Towering Memories and Treasured Dreams (Updated Version)

Floor 46: The Shipwright's Regret

"You sure that you're feeling up to this, Brook? We could rest if you need it...?" Chopper asked in concern as the crew made their way steadily upwards, the air now getting noticeably cold so that even some of the tougher members of the crew clearly noticed it now. Nami was now rubbing her hands together in an attempt to use friction to warm herself until Sanji took off his own coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Thank you, Sanji," she shivered as he just smiled back and Brook was finishing drying his tears.

"In truth, I feel conflicted," Brook confessed. "While it was painful to witness such memories and to see Laboon, Captain Yorki and the others again as I remember them...? I am... I am glad. I feared that I was in danger of truly forgetting them and I...? I didn't even realize how faint my memories had become until now."

"Don't beat yourself up, it has been fifty years," Zoro reminded him.

"Do you need a minute before we move on?" Usopp offered but Brook was shaking his head.

"No, it is alright," he reassured him as Chopper leapt up into his arms and Brook was holding onto him like how a child would to their favorite stuffed animal. "I am feeling overwhelmed but it is nothing I cannot handle. Seeing all that, just helped me to remember why I continue on forward. I do not regret it. I wish to see this adventure through until the end now."

"Good, but you know... if you need to talk about it...?" Robin began but he reached out and placed a boney hand upon her shoulder.

"No need to say it, Robin-san," he said kindly, "I know. And perhaps... perhaps once we get out of here, I shall like to tell you all more stories about our adventures. Though... now that I think of it, I'm not sure there is much need for it since you all witnessed them yourselves, yohohoho."

"No! I wanna hear more!" Luffy said eagerly, "I liked your old captain! You totally need to tell us more stories about them!"

"What he said! We're all in agreement here!" Franky cheered on, "It would be SUPER to hear about them all! Whenever you're ready, bro!"

Brook just looked on, his emotions a bit all over the place at this point. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel, if it was supposed to be happy, angry, or something else. It torn him up inside that such private memories were shown, though he knew that it was no one's fault. Yet, it was strangely liberating to know that he didn't have to bare such memories alone any longer either. He would be smiling right now if he could... finding himself truly blessed to be surrounded by so many kind individuals. He supposed that all those years alone left him a little unhinged. It warmed his non-existing heart that the Straw Hats still accepted him... quirks included.

"I wonder what kind of star I was born under?" he muttered softly to himself.

"What was that, Brook?" Luffy asked, having heard him.

"Sorry, force of habit, Yohohoho," he laughed softly, "But I was just thinking that while I have suffered a lot of misfortune in my life... I have also been blessed by good luck as well. I shan't forget it again. Now, let us move forward! We can't continue until after we get out of here after all!"

With a much more cheerful laugh, Brook eagerly moved onwards, feeling both light and heavy at the same time.

His friends were all talking about how much fun the Rumbar Pirates were and were asking him all sorts of questions as they climbed the stairs. But there was one among them who was feeling true anxiety at this point of what was waiting for them.

"But you know, this concerns me," Robin said as some of her own dread began to return and she rubbed her arms as the cold continue to seep in around them.