Time of Our Lives

On his knees, surrounded by rubble, blood, tortured-flesh, and his friends, stood Rikushi, holding onto Hoshina's corpse, having being reverted back to its original look, before her revival, and unable to be brought back again.

"Riku, we gotta head out, Val and the others are sufferin', and the longer we wait, the worse they get" Kaide said, whilst sheathing his un-needed swords.

Rikushi, with Hoshina's corpse in hand, stands upright, looking down at her with the tears he's stored up from his time in stasis. "Alright... Abstra, go fly one of the airships to this window, it'll help with the transport."

"On it!" She replies.

Rikushi looks down at Hoshina, grabbing onto her hand as his tears drop from his eyes onto her cold body. "I never got to tell you Goodbye..."

About 10 minutes later, rocket thrusters are heart escalating off the side of the mountain, as the large chunk of metal rises to the window, with its hatch open up and landing onto the ledge of the hole busted through the windows. "I can hold it here for some time, but let's not waste all the fuel please!" Abstra yells from the cockpit.

Kaide and Rumoto pick up and help Valentine and Brant and assist them into the hovering airship as Gem keeps her healing magic focused on their injuries.

Davie and Mek tend to the others as Ceri and Tyrant head back down to grab the other airship.

"Para, why did you guys even come?" Rikushi asks.

"We were given an alert, from Toku's phone." Para replies.

"Oh?" Rikushi says, with a confused look on his face.

"He gave no direct context, but sent back a 'SOS' message back to HQ, a day-ish ago".

"We were in a dungeon for most of the other day, but I never saw him send anything." Glonk adds.

"I guess he felt something was happening and reverted back to his old ways of being scared," Para says, slightly chuckling.

"Well, thanks to him, everyone here is able to get treatment" Rikushi says, looking up while holding Hoshina.

"But... we weren't fast enough." Para added.

"Don't worry about it, we're lucky that his sense for danger got y'all here anyways." Rikushi said, letting out a deep breath as he walks over to the airship's catwalk. "And let's bring the others with us, they're beat up just as much as the others."

"LuLu... we have to go" Glonk says, as she holds stands behind LuLu, with his eyes red.

"But it hasn't been that long since we lost him..." LuLu adds, her tears showing no sign of stopping.

"Wait here one moment actually-" Glonk mentions, as she runs into the airship, then brings out a small cup moments later. "Here... put the dust of Toku in here, we'll set a burial for him when we get home."

As everyone is secured and ready to go, Blaidd starts to make his way into the airship, but he's stopped by a small tug on his shirt.

"Are you guys leaving already..?" A soft voice said from behind.

Blaidd, turning around, "Oh? Are you one of the Shrine Maidens here?"

"My name is Rinka... and I haven't gotten to thank them for saving me earlier." she says while leaning to look behind Blaidd at the airship.

Some more Astral Shrine Maidens approach behind her, holding their hands together like they're begging for solace.

Blaidd looks back into the airship, looks back at them, then sighs.

A few moments later, Kaide grabbing a snack out of the vending machine looks to his right to see Blaidd walking in, followed by what looks to see 5 Maidens.

Kaide walks up and questions Blaidd "Why are they in here? We don't have much room left".

"Well... I just couldn't pass up people in distress." Blaidd answers.

Rinka and the others looks around the airship, to see blankets and towels laid out, with the injured laying on them.

Rinka separates from the others and runs over to someone against the far wall, dropping to her knees beside the resting victim of this bloodshed.

"Um... thank you... for saving me back there sir."

PB looks up, sweat covering his forehead, "Anytime."

Rinka then gets up and runs back to Kaide who's asking the names of the others.

"I'm Serenity, I'm Lunar, I am Ivy, I'm Komi, I'm Lunar" The girls answer together.

"Alright alright, Blaidd, take them to the resting room." Kaide says, with an annoyed tone.

Blaidd waves at the girls to follow him, as he leads them to the back of the ship to rest.

"Alright, we're leaving, everybody hold on" Abstra radios over the speakers, as the airship's thrusters rev up."

Kaide, looking in the direction of the catwalk, sees movement in the corner of his eye. He walks over as he closes up the hatch, as when he turns to his right, he sees another maiden hiding. He silently kneels down beside her and whispers "So... what's got you hiding?"

The maiden jumps and nearly screams from getting jump-scared, "SHHH, the other maidens don't know I'm here."

"Ah-"

The maiden hurdles up in the corner, "Just wait atleast a little before you tell them anything please!"

"Is this a classic case of the 'I don't wanna be there'?" Kaide asks the maiden,

"Dae?" Rinka says, standing behind Kaide with a confused look"

"HOLY SH#T! You scared the crap out of me!" Kaide yells. "Well, whatever it is, you can ride with us, as your other little friends are here too." The maiden returns his comment with a smile.

"Mister?" Rinka says to Kaide.

"Yes missy?" Kaide replies, standing up straight.

"Where is mister Valentine?"

Kaide gestures for both of them to follow him into a room in the back of the ship. "He's through this door, but I'll admit, he's in not the best shape..."

Rinka steadies and pampers herself, "I'm ready!"

Kaide opens the sliding metal door, revealing a room filled with guns, blades, staffs, and everything in between. "He's right through the curtain on your left." Kaide says, while gesturing his hand, pointing to the curtain.

Rinka walks through the curtains, revealing two beds, one holding Brant, broken and on a respirator whilst being healed by Gem, with the other holding Valentine, who's chatting it up with Rumoto. "I got an itch if you don't mind scratching it for me." Valentine says to Rumoto, staring him dead in the eyes with a funny looks.

"Where at?" Rumoto asks, with a slight feeling of regret.

"My butt . . . -"

For a solid second, Rumoto stares at Val before storming off, looking at Rinka "He's all yours, good luck with that one!" he says, leaving through the curtains.

Valentine, silently chuckling to himself, "what you need little miss?".

"I wanted to thank you, for saving me with the other mister, from the matriarch..."

"You're welcome little miss, though I wasn't much use after that" Valentine adds, with a slight giggle.

"I am still thankful for what you all have done for not just me but for everyone... and I-" Rinka gets on her knees beside the bed. "-apologize for what you all were put through due to our matriarch!" Rinka says, groveling in the ground.

Valentine lets out a small sigh, "Look... It's okay, even if they somehow don't forgive you, I do and I have no resentment towards you."

"But you lost friends..." Rinka says, looking up at Valentine with tears in her eyes.

Valentine lets out a deep breath, "Souls are lost in every battle, but just because they're gone, doesn't mean they're forgotten... we'll hold the memories they gave us until the day we die."

Rinka, wiping her face of snot and tears "Is there anything I can do to help, like grab you water or food?"

"If you really want to help out, then carry on through life with their final moments stuck in your brain, celebrate their birthdays, and remember this victory throughout the rest of time, okay little miss?"

Rinka stands up, dusting off her robe "I will try my best to remember!"

Valentine smiles then remembers something, "OH! You know what you could do for me real quick!?"

Rinka asks, tilting her head.

"Could you grab me a glass of beer and some snacks? there should be some some by the cockpit, just ask Rumoto... I'll have him tilt it into my mouth for me"

Rinka gets up and walks through the curtain while saying, "I'm on it!"

But before she could go any further, she quickly turns around and peeps her head around the corner "But mister, I don't even know their birthdays."

"Well I'll tell you later then! When we get back, just remind me as I'm forgetful-" Valentine says, while smiling.

"Yes sir!"

Rinka rushes out where Kaide and Rumoto are talking at the door with the other maiden sitting in a seat beside the entrance.

"Are you sir Rumoto per chance?" Rinka asks.

"What of it?" Rumoto replies.

"The sir in there would like you to grab him a beer and some snacks"

Rumoto flinches and twitches his eye, "I sure can..."

Rumoto walks away and towards the cockpit, mumbling under his breath, "That little B#tch is gonna make me feed him, isn't he...that bastard"

"We're going to make a small pitstop at Keepis, loading up on some supplies for a moment, it won't be long-" Abstra radios, through the airship's speaker.

Not long after the airship begins its travels towards Nova Concordia Nexus.

Towards the front of the airship, sits LuLu, Glonk, and Rikushi, with Hoshina wrapped in a blanket, laying beside him on the ground.

A good while later, the airship finally finds its way to Nova Concordia Nexus, landing in its hangar.

"Alright folks, we've touched down, take all the time you need to get out, I need Mek and Davie to come to the hatch to unload the supplies.

Kaide walks into the back to check on Valentine, and sees Gem giving him a scolding, "Maybe I'll come back in a couple minutes" he whispers under his breath.

"Do NOT do anything that over exerts yourself VAL!"

"I got it I got it, I'll try"

"Now repeat back to me what I just told you." Gem looks at him, with her eye brow raised.

Valentine dips his head down and sighs "Please say it again Gemmy... I wasn't fully listening".

Gem sighs, "Your arms' muscles aren't fully situated yet, and just because your bones and flesh are back intact, doesn't mean you go fighting monsters again, take a knee for some time old man."

"Ouch... I'm not that old"

"You're right! You're REALLY Old" Gem mocks, giving herself a small chuckle.

Valentine sighs, "Well, this man still has some fight left in him" he says, standing up quickly and flexing his arms.

snap

"AHHHHH!!"

"I warned you... now let's go to the hospital, you broke your arms..."

Valentine looks at Gem, tears in his eyes "I understand now-"

The next day, silence followed, everyone dressed in black, standing around four holes dug into the ground.

At the podium, "Today is not a happy day, but it is a good day, as we get to bury our loved ones, our friends, our comrades, and our brothers, not by blood, but in every other way." Blaidd says, gripping the sides of the podium.

"We shall now give back to the gods what they have given us. They have given us happiness, in the form of a person, and now that person has met their end."

"I'll have Rikushi come up and give the next speech."

Rikushi hugs Blaidd as he walks away from the small podium and whispers into his ear "You did good, but it's okay to let your guard down y'know". As Rikushi words reach Blaidd, a tear slides down Blaidd's cheek. Rikushi then continues to the podium.

"In the last fight, we had lost some of the best people to ever walk this land... Toku... He was-... He was a good friend... He was a good training partner, he was someone that was fun to fight alongside in battles during our later fights, he was someone... that cared a lot for everyone... he is the reason we're here in the first place after all... he brought me and... Hoshina back through the book we were sealed in... he saved us... and in the end, he fought until he couldn't..." Rikushi pauses, and puts his head down as he struggles to say more.

"He was our light in the darkness, he knew when danger was arising, and he would stand up for when no one else was able to... he was... our Hero."

Rikushi wipes his tears as he walks off the podium, as Brant, all bandaged and with an arm cast on, approaches the podium.

"I stand here, thanks to Toku and his efforts, as well as the others, as you all fought with everything you all had, and I'm so proud of everyone here."

Brant looks around then looks at Rikushi as tears start to swell up, "I always looked up to Rikushi, for his excellence in Fire Magic, and his never-ending bravery, and when I came to my senses, I begged Gem to help me up, which I thank for healing my injuries, and I had her help me go see the others... and when I reached Rikushi... He had very little scratches on the outside, but a gash so large on the inside, you could tell he lost his world... he suffered a large loss... a broken heart... as his partner laid wrapped up beside him..."

Brant looks at Rikushi, clenching his jaw as he forces himself through the rest of the speech.

"Do not beat yourself up for this... nobody here is at fault..."

Rikushi starts to cry but keeps his eyes on Brant, despite the pain.

"I have someone I too love dearly, and I was close to losing them... but I don't know what I'd do if I actually did... and I know it hurts so bad... I know you blame yourself... But I'm here for you, we all are... so please, don't ever blame yourself."

Rikushi drops to his knees and wails, gripping at the ground, pulling out the grass.

"So from here on out, don't be afraid to cry, don't be afraid to ask for help, and don't be afraid of the pain, as we're here to help you, twenty-four seven."

Rikushi looks back up, with his eyes red from the salty tears.

With one big breath, Brant says, "And nothing will ever change that, Rikushi Ari."

Rikushi looks back down, tears dropping from his eyes onto the ground, muttering, "Thank... You... Everyone..."

Brant signals PB to come up to the podium.

After a few heartfelt moments, PB says,

"I'm not the best speaker, but if it's for my crew, I'll do anything... because that's what Lewis and Byakko did... They used their life to protect mine... They sacrificed themselves when they didn't have to, to push me away from danger... and now they're gone while I get to walk... And I'll take this from Brant's speech... No one is at fault, and as much as I want to blame myself, I know they would've sat me down and scolded me if I ever did that, so today, and for the rest of my life, I'll walk forward, not just for me, but for them. Thank you."

PB walks off from the podium back into the crowd as Blaidd takes up the mic.
"We'll now start the burial service..."

LuLu, Yunoi, and Glonk kneel beside one of the holes.

"This man was someone who cared for others... he may have been scared at first, but his caring heart lasted forever. He tried his best for his family, for his friends, and for the world. And in the end, he passed on so everyone else could live." Blaidd preaches as LuLu lowers the cup of his dust into the hole, then Yunoi places his first spear in the hole along side the dust, then Glonk shovels the dirt over it.

"He was someone who wasn't as it by class, but he was worthy of it, even before he left us... he surely and most definitely was everyone's Hero." With Blaidd finishing the last line, Glonk shovels the last part of dirt, covering the hole.

Gem grips her hands together and looks up to the sky, "Ad Caelum, our Hero"

Toku's family, in the crowd, huddles together and cries, as everyone silently weeps.

Mek, Davie, Rumoto, and Para then come out of the crowd, holding up a casket, dripped with gold and purple, the two favorite colors of Hoshina.

They gently lower it into the hall, leaving the top open while Blaidd finishes his speech.

"She was strong, she was courageous, she was funny, and she was a great friend... she was someone nearly anyone could get along with, she was someone the whole nexus loved to talk to, she was the life of the show even when she was in the crowd..."

Rikushi kneels down beside and places a flower on her chest and mumbles under his breath, "It's a Lilly of the Vallis... your favorite flower... dear..."

Rikushi then stands back up and slowly lowers the top back down, clamping the sides to make sure it's shut tight.

Blaidd continues, "But most of all, she was Rikushi's lover, and even if she's gone physically, she will forever live in our hearts... she'll be looking down on us from the stars, laughing and giggling, watching over us when we sleep, and probably scolding Rikushi if he does something stupid-" Everyone lets out a small chuckle as tears flow.

"But she loved him, and that's what mattered the most... as you sacrificed yourself to bring back Rikushi and myself, so I am forever grateful for that, so rest well, and we'll see you in the afterlife, Kit."

Dirt is shoveled over her casket as Gem stands beside it, "Ad Caelum, Kite".
Sin takes the podium for the final speeches.

Finn and Nepheres kneel down beside the hole, placing down Lewis' diary, as they begin to shovel it up.

"Here lies my old friend, someone I met randomly early in my life at school, then became an adventurer with him... he knew me and I knew him, we were brothers in the flesh and friends for life, and nothing will ever change that... he'll forever be a part of me, so rest well, Brother..." Sin says, as he looks up the sky, with his eyes watering.

Copia and Tobi kneel beside the last hole, placing down both of his knives as PB shovels the dirt in as Gem stands beside them, "Ad Caelum, Lewis".

"Here lies Byakko, as for our two comrades, we don't have a body to lay, but we have what reminds us of them... Even though these two daggers were rentals from the guild at Keepis... we'll take on the payment fees each month so that these daggers may rest with him, and I hope he has a hella of a fun time slaying heaven's dungeon monsters... So knock yourself out." A small chuckle radiates from the crowd.

PB and Glonk shovel the dirt over the daggers as Gem stands beside them, "Ad Caelum, Byakko."

Blaidd takes up the podium and announces, "Even if this is a sad day, we still want to make this day end off on a good note, but first up, thank you everyone for coming today, thank you...-"

While Blaidd talks, Valentine walks over to PB and asks, "I heard we make a pitstop at Keepis, you know what we got perchance?"

"I have no idea to be honest," PB answers.

"-And with that, let's celebrate everyone's safe passing into heaven!"

Everyone looks over and sees a long table with food, drinks, and most of all, beer, sparkling like the stars in the night sky.

Valentine and PB approach the Beer and ask where it's from,

Abstra, on the other side of the table answers, "This is beer from a tavern located in Keepis, they're said to have 'out of this world' beer, so we thought we should try some."

Valentine and PB look at each other with excitement and grab two glasses in each hand and run off. "HEY!, SAVE SOME FOR THE OTHERS" Abstra yells, but to no avail.

Later that day, Rikushi sits on top of a large hill-cliffside, overlooking the Nexus with the sunset setting beyond. "Ad Caelum... My Kite... may you find your way...".

Rikushi hears footsteps behind him and turns around to see Blaidd, followed by Valentine and Komi.

"Did we come at a bad time?" Blaidd asks.

"Nah... It's fine... just thinking." Rikushi answers.

"Well, this is Komi, one of the astral maidens, thought I'd show her a good view but seems you beat us to it."

"H-Hi..." Komi says, clenching her fist and hiding behind Blaidd.

Rikushi waves over at her, point at the ground beside him, "Come... over here, the ground feels nice to sit on."

Blaidd signals with his head for Komi to go to Rikushi.

Valentine and Blaidd stand behind them, looking out at the sunset.

Komi, nervously sits there, keeping to herself.

"You think everything's gonna be okay from now on?" Valentine asks out loud.

Blaidd answers, "I think so."

Rikushi, lays down in the grass, looking up at the sky, with Valentine peeking into his view, "Well, whatever it may be that comes our way, we'll stop it."

Komi, trying to fit in, lays beside Rikushi, also looking up at the sky as Blaidd peeks into her view, "Enjoying yourself, Komi?"

Komi covers her face from embarrassment.

"Don't bully her, Blaidd" Rikushi says,

"I'm not bullying her, just teasing~." Blaidd says.

"Beer? There's more beer?" Valentine asks,

"No Val, B-U-L-L-Y, not Beer." Rikushi answers,

"Oh..." Valentine responds, looking down at the ground slowly.

Rikushi Asks, "Are you drunk... Val?"

Valentine flinches and looks at Rikushi weirdly, "N-No..."

Rikushi looks at him then lets out a small chuckle, with Blaidd following, then Valentine joining in despite not knowing what they're giggling at.

Each one's laughter makes the others laugh more, with even Komi smiling and giggling.

"Ah- we're really having fun aren't we now?" Rikushi asks,

"Well, nothing is wrong with having time to ourselves... without battle and traveling." Blaidd adds,

"Time to ourselves eh?" Rikushi asks,

"I'm sure having the time of my life, maybe I should go drink some more-" Valentine says, slightly nudging away.

"Time of your life huh?.. I guess we're all having the Times of Our Lives now..." Rikushi says, looking up at the orange and red sky, shifting to hues of blue and purple.

Blaidd looks back to see Valentine sprinting down the hill, "He's going to get more beer" Blaidd says, while facepalming.

"Let's let him be, it's a special day.." Rikushi says.

"Alright then." Blaidd replies.

"But, if that drunkard does anything dumb, just let Rumoto deal with it" Rikushi says, as he looks at Blaidd, both letting out a good laugh.

Rikushi stands up, dusting off his pants, and letting out his hand for Komi, "We haven't talked much, but I'm Rikushi and welcome to our Nexus, please enjoy your time here, Komi.~"

Komi's face slightly turns red as she grabs onto Rikushi's hand.

Rikushi pulls her up quickly off the ground and has her land in his arms, "First up is the initiation... Blaidd, Imma fly down with her real quick, and give her a better view..."

"Komi, you don't have to go with him, he's just like this," Blaidd says, as he looks at Komi.

"It's... okay... I'm fine with it," Komi says, with her arms already wrapped around Rikushi's neck and a blushy face.

"Oh?" Blaidd says, while smiling.

"See you there, B" Rikushi says, expanding his wings as he flies upwards and towards the nexus.

"Seems a new light is gonna light up his life a lot sooner than expected" Blaidd says, chuckling to himself... as he treads down the hill.

With the light setting on Nova Concordia Nexus, a new day shall arise, with a new quest for the NTG to take and complete, as the quest to find out what happened to their past is still pending.

Thank you for reading Nova Terra Chronicles' The Lost Kingdom, we will release more after a small hiatus!