Arc 3 - Chapter 76: Rest For Thee Unforgiven

(Reverence 7, 59 / 12:00PM)

It was cloudy.

On top of a hill near the outskirts of dodgerock, was of course the Pacithiest adobe. Inside the garden, the wind breezed through the countless branches that brimmed with leaves. But in the center of the garden lay four crosses.

A large audience of soldiers stood in perfected silence. Their hands clutched together, or inside their pockets, the silence filled their ears. The man in the center walked forward. He gazed his eyes on all four tombstones, which were nothing more than wooden crucifixes. Out of the four, two were more closely aligned, but they were still in the same group.

[Kenichi Honda]

[Junius 10, 38 - Reverence 6, 59]

[Johnny Zirardge]

[Automonath 25, 49 - Reverence 6, 59]

[Manny Hernando] [Christopher Hernando]

[Reverence 1, 46 - Maiores 15, 55] [Ostermonath 2, 51 - Reverence 4, 59]

“You’ve all been dealt the worst card.”

Kenji whispered the words, to which no one could’ve configured. He couldn’t look back to see his soldier, nor his allies, as he rested his eyes on those four crosses. Clearing his throat, he pushed anything down that wanted to come out, including tears.

“Today we honor the legacies of these four men. Their memories, stories, and the bonds they hardened will be carried on with our hearts.”

Pushing his hands to his lower back, he had his left hand grip his right wrist. The warm breeze rippled the bottom of his robe. A black robe. Everyone wore their best shade of black, including his allies, as black suits and dresses suited them best.

“Three of these gentlemen used to be sons of mine, and one gentleman ascertained his greatness to the very end. They all will rest under the nation of God.”

Letting both of his hands drop, he had them rest onto opposite sides of his body. Turning his eyes to Christian, he had his darkened eyes on Manny and Chris’s graves. Kenji pushed his numbing feet, as he strode silently to Christian’s right side.

Once he was standing right next to him, he didn’t pat his back or clamp his shoulder.

“You did all that you could.”

Christian couldn’t turn, nor could he turn his own boss away. Unable to walk, unable to turn, his eyes focused on those two crosses. Two siblings.

“Manny could’ve run away, could’ve pushed you, Pacifica, and Chris to the wolves. He chose what he thought was best. Chris always wanted to explore, to uncover the mystery of such fruits of this world. He knew what he was getting into. Christian.”

Kenji clamped a hand onto his shoulder. The two were unable to turn, yet Christian’s whole body quaked the more he stared. Gulping down saliva, letting it marinate his throat, a small sniffle breezed from his nose.

To which Kenji moved his hand toward Christian’s back.

“You and Pacifica have done nothing wrong. All we can do now is walk forward… as one.”

He puckered his lips.

Biting them down, tears finally ran down his cheeks. Fast moving, all loosening, it reached even toward the bottom of his jaw. Both his hands and feet prickling in static, Kenji pulled his hand away, and turned to Pacifica. Tears also soured her face. Wrapping his arm with hers, the two bonded as one.

‘And I’m afraid we all need to follow such advice… including me.’

Two women walked up to two separate graves. In front of Johnny’s crucifix, was a cat-girl whose hands were clutched together. Being a meter away from his grave, she knelt down, and closed her eyes.

All to pray for his ascension.

In front of Kenichi’s crucifix, a monolid woman carried a bouquet of roses. Ginger-pedals, thorns laced on the sides, she knelt down. Laying those roses right in front of the cross, a small tear escaped from her right eye. Only one, to which she used her finger to wipe it off.

Within the crowd, a purple-haired woman made herself a shadow within the crowd. Unable to walk toward such a grave, it was as if she didn’t want anyone to notice her. In fact… her cheeks were laced with old stains of water.

‘My daughters… why must I make you two suffer?’ Kenji glanced from behind, his focus only on Iris. Despite being in the center back, Kenji had already extracted her exact position. He turned around, and moved his eyes on Johnny’s tombstone.

The Dark Angels especially.

—Why did Johnny have to die? He was so close.

Luke scorned his eyes onto that cross, as he allowed so many thoughts to bond against his nerves. What happened with Doug, and to everyone on board, how much did they shake the hornet’s nest? Luke curled his fingers deep into his palms, and felt his nails dig into his skin.

—How can I let this happen? Should’ve I put him in the strike force team? Replace him with Sean or Jack? Maybe Miles? I should’ve known he wasn’t built for—

“It’s not your fault.”

He uncurled his hands. Hearing her voice, it was like lavender, as its scent whistled into his nostrils. Even when hot wind blew against his back, a shiver ran down his body, once he knew whose hand was on his shoulder.

“Hope…”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I could’ve done more, could’ve thought of—”

“Hey…”

Hope moved her hand down to his. Feeling her palm and fingers graze his knuckles, and his skin, the lavender that reminisced his nose hair trickled. Unwilling to look at her, his eyes were only glued on that single grave.

“Don’t hate yourself more than you already have.”

He shed a tear.

Slowly instead of rapidly, it ebbed all the way down to his jaw. As it dissipated within his skin, his hands succumbed to the prickling sensation of tiny needles. Sniffling with a dry throat, he cleared his throat and raised a sleeve to his eyes. As Hope continued to hold his hand, the rest of the Dark Angels hovered near.

Once Kenji walked toward the center at last, he finally turned around to face everyone. His back facing the graves, he laid them on his sides.

‘These poor souls wouldn't want us to sulk. Especially Manny and Chris…’

“Attention!”

The hot wind ceased, leaving the garden to be stale with the heat from the grass. The clouds above protecting them from the piercing sun, it was still muggy enough for small patches of sweat to form.

“In the late evening, we’ll be celebrating their lives with a toast, rather than tears. Instead of remembering the past, we’ll talk about the future. So everyone… everyone!”

Their eyes acted like reservoirs. Tightened muscles, steeled nerves, they all stared with pinkish red in their scleras. Seeing the state everyone was in, he lowered his voice an octave, and loosened his cheeks.

“Start getting the tables ready. Prohibition will be no more.”

Everyone had their feet glued to the dirt. It was a brief two to three seconds, before one to two soldiers began their walk toward the adobe. Their heads still lowered, their cheeks still darkened, more soldiers began to follow suit. Like a domino effect, anyone who sulked or stared, or both, walked toward the backdoor.

Kenji was the only one standing.

‘Finally, alone at last.’

He let his feet take him to the other side of the garden. With no wind to whistle against his body, the grass softened under his sandals. Having his hands on his sides, it was then he reached the place his toes landed. He stared at stone, a tombstone carved and statured with a mix of old and new.

Without saying a word, he bent himself over and extended his right hand.

‘Take care of them as if they were our children… my dear.’

[Erina Sumiko]

[Libertatem 2, 54]

________________________________________________________________________

(Reverence 7, 59 / 7:48PM)

Several hours later…

As the sun descended into the horizon, noise filled the top of the hill. Men and women, wearing their soldier uniforms, all bustled in friend groups of their own. Some of them wore brown, and some of them wore black. For those who wore black, they too carried the same things those in brown had. Glass shots. Whiskey, tequila, vodka, sake; anything that was alcohol was drunk. Everyone loosened, the thought of such misery and despair were not the least in their minds…

But for two men however.

“Just hate the smell of alcohol…”

‘Nothing wrong with that sir.’

Benn and Luke were the outliers of their own group. Within the circle they snuggled close to, all of them had at least a shot or two in their arms or hands. One man, a ginger-haired elf, finished gulping down his fifth shot of tequila. Gasping out air, exaggeratedly, he pointed a finger at the two of them.

“You two are such party poopers! Lighten up will ya?”

“You could have fun without being drunk.”

“Yeah yeah yeah, that’s what most losers say.”

Placing the tequila shot onto a table, there were already stacks of them. All from their group’s doing, he noticed another tray, one that was filled with glass shots filled with tequila. Grabbing it with stern fingers, Sean raised it up to his lips, and let the yellow liquid corrode his gums and teeth. Seeing him go at it, the smell of such empty shots molested Luke and Benn’s noses.

“And how many shots have you taken down!?”

Sean pulled the shot from his lips, which was now empty. “Six. Friendly competition?”

“Take it easy Sean. Everyone’s different in handling alcohol.” Said Miles. Placing the shot into a bowl, it held… fifteen glasses. By merely allowing his lips to open, the smell of his breath hit Luke and Benn like a truck.

Even Sean himself felt appalled by such a stench.

“The hell are you made out of?!” Yelled Sean.

“My mom took alcohol really well, so I got that trait passed down from—”

“That doesn’t explain why you’re not drunk yet!”

“To be honest, I don’t really know. Guess genetics? Maybe some ancestors of mine were heavy drinkers? Like I said, I don’t know.”

Luna was content with just seven glass shots, contrast to Hope who softly drank two. Luna felt her legs wobble, but not fully. Hope however felt more woozy than Luna, as her body wobbled back and forth like a leaf in a windstorm. Sean moved his eyes to Jack, who had one glass shot half-full, half-drunk.

Standing absolutely still, he stared into the abyss with no thought in his eyes. Being right beside him, Sean patted his back, making him jump.

“Woah you okay bro?”

“Oh, it’s just you. Sorry. I haven’t slept in two full days.”

“Look, you don’t have to always be our driver. Most of us know how to drive.”

“Again, I’m the driver. Driver. D, R, I, V, E, R.” Having his body hunched forward, he raised his free hand toward the back of his neck. Barely having the energy to straighten himself out, he coughed dryly, leaving Sean to take a step back. “And besides, we better be rich by the end of this stupid ordeal.”

Luke lit up his eyes. He remembered the bag he filled up with gold, gold that he scrambled with fractured arms and hands. Knowing Sean had put each other’s bags in one place, Luke cocked an eyebrow up.

“Sean, do you know where you put the gold?”

“It’s in my room, why?”

“I know it’s still a party and all, but I want to discuss the gold situation. You know, how we’re gonna split the wealth between us.”

“Uhh… sure.”

Luke gave him a nod, before walking toward the backdoor to the adobe. Disappearing into the crowd of soldiers, it left the Dark Angels missing a member. Right as he left, they heard a coliseum of footsteps.

Turning their heads right, they saw everyone. Pacifica, Christian, Stan, Fred, Gary, Diego, Loraine, Elizabeth, David, Jenny, and Iris. Most of them carried shots, some of them didn’t, with Loraine especially unable to drink. Standing a meter away from the Dark Angels, Sean shyly chuckled.

“So what brings you all here?”

“Is Luke in the bathroom? Don’t tell me he’s the first one out.” Said Christian.

“Nah he’s just gonna bring something from my room. He’ll be coming back soon.” Said Sean.

“Very well. Then please pass this thanks from us to him.” Said Iris.

In unison, they all bowed at a 60-degree angle.

Hands pressed against each other, the Dark Angels took a step back. Widening their eyes, Sean especially felt his throat clutter quiver. With Christian being in the front, he spoke.

“If it weren’t for him, The Boss would’ve lost a daughter of his. For that, he is forever grateful.”

They all straightened out their backs, with most of their hands dropping to their sides. All of them wore their same usual uniforms, as it was a celebration, rather than a funeral. Elizabeth and Jenny were the only ones to still wear black. Frowns still plastered their faces, but no tears were shed.

“And after the funeral, he decided to pass down the role of leader to someone else. He told me it was about time for something new, something risky.” Said Christian.

“Oh really? Then who's the new leader?” Asked Miles.

Christian smiled, before stepping to the right. Making a path, it showed a single woman with purple hair, who blinked twice. Having a blank stare to her, she pointed a finger at herself.

“Don’t be shy Iris. No need to mask that joyous spirit.”

“It’s only a promotion. You Christian, should be overjoyed by your promotion.”

“Your promotion? Wait, you’re like second in command or something?” Asked Jack.

“Yes. Think of it like this. Iris is doing the tasks Kenji always does, while I do the same tasks Iris did.” Folding his arms beneath his chest, he had his hands rest onto his bicep, before letting out a chuckle. “And yes, we’ll still continue that alliance, even after everything.”

In the end, they were all willing to be side by side. Throughout everything, even during the first train raid, the Pacithiests still called the Dark Angels friends. Sean felt a brow be raised, as he pushed his left hand into his pocket.

“Hey Christian, what are your group’s dreams or ambitions? Everyone needs to run with something, so I’m curious.”

“Me? Well for now, all I want is to make sure our bond doesn’t break, or bridge alliances with other groups the same as us.”

“And as for me, I want to follow the path of my father. To flow like him, to kick like him, and to strike hot iron to soldier’s hearts. That is all.” Said Iris.

Nodding at the two of their dreams, Sean and the rest of the Dark Angels turned toward Stan and his group. Pacifica had her hands grappled onto Stan’s arm like a koala. With Gary and Diego being a bit jealous, Fred rolled his eyes, while Stan shyly smiled.

“No worries. My role of being an older brother is set in stone. But, the only thing changing is her tagging along.”

“So count yourselves lucky boys~”

‘‘‘Great.’’’

Pacifica had a mischief grin, while the trio shook their heads and gruffed. Stan felt her grip tighten, before glancing down at the cowgirl who claimed him.

Giggling to herself, that grin somewhat faded, as she replaced it with something softer. Like someone turned her dial counter-clockwise, her eyes even glittered against the hot air.

“The true reason I'm fixin' to tag along, is to see the same world Chris was lookin' to explore. I ain’t quiet. Hell I can be a handful, but Chris was the same. He was the same…”

Clearing her throat, she loosened her grip on Stan’s arm. But to her surprise, he nudged her to keep gripping, to not wither out that flame in her heart. The trio, whose roles were limited ever since they reached Haxouburg, finally spoke out.

“For the three of us, we all just want to return to our roots.” Said Fred.

“Meaning?”

“Me, Gary, and Diego will be making gadgets not just for Luke and us, but for everyone.”

They all felt their lips widen.

Their souls gleaming in a pit of happiness, even Luna and Benn felt their eyes flicker in warmth. Softened cheeks, nodding heads, it was an approval no one could disagree with. Jack gave the trio a thumbs up, even as he had his head hunched forward.

“Good on you three. I think it’s about time we get new toys.”

“And although I don’t invent, I’m good with engines. I could tap into the van, and see if I could make some self-improvements and whatnot.” Said Diego.

“I mean by all means, go for it.” Said Sean.

They noticed David having a darkened expression, despite the party reaching its climax. His hands in his pockets, he still wore that same old cowboy hat, as he had it tilted low. Sean furrowed his brow, and raised a hand toward his left cheek.

“Anything wrong David?”

“After everything that went down, I plan to be out and about for the next several months.”

“Wait what, why?” Asked Luna.

“I want to unravel more clues, more unsolved questions. The attack on Ticia, Kenichi’s memory loss, the attack on Lagefor; the green-haired man. I need to know if these all are connected.”

Many of them thought, and many of them squandered. From Lagefor to now, it all felt like it was all tied to strings. Instead of zompires, their new enemy was humans. Humans trained to take down other humans. Why was Brigg’s group against them? Who sent him that command, that mission he looked forced to do? No, he wasn’t forced. They all weren’t.

And what reason did Doug have to unravel them as sinners? Was it ego? Something deeper? Something only a certain man could speak of…

“And I want to travel alongside him.”

Elizabeth finally spoke.

Her fingers curled into her palms, she felt her own knuckles quake and waver. But she didn’t force her own nails to dig. No river of blood flowing out, she quickly loosened that wavering stance, to which she loosened her hands.

[Ok… I’m going to be, we’re gonna be in good hands…]

“Johnny always loved conspiracies. He would tell me all sorts of theories or guesses about this world. What kind of lover would I be, if I don’t act on uncovering them.”

They took an oath of silence, a small one for only the cat-girl. Patting her head, the cowboy kept his eyes darkened, while Elizabeth herself did her best to maintain those emotions. While she was comforted, Jenny took a step forward.

“As for me, I’ll be doing a mixture of both Christian and Iris. I do wish to follow my father’s footsteps… but I’m not as strong as Iris. I’m better off with being on the sidelines with—”

She felt her hand be grabbed.

Moving her eyes to the right, she looked down at a teenage girl with fire in her irises. Without smiling, and without crumbling her frown, the only thing that changed was a slight widen to her eyes.

“And I’ll be tugging along with her. I don’t want her to cry, because it’ll get annoying quickly.”

“Loraine…”

“It’s for Jenny’s own good. If she’s gonna stay with the Pacithiests, I’ll join her. If she’s going with the Dark Angels, I’ll be right by.”

Jenny looked down, and Loraine had already locked eyes with her. The teen girl only gave her a nod, a satisfaction of not just an already deepened bond, but a symbol of their trust. The monolid woman tightened her hand, as she returned a smile.

‘Thank you Loraine.’

On the other side of the adobe, an old man with white spiked hair stood with no drink in hand. Laying his eyes on those four tombstones, he was the only one to stall in the dark. As all his soldiers drank, and pretended their worries were over… he knew a future that was about to come.

“You and your oldest daughter are a lot alike.”

He heard a voice rasped with dryness.

Coming from his right, he didn’t turn, but he knew who that voice drew from. Wearing a tuxedo, a fedora, and slacks, he wore a mixture of gray and black. But above all, his ghostly skin and bony cheeks worsened by the day.

“You both keep those hardened feelings from within.”

“A man like yourself shouldn’t speak so much, yet you belittled me.”

“Speaking is different from walking.”

Coughing lightly, Boris felt a small ripple of blood run down his right nostril. Having a handkerchief grappled in his right hand, he raised it up to where he felt it run. Clearing his throat, his eyes held both a syringe of darkness and reddish pink.

“So what now Kenji?”

“For us old men, we are to see the fruits of those who surpass us. It’s the order of life, a cycle we can’t outrun.”

Boris looked from behind, and saw everyone tidied with drinks at hand. They were all safe, all healed from their wounds in battle. But deep in his heart, there was one mistake he couldn’t avoid.

He remembered the chokehold Gwen throttled him in, with no air able to plunge through his throat. He remembered their yells, the disdain he got from them all. It was two years ago, but it all played like it was yesterday. Their judgement, their grief, it was all pointed to him.

Yet they continued to work for him. Even now, the blood on his hands still stood.

“There’s some things easier to run away from.”

The door to the adobe came flying open.

Some of them turned, and many of them followed their directed stare. Out of the door, was none other than Luke, who carried three black bags filled to the brim of money. For a young man such as himself, his upper body strength was above average for his body weight.

Everyone felt their lips be tugged, as some of them caved to their whims.

“Hey everyone! Sorry I was gone!”

Once he reached in front of everyone, he dropped the three bags to the dirt. Wheezing air out of his mouth, he clamped his palms to his knees, and hunched his body forward. Still keeping his face glittered in warmth, sweat swelled down from his temples.

“Here’s the bags. They’re unusually heavy.”

“No worries. Gold is pretty heavy in real life.”

Luke’s comrades, those that he forged an alliance with, stared at those three bags. Rubbing their chins or jaws with loose fingers, they softly nodded at such money they stole.

“So that’s all the gold you guys got?” Asked Christian.

“Well some of it. The rest of the Zirardgre’s fortune is probably, you know…” Whistling through the center of his lips, he angled his right hand to the ground, and descended it down. To mimic the misfortune of Doug’s wealth, and his properties, it won’t be long before his death shackles the world. Pulling back his right hand, he mimicked the sound of an explosion. Letting his lips flatline once more, he returned his warm, filling smile. “Luke. Do you want to do the honors?”

“Sure.”

From his pocket, Luke pulled out a simple switchblade. Bending down, he cut open the top part of the bag that was his, to which unveiled holy colors. Yellow, orange, a mixture of the two glittered in his eyes, before averting them away.

“Can’t let greed tempt us.”

“Got that right.” Still having his knees bent, Luke moved his eyes onto the other two bags. His switchblade still popped out, he moved a hand toward the nearest one to him. Grabbing the top, he cut it open.

Putting the blade to the dirt, he then opened the sliced up area to see… nothing sparkled. With the black bag casting a shadow, Luke straightened his knees out, to which he rose.

‘Come to think of it, Sean’s bags were lighter than usual.’

Picking up the bag from its base, Luke noticed that everyone had their eyes on him. Seeing everyone's attention, he gulped saliva down his throat, before giving himself a nod. Turning the bag upside down, what came out—

Bills plopped to his boots.

Everyone looked down at the money stuffed with care. Luke felt his lower jaw hang, and everyone else in the Dark Angels furrowed their brows to the max. Even the Pacithiests felt appalled, as if they witnessed a literal robbery in front of them. And because it was Jack and Sean who were assigned to deal with the side quest… all roads pointed to the elf.

“Sean.”

“Yeah?”

“Is this other bag filled with bills as well?”

Luke took a step back, and let the empty bag drop to the ground. With everyone intent on staring at Sean, or the pile of cash, some of them felt those greedy dreams wallow in the wind.

“So now you have a change of heart?” Asked Miles.

“And you had one job.” Said Jack.

“Of all the people to change at the last minute! You were the one begging to rob that stupid train!” Yelled Luna.

“I don’t understand. Why dollar bills?” Asked Hope.

“Yeah Sean, why now that you decided to change, rather than later?” Asked Luke.

The culprit looked down to the ground, as his hands were squeezed against one another. Tapping his right foot to the ground, his lips quivered endlessly the more he connected those thoughts. Thoughts that… he shyly smiled.

“After the battle with Eren, I gained something that I never had. I don’t know how to describe it, but it felt… big. It felt heavy. So heavy in fact, I couldn’t burden my shoulders with any more weight.”

He remembered that feeling. As if he felt eyes loom over him, he felt the true weight of judgement; of consequence. In a way, words like perspective and understanding came to him. No, they rushed toward him. And as he saw gold flicker his irises, gold that was within reach… the feeling drew him back.

“So I went with something lighter, something easier to carry. I know my original goal was for all of us to be well off, but that wasn’t rich. That wasn’t how we always lived.”

Even before he was kicked out, he remembered the dream Gwen had. Similar to him, he knew out of everyone just how much she dreamt. With her passing, and Luke being leader, time finally ticked against his ears. It was subtle, not looming, but a clock that everyone had beside themselves. Straightening his neck out at last, he stared right at Luke.

“Consider this as repaying my debt to you all. For everything that I have down. It’s not the money I’m sharing… but what you see in front of you.”

Even though he felt everyone’s gazes of warmth, he didn’t want to feel forgiven. Not yet at least. Luke scratched his chin, to which cleaved off small droplets of dirt. But that scratching slowly ceased. Lowering his arm, the hot wind finally dimmed at last. Leaving behind background noise, Luke’s lips remained neutral.

“Remember what you said when we reunited? About how you wanted to be second in command?”

Sean felt his hands loosen. His fingers and knuckles tinged in static, all the while everyone stood.

“Every commander needs one or two wingmen, a chain to which the leader can rely on. I think after everything, you do deserve some kind of reward.”

Luke straightened out his back, and didn’t bother to pick up the bags or even the knife. He locked eyes at Sean, who felt like he might break down in front of him. All of them were glued to the closing of their rivalry; a book that needed to be closed.

“Luna will be my right-hand woman. I think she’s strict enough for anyone to listen to her. And as for you, you’ll be on my left. You’re on the same level of strategy as I am, and that is not an easy matter. Care to accept my offer?”

The evening sun began dipping into the horizon. Stars above beginning to reign in, Sean felt his throat jump, felt it wobble relentlessly. His eyelids acting like dams, and his scleras straining a pinkish red, Sean walked right up toward Luke.

And wrapped his arms around him. Feeling the tight embrace, Luke as well returned that giving warmth. Feeling the melody reach its climax, all the darkness they bottled up for each other… was finally cured.

“Thank you.”

“There’s no need.”

Loosening their arms, they wrapped their arms around their necks. And at last, the two looked into the dipping sun. Everyone did.

Within their journey, their rivalry almost broke the team in half. But from where they stood now, that bond strengthened, tightened, melded into something unbreakable; like a diamond.

—Wow…

The sunset encapsulated into everyone’s eyes. Orange, pink, red, these colors graded against the horizon. Feeling the desert’s breath, and even the growing cold, they continued to stare at the dimming light. Whether it was a Pacithiest, an agent, a Zirardgre… anyone could’ve watched the last sunset. They didn’t care about the other stars from above, only the star they were closest to.

—We’re ok… I think we’re all gonna be ok. Ain’t that right Gwen?

It’s hard to take upon the burden of being something someone shouldn’t. But all it takes is a walk to see how it goes. To be a protector, to be a leader, to be a shepherd, it all boiled down to one’s heart.

Basking in his victory, no enemies were willing to interrupt such a contempt evening. They could rest, the Dark Angels could rest.

—As the curtain finally closed for the victors.—