As the ship sailed smoothly through the night, Cani found a quiet corner near the bow, the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the hull providing a soothing backdrop. She leaned against the railing, gazing out at the dark waters reflecting the moonlight. Boombox approached, noticing her contemplative expression. He leaned against the railing beside her, arms crossed casually.
"What's on your mind?" he asked, his tone light but his eyes serious. Cani sighed, her gaze still fixed on the horizon.
"It's Yuma… I can't shake this feeling that he's becoming someone we can't reach anymore." Boombox nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I noticed it too. After the fight with Achlys, he's been different. More intense. It's like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders—and it's weighing him down." Cani glanced at him, her brow furrowed.
"Do you think he knows how close he is to crossing a line? That anger… it's consuming him. It worries me." Cani continues.
"He's always been driven, but now it feels like he's lost sight of himself. This quest for peace through war—it's noble but dangerous." Boombox turned his gaze toward the ocean, contemplating their journey.
"The more powerful he gets, the more he feels he has to protect. But at what cost?" Cani's expression hardened.
"We've fought for this, but the stakes keep rising. Every victory brings more enemies. The World Government isn't going to sit back and let him lead a revolution." Boombox sighs.
"True, but we can't let fear dictate our actions. If we're going to support Yuma, we need to find a way to remind him of who he is beneath all this," Boombox said, a hint of determination in his voice. Cani crossed her arms, looking thoughtful.
"What if we fail? What if this war changes him so much that we lose the Yuma we know?"
"I don't think we can afford to think like that. He needs us now more than ever. If we can keep him grounded, maybe he won't lose himself entirely," Boombox replied, his tone steady.
"But we have to be ready for what's coming. This war isn't just about us anymore; it's about the entire world." Cani nodded, a mix of resolve and concern in her eyes.
"I just wish I could reach him, make him see that there's more to this than just fighting. Kuza's dream was about unity, not destruction."
"Maybe that's our role. We remind him of what we're fighting for. Not just revenge or power, but a future where people can live without fear." Boombox leaned back, watching the stars twinkling above them.
"We need to be the voice of reason when everything feels chaotic." Cani smiled faintly.
"You always know how to put things into perspective. It's just… hard sometimes."
"Yeah, I get it. But we're in this together. As long as we keep communicating, we'll figure it out." He turned to her, his expression softening.
"And if things get too dark… we'll drag him back to the light, one way or another." With a deep breath, Cani let the tension ease from her shoulders.
"Thanks, Boombox. I guess we just have to trust each other."
"Always," he replied, a grin spreading across his face.
"Now, let's make sure Yuma knows he's not alone in this. We'll face whatever comes next together." As they stood side by side, watching the waves ripple under the moonlight, a sense of camaraderie filled the air, grounding them amidst the uncertainty that lay ahead.
-----
Yuma stood at the bow of the Golden King, the sea breeze ruffling his pink hair. A scar on his lower left cheek from his fight with Demon Lord Achlys, bags under his eyes. Ika, the youngest member of the crew, was beside him, his 14-year-old frame filled with energy despite the long journey. Cani, ever vigilant, scanned the horizon through a pair of rusted binoculars.
"I see an island ahead," Cani called out, lowering the binoculars.
"Seems like it's one of the shipbuilding islands, known for their masterwork." The island on the horizon was bright and vibrant, fluffy clouds overhead. The buildings seemed of medieval era architecture but with solar powered lights. The shore is lined with hundreds of wooden sailing boats and construction equipment. Ika leaned over the railing, looking at their battered ship.
"You think they can fix the Golden King?" Yuma crossed his arms, staring at the ship that had carried them through countless storms and battles. The hull was worn and cracked from smashing through rocks and enduring fierce winds. The masts creaked, and parts of the ship had started to rot.
"I don't know, Ika..." Yuma sighed, his voice quieter than usual. "The Golden King has seen better days." Cani nodded, stepping forward.
"She's falling apart, Yuma… We can't keep patching her up after every fight... It's time." Moon, who had been leaning against the mast, resting his palm on the wood as if it were an old friend, finally spoke up.
"We've been through hell on this ship. But we can't keep pretending it'll hold up much longer." His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it—an unspoken bond with the ship that had carried them through thick and thin. Boombox walked up to them, clapping his hands together with a grin.
"Maybe it's time for something bigger! A ship worthy of our adventures! We've outgrown the King, right?" Boombox smirked, remembering how he went from large crew and ship, to the small 3 person boat they had outgrown. Yuma didn't reply immediately. Instead, he ran his hand along the railing, feeling the splintered wood beneath his fingers. The Golden King had been more than just a vessel; it had been their home, their fortress, their sanctuary in the infinite sea. Every scar on its hull told a story of survival.
"I don't want to let it go," Yuma finally admitted, his voice barely audible over the sound of the waves.
"But I know you're all right. The King can't take much more." Ika watched Yuma carefully.
"It's hard, isn't it? She's been with us for so long."
"Yeah," Yuma muttered, his eyes locked on the horizon.
"It feels like saying goodbye to a part of ourselves." Moon approached, his normally composed face softening as he rested a hand on Yuma's shoulder.
"Letting go doesn't mean forgetting. We've grown, and so have our needs… This ship has taken us as far as it could. It's time we built something new. Something that can carry us to the end of this journey… this ship has brought us as far as it could, and we need to respect it" Boombox chimed in, quietly.
"Yeah, man. It sucks, but we're not abandoning the Golden King... She's retiring. She deserves it after everything we've been through together." Yuma smiled faintly, nodding as he looked at the rest of his crew.
"You're right. We need a ship that matches who we are now... something bigger, stronger." Ika, trying to be the optimistic voice, grinned.
"And who knows? Maybe we'll name the next one 'Golden King II' or something. Keep the legacy alive." The crew shared a brief laugh, and even Yuma's heavy heart lightened for a moment.
"Alright," Yuma said, his voice firm. "We'll head to the island and get a new ship built. It's time to move on, but we won't forget the Golden King. This ship has been with us through everything, and we owe it everything." Cani nodded, steering the ship toward the distant island.
"She'll get a proper send-off." As the island came into view, the crew stood in silence, watching their battered ship sail through the calm waters. Each of them knew that this moment was a turning point. They would leave behind the ship that had become their home and forge ahead with something new. But they would always carry the Golden King with them—in their hearts, in their memories, and in the spirit of their journey.