Envie De Voyager

Freewriting #3 - The Dreamers

Before the Sun departed for another twelve hours of darkness, it made sure to stop by and visit a child.

"I'm going to miss you."

The youth had a smile on his face, but the tone carried in his voice was obviously one that was full of melancholy. Of course, he had no response from the subject of his words. Not something possible, as far as he knew. But he continued to drone on as if he was talking to a person, with endearment and fondness in each word to come from his quivering lips.

"I wonder what it would be like. I've never gone to a place so far, and I've never missed a day without coming to see you. Numerous fond memories of sitting on the seashore, even if storms do come to pile the waves upon each other. Equally numerous fond memories of laughs and smiles bathed in orange light. Summer, Spring, Winter, Fall. You've seen me every day for about a decade now, and during that time, I've always wondered when I'd have to miss a single day. I guess it had to come someday."

The waves of the sea soon crept up to the young man's toes, tickling it before receding back into the large body of water that seemingly divided the far-off Sun and the lamenting youth on the shore. The Ocean's lead was followed by the Wind, which sent a warm breeze as if trying to get the tense lad to calm down. Even the Land seemed to resonate with him as little grains of sand were pushed by the wind to brush his bare feet.

"Are you just going to stand there, or what?"

The lad turned around to see a familiar, tanned face. The expression on her face was one that could be described as harsh and sharp, but he laughed off the serious demeanour of his friend. This made the female raise an eyebrow in confusion, but the youth kept laughing.

"We have to get going, Shirou. There's no point in staying here."

Just as she said that, a realisation struck her. Her eyes darted to and fro, then at the lad's face. He was not laughing anymore, instead carrying what seemed to be a sad smile, obviously a sign of pain. But it was not because of her statement, rather, because of where they were at the time. The female simply stayed quiet and basked in the aura of the place along with the youth.

One after another, the friends of the two children came along. And the scene repeated multiple times—they would ask why they would not move, but then realise where they stood, and then opt to stay in the place a little longer. It repeated until thirteen children now stood on the seashore side by side, their bare feet being sprayed by the water, the wind blowing their hair about, and their hands clasped in the hands of the one next to them. They stared as the Sun slowly sank beneath the azure waters.

A dozen of them were stunned by the place, unable to talk out of shame. How they could have forgotten and disregard such an important place was beyond them. They wished to spend moments of silence as an apology—but the a strong voice cut through the silence, refusing to let them simply feel sorry for themselves.

"Farewell, our parents. Your service to our home is still remembered by the people and your legacy lives within us, the new generation of Guardians. Worry not for us. We promise that wherever we may go, we will carry fond memories of your resting place, where you had met one another, as reminders of the sacrifices you had to take, and the ideal we had chosen to uphold. One day, we will return to show you how much we had grown. How much closer each of us have gotten to the standards that you had set. Until then, we ask for you to guide us, like the ancestors that have guided you."

Shirou was the first to turn away, and the rest soon followed suit, like soldiers after a general. The wind erased their footsteps on the beach and the waters took away the clumps of sand that their feet had kicked up, taking away any evidence that they had even payed their respects on the ground. But they didn't need anyone to remember that they were there, or for hear to see the promise that they had all pledged to their parents. It was something that needed only the location and the Sun as witnesses.

Finally, after spectating for the entire time, the Sun had now reached its limit. Its partner was already in the sky. It waved farewell once more, yielding the sky, letting it turn navy blue. With the Sun gone, the Moon now had its chance to shine, and it let its gentle light shine upon the solemn place of grieving.

Twenty six special flowers glowed bright blue in the soft, tranquil moonlight.

Thirteen children had left their home and families to find the future.

Seven minutes of solemn silence had passed by for the kids.

Three minutes of mournful laments and prayer.

Two ideals for each young dreamer.

One boy who remembered.

None ready.