Darkness is coming toward me. I can see it.
I could feel my spirit fading. I could hear Pops' words as he told me, though they were becoming quieter and quieter. I wanted to keep hearing his voice. It comforted me.
"You were the one that helped me through the storm."
Yes, it was me! I just wanted to shout it to the world!
Why is my will to live fading along with my spirit? I don't want to leave yet. I had to protect Pops, like I promised to Blue. I just had to. I need to stay with him. Blue would get awful mad if I wasn't around!
Please, spirit, convince whoever's out there to let me stay. If not for my own sake, for Pops! For Blue, and Hige and Kiba. And Tsume. Cheza, help me convince them. You would know what to do, right? Help me, someone. Anyone!
Please…
Darcia can't kill me. I haven't gone to Paradise yet. I never got to see the wide meadows filled with deer and oxen, and rabbits and butterflies. The full moon would never bathe me in its glory, and open the lunar flowers to see its magnificence. I want to run between the trees with my friends, and lie with Cheza as she sang to help us sleep and dream wonderful dreams.
And Grams would be there, petting me and scratching behind my ears that no one else could reach. She would tell me what a good boy I was, and praise me for doing so. I would smile with her when she was happy and lay on her lap when she needed me.
It's too soon already.
Why do I have to die? Or anyone? Why can't we all live on immortally, then no one would have to deal with the pain of losing a loved one, or ever have to leave them behind? Wouldn't it be better if we all never died, or died together so that we could end up in the same place? I never want to leave my friends behind. They need me as much as I need them.
Why do we have to go through such a horrible thing?
Death hurts anyone that it touches, without mercy or remorse. It holds beauty and ugliness. It remains inescapable by anyone, no matter where you hide or how long you wait. Once you think you've outlasted death, it finds and takes you away to wherever dead people go.
But…
What if Paradise is where you go once you die? What if that world is open to anyone? Can wolves and humans alike stay together in one place of peace?
Is that the true Paradise? I wonder if everyone can linger there; wolves, humans, and every other creature in the world, living and breathing the free mountain air together. We can live together in harmony without war and bloodshed.
Is that what awaits me when I breathe my last breath? Could I still be able to lie next to Grams, and comfort Pops? Maybe I can wait for my friends when they come, filling them in on where they were.
For an instant, I smiled.
That's a good reason to die for.
Ah-! What's that sound? It's so beautiful… That's voice is warming my heart to the deepest crevice. Is… Is it Cheza? Oh, she's singing her lullaby for us.
To me.
…Howling? Oh, it's my friends!
I can hear their sorrow in their voices, too. The rain falling around me… It's their tears. Everyone, I'm sorry that I have to go. Please, don't be sad. You'll see me again, someday.
I promise.
I feel myself lifting into the air. Am I finally dead; gone forever?
I can smile, knowing that I'll be going to Paradise.