Gabrio’s alone in his cabin with only his mind around to occupy him. It’s always rather him nowadays. With the savior of those who live in the sun present. It’s hard to get sick.

Having someone who could use his gigantic form to split some parts of the sea and then help out lessens the problems. As he writes his report for the bored scholars of the fleet.

The door opens and the tobacco smelling Zyra walks in and leans on the wall while holding a smoking pipe. She takes a look at the papers.

“Still working?”

“As always. You’re more active and freer.”

“Perks of not being tied up. The Blinder… released me from my Bond.”

“He can do that?”

“Yes, but still it’s more of a reason and purpose of my existence. And it’s not bad, trying to save and help this world.”

“Good for you. Been hitting bars?”

“I’m surprised they allowed them on the Arkshelled. There’s even one for soldiers. Here you go.”

She places a liquor candy on the desk.

Gabrio takes the candy and looks at it. “Not bad, but it lacks the sweetening that makes it addictive. Hmm, which is not necessarily a bad thing either.” He chews on the candy.

“Should go out more. This kind of lifestyle is something a Doctor shouldn’t do.”

“I do get my sunlight. But things are busy here and it’s best if I get things organized now that I have time to do so.”

She takes a look. Her eyes on the stack of papers that has begun piling on one side of the room. She walks around the room and then takes a mechanical mask hanging from the wall.

“It’s odd to see that this hasn’t been lost forever.”

“I thought of throwing it away, but face serves me when I have to keep it real. I… think of it as my Butcher’s mask.”

“You mask yourself when you do evil. Ah, I heard of this tradition from Aon. Were you part of that tradition?”

“I was. I think my father’s side was part of that tradition. They considered it barbaric so they stopped it. My mother, I think, was city-folk.”

“Thought you were orphaned?”

“I do remember some, but I was probably sold to an orphanage. My Mentor told me that I was. Never really thought of the design until I needed to have a face.”

You mask yourself so Karma can’t find you. They will look at the Mask than the man wearing it or so they would avoid the sins. Gabrio never did believe that, but it was a small comfort when he had to do evil.

“Been a few weeks and so far we haven’t met any enemy that the Blinder can’t take on.”

“Well, Zy, when you have someone who is the living embodiment of God on your side, it does make things easy.”

The ability to fly. Transformation and then the manipulation of forces and the natural command of the element-shifting Sprites who gladly listens to him.

He could act as the sun for the Fleet and he wouldn’t tire out until he needs sleep. He’s superhuman and with his ability to gather nourishment from the very sun itself. He doesn’t need to eat and any exhaustion is regenerated by his abilities.

“How can he stay up all day and not take in anything?”

“I guess that’s why he’s made Blinder.”

To be stronger than any steel. A living demigod that houses the hope of those who live under the light. It was straightforward if you do assume that the other side is heartless.

Soulless creatures who leeches the life of those around them.

“He eats for pleasure. You saw his face? He seems to be in a constant state of flow.”

Gabrio had time so he thought of measuring how much energy he could produce and if he could somehow make a steam machine large enough and put him inside of said machine. He’d be able to produce enough power to power an entire country with electricity.

He was a living conduit.

An existence that gathers all the energy the sun can offer unto him.

He was not worried about him physically. Only the other side can match his prowess, but despite all that power and energy he has on that vessel.

He was human. He separates himself from those earthly emotions, but he was still a human being holding the power of the sun in his hands. The Blinder remains a human being and although he has confidence that he is better because of how he was chosen by the world.

There are worries that Gabrio keeps to himself. He thinks that Zyra knows this well and yet in the eyes of the fleet. To their hearts he is a son of the light that made the world.

He is the Blinder of Light because being in his very presence blinds you. He is overwhelming. He is the champion of all that is good and warm.

He is the hearth.

He is the light that gives life to the dark.

He can’t be human in front of the crew that believes that he is their guardian.

He’s a paragon.

He must remain that.

He may not like it. But the Blinder has to carry the weight of that role on his shoulders.

Casting away his human-side to appear as that force leading this fleet to their final destination. Gabrio couldn’t imagine being in that role.

Zyra takes a book and skims over it. They had enough years to read every single book in the cabin, but there are times where he has to refresh his memory. No matter how keen your memories are. There’s always time eroding that, replacing old information with newer and updated ones.

“You haven’t jotted down the rest of the Tomes.”

“It’ll take a lifetime to do so. The scholars already have most of the updated techniques so there’s no need for me to write it down.”

Scribes were important in keeping the fleet organized. There was no item taken away without some scribe knowing about it. Every item listed in the inventory is penned down.

Zyra snaps the book close and drags a stool next to the desk. She hovers over the desk and finds Gabrio’s journal on the side.

“Guess you never did give up on journals.”

“I didn’t. You should have continued yours. At least you can use it to reflect on your time in this world.”

“Maybe I should have. But I would rather not.”

She takes a tired gaze and leans her elbows on the desk. “I was a surgeon… and yet here I am still taking on the roles.”

“Finally got tired?”

“Oh, I’ve been tired for a very long time. Unfortunately, a certain someone still continues on, doing his role, which allows me to keep on. Life’s lonely when you are alive for too long. Seeing friends leave… my master prepared me for it, but I guess I’m luckier than most of my blood-kin.”

“I’m the same. It’ll be far lonelier without you around.”

“Well, I’m just glad that I have someone to share this misery with.”

There's silence in the cabin. The constant upgrade done to the Grand-Galleons made the ship stable. It didn’t roll around like it used to and there’s a sense of peace that covered it the moment an Elven became the Captain of the Grand-Galleon.

With the sound of Gabrio’s pen writing down. Zyra takes an exhausting look at him before sighing. “You’re such a patient and irritable man, Gab.”

“I know.”

“Well, it’s lovely that you haven’t really changed.”

“I think I did. I got a few whites in my hair now.”

“That you do. Time has made you like fine wine.”

“Hey, you’re not that bad either for an old woman.”

She hits him lightly in the shoulder. “Not nice.”

“Truth can hurt.” He grins.

She snorts. “You’re frustrating. But I guess that’s what keeps us buddies for a long time now.”

“You believe in destiny, Gab?”

“Not much, but I do. Sometimes, I do.”

“I do. Destiny is a powerful force that shapes our lives in ways we cannot always comprehend. For some, it is a path laid out before us, with every twist and turn predetermined. For others, it is a journey that we must carve out for ourselves, one step at a time.”

She leans on the cabin wall. “We’ve spent four generations protecting the Blinder, I have seen the power of destiny firsthand. I have seen how it can bring people together, how it can tear them apart, and how it can inspire them to do great things. But destiny is not just about the Blinder or the chosen one. It is about each and every one of us, and the choices we make every day. It is about the small moments that define us, the challenges that we face, and the triumphs that we achieve.”

She pauses and taps her finger on the desk. “Destiny to me has always been about protecting the Blinder, about ensuring that he stays on his path and fulfills his potential. It has been a journey that has taken me through countless battles and hardships, through moments of doubt and moments of triumph. But through it all, I have never lost sight of the importance of destiny, of the power it holds over our lives, and the incredible things that can be achieved when we embrace it.”

She takes a long look at an empty space. “It's what I told myself… to embrace my destiny, whatever it may be. Whether you are a Blinder, a protector, or simply someone trying to make a difference in the world, know that your journey is important and that the choices you make will shape your future. Let destiny guide me, but never forget that I'm the master of my own fate. That I have the power to create my own destiny, to shape my own path, and to achieve great things. Take hold of my future with both hands, and never let go. For in the end, it is not the destination that matters, but the journey we take to get there.”

Gabrio stops writing on paper. “As a doctor who has spent generations healing and helping, I have seen many things in my time. We both have. I have witnessed the joys of new life, the pains of aging, and the tragedies of loss. I have seen the power of medicine and the limits of science, and I have come to understand the role of destiny in our lives.”

She perked her ears. Gabrio continues.

“For me, destiny has been a cruel mistress. It has been a force that has pushed me to heal the sick and ease the suffering of the dying, but has also shown me the futility of my efforts. No matter how much I try, or how many lives I save, there are always more who need my help, more who suffer, more who die. In our world where destiny seems to literally favor the the chosen ones, those of us who spend our lives healing and helping can feel forgotten, left behind in the shadows. We watch as they are lauded and praised, while we work tirelessly, day after day, without recognition or thanks.”

Gabrio clenched his fist quietly. “It can be a lonely and frustrating existence, one that can leave us feeling cynical and sad. We see the suffering all around us, and we know that no matter how hard we work, we can never fully ease the pain.”

Then he looks up with determination. “But despite all of this, I remain committed to my calling. I continue to heal, to help, to do what I can to make a difference in the world. For even though destiny may be fickle, even though it may not always reward us for our efforts, there is still a nobility in the act of helping others. No, it’s simply because it is the good and right thing to do. Even if it feels like destiny is against us. I have learned to embrace the moments of joy, even as I witness the tragedies of life. And above all, never lose sight of the importance of compassion, for in a world that can be so cruel, it is often the only thing that keeps us going. It’s at least what keeps me going.”

As she listens to the words of the Doctor who has spent four generations healing and helping, Zyra can feel the exhaustion and weariness that comes with a life spent in service to others. It is a feeling that she knows all too well, as someone who has spent the same amount of time protecting the Blinder.

Destiny has been both a blessing and a curse for them. It has given them purpose, a reason to get up each morning and face the challenges of the day. It has pushed them to be their best selves, to strive for greatness in a world that can often seem cruel and unfair.

But it has also left them tired, worn down by the constant demands of their calling. They have seen too much suffering, too much pain, too much death. And while they continue to do what they can to make a difference, there are times when it feels like they are fighting a losing battle and yet there are times where their patience was rewarded.

The doctor was right when they say that destiny can be a cruel mistress. It can make them feel forgotten, left behind in the shadows. And yet, despite this, they continue to push forward, to do what they can to make a difference in the world and even if it wasn’t the world… at least to the fleet they had spent years protecting in their own ways.

Feeling the weight of destiny on their shoulders. Gabrio takes a long breath and places his pen down. “I think we should take a moment to rest, to catch our breath, to recharge your stamina. It is okay to feel tired, to feel worn down by the challenges of the world. But you know what Zy? I think that even in our weariness, we are making a difference. We are touching lives, easing suffering, and bringing hope to those who need it most. And when we are ready, when we have regained our strength and spirit, know that there is still work to be done. There are still lives to save, still battles to fight, still a world to heal. Ain’t it a bitch, huh?”

Zyra lifts her face up. “I guess so. Well, even if Terin is over there’s the brightest light that anyone can see… at least I think we can be the shade for those who are wary of such light.”

“Maybe… but as you said… It's a cruel mistress. But until we take a step on the Thousand Islands. We’re still at the hands of Destiny and maybe… our Destiny belongs to others.”

Misery or happily ever… it’s not up to those who were not chosen.