Blue was dreaming.
He stood in a vast field of sunflowers that stretched endlessly in every direction. Their yellow faces turned toward a bright blue sky, where birds flew freely in wide circles. The air was warm. Calm. Peaceful.
Beside him sat Windslo.
The metallic robot rested quietly in the grass, his steel body reflecting the sunlight, his presence gentle instead of cold. For once, there was no war, no blood, no fear , just silence and wind moving through flowers.
Windslo spoke softly.
"What's wrong, Blue?"
Blue's face tightened. His eyes lowered.
"A friend of mine died…"
He paused.
"He was… a nice person."
Windslo looked up at the sky, watching the birds. The wind moved through the field.
"Let me tell you a story from before the Great Catalyst," he said.
"There once lived a woman. Her eyes were always filled with joy and love. She cared for all life as if it were her own , the small insects beneath your feet, the land animals, even the sea monsters."
He paused.
Blue looked at him.
"What happened to her?"
Windslo's voice became quieter.
"The world wasn't so forgiving. It changed her. It made her stop seeing the good in others."
Blue swallowed.
"Is she still alive?"
Windslo shook his head slowly.
"No… she died a long time ago."
They sat in silence.
Then Windslo turned to Blue.
"Son… the world is cruel and dangerous. But never lose what you've learned. Use it to show the world that good still exists."
Though Windslo was a machine, Blue imagined him smiling.
"No matter what happens," Windslo said,
"I will always be proud to call you my son."
Blue smiled.
He woke up.
He was lying on a bed inside the ship.
The world was quiet.
Slowly, he stood up and walked outside onto the deck. The night sky was open above him, the moon glowing softly over the ocean.
The waves moved gently, reflecting silver light.
Blue looked up at the moon and smiled.
"I'll make you proud, Dad," he whispered.
"I'll be good."
The wind passed over the ship.
And for the first time in a long time
Blue felt at peace.
Chapter End.