There was no use in crying. Even if she wanted to, the tears wouldn’t fall anyways for she had taught herself how to fight them long ago. Dull brown eyes stared blankly into the gently-lapping waves of the plastic ocean for what seemed like the millionth time. Seeing the rippling reflection of her small self, standing alone on the tangerine metal platform, invited some heartache. Her lips formed a sad smile as she weakly laughed.
“I started alone and ended up alone…”
Ah, but of course, that wasn’t the whole truth, right? Far from it. Lifting her head up at the smoky grey sky, she reflected on everything that had happened to her up until now; from her days before the major incident, to the moment she entered the OFF realm, to all the people she had met both inside and outside the game, and all the battles she had faced.
How insane; to think that her past self used to be this quiet pitiful girl drowning in a sea of hopelessness. And now she had hardened into someone much better; someone who, despite her short size, could pack a punch and finally stand up for herself as well as others.
Yes, she had plenty of regrets.
Yes, she was never the best Puppeteer.
In fact, you could call her a failed Puppeteer; the Player who betrayed her Batter and everyone else. Never finished her game either, instead went off on her own to discover what was out there for her. And you know what? That was fine. She had long diverted from the path of the traditional observer and manipulator and that was okay. She didn’t need to live up to anyone’s so-called “expectations” ; she didn’t need to be labeled. She was much more than the Mark worn on her head.
She had struggled.
She had suffered.
She had loved.
She had laughed.
She had conquered.
She had survived.
She had L I V E D .
Choosing to live on in this corrupted, cruel world was something to be proud of. And she was even more proud of all the wonderful friends she had made along the way; those close to her who have supported her through thick and thin. Plus the people who she fell in love with and in return, showed her such tremendous warmth through their kind, caring actions. She would never forget any of them. She may not see her own Strings, but she could feel them right there. Her hand softly pressed over her heart.
“ Thank you …”
Thank you for everything.
If there was one thing that she wanted people to remember, it was that you should always have HOPE. Today may feel like it’s too much for you to take, that all the odds are stacked against you, that you don’t know if you can move on anymore. But have faith ; there will be brighter days. Don’t let anyone defeat you. You’re so much stronger than you think. And if you ever need someone to talk to or someone to listen to you, she’ll gladly lend you a helping hand.
“ If love is what you need, a Soldier I will be. “
And with that, Celeste took a deep breath and turned around to approach Mini and her Add-On Cisoria who have been waiting for her. Yet, in her vision, she was stepping towards a beautiful view…
Oh Daddy, are you proud? I’m a fighter like you now Don’t cry Mommy, it’s okay; I’m better off this way Brother, be a strong boy; promise me you’ll keep smiling The rainbow isn’t far, so I’ll continue climbing
Petite Puppeteer is OFFLINE _
