What comes after death?

This thought ran through Gregor's head like a highlight reel. Only not good. A lowlight reel. Gregor smirked. Here he was, on the edge, ready to do it, to end his life, to end the pain. To end the deep feeling of emptiness, the void, that had filled his life since the note came. The wind brushed against his face. The letter had been sent to him. It had been sent to him last night. And he had read it.

Gregor,

If you are reading this, then I am gone.

But do not fear, for I will always live in your heart.

Gregor, I died in battle, how I wanted to go.

I died serving Regalia, and the Underland.

The world under is a much better place.

Do not fear, we will soon be together.

Live your life, live it to its fullest.

This doesn't mean you have to forget.

I know I never will, no matter how dead I am.

Even if I am dying of boredom.

Fly You High my Love,

Luxa

Attached was a note that read the words of a poem Gregor had once heard somewhere.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I did not die.

A picture came along with it. A picture of the two dancing. Of them sharing an eternity. That moment. They were both laughing, and enjoying the moment. This is how he remembered Luxa.

But now, she was gone. And there was nothing.

Gregor began the journey home. The tears wouldn't stop, but this time they were tears of joy. Of joy for Luxa. Her world was rid of pain and sorrow, and now she had everything she could ever need—peace at last.

As he opened the door to their apartment, he could see his mother at the kitchen table, hands clasped together, face pale. She was staring into nothingness. His father sat, comforting her as Boots and Lizzie mimicked his mother's position. They all looked at him at once.

What comes after death? The thought returned. He knew he had nothing to live for. Luxa was gone, and with it his heart.

His heart. She was still there. Alive, watching out for him. Guiding him. He read the poem again, and this time the tears came. He kept crying until finally he broke down and fell to the floor. No. She was still alive somewhere. The very fact that he was still thinking of her proved it. It reminded Gregor of the song from Titanic. She'd be with him the rest of his life, he knew that. Somehow they would always be together, and the love would never fade, and that gave him hope.

So what comes after death? Life, my friend. And life is the greatest love of all.