Sunny remained silent for a long while, looking at her with a subdued expression. Then, inhaling deeply, he asked:
"So, no regrets?"
Jet chuckled.
“Life is too short for regret. Plus, look at me..."
She smiled faintly.
"Wielding fearsome power, ruling a gorgeous city, enjoying the respect and adoration of many people, and living in a fancy palace with a private garden.
Who would have thought that a dull, timid girl from the outskirts whom no one cared about would end up that way? For a dead woman, I did pretty well for myself. Don't you think?"
Sunny smiled.
"Yes... pretty well, I'd say."
He lingered for a bit, the smile slowly draining from his face.
“So, let me ask you a question."
Jet gave him a curious look.
“Sure, go ahead."
Sunny considered his words for a while.
He wanted to ask Jet the same thing he had asked Effie and Kai — whether she would discard personal freedom in pursuit of something that demanded complete submission, whether she would surrender herself completely to something that left her no choice but utter devotion...
But now, he realized that there was no point in answering.
Because Jet had already answered.
Her answer remained the same as it had been all those years ago, remaining as firm as her quiet, unassuming determination.
Sunny sighed.
"Well... that place where you are heading to. What does it look like?"
Jet laughed.
“Oh, that old thing?"
She paused for a few moments.
“Why, it's a world where people can live in peace and prosperity. A world where everyone is afforded the dignity they deserve and doesn't have to suffer bloodshed and strife. A gentle world... a place where kindness trumps cruelty.”
Saying that, Jet looked away and smiled wistfully.
"Funnily enough, it is also a place where someone like me can never exist. Isn't that ironic? There is no space for me in the world I am building. So, in a way, that makes me the architect of my own destruction.”
Sunny remained silent, not knowing how to answer.
Perhaps there was no need to answer, to begin with.
They stayed quiet side by side as the Night Garden sailed across the waves, drawing closer and closer to the mysterious places the path to which was written in the stars. Where untold horrors and terrifying creatures were waiting for them, ready to tear them apart.
The stars shone softly, illuminating their thorny path.