A/N: Pardon the long wait, been busy with Spacebattles, Sufficient Velocity and studies, but I'm back with an update!

Chapter XXVI: Farewells, Part I

When Ironwood received news of Cardin's miraculous recovery, he was shocked to the point of fainting; who could simply have all his wounds magically vanish without a trace of their previous existence at all? No science could possibly explain this phenomenon.

The fact Cardin now had white hair and amber and black eyes was a disconcerting thing, and yet another factor that baffled the Atlesian general.

And all of this happened last night, Thought Ironwood with incredulity, At least the hospital staff are keeping quiet about it on my orders.

"So what will you do now, General? Are you going to dissect me or something?"

And Cardin currently stood before him, dressed in a loaned dress uniform of blue and white. Ironwood did his best to hide how unnerved he was at the sight of his unnatural eyes.

"No, I won't," Said Ironwood, "At least, I don't want to subject you to undue experiments; no one likes that."

"I see," Said Cardin, "You mentioned that David Wolfgang's dead?"

"And Elaine is safe, as are her children," Said Ironwood, to which Cardin breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's all I could ask for," Said Cardin, "But in all honesty, why did you call me here? I can't imagine someone of your position calling me for no reason."

"You're correct in that assumption," Said Ironwood, "I believe you know what may happen if others catch wind of your... miraculous recovery, don't you?"

Cardin grimly nodded.

"Capturing me for experiments, dissection, torture and maybe possible subversion to whoever captures me," He said, "And possibly being hunted for life."

"Glad to see you understand," Said Ironwood, "So tell me, what do you feel about going under an assumed identity?"

Cardin furrowed his eyes at this, and immediately his face showed his hesitance.

"I... cannot say I want to entertain thoughts of such," Said Cardin, "But before that, I want to ask one thing: What were my parents' reactions to my injuries?"

Ironwood's pursed his lips, and seeing this, Cardin shook his head, saying, "Nevermind, forget that I asked."

"Actually, there's one more thing you should know," Said Ironwood, "Your teammate Russel's regained consciousness."

Cardin's features immediately softened, and he asked, "How is he? Is there lasting damage? Will he be fit for active duty again?"

"One thing at a time, Cardin," Said Ironwood, holding out a placating hand, "Fortunately, there's no internal injury to his brain, and he's fully recovered from his physical injuries. However..."

"He's concerned about Dove and Sky, isn't he?"

Cardin's words were more a statement than a question.

"He's... distraught," Said Ironwood, "And when he heard of the injuries you sustained, he was just a barely holding himself together."

Cardin furrowed his brows, and then asked, "What about Elaine? Her children? How are they?"

"Elaine was most concerned for you," Ironwood said, "At that time, you weren't in any condition to receive visitors, so they've been waiting expectantly for your recovery."

"Where are they now?" Asked Cardin.

"I believe you know where," Said Ironwood.

Cardin then inhaled deeply, and then he asked Ironwood, "So about me assuming a false identity, is it truly necessary? Must I do it now, or can I delay my decision?"

"Sadly, delaying is not an option," Said Ironwood, "For now, this information is being suppressed, but my authority as General can only go so far; I cannot guarantee your condition will remain secret for much longer."

Cardin instinctively clenched his hand, feeling utterly helpless and powerless.

"If I must disappear..." Cardin began, "Can you do one last favour for me?"

"What will it be?"

IIOII

It was within her home that Elaine received two letters, one from the Atlesian Hospital Cardin was warded at. The other, from Cardin himself.

With great trepidation and uncertainty, Elaine first opened the letter from the Atlesian hospital, praying to whatever deity was watching that the news was about Cardin's recovery.

Dear Ms Elaine Jackal,

We regret to inform you that the patient Cardin Winchester has just passed away in his sleep at 2:32 AM yesterday, due to excessive blood loss, severe trauma and failing organs. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to do anymore for him in his condition. He is currently interred in the morgue, should you wish to visit him.

Once again, we deeply apologise for your loss.

Atlesian Military Hospital

Elaine felt the weight of the whole world come crashing down on her shoulders, the letter slipping from her hands. Cardin dead? Was this a dream, she thought? Was this a nightmare plaguing her right now?

And yet, she knew the difference between a genuine letter from an institution and a fake one, and she knew the letter she held was the former kind.

She wanted to cry, she wanted to scream out her frustrations and emotions to the world, and yet even as rivers of tears spilled from her eyes, her mouth refused to utter a single syllable.

Why? Elaine thought, Why did Cardin have to die? Why? He didn't have to take that blast for me, he didn't have to get himself involved with me at all. So why? Why did he have to die so young? He has yet to live out his life, he could've become a decent Huntsman, a businessman, whatever he wanted to become!

And having found the strength to cry, she cried. She did not scream loudly or wail like a howling banshee, but she cried. She cried as she grieved the loss of a loving friend, one she grew to treasure in the few months they spend together, one she trusted to care for her children.

Her grieving would last a few hours, but by then the table beneath her was stained with tears, her eyes red and puffy, her voice hoarse.

Then her eyes laid upon the letter she received from Cardin, and part of her wished to throw away the letter, perhaps to spare herself further pain.

No, I ought to read this letter, She thought, resolving herself, At the very least, I should read what last words he has for me.

Wiping her eyes, she then opened the letter, and reading its contents, she was very quickly baffled and aghast at its contents. Reading further, her eyes widened like big saucers, and she was quick to rush towards the Valean General Hospital.

IIOII

Dear Elaine,

I know that the Atlesian Hospital's issued my death warrant and informed you of it, and I ask that you do not be alarmed; I requested for it. Why, you might ask? That's because of a transformation I underwent during my stay there.

Elaine felt her heart beating erratically in her mad dash, and never had she felt more determined to reach her objective.

I know it sounds unbelievable, but I made a pact with a god-like being, and as a result I've completely recovered from my ghastly wounds. If you were to see me now, however, my appearance would be a far cry from the old me; I also fear that my transformation has gotten people talking, and I'm worried I might be taken in as a lab rat for study.

"Why the hell did I get the letter stating his death, then?" She muttered under her breath, "Why doesn't he just say it to my face first!?"

It would be better to show you; come to the Valean General Hospital, and I'll explain everything there. When you arrive, tell the reception that you're visiting a patient Russel Thrush, at ward 3572. I'll be waiting.

Love,

Cardin

"Oum be damned, I'm getting plenty of answers from him!" Elaine muttered, panting heavily from exertion.

By then, she had arrived at the General Hospital, where she was quick to make her registration at the reception counter.

"Hello, I'm here to visit Russel Thrush, at ward 3572," Said Elaine, still panting.

"Are you alright, Miss? You look a little tired," Said the receptionist.

"I... I'm fine," Said Elaine, catching her breath, "Just had to rush here."

"I see," Said the receptionist, "Just register your particulars here and you can go on in."

Elaine did as the receptionist asked with her scroll, and after completing the trivial task, she went on to find ward 3572.

In the ward were three patients, all of similar age and in differing states of discomfort. One was visibly pale and hooked to a blood transfusion bag, constantly anaemic. One twitched every now and then, the tell-tale signs of drug withdrawal plainly obvious in his bloodshot eyes and shaky arms. One was more healthy-looking than the others, a small bandage around his head, though he looked visibly concerned for his fellow patients.

And standing next to the healthy-looking patient's side was a broadly-built man-no, boy. His striking white hair and amber eyes were hard to ignore or forget, and his chiseled features gave him a stern look. Yet his facial expression was that of soft concern and hesitance, as if he were forced to swallow a bitter pill.

At first he seemed unfamiliar to Elaine; she was suppose to meet Cardin, and Cardin never had white hair or amber and black eyes. Yet there was that look in his eyes, a look that reflected his defiant manner and bespoken kindness and protectiveness, one that she often saw in Cardin's eyes when he cared for her children.

"I suspect you are unfamiliar with my appearance," He said.

That voice... no, could it be?

"I know you want answers, Elaine," Said the man, "But I will tell you this: I am Cardin Winchester."

A/N: To all my viewers and followers, Merry Christmas! XD