Chapter 25

Life's Darkest Revelation

"WHERE IS HE GENERAL? TELL ME RIGHT NOW!" Natalie demanded as the General was still confused of the whole situation.

"I'm right here Natalie, you can relax." I said walking up from behind James as I turned to face Natalie arms crossed. My body was covered in bandages even with my clothes covering me. Natalie's expression instantly changed to relieved.

"Gabriel, thank god..."She said crying softly.

"General, can you give me a minute. I'll talk to you about that thing. Just, please." I asked the man.

"Do what you need to do, I'll be waiting outside." He said leaving the room. As soon as he did, I walked over to Natalie and held her in my arms and began to shed tears myself.

"Thank you Natalie...thank god." I said softly.

"What happened Gabriel? Please tell me." She asked.

"I was clinically dead for at least 5 minutes. That whole time, from what they told me, you did all you could to revive me. And right before that soldier knocked you out, I woke up. Even if barely." I said in a depressed tone. She looked me in the eyes concerned.

"Is there something more you aren't telling me?" Natalie asked.

"They did a check up since my heart gave out. Before I "died", my heart had been put under massive stress and strain. If it ever happened again, I wouldn't wake up. No matter what." I said as Natalie continued to cry but suddenly became angry.

"IDIOT!" She yelled punching my chest lightly. "WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT IDIOT?! WHY?" She demanded. I understood why she was angry. But it wasn't my first time using this power of mine. I had used it many times in the past. Even to save Natalie twice now. Any more, and I would be dead.

"Because I wasn't going to let you die. I won't Natalie." I said softly as she collapsed crying into my chest as I held her tightly. She had every right to be angry with me, and I didn't blame her. What if I was dead there? What would happen then? Would she...have taken her own life? I shuddered at the fact.

"I'm sorry Natalie, truly I am. I don't know what else to say to you." I apologized as a knock on the door interrupted our conversation. "I'll be back okay? Don't go anywhere." I said getting up as she grabbed my wrist.

"Don't leave me Gabriel, please damn it don't. Promise me. Promise me right here and now. That you won't leave me like you did." She asked as I leaned down to her level and kissed her on the lips for a moment smiling.

"I promise, now please get some rest. I have to talk to Ironwood. I'll be back okay." I said exiting the room to 2 armed soldiers. "Man you guys don't ever give it a rest do you?" I asked as the motioned to the end of the hallway. I silently agreed and walked quietly to a small open room at the end of the hall where General Ironwood and two more guards stood waiting for me.

"What is this about James? If you wanted me dead, you could have killed me back in that alleyway, but you didn't. Why?" I demanded as he chuckled.

"You're right, I could of, but then what would be the point of wasting a SHADOW?" He asked as the term struck me.

"SHADOW? Mind explaining General?" I asked.

"I am not surprised you don't remember. They wiped your memory before the program was shut down. The SHADOW Program was a Grimm hunting imitative to train the best of the best. Of course initially it was only soldiers who trained. Then, we turned to children. You for example. To be able to take down massive city crushing Grimm. In the event of the such that has happened today." He said confidently.

"Why are telling me this? Why?" I demanded as he pulled out a scroll and pulled a detailed map of Vale to show that one section was marked Quarantine. The section we were all in.

"Because we have lost a section of the city to the Grimm. We have suppressed the advance for now. And have set a very secure security wall. But there is a very strong chance that a Massive Grimm will show itself. If they have an inside part of the city. We could lose Vale within 4 months. It would no longer exist and the world would plunge into chaos." He responded as something came to mind all at once.

"What about Sara Kerrigan? She was being held at VSI Headquarters before the attack. Is she..?" I asked as the General gave a Grimm look.

"I'm sorry son." He responded as a wave of guilt took over me followed soon by anger.

"She is dead...isn't she?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm sorry."
"DON'T SORRY ME JAMES! Don't you fucking dare. She was the only family I had left. And now she is dead. Unless you can bring her back. Don't fucking apologize to me old man. I'm done with you, with this city. For all I care, this city can burn." I finished leaving the room as the guards pulled their rifles on me.

"Go ahead and shoot me. See how much that solves you problems." I said cockily.

"Don't shoot him, leave him be." James responded as I scoffed. Not even saying a word heading back to where Natalie was as I opened the door as Natalie was out her bed now getting dressed.

"Gabriel, are you alright?" She asked me.

"I...No, no Natalie I am not. I can't do this anymore. Tara is gone, Murasaki tried to kill me. And I almost died to protect you. I can't do it anymore. All the fighting, it isn't worth it anymore." I said as Natalie became increasingly concerned.

"What about Sara? Is she not worth it?"

"Why should I fight for a dead person?" I said as she realized what I meant. Walking over to me hugging me.

"She's gone isn't she? I'm so sorry Gabriel." She said softly as I held her tightly.

"It isn't your fault. Its mine. I left her to die." I said.

"And what about your employers? The ones holding her hostage?" She asked me as I remembered now.

"Not in this condition. And not yet. Soon I will have my revenge but not yet. We have to attend Tara's funeral." I responded.

"When is it happening?" She asked.

"Tomorrow morning. Are you able?" I asked.

"Yes, I am. I need to say my goodbyes." She responded.

One last time.