Transcendence ✹ Septicgab

Eight

A month had passed, and the group hadn't grown any bigger. Gab was still anxious before each big fight, but so was Amy... so was everyone. As we had gone further and further, the sky was turning blood red. Daytime ceased to look like daytime as the sky was far too blackened to show any sunshine.

Before our next battle, Robin suggested we set up camp as it looked like everyone was about to pass out from exhaustion. Gab curled up next to me, hugging as tight as possible. I felt my heart skip a beat every time she did something new, but this time was different. It felt like the ending of a horrific nightmare, yet also the ending of the best dream anyone could ever imagine. I kissed her on the forehead, making her blush.

"Gab.." I whispered, being sure not to disturb anyone else." She looked at me with gentle eyes. "I love you.. so much."

"I love you," she smiled, laying her head back down on my shoulder. I slowly got up, confusing her. "Wha.. where are you going?" I walked to my bag. "Babe?"

"Remember... when you said there was so much more you wanted to do in life?" I asked her, taking her hands in mine. "You said... what if there's no end to this.. What if we are here... forever.." Gab sat up. "You said there's so much you want to do in life.."

"I want to travel the world.." Gab smiled. I nodded.

"You said.. you want to go to California... and you want to take me to see Japan.." I smiled. "But.. saying that.. doesn't that imply us being together.. after everything here?" Gab wasn't sure what to think. "Let me explain.."

"Please do," she giggled. I stood up part way, then proceed to bend down onto one knee. Gab's expression went from a smile to full blown shock. "Seán.." I smiled, holding a small ring. "Wha.. what is this?"

"Well," I said. "It's yours.. if you want it," I blushed. Gab started tearing up. "You're not the only one that can't afford to lose someone." For the first time in a while, I was the one who was nervous. "Will you.. Will you marry me?"

"I love you so much, Seán," she blushed. "Yes.."

"Yes?"

"Yes!" She giggled with excitement. Amy and Ethan woke up, Mark woke shortly after, but Robin stayed passed out.

"What's going on?" Ethan yawned.

"Yeah," Amy stretched. "What he said." Mark was almost back to sleep, but she woke him up again.

"Oh.. just.." Gab smiled. "Another reason I definitely can't lose this guy.." She kissed me on the cheek. I held her hand up and showed off what I had done, surprising everyone.

"Okay, okay.." I smiled. "We all need to get back to sleep.." Gab's face was bright pink as she admired her ring and cuddled up to me.

"Yeah," Ethan agreed. "We have the biggest trek we've had the entire time we've been here."

"And we have another fight.." Mark sighed. We had already made it through several more battles, but the next one was the one that had everyone rattled.... Gehrman. Whilst Mark was more terrified of Micolash, our large group proved to be an asset in the battle. Gehrman, however, was going to be rough.... Gehrman was in Hunter's Dream.

-

When morning came, we all said our farewells for a moment, going to our separate Hunter's Dreams. It was bittersweet, but we knew it had to happen. We were only able to summon one person to battle with us, which felt ridiculous, but was difficult to choose. If I picked Gab, I could've been putting her life in danger... but if I picked one of my friends, I could've easily ended up getting them killed as well. As I stood in Hunter's Dream, contemplating my move, I heard a ringing.