Story: Dawning Radiance
Rating: T
Claimer: I own each and every one of the characters in this story, so please don't use them as they are my babies...enjoy!
Before-hand A/N: I forgot to tell you in the last chapter that this chapter (the last chapter, might I add. Is in Damien's POV. That's probably going to make more sense when you read.
Of course I wasn't thinking when I yelled for Forte back there, and all at once, everyone had rushed into the room all at once, surrounding the bed and making it so Forte had to shove his way through to the machine, which had flatlined, and he busied himself checking everything, before calling for 'That electricity boy' to come help him.
Nate had moved to stand beside Xander, who lay limp and silent in the bed, and pressed his hands to Xander's chest; you could hear the zap as it left his hands, though there was no response. "Try again" I'd demanded, though he was already doing just that. Again, nothing.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Eventually, Malachi had to forcefully pull Nate away from the bed, and Darren had to do the same when I tried to push the Angel away, cursing loudly at him all the while.
I hadn't realized Forte was talking, and tuned in only when he shook his head "There's nothing we can do; he's not waking back up" he said bluntly, though he looked pretty shaken up; Xander was a friend to him just as he had been to the rest of us.
From there, things happened much too fast; Valshe gripped his hand, sobbing loudly "No! No, no no…you're wrong! No…!" she yelled hoarsely, putting Xander's hand up to her forehead and holding it there as though it were tethering her down.
Slowly, Xander's wings slipped from his back; his muscles no longer able to hold them in, and they lay on either side of him, taller than him and a sleek, pitch black.
Even Mistress Haruka, whom I hadn't realized was close to Xander at all had a few small tears fall from her eyes, though she was quick about drying them, licking her lips and clearing her throat before turning and storming out, Malachi noticing and following closely after her.
We all watched as Forte pulled all of the equipment off of Xander, shaking his head before pushing the monitor and other devices out of the room "That's it then. I couldn't help you at all, could I?" I caught him muttering as he left. On either side of me, both Darren and DJ cried, and I moved out of the way; Darren putting his arm around his son in a gesture of comfort.
The only ones in the room that weren't crying were myself and Nate, who was looking over at Xander with a dead expression, though at one point, his wings shot out of his back and a burst of electricity left his hands; leaving scorch marks on the floor where it'd hit "Damn it!" he shouted, before stomping out of the room, Valshe looking up and following after him, still crying as she did so.
"Ain't fair at all. Kid was barely startin' out" Darren said, shaking his head, tears still on his face, though he was no longer crying, and DJ nodded in agreement, still saying nothing. "Ya'd think with all he'd been through he'd get a lucky break at some point, huh? But lookit this. At least this was better than wha' he had back when he was human" he sighed, moving to pat Xander's shoulder before moving to exit. DJ let his dark, ash grey wings slip out just enough for his to pull off a single feather, before setting it next to Xander and leaving with his father.
For a while, I'd just started at him, laying there all peacefully and everything, before I walked over to him and punched him square in the jaw, causing his head to whip to the right. "There. Since you're out of this mess now. I just wish it didn't have to be like this" I'd whispered, choking back a sob of my own. I'd told myself I wouldn't cry for him; he wouldn't have wanted that. So with all my might, I bit back the tears that were trying to fill my eyes and gave him one last big grin.
"See you around, kid"
It was a year ago today that he'd died, and we had everyone gathered together in the human world. A lot had happened since then; I wonder if he'd be able to keep up with it all. Valshe had gone back to the human world to see her mother, who was more than thrilled to see her. Though eventually we had to explain the situation to her, she tentatively agreed to us carting Valshe around every once in a while, though no matter what, she was going to live at home. As for figuring out what she was; she'd decided that if she had to choose sides between her friends, then she would make her own side and those in it would be dedicated to stopping the fighting that had gone on between the Angels and Demons for so long. Surprisingly, more and more of both sides joined, finally causing the two sides to come to a tenuous peace treaty of sorts. The fighting was all done for now; it was one of the oddest feelings I'd even experienced.
Then, something he'd probably be happy about; when Mistress Haruka had stormed out of the room with Malachi, she'd been able to convince him that no matter how long it had been, Nigathiel had to pay for everything he'd been able to get away with in the past; from everything he'd done to Xander and more. Nate and Rey had no problem with helping them get the former Seraph the death sentence, so he was no longer able to create so much turmoil between the Ethereals. After that, Mistress Haruka and Malachi ended up getting together; odd. That's all I have to say about it, but I guess that's really none of my business.
On the topic of relationships, it looks like Valshe and those Nephil are pretty close now. They're all still getting over Xander though, so it'll probably be a while it anything solid happens there. If it happens at all, that is.
As for me, it's mostly the same things. I still have my wonderful touch when it comes to women, I'm still running stealth like I was before. Really, I'm just trying to keep myself busy; even if it's been a whole year, I'm still not over it yet. Still haven't let myself cry at all, I still won't go near his room or get rid of any of his things. Sometimes I still come home and call out to greet him, and then get that deep pain in my chest, but I'm getting used to it for the most part.
It had taken awhile, but we'd found where Xander had been buried when he'd died as a human, and decided that it would be best to leave his Demon body there as well; Black blood Demons didn't burn into ash when they died like Pure bloods did, and I think we all preferred it that way.
So that's where we all were now, gathered around the milky white marble stone, though none of us really said anything for a while.
"I can't believe it's been so long." Valshe commented quietly "Yeah, really. It feels like it was just yesterday that he was getting fired up about something or another." Nate replied, and everyone muttered their agreement.
We'd been here for a while already, and it was starting to sprinkle, clouds rolling in dark and heavy, and the wind picking up quite a bit.
"I guess we should head back" Darren sighed, and we all unfolded our wings, preparing to take off for our homes. Nate held on to Valshe, telling us all that he would bring Valshe back to her house and see us later. As they left, the rest of us said our goodbyes before parting, though not before taking one last look at the solemn tombstone.
Xander Costello
1994 – 2006
Beloved Son, and friend to all.
Will be missed dearly.
And on the opposite side:
Xander Costello
2006- 2013
The Stupid Hero
But we all love him anways.
Too bad it had to end so soon.
A/N: As I said, this chapter is really short compared to the others, and DON'T KILL ME, OKAY? It hurt me to write this just as much as it hurt all of you guys to read it, so I'm in a down mood myself right now. It's pretty nostalgic to finally be done with this story. I mean; I've been working on it for...two years now? And you've all stuck with me through thick and thin! I can't tell you how much I appreciate that. Just reminding you all that if you have any requests for me to write about someone/something in this story, just tell me! I'm already doing Xander and Damien's blood bond thing from when they were young, so if you have anything you want to know, add that to your review, or PM me.
On a side note, some of you may have noticed that I started working on another story on here called Brutal Salvation. In my opinion, it's somewhat like this one, though it's set in more of a steampunk/post-apocalyptic setting. So if you liked this story, it would be great if you checked out this newer one too! Hopefully it won't take me two years to finish.
Until next time, please review, and give a huge pat on the back to all of my wonderful characters, and to all of your fellow readers for being here for the finish! Hopefully this won't be the last time I'm hearing from you all.