Saburō's savior.

His lips trembled.
The white marble stake began to turn into the vision of his father’s tombstone.
The grave he never saw again since the funeral.

“This is the Graveyard of Remembrance.” the white crow explained. “A place to commemorate the memories of all saviors, as well as those that built them into savior. Whether they were related, or strangers that only crossed paths with them. Evidently, your father’s grave would be staked into this realm and remembered for as long as I exist.”

“…”

He couldn’t speak.
Saburō couldn’t speak.
The memories he didn’t wish to remember splurged out of the gate.
He remembered his dad dying right in front of him.

“What is the meaning of this.” he interrogated the crow, his voice dry and shaky.

“It is as I said. Since your fate is to become a savior, all beings that you approach or approach you will be here to be remembered. This is what I’ve done for many eons, and so, billions upon billions of memories rest here. A favor from my master to the saviors that have yet to become one.”

“A favor I didn’t ask for.” the man said, silently. “What purpose does it even serve?”

“Purpose?” the crow retorted, with confusion in the voice he shouldn’t have. “Oh you humans, always failing to see in the long term.”

“Then explain. You promised.” 

The white crow cawed, seemingly in agreement.

“Civilizations rise and fall, technology evolves and becomes lost, but the one and only constant is the fact that the dead will eventually be forgotten. And when they are, it would be the same as having never existed. Their legacy becomes dust, carried away by the river of time. To have their names marked here in this eternal graveyard, is not a purpose, but an honor. As well as the favor of my master.”

“…Suit yourself then.” Saburō conceded, letting out a heavy sigh. “I understand, I get it. In the future I’ll be some kind of savior right?”

“Indeed. This is your inevitable fate.”

“And as a savior, will I get to live comfortably?”

“Hard to say. I can tell fate but not the future. Still, I would suggest that you don’t take your comfort for granted. Without a savior to uphold the peace that births comfort, the human race would probably end sometime soon.”

“Urgh, I knew it. I’m involved in some messy stuff again… Oh well.”

Another deep breath, and Saburō gave one last glance at the white tombstone.

“Enough. Let me go, I did my part.”

“Gladly, young savior. But still, you have yet to claim your reward.”

“Reward? For what?”

“As thanks of course. Your fate is to be a thankless savior, so the most me and my master could do is reward you with a wish.”

“I see… What can you do for me?”

“Hmm, here is a popular wish that recent saviors I’ve welcomed here made.”

The crow got on the grave of the beloved father, and along with it, started to glow.

“I could resurrect your father. Create a past, present, and future where he never died.”

“You’re lying. No matter how omnipotent Mysticism is, the dead cannot be brought back to life.”

“But this realm is beyond the laws of reason and Mysticism. If my master wished, I could bring back the species you humans outlived.”

The crow seemed to smile, even though he couldn’t do that with his beak.

“So tell me, young savior. Is that what you want?”

“No thanks.”

“So fast!” the crow cawed in surprise. “Are you sure?”

Saburō thought about it again. Was he really sure? He who always missed his dad so much, for what reason would he refuse the crow’s offer? Among his memories of suffering, one of those, brimming with light, made the grieving man smile.

“You know, dad died protecting me from a mystical hazard. If he is to die no matter what, I think he deserves to be remembered as my savior. And that, for eternity.”

“…”

For the first time, the crow stayed silent. Only for a moment in his endless time.

“Truly, you’re just like her. Just like my master.”

He took flight again, dimming the light emanating from the white stake.

“Then, what else do you wish for?”

“I don’t know, I’m content with my life as it is. But…”

Saburō thought about how his day began, and how it turned to him speaking with a white crow.
And the reason for all of that, the way too curious apprentice stationed in his office.

“I have that one junior called Penny Manami. I feel like she would do something crazy the moment I go, and end up losing her job at the department. At least, I want her to live the most comfortable life she can, at least until her time comes.”

“So you’d use your wish for another? How selfless.”

“Not really, I’m just doing my job. Looking out for one’s junior is expected of me.”

“Caw caw!” The crow said, but did not caw. “Very well. I will let you go young savior. May your will never falter, and your heart, fulfilled at the end of your journey.”

With those parting words, the white sun in the blue sky shined brighter, until the light covered all things and the hidden shadows too turned into light.
From that world of white, yet another savior departs.