Author's Note: I continue to thank my wonderful fans for reading, and emailing me. Any new comments are greatly appreciated!
SIDE NOTE: how about that GARGOYLES comic, eh? WOW! When's the next one out! I'm dying to read it...ok...onto the story!
Season 3 "Anguish" Part 1
She was in a dark room. Thick fog covered her sight. She stumbled in the dark for what felt like days, until finally the fog cleared just enough for her to see what was in front of her; her beloved.
"Are you alright? God, I thought I'd lost you..."
His blank eyes remained staring straight ahead, right through her. She took another step closer to him.
"What's wrong with you?" She demanded, nearly angrily. Still, he stared ahead numbly. She approached him ever closer.
"Goliath!" She took whatever she could manage of his very large biceps in her hands and shook violently. Without warning, the gargoyle before her disappeared, leaving her hands empty. She looked desperately into the fog, which seemed now to be reappearing even thicker than before.
"Goliath! Where are you!" She bellowed into the fog. No answer came, save for the fog seeming to clear slightly again. This time, she was presented with Goliath's still body, a ways away from her. It was bruised and battered, with numerous lacerations on his once-perfect lavender skin. She ran towards the body, and kneeled beside it sadly. She lifted his head, and looked at the lips that she had kissed before, and the eyes that beheld her countless times. No life was behind these features, and she felt that no life would ever grace them again. She instantly began to sob, with her tears drenching his skin as she cradled his head in her arms. Just as suddenly as she had been shown this terrible vision, Goliath's body disappeared, and the fog set in at its heaviest. There was an accompanying bang, and a blinding light, causing her to shield her eyes with her slender and tired arms.
"No!" She cried out. "WHY? Why did you take him from me!" She got to her feet and began walking aimlessly, trying to find her way out of this horrible place.
The fog began to lift again, only this time, she was thrown back into the real world.
November 1, 1997, 2:57am
The mists in her head cleared, and she awoke groggily in a strange bed. She went to rub the sleep out of her eyes, when she realised there were bandages around her wrists. What are these from, she wondered. The events of the night before were still a blur, but came into focus when she heard a voice at her bedside.
"Oh, honey, thank goodness you're alright!" Diane Maza cried happily.
Elisa blinked. "Alright? Am I?" She asked absently, staring off towards the window of the room. Through the window, she could see that it was still dark outside. Where were the gargoyles? It definitely was one of Xanatos' medical ward rooms--it looked just as sterile to her as the last room she was forced to use in his med ward.
Diane leaned closer towards her daughter. "Of course. You have those nasty gashes on your wrists, but the rest of you is fine. Your father and I are so thankful. The others told us about the explosion. It must have been horrifying..."
Elisa's mind was suddenly thrown into the memory of what happened just hours earlier.
Those red eyes staring at her with contempt and disdain, her son's cries as he was thrown to the foot of her bed, Goliath tackling Thailog, the two of them zooming out the window, saying her tearful goodbyes, the explosion...
Goliath had shielded her from the blast. Of course, it made sense now. He had taken the full impact of the explosion. He had probably died instantly.
At these thoughts, Elisa began to sob like she had in her dream. Her mother had been told to expect this reaction. The flood of memories would be too much for Elisa, and she was told to just let her cry. Diane did just that. She held her hand and allowed her eldest daughter to mourn over everything that had happened, and everything that she had lost, though Diane knew for certain that the latter would take alot longer than a few hours of crying.
"Let it out, Elisa." Diane said quietly, rubbing her daughter's back with her free hand. The sobs had turned into quiet hiccups after a few minutes, though the tears still ran as freely down Elisa's coffee-coloured cheeks. Diane hadn't known what to say to her daughter to comfort her, so she said nothing more than, "I'm here, Elisa. Don't worry." Elisa, on the other hand, never said a word until finally, at length, she needed to.
"Where's Adam, mom?"
"Your father and Derek are caring for him upstairs in the castle."
The castle—a place that once gave her so much joy, then so much hatred, and then so much joy once again. The rollercoaster of emotions towards this building had finally stopped, except now the clan was one leader short.
Diane studied her daughter's face. It reminded her of the devastated faces of her daughter's friends, the gargoyles.
Angela hadn't stopped crying, even when David Xanatos had Goliath's body taken out of the mangled apartment. Hudson hadn't said two words the entire time Diane Maza had seen him, and the younger clanmembers all remained silent, with the exception of Brooklyn, her grandson's godfather of sorts. He was now the clan leader, and it was obvious by looking at him that he didn't feel he was ready, or that it was even happening at all.
Diane was called to the scene by Brooklyn. There was somberness to his voice over the phone that made Diane feel the need to drive 25 miles over the speed limit to reach the scene of her daughter's destroyed apartment. Once she arrived, she saw a hole in the top of the building that would have been her daughter's apartment. She was just about to go ballistic when Brooklyn and the others surrounded her. Angela was still crying then, and being comforted by Broadway. Brooklyn was holding Adam, who was dozing at the moment, completely comfortable in his godfather's arms. Even still, the clan's body language indicated to her that something very wrong had just occurred.
"What happened up there? Where is Elisa?" She asked hastily, pointing upwards to the apartment.
"Elisa is fine." Brooklyn stated calmly.
"Thank Heavens. So, what happened?" She began silently taking a role call. She counted two extra gargoyles she had never seen before, and figured these were the two Elisa had told her about a month or so ago. But one was missing. Goliath.
"Where is Goliath?" She asked.
"He...he..." Angela tried, but couldn't finish her sentence. Broadway had his large arm over her shoulder at that point, trying to comfort his mate with no immediate success.
"He was up there when the bomb went off..." Brooklyn explained quietly.
Diane's jaw dropped in horror. "Oh my God. He's...?"
The tears in the clan's eyes were confirmation of her thought. Though she didn't know him very well, she knew that he was a strong leader, a true friend, and her daughter's dearest love, and that this would stretch far beyond any motherly counseling she could provide. Her daughter would be scarred by this event for the rest of her life.
The tears began to come to Diane's eyes, and didn't stop dripping down until she sat beside her daughter's sleeping form in the hospital room.
Silent in thought, Elisa stared blankly at the walls of the room. Finally, she spoke.
"When can I get out of here?" She asked. The tone of voice she used was almost chilling to her own mother.
"Soon, Elisa. The doctors need to make sure you're alright and that you didn't sustain another concussion again. You'll be out before you know it."
Elisa made a noise of understanding, though her mother deciphered that to be one of indifference instead. Just then, there was a knock on the door. The door opened, revealing Peter, Derek and Beth Maza. Beth was holding Adam.
"Hey, kiddo, how are you feeling?" Peter asked his daughter.
"I'm here." Elisa retorted coldly. Her family was taken aback by her snippy reply.
"Look, Adam, your mom's here!" Beth said, trying to lighten the mood in the room. She held Adam up towards his mother, and he extended his hands to her. Sadly, she took her son into her arms and held him close.
"Hi, baby," She cooed quietly. She began smoothing out his hair and fixing his clothing. Diane rose from her seat and joined the rest of her family as they watched the scene.
"How is she doing, seriously?" Derek asked his mother in a hushed tone, though they were out of earshot.
"I don't know. She's distant, snappy, and pensive. I'm sure it hasn't sunk in yet, but I don't think she should be alone at all today. She may start blaming herself for what happened."
"She's strong, honey. This is going to be tough on her, but she'll pull through. Have faith." Peter said, holding her hand. Diane watched as her daughter held her son like he was her lifeline. Diane frowned.
"Who wants to stay with her? I should take Adam for his nap."
They were silent for a few moments until Derek cleared his throat almost reluctantly.
"I'll stay with her." The others nodded while Diane went to Elisa to take Adam for his nap. Derek waved at his family members as they left the room. He sat next to Elisa where his mother had sat and exhaled quietly.
"So, sis, um…" He began uncomfortably. Elisa shifted in the bed, and fixated blankly upon an undetermined spot in the wall straight ahead.
"Derek, I know mom made you stay here with me. You don't have to keep me company, you know. I'm not going to jump out a window or something"
Derek was surprised at this line of conversation. He thought about his reply shortly before proceeding. He knew the detective in his sister would see right through any lie of omission he could concoct, so he was honest. "We're just worried about you, that's all. It's just better for you to be with someone right now."
Elisa sat up a bit straighter in the bed, and glared at her brother.
"No offense, Derek, but you aren't the person I'd most want to be with right now…" She began, turning her eyes downward at her hands in her lap. The tears suddenly began filling her sad eyes, but she couldn't look at her brother.
"Elisa, I know that this is hard—"
"Bullshit! You have no fucking idea how hard this is, Derek! The love of my life is gone, and he died saving me!" Elisa screamed suddenly, looking directly at her younger brother's eyes. He flinched at her lashing out. Elisa noticed this, and returned her gaze to her hands. She sighed. "I have no idea how to react to this. I feel like punching a wall, shooting something, and hiding from everyone, even Adam. I feel like there is nothing left for me, and yet I know that life must go on for me—Adam needs me." The tears fell from her eyes. She blinked slowly, then turned back to Derek, who had never allowed his gaze to shift away from his sister. "But how can I do that when my heart is gone? Derek, this hurts so much…" She broke down in her brother's arms. Derek never had to deal with this sort of trauma, so the only thing he knew to do was to just console her quietly. As the two eldest Maza siblings held onto each other, Derek felt an undeniable grief permeating his sister's usually sarcastic self. He was ill-prepared to aid his sister in her sorrow. The only thing he did was hold her until her weeping subsided.
"Sis," Derek said at length. "I heard the story from Brooklyn and Tachia. You have to know that you didn't cause his death. Thailog—"
"—is a psychopath that I wish I could have just five minutes alone with so that I could shoot him right between those creepy red eyes of his." Elisa replied quickly, and darkly. She looked up at the window again, and noticed that it was still dark. She decided instantly that she should at least ask about the others. She wasn't the only one who loved Goliath.
She exhaled. "How are Angela and the others dealing?"
Derek closed his eyes, and shook his head. "Last time I saw her, she was still crying. The rest of the clan is still in shock I think."
She had to ask this next question, though it killed her just to think of it.
"And where is his body?"
"Xanatos had the body brought to the castle. The gargoyles said that there would have to be a ritualistic burial tomorrow night. Something about an ancient tradition when burying clan leaders."
Elisa closed her eyes and hung her head. "I see."
There was a knock at the door just then. Elisa didn't even look up to see who it was. She didn't really care, anyway.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Derek, Detective." The familiar voice said from the doorway. "Mrs. Maza wants to speak to you, Derek." It was David Xanatos.
"Thanks, Xanatos." Derek said, rising from the chair. "Elisa, I'll be back soon, ok?" He said, gripping Elisa's hand comfortingly, and then walking out of the room, leaving Elisa and David Xanatos alone in the med ward room.
David wore a very concerned look as he took Derek's seat. Elisa finally looked up at her visitor.
"Detective, I am deeply sorry for your loss."
Elisa hiccupped quietly. "Thanks."
"He will be terribly missed by all the residents of the castle and the Eyrie, believe me." David said genuinely.
"I know."
"Now, Detective, I know that this may not be the best time to discuss this, but I would like to extend the castle to you, if only temporarily."
"What?" Elisa asked, confused about what exactly he was offering.
"Well, as you may or may not know, your apartment was completely decimated. The insurance company is taking care of the damages, but they are going to take at least two months to restore your apartment. What I am offering to you, Detective, is a home here with your clan. There are plenty of extra rooms, and you can pay me rent if you absolutely feel like you must…"
"Xanatos, I don't think that's a good idea. I doubt the clan will want to see me around—"
"Actually, Detective, I ran this by them before coming to see you. They agree that the best way all of you can heal from Goliath's death is by being close. In short, Elisa, I think I speak for the clan when I say that you are needed here."
"I don't know…" Elisa said, trying to decipher the look in David's eyes. It was sincerity to be sure. She was still getting used to that sort of look in his eyes, but it was most definitely sincerity.
"Well," David said as he rose from the chair. "Please consider my proposal."
Elisa breathed in and exhaled quickly. "I will. Thank you, Xanatos."
He turned back towards her before leaving the room. "And, Elisa, if there is anything I can do for you, please let Owen know."
Elisa was about to thank David again when a sudden thought struck her mind like a lightning bolt.
"Owen! Get Owen here now! I HAVE to speak to him!" Her words caught David unaware. He nodded in acceptance, and quickly stepped out of the room. By the time Owen reached Elisa, she was sitting fully upright in the bed, looking agitated and apprehensive.
"You wished to see me, detective?" Owen said in his usual monotone. Elisa's eyes bolted in his direction.
"Yes, I need to cash in that wish you gave me. Right now."
Owen stepped closer to the bed. "Very well." Instantly, Owen Burnett turned into his alter ego, Puck. He began to levitate in mid-air, and had a slightly less mirthful look on his face than usual.
"What can I do for you, detective? What is your wish?"
"Bring him back." Elisa demanded simply, her eyes burning a hole into Puck's forehead.
"Um, I don't think you understand my limitations. I can't just bring people back from the dead. I know that—"
"I don't accept that for a fucking minute!" Elisa shouted, startling Puck. Even in mid-air, he jumped a bit at her tone. "You've changed me into a gargoyle, you've saved my life a few times using your powers, and you're telling me you can't bring him back? He hasn't even been gone for a whole day yet! You can—"
"Detective, I can create things, and I can cause things to happen, but tampering with life and death is something that is completely forbidden, not to mention, really, really hard to do. I doubt that even Titania herself has ever been able meddle in it."
Tears began to run down Elisa's face. She had known that it was impossible, and that Puck most likely would not be able to help her even before she had summoned him, but hearing it made the truth seem all the more real. She sighed quietly, allowing the tears to fall, even in front of the fey, Puck. She was an emotional wreck, but she was determined not to lose control with Puck still in the room. Puck, showing a great deal more sadness than he thought he had revealed, hovered closer to Elisa and put a gentle hand upon her shoulder.
"I wish that I could bring him back, but, as with all magics, there are limits that cannot be ignored. I can't help you on this one. I am truly sorry." Elisa allowed herself to relax—if you could call it relaxing—against the pillow that was propped up behind her and closed her eyes. The tears continued to fall.
"I should have known, I guess. Thanks anyways." She nearly whispered. Puck shook his head briefly before changing back into Owen. Again in his bland human form, he looked solemnly at the heartbroken Elisa.
"Again, Detective, if there is anything else I can do for you, please let me know."
He walked towards the door, regarded Elisa once more, and then exited her room. Once Elisa heard the door close behind him, the floodgates were released. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed mournfully. No one could help her now. Goliath, the gargoyle who had captured her heart and taught her what it meant to fly, was gone, and there was nothing she could do to bring him back.
And, she thought, it was my fault.
---
On the other side of the city, at the Destine Manor, Demona sat upon her bed allowing herself to cry for the first time in many, many long years. The gargoyle she loved, the father of her only child, was gone, and she had a hand in his death. Her plan had worked perfectly, up until the part where she had forgotten Goliath's incredible sense of loyalty. However misplaced it was at that moment, it was something that had initially attracted him to her and now, it had been his undoing.
Blast you, Goliath, Demona thought ruefully. Why were you such a fool? You should have left the human and allowed her fate to take her to oblivion. Instead, you were taken in her place. She let out a rage filled scream just then, and threw a priceless vase against the wall in her anger.
"Why are you so upset, dear Demona?" Thailog taunted from across the room in the doorway. Demona shot an angry look his way, and replied, "Go to hell, Thailog!"
"Ah, your reaction confirms my suspicions perfectly. You wanted to rid yourself of the detective so that it would clear the way for you and Goliath to reconcile. Tell me I've got it." He smirked suggestively. Demona ran across the room and dropkicked Thailog before he even had a chance to shield himself. He fell to the floor, and put a hand to his winded stomach.
"Ooo I struck a nerve, didn't I?" He continued to instigate. Demona turned around and began walking towards the balcony.
"Where are you going, my dear?"
"I'm going to get as far away from you as possible!" Demona said angrily, opened the balcony doors and soared off into the night. Thailog picked himself up from the floor and let out a hearty laugh.
I've really outdone myself this time. I've devastated an entire clan, left a beautiful police woman without her gargoyle love, AND incensed the immortal Demona. Life is good…Now, to destroy another one of my proud fathers, Xanatos…
He stepped out on to the balcony as Demona had done and soared out to make a plan.
---
"It's nearly sunrise, lass." Hudson stated quietly, looking over the edge of the parapets of the castle. Angela was sitting upon her father's parapet with her knees drawn up close to her. Hudson's words startled her a bit. She turned to look at him.
"I know. I just wanted to be close to where he would be at this time of night." She said calmly, still gazing into the night. Hudson placed a grandfatherly hand upon her shoulder. Hudson had no further words for Angela, no response to the sorrow-filled sentence she had just handed to him, except for "Come now, lass. Tomorrow we shall say our goodbyes." as bravely as possible without succumbing to his own devastation at losing his student, his disciple.
As much as Hudson wanted to wait before burying the leader of his clan, he knew that tradition demanded the swift burial of the fallen comrade before decomposition took hold of the familiar form. This was done so that the clan would always remember the way he was before his death, and not be scarred with the lingering effects of seeing him dead. Hudson had already picked out a spot to bury him. In the courtyard, where the humans who once inhabited the castle had their festivals, there was a relatively large patch of grass that would be the suitable for his burial.
Angela looked up at Hudson, fresh tears glistening in her eyes.
"I'd like to stay up here for the day. Perhaps he will visit me in my dreams."
Hudson's heart broke as he heard the desperate tone she used to voice her hope.
"Alright, Angela. I'll see you tonight then." Hudson said, walking away from Angela. She turned back to watch the sun rise mournfully.
So begins my life without my father…
November 1, 1997, 11:07 am
Elisa woke from another tormented dream, sweating and sobbing horribly. It had been another dream where Goliath looked blankly at her for the majority of it, and then suddenly disappeared from view. In this dream, however, Goliath's broken body was not shown to her. She felt as if she had searched for him in the dense fog for hours, but in reality, it was only about ten minutes in waking time. She looked around her briefly before realizing she was still in Xanatos' medical ward room. She stretched a little before pushing the covers off of her and stepping out of the bed. Her slightly sore feet touched the bare ceramic flooring, and a chill ran up and down her being at the coldness of the surface. Her thoughts went to Goliath. How cold he must be, the appearance of his body, the touch of his once-soft skin…
She shuddered.
The red call button beside the bed was prominent. She turned and pressed it. Within a few minutes, Owen Burnett knocked upon her door. Elisa was already out of the bed, wearing a red terry cloth robe that Diane Maza had brought from her home. Her bare feet padded against the floor sullenly as she went to open the door.
"Detective, it is good to see you up. What can I do for you?"
"Take me to see his body." She demanded simply. Owen nodded without a reply.
---
The first thing Elisa noticed as Owen opened the door to the makeshift morgue was the silence. It was all around. It was deafening. It flooded the cold and dark room like a tsunami. The only sound audible was the sound of their footsteps as they walked closer towards the figure covered by a large blanket on a wooden table located in the dead centre of the room. Owen and Elisa walked towards the figure. Owen turned to Elisa, bowed and left her alone. Elisa was grateful that she didn't have to ask him to leave, which meant that she wouldn't have to explain why she wanted to be alone with him. As Owen left the room and closed the door behind him, Elisa approached the body calmly, as she would if she were in the forensics centre after a homicide. She tried to distance herself from he who lay beneath the blanket, and it seemed to work until she pulled the cover off of his face. Within seconds, she felt sick to her stomach and heaved painfully into a wastebasket near the door. She hadn't eaten since before the incident, so her heaves were fruitless. After regaining her composure, she shuffled sadly again towards the body for take two at examining him.
His skin was no longer the rich lavender shade it once was, but a dull, patchy shade of grey. She couldn't resist the urge to touch it, so with a shaky hand, she grazed his cheek with the back of her hand. The sensation of his lifeless skin on her hand made the events of the night before seem real, tangible. A tear escaped her eye. She wiped it away, and leaned closer towards his face, as if getting a better look at him would magically awaken him. His eyelids held behind them no life, no joy, no spirit. They were dead, and empty. There was surely nothing more she could do except face reality and somehow move on, though moving on didn't seem to be a feasible option as she stared at Goliath's lifeless body, now covered with debris and cuts and scrapes from the explosion.
"You're so cold," She said quietly, touching his face again, and then smoothing his hair. "Why did you do it, Goliath? Why did you save me? Your clan needed you a lot more than they need me. I don't think I could live without you here, now that we've found each other. I guess I'm ultimately selfish, but damn you, Goliath. You've killed me. With your death, I'm dead, too." She finished quietly, allowing the tears to fall again. She found a chair in the corner of the room and pushed it beside Goliath's body. She dropped her tired weary body into the chair and faced Goliath's gentle face.
"Why?" She asked the corpse before her.
Beside him was where she remained until right before the sun set, when her parents and Derek came looking for her, preparing for the burial.
---
As the sun set that evening, Elisa dreaded the events to come more and more. She knew of the clan's intention to bury Goliath that evening, only one night after his tragic death. It wasn't very settling for her, but then again, the events of the few nights were anything but settling.
The clan was gathered in the Great hall when Elisa, Derek and her parents arrived. Most of them were standing, feeling uncomfortable and anxious. Elisa was worried about their reaction to her, since this would be their first meeting since Goliath's death. Carefully, she walked towards the clan, her arm linked with her mother's for support. Angela was the first to notice Elisa.
"Elisa!" She cried out, walking towards her. Elisa let go of her mother and prepared to accept her punishment from Goliath's only child. But it never came. Instead, Elisa received a gentle and heartfelt hug from Angela. Angela began crying as she hugged her father's love. Elisa joined her in her crying, causing many other eyes to moisten in the room. They were interrupted by Hudson clearing his throat.
"We are going ta begin the ceremony now. Everyone, come outside to the courtyard." He said with sadness resonating in his tone. He walked away, making no eye contact with anyone in the room. One by one, the clan emptied the Great Hall and filed out to the courtyard. Once they were there, they were presented with a large wooden table, similar to the one the body had been on in the makeshift morgue. Upon this table was a large casket, and within the casket, there lay the clan's leader. His wings were draped over his shoulders majestically. He wore a new white loincloth, complete with a golden belt buckle. His hair was tied behind his head in a long pony tail. His hands were placed together on his chest, slightly below where his wingtips met. In short, he looked like a sleeping king. Beside the large wooden table, a large hole was dug, awaiting its new resident.
Hudson approached the body, and addressed the small congregation around him.
"Thank you, clan, friends, for being here today. Though in human tradition, this seems a bit too fast to be burying our leader, gargoyle tradition demands that we bury our leader while his memory is still fresh in our heads, lest we forget the great things he has done as leader, and as a part a this clan. This tradition is simply to have each of the clan say a few words about Goliath. After this, we say our final goodbyes to our friend and lay him to rest. Who would like ta begin?"
"I'll go," Brooklyn, the reluctant new leader said, stepping forward.
"Goliath taught me how to be a good leader, though I never wanted to put my knowledge to practice. He was a great friend, a compassionate gargoyle, and we are all greater beings for knowing him." He concluded, wiping his red eyes. Behind the crowd, David Xanatos, Fox and Owen were standing, silently observing the goings on—not to pry, but to pay their own final respects to Goliath without interfering with the ceremony.
"He was patient and a noble warrior. He helped me grow up, even when I was in the past. I would sometimes think, 'what would Goliath do in this situation?' Usually, I picked the right course of action that way. I'm going to miss him a lot." Lexington added, never allowing his eyes to stray to the body in front of him.
"I think I speak for my sister when I say that we didn't know Goliath long, but that we wish that we could have known him better." Tachia said quietly. Eosine nodded.
"Yes, he was described to us as a righteous gargoyle, a true warrior with a large heart. These descriptions turned out to be true, and then some. May God rest your soul, dear Goliath. Until we meet again." Eosine concluded, motioning the sign of the cross over the body before walking back to Lexington's side sadly as Tachia walked to Brooklyn.
"I taught him much, but I believe that we all learned a great deal from him. He was a fine leader, and the greatest gargoyle I have ever had the privilege to have known in my long life. Goodbye, my leader, my friend." Hudson said, touching Goliath's hand that rested upon his chest.
Bronx began whining quietly, only to be silenced by Broadway. Up to that point, he had been supporting Angela, with his hands gripped tightly at her shoulders. He released her and stepped forward to say his piece.
"We went through a lot together. He was one of the best. I still can't believe he's gone." Broadway stated.
Angela joined Broadway in front of the congregation and wiped her eyes again.
"My father was taken from us far too early. He was gentle, kind, understanding, and a true friend to all. I understand now where I came from, and who I am because of him. I love you, father. Rest in peace."
Now was Elisa's turn. She walked unsteadily before the crowd and placed a hand of support beside his casket on the table. She thought of saying things to the clan, but instead, turned to face her love for the last time in this lifetime, and spoke loudly enough so that the entire congregation could hear.
"My love," She began. "I have no idea who decided that we were right for each other, or what force in heaven and earth conspired to bring us together, but it is something that I will be forever grateful for." A few eyes were moistened at this point. "You changed my life forever, saved me from a life without love and gave me the kind of happiness I thought I would never get to experience. Ours was something that can only be found in fairy tales. God, I miss you already." She suddenly faltered, knees wobbling. She fell over his chest, the tears running freely now. Brooklyn and Broadway took her hand to help her up, but she batted them away.
"It was my fault, goddamn it!" She cried out wretchedly, clinging to him miserably. "He saved me from being killed, but not from death. I'm dying without him…God, he should have let me die! I'm sorry, Angela. I'm so sorry…" Her cries lowered slightly as Broadway and Brooklyn managed to pry her off of the body. Angela walked over to Elisa and shook her head sadly.
"Elisa, you aren't to blame for his death. Thailog is! You mustn't blame yourself for it!"
"How can I not? I would be lying to myself if I didn't!" Elisa said, gripping onto Brooklyn's arm tightly. Angela's look softened as she touched her shoulder.
"No. You didn't ask to be held prisoner in your own apartment. None of what happened was your fault."
"Yes, Elisa. Angela is right. Thailog and his 'associate' are to blame. We will seek them out tomorrow night and claim vengeance for Goliath's murder." Brooklyn chimed darkly. Elisa was still so distraught that she didn't have the strength to argue. Brooklyn guided her to a chair nearby and helped her sit in it. Hudson then walked up again to Goliath's body and looked over the congregation to David Xanatos and company.
"Xanatos, would ye like ta say a few words?" The clan turned to regard David. He stood holding his wife's hand, but released it when summoned to say something about Goliath. He walked towards the body, between various clan members. He gazed into the open casket solemnly before clearing his throat and beginning.
"He and I were never exactly the best of friends, and for a time, we all considered each other enemies. But I guess that is the effect a child has on people. I don't think I can ever repay your clan for what you did to save my son, but I owed an undetermined amount of apology to Goliath. He was a great gargoyle, the symbol of loyalty and strength, and a role model of the finest quality. He will be sorely missed, not only by the clan, but the Xanatoses as well." He turned to look once more at the body, and then walked back to meet his wife who was visibly shaken by the death. Hudson nodded and returned to the casket.
"We now return our leader to the earth. Though he's gone, n'er will he be forgotten. So speaks his clan, the clan of castle Wyvern." Brooklyn, Broadway and Lexington reached down to lift up the casket. They hoisted it a few feet in the air before lowering the casket gently into the grave. The casket closed, and began lowering. Elisa watched quietly as the casket was lowered into the earth, and then piles of dirt were thrown on top of it. Angela nearly collapsed at the sight, and Broadway was almost too late in reaching her before she fell to the floor. He caught her arm, and was her strength as she watched the surreal and disturbing scene play out before her. All the others were silent, even the Xanatoses and Owen. They watched as Goliath's death was finalized, made real to them.
Elisa's quiet sobs were the loudest thing in the courtyard as Goliath was laid to rest.
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High above, in another dimension of space and time, an other worldly being watched the scene and shook its head.
"A wrong has been done, a shift in the balance has occurred. A being has died that should not have. This discrepancy must be corrected at all costs."
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...to be continued...