A few minutes later, breakfast was ready, and now everyone was gathered together again. The atmosphere was quiet, but there was no aura of sadness like last night.
No one spoke during the breakfast, and the silent atmosphere continued until breakfast was over. Actually, it was ti for them to part, but as if waiting for sothing, none of them moved from their places, but everyone's eyes were on Marzuki as if waiting for him to say sothing.
Seeing the expectations in their eyes, Marzuki then stood up with a glass of drink in his hand.
There was sadness visible on his face, and his throat felt uncomfortable, but Marzuki still tried to express his feelings because if not now, they would not have another chance; Marzuki then cleared his throat and said.
"... *Ukhum* All this ti... I still don't know what you all see in that you are willing to follow this far, on a journey of my selfish desires... I will not say thank you because what I feel cannot be expressed with just the word Thank you..."
Marzuki paused for a mont to observe the faces of everyone here, and unexpectedly, Bjorn, who had a large body and a fierce face, was the most sensitive with how he tried to hold back his tears from falling; seeing this, Marzuki just smiled slightly and continued.
"... But like other stories that have an ending, our story will definitely have an end, and the story of our journey together has t its end here, Every eting must have a parting, and parting will create a new eting... After this, it will be a sign for each of you to start your new story, create a new story, embrace new people, and create new opportunities... For all of you, I hope you all can achieve your dreams. Each, raise your drinks because this will be the last ti with all of us here... CHEERS!"
After Marzuki finished saying that, everyone there raised their glasses; even Aksara, who only had juice in his glass, also raised his glass high.
"CHEERS!!"
--------
After the short and simple farewell event was over, it was ti for the real farewell.
After saying goodbye to Marzuki, the younger mbers imdiately hugged Marzuki while crying; so only said a few words and left imdiately, as if they could not bear to be there for a long ti, which might break their determination to leave; that's how much they love their group.
As ti went by, of the crew that had left, only Bjorn and Ulf remained.
Ulf, who still looked relaxed, and Bjorn, who could no longer hold back his tears, were the two who had been with Marzuki the longest. When they were still in the tribe, Marzuki was the one who trained them and beca a father figure to them, as well as the most valuable friend in their lives.
"... *Sigh* why are you crying like that, Bjorn? Stop that, it doesn't suit your age"
Ulf scolded, seeing Bjorn who kept crying.
"... Leave him alone, Ulf, that's just how he is... Even though he's grown this big, in my eyes, he's still the sa as when I first t him, just a whiny little brat; forget that; are you two planning to be together after this?"
"... Yes, but Capt, why does it sound weird when you say it like that?"
"... It's just your feeling, but it would be good if you two would continue to be together, that would calm down a bit"
"That's how it is, he can't be left alone, who knows what will happen if he goes wandering alone, so I'll take him with , at least, his power is a real thing"
Ulf said, looking at Ulf, who still couldn't hold back his tears, so he couldn't say anything; no matter what, after this, they would be separated after decades of being together.
Seeing this, Ulf and Marzuki could only shake their heads while giggling a little, then Marzuki asked again.
"... Do you have a destination in mind where you are going?"
"Not yet... I'll just go where my nose slls money, that's the plan, as for a definite destination, it doesn't look like it'll be for the near future"
"Sounds pretty much like a plan to ...
Marzuki said, then fell silent for a while while watching Ulf trying to calm Bjorn down. Then added.
... Alright, I think it's ti, if we keep staying here, I don't think Bjorn will ever stop crying"
Hearing that, Ulf looked at Bjorn and then nodded as he said.
"You right, Capt, we will go now... Bjorn, c'mon, stop crying; rember your age; don't you feel any sha for crying like that in front of Aksa?"
"... B-But"
"No, But! Stop now!"
"Alright *Sob* "
Seeing the exchange between Ulf and Bjorn, Marzuki could only shake his head without saying anything.
After a few seconds passed, Bjorn finally stopped crying. Which made Ulf finally breathe a sigh of relief; they had to cross the ocean again to arrive at the mainland; only then did their real journey begin, but because of Bjorn, their journey might have been delayed a little, that's why when Bjorn finally stopped crying, Ulf felt relieved.
Ulf then looked at Marzuki, wanting to offer a handshake, but seeing Marzuki open both his hands wide, Ulf felt a little awkward.
"... C'mon, Capt, I'm not a little boy anymore"
"For , you guys are always a little boy, a proud disciple of mine and my best friends, c'mon don't be embarrassed, this is for the last ti"
"... It is, but stil-"
*Swosh*
Before Ulf could finish his sentence, sothing big and fast passed him, before he realized it, Bjorn was already in front of him, embracing Marzuki in his big embrace.
"... What the... "
"Thank You, Capt; I Will Always Rember What You Did All This Ti In My Life To As An Orphan. You Were A Father Figure To ; Thank You, And I Hope You Will Succeed In Achieving Your Dreams!"
"Yeah~ Yeah~ You too, I hope you will beco a great farr soday"
Marzuki said while patting Bjorn's back, then looking at Ulf, as if inviting him to join him and Bjorn.
Seeing that, Ulf could only sigh lightly, but then, with a faint smile, he also joined Bjorn in hugging Marzuki.
That was it; three adult n shared a hug like a pair of lovers who were about to part so that Taufik, for so reason, unconsciously closed Aksara's eyes.
"... Thank you for everything, Capt, please rember us when you return ho... It's a sha that we haven't been able to be your ho, even though we've spent a long ti together, Thank you for everything... Father"
Ulf's last words, spoken softly in Marzuki's ear before releasing his embrace, made Marzuki a little shocked because he didn't expect those words to co out of Ulf's mouth, who usually liked to hide his feelings.
Marzuki wanted to say sothing, but Ulf had already walked away while dragging Bjorn along. It seed like he also didn't expect those words to co out of his mouth, and in the end, Marzuki could only watch his two students leave with a smile on his face.
After that, Marzuki then looked at his son, Taufik, and said.
"... Alright, I'm ready to go"
After that, Taufik, stored the ship used by Marzuki and his crew in the inventory, because for so reason, none of the crew wanted to use the ship.
Taufik then imdiately opened a portal that led directly to Saranjana.
--------
Under the large tree in the middle of the Saranjana Royal Palace, which the Saranjana people call the Tree of Life, a portal opens.
The first person to co out of the Portal was Taufik, followed by Aksara.
"HO!! HOREYY!!!"
Aksara said in a loud voice, jumping up and down while raising his hands happily.
"C'mon Aksa, let's go greet your M-"
*Swoosh!*
"Huh?"
"MY SON, I MISS YOU SO MUCH! WHY YOU... YOU MUST HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT OF DIFFICULTY... Are you okay? Are you hurt? Are you eating well? Is your daddy not treating you well? Ohh~ My little baby, let Mama hug you"
Said Gaia, who appeared suddenly and imdiately hugged Aksara tightly.
"Ughh! Mom, too tight, too tight!"
Said Aksara, whose words actually shocked Gaia; she then released her hug from Aksara, with her hands on Aksara's shoulders; Gaia, with a surprised expression, said in a stuttering tone.
"... M-Mom? Aksa, a-are you okay? What about 'Mama'? You used to call that, why 'Mom' so suddenly? Did sothing happen?"
"No, I just decided to change starting today, that's all"
"W-What? Why so sudden?"
Gaia asked with a stunned expression clearly visible on her face. anwhile, Taufik could only pretend not to hear and see what was happening in front of him.
"Mom, please stop, You embarrassed in front of Grandpa"
"Grandpa? Who"
Gaia asked, looking left and right, then her eyes fell on a man standing next to Taufik, a man who bore a slight resemblance to her husband.
"Hello"
Marzuki greeted, while waving his hand towards Gaia, while Gaia could only stare blankly for a mont.
....
...
..
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# A/N - "N-NEXT!!"
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