Author's note: This is my first attempt at a more tragic fic, set at a late point in the game. Some spoilers, but I hope you still enjoy. I played past this part some time ago, and this scene literally had me in tears. I decided to write a story about it, and what may have happened to one of the characters after...

Skies of Arcadia is copyright to Sega. Death (This version) and the desert are copyright Terry Pratchett.


I felt the slash from Glacian's blade as I fell to the floor. An enormous pain shot through me as the sword sliced through my lance, my shield, my armor.

"H-how dare you..." I managed to get past my lips. I was coughing up blood.

"How dare I?" Glacian repeated my question, mocking me in his cold fashion. "I dare to control all of Arcadia, Gregorio. That is what I dare."

Darkness began to appear at the edge of my vision, but I failed to pay much attention. I was already detached from the pain, the fear...

So much for being named Ironwall... I thought to myself...

ADMIRAL GREGORIO?

I got up. At least, my... spirit got up. In a violet haze I could see my body on the floor. And I wasn't quite sure, but this violet haze around me seemed more real than anything on Arcadia.

"That would be me," I answered. And then I saw him.

A black cloak, darker than the depths of my home of Valua. Under the cloak, it was... it was a skeleton. No, that wasn't right. It was a living, breathing (relativly) skeleton. Placed over it's shoulder was a sythe, it's blade looking sharp enough to slice the wind in two.

"Y...You're Death."

CORRECT.

"And you've come to take me, I expect."

THAT IS ALSO CORRECT.

I looked down at my body. Several guards had appeared, and were talking to Glacian. Solemmly, they raised me up and walked towards the docks.

"They'll give me a burial. One fit for an admiral, unlike those poor souls in Lower City." I turned towards Death. "I realize now... Glacian planned this all along. Why couldn't I see?"

YOU SEE CLEARLY NOW. NO WORLDLY THOUGHTS TO GET IN THE WAY.

"Ah." I looked towards the door Enrique and the others had run through. "Is he..."

HE WILL LIVE FOR THE MOMENT. Death answered. ALL LIFE FADES SOMEDAY. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT HE HAS UNFINISHED BUSINESS YET TO COME.

"Good." One last question. I realized that a desert had appeared around us.

"What happens now?"

THAT IS FOR YOU TO DECIDE.

I looked out at the desert, reaching out towards infinity. I looked at myself, and what I had done in life.

I had fought, I believed, for the glory of Valua's king. But then he died, and his wife took over. She became corrupted with power, but I still fought as a captain, and then as an admiral. I had a reason... Enrique. I taught him to be noble, to not kill needlessly, to treat his future people with kindness instead of fear.

And now, his teachings and his friends would be the things that would save our world.

I walked out into the desert. All things die, Enrique, of whom you were like a son to me. But when you finally pass on, although I hope it will not be for many more years, I will be at the other side of the desert. No matter whether it is Heaven or Hell you arrive at, Uncle Gregorio will be there, waiting for you.