Kori had felt uncertainty within him. He carried himself towards the main deck where Arcturus was still busy trying to disarm the firewall. Kori reported his success at disposing of the corpses. Arcturus complimented him, but still fixated his attention at the control panel.
Nova had remembered this scene from Arcturus's memory. Kori attempted to crack the final firewall, but he was unsuccessful. Arcturus had vented out his frustration at Nathaniel Hope who had installed a program in this specific airship just for this journey. They did not have much time left, so they decided to flee before they were caught in the explosion.
Kori led Arcturus to the lifeboat. Since there was only room for one person, Arcturus suggested Kori to get on, which he refused. He then explained that he'd be fine due to his Plasmian blood while Kori was a normal person. The fact that Arcturus kept refusing had frustrated Kori. While he was fine giving up his own life, hearing Arcturus say that he'd be okay with hurting himself made him feel upset. He wondered why Arcturus was so keen on getting hurt despite him not being impervious. He didn't want Arcturus to get hurt and to be alright with hurting himself; he wanted him to be safe and to keep going.
What should we do to convince him to jump?
I recall a scene from one fantasy television show, where one man was about to head out to war and leaving his beloved lady behind. He gave her something to remember him by. Maybe we can do that?
You seriously watch too much television, but not a bad idea, honestly. Though, he needs to agree on that. And if he does, what should we give him?
Kori flicked his earring. How about the earring? If it goes with him, it wouldn't be destroyed. We'll be fine, but we won't be able to move anymore as my body will be destroyed.
Good idea.
Kori did as Sayaka said. However, he still wanted to keep a piece of Arcturus with him. He requested to hand him his beloved copy of Souhait's Lore. Arcturus handed it to him, which had surprised both Kori and Sayaka. In turn, Kori handed him his earring as he planned.
"Why did you ask for that book knowing how valuable it was to him?" Nova remarked. He didn't like the fact that the book he had written as the original Loreseer–and possibly the only copy remaining–was incinerated.
"I just wanted a piece of him to remember by. I had already memorized the contents, but I still wanted to keep it with him. The fact that Arc gave it to me means that he trusted me enough to give it to me…and was willing to let it go."
His words made Nova upset. He had worked hard to write all that down. Kori definitely did not know the book's true value. It wasn't just Arcturus's precious book–it was his creation. Without it, humans would always believe in the lies and dismiss them as folklore. That fact terrified him. It felt as if his hard work was for nothing.
Calm down, Nova.
But…
Focus on what is in front of you. Once you are finished, you can vent and cry as much as you want and I will listen and accept.
Souhait was correct. He should not waver in his duties. His purpose for being here was to grant wishes. He knew not to falter. He focused back on the memory.
Nova heard Kori's familiar words, the same ones he had heard from Arcturus's memory. "Three minutes left. Arcturus, please prove to the world that Souhait is real. Please prove to society that you have a place here. Make it so that we anomalies can live peacefully. Go get your wish granted."
Arcturus was reluctant. He took a deep breath as he yelled out, "Thank you, Kori!" and then he jumped. Kori heard splashing, and was relieved he was in the water. He held the book tight and witnessed him swimming and reaching the boat. The sight of him shivering worried him. He reached a hand out; the next thing he knew, his body became lighter, as if he no longer had it. He felt like he was floating. The sky was darkening and he saw the ocean. He was confused. He was supposed to die.
He then realized where he was when he saw Arcturus's face lean towards him. Taking out his earring meant that his soul and his body had separated. While his body has caught up in the explosion and got destroyed, his soul, his source of life, was still present. He was still alive, but did not have a physical body anymore.
"Even on the verge of death, you were worried about your master…" Nova murmured.
"It's my purpose, after all."
"How did it feel to lose your body? To be unable to do anything while inside your earring?"
"It felt frustrating being unable to help Arc, but knowing that he kept my earring safe with him touched my heart. I did whatever I could to protect him in my current state. Whether it was to activate his bangle, I'd do it. Whether it was to conjure up a hologram screen, I'd do it."
"And you did it while pretending to be dead." Nova remarked rather snidely. "Tell me, was Arcturus aware that you were alive?"
"I'm unsure. All I know is that he was very distraught over losing me. He felt guilty for what happened. Yet, a part of me believes he is aware."
"How are you so sure?"
"Because I'm his Shiftie." Kori gave Nova a sad smile.
It allowed Nova to realize what sort of person he became: a Shiftie who was too hesitant to disobey, but still chose to grasp his will in his own way. His purpose from life to death was always about Arcturus. Nova could tell his wish revolved around him too. He needed to delve deeper. He believed it was possible to grant Kori's wish.
"Kori, I sense a wish inside of you. Tell me what it is."
Kori placed a hand to his heart. "My wish…is for Arcturus Mercury to keep moving forward. I want him to keep going forever. I don't want him to die, ever."
A risky wish…
The ocean disappeared, allowing Nova and Kori to return back to the snow covered field. In front of them stood a light blue door. Upon sighting it, Kori rushed towards it, opened it and went inside with Nova trailing from behind.
The gentle breeze of the field full of aster flowers greeted him. He felt great to return. He noticed the sky being clearer than usual. He led Kori to where his house was. He opened the door and gestured to Kori to enter. Kori, determined, marched in. Nova did not follow suit. All he did was close the door as soon as Kori entered. He leaned his back against the door and took one more look upon the clear sky.
It's your turn, Souhait.