Chapter Thirty
There was a sadness that resided in me, despite the fact that I was free.
The guilt I felt at taking a life was at war with the part that Nilsorn had thanked.
When I ran from him, I was comforted by the fact that he was a monster, someone so filled with cruelty that I could not stand even the sight of him.
But when I had spent time with him, when I’d heard his story, something in me had opened up and embraced the hurting man who lived within him. His was a tragic tale with what one might think of as a tragic ending. Yet he had not viewed it in that way…
His peaceful smile and final words were the only comfort for what I had done. When the Realm Guard of Death had come to take him, even he had a smile on his face. I spoke to him, though no one ever dared to, for who would wish to have a conversation with Death himself?
“I was sorry to do it,” I shared, watching the Realm Guard prepare the body for the journey to the final resting place. “Even though he was a villain.”
“He was a villain to you.”
“He desired evil and power.”
“No, Calista. Every villain desires perfection, it just depends on how they choose to achieve it. Whether that is complete perfection or perfect chaos…”
I was silent as I pondered his words.
“He will speak well of you in his next home,” The Realm Guard of Death offered, his eyes smiling while his mouth did not.
“You will come second to none, save for Fiorra. You have done a great deed for not only him, but for all of Wylionis and the realms beyond. Grieve as is your right, but he will love you for this gift. You gave him all he ever wanted. This is the path where everyone wins, and it is not easily achieved.”
I did not feel as though I had won. “But I didn’t…” I said softly. “I didn’t win.”
“Look around, Calista. It is not you I came for today, and it is not the human that journeyed with you that I came for, either. Besides, it is time to prepare the human for a far greater task.”
My head whipped suddenly to the Realm Guard of Death. “What do you mean? The task to return to his realm?”
“His realm rejected him. I am the Realm Guard of Death, but I will not offer him such an end. No, Calista, his new task…”
I wanted to shake this creature from the impatience I felt, but I held fast to the calm humming of my heartbeat. Or rather, what I hoped was a calm humming. “And what is this new task of his? Will you inform me?”
“Our living realms have long since rested in the hands of the sables. There has been no discord, no strife, no issue.” I nearly choked on air from my desire to laugh in his face. Did he truly believe this? Before I could open my mouth, he held up his hand. “Until Nilsorn.”
There it was.
“I already knew that.
“Patience, little elf.” His voice was soft, and the contrast between the Realm Guard of Death and Nilsorn was interesting to me.
For one had been so cruel nearly until the end, while the one who ruled the realm of the dead was as soft as the velvet caress of the newly sprung petals at the change of the seasons.
“I am trying,” I offered.
“Here comes Aleixo. I have already spoken with him. Perhaps it is time you did as well. There is much for you to discuss.” I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Aleixo as the Realm Guard of Death lifted Nilsorn’s carefully wrapped body with ease.
Facing the guard once more, I gave him a nod. “Offer him a show of respect, Calista.”
At my furrowed brow, he chuckled before beginning his journey back to his realm.
“One must always show respect to the Realm Guard of Living.”