They say that in your last moments your Life flashes before your eyes. A blur of motion, that light at the end of the tunnel. Lantis had been at death's gate plenty of times before. But this time he actually did see that light, It was like a sun. Piercing through the night, and seemed to illuminate Leroy and The crew despite no true light being present.
It was as though he were watching his life from a Theatre. He saw his Family home. The House Servant Fishman that his Father had purchased to give them new life and freedom. He saw his first Exploration in the bog lands of Caiman, the Tireless nights by Candle light in the Mansions Library. That day in the Market, when he was 26. Her hair long mixes of deep Blue and Red.
It was the first thing he saw. And then her face, Sharp, heart shaped face. She'd caught him staring. She blushed, He Blushed. And from that day on, they saw each other at that Market Every Day. Saw each other more and more. She had the same sense of wonder in her heart that He had. Showed him up on plenty of occasions. Even when they were in the Deserts of Arak, and he had to save her from the Giant Worms that burrowed under the Sand, Sacrificing his Leg just to get her out of there. They still smiled.
Of course, there was the bad. The Horrid Nights on Islands for Exploration, where they'd lost their supplies, The Wrecks of their Ships. The Strains in marriage and in life. The Passing of his Father, the Celestial Dragons enforcing a Tithe onto his Island. The Miscarage of his first Born. His Midlife realization and crisis if this was what he wanted his life to be. Amounting to a few books that no one would read. The Death of Priscilla, and the recent decades that went by in a blur of sedentary-ness. Relegating himself to Writing his books. And attending meetings with other notable Explorers and Naturalists.
And yet, Here he was, tonight. And yesterday. It was Exciting! The first true Excitement he'd had in years! His Heart raced, the Adrenaline! It was that same feeling he'd had all those years ago! While it wasn't his fault, if it hadn't been that light that Leroy had shown him the day before, even with his wish to be, an inability to be done, there was this feeling that if it hadn't been for that fateful meeting. He probably would've just sat there and took it. And for that ignition of passion, the will to fight, he couldn't thank Leroy enough.
'Lanty' A Voice Called back as his eyes looked around, as he fully returned to the Present. That voice-
'Lanty. I'm Here.' No. It couldn't Be could it? His eyes focused. And within that imaginary light. Standing next to Leroy, was the face of the woman he had vowed till death do they part. Priscilla.
"Priscilla?" Lantis spoke allowed. Confusing the Crew that surrounded him. He still couldn't hear what they were saying.
'I've Missed you…' She said, a soft smile. Her visage was strange. She seemed both at the Prime of her Youth, and the same woman he saw the last time she was Alive. "I-" He couldn't speak properly. But his mind spoke well 'I've missed you so much. I'm sorry that I-'
'It's okay…I'm here now. You understand, right?' She said, the visage walking through him and crouching down, cupping his face. 'Yes.'
'And where do you want to go now, my Explorer?' She said with those warm eye.
'I want to come home…' He said clearly in his mind. But to those around was a simple mutter.
Priscilla Leaned Forward, Cupping her lover's face and connecting her lips with his, Lantis speaking a Final Clear time, As he passed. "Thank you…"
Minutes passed. And The Crew Surrounded Lantis in his Last Moments within the Mortal Coil. Dezzi had made Sure that he wouldn't pass with any amount of pain or delirium. Surrounded by faces he didn't know, but knowing he could trust his belongings and legacy with.
Tears Rolled down the Faces of Kirk and Jeanne. Even Leroy could feel that his eyes were watering. Despite not knowing the man, having only heard the sheer excitement and romance of his life in the bar, it was a tragedy and a melancholic moment that he passed.
Close to half an Hour Later, Raven with the Help of her Hana Hana Fruit, Brought Lantis back to the Shore as gracefully as she could. They may not have known Lantis for long. The Flaws of His Family, himself. Or even the mistakes of his life. But, Leroy had seen that within him, even with those, was a good man with a big heart. Willing and wanting to understand parts of the world most would brush off or berate as meaningless.
On the Way back to the Shore. Leroy Questioned what they Should do with Lantis. He said that he shouldn't be Buried on the Island. Especially since it's where he was insulted and Died. And He said he didn't know if it was a good idea to bring him to the Sky Island either. If the Jet Stream Current was as Strong as he said, that had potential to cause Damage to his body. Even if Raven could hold him down.
It was Certainly a Delima. What would be better to send off a man such as this? A Burial at the Place he Spent his Life Traveling and Trying to Understand? Or the Place that he wished to reach…
"What if theres People up there? We're just gonna practically dump him in their Arms and Say 'Hey this is my Friend Can we Bury him here?'" Leroy Spoke.
"That certainly does hold true as a possibility." Raven Responded
"Well, maybe Theres something we Can Take to the Island?" Jeanne asked
Leroy was Quick to respond "Lantis Said He wanted me to have his Stuff. 'Carry on a Legacy' Because of how much I enjoy adventure. So I think we should keep his stuff. But anything that could be left as a Token of his should be put there?"
"Anything should work. Its the Message and Meaning the Holds the Most" Kále surprisingly interjected.
"Yeah. Kále's Right." Noir Added on "As long as It's something that signifies him reaching their. Anything. Even if it's not marked, it would've still made it there you know?"
"And it would be a shame if anything of his was put to waste either." Kirk Responded as he Held the Staff in hand. Sure part of his mind was in that thief mind set, but he was serious and spoke from the Heart. If they could use it, or Keep it they should.