Descendant of Sloth
Chapter 60: Departure ll

Chapter 60: Departure ll

The dock came into view, the wooden planks dusted with a thin layer of snow. The boat we had arrived in rested quietly, its sails still furled, moving slightly with the gentle rhythm of the water.

A crisp breeze carried the scent of salt and pine, mingling with the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs.

Serina was already there, kneeling beside a small wooden crate, carefully packing supplies the elves had given us—dried fruits, medicinal herbs, and freshly baked loaves wrapped neatly in cloth.

She moved with a quiet focus, but her hands hesitated as she reached for a small bundle tucked in the corner.

They were badges. Worn, slightly dented, yet polished with care. Symbols of her fallen teammates—the ones she had stepped onto this island with but would never leave with again.

Her fingers traced over them as her lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes, filled with unspoken grief, lingered on each badge. There was no mistaking it—she was mourning them in silence, a pain no words could ease.

"Serina!! We are here!" Hina’s voice rang out, her boots thudding lightly against the dock as she rushed forward, her usual energy cutting through the silent air.

Serina lifted her gaze, the shadow in her eyes quickly masked by a small smirk. "Hina! Come fast or we’ll leave you behind." Her teasing tone barely masked the emotion behind it.

Hina gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her hip. "Ohh, just try that and I swear I’ll give you a beating you won’t forget."

Serina chuckled, shaking her head as Hina reached for her hand. Their fingers intertwined in an easy, familiar way, and with a shared laugh, Serina helped her ascend onto the boat.

I stood at the edge of the dock, watching them. Maybe, just maybe, that laughter would help Serina heal, one step at a time.

Just as I placed a foot on the wooden plank leading up to the boat, a voice called out from behind me.

"Esther..."

I paused mid-step, my grip tightening slightly on the railing before I turned around. "Hmmm?"

The elder elf stood at the center of a gathering. The entire village had come—men, women, even children. Their expressions were solemn, filled with something deeper than mere gratitude.

"Yes?" I expressed.

The old elf stepped forward, his eyes holding a weight I had come to recognize. Respect. Honor. A silent acknowledgment of all that had transpired.

Then, as one, they bowed.

"Thank you..." the elder elf said, his voice steady but carrying the depth of countless emotions. "Because of you, we can survive. Because of you, our people can continue living."

The wind swept through the dock, catching the my hoodie and brushing strands of my long hair across my face. For a moment, I stood there, letting the words settle. My mind drifted to Gyosu’s words, the ancient ways of the Eladrin, and the path that had led to this very moment.

Then, I smirked out loud.

They looked up, eyes flickering with confusion. Even the children, who clung to their parents’ hands, watched me with curiosity.

"Hmph... Eladrin should never lower their heads to anyone like that!" My voice rang clear across the dock. I straightened, my stance firm as I met their gazes head-on. "Show the world what you’re capable of. Let them see your strength!"

A spark ignited in their eyes. First in the warriors, then the elders, and finally, even the youngest among them. Determination replaced uncertainty, their backs straightening as if realizing for the first time what they were meant to be. The Eladrin weren’t meant to hide in solitude—they were meant to stand tall.

The elder elf swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. He glanced at his people, then back at me, before slowly nodding.

I held his gaze for a moment longer, then smiled. A nod of my own, firm and resolute.

With that, I turned back toward the boat, stepping aboard without another word.

Behind me, I could feel it—the shift in the air, the silent promise that this wasn’t just a farewell. It was a new beginning for them.

As the boat drifted away from the dock, the waves lapping gently against its wooden hull, we stood at the edge, looking back at the elves who had gathered to see us off. Their figures grew smaller with each passing moment, yet their voices carried through the air.

"Take care on your journey!" one of the elves called out.

"Please come back to meet us!" the female elf who had healed Lala shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth.

Hina grinned, waving both hands enthusiastically. "We surely will! But you better prepare more of your special dishes next time!" she shouted back, her voice brimming with excitement.

Laughter rippled through the elves. "We will!" the female elf promised, nodding.

Serina, standing beside me, waved in a slower, more subdued manner. Her fingers curled slightly, as if the weight of everything that had happened here still lingered on her shoulders. She lowered her hand, her eyes fixed on the receding island, lost in thought.

I glanced at her, then at Hina, who was still shouting playful remarks back and forth with the elves.

The moment felt surreal. Just days ago, we had arrived on this island as strangers—outsiders who had no place in the world of the Eladrin. And yet, now, as we left, it felt like we had become part of their story, and they a part of ours.

Hina finally let out a sigh, turning to me. "Well, that’s that. It really is over now, huh?"

I smirked. "The adventure here might be over, but there’s a lot waiting for me...Sighh"

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Always looking ahead, aren’t you?"

I crossed my arms, watching the island disappear into the horizon. "No point looking back too much. We did what we could. Now, the rest is up to them."

Serina let out a soft breath, almost a whisper. "I hope they’ll be okay..."

I glanced at her, then back at the island one last time. "They will be. They’re Eladrin, after all."

With that, the boat sailed forward, carrying us away.

The adventure of the glorious island—The World of Eladrins—had finally come to an end. But something in my gut told me... this wouldn’t be the last time our paths crossed.

And so, we sailed back towards our country once again.