Gabrio knew the power of the Blinder of light.

But seeing how that tide was easily broken.

There are days where he thought that perhaps there’s a reason why they could change the world.

“Never get tired of it?” said Mana, who was sporting her people’s robes. He hasn't seen her for a while now. Though, as of late, it seems time has resumed for them.

“Looks like you’re busy these days.”

Mana made a tiny smile. “Ah, have you started missing me?”

“Might be. When you’re far from your heart, it gets weaker.”

Mana smiled, then looked away for a second. “The hands of time have started again, you can feel it no?”

“Yes. I guess that’s not just a feeling.”

“We are born of purpose and you may have noticed that some of our characteristics have been inherited. You are not elven, but you are close to what we are.”

“That’s not a lot. Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

“The ship will sail and before long we may reach a thousand islands.”

“I see. And?”

Mana stood next to him. “We have a purpose and that purpose is to bring the Blinder to his light. Have you asked? What had happened to the White Sails of the first who left Aon?”

He thought back. “I did remember that we had a discussion about that. I assumed they had left?”

“They walked out of the world.”

“W-what?”

“I mean it. You could say that we aren’t exactly what you'd call beings that should be around here.”

“Walked out… Do you mean?” He made a gesture across his neck.

She shook her head with a thin smile. “Not that barbaric. Think of it as fulfilling our promise to our Mother. Once the Elven have fulfilled their duties, we will be able to find rest.”

“Ah, are you leaving?”

Mana nodded. “Maybe. You really do have quite a control of your emotions.”

“It comes with experience and age.”

“I don’t dislike it.”

“So you are going to leave?”

“Maybe I won’t. I simply don’t know. Many of us are bound by the purpose given to us. Our powers are because the world wills it.”

“Like tools?”

“Not so. It is fortunate to know your purpose. Please, I have known you enough to know what you think when you raise that brow of yours.”

“It’s just out of nowhere.”

“I’m not the kind to talk vaguely. You know me better than that.”

“That you do.” Gabrio held his head. “It’ll take a while to process this.”

He appreciated that she didn’t keep it secret. To talk about it when it’s already too late. He hated that kind of way. He was a Doctor, and he thinks that she knew it better to keep it a secret.

“Oh, I kinda hate this. To speak out of nowhere.”

“Indeed. But to know the truth is better than to not know it all.” He said, trailing off. Oh, he was hoping he’d get some time to stare at the wonder that the Blinder created. Not this kind of news.

“We still have time.”

“I wonder… if you walked out of this world. Will I pass away?”

“I… simply don’t know. You are not bound to our purpose. I had shared half of my life with you, but so far there are indication that there are certain anomalies that have happened.”

The two sat down near the beach. A salty wind smashed against their faces. Mana had slowly lost some of the green that she had. Still, she remained perpetually beautiful, a characteristic that all Elven-kin seems to share.

“So, anomalies?”

“A soul and the body are interlinked. Humans have shorter lifespans. You mentioned once that your Mentor wanted to transfer his brain to another?”

“I did.”

“If he did, then it wouldn’t have worked. He’d lose himself and he’ll simply turn into an abomination… an undead. Trying to extend your life is simply a corruption. The kings and queens of old Aon had extended their lives forcibly, but as you may have known from the dynasties and the lineage of their kind. They have grown into madmen, tyrants who have little concern for their blood. Only through careful breeding, and certain rituals that they are able to achieve the blue-blood. I think Zyra is part of a clam that has been honored, hence she still lives on.”

“What about Lady Rosalve?”

“She has the blood of both. Her clan had always been told to assist the blinder of light. Throughout the ages and the cycles. You can be assured that she was given the role.”

“I don’t like it. Having such roles.”

“Perhaps, but you are fortunate enough to have picked your own role.”

“I liked to think that. I really do. That we make our luck and create our fate. That we are not bound by paths.”

“We know our purpose, but we assure you that even the Aboves are fair in their way. We lost the bouts a few times, and even this has been the longest since we managed to get this far.”

Mana took something out. Gabrio smelled fresh ink and yet the appearance of the book was pristine as if nothing could touch it.

“What’s that?”

“A book containing what we held. I’d like you to have it.”

“The elders allowed ancient knowledge to be passed on? To me?”

“Yes, we have considered giving it to Lady Rosalve, but her lifespan dims as the Blinder approaches her goal.”

Gabrio took the book and felt it immediately. The same power that he felt when he was given the Treeheart. Gabrio gulped at the responsibility that it entails.

“You want someone to remember. That you existed?”

“That’s right. It is our history and what we know. The spirits in the book will allow you to keep a repository in your head. It shall be a reminder of who we are and what we have done.”

Gabrio tightly gripped the book and it shattered into millions of dots of light that gathered gently on the top of his head. He can feel it on his head. Like a detailed book he could look at when he can.

“Don’t make that face,” Mana held his cheeks. “I hope that you keep it to yourself. You have a long life ahead of you, my Doctor.”

“You make it sound like I have quite a chance to live long enough.”

“I do. You have a knack of seeing things. You’ve earned your longevity by simply staying true… to be kind.”

“I’m not that kind,” Gabrio looked down. “I’ve done things a Doctor shouldn’t have.”

“That is life,” she comforted. “You know it better that there are things that must happen. Life and Death is a balance and it is the kindest to give them a painless end. It is not you who have led them to their path, but them alone. You simply gave them comfort that some do not deserve.”

“That is one way to think.”

“That is the only way you should. I am not so kind as to think that such sinners deserve such painless death, but I know it well enough that your heart would rather be hurt than allow it. Truthfully, in such a broken world, this kindness is enough.”

Gabrio held her hands down. “You speak as if we are already parting.”

“Yes, although we still have some time until the end. We must focus on the last legs of the journey. To guide the blinder and make sure the fleet manages to reach the thousand islands. I am not fond of sudden partings, and to part with the man who has given me so much fun… does not sit well with me. I really do wonder how some could be so fearful about such a thing.”

Gabrio held his expression together. But yet he found that even the strongest mask he wore had been cracked by the thought of losing a companion.

Mana smiled sweetly and looked at the beach. The Blinder’s light was encompassing and was strangely warm.

“There are many who would find your situation quite fortunate. To live long enough, to do good and live such a life.”

A long life was a blessing and a curse.

Gabrio understood that well after spending generations.

A blessing that he could learn so much.

A curse that he’d be able to watch the people he cared about wither away. There are times where he thought such life was painful and there are times where his mind went dark somewhere, but he was able to persist because of a purpose that made such a life worth living for.

Gabrio held his stare on the horizon. He thought back to the time where he saw the Milostiv in the distance. He did think that this voyage would change his life, but he didn’t think that I’d be like this.

His Mentor would have killed to have such blessings. It was odd. That despite the many years that have passed. The Butcher of Fort Rava remained in his head. A constant reminder of what he might become if he thought lightly of his role.

“It’s been really long.”

“It has been. Perhaps, you’ll be able to see a beautiful world. Not a world drowned like this. A better world. A peaceful one that didn’t need such an affair such as this.”

“An impossible dream.”

“Indeed. But hope is made and wished for.”

Gabrio paused and let the wind caress him. He could see the Sprites, but he was mute to them. He couldn’t speak to them. And yet seeing such creatures flying everywhere, carefree and without being held back was always a sight to behold.

The two could see the fleet here. The Arkshelled Island had exited the Tundrae and the rest of the fleet had followed after. Although there are many resources available on the island, they couldn’t carry everything. But with the Blinder, the Fleet doubts that they would have trouble along the way.

They have enough resources to produce and create weapons. Enough for the fleet to reach the thousand islands. A journey that took generations to achieve.

Gabrio stayed with Mana on the beach quietly. Sharing warmth until the night came out and they had to go back to their respective places.

His steps stopped as Mana climbed aboard the pontoon taking her back to the Island. As her figure got smaller, Gabrio turned his head away and then waited for the boat to reach the Grand-Galleon.

Reaching the Grand-Galleon, he made a quick round to the people living above the first and second deck before heading back to the clinic where he found Zyra smoking on her pipe.

“Date go bad?”

“Why say that?”

“A feeling. You don’t have the usual steps.”

“So you noticed that?” Gabrio settled down on his desk and then tapped his fingers on the table. “Did you know? The Kin’s purpose?”

Zyra blinked. “So she told you?”

“She did.”

“How much?”

“A book’s worth of knowledge.”

“That much?”

“Yes.”

Zyra tapped her smoking pipe. “I guess you’ve earned the trust of the Elves. Hah, Felecia would have wanted that, unfortunately the Kin sees through her so easily.”

“And you know?”

“I serve the Lady and the Blinder. My purpose and my clan has been told what we must do. So, uh, you two had a falling?”

“No. She just straight up told me. I did think that there was something happening, but to think that would be it.”

Zyra leaned back. Her carefreeness was quite stunning. “I’m jealous that you two don’t keep secrets.”

“When you owe half of your life to the person, literally. It’s hard to keep a secret.”

Zyra took a long drag of her pipe. “The last legs of our trip. It’s been far too long, isn’t it?”

“It sure is.”

Gabrio stood up. He ripped a panel out of the board and then removed a bottle out of the floorboard. He placed the bottle on the table and then took a glass from somewhere.

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

Zyra grinned as she joined Gabrio for a drink.