"Time of death, 22:31, June 21," Dr. Saif Mannan said solemnly. He looked down at the motionless form of an old man. Dr. William Parry. His teacher, his mentor, his friend.

Couldn't hold on till midnight, Will?

Saif sighed and turned around. The occupants of the room stood silently, most with bowed heads. Tears rolled silently down Dr. Tanya Hunter's face. She was much younger than Saif, and had been Will's last protégé. The nurses, some of the best in the city, were still. Saif looked over at the last man, Brian Talbot, Will's lawyer.

Brian sighed raggedly, breaking the silence.

"I'll have the release sent out. The country…the world will want to know. To…honour him." Brian was normally jaunty and quick with a quip, but he seemed stunned, as if shocked that such a man as Will was even mortal.

Saif nodded and looked back at Will's body. He let his eyes relax, like he was looking at a Magic Eye puzzle like Will had taught him years ago. When Will had told him his stories, stories that he couldn't believe at first, but quickly did. There was no sign of the noble cat, proud to the last, who had been right at Will's side the last week as his life ended.

He's really gone then.

The nurses began to prepare Will's body for transit to the Hospital Morgue. Saif stepped out of the room with Tanya and Brian.

"They'll want you to speak, Saif. Likely you too Tanya. Would you be up for it?"

"Of course, of course," Tanya said.

"Very well, keep an eye on your phones." Brian shook their hands and took one last look into Will's well-appointed room. He sighed again, less raggedly this time, and walked down the hall. Tanya turned to Saif, eyes rimmed red.

"I can't believe he's gone. He…just…seemed like he'd be there forever."

Saif felt his eyes start to sting.

"I know. But…he lived a fuller life than anyone in the world. In the Worlds. I just wish he could have made it to midnight because…you know…" Saif choked out.

"Maybe there was no point if he couldn't make it to the bench," Tanya managed a smile. "Maybe...he's with Her now. I want to believe they are together, finally."

Saif felt every one of his 50 years in that moment. Yet he knew what he had to do. What they had to do.

"You know what Will wanted. For us to keep spreading knowledge, and compassion. To build the Republic of Heaven, like he always said."

Tanya suddenly hugged him, who instinctually hugged back fiercely.

"He was never afraid of this. He knew what was coming, when he passed. He was ready. IS ready," Tanya said. An orderly wheeled out the enshrouded figure of Will.

Saif released Tanya as his gaze followed the gurney. Tanya sniffed one more time.

"Good luck, Will Parry. Tell them stories."