Chapter Twenty Eight: Gabriel's Choice

Gabriel, who found himself laying within a sea of white clouds, found himself all alone. He had known he was dead, and had hoped that Kara was okay. When he first arrived here, he was angry and fighting against the nothingness to get back home. But he now realized that this was pointless.

He had wanted so badly to return home but he had a feeling deep inside of him that this would not be possible. And so he layed in the clouds, awaiting for anything to happen. Any form of assemblance that he wasn't alone. Though he had heard stories, Gabriel had never put much thought into what happened after death. Would he meet a God? Would he drift like this forever? Would he find anyone...anyone at all that had been a part of his life?

Gabriel suddenly began sinking in the clouds, slowly at first before falling rapidly until he met with a crash against a hard surface.

" Where am I? " Gabriel questioned as he stood to his feet and looked around the room that he now found himself in. It was a white room, with no coloration other than the endless white.

He walked around for a little while, as the room was rather large in appearance. He saw Noone though which he wasn't too surprised at.

" If this is what death is..then it is boring as hell" Gabriel admitted as he finally decided to rest, and lay down on the floor. If something was going to happen, it would have to come to him because he had no intention of searching for it.

" Gabriel stand up.." a voice called out to him though he doesn't move. " No" he responds,not wanting to move and knowing that nothing could be done if he didn't entertain the request. " I said to get on your feet son" Gabriel looks up to see his father and mother standing beside him. After making it to his feet he runs to them and hugs them both tightly.

" I am so happy to see you both..you both look..well..you look good" Gabriel smiled as they smiled back at him, his mother placing her hands on his cheeks.

" You are such a handsome young man, you've made us so proud son" his mother let's go of Gabriel's face as his father steps forward.

" You are just as strong as we knew you'd be. You did everything you could to unite our people and I couldn't be proud" he said to Gabriel who seemed bothered by this comment.

" But I didnt...not really. Lysette did most of the work..and I was just trying to keep up " Gabriel was trying to be modest but he knew without Lysette, he would have never made it as far as he did with the Kingdom. Without her, it would have all be lost a long time ago.

" Gabriel " he mother takes his hand. " You did the best you could and that is what matters. We are truly proud son and we want you to know that we love you so very much" they assure him as he tells them that he loves them too.

" Please forgive us for this Gabriel. But we have someone with us that would like to speak with you.

His parents move away as a familiar face wearing a white dress steps forward.

" Victoria? " Gabriel confused and yet relieved to see her here.

" Hello my King " Victoria chuckles as they both hug one another. He knew, he could tell that this was the real Victoria. He could feel her loving, Kind energy and loyalty to him.

" You don't have to call me that Anymore " he laughs, Victoria doing the same.

" Well I could call you a dumbest for believing that illusion was me. How dare you confuse me for that cheap imitation " She scores him.

" I'm sorry, I wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time" He answers in a pitiful tone.

" Well at least you didn't have sex with it" Victoria laughs and punches his arm playfully which makes Gabriel feel slightly better.

" I couldn't bring myself to do it.." He admits, feeling bad that he could not have followed through with the actual Victoria either.

" I know, I'm glad you are able to see that for yourself now. You left a pretty big mess back in the Underworld I hope you know" Victoria informs him. Whilst he knew it was probably pretty bad, he had hoped that somehow, blindly, that things would work out in the long run.

" What has happened? " He asks, worried that his friends had been attacked and had also fallen.

" We can talk more about that later. But since I know you are thinking about it, Yes, Kara is safe" Victoria rolls her eyes a little. Of course he had been wanting to know but he couldn't bring himself to ask her. Not after everything that had happened.

" Oh stop it Gabriel. I know you are in love with her. And you have been for a very long time. You can't hide that from anyone but yourself and even now it is coming to light for you." It was almost as though she could read his mind which for all he knew, was possible in this plain of existence.

" But, things are not going to end well for her. With your death, she will also die. Not immediately, but it will happen soon Gabriel. The Underworld is destroying itself " She explains to Gabriel. " But how could it be doing that? How does the world destroy itself?" How could a world destroy itself without the aid of others in that cause?

" The Underworld, much like many other worlds, has a mind of its own. Some people call this destiny and some people call it fate. But since you arrived back to the Underworld, things had been set in motion for you. And you ignored them. And so did Kara, she the blame is on you just as much as her.

But, either way, it doesn't change the fact that there is now, no way to repair the damage. Things have been set in motion due to your death that can't be avoided"

" What things" Gabriel asked, who was no becoming increasingly worried.

" Gabriel, if you had the chance to go back, would you do it? " Victoria asked, which caught him off guard

" And when I say go back, I mean back to the Underworld. Would you go back and try to fix everything? Would you save the world? Despite knowing that the meant you'd have to Do? Would you fight to make everything okay again despite the difficulties? And would you stand by Kara's side. No matter what you learn? No matter what truths you discover? " Victoria's questions were all something that Gabriel of course knew that he would do. " Yes " he answered to the questions which made Victoria smile again.

" You seem so sure of that. But do you really think you could handle it?

Though it would be difficult, Gabriel was willing to go through anything to see his friends again. To see his home again. To see Kara again.

" I have never been more sure of anything in my entire life " Gabriel answered as Victoria stepped out of the way,pointing to a small, black archway that had not been there before.

" Then go through that door. And remember that if you speak lies, you will watch the World die along with all of your allies. Especially Kara.." Victoria watches Gabriel, who stares at the door way.

" Is this a trick? " Gabriel asked though Victoria shakes her head.

" If you want to return home. The door is open for now.." Victoria explains.

Gabriel takes steps forward. If this was real, then he wouldn't miss his chance.

" Again, Gabriel..if cross over. You cannot mess this up.." Victoria warns again, but Gabriel had finally reached the door way.

" I Promise..I won't" Gabriel does not take his eyes off the door for fear it might disappear if he were to look away for even a second. Gabriel's parents take a place beside Victoria and look on to see Gabriel's choice.