The next few rotations go by slowly, though I barely remember much of it. I think I went mute, seeing no reason to talk and not feeling like doing so, I sealed my lip for quite a while.
On the bright side, even though I can barely see one anymore; my new Master is not at all pushy, or abusive. Something like Belle.
He summons me regularly, but sends me back immediately if he believes I don't want to be there. He has never laid a finger on me, and doesn't expect anything from me, which makes me feel bad, but I don't have the will to change this.
Eventually, Master manages to strike up some conversation with me; a pressing question compels me to finally speak.
"You look familiar… It bugs me… Should I know you?" I ask quietly.
"Yes. I was a friend of Belle's" He replies simply.
"Oh, right…" I slowly begin to remember his face a little better; I think I have seen him at least three times prior to these arrangements.
The full extent of the sentence reaches me slowly, unravelling in my muddled brain, and I question again, "What do you mean… was?"
Master sighs deeply and seems to shuffle about uncomfortably, I allow my gaze to meet his for a moment, and his eyes are watery.
I get the awful feeling that I shouldn't have asked that question, more bad news was coming my way. One would think I was used to it by now.
"Belle… Is dead." His voice is soft, but the words are harsh, like another plate to the face.
A sharp inhale causes me to choke, and I stare blankly at him for a moment, waiting for him to say, "Gotcha!" or, "You fell for it!"… But, as much as I want it to, it never comes. He just continues to stare right back at me, with firm eyes and no hint of amusement across his features.
"The man whom got your key, he murdered her"
I shake my head, dreaming am I? No, this is a nightmare.
I know that life isn't fair, I know that I can never be truly happy, but this? This is over line.
This is too tragic, too cruel; it can't really happen can it?
Not to someone like Belle, she is too kind.
Suddenly, my eyes begin to ache, and my vision becomes blurred. What's happening now?
Small droplets of water form at the edges of my eyelids.
This must be what they call; "crying".
Tears spill and flow over my cheeks, I choke pathetically.
But what's the point in fighting anything anymore?
Nothing. I have nothing to gain in return for that effort.
Master leaves me in the Celestial World for at least a full rotation, but this makes things worse. I need things to distract me, not time to mourn!
Of course, for the first few sections of a rotation, I can't accept it.
But, by the end of the first rotation, I have become immensely frustrated.
If I had known that Master had gone and murdered dear Belle…
Well let's just say he most definitely would not be walking right now, or maybe even breathing for all I care.
No matter how many rules I am bound to follow, nothing will come in between myself and making sure scores are settled.
But, I have no idea where he is now; there is no way for me to avenge Belle.
This prospect only fuels my anger, knowing that I have once again lost to that cruel yet cunning power player. Why can't I win for once?
I know exactly why.
I am bound to follow orders, I am bound to follow rules, magic and rules bound me to do one thing in life.
Follow the rules that others make.
Unfortunately, there is no way to rise against the one who makes the rules, because they shall bend them to their advantage.
Half a full rotation and I finally accept that Belle is gone for good, and there is absolutely not a thing I can do about it.
Master later tells me that the murder was investigated, and the man was sentenced to jail.
"He deserves the death penalty, and I would be all too happy to abide" is my bitter response.
"You just learn to forgive, Lencya" He replies softly.
"The loss of a life is un-forgivable, especially when there is no justice behind the reason"
"It doesn't have to be un-forgivable"
"But it does. Because those left behind suffer the pain of the death many times over"
"Maybe, but that wound can be healed"
"The only thing that will remotely seal that wound is tasting vengeance, correcting injustice, knowing that you have done everything you can to avenge that death"
"Revenge can never result in true peace"
"Justice is revenge"
Finally Master seems to just leave it be, he puts a single hand on my shoulder and simply states, "Well, before you walk down that path, dig two graves" and he leaves the room.
One would belong to the murderer.
And the other would be mine.
This doesn't faze me much. Because I know that if I ever decided to take revenge, then the remainder of my existence would be no better than it is now.
I know avenging Belle is not the answer, and I had known for a while, but…
After the denial had passed, I had been left with a ruthless thirst for a sweet thing I only know as revenge.
I suppose only time will help that thirst to weaken, though I know it will always linger.
Other emotions may help that burning thirst to ease too, but just like other liquids, only water can truly cause one's thirst to cease, just as revenge can only seal that wound.
That small part of my original personality that was left cried out; there were unsettled scores to be tended to, I still wanted to win, and I knew that revenge would mean my victory.
Master explains a few days later that after the murder was investigated, the Celestial spirit market was uncovered, and the whole thing was blown apart.
This helps to ease my thirst too, though I am still far from winning, as the murderer is still alive. He took a life, destroyed many others, and still got away with his.
Do humans have no limits?
{There you have it, I hope you enjoyed the Epilogue. If you have any suggestions or questions feel free to leave a review or PM me. Thanks}