The next morning, Nick opened his eyes and sighed as he stared at the sun. His room was cold, and frost lined the window. He sat up and walked into the bathroom, taking a long shower and letting himself cry. He had mastered the art of holding in a crying session in until he was safe to do so. He hated crying in front of others, or making it obvious that he had done so. The Lightfire Amulet danced about along with the charm necklace, and both of the gems began to sparkle a deep red as the water splashed against them.
He got dressed up in the red and black cloak he received for his birthday, and looked at the camera sitting on his dresser. He dreaded looking at the photos now, although he had been happy before to see them. Nick closed his eyes and sighed. "She'd want me to be happy…" The clock tower bell rang solemnly, sounding six am. The sounds of the neighbors setting up sticks and kindling in their backyards became a dominant sound as the bell faded out. He listened as Yuri skittered around down below him, her slippers skidding across the marble flooring. In all the soft sound, he was surrounded by life and movement, and for the moment, he smiled. "She'd want me to live." He said to himself before he made his way downstairs.
"Good morning, Aka-kun." Yuri said as she saw Nick walk into the kitchen. She was wearing one of Xander's green bathrobes and a pair of aubergine slippers instead of her traditional Vampire Queen attire. "Are you really going to wear red today? Xander said it would be bad luck to wear red and green today…oh, it will be strange to see Xander not wearing green…"
"Huh?" Nick said, a bit dazed by her sudden rambling. He opened up the ice cooler and grabbed a glass jug filled with apple cider before summoning a cup to pour it in.
"Today is a long veneration thing called The Hallowed. Spirits are said to roam about…and doing bad things is considered bad luck…you should wear black today…all black."
"For…?" Nick asked.
"Because black symbolizes…passing on…and people who have somebody who have passed in their life wear black today to let the spirits know that they remember them. That's what Xander told me."
"Then what are you going to wear?"
"Purple, for penance."
"I see." Nick walked over to the table and began to stir and warm the cider with his wand tip.
Yuri sighed as she watched Nick slowly stirring as he stared out into the vastness of a pattern in the marble wall in deep thought.
Down in Infershia, Wolzard sat, meditating and drawing in the dark energies around him. His only captive remaining in his cells stood up.
"What are you doing?" The captive asked.
"Ah, my dear, it is the one day of the year when magic is at its peak and the spirits of the undead are at their strongest. I would never waste an opportunity to tap into this deepened Madou pool…" He smiled. "It reminds me of the Terran holiday of Christmas…a plethora of presents just waiting to be opened by me…"
"Hmm…" The captive nodded. After a moment, they sighed. "May I ask from you a favor?"
"A favor? For a prisoner?"
"It is just a small favor."
Wolzard looked over at his prisoner. "Tell me what it is."
"Well, since it is The Hallowed, I wish to venerate it in my own way. It is nothing big or lavish…I wish to venerate the dead tonight. You can supervise me in any way…but I would be devastated if I did not do so."
"Just what is it that you must do?"
"There is a ceremony at around midnight. I wish to attend it. I need a special candle to be lit, and a black robe."
Wolzard sat and mused on the idea. "We have time for me to consider it." He replied in a deep tone. "I have no reason to believe that this is merely a chance to escape on your part, as you've certainly denied yourself every given opportunity to do so…" He looked over to the prisoner's cell. "I still wish to know why you stay."
"And I always answer; for your sake, Wolzard."
"I know there is another motive."
"You're fooling yourself if you believe that."
"Then I am a fool." Wolzard replied.
Nick walked into the main lounge and watched the Rothwood news, feeling a bit nostalgic as the cameras panned around and showed off he decorations of witches and black cats and interestingly carved pumpkins. Xander looked over his shoulder and stared in heavy interest.
"What's so interesting about somebody hacking up a perfectly good pumpkin to look like a scary face?" He asked. "That pumpkin would a perfect pie…"
"It's Halloween." Nick replied.
"…Halloween? Never heard of it." He replied. "Is it like The Hallowed? Do the peop-" A picture of a little girl dressed up like a green witch walked by. "Oh, is that girl sickly?"
"No, she's dressed up like a witch." Nick replied. "Magic users are almost always evil to people."
"To your stupid friends in Rothwood, maybe." Xander replied, a bit angry.
"Hey, they have no respect for magic. It's all just fairy tales to them…it was to me, too…but I always kept an open mind."
"Yeah…" Xander held his tongue from further charging at Nick. He figured that Nick had enough on his plate as it was without him contributing.
Acantha walked in, sweeping the floor and humming a tune. Her hair had changed to a vibrant red that the leaves shone in, and her normal naturey attire was changed for the occasion; she wore a ragged grey dress, a dark grey servant's coat, thin wool mittens, black and white stiped stockings, and black Mary Jane shoes. "Good morning Master Xander, Mister Nick." She said cheerily. She then spotted the TV. "Oh, are those children begging for…small and colorful bags?"
"They're trick-or-treating for candy." Nick explained.
"Why?"
"Because it's Halloween."
"So they hack up pumpkins, yet they're giving sweets to the kids? Make a pumpkin pie and hand out slices to the little brats!" Xander chided.
"Kids don't like pumpkin pie…well, I know I did, and people thought that was weird…"
"Little children do not like pumpkin pie?" Acantha asked, confused as she sat down next to Nick.
"Not usually, no."
"What a loss for them." Xander said. "I grew up every Hallowed having pumpkin pie…my mother believed in having a celebration, because she believed that our relatives would want to celebrate with us today instead of mourning it like most."
Nick thought about what Xander had just said, and it touched him profoundly. He was right; Sylvie would want him to be happy.
Xander sat down next to Nick and watched in a state of awe. He wore a black and white striped long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers, along with a long black cape. Yuri was right; it was very awkward to see Xander not wearing any green. He looked paler than normal, in fact.
"You going to change into something else today?" Xander asked as he quickly looked over at Nick while they showed a carving contest. He then watched as they scooped the innards from the pumpkin into a waste bag. "Ugh, you wasteful Terrans! Wasteful!"
"Master, I do not think they can hear you…" Acantha said softly.
"I'll go get changed now…" Nick sighed, getting up. Acantha took Nick's spot on the couch as he left.
"Those seeds would be good toasted…" Xander muttered.
Nick began digging through his things and found an old black teeshirt with a smiling Jack O' Lantern on it, which he happily changed into. Somebody has to represent Halloween around here, he mused. A pair of black jeans sat in the dresser drawer beneath the shirt drawer, which he put on. He dug through his closet and grabbed a black overcoat and a pair of black boots. He ruffled up his hair and grabbed the mp3 player on his dresser, slid on his old headphones, and began to blast his music as he headed downstairs.
He walked down the stairs and found that the rest of the group had woken up and was down watching TV.
Madison wore a long black and orange gown with a black choker. The traditional Magician's hat sat upon her head, a blue bow decorating it. Clare wore a heavily tattered black dress that had clearly seen better days. She tried to make up for there being very little of the top half left by wearing a coat similar to Acantha's, along with a brocade with a large black skull on it. To make up for the giant tears in the lower half, Clare wore black and white striped silk socks that went all the way up her thighs, and covered her feet up in slip-on shoes. She wore her own worn Magician's hat, which was devoid of decoration. Vida had opted to wear a somber orange kimono with black stockings and black sandals, along with a black cape. In her hair sat a skull pin for decoration, and in her lap sat a violin. Yuri had changed into an outfit that was reminiscent or her moments as Nai and Mae; her top half was a purple version of Nai's top, while her skirt was a purplish version of Mae's skirt. She wore black lace-lined purple stockings and a pair of doll shoes, and she was using her cape as a blanket for herself and Xander, who was sound asleep upon the exposed part of her chest.
Sorin decided against doing anything to his hair to style it into the glorious array of spikes that he normally did; instead, he looked quite plain. He wore an orange shirt, which was heavily wrinkled, along with a pair of brown jeans and worn brown shoes. A black overcoat finished off the outfit. Chip had dressed up in things he normally did; a puffed up orange shirt, a pair of rough brown leather pants, tan boots, and a black cape.
Clare looked up at Nick and smiled. "Nice headphones." She said. He didn't notice; he walked into the kitchen, unaffected by her comment.
The group then continued to watch what other people in other towns nearby were doing for October 31st. Ravenwood was holding a massive vigil for Sylvie, where they were planning to have a giant bonfire at the lake nearby, which flowed into the river that passed by Briarwood. "How nice of them…" Sorin remarked.
They then continued to watch the insanity to them that was Halloween. Luckily, Xander was too asleep to wake up and give his two cents on the matter, because the group didn't need any more fuel to go with the fire.
"They're dressed up like ninjas, demons, and even ninja demons! That one's some sort of ninja kappa! That is not even making sense!" Yuri commented.
"Do they even know what today is about?" Madison asked. Vida got bored and began to practice on her violin. "I mean…they run around in abhorrent costumes…they beg for food…and they care nothing about the dead!" Madison then noticed Vida playing, and she gave her a look. "Hey, I'm ranting…can you hold that off?"
"Sorry…but this's the time everyday that I practice with dad…if I don't keep a schedule, then I'll just fall apart!" Vida replied. "…I guess I'll go play in the backyard."
Vida walked outside and Chip followed her, giving Clare a place to sit on the couch.
"Wow…Halloween is a bit different from when I was a kid…my friends didn't wear all these stupid costumes. They dressed up like witches and Batman and stuff…"
"You used to dress up, too?" Madison asked, puzzled.
"Oh, Majiel, no! My mother didn't want me to celebrate Halloween with the kids. She thought it was just being beggarish, so we celebrated Samhain instead."
"Halloween is something I heard about when we learned about people outside Briarwood…how they mock us all and pretend that magic isn't real." Madison said.
"I used to wander about during Halloween in my own body…people would give me candy for such a wonderful vampire costume." Yuri giggled.
"Halloween…it's a fairly new thing…but it's pretty funny. Their perceptions of demons and angels…of Magicians and vampires and the undead…it's comical in a pitying way. They pretend to know…they think they know…but they have no idea…" Sorin sighed at the end of his statement.
Nick walked out to the backyard, his headphones still blaring. As he approached the marble garden, he noticed that Vida and Chip were outside as well. He slowly sat down, so as not to disturb them, as Vida played the violin and Chip accompanied with his syrinx. They had drawn a small audience of neighboring children as well, all of whom were wearing black and orange. However, they seemed to be too entranced by their playing to have noticed he crowd; they were in their own world, jamming out to a lovely harmony of the hollow and mournful vibrations of the syrinx that seemed to play well with the violin's own melodious sorrow. Nick watched as a figure walked by past the house, and found it intriguing that it gave off a frigid warmth that drew him with it.
Without a second moment, Nick began to follow the hooded traveler.
Nick began at a steady walk, but found that the figure was moving faster, their long white robe shuddering from the wind. He began to give chase, something he hadn't done in months. He suddenly mustered up reserve energy to give chase, but the figure just moved faster, seemingly gliding across the ground. Once Nick got within range, he made a jump for it, with the hope that the person would accept his apology for such a move later on.
He closed his eyes and braced for the impact that came with tackling somebody to the ground. Only the cold cobblestone waited for him as he landed. His eyes flashed open in shock and he looked up, finding that nobody was around. A small piece of parchment floated down in front of him. Nick looked at the writing, which was a sparkling gold.
"Meet me at the fountain before the river ceremony."
Nick had no clue what the note meant, but he intended to find out. He slowly got up, grabbed the note, and slowly made his way back to Xander's house.
Nick ran in, and Clare seemed to be confused.
"Weren't you in the kitchen?" She asked.
"Ooh, why do you have a bloody lip?" Madison asked, standing up and walking over to him.
Nick didn't respond, but merely asked his own question. "What's the 'river ceremony'?"
The entire group looked up at him as if he were crazy. Clare spoke up, and once again sounded as if she was reciting from memory.
"It's the last thing we do before midnight on The Hallowed…we all bring candles to the river for the good spirits of the departed to follow down the river to Mysteria and beyond. We all are going to have at least two in this house; one for Udonna, and one for Sylvie, so that their spirits will be able to find where they are going. We create a giant bonfire in the plaza, and we use the flames from the bonfire to light the candles." She nodded. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious about it…I heard it mentioned while I was outside."
"SO…how'd you cut your lip open?" Madison asked.
"I fell to the pavement…I tripped."
Madison stared up into his eyes. "I see. You should be more careful."
The hours ticked by and the sky grew dark. Chip found himself carrying the entire sack of candles for the group to the bonfire. The capes and jackets worn during the day were abandoned for black cloaks; Nick decided to wear a hooded one for Sylvie, as he knew that she wore them on occasion. He watched as several Fire Magicians set up the bonfire, and the numbing warmth that he felt once before came over him. He turned around and saw a figure standing at the fountain. He put up his hood and walked over.
The white-cloaked figure smiled as he approached. "So, you came. I'm so glad…" Nick stared in wonder as he approached; the voice sounded familiar to him, like a distant song.
"What, no hello's?" The voice said. "Have you forgotten me so soon…?" The figure removed their hood, revealing Sylvie's visage, adorned with Snowjiel's tiara. She looked a bit disheartened. Nick smiled and went to hug her, but he went straight through her. "Oh, I'm sorry…I'm not really grounded here…" Nick stood up, and Sylvie spotted the Lightfire Amulet. "Oh, you're wearing the amulet…" She smiled.
"You gave this…on purpose?" Nick asked.
"Of course. I knew that you wanted it badly…although I was certain that you'd be surprised…"
"Where're dad's tags…?"
Sylvie fell silent, then placed her hand on Nick's shoulder, leaving an imprint of numbness and warmth upon his shoulder. She gave him a remorseful look and began to speak. "I know you forgave me, but I should have been honest…"
Nick felt as if the answer had already been answered.
"I never mean to hurt you, Nick. I…I just wanted you to…" Sylvie sighed. "I told you white lies to keep the truth from seeping out. If anybody from Infershia knew who we were…we would have been killed…I don't regret doing what I did, and I think I did my best without mom's help…"
"Why did she leave us?" Nick cut her off.
Sylvie stopped her rambling and sighed. She then began her response. "There was nothing left in the forest…everybody was gone…they all died, faded away, or went missing…besides…she knew Infershia would be looking for her…she spared us the pain of having to always run away…we grew up just fine, didn't we…?"
"That's not the point." Nick replied.
"I'm sorry if you're upset about what we've done…but the Lightfire Amulet is in your possession now…and as long as it's in your possession, the evils around you will succumb to its enchantment. Dad is protecting you."
"Why didn't you keep it for yourself? Why did you…how did you die?"
"I kept Wolzard at bay for you to escape with the amulet. It was my day to die, anyways. I knew it for the longest time, Nick. Thanks, by the way…you made my last day a good thing to end on."
"Don't try to pretend that yesterday was all hunky-dory! You've always done that, and this is the worst possible time for that shit!" Nick shouted. "You're dead, and Wolzard's looking for something I have, and you're just on Cloud fucking Nine!"
"Nick…Nick…calm down…you're scaring me."
Nick sighed and tried to calm down, for Sylvie's sake. He took deep breaths and tried to focus his rage positively. Once he was calmer, he looked down. "…Sorry."
"It's understandable." Sylvie said. "I can understand it if you are upset with us…we just wanted to protect you from Infershia…but you're an adult now, and you deserve the truth. I'm sorry that I never got the chance to be honest to you in life…but know that we never intended to hurt you…that mom and dad, regardless of who they are, always loved you. You were dad's pride and joy, and you always brought a smile to mom's face." She placed her hand to Nick's face and smiled. Nick smiled back. "Oh! I almost forgot…" She sighed and dropped her arm to her side. "Could you let everybody know about this, please…?"
"What?"
"I know of a plan…I found this out a few days ago, but I knew I'd be coming back to tell you this, anyways…forgive me for not telling you sooner."
"I forgive you, just tell me."
"I was stupid to not realize why Necrolai wanted these prisms…they were part of an old ritual that I nearly became a part of…that is, if Snowjiel hadn't have saved me from it…" She touched the tiara lightly. "But anyways…I ask that you all…watch your backs, and make sure that they don't kill any more Magicians, please."
"Why?"
"The traitor plans to revive Enma…" She whispered, an icy cold fear frosting her words.
"Enma…? Didn't Blagel…didn't he-"
"He sealed him and weakened him as best as he could. No one man is an army." The chill still ran in her voice.
"He's still…alive?"
"Ask Charlie…as much as it pains him to speak, what he knows is crucial."
Nick nodded, then looked down. Sylvie looked down into his eyes and frowned. "Hm?"
"It's just…kind've…" Nick sniffled. "I miss you."
Sylvie smiled. "Maybe someday Snowjiel will let you come and visit us."
"You're with Snowjiel…?"
"She said I'd be her apprentice." She smiled widely.
"Well, say hi for me, will you?" Nick said, trying to smile.
"Of course I will." Sylvie said. They stood there for a moment, and Nick let the numbing warmth Sylvie emanated surround him, comforting him. Sylvie smiled and broke the silence. "Will you light a candle for me tonight? I may be Snowjiel's charge, but I'm still dead." She laughed slightly.
"I will." Nick said.
Sylvie sighed. "They're getting ready to light the candles. You should go."
"Yeah…" Nick said solemnly.
"I'll be watching you!" Sylvie said, mock scolding him as she turned around and disappeared.
"Yeah…" Nick said, slowly turning around to stare at the bonfire.
They all lit their candles and started their trek to the river, which was nearly two miles away from town by foot. Every member of the town donned their hats and hoods in silence as they continued walking. The march went on for about an hour and a half before they reached the river's edge.
"We go last, guys…" Clare said, to which the group agreed. They watched as the town set their white and black candles into the water, placing the levitating enchantment on them so they would float down the river.
As the ceremony went on, Nick felt a chilled wind float in from behind him, although there wasn't a breeze. He turned around, as did Chip, and they spotted a couple walking up to the river.
The taller of the two had their hand tightly clamped around the other's wrist, while the other person was carrying a small white candle in the shape of a snowflake. The candle bearer walked all the way to the river once the taller member let them go. The air seemed to lose its chill as the candle bearer went to the edge of the river. They waited until the Mystic Force put their candles in collectively, setting the snowflake in the middle.
Madison smiled as Chip began setting all of his candles; three pink ones and a white one. "You have one for Ica, too?" She asked.
Chip looked insulted for a moment, but he shook his head and gave her a small smile. "No…she doesn't deserve one." He replied.
"Then who're they for?"
"Well, one's for my mum, one's for my dad…and one's for the old me." He replied. Madison smiled; she had kept her promise.
The unknown candle barer walked towards Nick, and their hands touched as the candle barer passed back to meet their escort. They hung their head low as the taller member of the pair sternly grabbed the candle barer's wrist.
"What did you give him?" The taller one spoke in a gruff voice.
"I gave him nothing." The candle barer replied. "It was a passing touch, and nothing more, Wolzard." The candle barer giggled. "You sound jealous."
"I can assure you that I have no sort of envy for anything the Red Magician has…in fact, I pity him for what he lacks." Wolzard replied. "Now, we return. I owe you nothing for your assistance after my defeat."
"Good. I hate having this sort of relationship with people." Wolzard opened a Madou Circle and they both left for Infershia.
As the group walked to Xander's house, the warmth from the candle barer's hand remained in Nick's hand. He began to close his hand and noticed that there was something there. He looked down; a piece of parchment sat perfectly cradled in his hand.
I'll see you all soon…I promise.
Nick was confused, but decided to keep this note to himself.
The town clock's bell rang as midnight approached, and everyone got ready for bed except for Nick. He quickly turned a book in Xander's study into a laptop, and hooked his camera into it, slowly taking the pictures off one by one and printing them up. Pictures of him and Toby at a sports bar almost a week before he left for Briarwood, pictures of the view from Xander's balcony, various interesting shops in Briarwood such as the apothecary and potions shop, a few pictures of Rootcore, and finally, the pictures of Sylvie and himself.
He smiled; the pictures came out beautifully, despite Sylvie's fear that they did not. The picture of her alone was so cheerful; looking at the picture made him almost believe that she didn't know of her fate.
He stacked a pile of parchments, and inkwell, a feathered pen, and a silver bread box from the kitchen together to build a printer. He then used it to print out the last two pictures of Sylvie, quickly finding picture frames to put them in.
He walked upstairs to his room, and on his bed sat the red blanket from Udonna's room. She smiled and set the pictures frames on the dresser in an orderly fashion before grabbing the blanket. He sighed softly, feeling a bit robbed. For a moment, he existed with his mother, and she gave him many things he could not return; none but the gift of his own life and the unspoken pledge to continue her fight without her.
He kicked off his shoes and lied down, clinging to the blanket in a very Linus-like way, letting the gentle scent of spearmint from the blanket fill his nostrils as he drifted to his early childhood memories of Sylvie and Udonna. "Goodnight ladies," He muttered before he closed his eyes. "it's good to know you rest in peace." He softly whispered as he drifted off to sleep.
