Short Story: Afterlife

Eden stood alone, a single living soul among the garden of the dead. He bowed his head low as he silently prayed, clutching a bouquet of flowers close to his chest. Even as rain fell down from the heavens, drenching him, droplets running down his face like tears, he did not care. Lost in his own head, he was hardly aware of the world around him. He wasn’t sure how much time passed as he stood vigil there, unwilling to depart. He knew that to tear himself away would mean leaving a piece of himself behind, and he could not bear to let go.

All he cared about was the gravestone in front of him. Once his whole world, now reclaimed by the earth.

Eventually the downpour began to taper to a drizzle, and then faded away. In a strangely sudden shift, the sky began to clear, tendrils of sunbeams reaching out from the parted clouds. Eden felt their warmth hit his back, but it did nothing to thaw the shards of ice that pierced his heart.

“I thought I might find you here.” A familiar voice behind him shook him from his trance.

“I didn’t expect you would come.” Eden said in acknowledgement of the newcomer's arrival, although he did not turn to face her, still frozen in place, unable to tear his gaze away.

"I came for you." The sound of light footsteps approached closer, until Aura was standing by his side. She stood tall and proud as always. Her white wings glowed softly in the sunlight. Pristine, as if she had not been caught in the deluge on the way, Eden felt sodden and wretched in comparison. She examined the grave of her fallen comrade with an unreadable expression. "Although she died an honourable death, I suppose that is worthy of paying respect." Despite the angel's claim, her voice was seemingly devoid of warmth nor sorrow.

Eden found himself chewing on her words, yet unable to swallow. To die in battle against a demon was an honourable death - it was a sentiment the hunters lived and died by, once Eden had held on to that belief too. But now it felt so hollow and worthless. What good was honour now? She was still dead, killed in a battle she should not have been a part of. It wasn't fair.

“Is there nothing you can do?” Eden pleaded softly. Harriet had fought alongside them, surely Aura would agree that honour and bravery was worth something?

“You know the rules, Eden. Not everyone gets an afterlife." Aura shook her head, and continued in a matter-of-fact tone. "I cannot claim a soul that was not willingly given. Her refusal to take the pledge of allegiance means she denied herself rite of passage to Elysium. I cannot reach her.”

“So she’s really gone?” He asked in a pitiful whimper, although it wasn't really a question.

“Yes, irrevocably.” Aura’s response was blunt and unsympathetic as ever.

Eden’s heart twisted at her response. Of course, it was the answer he was expecting. Deep down, he knew. Maybe he was a fool to even let himself entertain that tiny shred of false hope, knowing it would be lost. He had already lost so much.

Hanging his head in defeat, he looked down at the bouquet he carried. Harriet used to say that sunflowers were a reminder to always have hope, to stand tall and look for light, even in the darkest times. What good was it now? The light was lost. They would wilt and die eventually. How could dead flowers heal a broken heart?

Maybe he was a fool to ever have hope, to think it would all be okay. He should have known that everything he touched would wilt and die. Everything he loved will be lost. This was all his fault.

It should have been him. He would give anything to trade places with her.

He sank to the ground. On his knees before the gravestone, as a reverent kneels before an altar, he laid down the flowers. It felt like such an inadequate offering, but what more could he do? She would never receive them anyway. Nothing could ever bring her back. Nothing could ever heal the pain. He would carry it as long as he lived... Longer.

"Aura...?" he began tentatively.

"Speak."

Eden took a shaky breath, pushed himself to his feet, and finally he turned to face her. She still loomed over him, but he raised his chin to meet her eyes. "I don't want to live forever." He said with as much conviction as he could muster, though his voice still shook slightly.

"You would renounce the gift of immortality?" Though her voice remained calm, her halo flared and flickered like tongues of flame, betraying the simmering emotion underneath.

"I know it is an honour. I am grateful for your generosity." Eden once again averted his gaze and bowed his head, throwing his hands up in front of him in a defensive gesture. "And I will continue to fight and serve you until my last breath, just as I promised... But I ask for no reward." His voice shifted to less panicked, more weary, more pleading. "When I die, I just want that to be the end. I have lost so much, I have nothing left, and I am so tired... Please, let me rest in peace."

There was moment of tense silence. Eden felt himself holding his breath as he waited for Aura's response.

"Your vows are binding, Eden. An oath made in blood cannot be broken." She spoke slowly, softly, yet with a quiet intensity. She took a step closer, reaching out. Eden resisted the urge to flinch back, fearing he had angered her. But to his surprise, she rested her hand on his shoulder. Such a comforting gesture was rare. "That is your duty as a demon hunter, you are destined for higher purposes."

Gently using her hand to guide him, she turned him away, so that he no longer faced the grave. He tried to look back over his shoulder, but her outstretched wing obstructed his view. Soft feathers curled around him, the closest she would ever come to an embrace. "I understand you have sacrificed much. But you will never be alone. I will always be here."

Eden did not respond, but he silently pondered her words. For all his life, Aura had been the only stable constant. Always there to guide him, as the morning sun burns away the darkness and fog. Now, she was all he had left.

Once he had dared to hold on to hope. He had tried to cling to a foolish dream where everything would turn out okay. He should have known he could not live with a foot in both worlds. He would always be a hunter, now and evermore. It was his fate, his purpose, a burden he would always carry. He never had a choice.

He understood what her words had meant, and he nodded in solemn acceptance.

He was hers, forever. He could never escape.