Is it Goodbye?

*30th, June of 2024*

"I can only speak for myself, and on behalf of all our association. The past 3 months were surreal even for us Masters, who have lived long enough to stop feeling excited about life.

But it was different this time than the previous times, as a group you all compliment one another, and the level your powers have reached isn't seen in the past generations. We enjoyed every single moment of sharing our knowledge with such bright souls like you are.

We are truly grateful for accepting us as your teachers, and sacrificing a lot of your own lives in order to come here and know more about yourselves."Said Alkeyder, as he and the other masters kneel before the Atlanteans in respect.

The latter do the same.

It was the last day, a free one when no competition, training or class took place, just letting everyone enjoy their last moments in the island together.

One by one, they would come to the masters to pay their respect.

Beazly as always takes the lead.

"It was our pleasure, an experience that can not be forgotten even if i were to be brainwashed. Master Love, it will be hard for me to not taste some of your delicious food again...

But I am sure this won't be the last time we meet. Atleast i hope so!

Master Alkeyder, you've been the sound that guides us through our journey, the one who slowly takes times to explain whatever we geared to know, I appreciate you greatly!

As for you Master Heracles, I do not know how to put it in words..."

Beazly comes closer towards Heracles and gives him a very quick but tight hug, although Heracles didn't hug back but he felt emotional at that moment, it showed from how he avoided eye contact.

"...No need to say anything, don't forget that this was only the beggining!"

...

In fact, there was no winning team! Both were tied by the end of the Olympics.

But none even complained about it, the real prize was the times they had together!

After Beazly, Sebastin came and showed his respect and grattitude for his masters and gave them all a tight hug, and received them back as well. He was the little young man everybody took care of.

Then, it was Elara's turn.

In a very shy way she said.

"..Thank you for everything you did for me, I am also very sorry to cause any trouble... But I have no regrets about coming here, I consider you as a bigger sister Master Love.

Please keep contact!"

The calm and very true emotions coming out of her voice made everyone feel it in their bones.

The Masters felt proud of what they were able to do in these 3 months.

*Aciya hugs her tightly*

"For sure i will baby, I am glad to hear everything you said."

Alkeyder. "It is our pleasure my beautiful daughter, you're always welcome here and anywhere we are.

Here...

Take this!"

*He gives her a very good looking necklace*

"This is for you, make sure to always wear it."

Elara holds the necklace in her hands, then looks at Alkeyder with a very bright smile that almost ravelled the sun light.

Then,

It was Ayla's turn...

Alkeyder spots her coming and tells Aciya.

"Look..."

Aciya's face showed deep sadness the moment she saw her coming towards them...

"...Hey!"

Ayla herself is looking like she can't talk or stand straight, but she continued.

"I was thinking about when it will end for pretty much...the entire last week...

I didn't think at first it will be this hard, to return to our lives! But...seeing and feeling how you embrassed us, and took us under ur wings. In all aspects of life! Ofcourse it will be so hard..."

*Ayla's eyes started to get tearful*

"...Master Heracles, even if you weren't gentle with us in our trainings but I could feel many times, the good heart you have inside, your charisma and power is something i'll always remember going into hardships.

I'll never forget your teachings, and wise lessons! Master Alkeyder...They truly touched my mind, heart and soul many times.

You were like a father figure to all of us!

And...to our mother figure, my mother figure, Master Love.

Although i love calling you by your real name, Aciya!

We all know about it by the way Hahahha...

What can i say, you've treated me like one of your own, even teached me how to become better at cooking, protecting and healing...How to help people in need, you've made me know myself even more. There is no one in the world that I don't feel as much grattitude towards as you.

Thank you, for everything!"

Ayla was so into expressing her feelings perfectly that she was disconnected to the outside world, she didn't even notice how tears were falling off of her cheeks like a waterfall.

Not only that, she didn't realize that Aciya herself has been crying even more than her!

Ayla runs towards her master and they both take each other by the arms, Alkeyder's face looked like he was in deep thinking, in another world..

The surprising thing was Heracles almost tearing up!

Ayla noticed and joked with him.

"I see tears!"

"What? No!

What are you talking about?" he replies seriously.

Ayla just laughs back...

Aciya. "I'll always be by your side, remember that!"

Alkeyder. "So am I."

Ayla. "I know...

Goodbye!"

Aciya's tears did not stop falling, although she wanted to.. And Alkeyder doesn't seem to be himself either.

Heracles comes and puts each of his hands on their shoulders.

"You should be grateful, that fate has been kind to you after all."

Later on, both Oumad and Joshou came at the same time. It wasn't planned but each has decided something very crucial.

They both wanted to stay more in the Island to get more training!

Alkeyder. "Hmmmm....What an odd request from both of you.

Did you talk it together?"

Joshou. "No. It was by mere accident!"

Oumad. "Just like he said."

It's worth mentionning that Oumad and Joshou aren't likely found on one another, although nothing personal but they had some disagreements before.

"What do you think Heracles?" Alkeyder asks.

Heracles. "It is fine by me, if they're not interested in going back to their homes and lives then it's to our benifit."

Alkeyder. "Good point, why don't you want to go back?"

Joshou. "I don't have much to come back to, my parents are dead and i've always been busy to make social interractions. But here, It was different. I don't wish to come back yet.

Aside from that, i still want to get stronger!

I feel like I have more inside of me."

Alkeyder. "...What about you Oumad?

Unlike him, you have many people to come back to. Don't you miss them?"

Oumad takes a moment before answering.

"I do! But, there won't be another chance like this for me to get the kind of knowledge I've been getting here. The place i want to reach is higher than what I am in right now...

Just a little bit more Master, and i'll return as the man i want myself to be."

This answer also reasonated well with the masters, and so they agreed on their requests of staying additional time on the island!

The Last to come, and he planned it to be.

Was Herald!

He came in slowly, and looked very calm and composed.

The look on his eyes was certainly much different than the one he came up with, he never knew he still had that much room to improve in himself, always thought he reached a point where it's hard to beat his previous version. But he knows now that he'll be proven wrong each time he'll think that.

Alkeyder welcomes him.

"Mr Herald. Is it goodbye?"

Herald. "I doubt, my guts tell me we'll be meeting again, we haven't been trained all these months for nothing at the end of the day i assume."

Seems like Herald thinks far ahead from the others.

Alkeyder. "Your guts...or your powers?"

Herald smiles. "Well...That too!"

They both shake hand firmly, as two grown men would.

"It was a pleasure, master Alkeyder. I will forever appreciate these months.

Not only you, but also Master Heracles, going against you made me experience feelings i've never had before, i felt blood circuling in every part of my body.

I felt powerful! Am deeply grateful...

And ofcourse i won't forget our lovely babysitter, always listenning to us and healing our souls and bodies. By the way, i never had the chance to thank you for staying up with me all night that time..."

Aciya looked sadly surprised "So you knew..."

Herald. "Hhahaha...for a second.

But really...

I have one question left.

I feel like, we've met before.. All of you, and this place....It feels just like home!

At first i thought it was just a very weird feeling i didn't get, but as i advanced i became better at knowing what i exactly feel."

Everybody stayed silent for some seconds.

Aciya wanted to reply but Alkeyder prevented her.

"It feels like home, because it is home for all of you.

We're all one in here, we have the same purpose, this enough can make it feel like home."

Herald. "...

I see!

Sorry for the weird question."

Aciya hugs Herald very tightly, and kisses his forehead...

"Take good care of yourself, my son."

before night could overcome day, Guiado comes to take back what he brought...