The wind was nice, even though it was chilly outside. The city was slowly coming back to normal. But, for him, it was just being built up.
Honestly, he didn't know why he was sticking around. He'd betrayed everyone here.. Not by his own choice, but it had still happened. He couldn't face anyone here, feeling actual guilt for his actions. Everyone said it wasn't his fault after hearing what Django had said once theycd returned.
But some of the villagers still gave him the stink-eye when he was out and about with Django. Not all of them forgave him, and they were quick to pin the blame on him if anything happened.
Only those who knew him knew he wasn't to blame.
Sabata's chest ached, felt like it was tightening and constricting his breathing. His vision blurred, and he blinked to clear it. Teaming up with Ratatosk against his will, ressurecting Vanargand… Nearly killing Django…
His breath hitched, and he let out an involuntary sob. It was chilly, but Sabata didn't care. He wanted the cold. And the guilt.. Everything. But he'd done a lot since coming back..
"There you are, Sabata! Django was looking for you!" Violet, the sweetheart, had climbed up to the roof of the inn to find him. She'd grown up since he'd last seen her a year ago… before Ratatosk made him a puppet.. She still wore a green dress with an apron, though.
"I'm leaving tonight," Sabata looked to the moon. How could he destroy Mahoroba? And Carmilla was trapped up there with Vanargand…
"I can't stay here. Despite the efforts I've made since returning, a lot of the villagers will not forgive me."
"But… Nero and I will miss you. Zazie will miss you… Django will be heartbroken…" Violet sniffled. "Don't go, Sabata.."
Sabata got up and shook his head. "No. I can't stay. If I do.." He trailed off, before Zero Shifting away. Violet was left alone on the roof, and burst into tears.
The sun rose the next day.
Django woke up, and noticed Sabata's bed empty. Violet was sitting in a chair, swinging her legs back and forth. She'd still come over a lot, even though he no longer needed her to housesit. Nero was mewing, and Violet sniffled.
It was then that Django found out Sabata had left. Violet told him what happened.
And then, the rumours started. About a ghost of a beautiful maiden in the decrepit House of Time, who wandered the halls. Her clothing was exquisite and expensive…
But what got them all was that the maiden had long, lilac hair and eyes as red as blood.
Was it Mani, rising from the grave? Or was it…?
It was both Django and Violet, with Nero, who had headed to the House of Time to figure out this rumour and see if it was truth or not.