21 The Death Of Morning Star

"No. No. No. No,"  I muttered, suppressing the rising unease inside me as I headed to the origin of the colossal explosion.

The process took me twenty minutes even at my full speed.

For the first time, in my life, I complained about my traveling speed which I was proud of.

By the time I arrived at the scene, nothing remained. The land was shaved off as the tide filled up the open space.

Washed away by the current, the remnants of marine warships and countless pirates' battleships trash filled up the small pond formed in Long Ring Long Island.

"Guys!! Where are you? Are you hiding from me? Please stop hiding..." I shouted.

But no one appeared. 

"Stella? Grandpa? Please come out... I will be good from now on. I won't be distracted anymore. I will be obedient. Stella!! I will even call you my big sister. So please... come out..."

A warm sensation flowed down my face as my breathing became messy. Even so, I continued to shout in desperation.

However, no one appeared. 

Whilst I was calling out for the two, a piece of cloth, carried by a mischievous gust, fluttered past my eyes. 

"!!" I widened my eyes at the piece of cloth as I extended my palm over it as if to grasp hold of it.

Feathers danced through the wind as it guided the piece of cloth until it settled down in my palm.

"Ban!!..."

Upon realization, I could no longer turn away from reality.

It was the piece of fabric from the Karate Gi Ban wore. 

Ban wore his Karate Gi almost every day with pride.

.

.

.

"Why..." I looked down.

Cursing the very ground beneath me.

Questioning the reason why my most precious person had to die.

*BANG*

A violent sound reverberated through the surroundings as my fist collided with the Earth, causing dirt and mud to fly everywhere.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU RUN AWAY YOU FUCKING RETARD," I cursed at that man's decision to sacrifice himself. 

*BANG*

My hand continued to slam the ground even after my fist became red and the bones shattered.

If pain could ease the sorrow in my heart I was glad to die the most painful death.

*BANG* 

No one was here to stop me. 

The banging continued as the monstrous wave of sorrow and anger spread all over like a ripple each time I tormented myself.

Even if I killed myself. 

Ban.

Stella.

They were gone.

The only person to stop me.

They were not here anymore.

***

Time has passed as I completely exhausted myself, both physically and spiritually. 

I fell to my knee, unable to muster any strength for what was called a 'hand.' 

Powerless, I looked up to heaven. "If I was there... If I went along with their journey to this place, couldn't I have helped them run?"

"I already knew that fucker's sacrificial obsession because of his illness so why did I not go along with him. Did I be at ease because there was nothing bad happening lately?"

"I should have panicked more when Cobra said not to mention the two's name in the future. If their name brought influence even to the king of Arabasta that much, I should have predicted that everyone is aiming for their life based on their past." 

"With Hereru's help, I could've helped them escape... Then..." 

I felt my heart ache as I regretted not going with them.

I imagined the 'present' if I had gone with them.

Then, I fell into depression.

"It's all my fault..." I said with a weak voice.

I had nothing left.

[The Prologue Has Finished.]

[One Piece Online is Undergoing Update.]

[Player Heylail is free to stay or leave the game.]

[Tips: To leave the game, please think 'System' in your mind, and you will summon the interface. From there, you can find for 'Exit Game' option.]

'System.' I thought and in front of me popped a blue interface.

There were multiple options at the system interface but I only had my eyes on [Exit Game].

I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible. The 'noise' of hatred, greed, and regrets, especially the loud one, 'jealousy,' had filled my head.

"I don't know who you are but if you're fucking dead, shut up like a dead person."

[Exit Game]

I pressed and vanished from the spot.

---

1996, Earth

Numerous unfamiliar structures replaced what were the wide views of the ocean. A hint of familiarity welled up in my brain as I heard the howling sounds of engines.

'What the... hell is going on...' Finally, I lost power even to my knees as I fell over face-front to the dirty ground of concrete.

The shock of losing someone precious finally overwhelmed my body and I couldn't keep my spirit going anymore.

"Hey~!!" A high-pitched voice rang out before I completely lost consciousness.

***

Slowly opening my eyes, I was greeted by the unfamiliar ceiling and strange lighting of unknown technology I'd never seen in my time at Arabasta. 

Besides the abnormally soft surfaces I was lying down on, I spotted a man dressed in a black suit, seated in a chair silently looking over me.

He appeared to be middle-aged, with an average build. His slightly oversized black suit concealed the surface of his skin aside from his healthy face.

The man uttered not a single word but I instinctively understood that the death was right beside me as I became slightly sentimental. 

It was a lonely life. 

Just as I who had nothing in the beginning found a family, the world cruelly took that person from me.

The man in the suit silently took his cigarette and lit it up creating a halo of smoke below the ceiling.

10 minutes have passed since I opened my eyes. 

Not a single conversation went in this time, and for another 10 minutes, should there be not.

Not a single word was required between the two of us as we exchanged glances.

Tired of the tragedies that occurred in this miserable life of mine, I weakly let myself into death's embrace. 

However, I was not afraid or lonely anymore.

After all, I was not alone this time. 

I, who had no belonging in two worlds, was to leave from this world being watched over by this kind man.

The man in a suit silently laid down his warm hand on my shoulder as I slowly closed my eyes.

Another 10 minutes have passed.

Death was warm.