After their eventful adventure, Sakolomé decides to escort Sally home. The night has long fallen, and they soar through the air after 8 p.m. The starry sky provides a breathtaking view.
Sally: Sakolomé!
Her voice gently echoes in the calm of the night.
Sakolomé: Yes, Sally?
Sally: I'm starting to get tired of flying. We're already over the city, and my house isn't far. I'd like to continue on foot.
Slightly puzzled, Sakolomé hesitates before answering:
Sakolomé: Hmm… very well, as you wish.
They descend slowly and land on the cobblestone pavement of a deserted alley.
Sally: Don't you think it's better this way?
Sakolomé, amused by her insistence: Oh really? Yet in the air, we'd have reached your place faster… And you don't seem that tired all of a sudden.
Sally gives him a pointed look and replies insistently:
Sally: I told you I'm tired!
With a slight sigh, Sakolomé agrees without further discussion.
Sakolomé: Alright, let's walk then.
They proceed side by side down the dark and silent alley. The atmosphere is strange, almost surreal.
Sally, observing their surroundings: Is this street always this empty at this hour?
Sakolomé, glancing around: Seems like it… But I can understand why.
Curious, Sally asks:
Sally: Why?
Sakolomé, thoughtful: People must find this place eerie… There's something unsettling about it.
Silence falls for a moment, but Sally looks up at the starry sky and smiles softly.
Sally: Look at that sky… It's beautiful.
Sakolomé also lifts his gaze to the vast heavens and admires the bright stars illuminating the night.
After a moment of contemplation, Sally unexpectedly breaks the silence:
Sally: Sakolomé… your family is a treasure. Do you know that?
Surprised by her words, he turns his head toward her:
Sakolomé: Huh? What do you mean?
With touching sincerity, Sally continues:
Sally: I wonder how people can hate you so much… Your father is so responsible, your mother so caring… Bakuran is funny despite his slightly perverse side… Your brother Bakuzan is impressive… And Salomé is adorable and so funny! She reminds me a lot of you, actually.
An amused smile appears on Sakolomé's face. But he remains intrigued by Sally's sudden admiration.
Sakolomé, curious: What's gotten into you all of a sudden?
She sighs before responding gravely:
Sally: I just find it unfair that people put so much energy into hating you… You live far from the city because of it… It's so cruel and unjust!
Moved by her words, Sakolomé replies compassionately:
Sakolomé: The tyrant Killer Man left deep scars in their hearts… They're afraid the same scenario might happen again.
The name mentioned seems to spark curiosity in Sally. She softly repeats:
Sally: Killer Man…
Nodding gravely, Sakolomé elaborates further:
Sakolomé, thoughtful: He was terrifying… His cruelty knew no bounds. He destroyed so many lives… And his reputation still haunts us today.
A sad smile appears on Sally's face before she unexpectedly lightens the mood with a bold comment:
Sally, mischievously: You could say he really ruined your life... But your mother... Honestly, I'm super jealous!
Laughing slightly at her audacious remark, Sakolomé responds playfully:
Sakolomé, amused: Haha! Alright, we get it!
The atmosphere becomes lighter thanks to Sally's knack for easing tension. Taking advantage of the relaxed moment, Sakolomé dares to ask a question that has been lingering in his mind:
Sakolomé, hesitant: Sally… Why did you choose to be my friend despite my reputation and my family's? I mean… You could've avoided me like many others do.
Clearly annoyed by what she considers an unnecessary question:
Sally, sharply: Don't you have even stupider questions to ask?!
Offended but understanding her reaction:
Sakolomé, apologetic: I'm sorry… It's just that I'm surprised someone like you would take an interest in me.
Softening her tone upon seeing his discomfort:
Sally, compassionate: Sakolomé... No matter my status or origins... I'm human above all else. I've been through things in my past that made me look beyond appearances.
Intrigued by her mysterious words:
Sakolomé, insistent: What are you referring to?
She averts her gaze slightly before answering:
Sally, enigmatic: I can't tell you more for now... But know this... You mean a lot to me.
She slowly approaches him and tries to kiss him. But Sakolomé places his hands on her shoulders to stop her gesture.
Surprised and hurt by his refusal:
Sally, troubled: Why?...
Gently but firmly:
Sakolomé, sincere: I'm sorry Sally... But I already love someone else.
Her eyes glisten with contained emotion:
Sally, shocked: Someone? Who?
With an emotional voice:
Sakolomé: Her name is Melinda...
The name seems to resonate strangely in Sally's mind as she murmurs:
Sally: Melinda?
Nodding seriously:
Sakolomé: Yes, Melinda.
Sally, wide-eyed: And where is Melinda?
Sakolomé, lost in memories: Truthfully, I don't know. She disappeared when I was 12. I have no idea what happened to her, but I always have this feeling she's alive somewhere. I'll do everything to find her.
A silence settles as Sally processes this revelation. She seems calmer but an air of sadness crosses her face.
Sally: I see... So you've made your choice, and I respect that. But what was she like, this Melinda?
Looking at the starry sky with a nostalgic smile:
Sakolomé: Honestly Sally, you remind me a lot of her!
A faint glimmer of hope shines in Sally's eyes as she listens intently.
Sakolomé continues with a smile tinged with melancholy:
Sakolomé: The only differences are that Melinda couldn't fly or use magic or fight like you. But otherwise… When I'm with you, I feel the same peace as when I was with her.
Deeply touched by his words yet melancholic herself,
Sally, moved: It's beautiful what you say…
Sakolomé then pulls out a small, worn-out teddy bear from his pocket.
Sakolomé: The only thing I have left of her, apart from memories, is this.
Sally's eyes widen as she sees the teddy bear. A tear rolls down her cheek as she realizes the significance of the object to him.
Sakolomé, concerned: Sally, you're crying?
She quickly wipes away her tears and tries to smile.
Sally: Don't worry about me... It's just a bit hard to learn that you love someone else.
She takes a deep breath before continuing:
Sally: There's something important I need to tell you... Actually...
She stops suddenly, blushing under the weight of her emotions.
Sakolomé, curious: What is it?
After a moment of hesitation, she finally says:
Sally: No, it's not important.
Then, opening her arms with a timid smile:
Sally: Give me a hug, please! I need it!
Without hesitation, Sakolomé approaches and gently hugs her. In this intimate moment, Sally whispers in his ear:
Sally: Be strong, Sakolomé. I hope one day you can find this Melinda you love so much and be happy with her.
Sally's words resonate within him like a gentle melody but also as a harsh reminder of reality.
Finally, she steps back slightly and says in a more serious tone:
Sally: I think you can stop here. I don't want to see you for now... I need to be alone for a bit.
Surprised by her sudden request and change in mood,
Sakolomé, concerned: What are you talking about, Sally?
He observes her face, marked by sadness. Tears still stream down her cheeks, but she manages a grateful smile despite everything.
With a trembling voice,
Sakolomé says: I'm really sorry...
She gently shakes her head:
Sally: It's okay... But I have one last question before we part ways to go home. Imagine that you never see her again and something really happened to her?
His heart heavy with the thought,
Sakolomé, thoughtful: I don't know how to take it... I've always had this conviction that she's alive somewhere in this world and that she's also searching for me.
Insistent,
Sally: Again... imagine that you're right; she's looking for you but can't tell you because a terrible curse will take her away from you forever... She decides it's better to keep her distance from you...
Not fully understanding the depth of her words,
Sakolomé, perplexed: What?
With newfound intensity,
Sally, serious: What would you do in such a case?
Reflecting deeply on her question,
Sakolomé, determined: If she were in such a situation... I'd want her to tell me so I could do everything in my power to save her; absolutely everything!
A soft smile appears on Sally's face:
Sally: You're brave, and it's touching.
She moves closer and gives him a kiss on the cheek before slowly backing away:
Sally, with a hint of melancholy: You make me want to kiss you... But alas... there's this Melinda who possesses you and keeps me from having you for myself...
Turning to leave,
Sally, with tenderness in her voice: See you later, Sakolomé! Especially, go home safely and try to find that Melinda as you can!
Then she flies off into the starry sky, disappearing gradually from his sight.
With a melancholic smile on his lips,
Sakolomé, thoughtful: She's so fast...
He turns around and takes flight toward home, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions.
Questions assail him relentlessly:
(And what if Melinda had really disappeared forever? And what if I lost Sally, who could have been the woman of my life? No… What am I saying? I shouldn't say just anything... but still...)
Sakolomé's face becomes grave as he continues his flight into the cold, starry night, seeking answers deep within himself.