Chapter Thirty-Eight

“Grandpa,” Valyti said, when he was about to leave. His sword was at his hip and his bag was over his shoulder. The sky was slowly changing from its dark blue hues to its lighter hues. “Don't overdo it and take care of everything.”

“I will, you don't have to worry about that,” Salyti said, smiling. He was trying to hide the fact that he was about to cry. Valyti turned to Akira, who stood quietly.

“Akira,” he said, softly smiling. He placed his hands on the sides of her cheeks. Her green eyes looked into his. “I'll be back for you. Once Grandpa sends word for me, I will come back.” Her eyes became teary, then she embraced him, crying.

“Vally-chan, don't die! Come back to me, because I need you,” she sobbed. “I love you, more than anything in the world!” Valyti hugged her, gently. Soon, she turned from him and ran into the cottage, still crying. Valyti put up a strong front, but he was breaking inside. He glanced back at his grandpa, uneasily. Salyti looked down at the ground, so Valyti wouldn't see him crying.

“Don't give up and don't look back,” Salyti said, with voice wavering. “I love you very much, Valyti. Just... just be good, be yourself and be careful.” He turned and began to walk towards the cottage.

“Good bye, Grandpa,” Valyti managed out. Salyti stopped. “I'll miss you and I love you too.” Salyti fell to his knees and began to sob, quietly. Valyti was overwhelmed; he started to go to his grandpa. Yamato put a hand on his shoulder, then shook his head. Valyti nodded, and sadly smiled at the cottage. When he turned to leave, he thought he saw his father's figure in the dark window of his bedroom. He wasn't sure, though. He followed Yamato, quietly. Soon, the forest became denser and unfamiliar to him. The two didn't say anything. Yamato could think of many things to discuss, but he decided against it at the moment.

“Yamato,” Valyti said, quietly. “Where are we going?” Yamato smiled.

“We're going to chase the dawn,” Yamato replied.

“What?”

“We're going to chase the dawn, dance with the sun and sleep with the moon. That's where we're going.” Valyti smiled.

“A place like that exists? The dawn seems quite faraway to chase, the sun dances quite slowly across the sky and the moon shines at night.”

“I don't know if a place like that actually exists,” Yamato said, quietly. “But, whenever your grandpa went on an adventure and I asked where he was going, he always told me he was going to chase the dawn.” Valyti smiled, nodding.

“Yes, we are going to chase the dawn, together. I'm now glad that I have the opportunity to walk in my grandpa's shoes.” Yamato smiled and he put his arm around Valyti's shoulders. The two disappeared into the woods, chasing the dawn of a new day.

THE END