Walking beneath the stars, it felt like I had time to be alone with everyone for once. Like it was really just us nine in the silence of the night.
"I think it's the first time, the first time in a long time that it's just been the nine of us." I stated. "We've really gone through a lot. But the day I first stepped foot into the Academy is still vivid in my head."
"It's been 3 years since then. Arata you've grown a lot." Alexis stated.
"Yeah. I'm already 20 this year..." I sighed as I gazed at the night sky.
"Come on, don't say that, you're making us remember our own ages here." Andrew sighed and I could only chuckle.
"Andrew, you're 28 this year right?" I asked with a smile.
"Yeah. It's me, Will, Mayumi and Hiro. All at 28..." Andrew sighed. "What about the rest of you?"
"I'm turning 25 this year." Liam stated.
"Oh, I'm younger than you." Ethan says. "22."
"We're older than Ethan, 23." Alex says and Al nods. "What about you Zhen?"
"I'm turning 24 this year." He answered.
"Pretty soon, Will, Mayumi, Hiro and I have to leave the school." Andrew sighed and that's when I remember.
"The school only allows Braves until the age of 30 to stay at the school after all." I stated. "But don't girls only get to stay at the school till they're 25?"
"Ah, Mayumi and the others stayed longer because the school needs they're help. But when we turn 30 years old we'll have to leave." Andrew answered.
"But it's not like there's any more reason for the Academies to still be open after this." Liam says flatly. "The Chimeras are all gone, the Calamities will be purified. Come this time tomorrow, everything will finally be over."
"Yeah... It'll all come to an end. The long, long, long war between humanity and the Chimeras is over." I stated as I gazed at the land stretching before us. "The Rivers of Vi have been restored, and with Vi running throughout the worlds once more, it'll all heal soon."
"Then everything will start a new chapter. With no fear of Chimeras, no enemy to fight..." Zhen says.
"But... Humanity may just try to start another war. With the worlds, with Braves, over even with each other." I stated.
"I suppose they might, but I'm sure that everyone here won't stand for it." Will pats my head. "Because Arata is here, we all know better than anyone that we won't allow that."
"And even if it does happen, that new war won't happen here any time soon. It won't be for another thousand or more years in the future. After all, what Arata has done here won't be forgotten so soon by the people." Ethan reassured me. "And we'll be sure to tell the stories. To pass them down to the generations to come, so that peace can finally fill the worlds, for hundreds of years to come."
"I'm happy if that what will happen." I smiled.
For the next couple hours, we all enjoy each other's company underneath the night sky. Alex and Zhen end up braiding my hair and decorating with the flowers in the flowerbeds.
"The flowers are so pretty, even though it's late at night they haven't closed at all." Alex says.
"They're called Moonshines, they're flowers that only bloom in the moon's light." I answered.
"We should head back... It's getting late and you need to eat something..." Al pats my head gently and I nodded.
We all walked back to the castle and knocked on the door but no one answered, I was wondering what was going on, I could sense everyone was on the other side for sure.
The door opens to a very, very dark room, we enter, I'm a bit puzzled and just as we've entered the room the door closes behind us and I'm enveloped by the darkness.
"Everyone? What's going on? Will?" I call out and just then the lights turn on and with a pop I'm covered in confetti.
"Arata, Happy Birthday!!" The sudden shout from everyone takes me by surprise.
"Happy Birthday, Arata." Will picks me up and carries me on his back like a kid. "Happy Birthday, my little brother."
"Eh?!" I exclaimed a bit surprised. "Wait? Was my birthday today?!"
"Hahaha! So you really did forget, even though we were talking about our birthday's earlier." Andrew laughed as Will set me down. "Happy Birthday, you rascal."
I turn to the others and the smiles greet me, I've completely forgotten my birthday but everyone remember. Before I can even react, tears stream down my face.
"Arata? Is something wrong?" Louie asked as he came closer with Grandpa.
"N-no... I'm perfectly fine..." I smiled through the tears. "Thank you everyone!"
"Come on then, let's eat before the food gets cold." President Mayumi takes my hand gently and leads me.
Mom and Dad, Spiro, Grandpa, even our Principal and Teachers were present. When I asked how, Leon simply smiled saying he handled that part. As for the party, apparently Spiro had this party planned a while back for me they just altered the place it was held. Felicia and the Ancients also had a hand in the setting, saying that it was something they all wanted to do for me.
We partied, eating and drinking, enjoying ourselves well through the night. Seiji-san and the other Zodiacs even brought wine and liquor, so they're drinking that. Somewhere along the party, I managed to sneak out to get some air.
"What time is it I wonder?" I asked as I gazed at the indigo hue of the sky.
"Just in time for the dawn." Hanako smiled as she stood beside me. "Happy Birthday, Arata."
"Thanks." I smiled and soon everyone was outside, watching the dawn with us.
"It's the start new day." Fabian says. "And the start of a new era. Take care out there Arata."
"We will." I reassured them. "Well then, shall we get going?"
"Already?" Mao asked.
"I think it's the perfect time." I smiled at the dawn. "Saint, is the Asterion ready?"
"All set." Saint smiled as the Asterion hovered above the Castle. "We're ready to go whenever you are."
"Then, let's say our goodbyes before we go." I smiled and turned to Mom and Dad. "We'll be going now. We'll be back before dusk."
"Take care out there, be safe." Mom hugs me and Will.
The others say their good-byes so that we can depart. Lady Felicia smiles as she pats my head and kisses my forehead.
"I'm imparting you with knowledge about the Primis Orbis. Take care out there." She says with a gentle smile. "To be honest, I wish I could go with you..."
"The worlds will need you here." I assured her. "We'll be back before you know it."
"Take care, Dad." Spiro hugs me tightly and I pat his head.
"We're ready Arata." Van says.
"Well then everyone, we'll be going now. See you all later." I say as I began to fly.
"Arata, everyone." Mayumi calls and we turn to face her and the others who all join in unison to shout out. "Take care, we'll see you later."