The journey back to Mary Geoise felt surreal. Ronan and Lila sailed alongside Smoker and Lucci, the seasoned Marine soldiers still recovering from the earlier skirmishes. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words, the weight of the battle lingering in the air.
Lila sat next to Ronan on the ship, her small frame bouncing with excitement. "We did it, Ronan! You were amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
Ronan managed a smile, but inside, he felt the echoes of doubt. "Yeah, but at what cost?" he thought, reflecting on the life he had taken.
As the ship sailed smoothly across the waters, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the horizon. Ronan watched the colors blend together, the beauty of the moment contrasting sharply with the turmoil within him.
Smoker stood at the helm, his expression serious as he kept an eye on the surroundings. "We need to keep moving. There's no telling if more of Drake's crew is lurking about," he said, glancing back at Ronan. "You did well today, sir. If I may; just remember, power comes with responsibility. You need to be prepared for the choices you make.""
"I will," Ronan replied, determined to honor the lessons he had learned, even if they came at a steep price.
Lucci, leaning against the side of the ship, nodded. "You showed promise, My Lord!
"Thanks," Ronan replied, his voice soft. He appreciated the compliment, but it felt hollow amidst his inner conflict
The calm after battle had an unusual weight to it. As Ronan leaned against the ship's railing, he found himself staring at the horizon, the churning ocean stretching out beneath the graying sky. His body still bore the marks of his struggle—the bruises, cuts, and aches a testament to his first true encounter with death. But it wasn't his physical pain that weighed on him now; it was something deeper, something that gripped his mind and wouldn't let go. The echo of his Conqueror's Haki lingered in him, its intensity almost foreign, like a beast he hadn't realized was caged inside him all this time.
Time skip to 2 months; tomorrow they would reach Sabaody Archipelago.
Smoker and Lucci, both leaning on the opposite side of the deck, exchanged a quiet look. Their expressions were unreadable, but their silence held an understanding that Ronan hadn't noticed before. Smoker crossed his arms, watching Ronan out of the corner of his eye. "That kid's seen a lot this time," he muttered, his voice low. "Awakening Haki like that… it doesn't happen without a reason."
Lucci's gaze was sharp as he replied, "Ronan's strong, but he's not like the other Celestial Dragons. There's more to him than his bloodline." He turned his attention back to the sea, his cold gaze unchanging, yet his words held a hint of respect that Ronan wouldn't expect from him.
Meanwhile, on the far end of the deck, Lila tugged on Ronan's coat. "Look!" she exclaimed, pointing at the distant horizon where a flock of seagulls danced in the air. The innocence in her voice tugged Ronan back to the present, grounding him.
Ronan glanced down at her, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You're full of surprises, you know that?" he said, reaching to pat her head. Lila beamed up at him, her eyes shining with a brightness that felt foreign to him after all he had seen.
But beneath that smile, Ronan's mind was restless. He was supposed to be a conqueror, a warrior trained by his father to be fearless. Yet, the reality of what that power meant—having the strength to end a life, to command others, felt enormous. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, like he'd touched something far bigger than himself.
As they sailed closer from the battlefield, Smoker moved closer, observing Ronan's quiet contemplation. "Not everyone walks away from their first fight the same," he said, his voice rough but not unkind. "You fought well, but strength isn't just in power. It's in knowing what to do with it."
Ronan looked up, his eyes meeting Smoker's steady gaze. "I know," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But… how do you decide what's right?"
Lucci, overhearing, stepped forward. "You don't," he said with a finality that cut through Ronan's uncertainty. "You act as you're meant to, as you're trained to. Hesitation is a weakness—one you can't afford."
The words struck Ronan like a harsh truth, yet he knew there was more to it than Lucci was saying. He glanced down at Lila, still at his side, her presence a reminder of the innocence he was fighting to protect, even if he didn't fully understand why. And as they drifted onward, he felt the weight of his actions settle within him—a sense of duty, yes, but also a flickering doubt about the world he was born to inherit.
Just like that they retired to their own quarters.
Smoker while in his bed – Watching Ronan, Smoker couldn't help but feel the pull of nostalgia, memories of his own first battles surfacing. "This kid... he's got something most people don't. But he'll need more than strength if he's going to make it out there. Strength is a double-edged sword."
Lucci: "Celestial Dragon or not, power is absolute. This kid may be sheltered, but he's growing. And if he can wield Haki at his age, there's potential—one I intend to see sharpened."
Next morning, today they would be reaching Sabaody Archipelago; it is a gateway and a test—a place where legends brush shoulders with villains and pirates glimpse their truest fears. Beneath its gleaming surface lies a dark underbelly, where law and cruelty intertwine. It is a place both for those seeking glory and those hiding from it, haunted by the shadows of the Celestial Dragons, the untouchable elite whose very presence reminds everyone of their place in the world's twisted order.
Lila leaned closer to Ronan, breaking the somber mood. "Hey, can we explore the town when we get back?" she asked, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Of course," Ronan said, ruffling her hair playfully. "But you have to promise to stick close to me. I don't want anything happening to you again."
"Deal!" she chirped, her smile lighting up the fading sunlight.
The ship's arrival at Sabaody Archipelago brought a mix of curiosity and caution to Ronan's mind. He'd heard tales of Sabaody—a lawless, vibrant place where pirates, merchants, and bounty hunters crossed paths beneath the shadow of the World Nobles. Here, danger and excitement lingered in every corner. But for Lila, it was an adventure.
The moment they stepped onto the bustling streets, her face lit up with pure wonder. "Look, Ronan! There's so much to see!" she exclaimed, grabbing his hand and tugging him along with childlike excitement.
Ronan allowed himself to relax a little, letting her lead the way. With a hood draped over his head, he kept his eyes sharp, subtly scanning their surroundings while trying to blend into the crowd. But he found it hard to keep his guard up when Lila's infectious energy kept pulling him into the moment.
"Let's go there!" She pointed toward a small market stall where an elderly vendor was selling peculiar-looking fruits and candies.
Before Ronan could respond, she'd already dragged him over, her eyes wide with excitement. The vendor grinned at them, his face crinkling with warmth as he held up a handful of strange, colorful treats.
"Would you like to try one, miss?" he offered, holding out a piece.
Lila beamed and took one, her eyes flicking to Ronan as if for approval before popping it into her mouth. Her expression instantly scrunched up in a mix of surprise and delight. "It's so sour!" she giggled, eyes watering but laughing anyway.
Ronan watched her with a smile tugging at his own lips. It was strange, watching her navigate this world with such innocence, her worries seeming worlds away. "Are you going to try everything here?" he asked, his tone light with amusement.
"Only the good stuff!" she said, wiping her eyes and glancing at him with a determined smile.
They moved from stall to stall, Lila sampling foods, examining odd trinkets, and marveling at the bustling atmosphere of the Archipelago. She dragged Ronan to a stall selling handmade jewelry, lifting a simple seashell necklace and holding it up to him. "Look, Ronan! Doesn't this suit you?"
He raised an eyebrow. "You think so?"
She nodded, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "It's perfect! You need something to remember this trip by."
He chuckled, surprising himself by agreeing. "Alright," he said, fishing out a few coins to pay for it, even though it was a simple piece. Somehow, it felt fitting, as if this moment itself deserved a keepsake.
As they moved deeper into the streets, they began to pass more intriguing figures. Rough-looking men with tattoos on their necks and arms. Slaves with shackles on their wrists, trailing silently behind their masters. Ronan instinctively pulled Lila closer, his hand resting protectively on her shoulder. He could feel his unease rising, but he kept it hidden from her, letting her enjoy the day without sensing his discomfort.
"Ronan, look!" Lila tugged him toward a shop selling small, hand-carved toys. She picked up a wooden soldier, examining its intricate details with fascination. "Isn't it amazing?"
He nodded, watching her as she ran her fingers over the toy with admiration. There was something heartwarming about her innocence, especially here, where it stood in stark contrast to the harsh reality around them. "You really find joy in the simplest things, don't you?" he asked, a hint of admiration in his voice.
She looked up at him, her face bright with a smile. "I just think… it's nice to see the good things, even when there's so much bad around us."
The weight of her words caught him off guard, and he was silent for a moment, just watching her. Maybe she's wiser than I thought, he mused. It was easy to forget that beneath her cheerful exterior, she carried a depth that most people overlooked.
As they wandered, the shadow of a Celestial Dragon in a bubble suit appeared in the distance, moving through the crowded street. Ronan's grip on Lila tightened instinctively, and he pulled her into a side alley, shielding her from view. She looked up at him, puzzled by his sudden tension.
"Why are we hiding?" she whispered, peeking around him.
"Just… trust me," he murmured, his tone serious.
They stayed silent, waiting until the noble and his entourage passed by, leaving behind an eerie silence that lingered even as the crowds resumed their chatter. Once they were gone, Ronan let out a breath and guided Lila back onto the main street.
"Was that one of those… nobles?" she asked, her tone hushed with awe and a bit of fear.
Ronan nodded. "Yes. It's best to avoid their attention."
Lila's hand found his, squeezing it reassuringly. "Well, we're safe, right? Because you're here."
Her words struck a chord in him, and he looked down at her with a faint smile. "Yeah. I'll keep you safe." He meant it as a promise, more than he realized.
They spent the next hour exploring more of the markets, Lila laughing and running through the crowded streets, pulling Ronan along with her as if all the day's troubles had already been forgotten. Every new sight brought a fresh wave of excitement, and every little trinket seemed to have its own story, which she would invent and tell him with unwavering enthusiasm.
The day passed in a blur of color and laughter, each moment a reminder of what was worth protecting.
As the afternoon stretched on, Ronan felt himself relaxing into the rhythm of Sabaody, surprising himself with how quickly he was growing attached to Lila's joyful energy. Despite the lurking shadows, her excitement made the island feel almost… welcoming.
"Look, Ronan!" she exclaimed, pulling him over to a colorful stall draped with vibrant scarves. She tried one on, wrapping it around her shoulders and giving him a playful spin. "How do I look?"
He raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Like a pirate," he teased.
She puffed out her chest and mimicked the fiercest pirate voice she could muster. "Arr, I'm Lila the Fearsome! No treasure is safe from me!"
Ronan chuckled, shaking his head as she posed dramatically, looking more like a mischievous kitten than anything fearsome. "You don't even have a sword," he pointed out, trying to hold back his laughter.
"Then I'll just have to use you as my sword, won't I?" She grinned, clutching his arm in an exaggerated fashion. "Every great pirate needs a strong swordsman by her side!"
He sighed in mock resignation, putting a hand on his forehead. "Looks like I don't have much choice, do I?"
They both burst into laughter, catching the attention of a few nearby shoppers who looked over with warm smiles. It was easy to forget where they were, to let go of the harsh reality for a while. In those moments, the world beyond Sabaody seemed to fade, and the island's dangers felt like a distant echo.
After they moved on from the scarf stall, Lila spotted a group of children playing by a small fountain. She tugged Ronan over, watching them with wide eyes as they tossed coins into the water, making wishes. With a grin, she handed Ronan a small coin and nudged him. "Go on, make a wish!"
He looked at her skeptically, the idea feeling almost foreign. "I don't think wishes work that way."
"Of course they do!" she insisted, her eyes bright with determination. "If you put a wish out there, maybe it'll come true."
He looked at the coin, feeling a bit silly but not wanting to disappoint her. With a small sigh, he flicked the coin into the fountain, watching as it sank beneath the surface, disappearing into the cool depths. Lila followed, closing her eyes tight as she made her own wish.
"What did you wish for?" she asked after a moment, looking up at him expectantly.
He hesitated, caught off guard by the question. "It's a secret," he replied, offering her a small smile.
"Oh, come on!" she whined, nudging his arm. "Tell me!"
Ronan shook his head. "That's not how wishes work," he said, echoing her own words with a smirk.
She huffed but let it go, her eyes sparkling with intrigue as if trying to guess his answer.
Their exploration took them through winding alleyways and bustling squares, each corner revealing a new marvel or oddity. At one point, Lila paused in front of a stall with exotic spices, inhaling deeply and marveling at the scents. She peppered the vendor with questions, eager to know the origins of each one, and listened intently as he explained. Ronan watched her with a soft smile, feeling a warmth he hadn't experienced in years—a sense of companionship that felt rare and precious.
As they continued walking, they approached a section of Sabaody filled with large, ornate shops, their opulence stark against the shabbier market stalls. The crowd here was different—wealthier, with a distinct air of entitlement. Ronan noticed a couple of finely dressed men sneering at a row of chained slaves displayed outside a shop.
Lila's gaze shifted to them, her brows furrowing as she took in the grim scene. "Ronan," she whispered, her voice tinged with sadness. "Why are those people… like that?"
Ronan hesitated, searching for the right words. "This place… it has a lot of dark corners," he said, his tone somber. "Not everyone here is as kind as they seem."
She looked back at the slaves, her small hand gripping his a little tighter. "That's so unfair. No one should be treated like that."
Ronan felt a pang of admiration for her innocence, the way she could see the world with such clarity and compassion. "One day, maybe people will see it that way too," he replied softly, though a part of him doubted it.
They moved past the shop, neither of them speaking as the mood grew heavier. But soon, Lila's gaze brightened again as they came across a small troupe of street performers. Jugglers and fire-breathers entertained a small crowd, drawing gasps and applause with each act. Lila's face lit up, and she clapped along with the crowd, her worries momentarily forgotten.
Ronan glanced around, keeping an eye on their surroundings as she enjoyed the show. Sabaody held beauty and ugliness side by side, and he knew that, despite the day's joy, he couldn't let his guard down entirely. But watching Lila's carefree laughter filled him with a resolve. If he could shield her from the world's cruelty, even just for a while, he would.
After the performance, Lila leaned her head against his arm, looking up at him with a content smile. "Thank you, Ronan," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.
He glanced down, surprised. "For what?"
"For letting me see all this. For… being with me." Her words were simple but genuine, and he felt their impact more deeply than he cared to admit.
They stayed like that for a moment, both feeling the weight of the unspoken, a quiet bond forming between them in the midst of Sabaody's chaos.
The streets of Sabaody were teeming with life, bustling with merchants shouting their wares and people rushing past one another, creating a whirlwind of activity that fascinated Lila. She clung to Ronan's arm as they wove through the crowd, her eyes sparkling with excitement at every new sight. For Ronan, this was a rare moment of peace. The energy of Sabaody was worlds apart from the cold halls of Mary Geoise, and with Lila by his side, it felt like he could just… be, without any expectations or titles weighing him down.
But then, in a single heartbeat, that peace shattered.
As they pushed through a particularly dense part of the crowd, a wave of people suddenly surged between them, and Ronan felt her hand slip from his grasp. His heart jumped. "Lila!" he called, eyes scanning the crowd as he pushed against the tide of people. He strained to see over shoulders and around bodies, each second that passed causing his chest to tighten. "Lila!"
The thought of her being lost in such a place left him filled with dread, a feeling he hadn't expected. His mind began to race as he considered the many dangers Sabaody held. People like her—alone, young, and without any wealth or status—were vulnerable here. Memories of their recent journey together surfaced, of how she'd clung to him with a wide, trusting smile. He'd promised to protect her, to keep her safe, and yet, here he was, failing her.
Ronan's mind spiraled with worry as he moved from one street to another. She couldn't have gone far… could she? Panic began to claw at him, and as it did, he noticed the beginnings of another unsettling feeling. A doubt, gnawing at the edges of his conscience. Had he brought her to Sabaody just for himself? So he could escape his own struggles, his own doubts about his place in this world? And now, because of his own desires, she was in danger.
Just as the panic threatened to overtake him, he caught snatches of a conversation among a group of people gathered nearby. "Did you hear? One of those Celestial Dragons... he's causing a scene near the fairgrounds, shooting at people, or… or someone, anyway," one of them muttered with a horrified look. "You know how they are. No one stands a chance."
Ronan froze, his heart sinking. He felt the world tilt as a horrible suspicion took root within him. "No… it can't be…" His fists clenched, his breath catching in his throat. But every instinct screamed that he needed to go, that he needed to see for himself. Fear wrapped around him like a vice as he pushed through the crowd in the direction of the fairgrounds, barely hearing anything over the blood pounding in his ears. He didn't want to believe it, didn't want to imagine that she was in danger—but he couldn't stop himself from running toward that awful feeling growing in his chest.
When he arrived at the edge of the crowd that had gathered to watch, Ronan pushed his way to the front, his heart hammering painfully as he broke through. And there, in the middle of it all, he saw her. Lila stood alone, trembling, her tiny frame overshadowed by a towering, arrogant figure draped in the pristine white of a Celestial Dragon. The man wore a smirk of pure disdain, his gloved hand lifting a pistol toward her as if she were nothing more than a nuisance.
"No…" The word escaped Ronan in a whisper, barely audible, as his eyes locked onto the terrified girl standing just a few paces away from him. And then, as if in slow motion, he saw the glint of metal, saw the Dragon's finger tighten on the trigger.
The gunshot rang out, slicing through the chaos and noise around them, and Lila fell to the ground, her tiny body crumpling like a broken doll.
Ronan's world shattered.
A scream tore from him, raw and unrestrained, a sound he barely recognized as his own. Pain surged through his veins, mixed with rage and despair, a fire that swallowed every other thought. He surged forward without thinking, his entire being consumed by a blinding fury. He reached the Celestial Dragon and knocked him with all the might he could gather, their guards barely had a moment to register his presence before he struck them too, his movements fueled by a rage that made his strikes brutal, relentless.
The guards crumpled under the force of his blows, unable to withstand the raw intensity of his fury. He was barely aware of the people around him, barely aware of anything beyond the need to punish, to make someone pay. His vision narrowed, honing in on the Celestial Dragon, the man responsible for taking Lila's life, for destroying something precious, something that he'd wanted to protect.
The other noble looked at him with a mixture of surprise and disdain, as though Ronan were merely a bothersome insect not able to recognising because of the cloak he was wearing. But Ronan didn't care. He could feel his pulse pounding in his ears, the weight of everything he'd suppressed—the rage, the hatred, the pain—all of it exploding out of him in a single, unstoppable wave.
Just as he was about to strike the Celestial Dragon, a familiar voice cut through his haze of fury.
"Ronan!"
He barely registered it, barely cared, but the voice was insistent, firm. "Ronan, stop! What are you doing, do you even have a single clue what would happen if your father learned about it?" Zane's figure moved into his line of sight, his hand reaching out to grip Ronan's shoulder. "Ronan, please," Zane's voice softened, pleading, and it was enough to break through the red haze clouding Ronan's mind.
Breathing heavily, Ronan looked into Zane's eyes, his vision clearing enough to see the concern and desperation there. But his body refused to calm down, the rage bubbling up, unwilling to let go of the pain, the need to avenge Lila.
In the next moment, Smoker and Lucci appeared beside Zane, their expressions unreadable, but their presence grounding. "Listen to him, kid," Smoker said in a low, serious tone. " You can't—this isn't the way! This isn't the time to throw everything away."
"Don't throw everything away for this," Zane urged, his hand steadying Ronan, his voice the only thing that reached him through the thick fog of fury. "You can't do this. Not like this." But nothing could calm Ronan. Seeing this, Zane's expression hardened. With a subtle nod, he turned to Lucci. "Do it."
Lucci stepped forward, understanding immediately, and without hesitation, delivered a swift, calculated strike to the back of Ronan's neck. Darkness rushed over Ronan's vision, and he collapsed, his fury and pain fading into unconsciousness.
As Ronan lay still, Zane took a deep breath, his gaze flicking to the silent form of Lila lying nearby. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if stealing himself, then looked at the lifeless child laying there like a bloody red doll trying to understand the whole scenario. He then turned to Smoker and Lucci. "See to it that she's buried somewhere nice," he said quietly, a rare gentleness softening his tone. "Respectfully. He mattered to them."
Zane knelt by Ronan, his palm resting on his unconscious friend's shoulder, before instructing Smoker and Lucci to carefully lift him. Let's go. I will handle the rest.One more thing: whatever happened today should be between the three of us. I don't want anyone to discover about today's incident, especially the higher-ups; I'll repeat, no one should know Ronan's involvement in today's incident; understand?
Both of them nodded and Zane carried Ronan quietly through the crowd, back toward the harbor and the path to Mary Geoise, leaving behind the chaos and sorrow of Sabaody. For Zane, it was a silent promise—a vow to honor the memory of Lila, the girl who had mattered so much to his friend.
As Zane led the way, Smoker and Lucci lingered for a moment, silently observing the aftermath of the tragic scene. The unruly crowd had begun to disperse, though the whispers of shock and fear still floated through the air. Then Lucci started to handle the crowd and started to manipulate the information, what he is best at after assisanation so the information doesn't spread and the truth can be kept hidden; Meanwhile Smoker with Tashigi took Lila's body to a suitable burial spot.
Let's make sure she finds some peace," Smoker murmured, his voice gruff but tinged with a rare softness. He crouched down, carefully wrapping Lila in a nearby cloak, his movements unexpectedly gentle. Despite his usual hardened demeanor, there was a gravity in his actions—a recognition of the importance of honoring Zane's request and respecting the bond Ronan and all the others in the ship had shared with this young girl.
Tashigi exhaled a deep breath, her eyes somber as she looked down at Lila's small, lifeless form. She had been a glimpse of innocence in a dark, twisted world—a reminder of what was worth protecting.
Lucci, too, felt a flicker of something beneath his usual stoic exterior. He was a professional, efficient and detached, but even he could see the significance of Zane's orders. They weren't merely disposing of another unfortunate casualty in a ruthless world; this was an act of respect—a silent acknowledgment of what Lila had meant to Ronan.
Together, they carried her to a quiet, shaded spot on the outskirts of the island, far from the bustling markets and chaotic streets. It was a small patch of green, where the air was still and calm, and the only sounds were the rustling leaves and distant calls of seabirds.
As they gently laid her down, Smoker took a moment, crossing his arms and bowing his head slightly. Lucci did the same, his expression unchanging, yet his silence and the slight dip of his head spoke volumes. For a few moments, both stood in stillness, paying their respects in the only way they knew how.
With the task complete, Smoker looked down one last time at Lila, his eyes narrowing with a quiet resolve. "Rest easy, kid," he muttered, his words low and gruff. Turning to Lucci, he gave a single, firm nod. "Let's head back."
A heavy weight settled in his chest, as he walked away from the makeshift resting place they had created for Lila. The stern facade he wore as a Marine seemed to falter, revealing the man beneath—a man who had always held a quiet compassion for the innocent, even when the world around him was chaotic and unforgiving.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, the bitterness of loss creeping into his voice. "How is it that one little girl can turn everything upside down?"
He thought back to the first time he had met her, amidst the ruins of that pirate-ravaged town. She had been lost and terrified, a small figure amidst the wreckage, her wide eyes reflecting the fear that gripped her. And yet, there had been a spark of defiance in her, a resilience that struck a chord deep within him. He remembered how Ronan had jumped in to save her, his youthful determination radiating a sense of security.
In the weeks that followed, Lila had become a ray of sunshine aboard their ship. Her laughter echoed in the empty corridors, her enthusiasm infectious. She'd flitted around like a little firefly, lighting up even the darkest corners of their missions with her bright smile. He could still picture her sitting on Ronan's shoulder, the two of them plotting their next adventure, sharing whispered secrets and laughter that made the world feel just a bit lighter.
"How is it that the strongest of us can fall, while the innocent pay the price?" Smoker mused, the frustration rising within him. He had fought countless battles against pirates, dealt with corruption in the ranks of the Marines, but this? This felt different. Lila hadn't deserved to be a casualty of a senseless conflict. She had been full of life, and the joy she spread was a stark contrast to the brutality they faced on a daily basis.
The image of her face, lit up with pure joy, danced in his mind—her laughter like music, her spirit unbreakable. Meanwhile he could hear Tashigi's squeaked voice talking to herself " Dammit We're supposed to protect people like her," she murmured, her voice raw with grief. "What good are we if we can't keep them safe?"
He ignored her and continue to walk back to his ship meanwhile As on his way , his memories flooded back—Lila's little hands gripping his fingers as she showed him the seashells she'd collected, her endless questions about the world beyond their ship, her fierce determination to help, even when her strength was dwarfed by the enormity of their battles. Each recollection was a knife twisting deeper into his heart, a reminder of the bond that had formed in such a short time.
"Ronan… he was just a kid, trying to do what he thought was right. And now…" Smoker's voice trailed off, choked with emotion. "Now he has to carry this burden. He's a Celestial Dragon, but he had the heart of a true protector. He cared for her like she was his own sister."
He paused, gazing out at the horizon, the setting sun casting a warm glow across the ocean. It was a stark contrast to the darkness he felt inside. "Why do the innocent always pay the price? Why do those who should be safe find themselves in the crosshairs of violence and greed?"
The questions hung in the air like a bitter fog, unanswered and unanswerable. Smoker knew he couldn't change the past, couldn't bring Lila back or erase the pain that Ronan would carry with him. But he vowed, in that moment, that he would do everything in his power to protect those who still had a chance—those like Lila.
"I'll make sure her memory lives on," he whispered fiercely, determination filling his voice. "I'll fight for her and for all those who can't fight for themselves."
With each step back toward the ship, Smoker felt the weight of responsibility settle onto his shoulders anew. He was a Marine, but more than that, he was a guardian—a protector of those who had no one else. And though Lila's light had been extinguished too soon, he would carry her spirit with him, honoring her memory by continuing to fight against the darkness of the world.
As they walked away, the three of them shared an unspoken understanding. In this harsh world, moments of mercy and respect were rare. But this—this was a tribute, one that would remain between them and the memory of a little girl who had, however briefly, made her mark on all of them
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End Of Chapter
Next Chapter:- Ronan's Resolve and Bestowal Of The Tempest.