At the End of the Journey
Ugh... Ngh.
...You idiot.
...Still running your mouth, even as you fade away.
After suffering such a miserable defeat at the hands of yourself.
You did it.
It feels like... a story about personal growth.
Hmph. Do you think I came all this way just to hear such childish, trite reflections?
And you're still looking at me with that unpleasant expression.
Was I?
...You really are the worst, you know.
Now that I have the Stellar Archive, I could return to my old ways. Why are you so carefree?
You boasted that you wouldn't let that happen, but you'll soon be gone. There's little you'll be able to do.
...
How repulsive.
You'll be all right from here on, won't you?
Don't look at me like a helpless little child.
This was always going to happen. No amount of pity from you, however sickening, will change that.
Maybe you wanted to save me, but...
For a being like me, that's nothing more than an empty ideal.
You know perfectly well that not every star in the sky can shine with the same brightness.
Some may shine brilliantly because of you, while others may manage only the faint glow of a dying ember.
So however bright this light of mine will be once it's beyond your reach...
You can leave now, without clinging to me.
If nothing else... I won't resent you for that.
Hurry up and go.
...Before I end up remembering that idiotic face of yours.
I watched her brightened face for a moment.
The one who stands at the end of the Journey, having endured countless moments of pain and suffering.
There will be more hardships ahead.
But I believe in her.
She'll surpass me one day...
And become the greatest Savior of them all.
Her light was so bright... I closed my eyes.
...
So he's gone.
Looks like this tiresome business of being a Journey member is finally over.
Hmph. What a relief.
Just because the endless cycle of fate you held in place has stopped doesn't mean we'll never meet again...
Gille drew a small pouch from inside her clothing.
Inside, the bags of viola and geranium seeds the Captain had given her lay side by side.
Tch. I still haven't managed to throw these away.
...What did that book say?
[Seeds take a long time to sprout, so be patient and wait]...
...Hmph. At least I'll have something to do while I wait.
Water, sunlight, and...
...
I'll ask you about that one when you come back.
And so, another new starlight ignited.
Its radiant flame was etched into the Archive—a beacon to pierce the endless dark of the cosmos.
Observation complete.