The hero's journey.
An elegant framework for wrapping up a story, if you ask me. For those newly arrived on this winding path, know that it is not a journey for the faint of heart. Despite what many might say about Gil's particular odyssey, it was a journey nonetheless—one that had lasted several months, perhaps even years before this moment.
Yet, it is still not over.
***
THURSDAY, 2200 HOURS
VROOM!
A car pulled up in front of Zaya's shop, its engine a low, throaty purr that seemed almost apologetic for disturbing the night's silence. Zaya himself would not return for another two weeks, despite Undine's increasingly frantic phone calls begging for his early return. The vehicle was a black Toyota Corolla, utterly unremarkable—no plates to trace, no distinguishing features to remember. In a city filled with such cars, it would vanish the moment it left.
The door behind Zaya's counter opened.
Gil descended the stairs first, dragging two suitcases behind him—one purple, one blue. His attire had shifted from the formal wear of recent days to something更适合 for the sea: a simple white shirt, grey sweatpants, and socks tucked into Crocs. A terrible combination, aesthetically speaking, but one couldn't help but respect the commitment to comfort.
His appearance had changed in other ways too. A fresh haircut—the top half of his hair remained that distinctive purple, but the roots had grown out black, and he'd shaved the sides clean. A look he would maintain for a long while to come.
Catherine followed close behind, and she too had transformed.
Red cargo pants with black tassels dangling from each pocket. A black crop top that held her steady. Over it all, a camouflage green jacket that swallowed her frame in comfortable bulk. Her hair had grown—long and black—and a few weeks ago she'd decided to get some of it curled, giving it a soft, wavy quality that caught the dim light. Heavy boots adorned her feet, and strapped to her back like a second spine was the longsword, sheathed expertly, its presence a constant weight.
Both their faces remained neutral. Serious. The expressions of people standing at a threshold.
"What did Mr. Koji say about the transport again?" Gil asked, not looking back.
Catherine dug into her jacket pocket and produced a modern smartphone, its case covered in dangling charms and accessories. "He said something about it appearing by the shop at 10 PM."
Gil pushed the door open slowly.
The fierce night breeze hit his face like a slap—rough, cold, making every pore on his skin contract in protest. The city's light pollution washed over him, blinding after the shop's dim interior. Bright whites and neon colors painted the street in artificial daylight.
"Do you see anything?" Catherine leaned over his shoulder, her breath warm against his ear.
Gil squinted. Shapes emerged from the glare, but nothing definitive—
VROOOM.
A soft hum. Directly in front of him.
Headlights flicked on, illuminating the street in sudden, brilliant white.
"I think I found it." Gil gestured at the vehicle. He circled it slowly, stopping at the front. "Did he say what model?"
"I personally think you're asking for too much information."
"Well, I didn't ask for your opinion." Gil's mumble was carried away by the wind.
"Is there anyone inside?" Catherine pressed.
Gil circled like a vulture eyeing prey, then pressed his face against the driver's window.
'Wow,' he thought.
"What's up?" Catherine's voice cut through his mental exclamation.
"Stop reading my mind, woman!" Gil shouted, spinning to face her.
"Then don't think so loud! I don't like reading your weird boy thoughts." She shot back, then softened. "Also, what's up with the driver?"
Gil turned back to the window. "Oh... there's no driver."
"You think he went to get something?"
"I don't know. Should we wait?" Gil scratched his head. "Feels like it would be kinda rude to just enter."
"Even if we did, it wouldn't do much." Catherine shrugged. "It's not like either of us can actually drive."
"Yeah." Gil leaned against the trunk, left elbow propped on the metal. "Guess we wait."
Catherine exhaled heavily and pulled out her phone again. Gil watched her for a moment.
"You really insisted they buy you a phone. I don't really get it."
"Of course you wouldn't." A small smile played at her lips. "As the team leader, I have to constantly remind y'all how important communication is."
"You're still on about that whole 'team leader' thing?"
"But of course." She struck a pose, hand on her hip. "I am the leader. I was blessed with the epic Blade of Merdonia."
"Merdonia?" Gil's eyebrow arched. "Did you just make that up?"
"How dare thau question my authority." She sniffed dramatically. "I can read minds, so of course I didn't make it up. It's the actual name of thy blade."
(She made it up.)
CLANK!
Before they could continue, the trunk flew open—fast—catching Gil off balance and sending him stumbling. The engine note shifted from idle to active, and the horn began blaring at them in insistent bursts.
"Shit!" They clapped hands over ears simultaneously.
"Is this car insane?!" Catherine shouted over the noise.
"Couldn't tell ya!" Gil peered into the open trunk, noting the red glow emanating from within. Something clicked in his mind. He grabbed Catherine, scooped up both bags, and tossed them into the trunk one by one.
"Careful! I have important stuff in there!" she yelled.
The trunk closed slowly, almost gently. The horn fell silent.
"You think this is like a magic cab?" Gil wondered.
"I mean... we've seen weirder stuff. A magic cab wouldn't be out of the question."
Both back doors swung open simultaneously, revealing plush grey foam seats that looked obscenely comfortable.
They exchanged a glance.
Catherine unslung the sword and slid inside, laying it across her lap. Gil hesitated.
"I thought you'd want to sit shotgun?"
"Why would I want to do that?"
"Well..." Gil gestured vaguely. "What if the car goes haywire? Someone needs to take the wheel. Like in those Tom Cruise movies."
"First of all, I don't think Mission: Impossible had self-driving cars." Catherine's tone was flat. "Secondly, if you're so worried, you sit there."
Gil turned, staring out at the city lights. "Nah. I'm good."
He slid in beside her.
The doors slammed shut with a solid thunk.
A monitor embedded in the dashboard flickered to life, displaying a cheerful cartoon face with enormous eyes.
"Hello!" The voice was bright, synthesized, aggressively friendly. "My name is VJ—short for Virtual Junior! I am here to assist you in your fast travel!"
"What's that?" Gil whispered.
"I don't know, but it sounds cute."
"I am a virtual traveling partner, here to assist on your journey." The cartoon face beamed. "There has been a pre-set path already programmed. Would you like to select that?"
"I don't trust this thing." Gil leaned close to Catherine, voice low. "We should jump out the moment we get a chance."
"Aww, but why?" Catherine's eyes were fixed on the screen, her expression softening. "It sounds so adorable. It'll be sad if we leave." She raised her voice. "Please take us on that path!"
"Certainly, Miss!"
"Ohhh." Catherine melted into her seat. "I like him."
Gil said nothing, but uncertainty gnawed at his gut. The wheels began to spin. The city lights started sliding past.
It was too late now.
The hero's journey: a man leaves his home on a quest to understand not only himself, but his very purpose. That is its definition. By default, this should ring bells for all of us. Each must leave their place of comfort eventually. Journey beyond the sea. Beyond everything known.
To reach the shore. To board a boat. To wave goodbye.
To depart.
Gil and Catherine had begun their journey long ago—perhaps even sooner than the narrative had decided to follow and document it. The car would deliver them to the docks safe and sound, with minimal incident. There, they would set sail with Undine at the helm and Koji waiting to help them navigate what came next.
Life is a saga of events. And while it might appear that the journey for one of them has ended...
Perhaps they shall reunite someday.
Somewhere far away, a witch of the North waits for her prey.
In the depths of the enchanted city, a boy with no legs waits to play.
Of vibrant pink and a scent of cherry, a girl with a burden has no say.
Of carbon and iron, they wait for a challenge with no delay.
Of a blade of black and decay, a woman in red waits to slay.
AND STILL THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!