"So, we have to go East!" Libruou said.
"The tracker better not be broken!" Herc yelled.
The members of Team Nora headed out to chase after Jaden in a convertible. "What's the best bet in these situations?!" Maqi cried hopelessly.
"Why would he take the Cyclone to a deserted area outside the city!" Jeremiah asked.
"You two better quit whining!" Herc shouted. "Libruou, check the map for a shortcut!"
"On it!" she was checking the map on a floating monitor. "Take a left, and head uptown! There's a gateway that'll get us there faster!"
"Alright!" Herc nodded. What in the hell are you up to, Jaden?, he thought.
Meanwhile, in the last chamber at the Tomb of Horror, Jaden was facing an unexpected challenge.
"Artemis!.." Jaden uttered.
He wasn't able to focus on his situation, and the question at hand: What was she doing here?, Jaden thought. It was highly improbable that we���d both discovered the Copper Key's hiding place on the same night. Too big of a coincidence.
"Cat got your tongue?" she asked. "I said: Who. The hell. Are you?"
Clearly, she doesn't recognize me from the Grand Prix, Jaden wanted to
remain anonymous, especially under the circumstances. Couldn't she seriously take the hint?!
Artemis wore a suit of scaled gunmetal-blue armor that looked more sci-fi than fantasy. Twin blaster pistols were slung low on her hips in quick-draw holsters, and there was a long, straight elvish sword in a scabbard across her back. She wore fingerless Road Warrior–style racing gloves and a pair of classic Ray-Ban shades.
Overall, she seemed to be going for a sort of mid-'80s post-apocalyptic cyberpunk girl next-door look, Jaden tried to clear his head.
"Greetings," he said, bowing slightly, but she gave him a cold shoulder.
"So, spill it. How did you do?" she muttered.
"Do at what?" Jaden asked.
"Finding this place?" she said, as if it were obvious.
Suddenly, he understood. This wasn't the first time she'd been here. wasn't I the first person to decipher the Limerick and find the Tomb of Horror?!, he thought.
Artemis had beaten me to it. And since she knew about the demi-litch, she'd obviously already faced the lich herself. But if she already had the Key, there wouldn't be any reason for her to come back here.
"I was just wandering around, and then I looked for a shelter from the rainstorm.." he replied.
After hearing that, Artemis's body got loose for few seconds before she said "Oh, I see!" She tilted her head slightly and smiled. "I suppose there's only one way to find out."
She drew her sword, lightning fast, and turned into a clockwise spin, bringing its glowing blade around and down at him, all in a single blur of
motion. At the last second, Jaden managed to tilt his own blade upward to awkwardly parry the attack. In a split second, they locked blades.
~Clank!
Artemis was smiling viciously. Jaden was able to push her away.
"You've got hands of a warrior, huh?!" Artemis said as she got off, and jump at a distance from him. She then, took one of her laser pistols out, and aimed it at Jaden, ready to pull the trigger. "But I can't just let you leave after you saw this." she said. But the moment she was about to fire, the large gate got suddenly shut.
~Vohom!
Both Jaden and Artemis were shocked. Jaden looked up at the ceiling. The moon is aligned!, he thought.
A second later, the ground started to shake in the chamber. Jaden noticed the demi-litch king already floating above them. "It's the appointed time.." the litch said. "I see that you have brought company! Very well.."
"Looks like it's starting!" Artemis smirked, and drew her sword out. With her around, maybe I'd have a shot!, Jaden thought. But the litch surprised them with something totally new, at least for Jaden.
"System call.." the demi-litch said. "Generate. Mirror. Image.."
The demi-litch king started glowing and vibrating.
Did I hear that right?!, Jaden was shocked. Few seconds later, the litch went through fissure, and started splitting, and another litch was floating right next to the original. It was identical in every way.
The UI was able to capture the litch's stats. Each copy of the litch obtained: HP=7000, MP=130,000, and Level= 200. That's not good at all, and they're two of them now, Jaden thought. And the only way out is no longer an option.
Both copies of the litch summoned dual scythes, and started soaring back and forth.
Jaden was completely mesmerized, but also terrified. He didn't realize it when Artemis was right next to him. "Don't stand in my way.." she said as she raised her sword. "This is a fight till death.."
Jaden tightened his grip on Rebellion. He and Artemis stood back to back looking straight at the two litches above their heads.
"But don't get ahead of yourself! I'll still be killing you afterwards." she threatened him.
"If you survived, that is!" Jaden replied.
One of the litches charged down attacking, and causing them to jump in separate directions. Artemis ran on the wall, and leaped in the air, dropping her sword down at the litch's back. Jaden observed as the litch shoved her to the side.
The other flying litch shot laser beam through it's ruby eyes. Jaden hopped avoiding the blast. He then ran straight with his knife risen front, and swung it at the second litch, but he missed.
Both litches rose up and started firing red beams as Jaden and Artemis were dodging.
"There's no way we can fight them while they're soaring up like this!" Jaden panted.
Artemis glared at him for a second, and then aimed her gun at the flying monsters. As she was shooting, the litches were dashing away. Due to her hits on the wall, dust blurred the room.
Jaden took the opportunity to attack. He charged front, and leaped on one of the litches. [Arial Swift]!!, he drew Rebellion and slashed it's arm.
~CREAK!
"Guaaaaah!!" the litch screeched.
The UI informed Jaden that he inflected -40 damage on the monster. I made it!, he thought, but the litch's eyes glowed bright, and blew laser in an instant. Shit!, Jaden couldn't escape this counter attack.
~SHIMM! ~BLAST!
Jaden dropped down on his back. My HP got fried by half, he thought. Another hit like that and I'm through. At moments like these, I start to doubt the idea that this is virtual.
Artemis, on the other hand, was struggling with the other litch. She kept hopping, and skipping from every angle. She landed panting on her feat. "Now is a good time as any.." she grabbed a little pack.
Jaden witnessed as she put a round pill in her mouth. Isn't that the same pill that gangster swallowed?!, he remembered how Eidth took those pills, and increased in size.
Moments later, Jaden felt strange aura coming out of Artemis. She held her sword with both of her hands, and jumped incredibly fast. This time, she swung her sword, and hit the litch on the face. The litch was apprehended, and Artemis took the chance and blasted her gun onto it. Jaden looked how she kept blowing one hit after the other.
Litch number 2 tried to lock in on Artemis. Jaden took the chance, and attack it from behind. [Sharp Nail]!!, he was able to cause damage.
The litch intended to counter, but Jaden blocked it, and countered within one tenth of a second. "Not this time!"
The litch lost it's balance, and dropped on the other litch down the ground.
Artemis and Jaden tried to lock on them both. But the two monster rose fast, and pushed both of them aside. The two litch float next to each other with one of them chanted "System Call! Polymerization!"
With massive bright lights, the two litches fused into one. Jaden's UI caught new stats.
HP=20,000.
Level= 450.
The single litch's speed went five times faster, and it was attacking using double scythe. Artemis tried to charge an attack, but the monster out-speeded her, slashed her right through her armor, and shoved her away. She flew and got smacked on the chamber's wall.
Jaden rushed using [Arial Dash], and as he got close enough to unleash a blow, the litch swung the scythe in high speed. Jaden was able to block most of it's consistent slashes, but he still contracted some damage. The monster then, grabbed Jaden in his bony grib.
"Ghuaaah!.." Jaden was watching his HP as it was decreasing slowly.
"Prove your worth, or die.." the litch said.
"Hey!!" Artemis fired at the litch as she rushed towards it.
The litch threw Jaden away, and charged to face her.
Jaden was able to hang on some protrusion on the wall. His knife was dropped on the ground. I can't reach it!, he thought. And if I go distracted, that litch will get me for sure!
Artemis went all out. She was shooting with both of her twin pistols for one second, and hitting using her sword the next.
"Come—on!" she yelled. "Show me whatchya got!!"
The litch swung it's scythe in one 8 figure with very blurry speed. Artemis, this time, dodged that attack by a slight inch. She found the chance, counter-attacked with her gun, and made the monster completely unbalanced. It's her chance now!, Jaden thought hopefully. She can finish it!
Artemis grabbed her and pointed the tip horizontally forward.
"ELVISH SWORD STYLE!!" she shouted as her sword glowed bright red. "SCARLET FANG!!"
Artemis emitted a scarlet sword-shaped sharp aura that overwhelmed the litch.
"It's over." Artemis uttered.
~DOBAAANG!
The impact dragged the litch on the ground, and dust fogged the chamber. Is it really over?, Jaden who was still barely hung on wall was wondering. But when it became easier to see, both Artemis and Jaden noticed two red dots through the dust.
"Huh?!" Jaden was shocked.
"No way!" Artemis was completely exhausted.
But the two bright red dots weren't moving as fast as they anticipated. Jaden realized that the litch's HP was one good attack from turning to zero. He jumped down towards the litch before it can heal itself. It's now or never!, he thought.
Up in thin air as he was falling to blow one last attack, Jaden realized his knife was still on the ground. My only hope is the weapon summoning technique that Keryto uses!, Jaden thought.
"The blessings of House Inferno better be worth it.." Jaden put his left hand in front as he fell right above the litch's head. And in one tenth of a second, Rebellion, his knife vanished from the ground, and reappeared in his hand. Jaden raised his hand. "Ghiaaaaaa!" he shouted. "[SHARP NAIL]!!!"
~CLANK!
Jaden's attack made an impact, and the litch started to collapse. A bright white light emitted out of the litch as it was screeching it's last breath, and illuminated the entire room.
"What the?—" Artemis covered her eyes. Did he make it?, she wondered.
The light was so strong, it was even noticed by Herc, and the rest driving towards the woods.
"Check that out!" Maqi pointed.
"What's that light?" Herc asked.
"Could it be Jaden?!" Jeremiah said.
"Yeah!" Libruou cried. "It's coming from near the Cyclone signal!"
"Then, let's hurry!" Herc increased his speed, and headed directly towards the light.
Deep in the Tomb of Horror, Jaden was overly covered with light. The litch got completely disintegrated, and Jaden landed slowly on his feat. He then heard a loud echoing voice.
"You have successfully proved your worth."
Jaden looked upward as a flicker of light that was floating above his head culminated, and forged a bright object.
"And now, the Copper Key of Azerrak is yours"
The object hovered slowly down in front of Jaden.
"Congratulations, Jaden.." the voice said.
Jaden picked up the Copper Key that got his name engraved in it. That's the key!, he thought. It got my name on it! The first of the Seven Keys!
The Key was bigger than an ordinary one. It was the same size as Jaden's knife.
But when the light cleared up, Jaden felt a blade getting closer to his neck. He successfully dodged it. It was Artemis, she charged to attack Jaden.
Oh, I forgot about that!, he thought.
"I hate the fact that I have to kill you," Artemis shot Jaden, and apprehended him. Jaden tried to fall back, but she attacked him with her sword. At last moment, Jaden was able to block it, but Artemis had her way.
"But some things need to be done.." she put her gun right below his chin as both were few centimeters above the ground.
I won't survive this one!, Jaden thought in dread.
"This is it!" Artemis was pulling the trigger.
The UI notified Jaden at that fateful moment. Then, he noticed something was glowing dark red from his chest. Huh?! That's the pendant Kat gave me!, he was confused. But a second later, there was a magic circle emerged beneath their feet. It emitted light that engulfed both Jaden and Artemis.
It felt to Jaden as though time stopped. but when he fell back to his senses, he finally reached the ground. But it didn't appear like it was the chamber's floor.
"Huh?!"
Jaden got up, and looked around. He was trying to grasp the situation.
What?! This place is...
"This is my school's hallway!" Mado said. Am I....back?!, he thought. But something feels off.
He tried to look around, but all he saw were empty halls, and locked doors. Mado also noticed something else. When walking by mirrors or reflecting surfaces, his reflection didn't show.
So, I'm not back!, he was convinced. Besides, I'm still in Jaden's body. He saw the apparent scar on his forearm. But isn't this crazy?! Why would the creators of this world create an exact replica of my college's hallway?!, Mado wondered. But then, he noticed one open door. That's my classroom! He walked cautiously towards it.
When he walked inside, the room was almost empty.
Mado noticed that Artemis was standing where professors usually do. She was stepping closer towards somebody sitting where students usually sit. That person in turns, got up, and started walking towards Artemis. None of them ever payed attention that Mado was in the room as well. Mado, on the other hand, was able to recognize this other person.
That's— Aya!, he remembered.
"..Hey Aya, didn't see you there.." Ekram said.
.
.
"...I'm reluctant about going to the dance, let alone preparing it.."
.
.
Aya!— Aya Almosawa.., Mado realized. Why is she here?! How could she be here?!
Artemis and the other person, Aya stood face to face from each other. This scenery wasn't all unfamiliar to Mado. The two girls put their palms against each other as though there was an invisible barrier. The moment their hands aligned, the barrier started glowing bright red, and blinded Mado as it filled the room. Mado felt the ground beneath his feet had disappeared.
When the light cleared up, both Jaden and Artemis fell back apart from each other on the ground. Jaden re-opened his eyes instantly, and got up fast. But once he looked at Artemis, she was laying still on the ground. Is she okay?, he thought. What about Aya? Does this mean Artemis is actually Aya?!
He tried getting closer to her.
"Uhmm—" Jaden didn't know what say. What am I supposed to say?! Like tell her?---Hey, did you lose your memories, and now you found them?!, when he got closer, Jaden heard Artemis sobbing. Is she crying?!, he thought.
"Artemis?.." Jaden muttered.
"Huh?!" Artemis fidgeted. "I—I don't know.... there's something else! Something else happened to me!"
Jaden reluctantly leaned forward. "It's okay—" Jaden tried to say, but Artemis picked up her gun and tried to shoot him.
"STAY AWAY!"
"Whow, Aya, relax!" Jaden backed off.
"What did you do to me?!" Artemis shouted. "How do you know my name's Aya?! WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?!"
"I—I don't know..." he replied.
"WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!" Artemis shouted. "WHY AM I HERE?!"
"AYA, IT'S ME MADO!" Jaden shouted.
"What?! Mado?" she was shocked. "Mado Luqman from college?!"
"Yeah.." he sighed. "I know that we both look different, and I honestly don't know why. But if you can just put that gun down, so we can talk...please?"
Artemis took few seconds, then dropped down her weapon.
Later on, after Artemis cooled off, Jaden explained to her how everything turned out with him.
"So, you just recently got your memories?" Artemis asked sitting right next to him.
"Yeah, but I still don't know how I got here.." Jaden replied. "Do you?"
"I don't think so.." she said. "Everything is just hazy."
Jaden's UI notified him that obtained an new Skill.
[Oracle Eye]: scan subjects and view extention.
[Oracle Drive]: code breaker, restore to default.
Wait a sec!, Jaden glanced at Artemis. He noticed new panels floating around her head. They confirmed to him that Artemis was truly his classmate, Aya Almosawa. So, now, this pendent that Kat gave me somehow was able to return Aya's memories. That basically means it might be what brought mine back as well, he theorized. Well, after all, I was found in the Dungeon holding it.
ID: Artemis Stormcloud
Lev. 50
Stamina: low
User Name: Aya Almosawa
Nevertheless, our memories weren't fully restored....at least mine. So, we both don't remember why or how we arrived to this world, he thought. The question here is: Why would Aya be here of all people?! Did we got involved in something?
"It feels like it's been—"
"Couple of decades!" Artemis finished. "All this time I thought Lacrima was everything that ever is!"
"Can't deny that I feel like freaking out sometimes.." Jaden said. "If time really has been flowing the same as real life, then we—"
"My parents! My sister!" Artemis covered her mouth in distress. "They must've searched for me all that time!"
"What about Affaf?" Jaden asked.
"I don't wanna think about how would she be doing.." Artemis replied sadly.
"Say—Aya, what's the last thing you remember?" Jaden thought maybe she knows something he didn't. Artemis remained quiet for some time trying to rotate her brain.
"..Um—last thing I do remember," she reluctantly replied. "It feels like it happened long time ago.."
Jaden thought that was to be expected. After all, all these memories are overlapped by another full life in this universe.
"You can't remember if something unusual happened? Were you doing something outta the ordinary?" Jaden seemed concerned.
"I remember Affaf... she forced me to accompany her to the dance." Artemis muttered.
"...The dance...!" Jaden mumbled. Oh, the Homecoming Dance!, he thought. So, she ended up going after all. But wait, I don't remember going myself!
"Do you remember being there, at the dance?!" Jaden leaned towards her.
Artemis stuttered at first but ended up saying "Uh..sure, yes.."
"That's the last thing you can recall?!" Jaden blurted out.
"YEAH!" Artemis backed off awkwardly.
Jaden realized he was way too close to her body now, and retreated immediately.
"Sorry," he muttered. "Just got carried away.."
"Oh, it's fine.." Artemis replied quietly.
"Umm, what about the others, our classmates?" Jaden asked. "You met them at the dance?"
"Yeah," she answered. "I'd seen most of them."
"I see—" So we all went to the dance!, Jaden thought. I'd sure like to remember that!
"What about me?.." he asked.
"Yeah, you wer—" Artemis suddenly dazed. "No, I don't remember that I talked to you, or even saw you there at all..."
"..what?!.." Jaden was in dilemma. How could this be possible?! Does that mean I didn't go to that dance at all?! Jaden stared at the ground in confusion. Then, where was I?! What was I doing?! Why can't I remember that much?!
"Mado—" Artemis brought him back to the moment. Jaden smiled involuntary.
"Why are you smi—"
"It's nothing!" Jaden got embarrassed. "It's just—it's been a lifetime since someone called me by my real name.."
"Hehe, I gotcha!" she cracked a slight smile.
Jaden decided to change the topic. "But never mind," he said. "I think I have a plan that will get us home!"
Artemis looked at him as Jaden held the Copper Key in his hands.
"If we got all Seven Keys, we can issue a command that could get us out!"
"Out of this virtual world, you mean?!" Artemis smirked. "What make you so sure this is all virtual?"
"Do you have another explanation for these floating panels you started to see now?!" Jaden argued.
"What panels?.." Artemis replied.
"The one that tell you about stats and battle mode, and dri—" Jaden realized that she got no idea whatsoever. "..You...don't see 'em."
"All I'm saying is, we never know what's the outside REALITY actually look like!" Artemis said. "Maybe all of this, is all that is for us! We maybe meant to be here.."
"Maybe.." Jaden mumbled. Aya might as well be right, he thought. There's no clear evidence to my theory just yet. We might as well be our own simulated project for our REAL counterparts! They could be sitting somewhere looking at us. But for some reason, there's this wild, yet constant, almost instinctual thought— telling me that I'm in a virtual world, and I should get out.
Jaden clenched his fists "Whatever it could be,"
"Huh?"
"The Keys will give us the necessary power to truely figure it out!" Jaden said hopefully.
"So, you'll search the entire realm for them?" Artemis laughed.
"Why not?! It won't take forever!" he replied. "Besides, wouldn't you come with me?"
"Hell no!" Artemis refused.
"But we might find the others!" Jaden told her. "There's a big chance that everyone at that danced got involved, too!"
"You think Affaf, and the others—" she didn't think about it in that manner.
"So, we better make sure." Jaden said.
"No!"
"Why's that?!"
"I can't leave this planetoid like this!"
"Well, I left mine!" Jaden said. "That past life isn't true!"
"Artemis's life isn't that simple.." she mumbled.
"No matter what it could be, just throw it aside! You're Aya, okay?!"
"Mado, the only ones who knows Aya is standing here at the moment!" Artemis explained. "The rest of Bae recognizes this face as Scarlet Speedster, Artemis! There're stuff hanging on me, I can't just turn away!"
"Well, I can't leave without a ship..." Jaden mumbled.
"So, you wanted my ship?!" Artemis smirked.
"I thought we help each other out!" Jaden clarified.
Artemis stood up, and thought about what Jaden had told her for few seconds. "How about I lend you my ship?" she finally suggested.
"Really?!" Jaden was surprised.
"But you have to accept my conditions first.." Artemis said.
"Conditions?"
"First, you have to promise that you'll return my ship intact once you find Affaf." she explained. "And, you should hand over the Copper Key to me, okay?"
"But—this is our way out! I can't do this!" Jaden replied.
"I'll return it back when you return my ship.." Artemis said. "It's that or no deal!"
What am I supposed to do now?!, Jaden looked at the Key. I don't guarantee that she'll keep it safe. And if I lose it, there's no point for searching for the other six! It's better to decline her offer, and wait for the next grand prix, AFTER A YEAR!
Jaden got up, and walked towards her. He sighed, and then gave her the Copper Key. "Take care of it, alright?!" Jaden said. "It has my name on it."
"We have a deal, then." Artemis smiled.
Please Aya, don't make me regret this, he thought. Then he noticed a brighter light shining into the cave.
"Huh?!" Artemis looked upwards.
"That's the sun light.."
"It's morning already!" Jaden exclaimed.
Minutes afterwards, on top of the skull-shaped hill, Artemis climbed her way out. She got out through the small round opening that was on the ceiling of the chamber. She stood there as the morning sunbeams fell down on her face. The cool breeze that gently swung her scarlet tipped hair back and forth gave her a sense of refreshment. When tried to gaze onto the horizon, she noticed something approaching.
Jaden then, got out following Artemis; although, only half of him got outside the opening.
"Oh man, fresh air at last!" he said in relief.
"Look over there!" Artemis pointed far on the horizon.
Jaden gazed towards it, and saw them.
"Heeeyy!!" Jeremiah shouted.
"Princess Jay-Jay!!" Herc shouted.
"Are you okay?!" Libruou was waving.
"Oh my god, look! Isn't that Artemis?!!" Maqi was star-strucked.
"Huh?! It's Herc and the others!" Jaden exclaimed, and then got completely out, and waved back for them. "Hey, guys!"
● 21st day of the Sixth Month, year 666 - Realm of Light.
It was still morning, and Artemis ship was docked in the launching area. Jaden was finally prepared to set off. He gathered his belongings along with everything he found in Tomb of Horror. The members of Team Nora accompanied him to the station. Jeremiah was already there ahead of even Jaden.
"What took you guys so long?!" Jeremiah asked.
"He just wanted to have one last look at Bae City before leaving.." Libruou replied.
"Yeah, I myself expected him to stay a bit longer." Maqi mumbled.
"Well, look what he's done for just one week!" Herc said. "Fighting an elite gang, and throwing a deal with the Scarlet Speedster!"
"C'mon you guys!" Jaden felt flattered.
"Jaden," Jeremiah said. "All the adjustments have been installed."
"All the shards are connected?" Jaden looked up at the ship.
"Yeah, now you'll have unlimited power to travel the universe!" Jeremiah replied.
"Thanks, pal!" Jaden shook his hand.
"Hey—Mr. Jaden.." a voice said from behind him.
"Oh, Nico!" Jaden said. "You' feelin' alright?" Jaden said.
"I wanted to give ya this a while ago.." Nico handed him a sword. It wasn't any ordinary sword. It was custom made.
"Whow!" Jaden was surprised. "You made this...for me?!"
Jaden grabbed the sword that felt awfully new to him. It was the first time he held one that was his. It got a long silver blade, a triangular tip, a grip that was covered in black leather, and the most iconic feature: a hilt that was made by combined engine parts.
"Yeah, it's a gift for saving my life...." Nico mumbled.
"She used the scraps from your broken bike!" Libruou explained.
"I see," Jaden was waving and swinging it left and right. Every time he does, an igniting engine sound comes out of it.
"Yeah, I'm in love with this baby!" Jaden got excited. "And this engine sound got me fired up!"
"If I were you, I'd probably call it the engine blade.." Herc said sarcastically.
"Whow...Herc!" Jaden was surprised. "That's the first time you've nailed a wordplay!"
"Hehe, he got a point!" Libruou teased him.
"You brats!" Herc shouted.
"I also got something, y'know?" Maqi said. He gave Jaden a small badge. Jaden read what was on it "TEAM NORA HONORARY MEMBER!"
"We wanted to give it to you 'cause we thought you'd stay.." Maqi mumbled.
"Well," Jaden smiled, and held on to the badge. "I'm not bringin' back!"
"Come on here! Since when you can smile like that?!" Libruou squeezed his cheeks.
"That hurts!!" Jaden struggled.
"The outside world is full of all sorts of temptations, so be careful!" she told him.
"We're gonna miss ya, Jaden.." Herc said.
"Yeah, me too.." Jaden replied. "Thank you for everything, really! You've helped changed my whole perception on the world.."
"Perception?!" Libruou was confused.
"That's a weird word!" Nico said.
"Wait til you hear about Earth Thing!" Herc smirked.
"What's that?!" Nico asked.
"Something bigger than a planetoid!" Herc replied. "Right?"
Jaden winked "Sure!"
Jaden's new ship was ready to take off. The door went open.
"Alright," Jaden said. "This is it!"
"There's a close planetoid near the border. That'll be a safe first trip." Herc said.
"Thanks for the tip!" Jaden said as he climbed aboard.
"Bye, Jaden!" Libruou blew a kiss.
"We'll miss ya!" Jeremiah said.
"TAKE CARE!!" both Nico and Maqi yelled.
"Make us proud!" Herc shot him a thumbs up.
Jaden looked at all of them for a moment and smiled. "Later days, Team Nora.." he said as the door finally closed.
When he was already inside, Jaden was impressed by how wide the ship was from the inside. "It's a very big space for just one person.." he told himself. He then sat down on the pilot seat, and the UI popped up instantly.
... Flying Tutorial ...
Jaden smiled, and grasp every detail very quickly. And at last, he turned the engines on. The ship started floating. Jaden directed it as he entered the coordinates. Finally, he thought. My journey in this massive universe will begin! I'm excited, I feel like bouncing! He then, pushed the turbo onward, and the ship soared upward, and flew to the front as Team Nora watched it disappeared into the skys.
"Oh, well.." said Herc. "There he went.."
"Don't say it like you're not happy for him!" Libruou said.
"I really wanted him to stay with us.." Herc sighed.
"Never thought you got attached to him this much!" she told him.
"It's not like you didn't fall for him.." Herc said.
"Oh for real?!" Libruou yelled. "It's not like that! I just want to see him happy.."