Fanning Flames | Book 1: Titanium Worlds

Chapter 23: Old Nightmares and New Dreams

The stars were brighter and the sky was darker in this universe. I wanted to keep the perfect picture with me forever, but I knew I would only be able to recall it from memory. I continued to stare so I would never forget.

I rubbed my eyes, sleep making its way into my system. My eyes fluttered, and I fought to keep them open.

I didn't want to sleep. The nightmares would come back, and I didn't want to wake the crew with my screams.

I shuddered, the image of Ace's bloody body in Luffy's arms as I stood there on the battlefield, knowing I was too late.

It made my chest ache, for the remembrance of burning hearth sizzled in my stomach. It was an unsettling feeling.

Curiel's words made me rethink my choices. If I'd stopped Marshall then no one would've died, and I wouldn't have these nightmares.

I wished to trade the power of elements for time travel. I wished to go back and change things, but I knew it wasn't possible.

I had taken a path, and I mustn't stray from it now, for I might just become lost forever.

"It's not your fault, you know. You didn't think things through, you just wanted everything to be the same, without me dead."

I didn't jump from his sudden presence, which I didn't find odd. I didn't particularly care in that moment whether someone was here with me or not.

"But I thought I had things thought through. My train of mind told me that those people didn't matter, that they were just background characters to make everything more realistic. I know now, that it isn't like that. They were humans with families and because of my biased thoughts, they are now gone. And I can't change it."

"You didn't want this. You're a child, and you were afraid. You didn't want to mess up the storyline too drastically, fearing the consequences of doing just that."

Ace was right. I was afraid, very afraid. I was scared I'd fail, that I wouldn't be able to do it. I was afraid that he would die again, and I was afraid of destroying the story completely.

"You're right, but I don't feel like a kid anymore. I feel old, like my years have already wasted away."

"War will do that to someone."

I feared those words, too.

"Can I fix it?"

"With help and time. You'll probably develop PTSD."

I laughed a little. "I'm surprised you know what that is."

The annoyance was as clear as the stars were bright. "I'm not stupid, you know."

"I never said you were."

I leaned against the rails, fatigue hitting me once again. My eyes slid shut, but I snapped them open, blinking rapidly immediately after.

"You should sleep. You're exhausted," Ace told me, grabbing my upper arm.

I pulled it away. "I can't, and I won't."

"Nightmares, right? Sleep. I'll make sure they stay away."

I glanced up at him through my half lidded eyes, my face holding no position. "Thank you."

"I should be thanking you."

I think I fell asleep right there, but I can't remember. It is all but a blur now. All I know is that I woke up in a bed the next morning, realizing that my sleep had been nightmare free.
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"I don't want you to leave. I'm afraid. For you."

I laughed, hugging him. "You're the one who was almost killed. I just stopped it. I should be worried about you."

Ace chuckled, hugging me back, surprisingly wearing a T-shirt. I swear, he probably borrowed it from another crewmate because I'm almost positive he has no shirts in his dresser.

As I pulled away, I realized that the night before might've been my last dreamless sleep forever, but I didn't dare show how I felt.

I looked at the members that gathered on the deck for my departure. They all looked sad about my leaving, but happy that I was alive all the same.

"I don't know how much thanks to give you, brat. You saved my sons when knowing you'd exchange your own life in the end. My crew is forever in your debt."

I couldn't speak. The strongest man in the world was thanking me! I grinned.

"Ace and Thatch are alive. That's all the thanks I need."

I waved to them, jumping over the railing and into the dinghy they had lent me. It was filled with fruits and vegetables, not a single piece of meat.

I giggled aloud at the memory of their reactions to my confession of being a vegetarian at dinner the night before.
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I stared at my plate as the others wolfed down their plates full of meat. There was no fruit or vegetables on my plate, nothing I could eat.

Marco was the first to notice my lack of appetite. "You alright, yoi?"

I slowly looked up at him, my eyes holding no emotion.

"I can't eat this." I think my tone scared him a little by the look on his face. The others looked up at my emotionless words.

"You allergic to meat or something?" Thatch queried.

"No. I'm a vegetarian," I said firmly.

"Vegetarian?" Everyone repeated. I could've facepalmed.

"Just like Shanks....Does no one know what that means...?" I muttered quietly, my face scrunched up in confusion.

I sighed. "It means that I don't eat meat. Like I refuse to eat it. Some don't eat it because they don't agree with killing animals, but I just thought it'd be a new challenge since I typically love meat. I tried going vegan which is to eat nothing that comes from an animal either, but I couldn't do it."

They stared at me like I was crazy.

"How can you not eat meat?!" Ace exclaimed. At least he was able to speak, unlike some red head I knew.

"I thought it'd be hard which is why I tried, but it's actually pretty easy. Some things tempt me, and my resolve almost breaks, but it hasn't yet. Like an Arby's sandwich. Man, I could really go for an Arby's sandwich..." I trailed off, my mind wandering.

"What's an Arby's?" Haruta asked.

I waved at him carelessly. "Just a restaurant from home."

Ace continued to yell. "How can you not eat meat?!"

Suddenly my plate was being picked up, and another was placed in front of me, filled with fruits, veggies, and a grilled cheese.

I looked up to see Marco shaking his head and sitting back down. I hadn't seen him leave because of Ace's constant bickering.

I smiled, starting to eat what was on my plate.

"Answer me!!"

I rolled my eyes.
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The boat sailed forward, and I looked back to the waving Whitebeard pirates.

I raised my fist, my eyes wet. "MY NAME IS LITE J. KRISTIN, AND MY DREAM WAS TO CHANGE HISTORY! WHITEBEARD PIRATES, LIVE AND ACCOMPLISH YOURS, LIKE I HAVE MINE!"

I took a deep breath, screaming louder, my voice almost hoarse, the words that Whitebeard did not.

"ONE PIECE IS REAL!!!"

I watched them yell and cheer, but all I heard were Ace's words.

"Thank you!"

It was in that moment, that I knew those words had so much more meaning hidden behind them then.

I knew he finally realized that his life was worth so much more than he previously believed.

And I hoped for him to live that life to the fullest.