Chapter 263, The Ones who Await the Flower

"Still no sign of Arata?" Alma asked as she and Fates were repairing the damage to the Sidus Pontem.

"No... nothing." Monica answered as she and the Zodiacs were researching the Sidus Pontem.

"It's been three days, everyone's gotten more and more restless." Van stated. "Neither William nor Theo's teams plan to sleep until Arata has returned."

"Well, I can't blame them..." Felicia stated as she walked with Lemianile. "But, I think we just have to believe in Arata."

"Reporting... A strange energy is emanating from the Sidus Pontem's core." Lemianile stated.

"Is it Arata?!" Seiji exclaimed.

"The energy... is not Master Arata." Lemianile answered and the Zodiacs sighed and slumped down.

"Arata, please come home." Monica clutched her skirt.

Elsewhere, at the school a vast gathering of Braves was anxiously waiting for Arata. A majority have not slept in days as they awaited for any signs of Arata's return.

"It's been three days... Still nothing?" Theo gritted his teeth and clutched his knees.

"Saint, how long till we can use the Asterion?" Liam asked, the eyebags under his eyes were dark.

"At least a few more days. The journey to the Promise Orbis did a number on the Asterion." Saint slumped down. "I wish there was some kind of sign. Anything about where Arata might be."

Dad is alright... I'm sure of it." Spiro stated. "After all, the blessings Dad gave us are still here. Let's all just have faith in Dad."

"Spiro's right... You're right... But... It's still working." Will clutched Spiro's shoulder. "Let's wait for any news from Felicia."

Soon, Felicia, the Zodiacs and Ancients returned to the school. The group had solemn expressions as hey stood before the crowd.

"As of now, we have no idea where Arata is. After checking the Primis Orbis, there was no sign of Arata at all." Felicia stated. "There was also no sign of reactivation in the Sidus Pontem. It's highly likely that Arata is somewhere else. Where he is however, is something we can't completely determine."

"Tch. Is there really nothing we can do to find him?!" Dino slammed his fists against the wall.

"We can only wait..." Adele looked down.

"Then we will wait. For as long as it takes." Theo stated. "We'll wait here, at the place that Arata will return to. To the place where he called home."

"No matter how long it takes." Alexis stated.

"Until Arata returns, we will wait for him here. At the place we all can call home." Mayumi smiled and all that were present echoes in agreement.

----

"We've been waiting for you, Arata." A distant voice calls my name as I emerged from the water to a pure white world.

I rise and try to figure out where I am only to see nothing but a plain white world for as far as my eyes can see.

"Greetings, Child of Fate." The voices greeted me and I turned I saw distant lights twinkling.

"W-who...?" I squinted my eyes to try and see who the lights were.

"Ah, pay no heed to our form. It is only normal for us to appear as such. For we are not existences that have physical form." A male voice answered. "We are what are known as the Principles. We govern the laws of the worlds."

"But I though Fatum did that..." I stated as the lights swirled around me.

"Oh she does or at least she did. Fatum is a Principle, however, the world she had governed over had begun to fall into ruin." A female voice stated. "And with its destruction the surrounding worlds were also being lead to ruin. To prevent such an ending, we, the Principles had decided to destroy your world."

"But!" I was about to refute when another voice stopped me.

"However, that is not for us to fully decide. The Principles have always believed in the idea that all existences have meanings." Another male stated. "Therefore, we shall leave the fate of your world to you. That is all we wanted to say. So... It is in your hands now. What you will do now and from now on."

"The Principles believe that this world will be just fine without the Principles. Therefore, Arata." Another female voice stated. "The Principles leave you to decide the fate of your world."

"I'm thankful for your choice however... The fate of our world is not mine to choose. It is in the hands of each and every individual living in it." I answered. "The choices we've made, the choices we're making, and the choices we're about to make. They all create paths, the paths cross, link and overlap to shape the future we all look at."

"So you will not choose?" The first male voice asked. "Just like Felicia?"

"No. Because it is not my choice. I believe Felicia also thought the same as me. The fate of our worlds are not ours to choose, it is for everyone that is living in it to decide." I answered. "It's because I believe this that I've managed to stand here today. Because I'm sure that no matter what, it's not the choice of just one person. The future is not a result of my choices alone, it's the result of the choices that have been made since the beginning. From Fatum's choice, Felicia's decision to the actions of the past heroes who have laid down their lives."

"Such a foolish belief." The female stated.

"It's not foolish! Each and everyone of our choices had lead me here now. Each and every one of the wishes, hopes and dreams that have been layed down for the future are what lead me to this place." I answered. "If this still isn't acceptable then... I swear. With these hands, for the lives, for the wishes, for the hopes, for everything that has been entrusted in my hands, I will continue to fight, till these wishes are granted!!"

"Your resolves has made that possible." The second female voice says. "If that is your choice then so be. Let this world be a world not governed by any Principle but the people who dwell in it. Let their future be not ordained by the Principles but by the results of the choices they make."

"Then...!" I looked at the lights with hopeful eyes.

"Yes Arata. Your world will continue to exist, as it has always been, guided not by the Principles but by the wishes of each and every individual." The male voice answered. "So, hurry back now. To the place where you belong."

The lights swirl and fly towards the horizon and I see a bright light flash before the white world is shattered and I feel myself falling.

"Your story... has just begun after all." I hear this one last word before I lose consciousness.