At seventeen, Kaya lost her parents in an accident. Over the past year since the tragedy, her health had declined steadily. Worsening each day. She sensed her time growing shorter as she remained bedridden for longer periods.
One consolation she clung to was the hope of reuniting with her parents soon.
"I will leave your medicine here on the table. Please take it soon."
Kaya turned her head to face Klahadore. "I know..."
He gave a brief nod and departed through her bedroom's double doors. She returned a faint smile in his parting direction before closing her eyes.
Alone again, she reflected on her small world. What would she do without Klahadore? He had become even more invaluable since Merry's tragic fall down the stairs earlier that year. The loss had devastated her, but Klahadore's care and dedication had intensified in response. His efforts went far beyond what his position required.
Save for him, her life had grown empty: no friends to visit and cheer her up; no visitors from the village to check on her well-being; no one else to offer support or company.
A life like water forgotten in a bucket, passing through its stages: still, stagnant, turning rotten.
But in the silence that filled her days, Kaya had learned to find comfort in simple joys. Small moments became precious when so little remained within her reach.
One such joy was having her window open, appreciating the fresh air against her skin and the sound of birdsong; the sound of life flourishing in the world. She wasn't destined for such vitality, but for its absence.
Yet among all these simple pleasures, evening birdsong had been her favorite, for it sang of the day's departure.
Tonight, however, as she lay there, she noticed the unusual quietness and couldn't help but open her eyes and glance toward the window beside her bed.
Past the parted purple curtains sat a robed figure on a branch of the large tree several meters from her mansion's front. The thick branch extended parallel to her window, and below it, the being's legs swayed gently.
Kaya stared. Black robes graced its form, heavy and solid across the chest before fading to tendrils of mist at the edges, like vapor dissolving into the dusk. She felt no fear as she studied it. Perhaps this was the reunion she'd been hoping for, not just with her parents, but with the repose that had eluded her since their accident.
Something deep within her stirred. It was a recognition that came before conscious thought could form. She had known this moment would arrive: the finale of life. And now that it had, calmness settled over her weary heart.
"Here for me, are you? I'm ready... but may I first speak my last words before we depart?"
The being tilted its head.
Kaya found the reaction peculiar but pressed on. "Did you know I once aspired to become a doctor? Silly of me, wasn't it?" She gave a hollow laugh. "It's clear someone like me is better suited for this ending. You surely agree, don't you?"
Seeing the figure extend its right hand toward her with palm upturned, she took its response as an agreement.
"I am afraid I cannot reach your hand... your hand?" Kaya's eyes widened as realization dawned. Heat crept up her neck, and her own hands flew up to cover her cheeks as they flushed scarlet; a color rarely seen on her pallid skin. "A-Are you not Death?!"
"No."
Kaya's mind reeled upon hearing his deep voice. How could she have made such a blunder? After all, she would never mistreat a visitor, no matter how odd their arrival or attire.
In the past she might've told him to leave or threatened to call for someone. But now she rather enjoyed the company of someone new. His not being Death didn't change the fact that her time was running short.
"Oh my! How rude of me to treat my first guest as such. I mistook you for Death and was absolutely delighted by the prospect. Such a shame you turned out to be merely human instead."
After her comment, the man pulled back his arm. Something in his posture shifted, and when he spoke, his questions hit her like cold water.
She didn't have answers for them. That wasn't right. She had the answers. It was just that she didn't want to ponder them. To feel that kind of emotion, that burning candle of aspiration she secretly wished in her heart of hearts would never extinguish.
"If you recovered completely, would you still like to become a doctor? If presented with the opportunity, would you like to travel across the world, helping those in need?"
☠ ☠ ☠
Zora was currently wandering through one of the forests that dotted the Gecko Islands, unsure of where to go.
Who was to blame for her getting lost?
Dracule 'Hawk Eyes' Mihawk.
If she hadn't been so focused on the bounty-poster shaped tattoo on her right palm, there was zero chance she would've ended up lost.
How could she have known that the Strongest Swordsman in the World also held the title of the Strongest Pervert in the World? Where was his honor?
These questions occupied her thoughts as she navigated the dense foliage. With the sun setting, she realized she might have to sleep out here in the woods. She'd slept in much worse conditions before, so it was hardly an issue.
Aside from questioning Mihawk's lack of honor, there was also his demeanor and the way he concealed his identity by dressing as the grim reaper. Ridiculous. As if such a being existed and would ever appear in front of someone. What a load of crap.
Zora rubbed at the tattoo with her left thumb, but it remained stubbornly in place.
Should she cut it out with one of her blades? The thought came and went as she stopped rubbing.
Then again, she'd learned everything she needed to know about the Sacred Covenant, the Fate Parchment, and how Sacred Haki worked. All of it. And she understood that participation wasn't required; the choice was entirely hers.
Why struggle to remove something that held no actual power over her? The tattoo wasn't terrible, and it suited her well enough. Better to treat it as nothing more than a mark and avoid any further involvement in the entire ordeal.
With that settled, Zora continued her trek and eventually spotted the forest's edge. Beyond it, she was certain, lay Syrup Village.