to her from her mother. The engines of the skyship inside hummed to life, ready for a tremendous takeoff.

“You’re late, Mera. We’re already inside,” Vivian shouted from within, the very second she saw her.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming!” Meredith shouted back, slinging the bag around her shoulders. Her parents stood before her, ready to see her off. In a corner was Victor Lacroix with Max, the latter waving to Vivian. She doubted the blonde could see the man, but probably appreciated the wave all the same, all while her father grumbled in the corner. Also in the garage was Emil’s mother, the happiness playing her face indicating that she’d already seen her son off. Conrad and the twins were there, too. He watched her, their eyes meeting with an unspoken promise of seeing each other again. At the end of it, he blew her a kiss, receiving a smack for his troubles, but she winked and blew it right back with a grin.

All it left was Amelia.

Meredith looked to her commander and spoke. “Well, I guess this is it. Our first big journey.”

“Don’t lead them into danger on the first day, Childs. You’re good at that.”

“Aw, don’t doubt me like that, commander!” Meredith joked. She looked up to the majestic ship, thinking of all the possibilities it now contained. “Don’t worry. We’ll be just fine.”

“Ha! Don’t I know it! You peons have a knack for producing results. It’s a load off my shoulders!” Amelia had said her piece, whipping around to join with Mrs. Baroné and tossing them a wave. “I look forward to your reports! So does Matthew!”

“You got it, commander!” Meredith shouted afterwards. The engine revved, an indication that Vivian was growing impatient with her. Meredith let her stew, facing her parents one last time. “Guess…it’s time for goodbye. You’ll tell the Montgomerys for me, right?”

There was no doubt of that, and they didn’t need to answer her. She had full faith in her parents. Feeling the silence stretch on, Meredith turned away, before she was held back by her parents’ embrace, one she accepted.

“You’ve become a fine, young Guardian, Mera,” her father said. “We are so proud.”

“So, go,” her mother insisted, breaking the embrace that reminded her of their love and pushing her forward. “Go on your next adventure and don’t look back.”

The push carried Meredith to the ramp, and she hesitated, knowing what it would mean.

She chose to take her mother’s advice, and after a moment of steeling herself, she walked up the ramp and into the skyship. The ramp closed up, the vehicle beginning to lift off the ground before she made it to the bridge. When she got there, everyone but Vivian turned in greeting, including the surprise that Brynn had mentioned.

“Lovelia? I thought you were with the other Renegades?” Meredith asked, confused at the sight of the girl that had been Rico’s closest confidant.

“I left them with the mission on this side,” she answered. Her voice drew a peeved look from Vivian, but the blonde focused on raising the skyship out of the garage, to the point that those in it were pinpricks below. “I think Rico would have wanted me to lead the mission on the other one. He’s protecting this world, after all.”

“Damn straight,” Emil agreed, floating near the dashboard that Brynn was operating. Felix pulled him down. “Now every group is together on this trip!”

“Dumbass. This isn’t a vacation.”

“No, but it is an adventure,” Brynn corrected him. The blue of the coastal sky was evident through the wide window of the skyship now, its panes turning towards the edge they had once gone over. “So, any words, captain?”

“And she said ‘words’, Mera. Not puke.”

“Shut it, Viv! I’ve been working on overcoming that, okay?” Meredith shouted at her friend, as undignified as could be. Vivian snickered, and soon found the others laughing with her. Only when they stopped did Meredith compose herself enough to give a message. “We’re all heading into the unknown, everyone. There’s no clue what’s on the other side. That’s kind of scary.

“But…we still have a home to return to, and people we love. It’s for all of them that we can make this adventure, embrace that fear and find out what goes beyond the edge of the sea. Remember, we’re not alone! We’ve got everyone in the world looking out for us, supporting us, and protecting the Guardians’ legacy. So…let’s not let them down. Let’s head for the new world!”

Her speech readied them all, nodding with approval. The skyship stopped turning, facing in one direction, towards the veil of souls. From here, Meredith could feel it, calmer and less destructive, but no less present. Within it, she knew, was Eddie and all the others they’d lost along the way, protecting them and guiding them.

Even if the world beyond was scary, with all of them at her side, Meredith was ready to face it.

“Which way, then, captain?” Vivian asked, tossing back a smirk. Meredith joined her at the dashboard, and raised her hand, pointing to the mist far, far away.

“To the future.”

The skyship thrummed with life. The engines churned with power. Then, they took off, into the great unknown beyond the sea, and on their next adventure.

And Meredith smiled.

THE END