Echoes of Farewell

Purnama finally understood what he had to do to save his fellow Celestrias.

He raced back to Le-Dang, found the monument, and unlocked the gold chest. The particle flew back into the World Tree, restoring its former glory.

With that, the Prison of Needed, the Raven guards, and the mystery gate vanished into thin air, leaving Belang lying on the ground inside the Dessert Cave.

Without wasting any more time, Purnama returned to the cave.

Looking at the absent entrance and his friend lying on the ground filled him with relief. He proceed to approached Belang.

"Belang...I'm... I'm sorry..."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Belang rose and unleashed a torrent of punches on Purnama. Willingly, Purnama endured every blow until Belang was completely exhausted.

Belang raised his fist for one last blow but collapsed beside Purnama, tears streaming down his face.

"...Belang...let me help and bring you home." Purnama said softly, offering his hand.

"… If you want to help, just leave me in the forest of Santu-Bong... I need to be there... There's nothing left for me anywhere else."

Purnama exhaled deeply, offering no argument.

"It's fine then let me carry you there."

Belang took Purnama's hand, and together they headed towards the Santu-Bong entrance.

The path was filled with nature; the sounds of insects and animals blended into an organized musical chord, soothing his broken heart.

A settlement came into sight, mostly built inside giant trees spiraling upward, topped by a huge, strange numbered lantern whose many lights illuminated the area.

As they passed the residential structures, a wondrous forest filled with strange fruits came into view, animals of all sizes, some physical and some holographic, happily moving around, even colorful, animated plants growing wild.

"Hey, Purnama..." Belang said quietly. "That blue bark tree, let's stop there for a while."

They stopped beneath a large, shady tree laden with sweet fruit that resembled cherries. They picked the three-colored fruits, each with a unique flavor. Every time a fruit was taken, another instantly replaced it.

They both sat down, having a bite as dusk approached, painting the sky in vibrant hues. Glowing birds flew overhead, dancing in perfect synchronicity.

Belang shared the story of when he first became an Invitor, he was tasked to invite a poor woman to Rona.

"She... she survived a Darkseed attack on her village by hiding in a cave nearby, little did she know that same spot was an entrance to Rona."

The very tree under which they now rested was the gateway she had used to enter Rona.

"Purnama..." Belang confessed, his voice thick with emotion, "without her... Rona will never be the same for me."

"She passed away a week ago. And I was too foolish to understand her illness. The reason I stole the particle was to meet with the elders of Rona and plead for her life, even if it meant sacrificing my own..."

Purnama looked at Belang, bit the fruit he held, and offered no response, just an ear to listen.

"...I never knew if it was going to work or not," Belang confessed, "but I had to try something..."

Again, tears streamed down his face. Now Purnama understood why Amaterasu had urged him to stop Belang.

As Belang wept, he suddenly looked up at the glowing birds flying in the sky, magically forming the image of a woman. A very familiar face to Belang.

Purnama also witnessed the spectacle; the glowing figure then blew a kiss, bowing and smiling, sending her final farewell before the birds dispersed and vanished from sight.

Belang wiped his tears, stood tall, and shouted.

"Wherever you are! Please!!! Please wait for me!! Someday, somehow, we'll meet again!"

Looking at his dear friend, Purnama felt relief.

"...Purnama," Belang said, his voice regaining its composure, "maybe it was best for me to return back and continue my services in Aurea."

"Ha? What?! I thought you were still bound by your judgment and couldn't leave Rona."

Belang glanced at Purnama and smiled.

"So, that's the reason you came to stop me. You knew what happened back then... It must have been Baldr."

"Uhm...well..."

"Nevermind, anyway I've been here long enough, Purnama. My judgment was served years ago. I only continued because it made me happy to see those unfortunate people settle here in Rona. And I could see how proud she was of me, helping those in need. But this must be it, the sign for me to return to Aurea."

Knowing about Belang's permanent grasshopper form, Purnama couldn't help but ask.

"But... your appearance... it's permanent, isn't it? Will you still be able to handle your tools? I mean, since you intend to return to being the royal blacksmith?"

"What are you saying?" Belang chuckled.

"This is far better! No worries, Purnama. Ria will recognize my Shakti and explain everything to the king. After all, I am the lost royal blacksmith of Aurea. They might need my services."

"That settles it, then," Purnama declared.

"The Skyrea is coming to take us back to Aurea. I think we can make it if we leave now. Suria and Riang might already be there. They were here, you know. I asked them to go back first so I could find you."

"How I miss them...yeah, I got it," Belang replied. "Just tell me your portal location, and I'll try to get us there instantly."

"Do you need your Invitor map to find the exit or something?"

"At first, yes," Belang explained, "but after doing this Invitor thing for so long, I don't need it anymore. As I gained experience as Invitor, these eyes can see where the gates are and where they lead outside."

Purnama told Belang all the information he had to get close to the Skyrea rendezvous.

"That should do it, I know which portal is the closest to the rendezvous point. Let's get going we can still make it on time."

As they headed towards the way out of Rona, between those giant tree barks in Santu-Bong forest...

"Hey! I thought you want that grasshopper getting tortured in the underworld with me? The last one is that boring darkseed, nothing new for centuries!"

"A Celestrias with a good heart doesn't deserve to be your plaything. I'm glad I accidentally met that boy; he made the right decision."

"Ho ho ho! Accidentally, indeed! It was always luck, luck bring fortune, my cat meowing, he's thinking the same!"

"Dang it! It feels like I lost one of my sons, not that I care, but it still zapped through my heart..."

"I remember when I infused his soul into that shell, I was about to cry, but you zapped me on my butt! You should find more wives instead of zapping people!"

"What's with all these falling flowers? Why do we always celebrate like this? Snow is much better; it could freeze your tears."

"There it goes, a farewell to one of our Invitors. Still haven't learned anything? Come on, it's always better to close one chapter with a flower. Here, one for each of you."