Dawn- An age of Darkness

It felt like we were walking forever. My feet moved on their own and didn't stop.

After several hours we reached a place where there was no smell, where there were no undead, and most importantly where there was a statue of the angel. Should I have been happy?

But what good will it, do now? It's all over…

"Welcome Wanderer."

I didn't answer. I didn't want to. But after giving it a thought I said something. I said something that I didn't want to say. "Can you bring back the dead?"

"I cannot."

"Damn it…"

"Daarc…" Jowy said but he didn't come close to me.

I didn't pay any attention to him.

The angel's voice gave off an ounce of sorrow. Maybe it felt my pain? But how could it? "It is true that I cannot bring back the dead but I can arrange one last audience with her soul. Her soul hasn't yet left this forest and soon will turn into an undead."

"How'd you know and what do you mean?"

"I've been watching over you from the moment you entered this forest. I will guide her soul to the heavens but first…" The angel's statue glowed faintly and light started to escape from it.

Is that so?

I was glad that she'd send Brenda to heaven but… I really didn't feel much better. My heart still pounded and it hurt.

The area beneath the angel lit up a second later and a fully white colored Brenda emerged from within. My eyes felt like they'd pop right out of my sockets.

"What is this? How!" Alisa screamed.

I didn't pay any attention to her. All I was concerned with was the person in front of me.

Brenda was there, covered in white. She was emanating a bright and warm glow. "We meet again, Daarc."

I didn't care how the angel brought her; all I cared about was that she was here.

Her voice soothed my heart, she was… beautiful.

"Yup, good to see you."

"Don't cry. That was but a mortal shell and all of us will be reunited in the end anyway," she said, as she walked closer.

My eyes leaked before I even noticed. And yet even after I had noticed, I couldn't stop them. Not anymore.

"I'm old but I don't want to die just yet." the old man chuckled.

Brenda giggled. That was the first time I saw her actual smile. Maybe she was reluctant to show it before.

"I'm sorry Brenda. I-"

"It wasn't you're fault Daarc. Please don't ever think that it was. I did what I wanted to do. Did you forget being a pirate means being free? Besides, I'm going to be reunited with my family: all of them." She closed her eyes and smiled.

"But you died because of my weakness. I couldn't even protect you and-"

She stopped my lips with her hand. It was warm and her aura glowed. They were transparent and yet I could still feel her warmth. "I was the one who wanted to travel with you, and it was my own weakness that has led to this. But it's a shame I won't be able to travel to the moon." She chuckled. "I know it was selfish but that wasn't the only reason I wanted to travel with you, you know."

"I actually kind of knew that but-"

"That actually makes me feel a little uncomfortable you know…" She made a pout. She smiled and looked around a little... "Take care old man. And you too Jowy. Thank you for carrying my corpse."

Jowy nodded.

"Take care, young lady. And that's not my name you know," the old man said.

Brenda chuckled. Even in this god-forsaken land, and this horrible situation we laughed. We laughed and shed tears.

Brenda closed her eyes and gathered her thoughts. "I don't think I'd be able to travel with you anymore but I still wanted to see the moon again. But I'm sorry about Biteria, she shouldn't have to die and-"

"I'd make it appear! I'll bring back the moon! You have my word!" I didn't know what I was saying anymore. Maybe I was just making empty promises just to make her stay a second longer.

Biteria was gone as well but the pain of losing a close friend was more devastating.

"That makes me so happy Daarc. The moon means so much to me. It was my no- our family's beacon of courage. Maybe one day you will know why, "she said then smiled faintly "Maybe not."

Alisa was mourning with her face covered in tears. She couldn't even speak. Was that the same girl who was so calm even moments ago? But at the last moment she looked up to Brenda. "I-I-I'll never forget you!"

"Me either, sweetheart." Tears welled up in Brenda's eyes. "Thank you…. My friends. I'll wait for you in the afterlife but don't come too quick." She chuckled. "Oh and before I forget, make sure the new recruit doesn't end up like me before reaching the city. Let her have a good life, she's suffered enough," she added.

"You have my word," I said. I chuckled.

"Thank you, sis, and goodbye," Alisa said.

Brenda was disappearing. The angel's spell was ending. And so was my smile. I couldn't believe I could muster up the courage to even attempt to smile and yet here I was smiling for her sake.

"I hope you forgive me for this one last selfish act." She came close to me, kissed me on the forehead, and hugged me. I couldn't grab her: I couldn't hug her back. She disappeared. "Goodbye."

I was left there with my arms hanging.

Goodbye.

"I promise I'll bring it back! Even if it's the last thing I do…" I clenched my fists, my eyes grounded. My resolve resurfaced.

"I am sorry you're reunion ended that way but I must warn you…" The angel began.

I had almost forgotten about the angel.

"First let me thank you." I bowed and showed her respect. I didn't bow to just anyone; but, I bowed to her because I deeply admired her.

"It seems Sisrael was right to bestow a fragment of her soul to you…"

These angels were a part of Terortra and that was also the reason that they had so much power despite being a mere fragment. But in the end, they were just fragments and were limited. But even so, even if they were pained, they always helped me. They deserved my respect.

"Thank you, I really mean it."

"Who's he talking to?" Alisa said.

"Shh!"

"You must now leave. There isn't much time left…" The angel didn't specify.

"What do you mean?"

"I cannot tell you that, but I must tell you one thing… Lord Damsel is not the only one who has taken an interest in you…." It was like she pitied me. Maybe she did.

"Thank you…"

Although what she said was alarming, I didn't really make a scene out of it. I calmly considered the possibility of her knowing something and decided to wait for the appropriate time.

"Are you also the one who saved me last night?"

"Yes... I did provide you with my magic upon my sister's request. However, I wasn't the only one. Hurry wanderer. You must leave this forest before...." The angel became quiet.

"Really, thank you...all of you..." I really was indebted to these angels....

However, I didn't have the means to stay sane enough to be wary.