They told him she was dead but he wouldn't believe them. He persisted, he tried to prove what they say was wrong. She couldn't be dead. He kept repeating those words try to convince himself a reality he would not accept.
It took him awhile to realize the awful truth that Gabrielle was dead, Nida decided his fate. He took his most precious dagger a Sucsamad and then slit his wrists. He then jumped of into the canal hoping that maybe drowning would help ease the pain. But then he realized he was only having a bad dream of killing himself. He asked himself uncertain whether if the others didn't survive. But he could get the answer – no. Nida sat alone on the same bench that night, he asked "Why? Why does this have to happen? I should've gone with her?" He cried. He felt dying again, he felt like he should make that dream come true. Nida took out his dagger and then revealed his bare wrists and attempted suicide. But then it was something he couldn't do; he knew Gabrielle would hate him for that even if she were dead. He dropped the dagger and sigh his deepest and saddest sigh. He then wish and begged himself to wake up from this bad dream.
The next following day, Al De Baran was still under depression. The Guild that was assigned to fend of the Orc Lord had failed in their mission. They were worried not only for the tragic deaths of the youth who died protecting the borders from the Orcs but also their safety from the Horde. Nida could less likely care; he had lost the one he loved. He didn't care if the Horde would leave their borders and attacked them any minute. He blamed himself entirely for not being there, he doesn't mind dying if it's for her. He would have hold off against the Orc Lord and allowed her to live. That would make him happy and probably made her change her mind about him. Unfortunately, things usually don't go with people's way. Nida felt sad and lonely. He even started to mourn for Zack; he pitied him and his family.
He asks himself how he is going to live with them now. Should he just forget them and move on like nothing has happened? Nida was confused.
"Nida, there you are!" said a voice.
He turned around to see Ariel but this time without Kahran. Ariel came up to him she knew about what happened. She knew about Gabrielle who went to Orc Village and what had happened there. Nida couldn't look at Ariel, his eyes wandered elsewhere. She put her hand on his cheek and made him look at her and she said, "It's ok… I'll take care of you now,"
Nida then hugged Ariel he cried on her shoulder. Ariel kept asking him to calm down; she knew the pain he was suffering. She ran her fingers into his hair and patted his back. She tried all her best to make him calm down and to help him ease the pain. Later she took him into her place to try easing things a bit more. They sat on her couch then she asked, "How are you feeling?"
"Still sore," he replied, "Damn I should have been there. I should be there to die with her,"
"I'm sorry," Ariel apologized, "I shouldn't have met you. If not, this wouldn't have happened."
"No please don't blame yourself. It's entirely my fault," replied Nida, "Don't blame yourself you had nothing to do with it."
Ariel felt guilty though. Nida then hold her hand tried to comfort her instead, Ariel couldn't help herself but to hold him. She then sobbed, "I'm sorry. Truly sorry. But I'll help you Nida. I won't leave you alone! And that I promise you!" Her words comforted him. Nida returned her kind affection and hugged her. He thanked her for her kind words. After that he couldn't remember much that night it was as if his world faded away at that moment where he wanted it the most.
Next day, Nida and Ariel walked together at the Al De Baran square. The depression has not been lifted yet from the air. Ariel holds his hand as a sign to say he's not alone. Nida thanked her for that. She maybe a pain at times but she proves to be a wonderful person most of the time. It was probably fate that brought her to him. She was probably a replacement for Gabrielle. But then she was no Gabrielle; Ariel was something more than her. Nida felt special about Ariel even though he knew her about two days. He brought her close to him and he whisper, "Let's get out of here."
She nodded and agreed with him. Ariel led him outside the crowd and to the same bench they had met each other the other day. The place where he last talked to Gabrielle. This place haunted him.
"This was the place, the last time I saw her," he mumbled.
"I'm sorry, if you want to change places we could…"
"No," he interrupted her, "I'm fine."
Nida then sat down where Gabrielle sat down the day before. He was still sad and gloomy; Ariel felt there was nothing she could do to help him out of his misery. Nida wished he could tell Gabrielle he loved her. And he doesn't care if she accepts or rejects him; he just wanted her to know she loves him. Ariel then said to him without her usual confidential voice, "Nida… I know this sounds harsh… but I think we better move on,"
Nida stared at her.
"I'm sorry I…" she apologized.
"No don't be. You're right, no use crying over a dead person," he said, "Ariel, I'm glad you're here with me."
Ariel smiled and then gave a kiss on Nida's fore head. He could only return a smile and hold her hand. He wondered what would happen to him next. Will his life return the way it was? Or will he have a brighter and better life with Ariel. He wished hard. He didn't want to her go. He prayed that she would never fail or leave him. He didn't want to be alone. Loneliness is the last thing he wished to deserve. He hated loneliness more than anything. Nida wouldn't admit but he wants to be loved by someone.
"Ariel," whispered Nida, "Will you leave me?"
"What?"
"Promise me you won't leave me…" he begged.
"… I promise I won't leave you Nida. Be it we may never be together I will never leave you," she replied.
Those kind words touched his soul. Nida could feel the truth, the light in her voice. Her promise echoed into his mind. Could he trust her? Could he trust her not to leave him? He couldn't even trust himself anymore. Could he trust himself to make the right decision like letting go of Ariel just like he did Gabrielle. He didn't want to think about it anymore.
He just kept on holding Ariel. Never wanting to let go.
