Meant To Be

Chapter Twenty

No Significant Harassment was doing a checkup on Hunter in his lab, though they were talking more than actually being productive. "So, this is the last cycle before you'll be free to go. Are you gonna go live with your girlfriend~?" Even though Hunter and Artificer were now officially dating, it would always make her flustered when her father randomly teased her. "I was hoping to, yeah. Would that be okay?" No Significant Harassment laughed at that, finding the idea that he had any say in the matter hilarious. "Hunter, you're like twenty one now. I'll be sad if you never come to visit, but ultimately it's up to you!" The iterator was being understanding, but she could tell that he was lonely now that all of the ancients were gone and the only other beings he had to communicate with were the other iterators. "Of course I'll come visit you, dad! It might only be for holidays and stuff though since it's such a long way." No Significant Harassment looked confused at that, inclining his head. "What do you mean? Did you not take the underground passage I had the ancients construct? It only takes a bit more than a cycle to get through and the rain can't get in!" Hunter sat there and looked at him with the kind of "seriously" look that you give someone when you took the harder option, not knowing there was an easier one. "What, you think I'd send you out into that wasteland?! I knew this would be a tough mission, but it wasn't meant to be impossible! How in the world did you manage to get through the underground?" Hunter glared at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. "You're telling me there was an easy way this whole time?!"

"I still can't believe there was an easy way," Hunter had been annoyed for hours now and didn't seem like she was going to cheer up anytime soon. However, Artificer found it hilarious and was unable to stop laughing at their stupidity of failing to notice the tunnel by that first karma gate. "Well, we can take the shortcut on our way back. Say, do you want to go back next cycle or wait a bit longer?" Hunter thought for a moment, looking over her shoulder at No Significant Harassment as he gave her a double thumbs up. "You should go! I've heard lots of good things about Five Pebble's city, so you'll probably love it there. It's a lot fancier than my old city!" She smiled at him and turned back to Artificer, now knowing what her decision was. "So, we're leaving as soon as the sun rises?"

Hunter grabbed her backpack, checking to make sure she had everything packed. While she had essentials such as her rot medication and blankets for if they had to sleep in the tunnel overnight, she had also packed some other things. When she had set out for Looks to the Moon, packing personal objects wasn't an option. All she had brought were a few spears and some food. However, she could now bring some of her favourite items from her childhood with her. There was the mask of the first vulture she had ever killed as well as an old drawing she and Spearmaster had made together as slugpups. It made Hunter happy to know that she would have all of her most valued keepsakes with her as she and Artificer set up their new life together. Just the idea of moving in together caused Hunter's heart to skip a beat.

"I can't believe we're really doing this!" she thought aloud and to which Artificer replied with a kind smile. "Neither can I, but I'm so glad we are. I can't wait to show you around the metropolis! It's a really nice place when there aren't scavengers around." They shared a kiss as No Significant Harassment arrived to see them off, his eyes brimming with tears of joy. Hunter hugged him as they said their goodbyes and promised to keep in contact. "I'm so proud of you, Hunter. You go and be happy with Artificer. I'm rooting for you. Just promise you'll call often, okay?" "Don't worry dad, I will. Talk to you soon?" No Significant Harassment smiled at her, releasing the orange slugcat from his embrace. "Yeah, just call me as soon as it's convenient for you two. For now just focus on getting to your new home. You should go now if you want to make it to the tunnel before all the lizards wake up." He once again broke into tears as Artificer and Hunter began to walk away from his superstructure. "Bye, dad! We'll come visit soon, okay?"

It had taken them all cycle and a bit of the current one, but they finally saw the end of the tunnel and ran towards it, Artificer challenging Hunter to a race to see who would get there faster. They climbed up the ladder and sunlight warmed their fur, its golden glow chasing away the cold that had enshrouded them in the tunnel. Looking into the distance, they could see Five Pebble's superstructure on the horizons, the metal gleaming with a bright light. They looked at each-other and smiled, both knowing that a better future awaited both of them.

Wow, it's done. It's really done. I actually finished it! I knew I would if I just kept at it, but it's so amazing to see it all together in a finished book. This is the first really long story I've ever finished and I'm really happy to have this as the first major project of mine. It's honestly so amazing to me that I actually wrote all of this. Once again I did not make the cover art for this chapter or any of the others (other than chapter eighteen). I want to thank all of the incredible artists that made all of the cover art for each chapter and everyone who I took inspiration from. I also want to thank everyone who has left kind comments, your words motivate me to continue writing even when I feel bad about my ability to create stories. And, of course, thank you for reading. With that, this story is over and I'm going to start working on the sequel! And yes, there is going to be a sequel.