Solar stood there, using his powers to light up the fog that surrounded him. As the fog began to clear, he caught a glimpse of a faint reflection in the distance.
Solar: "Huh? What's that?"
As the reflection become clearer, Solar's hope turned to horror. It was a reflection of all the elemental, but as he stared longer, it turned into Retak'ka.
Solar: "N-No... no..."
Solar felt a shiver run down his spine, his body frozen in terror.**He tried to back away, his footsteps quick and unsteady. But as he looked back, the presence of Retak'ka loomed behind him, a chilling reminder that there was no escape.
Solar: "No! S-stay away!"
Fear coursed through his body, and his heart pounded in his chest like drums.
Solar felt an intense pressure on his neck, as if something was squeezing it tight. His mind was filled with panic and terror, his body frozen in place.
Solar: "No, no... get off me! Let go!"
He clawed at his neck, his eyes wide and wild. But as his hands touched his neck, he realized that nothing was really there. It was just a hallucination, a manifestation of his trauma and fear.
As Solar realized the hallucinations were all in his mind, a wave of fear and desperation washed over him. He was alone, and the thought of facing Retak'ka by himself was terrifying.
Tears welled up in his eyes, and his body shook with sobs. He wanted the others to be here, to provide comfort and assurance. But he was alone, and the cold, damp surroundings only amplified his feelings of loneliness and despair.
Solar: "I... I want the others.... I can't do this alone..."
The words were choked with fear and grief, his voice quivering as he spoke. The loneliness and helplessness were almost overwhelming, almost swallowing him whole.
Solar: "I need Halilintar... Taufan... Gempa... anyone... Just come to me... I cannot stay Strong always...."
He looked around frantically, hoping desperately that someone, anyone, would appear to help him.
As tears streamed down his face, Solar steeled himself and stood up, wiping away the tears with the back of his hand.
Solar: "Calm down, Solar... you can't give up now."
He took a few deep breaths, trying to steady himself despite the lingering fear and despair.
With newfound determination, he began to walk forward once again, his eyes darting around for any signs of the others. He was scared, but he couldn't let that stop him. He had to keep moving, keep searching until he found someone.
Blaze and Thorn, noticing a figure in the distance, approached carefully. As they got closer, they realized it was Solar, and their hearts leapt with relief.*
Blaze: "Solar! There you are!"
Thorn: "We've been looking all over for you."
Solar threw himself into their arms, sobbing and clinging to them like a drowning man to a lifeline.
Solar: "I... I saw him... Retak'ka... H-he was hurting me... I couldn't escape..."
As Solar finally calmed down, his breathing slowing and his sobs quieting, Blaze and Thorn knelt down beside him, confusion etched on their faces.
Blaze: "Solar, listen to us. Retak'ka is gone. We defeated him. He's not here."
Thorn: "What you saw... it was just a hallucination. Retak'ka can't hurt you anymore."
Solar looked at them, confusion and fear mingling in his eyes. He desperately wanted to believe them, to believe that the nightmare was over, that he was safe now.
Solar: "H-hallucination...? You... you're sure?"
His voice was weak and uncertain, his eyes darting around as if expecting Retak'ka to appear from the shadows any moment.
Blaze and Thorn nodded, their expressions serious.
Blaze: "Yes, we're sure. Retak'ka is dead. You're safe now."
Thorn: "You just had a hallucination, probably because of all the stress and trauma you've been through."
They placed a comforting hand on Solar's shoulder, trying to reassure him as best they could.
Solar's smile widened, hope and determination glowing in his eyes.
Solar: "Yeah... we'll find them all together. Gempa, Taufan, Halilintar, and Ice. We'll find them, and we'll all go back home, just like before!"
Blaze and Thorn exchanged a glance, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that they could not fulfill Solar's hope. But they couldn't bear to shatter his optimism, not now.
Blaze: "That's right. We'll find them all. We won't give up."
Thorn nodded in agreement, forcing a smile.
Thorn: "We'll find them, and we'll be a team again. I promise."
It was a lie, a promise they couldn't keep, but the look of determination and hope on Solar's face was too much for them to shatter. They would do everything they could to find the others, even if it was in vain.
As they walked, they stumbled upon a cluster of bubbles, each shimmering and translucent.
Blaze: "These bubbles... they're filled with memories."
Thorn: "I wonder who they belong to..."
Solar looked at the bubbling, a frown on his face. He knew that some of them would contain painful and bittersweet memories, but he couldn't look away.
Solar: "There's one bubble that's empty. What does that mean?"*Blaze and Thorn followed his gaze, their eyes fixed on the empty bubble. It floated amongst the others, seemingly out of place.*
Blaze: "I'm not sure. Maybe it's a memory that hasn't fully formed yet... or one that has yet to happen."
Thorn: "Or maybe it's a memory that's been lost or destroyed. We can't know for sure until we open it."*They all stared at the empty bubble, their hearts heavy with curiosity and uncertainty. The other bubbles were already filled with memories, both sweet and bitter, but the empty one was a riddle yet to be solved.*
Solar: "Should we... open it? Find out what memory it holds?"
Blaze: "I don't know... it might be dangerous."
Thorn: "Or enlightening..."
The air around them was thick with uncertainty and anticipation. Opening the bubble could reveal valuable information, but it could also unleash something dangerous and unknown.
They stood there, staring at the empty bubble, each lost in their thoughts.
Blaze: "What do you think, Solar?"
Solar: "...I think we should open it. We have to know."
Blaze and Thorn exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement.
Blaze: "Alright, then. Let's do it."
Thorn: "But we have to be careful. We don't know what might happen."
Solar reached out a trembling hand, and with a slow, careful touch, popped the empty bubble.
As Solar popped the bubble, the others held their breath, expecting something to happen. But to their surprise, nothing did.
Blaze: "That's... it?"
Thorn: "I don't get it. There's no memory, no... nothing."
They all stood there, dumbfounded, trying to make sense of the empty bubble.
Solar, despite the disappointment, perked up once more.
Solar: "Well, it looks like there's nothing in this bubble after all. No memory, nothing. But we can't let that stop us!"
He stood up straight, his determination renewed.
Solar: "We made a promise to find the others, and we're going to keep it. We're going to be the trio again, and this time, nothing will stop us!"
His confidence was infectious, and even Blaze and Thorn felt their spirits lifting. They exchanged a glance, and then both nodded in agreement.
Blaze: "You're right. We won't give up now."
Thorn: "We're going to find the others, Solar. Together."
As the trio continued on their journey, Solar felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. His steps grew heavier, and his eyelids drooped as he struggled to stay awake.
Solar: "Man... I'm so tired..."
He yawned and rubbed his eyes, trying to stay alert. But the lack of sleep was catching up to him, and his body was begging for rest.
Blaze: "You okay there, Solar?"
Thorn: "Maybe we should take a break."
Solar shook his head, waving off their concerns.
Solar: "No, no, I'm fine. We need to keep going. We can't stop now."
He tried to push through, but his feet started to drag, and his eyes kept closing against his will.
Blaze and Thorn exchanged a glance, concern etched on their faces. They could see Solar was struggling, but he was too stubborn to admit it.
Blaze: "Solar, you can't keep going like this. You're exhausted."
Thorn: "We need to take a break, even if it's just for a little while. We can't have you collapsing in the middle of the journey."
A part of Solar wanted to protest, to argue that he could keep going. But the exhaustion was overwhelming, and his body was beginning to shut down.
Solar: "Fine. you're right. Just a short break, okay?"
Blaze and Thorn nodded, relieved that he had finally agreed. They led him to a small clearing, where he could rest for a moment.
Blaze: "Here, sit down. Rest your body and take a breather."
Thorn: "We can keep watch while you rest."
Solar practically collapsed onto the ground, fatigue and exhaustion coursing through every inch of his body. He laid down on his back, using his jacket as a makeshift pillow, and closed his eyes.
Solar: "Just... a quick nap. I'll be fine in a few minutes..."
Blaze and Thorn stood nearby, keeping watch as Solar slept. They knew he was in desperate need of rest, and they were determined to let him get as much as he needed.
Blaze: "Poor guy. He's really exhausted."
Thorn: "Yeah. I wonder how long it's been since he got a good night's sleep."
As Solar slept, Thorn felt a wave of worry wash over him. The thought of losing someone else, of losing Solar, was too much to bear. In a quiet whisper, he turned to Blaze, his voice wavering with fear.
Thorn: "I... I don't want to lose Solar like we lost the others..."
Blaze put a reassuring hand on Thorn's shoulder, trying to comfort him.
Blaze: "We won't lose him, Thorn. Solar is strong. He'll make it through this."
Thorn nodded, but the fear in his eyes didn't fade. He knew that they were all vulnerable in this strange world, and there was no guarantee that they would all make it out alive.
They stood watch over Solar as he slept, both of them hoping and praying that he wouldwake up refreshed and ready to face whatever came next. But deep down, they both knew that there were no guarantees in this world. All they could do was hold on to the hope that they would all make it through, and that Solar would be there with them every step of the way.
As Thorn watched over Solar, his eyelids started to grow heavy. The exhaustion from their journey and the worry for Solar's safety took its toll, and he found himself struggling to stay awake.
Blaze, noticing Thorn's exhaustion, gently took over watch duty. He sat beside Thorn, who was now leaning against Solar, dozing off.
Blaze then began to rummage through his belongings, searching for something.
Blaze carefully pulled out a small, unassuming object that resembled a bomb. He looked over at Thorn and Solar, still asleep, before turning his attention back to the bomb.
He gently placed the bomb on the ground, careful not to wake the others. Then, he covered it by taking solar's hat and covering it, making sure it was hidden from view.
Blaze gently shook Thorn and Solar, trying to rouse them from their sleep.
Blaze: "Guys, wake up. It's time to go."
Thorn yawned and opened his eyes, groggily pushing himself up off the ground. Solar, still half asleep, mumbled something incoherent and tried to bury his face in his jacket.