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Chapter 57: The Truth About Jim

The journey didn’t take long.  Heatsun’s base stood as a powerful symbol. Its once-hardened exterior had softened with time, now surrounded by lush greenery and glowing Solunar crystals.

Naomi followed closely behind, still captivated by the harmonious blend of Solar and Lunar energy. She could feel the base’s history through its very walls.

Inside, the halls were far from the war-driven structures Naomi had expected. Instead, murals of past battles and victories lined the walls — portraits of the warriors who once fought to save Soluna. Among them, she spotted an image of Jim, his green hair vibrant against a background of golden and silver light.

Naomi: "He’s… really seen so much."

Moonsalt nodded, her voice gentle.

Moonsalt: "Every step Jim took, he carried the hope of Soluna on his back. But that hope never belonged to just one side. He wanted something greater."

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. Naomi turned to see a familiar figure approaching — a tall with a scary face yet compassionate gaze.

It was Jeromy, now the Commander of Celestic Justice, bearing the weight of leadership after Edward’s passing. Despite his age, the strength in his presence hadn’t faded.

Jeromy: "I heard you had a visitor."

Naomi bowed her head respectfully.

Naomi: "Commander Jeromy. It’s an honor."

Jeromy gave a small smile, though his eyes were filled with memories.

Naomi introduced herself.

Jeromy: "So you are Edward's daughter. Your father would have been proud to see you here. Edward was one of the greatest men I ever fought beside."

Naomi’s chest tightened, but she held her composure.

Naomi: "Thank you. I hope to live up to his name."

Jeromy nodded, then shifted his gaze toward Heatsun and Moonsalt.

Jeromy: "I came to visit you guys. It's been a long while since the war that we met. Plus, after knowing the rulers of Soluna had already met the orb warriors relieved me. Atleast now, I know they are in good hands."

They began there conversation.

_ _ _

After a few minutes, Naomi hesitantly asked Jeromy if he knew anything about Jim.

Jeromy nodded and started describing about him.

Naomi listened intently as Jeromy continued.

Jeromy: "Jim wasn’t just a warrior. He was a dreamer — one with an impossible dream. While most fought to end Dark Void’s reign, Jim wanted more. He wanted a future where no one had to suffer for who they were. A future where Solar, Lunar, and even those beyond Soluna could stand together."

Jeromy’s voice grew firm, his admiration evident.

Jeromy: "That dream is what led him to his greatest transformation — his Unity Form."

Naomi’s breath caught.

Naomi: "Unity Form?"

Heatsun stepped forward, his expression proud.

Heatsun: "When Jim fought against Goblin, he reached a state beyond the ordinary. In his darkest moment, when Goblin’s hatred threatened to consume everything, Jim's belief in unity unlocked his true power."

Moonsalt: "He embraced both his Solar and Lunar sides completely, no longer seeing them as separate. Instead, he saw them as one. That belief made him stronger than ever before."

Naomi’s mind raced, picturing the intensity of that battle. Jim's unwavering resolve, despite all odds, stirred something within her.

Jeromy: "But even now, Jim refuses to see what he achieved. He believes he’s merely a tool of Soluna — a protector, nothing more. His heart remains closed to the happiness he deserves."

The weight of those words settled heavily on Naomi’s chest.

Naomi: "And yet… he still chooses to fight for others."

Jeromy nodded.

Jeromy: "That’s who Jim is. But it doesn’t mean he should walk that path alone."

Naomi lowered her gaze, conflicted once again. She thought back to the moments she shared with Jim — his awkwardness, his suppressed emotions, and the faint glimpses of longing he never spoke about.

She couldn’t deny it. She wanted to be someone who stood by his side. But was she truly worthy of that?

Heatsun, sensing her turmoil, spoke once more.

Heatsun: "The question isn’t whether you deserve him, Naomi. It’s whether you’re willing to understand him. To stand with him, not as a warrior, but as a friend… and perhaps, one day, something more."

Naomi’s eyes gleamed with determination. She still wasn’t sure what the future held, but one thing was certain — she wasn’t going to turn away from Jim.

Not now. Not ever.

After an hour...
Naomi sat on a small, cushioned chair in the base, the room dimly lit by the glow of Solunar crystals. Despite the comfortable setting, she couldn’t shake the heaviness in her chest. She had agreed to stay the night at their request, but sleep had never come.

Heatsun and Moonsalt, noticing her distant gaze, exchanged a concerned glance. Eventually, Moonsalt’s gentle voice broke the silence.

Moonsalt: "Naomi, we can tell something’s weighing on your heart. Please, speak freely."

Naomi hesitated, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of the chair. Part of her wanted to stay silent, to keep her emotions locked away. But the warmth in their eyes made her feel safe — like they truly wanted to understand her.

After a moment of battling her thoughts, Naomi sighed and spoke softly.

Naomi: "When I was a child… I remember hearing my father talk about a child prodigy who joined Celestic Justice. He never told me much, just that this boy had immense potential and an unstoppable spirit."

Her words were steady, but the emotions behind them were clear.

Naomi: "My father — Edward — believed in him. He saw something special. So much so that he personally took him under his wing. He trained him, guided him. Every time the boy’s ranks went up, my father would proudly tell me about it. And I was always… happy. Proud of someone I had never even met."

She bit her lip, the weight of her memories washing over her.

Naomi: "I wanted to meet him. Just once. I wanted to see the boy who made my father smile like that. I didn’t know why, but I felt connected to him — like I was rooting for him from afar."

Her voice cracked slightly as the vulnerability poured out.

Naomi: "And now I know that boy was Jim. But knowing how much he’s been through — how much he’s suffered — it hurts. I never wanted to believe he was taking so much burden alone. I just… I just want him to be happy."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away, trying to regain her composure. Heatsun and Moonsalt listened in silence, the sadness in their expressions mirroring her own.

Heatsun: "Naomi… I understand why you feel this way."

Moonsalt nodded, her gaze faraway as memories resurfaced.

Moonsalt: "The time Jim was in Celestic Justice… we believed he was dead."

Naomi’s eyes widened.

Naomi: "You thought he was…?"

Heatsun clenched his fists, the pain from those years still evident.

Heatsun: "Seventeen years ago, we thought we had lost our son forever. But even then, I couldn’t abandon my duty. I had a responsibility to prepare for Dark Void’s inevitable return."

He took a deep breath, steadying himself.

Heatsun: "When I found out about Dark Void's capture of 2 children, I knew they were up to no good. So,I tried to save them both but I was only able to save Tim with the help of Henry and Marie. They were brave — risking their lives to ensure Tim’s survival. But we failed to rescue Rei. Dark Void’s forces overwhelmed us, and we were forced to retreat. The guilt of that failure never left me. Later on I learnt that Tim was having the aura resembling the Ancient Solar Prince, one of the creators of Soluna.So,I trained him as the protector of Soluna."

Moonsalt lowered her head, her voice trembling.

Moonsalt: "And I… I was manipulated. After believing Jim was dead and knowing Soluna had tried to execute him, my hatred consumed me. Dark Void twisted that pain, convincing me that Soluna was to blame."

She clenched her hands tightly.

Moonsalt: "He made me his commander. And I accepted it — believing it was the only path left for me. My grief turned into vengeance. But what I didn’t realize was that Dark Void had another purpose for me. He was using everyone as his pawn."

Naomi’s heart pounded, her mind racing.

Naomi: "What did he do?"

Moonsalt’s voice dropped to a whisper.

Moonsalt: "He made me train Rei. He molded her into a weapon. I taught her how to fight, how to harness her power for destruction. Every step she took down that dark path… I was responsible."

Naomi’s hands shook slightly, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of their past. But before the despair could settle further, Heatsun spoke firmly.

Heatsun: "But that’s not where our story ended. Despite all the pain, we found a way to rise above it. Jim, Tim, and Rei all proved that the past doesn’t define the future."

Moonsalt nodded, the pride in her gaze replacing the sorrow.

Moonsalt: "And now, we see that strength in you too, Naomi. You care deeply — not just because you admired Jim from afar, but because you truly want what’s best for him."

Naomi lowered her head, their words lingering in her mind. She didn’t know what the future held.

As Naomi sat with Heatsun and Moonsalt, the conversation drifted into memories — memories of Edward. His name brought a sense of warmth and admiration, but also a tinge of sadness.

Heatsun leaned back slightly, a nostalgic smile crossing his face.

Heatsun: "You know, Edward once spoke to us about you. It was almost two years ago, after he and Jim had returned from another mission."

Naomi’s eyes widened in surprise.

Naomi: "He did?"

Moonsalt nodded, her expression softening.

Moonsalt: "Yes. That time, we asked Edward to stay a little longer. He agreed, and during one of our conversations, he brought you up. He said he wanted to introduce you to Jim someday."

Naomi's cheeks flushed.

Naomi: "He… really wanted us to meet?"

Heatsun chuckled lightly.

Heatsun: "He did. He thought it would be interesting. He said Jim could learn a lot from you."

Naomi’s heart skipped a beat. The thought of Edward wanting them to meet, even back then, felt surreal.

Naomi: "But… why didn’t it happen?"

Moonsalt: "Edward said you didn’t want to meet Jim at the time. He said you believed Jim was always busy with missions, and you didn’t want to waste his time."

Naomi lowered her head, the words stinging with truth.

Naomi: "That sounds like me. I always thought someone like Jim — a hero, a warrior — wouldn’t have time for someone like me. I thought I’d just get in the way."

Heatsun shook his head, his expression kind.

Heatsun: "Edward never saw it that way. He admired both of you. He told us how you were a brilliant scientist, creating new technologies to make life easier for others. He was proud of you, Naomi."

Naomi swallowed hard, her heart swelling at the thought of her father’s pride.

Moonsalt: "And… he joked about something too."

Naomi blinked, confused.

Naomi: "Joked?"

Heatsun grinned.

Heatsun: "He said you would be a perfect match for Jim."

Naomi’s face turned crimson.

Naomi: "W-What?!"

Moonsalt: "He meant it lightheartedly, of course. He said with your technological skills, you’d make Jim’s life a whole lot easier."

Naomi covered her face in embarrassment.

Naomi: "Oh, stars…"

But Heatsun’s smile softened, his next words carrying a deeper meaning.

Heatsun: "Although, there was a bit of seriousness in his tone. Edward wasn’t just joking. He truly believed that if something like that ever happened, it wouldn’t matter. He said Jim could keep you happy."

Naomi froze, her hands slowly falling from her face.

Naomi: "He… really said that?"

Moonsalt: "He did. Your father had a way of seeing what others couldn’t. And he saw something in both of you — strength, kindness, and the capacity to understand each other."

Naomi’s thoughts swirled. She had never once considered the possibility that her father had envisioned something like that. But now, as the memories and emotions settled within her, a part of her couldn’t deny how much she truly cared about Jim.

Still, she shook her head.

Naomi: "But Jim doesn’t want that. He believes his life is meant to serve Soluna. He’s convinced himself he’s just a tool for this planet."

Heatsun’s gaze grew stern.

Heatsun: "And that’s why people like you are important, Naomi. People who care enough to show him he’s more than that. You may not believe it, but you’ve already made a difference in his life."

Moonsalt reached out, gently placing her hand on Naomi’s.

Moonsalt: "You don’t have to decide anything right now. But think about what Edward saw. And think about what you truly want."

Naomi nodded slowly, her heart conflicted but touched. She couldn’t ignore the feelings that had been growing within her. And though she still believed Jim deserved happiness — even if it wasn’t with her — a small spark of hope had ignited within her.

The thought of her father’s words lingered.

"He believed Jim could keep me happy…"