Grant: When I Learn Of Sacrifice

Not caring as to what the punishments were from Alguro, Death, Or this Gerrard. Someone who was close to Grant was in peril. Alex refused to let him go alone, so insisting on going he stood by his side refusing, Alguro or Deaths wishes. The both of them high fived before turning and dove into the fountain behind them. When they touched down on the streets of the town they were so barren that you could hear the howls of long lost souls still roaming about. The two of them began walking down the road creating a plan when they heard two other sets of feet were stomping on the ground behind them. Grant drew his blade and Alex had his pen ready and cautiously they turned to look behind them. Upon realizing this Alex he let out a sigh of relief Knowing Alguro and Lokee were officially standing with them. Relief flooded Alex and a smile crossed his face and lifted one hand up in the air. Grant looks over and joins in smiling. Nodding his head in agreement. Alex reaches for the pen and inscribes something across the air. Too dark to read in the early morning of this tiny place. Slowly each letter burns away unable to see the next one. As the embered ash spreads through the air in the same fashion as fireflies making way from Alex’s path. The aroma of burning paper filled Alguro and Lokee’s nostrils as they trail close behind. Finally when the final letter finished burning away Alex mimics the same motion with his hand. Grant and him jump, after the many times doing this within the last year, simultaneously and a few ATV’s appear under them. Both instinctively grabbing onto the bars as the vehicles seem to be going as fast as them. Lokee follows in order to catch up. Alguro slows down and his just rolls next to him and he climbs on. Almost whiskey throttling his due to not knowing the new advancements of the world. Even with the wind picking up now, they sliced through it racing up the street. Lights flipping on at almost every house they pass. Finally the street lights shine and show the street they are treading on. The light glow of the amber splotches letting them know they are still on the road as they all, but Alguro, sped past them. Alguro finally grasping the understanding of the vehicle and catches up.

“So what is the plan anyway, how are we going to find your wife Grant?” Alex calls across to him. His words nearly being whisked away in the wind.

“Just split up and cover as much ground as you can. This city shouldn’t even be called a city it’s as small as a town. We should be able to find here quicker that way.” Grant calls back loud enough for Alguro and Lokee to hear as well. Immediately Alguro and Lokee break off and speed off down a road in opposite directions. Alex with his pen still in hand writes in the air one more time. When a lump forms in his pocket Alex throws a thumbs up to Grant and splits off. Leaving only the straight away road. Grant hears as Alex’s vehicle slows down to a hum and speeds off in the opposite direction of him. ‘I’m coming for you Lilli under any circumstances you will be safe I swear’ Grant thinks to himself as he throttles the gas even more. Speeding off into the night with nothing more than what can be conceived as hope that he can make it to her in time. The road leads past some more houses and then a brief pause for a school on his right and a plaza and local grocery store to his left. As he speeds past the Sign saying Reams he tries to gun it even more. A light on the corner with red facing him, and a group of teenagers walking past. He ignores it and weaves behind them and up a hill. A roundabout stood at the top ignoring the curbs and cutting across one of the two fire stations in town. Finally he finds himself on a windy road in a more suburban area than where he escaped from. Cutting each corner in order to keep his speed up he continues to speed down the road. The engine roaring like a tormented scream at this point. After a few minutes of driving he finds himself engulfed by mountains on either side. Even with the sharp twists and turns going further into the canyon he refuses to slow down. His recklessness pushed aside for the fear engulfing him. No issues except a few cars every now and again. Almost crashing into them as they escape the darkness of nature and head into the ever dimming lights of the city. The echoes of the vehicle reverberating through the canyon. The road winding with the landscape to show the beauty of nature. But there was no time to admire it. Finally a fork in the road came into view one climbing higher and hugging the mountainside to the left of him. The other a fairly steep downward hill for a brief moment to the right. Keeping his ATV steering to the right Grant has enough speed he completely misses the hill and lands at the bottom. The rough landing made a the machine creak underneath him. Ignoring it he speeds up to the fastest it can go as the roads twists turn back into a more straight one. Continuing down the road he turns into what looks like an entryway to a park and camping spot. His dim lights still highlighting the sign which read Jolly’s Ranch. Slowing down in order to drive through the brief fields. Then finally ends back on the concrete. He guns it for a moment to cross a decrepit bridge of a small stream. A park was to his left and he turns hard in the direction. Crossing the playground throwing wood chips up into the air. When his tires hit the grass he dives off letting the ATV roll forward slowly crawling to a stop. Grant follows the same way, his body tumbling and rolling across the field. Groaning he. jumps to his feet and runs down to the edge to find the faded marks of the now overgrown baseball diamond. He lurches to the left where trees and brush are dampening the sound of the babbling brook can be heard. Gaining as much speed as he can physically muster he hurries down into the wood and sprints down to the bridge. With no sign of Lilli he sprints back the other way following the brook upstream briefly. When he returns he hears the hushed voices of two people. One of them a voice of a female for sure. The other being that of a male yet his voice was still rather high. Recognizing the voices he sprints up and back into the field running over the one he can define as the male. Catching himself and steadying himself, a smile quickly spreading across his face.

“Hey what the hell was that buddy? You could have hurt someone.” The voice raises with agitation.

“Yeah sorry about that didn’t mean too. Just trying to look for my wife.” Grant replies forgetting he recognized the voices.

“Grant? Is that really you?” The female voice says. Grant just continues on his way. His heart continuing to race as Lilli stays at the top of his mind.

“I thought you were dead. Where the hell have you been and more importantly why haven’t you told Lilli” Her voice begins to raise.

Grant turns around and notices that his hunch was correct. It was Sarah the one person that always knew how to get under his skin. As he turns back to get back to his search an arm reaches out to him and grasps his own.

“So what, because of what happened between us there isn’t any time to chat either?” Sarah says, hushing her tone to try and and lull Grant.

“You understand why I think like that. You completely decimated who I was as a person yet you expect friendship?” he says in reply.

“No, not really. However a chat because you abandoned your wife is needed. You thought so low of me yet you are doing the same thing.”

“I did no such thing… Wait, you can see me?”

“Well yeah, how else would we be talking right now? Wow you are still stupid even after all this time.”

“No you don’t understand, I am dead. You shouldn’t be able to even see me now. Something's not right.”

“Look, Grant, whatever you think is going on it isn’t. You are a cruel piece of work for even claiming that.”

“Hey, look you know what… screw it, I don’t have time to talk I really do have to get going. Lilli is in trouble and I have to find her.” Grant says.

He breaks from her grasp and rushes over to his ATV. Jumping on it he holds the throttle down as far as he can possible pull, almost running over the guy again. Knowing only one place remained that those shadows could be keeping her. The same place where they made the fateful decision came to be. The same place where the line between the life and the heavens were finally unraveled to him. The house where he saved that little boy’s life at the cost of his very skin becoming engulfed in flames. Speeding out the parking lot and onto the canyon road again. A voice so soft that Grant could barely notice it at first kept appearing, followed by static crackling. Once he realized the noise he felt around his beltline and finds the walkie talkie that alex made for him before they left the Grove.

“Grant you their? I found Lilli but you need to get here fast.” It’s Alex’s voice echoing through. Looking at the thing confused he presses the button and hearing a beep he replies. “Where is she?”

“She is at the high school that you and her planned on running away.” Alex rings through the walkie talkie once more.

“Got it, I’m on my way.” Grant says.

“Oh we can’t get in Kassy is saying that only you can come through.” Lokee chimes in.

“I’ll be there shortly.” Grant replies and guns it out of the canyon.

When he reaches the school he sees Death and Alex standing out in the parking lot. Parking the ATV next to them he asks, “Where exactly are they and what do you mean you can’t get in?”

Alex and Death just look at one another then walk over to the entrance of a field. A fence seals off the rest of the area until on spot of trees with a creek running through. When they get to the entrance fence Death literally throws himself towards the open entrance gate and is met with a black wall. Followed by a blast that knocks him back ten feet, Alex chuckling as Death stands up and dusts himself off.

“That a good enough answer?” Death says. Not looking at anyone but rather the fence, pondering whether he should do it again for fun. Grant just smiles at him and walks up to the entrance. He puts his hand across the fence and nothing happened.

“Where is Alguro?” Grant asks the other two.

“He is looking at another park across town.” Alex replies.

“I need you two to get him. Have a really bad feeling about this.” Grant says. Alex nods and runs off. A crack of thunder echoes through the cloudy night sky and lightning shines a bright illuminating light across the world, then a slight drizzle starts. Grant readies himself emotionally before walking through the gate. The clouds are gone but the rain stays. He runs down the cement path where to the right is the entrance to bleachers and another behind them. With the bleachers supported by massive steal posts a large empty space sat below them. He runs behind the bleachers and down a pathway that opened up to the field for the locals. Along either side of the path were fences cutting off access to the high school diamond on the right. As well as the little league fields to the left. Continuing down the path would lead to a road cutting through. Even with him frantically searching for Lilli he instinctively looked out past the diamond and saw that the home he died in was still a pile of ash. After a bit more of sprinting to the left was an opening to allow people to enter the park distanced from the diamonds. Slowing down as he walked through noticing the park that was once there only a year ago was gone. In its place sat painted lines and goals for soccer. The only remnants of the park were the two benches on either side of the new field. Jogging across the field with his mind racing, the thoughts crossing are a combination of questioning his sanity as well as where those things were hiding. The field ended behind the last house on the road and so rounding the corner he sees Lilli, his heart skips a beat before seeing Kassy standing behind her. A wicked grin spreading ear to ear just for seeing him. Ignoring the maniac he turns his gaze back to his wife. As the drizzled raindrops pattered down on the surrounding field. Fear and rage waging war within his heart as he stood there catching his breath and becoming more and more wet.. Seeing the exasperation in her eyes after so much time it took for her to finally meld the broken heart he created.

“Tsk, tsk. Grant, honey, my eyes are behind this… this… well ,quite honestly, this brunette animal darling. So will you give me the attention we all know you so dream of giving me?” Kassy says with hopes of breaking Grants trance.

With the inability of not giving her any form of attention her.

“Fine, what attention do you want. I’m here now, so just giver her back. Nothing more needs to happen.” Grant says steadily recognizing the longing of hunger in Kassy’s eyes. The hunger for nothing more than pain or even desolation, that would lead to chaos. Her eyes widened enough that she could be question for a complete hysteric, and broken, mind that escaped a mental facility. Yet amidst the look tension of utter fear, rage, and hysterics filling the air nearly making it static. As if the very thoughts and feelings were forging a new form of life. Yet even with this heavy onset and distraction something else lingered within the shadows. An unseen threat waiting to strike at the moment of the most purest form of weakness. Even with that feeling Grant refused to turn his sight away from Kassy or Lilli. The fully formed grin spread across her face. As if the comment was actually being contemplated as a reasonable trade off. Yet, like anyone with an unmended and shattered mind, her eyes looked animalistic. Her pupils shrank and grew randomly and the iris changing from blood red to a fiery orange. The same look one would imagine if a predator would have them cornered. To make her statement plain as day she leaned down to Lilli and kissed her cheek. One hand outstretched to grant and wagging her finger at him.

‘Alex I hope you are here. Because I kind of need you, or Alguro, or well anyone at this point in time.’ Grant thinks to himself, yet he knows in the furthest reaches of his mind he is in this alone. The forestry behind the two women shadows flickered and danced from the periodic illumination of the lightning strikes. Grant piecing together that Kassy’s partner lying in wait back within them. Hiding his physical presence. Biding his time in order to watch the events unfold. The echo of the trickling brook set behind the tree’s. Crickets chirping in an ethereal symphony. Even though it was harmonizing the crisp cold night, the rain patter fades away to a complete halt. Showing the glittering and glowing stars and planets in the otherwise eternal void of a night sky. Grant attempting every possible silent trick to suppress emotions of happy memories flooding him. The beautiful illumination of the night sky itself reminded him of the very night he and his future wife shared their first kiss. The heavens shined as brilliantly as it did now. Even the moon casting the same cloudy pearl white glow upon the earth below in it’s bold way as well. As he begins to remember the more vivid details of that night quiet sharp breaths interject his thoughts. Letting the memory linger in his mind a little longer he turns his focus back to Lilli. Her hair being yanked back followed by, “Shush, shh... You little ingrate, you are being a nuisance. Just remember if you listen to me you’ll finally see I wasn’t lying to you.” She says to Lilli. Arms still set to her side as she sat on her legs attempting to put on a strong face but she couldn’t quite hold back the subtle sobs.

“Kassy what do you mean listen to you? You need to stop, you made a statement we get it, and we are abiding by it. Just let her go. We did find you and that was your agreement. If we found her before the morning you would let her go.” Grant says. holding his hands upwards in peace slowly stepping towards them..

Yet Kassy’s eyes fluttered with excitement like he fell into her trap. She flirtatiously bites her bottom lip and winks at him.

“You know I just can’t say no to you baby. I just want to make sure that I had your attention is all.” Kassy says before whispering something into Lillli’s ear and stepping back. Grants arms fall to the front of him and reaches into the faintly lit void in front of him. Even though he was putting not only her life at risk but his own there was no avail, no commemorative consoling. No running into her lover's arms. Instead the pain of betrayal was strewn across her face. The images that finally began to fade from a year ago came rushing back to her. Vividly remembering the last time she saw him was nothing more than a cold lifeless slump being dragged into the medical vehicle. Although he was standing right before her very eyes very much alive and well. The warm feeling of tears flooding her eyes and bursting making a trail down her cheeks. Her face of pain also held the eyes of malice. Looking straight through Grants longing gaze and into his soul Lilli says, “You abandoned me. For what?”

Grant unable to reply verbally, just shakes his head in denial. Unable to understand how she could come to say that. Kassy calmly walking up to Lilli and whispering something else into her ear.

“Baby I never abandoned you. I died remember, I shouldn’t be here.” Grant says. His body starting to shake in disbelief. Kassy still eyeing him with nothing more than a look of sultry. Grant disgusted stares daggers at her, wishing looks could at the very least injure. Through everything happening tonight one thing couldn’t slip his thoughts. After a year of missions anything pertaining to what the guardians had to face. No one that held the breath of mortality could witness what was happening. The living were fully separated from them, the one thing should have remained true.

“Lilli, you can continue your rage towards me but please just answer one question for me. How can you see me.” Grant asks slowly, trying not to let his sadness bleed into his voice.

Lilli just shakes her head at him as kassy just walks in between the two. Her mouth moving as if she was speaking to Lilli. But her figure kept fading in and out of existence from Grant’s view. Piecing together that only he can see Kassy he puts his arms back to his side and stands straight again. Kassy moves to Lilli’s side once again and just cracks a smile across the field.

“Well go on, tell him dollface. Let him understand that you know.” Kassy says loud enough for Grant to hear.

“Grant, I know why you left. You should have just told me that another woman was in your life before me. That way I could actually mend my heart instead of wallowing in pity for over a year.” Lilli snaps, a broken tone of pain rolling off the words like venom.

“No I didn’t leave you for some other woman. You saw me the night I died. I was just a burnt husk. You also set up and went to my funeral, which brings me back to this. How can you see me?” Grant says. As he finds a way to steady his voice.

“I can’t believe you are still trying to make me believe that load of crap. You are standing in front of me now, and I met the woman you left me for, earlier. So you can’t hide it anymore.” Lilli says, raising her voice.

Kassy walking around her and giggling like a teenage girl in the cafeteria. Just watching the show she created unfold.

“You know if you wanted to run away with her. Chandra was her name, wasn’t it?”

“Lilli, hun, calm down please that is a lie. I never left you for another woman and you know that.”

“Quit lying to me Grant. You shouldn’t have ever involved me if that was your master plan.” Lilli now yelling at him.

Kassy calmly walks up to her chuckling and leans close to Lilli. Saying loud enough for Grant to hear, “Oh I forgot something rather important about the conversation earlier. If you thought your honeymoon was something special. Well you should just know that was just foreplay for someone like him. With me he pulled out all the stops. Including the chains and whips.”

Looking directly at Grant with a glazed look of allure. Ignoring her altogether Grant asks again, “lilli how can you see me. You shouldn’t be able too.”

“Grant just admit it, you know you would leave her for a knockout like me.” Kassy says playfully, pausing only for a moment before continuing. “Oh p.s. She can’t see me. Couldn’t from the beginning. The hair pulling was just a parlor trick, but you know the rule. A magician should never reveal their tricks.”

Grant just glares at her but Lilli begins looking around. Trying to snap back to reality as Kassy’s voice now echoed through the air.

“Wait that wasn’t my thought. Where did that come from.” Lilli says.

“Yeah I only took her to the Grove so that good ol’ Lokee would unveil you. Isn’t he just a sweetheart?” Kassy says while walking towards Grant.

Lilli looks in front of her and then realizes who she was actually talking to. The white glimmer of the moon showing Grant’s full figure to her. Anger and pain could still be read on her face, yet comfort was slowly bleeding through. She stood there compiling her thoughts beginning to show she was pulled from a trance of a dream she walks slowly towards Grant. From the corner of his eye he notices the looks on Kassy’s face go from playful to worried. Yet she yielded her actions, just watching carefully as Lilli walks to Grant and he wraps her arms around him. Yet with that envy coursed through her veins.

“No this isn’t right, or fair. You shouldn’t be giving her attention.” Kassy growls at them. With neither even giving her acknowledgement. The subtle tears that Lilli resorted to earlier turns to weeping. Though not of sadness but of seeing her beloved once more. After seeing his burned body. Ignoring Kassy ranting and raving in the backdrop Lilli nuzzles deeper into grants chest. Just happy to be in his warmth surrounding her with his arms tightly around her. One around her waist and the other around her back holding on tight. His tightened embrace reminded her of the past, shielding her from the world once again. Although he was pulling in closer with complete fear of losing her again.

“I’ve missed you so much. Each night without you has been near hell. Well, you have no idea.” Grant whispers into her ear. Lilli just lets out an airy laugh due to choking on her sobs of happiness. Within that still trying to soak in that Grant, after so long, was actually within her very grasp. After a year of coping an otherwise devastated heart. In her thoughts that this was nothing more than a grace of God. Yet grant was unable to keep up his act of strength. He begins crying as well. No sign of slowing down.

“Calm down my sweet big bear, I’m here now and so are you. God gave you back for a good reason. You and I both know how true this is.” Lilli says gently while rubbing his back. That sweet, soft angelic voice that she always had. The same voice that seemed to always melt his heart. Yet it didn’t help this time. Just made his burden feel more heavy.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry... Lilli you didn’t deserve this, me leaving you high and dry completely deserting you when we were about to start over. About to start our lives with a good foot forward this time. But most of all, I’m sorry for being too weak to stay here. To fight back and stand by your side till we grew old.” Grant says to his wife while crying.

Lilli calmly listening to her husband's grievances. Yet deep down she knew that he has always held grand strength. Even witnessing the capabilities from time to time while he was alive. Her heart with splintering with each word. Like a glass block being chipped away under the pressure of a striking hammer. Just by attempting to pull away she noticed that his grasp wouldn’t let her fall back to far. But just far enough to coddle his head in her bosom. She just sat their rubbing his head and humming a melancholy tune. Leaning down every now and again to kiss his head. Tears still swelling in her eyes, even falling from them time to time. But she held them back by blinking every now and again. Knowing that she had to wield enough strength to let him reconcile with his guilt. As well as for her to stay their for him, as she always has. Yet just feeling his warmth was a blessing in her mind. A true blessing sent by God himself.

“Ahem, do you guys even notice that we are still here?” Kassy barks at the two.

“Where did that voice come from and what exactly do you mean by we?” Lilli says.

Now glancing around the field because she thought for sure that they were alone.

“Oh she is talking about me little bug.” A hollowed voice echoed from the forestry and towards the consoling couple.

“Shush, Richard, just unveil us. I mean it’s not like we are being all sneaky anymore.” Kassy still barkin into the darkness.

“But sister, we must follow through with…” The echo is cut off by Kassy. “She knows we are both here. Even without sight of us there's no point in hiding our forms from her.”

“Fine, but I am off to find the final member of the Guardians. So good luck here.” Richard’s voice begins fading away in the distance. Another crack of thunder eradicating any trace of his voice.

Finding a way to loosen slightly from his bear hug, Lilli looking behind her and sees another woman standing before her. Seeing her in a physical form caused the voice from inside Lilli’s head to recede. As her head cleared her memories were being recovered. Seeing the ambulance take Grant’s body away. Seeing his burned body and then making the funeral for him. Though it didn’t explain why even now her heart was still heavy with him right here. She kisses the top of his head one more time and pats his back, “Baby, I know you are afraid and sad. But I need you to pull yourself together. I think God brought you back to protect me.”

Grant looks up at her, pink and red still tinting her eyes. Yet from the tears that succeeded in escaping was a look of defiance. Defiance of death, refusing for this night to be her last, and belief. Belief of the paranormal existence that spontaneously sprung out at her. Yet with all of this she still glowed with reassurance and strength, not fear. Shoving aside his pain and struggle for the moment he let her go. Standing upright and looking over Lilli’s shoulder he see’s kassy. Who is literally glowing red, her matted hair straightened out somehow. But her eyes were pur red now. Now her pale ghostly skin was more of a golden tone, beauty shining through her rage. Grant turns his head down towards Lilli and gives her one last kiss. Now unwavered that a fight would be going to break out. Moving between the two he braces his arm. His vambrace at the ready.

“Kassy, back down. I can see you are angry but we don’t have to fight. Just walk away from this please. All I ask is wipe her memory. She doesn’t deserve the pain again. Now that she knows I’m technically alive it’s a sting that will stay with her till death.” Grant says, his voice cracking with scorn.

Kassy still held the glazed over look due to her lust for him. Yet anger bled through and was standing far more prominent. The ever engrossing light emanating from her was sending waves of heat. It seemed to be drawing out the same amount of resentment and anger within him. Stemming from manipulating Lilli, displacing her beliefs, and moreover, the truth. Able to hide it from her create a way to brood with him. As if it was his fault, but on what accord though. What coursed through his mind most was, how was she able to manipulate the situation to this point? Grant not waiting any longer for her to make a move. He presses his vambrace. The armor expands from the vambrace and sprawls across his body. Instead of just appearing all at once like when he was within the Grove. A cloth like apparel was growing across his body until fully encasing his whole body. Then the samurai armor plating emerged from the cloth. When fully finished only a few seconds passed to create his battle gear.

“You know what kassy, I am making sure you are done here. You won’t find a way to hurt or manipulate her anymore. Or the situation for that matter, you are not the victim. There is no justification you can stay or say, or claim, so just move along.” Grant growls at her.

Even though it was just a wa to persuade her to back down and leave. It didn’t seem like it with his tone or being on the offensive. Nothing happened, the glow and heat growing in intensity rather than dying down.

“You don’t understand how I am the victim do you? Well let’s start with this. I want what you have forged in the afterlife. As well as with your pretentious breath of life, as Alguro called it. You know the feeling of being apart of a family, which I had once. But it was Gerrard that was more than gleeful when he tore it from my reach.” Kassy yells.

All sensitivity breaking through and becoming a booming, cracked, and fragile voice. Showing that even though she was nothing more than an essence of destruction. She still held a soul of a mortal being. After being exposed to this Grant stutters on his moment to strike and she quickly takes her chance. Her body melding with the surrounding shadows. Not a sound or warning, only slow chuckling that began to echo in front of him to surrounding him.

“Grant, honey…” Lilli says.

Her voice being cut off with sounds of struggle.

Looking over his shoulder in an attempt to see what it was. The chuckling still being echoing across the air. Finally catching sight of his wife, Kassy in an ethereal dark form. Even most of her face was completely shrouded in darkness. Her eyes seemed to be the only thing that could truly be identified from the surrounding darkness. Extremely rich in a blood red color that it seemed all of her blood pooled to them. In a way that could only be consolidated by irony was the sense of bloodlust just peering within them.

“All I wanted from that old fool was an apology at the very least. You don’t know the pain he gave us Grant. He betrayed us, his family, to follow something that has always clearly been a lie. The path of light is merely there for sorrow. Why won’t Alguro see it, I mean of all people who thought that path was wrong it was him. His curiosity of you humans always engrossed him. When our father finally appeared to us he showed us as what we truly were. It really did feel like everyone would have followed. But instead of following his true path he stayed to guard his obsession. You know what else the path of light holds, pain, and most of all.. Well how about you learn this part the exact same way we did?” Kassy says to Grant in tears.

Her form returned to normal but her hand was still engrossed in shadow. Once it returned from the blotch a blade hung just above Lillis chest. The tip cutting at her shirt and skin as she struggled to get free. Without thinking Grant rushes her in an attempt to save Lilli. After three steps Kassy plunged the blade straight to her heart. A wicked smile crossing her mouth, but her eyes were red with tears welling within them. Even in his mind he knew nothing could have stopped this inevitability but he still attempted, hoping it would play out differently. Lilli’s eyes widen as life begins to fade from them. Grant continues rushing towards them, curses flying from his mouth with no thought. She just sat looking directly at Grant as she stepped to the side of them dropping his sword. Taking her hand from Lilli’s back she watches her fall back and the blade slides out. Dropping to his knees he picks up his wife. Holding her closer with terror and true malice enveloping him. All the while watching fear flood her paling face.

“Grant, it looks like you came back while I’m on the way out. I’m sorry honey.” Lilli says in between gasps and choking on blood. Grant holding back tears, undeniably knowing that this was his turn to stand strong. But this was just inconceivable in his head and it didn’t sit right. He finally had his wife back, yet only for a moment. Watching in horror as his wife was dying in his arms. Is this truly all the time he was allowed with her again?

“Don’t go. I just got you back love, please don’t go.” Grant says slowly, unable to hold back crying over her.

Lilli reaches up with one hand and grasps the side of his head, with her thumb rubbing his cheek. Yet all the while a smile was on her face. Grant burying his face into her hand.

“Honey, don’t worry. I’m not afraid of death, I never have been. After losing you I thought that was it for me. That I couldn’t keep going but I was wrong. I started to find beauty, in everything, and wherever I looked. Even in the most tandem things. I was finally able to see through your eyes. It honestly amazed me.” Lilli says slowly so not to choke on blood.

Grants crying turns to sobbing after hearing her say that. Her skin becoming more and more pale, and her body trembling with each fleeting moment.

“You know Lil, It’s funny. I always knew I’d be the first to go, just not so soon. You truly are the reason I regained strength. I can’t lose you, not now.” Grant says calmly. Trying with all his might to bring himself from the brink. Lilli’s hand starts trembling on his cheek. He lays her gently down on the grass and clasps the hand in both of his. Cupping her hand in his he kisses it softly.

“Grant I’m so cold” Lilli says.

He just kneels over and kisses her cheek tenderly. Unable to find words to reassure her.

“I love you honey, I still love you. You should know that before I go.” Lilli says, her breaths shortening.

“I love you too. As I always have.” Grant says in a gentle tone in her ear. He then kisses her cheek again. The strained breathing stops mid kiss. Grant sits up and looks at his wife's lifeless body. In disbelief he picks her motionless body and hugs it tightly.

“I love you Lilli. I am so sorry about this” Grant says. Now fully enveloped in sadness, but also guilt.

Even knowing that she’ll be born anew didn’t help. There was only one Lilli, and she was the only one that was his wife. A hand grasped his shoulder. Grant just swipes it away thinking it’s Kassy.

“Grant, Son I’m so sorry.” A low toned voice that he knew all to well says.

“Save her… Now, Alguro.” Grant replies with disdain.

“I can’t it’s too late.” Alguro says.

“That isn’t what I meant. Make her one of us. A Guardian, I know you still can. I was dead in the ambulance when you made me one.” Grant says his disdain turning to begrudging pain.

“Alright if that’s your wish.” Alguro replies.

“It is everything I wish right now. She didn’t deserve to die yet. Especially by your sister's hands. It wasn’t her time.” Grant growls.

Looking back Alguro was gone and only Alex and Death stood their. Worry stricken on their faces.