Glimpse of a star

A soft rain had started to fall on the Hall of Legends, forcing the celebration of Yoi Mono's induction into the Trilani Rangers to migrate to a building with a roof. The expansive hall had fallen silent with only a single man standing in it.

Anton removed his glasses and started to brush off the splattered rain drops. Logic told him that he should be going with the group but something held him back. He should be happy for the girl that his actions and sacrifice had helped. He should be joyous that he had saved the galaxy and avoided death for the five thousandth time. But he wasn't. His heart felt empty and hollow.

“Anton?” He heard a voice call to him from the entrance of the hall. Not responding, he refused to look at the young half-elf and decided to look at the twinkling stars.

Small patters of someone walking across the stone floor towards him could be heard and he knew that he would have to face her. There would be no avoiding her. If he could take on Sora Doichu without a trace of fear, he shouldn't be afraid of ranger of far lesser skill. But... emotional wounds tended to wound worse...

“You shouldn't be here, Yoi,” he replied quietly. “I'm sorry, it's Azaia now, isn't it.”

Lee could hear the wind quietly blow around the hall but it took him a moment to realize that it wasn't the wind but Yoi whispering. “Stop...”

“Azaia?”

“Stop it!” she yelled. “Stop calling me that!”

Stunned, Anton finally lowered his head and could see tears falling down the young girl's cheek. “What's wrong? This day was why you embarked upon such a dangerous journey. Why you tried to kill me.”

“It was Azaia!” she screamed between sobs. “Azaia tried to kill you! Azaia let Lenna and Takato die! I don't want to be Azaia!”

“It wasn't your fault.”

“Yes, it is!”

“How could it be? You weren't even there! If anything, I'm the one who should be responsible.”

The tears were still flowing but the look of anguish was replaced by confusing. “Anton?”

“I never told anyone this but... I sent Lenna after Zealeuos and Takato chased after her. By the time I finished fighting the Plaga and got to them, both Lenna and Takato were fatally wounded. If I-”

“Stop,” she whispered. For a trained hunter and killer, the woman in front of him didn't look the part. Tears mingled with rain and sadness. Her gold and red armor hung off her slumped shoulders and her normally ruffled green hair was matted down by the rain. “Stop.”

“Yoi...” Anton stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the woman who had both sworn to kill him and protect him. Staring into her eyes, he could see that little spark of insane optimism still glistening.

“Anton, I know we did what we had to but it still hurts...” she said and buried her head into his shoulder. “Why does it hurt so much?”

Anton stared up at the stars where he had saved millions and killed nine friends and fellow crew members. “If it ever does, Yoi, then you have became a murderer. Then you have become the woman you think you are.”

Suddenly, Anton could hear a little giggle and felt Yoi's arms almost crush his ribcage. “Stop being so philosophical!” The giggle died and he felt Yoi kiss him lightly on the cheek. “I know that but... I...”

“Just live. Just live.”

“Just...” Her voice faltered for a second. “Just don't leave me too.”

Anton could feel the slight pounding of his heart again, beating in time with the one held close to him. Staring up at the glimmering stars, he could feel the drops of rain soaking him and holding him. Holding him and forever reminding him that his tears were not the only ones in the galaxy.

“I won't. I'll always be with you, Yoi.”