Life After Death

That was the end.

Aiden was still the symbol of hope and strength, but the morale in the base started to become extremely low as they watched their leader's slow descent into sadness and despair at the loss of Oliver.

Days later, everyone who passed by the country house would see Aiden often quietly accompanying the grave for hours. Sometimes, he would ignore his duties as a leader and just sit there for entire days.

He would sit right in front of the grave with dry eyes, just attentively gazing at it. Any debris, like a little fluttering leaf or stray rock, would be immediately removed. When grass started to grow, he nourished the area with his ability. No one had the guts nor heart to criticize him for using his water abilities like that. The base had enough water anyways.

Weeks later, they would see the man quietly murmuring at the gave. If anyone walked close enough, they would hear continuous apologies slip out of his mouth, blaming himself for his incompetence that let Oliver die. If only he had not been so naive to believe that they wouldn't act right underneath his nose. If only he just left Oliver at home for once. If only he had put those imbeciles into their places earlier. The "if only's" were endless. This continued on for a few days before he suddenly snapped. Aiden couldn't handle not hearing his loved one's mocking words anymore. He couldn't handle the silence. He didn't want to hear only his despairing whispers. Aiden started to yell at the grave. The entire base heard it as his furious roars echoed against the far walls.

"How could you leave like that?! You should've called for me! You never want to rely on me! You only ever let me help a bit! Don't you trust me?!" He poured out his grievances onto the grave that was empty of a body. His eyes were red-rimmed and his fists clenched tightly onto his undulating chest. Many people had peeked out of their homes to only see their former glorious leader taking his anger out on the grave. Even if they wanted to go help, they weren't powerful enough to stop him. His outrage caused his dual abilities to unintentionally bring forth strong winds that blew his clothes into disarray. Water began to randomly form from thin air and creating artificial rain. Aiden kept yelling and crying for only minutes before he tiredly sat down and wept out soft apologies for a few long hours until he fell asleep on top of the burial grounds.

Two subordinates had to carry Aiden into the country house and lay him on the bed.

A couple of months passed and Aiden still visited the grave every day. Often to talk for long periods of time or to silently sit next to. People thought he was finally moving on as his complexion was better than usual. After that burst of anger, Aiden seemed to have mellowed out and become calm, as if he was returning to his former glory. So one unlucky beauty tried her luck on him and failed miserably, being kicked out of the base before she could even squeak out a plea for mercy. Anyone who had similar ideas immediately let them go and went on with their lives, knowing that the leader has not moved on.

He soon stepped down from his leadership position and gave it to his closest subordinate, Gabe, accepted in reluctance. It surprised everyone, yet they expected it at the same time. From there, the base began to regain its vigor and people no longer mentioned the demolished "harem" or the death of Oliver.

Gabe was told something by Aiden after the announcement. He was seen trying to dissuade the former leader, but the man seemed firm in his stance. There was also a hint of relief and longing in his piercing eyes that made the new base leader waver slightly.

After hearing out Aiden's reasoning and determination of his decision, the new leader has no choice but to agree, earning himself a firm hand on his shoulder and a long lost grin of gratitude.

The new base leader quickly established his position within days and took the reigns of the entire safe haven, quickly silencing the voices of dissent and disagreement. Although not as powerful or charismatic as Aiden, Gabe was one of the strongest and reliable people on the base.

The base seemed to have finally gotten a new symbol of hope and strength to cling onto.

A year had gone by, it was the anniversary of Oliver's funeral. Aiden had carefully used every second of that year to either think about Oliver and to step down from his position as leader. The base could now function perfectly fine without him, thanks to Gabe, he functioned as a good base leader that could lead the people to prosperity.

He looked lovingly at the grave, which was now overtaken by fresh grass that he devotedly watered every day.

Oliver had not left his mind one second. He loved and still loves Oliver. He wasn't sure when it began and it simply kept growing, even now.

Many have told him to move on. Aiden just never could.

That man just felt too good for him. Even so, Aiden never wanted to let go.

Aiden felt that if he were to give up his love for Oliver, that man would keep waiting and waiting for him in the afterlife to never get the question that Aiden wanted to ask.

He should quickly ask when he meets Oliver. He should grasp onto that fickle man and never let go.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."

A single gunshot rang out through the base, Gabe flinched at the harsh noise that could be heard from his home. He rubbed his eyebrows and sighed in sympathy and pity. A few tears dropped onto his desk for the loss of a former leader who saved many lives, including his.

"May you two find each other in another life."