I see him slipping away, day after day, and there is nothing I can do. The part of the Lord's soulweapon is used up. Everything I have tried to prolong his life has failed, too. The experiments with the blood stone a complete disaster. My own life force not compatible with Master's; not that he would have allowed me to use my life to fuel his own.

The only thing, I now can do, is to watch him get weaker every day and to make his life more comfortable. The children tire him out, but he enjoys their company. The sad and guilty faces of our family leave him sad, but with this proud feeling of having accomplished something. So I push down the urge to cry, whenever I see that sad smile Master smiles whenever he regards one of his loved ones these last days.

"It is okay."

No, it is not. I want to scream it out, but it would only make Master worry more about leaving us behind. Still, I loath the silent acceptance he had shown since the very first moment I have known him, especially in these last hours. And these will be his last hours; we both know. In silent agreement, apparently everybody wanted to give us enough time to say our farewell alone.

"I'm sorry to burden you with all of this responsibility."

"Don't." Don't apologize to me. You are the one who made my life worthwhile, who gave me purpose, who gave me a family. I don't voice any of it, but I am aware he knows, even if he doesn't read my mind. It takes a too heavy toll on his body since a few days.

"Our family will need you, since I can no longer protect them."

"They won't need any protection any more. They have grown so much." The Union is gone. Nobles and werewolves now peacefully coexisted. There wouldn't be anything that could pose a danger to our family. "It will be peaceful. But if they will need help, I will be there to guide them." I just loath that all the fighting didn't stop earlier. That Master couldn't have lived in this peaceful world he had sacrificed everything for to created.

"I wish, I could see that." He smiles as he says it. His eyes stare into the distance, the sad and dreamy smile lingering around his lips as if he tries to imagine the future for the people he cares for. I silently stare at him. What should I, what can I say, to this? Seconds, minutes, hours trickle by while I hold voiceless vigil. Finally, he blinks, once, and then focusses on me. The peaceful face gets a pained hue.

"Don't cry." My cheeks are wet. They still are, as I watch him smile for the last time. It is etched on his lips, as he disappears into thin air, as nobles do.

Red glistering lights dance around the room, not with the cruel beauty of the blood field, but a tranquil gentleness. I imagine to hear a whispered Farewell in my Master's voice, then the lights fade and I am alone. My Master, my friend, my love, is gone. There is nothing now, to keep fresh tears from falling. There won't be, for a long long time.


It is painful to watch someone you love slowly die. With nothing you can do to help.

If you interpret the "my love" as romantic or family kind of bond, is up to your liking.