The foremost agents escorted Chiaki inside the headquarters and moved toward the door.
They stopped a few inches away from the door with Riley knocking. "Chief Elian. It's us." Riley opened the door as a bright ray of sun pierced their gaze.
Someone stood in front of a large window and stared outside. The man had a blue celestial dragon on the back of a white tang suit.
He looked younger, and his hair was somewhat spiky but curling at the same time. "I presume Chiaki Yasuda arrived without incident. Excellent work." He gave a faint glance behind him, showing his blue eyes.
Then he slowly turned around and walked closer to his desk.
Chiaki noticed that something wasn't right.
The foremost agents seemed almost afraid of Elian. "Admiral Xiang Ning. We did as requested." Riley explained, pushing Chiaki in front of him. "Agent Riley. To you, it's Admiral Elian. I need not repeat myself, correct?"
Sweat trickled down Riley's head. "Yes, my apologies, Admiral Elian."
Chiaki seemed uncertain, but despite Elian being calm and harmonious, the foremost agents remained uncomfortable in his presence.
"Step forward," Ordered Elian and silently observed the foremost agents step closer to his desk in a line. "Nice to meet you, Chiaki Yasuda. It's been a decade since I've last seen you." He explained.
"What do you mean? I don't know you." Chiaki explained with an as soft voice as possible. "Why, that is expected. After all, I've merely seen you when you were a little girl."
Sweat slowly slipped down Chiaki's forehead. "Remind me, Chiaki. What was the reason to hide behind those young pirates? I'm certain you were well aware of who you really were. Was it an accident, or was it a deception?"
Her eyes were shaking in terror. She couldn't come up with the right words.
Elian straightened up and crossed his arms behind his back. He closed his eyes and then looked through the window. "Perhaps it was neither. Is that what you're trying to say?" Chiaki reached with her voice forward but stuttered before ending her sentence. "You were always a mystery to the world and the people within our realm. However, years passed, yet you're still aching to be innocent." He added.
"No, that's not what I-!" She was interrupted. "So, you admit you're not innocent?" Chiaki paused in her sentence. "Perhaps you believe you're innocent and that only your family sinned. Is that so?" He glimpsed at her. "A crime is a daily routine, but murder is a motivational act. Yet, you haven't murdered anyone, Chiaki."
He turned around and pierced a gaze into her face. "And now you're wondering, 'What have I done to deserve death?' Am I correct? In reality, you haven't done anything death-deserving for society, yet the Yasuda family acknowledges themselves as 'reapers' of the world government." He continued in a solemn tone. "The 'reapers' who will eventually abuse their 'soul-linking' powers and expectedly rule the government."
Chiaki's eyes shook in terror. "I don't care if I die! But those are not my intentions! I don't want to rule the world government! I just want-!" She jumped in surprise as Elian interrupted. "Freedom? Perhaps your intentions aren't despicable, but what type of freedom is it? The freedom to take over people's bodies or the freedom to live a criminal life with a small group of pirates?" He questioned, spinning Chiaki's thoughts with uncertainty.
"Speechless, I see. You wish for freedom, yet you don't know what type of freedom you are looking for. Your mind believes death is the only freedom acceptable for someone like you, but your heart tells you otherwise. You are in between two worlds. One of whom you're a victim and the other of whom you're free to have friends. You wish to die, yet you wish not to die."
He seemed composed. "But what if I told you that these pirates could open your eyes and show you that you're important in life? Would you still desire to perish? Or would you change your mind and live a happy life?" She became serious but lost as in the mist.
"I wouldn't change my mind. I don't care if they are my friends. I know that my death is better for the greater good!" She froze for a moment, shocked. "Indeed. And that's what makes you a mess, Chiaki. You think you care about your friends, yet you wouldn't listen to their wishes. You're a broken bottle, Chiaki. Shattered and scattered around, trying to be reattached." He walked in front of the table and reached for Chiaki's chin.
He lifted her gaze onto his face. "But your belief is likely a deception. In the end, most broken bottles are thrown away and never recollected. Such as your mind, body, and desire. They too can never be pieced back together. Not until you find the answer you're looking for. Is it death you want, or is it life you want? Of course, your death is inevitable. There's no escape from the forbidden gateway." He gently removed his hand from her and walked away.
"You're a mere stowaway, trying to find an answer to the miserable like you tend to have. Like a stray dog, you're lost and unstable. You're waiting for the answer to appear by itself. But truthfully, it'll never come. The answer must be located, perceived, not awaited. And your heart believes that the answer to your instability is your friends." He looked through the window. "And that is true. Your heart is searching for an answer, while your mind and body do not."
He remained silent for a few seconds but finally continued. "Now, agents, it's time for you to proceed with your duty. I will use the second tower to bring Chiaki to the forbidden chain. Your job is as follows." He gazed into their eyes. "Eliminate any unwanted visitors." His voice became serious and fearful toward the agents.
Chiaki, lost and unstable, mixed within thoughts, prepares herself to meet the inevitable.
However, the answer to her question stands right outside the office.
"Chiaki!!!"
Her eyes opened wide, shaking in astonishment, and her voice softened. "T-Tim..."
The foremost agents escorted Chiaki outside to the balcony, allowing her to look down at the bridge.
Her eyes shook again.
Timothy, Ayuka, Kou, Ralphie, Yumiko, and Kyora stood on the bridge, looking up at her. They were solemn and ready for the final route.
Timothy breathed in and out and then shouted out with full force.
"I CAME TO BRING YOU BACK!!!"
His voice echoed, swirling through the air like a never-ending winter.
To be continued...