Finding Andria

The conversation didn't go well as planned and Irife was troubled that there is a high chance Viole is going to reject them and she was afraid to come to that. She cannot bring Charles out with her, what is she going to tell her old man? It'll be the first failure since the day she got to get charges.

She didn't really know much about Viole, she never had a confrontation with him even before the day he had started inquiring about her, and she didn't want to have anything to do about Reapers.

What can she bargain to have his approval? She was lost as to what will make him agree and Charles wasn't helping either. It's as if the first insult made them both enemies.

She sat at the same chair waiting for Viole to make a decision. He had left awhile ago saying that he needed to think this through. While Charles looks like in a verge of collapsing. After all of their activities who wouldn't feel exhausted?

"Hey," She tapped Charles in his right arm. "Are you still okay?" She asked and he nodded as an answer.

"You do not need to pretend you're alright when you're not, even Reapers needs to rest." She said.

He looked at her and said, "We're not welcome Irife, unless you haven't notice. He doesn't want to help."

She pinched her eyes in frustration. She knows very well, and that's what bothering her.

"Even though what I want right now is to sleep I can't. He looks ready to kick us out a moment ago, besides I am not changing my plan to get my revenge. I will go out there someday." He said.

"I know. You are serious with that mindset. Even risking your life trying to find clues of Andria's whereabouts, but what Viole said was true. Andria isn't just a Reaper, she is someone important and that is why she is actively pursuing those people to stop them." She said.

But Charles didn't wavered. He is still set on having his revenge.

Irife stared at the door where Viole had disappeared into; willing for him to return while Charles body was beginning to get heavy but still he didn't said anything.

Meanwhile, Viole looks out of an opened window overlooking the expanse of his territory. Working with Dragon Tattoo earned him money that helped him getting this place. He had insured that every corner was enchanted to keep him safe away from his enemies; this has been his temporary sanctuary from the lonely years he had lived alone.

That man with Irife lost his family? He had lost his too, his family and his life. After finding what he had become he never came back again, there was no reason anymore. As he fully grown to a Reaper his calling got stronger that he can no longer ignore. He soon forgot how it feels to live as a normal human again.

Back in the years that he had run alone he was confronted by those people and it wasn't an easy fit to get away from. He remembered the time he was bloody battered and bruised, running with a broken arm just made it worst. He was only a few years older after turning he didn't have the connections that he has now so there were nowhere to go, but he was adamant not to get captured. He'll become one of them, turning into a Reaper and becoming a murderer was clearly out of the question.

"Hey," Viole heard, turning, he saw Irife standing on the hallway.

"You've been standing there for half an hour now." She said.

Viole chuckled at her. "You've been watching me?"

Irife scoffed and crossed her arms in front of her c.h.e.s.t, "Of course not." She said.

Viole tilted his lips upwards, he always had an eye towards Irife since the day he saw her. She had always avoided him since she found out he had been asking Dragon Tattoo about her, though she thought she was doing great avoiding him, unknowingly to her he had always watched her whenever possible.

"She's a responsible daughter, but I worry since she's hardheaded. If you see her in a pinch I'll appreciate it if you can help her." Says Dragon Tattoo back in the days when they were having a discussion. He had laughed light heartedly at the old man.

"Your daughter's obviously not interested in meeting me. She'll be more vigilant if she thinks I've been following her." He had answered.

Dragon Tattoo had nodded. "She isn't fond of Reapers and didn't want to meet one actually. But I am only asking that if ever you come across of finding her and needing help, I hope you help her the way I did for you."

He had thought of feeling a little bit burdened at Dragon's request, he actually didn't want any other responsibilities at that time, but he at least owe it to the old man the kindness he had received when he was in a blink of despair himself. And besides, Irife reminds him of her dear wife, Annie. The one he needed to get away from after he had awakened. She had been in deep pain when he suddenly disappeared. Everyone thought he must have died somewhere, because even the authorities couldn't find any trace of him. How do they can if he has the ability to manipulate his existence? He can easily erase himself around people when the urge of being a Reaper calls to him.

He remembered Annie had lived a years of solitude before finally accepting he was really gone. He was glad he didn't have kids; he didn't want to pass on his horrible heritage to his children.

He watched the day when she found a man and fell in love again. He watched when she walked the aisle and promised the same things she did for him. He watched her finally have children. He watched her grow old.

There was this one faithful moment, when Annie was sitting on a wheel chair outside the hospitals garden. She was alone as she watches other people mingle with each other. He had appeared in front of her out of nowhere. Annie, at the age of 76 had a case of Alzheimer's disease, but when she glanced at the man who stood not too far away from her, bathed in the light of the sun, hair shining like bacon and grin so bright her heart skipped a bit.

It was those rare moments even with her concurring disease, when she remembered the man she had given her whole life with, the man she had shed so many tears praying for him to comeback but to no avail.

Was he there to finally fetch her? Is it already her time?

Viole had walked up to her and kneeled down at her eye level. "Hi," he had said. Annie never felt so alive at that moment, Viole saw himself reflected on her eyes.

"Where have you been?" She had asked, voice trembling.

"I've been in an adventure." He had answered. "But I have never forgotten you." He said placing his hands on her wrinkled one. It was that moment she had burst into tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've given up." She whispered to him. Viole shook his head.

"You were never at fault. I couldn't bring you with me, I'm sorry I left you alone." Though he knew she no longer remember this part of her memories. "But I'm glad you had lived your life even without me." He added, but Annie couldn't contain her feelings she continued to cry. It took him a while to make her stable again.

Staring steadily at him, she asked, "Are you here to finally get me?" She had believed Viole was already dead,

Heart breaking, he could only slowly nod his head. She had smiled at him, and he thought she saw her as if she was her younger self again.

Tears streaming down his eyes, he placed both of his hands at her, feeling her for the first and last time. It was as if his heart was breaking all over again, the pain getting more excruciating. He can only grit his teeth. He needed to start.

"Annie, beloved of your husband and a mother of your children," his voice broke. Every word was getting harder to speak, but he endured and kept continuing as his duty calls. "A sister and a friend," He paused tears continuously streaming down his face. "My lover-" by this time he was so consumed by his emotions he was shaking uncontrollably.

"Go on, boy." Annie had urged, already jumping to other memories, he realized she had forgotten him again. It only made it difficult for him.

"And an adventurer," he said bawling his eyes out. "I am here to finally help you go through." With shaking knees, he slowly stood up, pulling her with him. Her silhouette overlapping with her body that remains peacefully seated on the wheelchair. There was no resistance from Annie so the transition was easily made. When he finally pulled her completely, Annie's body let out a final sigh before slowly closing her eyes.

Viole held on tightly at Annie's hands. Her version without her body looked younger and peaceful, smiling up at his messy hair and teary streaked face. She was finally unattached to any form of earthly d.e.s.i.r.e. With a final word from him, "The light has called upon you. This passage let you go back to the light." He said barely a whisper, a blessing for the soul of his beloved Annie.

With a final glanced at him, she smiled and her form broke into tiny pieces of light until it no longer has form. Viole watched as the light flew upwards disappearing into a light even he has never seen before. He felt as if his world had broken again.

Remembering this memory, he had been staring at Irife the whole time.