Chapter Two: Last Will and Request

Chapter Two: Last Will and Request

Buddi sat in bed, wrapped in his covers and tried to fall asleep. In fact, he'd been trying for several hours. But nothing worked. Finally, seeing that he wasn't going sleep anytime soon, Buddi had taken out a book and tried to read. He had a few books, typically ones that Ursa had acquired through the years. One he really liked as it had all the Barbic legends in it. When he was younger, he liked to have Ursa read it to him but now he could read it himself. Normally, it helped a great deal but tonight he could not fall asleep. It had passed midnight a few hours ago.

"Buddi? Are you still awake?"

Buddi looked up as Ursa came in. He nodded and Ursa took the book from his hands. She took a glance at the cover and smiled.

"I chose well with this one, didn't I?"

Buddi nodded. Ursa took his hood off his head and put it along with the book onto Buddi's side table. She gave the cub a gentle grin.

"I know that it hurts, Buddi but you need to sleep you know,"

Buddi nodded. "I tried. I can't."

Ursa gave the child a sympathetic look. Finally, she turned off the lamp, leaving the two Barbics in the dark. Buddi felt her grab him by the temples and gently push his head down into her lap. She started to slip her fingers through his thick hair, letting it slide in-between her fingers. Buddi closed his eyes.

"Good boy," Ursa praised him, gently. She had very good sight, even in the dark. "Sleep'll help Buddi."

"I know, Ursa." He replied as she kept smoothing his hair. "But it's so hard…it hurts. How can I possibly have a right to my dreams when Alina got hers erased…because of me?"

"Buddi Barbic," Ursa's voice was terse, tense and determined. "I don't want to hear you ever ever say that again. Understood? It was not your fault!"

"But if I had-"

Ursa gave his head a good whack. "I said stop it Buddi. You were not responsible for Alina's death. She died because it was her time."

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why was it her time? Why did she have to die?"

Ursa gave him a smile and soothed his hair another time and stroked the fur on his face. It was soft, like a Glen Gummi's or a rabbit's. It would smooth as he grew. While it was soft, it carried his innocence. As long as it was soft, he was a child. A little one. She swallowed and answered her Buddi.

"Everyone has to go sometime, Buddi. It's something that you have to learn to cope with. Barbics have to go eventually. Everyone does."

"I know."

Ursa smiled. "The death of a friend and fellow warrior always hurts Buddi and always will hurt, no matter how old you are."

Buddi nodded but he was getting tired. He could feel his eyes dropping.

And Ursa smiled as she saw it.

"Getting tired?"

Buddi shook his head but slowly. Ursa didn't buy it. She laid Buddi down under his covers again and still stroked his hair, even as he laid with his cheek in his pillow. She soothed him a few more minutes until she heard his heavy breathing for at least three minutes.

Then, she got up and left, taking one last glance at her baby before going to bed herself.

* * *

Buddi looked around, at a barren landscape. It was midnight black, just as the landscapes before had been. It was colder this time though. It was as if someone was releasing all the cold of the world into this concentrated area. He shuddered outwardly and then felt his blood freeze in his veins.

There she was again,

"Don't think you've gotten rid of me yet. Far from it."

Celina gave him a delicate smile, an evil smile and then the skeletons rose again. Only this time, he saw Alina…scorched. Her face was pitch black, the fur hung in clumps. Her eyes were shrunken, drawn back into her skull. He could see her bones in her arms. She grabbed him by the neck and breathed in his face. The smell of rotting flesh invaded his senses. It was so strong that Buddi fought an urge to vomit.

"You made me die!" she hissed, smoke coming out of her mouth. Blood dripped down her chin. She tightened her grip on the cub's neck. Buddi put his hands to her decaying paws and tried to pry them off. They cracked beneath his fingers. Buddi stared at Alina. Her eyes were so dark, so emotionless. Tears slid from his own eyes and made trails down his cheeks.

"I…I didn't…know…you'd…fol..l..ow." he gasped out. Alina growled, low in her throat and tightened her grip, her supernatural strength crushing the air from his lungs. "I didn't…wa..n..t…you…to…die!" Alina tightened her grip again, until Buddi's cheeks and eyes bulged and he heard his bones start to bend in his neck. His lips turned dark blue.

"But I did, didn't I?"

Her voice was different, raspy. Buddi forced strength into his failing sight. Alina's hair went from white to midnight black. Her eyes became darker and darker. Soon, he was not looking at a dead Alina but Celina. She smiled and pressed deeper and deeper into the cub's neck, choking the life from him…

"AHHH!"

Buddi sat up; heart pounding and sweat pouring down his body. He looked around. He was in his room, he was safe. He started to gasp for air, drawing it into his lungs with difficulty. He put a hand to his heart and tried to slow its rapid pace. He swallowed hard.

"A dream, just a nightmare."

"Was it, Buddi?"

Buddi looked up, his heart jumping to humming bird speed. He looked around but saw no one, nothing. Then, he heard that crack. Trembling so violently, he felt that he'd collapse, he focused on his mirror.

The glass was cracked.

Then, his own disoriented reflection shifted more, grew taller, darker. Buddi grasped his sheets in between clammy palms. Celina grinned at him. Then, she ran her hands down the glass. The surface cracked more and a bit tumbled to the ground. A slender black hand stretched through and seemed to stretch to him.

Blood began to puddle on the ground.

Celina took a step closer and began to slip through the glass.

Buddi leapt up and flew to the door. His hands were so sweaty that the knob wouldn't turn. He glanced back fearfully. Celina's white teeth flashed, revealing her evil smile. Buddi jerked the door and it sprung open. Not caring anymore, he raced down the hallway, shrieking,

"MAMA URSA!"

* * *

Sunni stared at the landscape around her. It was black, darker than space. She swallowed hard. She could feel the icy chill in the air. The winds were swift and sent her hair flying behind her. Her eyes were hardly seeing anything. It was too dark. But the main cold was the ice coating on her heart. The coating of fear that doubled when she heard that voice,

There she was, that woman…

"Don't think you've gotten rid of me yet. You're far from it Gummi."

The woman snapped her fingers and the ground under Sunni's feet split and spears of rock shot up. The sharp dagger-like points cracked and shattered until they formed hands and a body.

Splits appeared in the stone, almond shaped ones. Dark red eyes glared at her and a familiar voice hissed at her, like a cobra,

"It's your fault, Sunni Gummi." The stone flaked off and revealed Alina who picked the girl up by her hair. "You caused my death."

"I…I didn't want you to die. When you did, it shattered my heart!"

"But you did nothing to help me!"

"I…I…I didn't know what to do."

"Well, you won't live to regret it.'

At those words, Alina moved her hands to Sunni's neck and electricity flowed through the Gummi's fingers until they penetrated Sunni's skin, making it burn. Alina's voice rasped at her,

"Now, you know how I felt! Burn Gummi! Burn!"

Sunni felt her skin start to throb and burn, like a red-hot iron was against it, scalding her skin and burning her fur. She tried to pull the girl's hands away but her hands were scalding hot. Blood started to run down Sunni's throat. She started to stammer,

"Ali…Alina…I.."

"You what?"

Sunni opened her eyes. Alina's eyes went to a pitch black and her fur turned to pale white skin and her hair to midnight black. It flew up and over her head, like a coal waterfall. She laughed and let more energy flow into the child's skin until all the nerves went numb…

"NOOO!"

Sunni sat up swiftly, her heart a hammer in her chest. Sweat had drenched her fur and skin and her nightclothes clung to her like honey. She took a quick glance around before she remembered that she was in Ursalia. But that did not change the fear.

"Scared, child?"

Sunni's heart stopped, frozen with fear. Looking up, she saw a sneering Celina.

"Afraid?"

Sunni couldn't think, she was too terrified. Finally, she did the only thing she knew she could do:

"Grammi! Grammi! Help!"

Celina cursed as she heard the footsteps of an adult.

"Drats, Grammi to the rescue again." She smiled at Sunni, evilly. "Just know that I'm still here…and always will be."

The figure disappeared as the door clattered open and a brown Gummi in a blue nightdress ran in.

"Grammi!" Sunni flung herself at the older Gummi, trembling. Grammi stared at her. She had not seen Sunni so afraid since…she'd never seen her so afraid. The girl was shaking like a leaf.

"Sunni, my word, what's wrong?"

Sunni tried to tell but only managed to get out the fact that Alina blamed her and tried to kill her. Grammi soothed her hair and then spoke softly,

"It isn't your fault Sunni. And Alina doesn't think so either."

Sunni looked up. "How…how do you know?"

Grammi smiled. "I should have showed you this earlier but now will do. We found two letters in Alina's room. One to you and one to Buddi. Here's yours." Grammi reached into the drawer at the bed's side. Withdrawing a small envelope, she handed it to the cub.

Sunni looked at the envelope. It was wrapped in a sketch of crystals and roses. Across the front, in fancy text was written:

My Eternal Wish

Sunni swallowed and opened it. A small package fell out. Sunni held it in one hand and unfolded the letter. It was long but not huge, lengthwise. But it had Alina's sketches all over it. Sunni swallowed, leaned against Grammi and started to read, to herself. But she read aloud to break the silence.

Dear Sunni,

My sixth sense has always been a curse to me but I'll use it to an advantage right now. I don't know how but I don't think that I'll be around much longer. In case, I'm not here to say these things, I'll let you read them. I know that you'll blame yourself. Don't. Death is always in life. Life is a mix of sorrow, pain, and happiness. I never had much of the latter, but I wish you better.

I want you to know that I love you. Like a little sister. I lost all my family at the tender age of six. I had to grow up. But I don't want you to. Stay young and carefree. You and Buddi. You're both very mature but I want you to stay young at heart. Have fun with your life. What's life without joy?

I know that my time's short. I always knew that I'd die young. I knew that when I met you. Now, I want you to listen to me in this aspect. Death will come. You can't stop it but it will never be your fault. NEVER! I know you and Buddi. You'll blame yourselves. But I'm giving you an order: Don't. I don't want you to.

That's my final request Sunni Gummi: Live your life.

Remember me. Open your package. And remember me.

Alina Gummi

Sunni took the pouch in her hand. On top of it was written: 'My only tie to my mother… which I'm now passing onto you.' Sunni opened the package slowly. A silver necklace fell out onto her palm. It was the necklace that Alina never took off. Sunni stared but felt her self-doubt and blame fade.

"She doesn't blame me does she?"

Grammi smiled. "Of Course not."

Sunni slipped the necklace over her head. But the fear was still there, fear of Celina. Sunni clutched the chain of silver and swore warmth went through her body, like Alina was hugging her soul and heart and lending her strength she needed.

* * *

"MAMA URSA!"

Ursa blinked as her door was flung open. A trembling cub came barreling in and threw himself at her, hugging her around the waist. Ursa fumbled for her light and flipped it on. Buddi was shaking like a leaf, and his face was pure snow white. She could feel the tremors in his body and he tightened his grip on her.

"Buddi! What in the world is this about?"

At first, the cub couldn't answer. His face was buried in her chest and he was shaking too badly to answer lividly. Finally, Ursa pulled him up and rubbed his back, as she had when he was younger. He swallowed and tried to get his words straight.

"Buddi? Tell me."

Buddi nodded. "Isawheragain.Alinawasthereandshewantedtokillme.Shesaiditwasallmyfau-"

"Whoa!" Ursa grabbed his cheeks. "Slow down."

Buddi nodded. Gradually, he told her what he saw but he left out the part about Alina. Ursa was smoothing his hair by the end of the story. She gave him a kiss on the temple, any kiss by Ursa was rare, and said, with much more sympathy than usual,

"It's a dream, baby. It was only a dream."

Buddi shuddered. "But…but I saw her in the mirror. I saw her!"

Ursa smiled at him. "Buddeums, baby, I think you're imagining things."

"But-"

"Shh," Ursa hugged him. "Now, why don't we go back to-"

"NO!" Buddi clutched her tightly. "NO! Mama Ursa, don't make me go back! I don't wanna!"

Ursa was struck dumb. She narrowed her eyes, appalled at his childish fear, "Buddi, you're a Barbic! Stop acting this way!"

"I'm sorry, Mama Ursa. But I don't want to. I know what I saw. She's waiting for me! I know she is!"

Ursa felt her anger vanish and she let her love overtake her again. "Buddi? Baby?"

Buddi looked at her. She patted a section of her bed by her. "Come here, baby."

Buddi consented and Ursa wrapped her arm around him. Buddi snuggled deep into her and Ursa draped her quilt over the cub. He swallowed and tried to sleep but he was too scared. Ursa kept her arm around him. Her touch helped. He drew close to her, took in her smell. She would always have that particular scent to her. It was comforting.

"Ursa?"

"Hmm?"

Buddi looked at her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be acting this way. You're right…I am a Barbic. But I'm not acting like it."

Ursa shrugged. "Everyone gets scared Buddi. But you're right. You aren't acting like one. And I know why."

"Then why?"

"Because of two things: You still blame yourself for Alina's death. And two: there's something you aren't telling me."

Buddi stared at her. She was good. She'd raised him, was raising him. She always knew what he was thinking it seemed. She didn't always understand it but she could always tell when he was withholding something. She gave him a stern look. "And I want you to tell me what."

Buddi looked at her. She nodded.

"Okay, I told you the truth when I said Celina was choking me. But I left out something."

Ursa nodded. "I thought so, Buddi. Tell me now. Or go back to your own room."

Buddi grew faint with fear at that thought. He clutched Ursa tighter and she could feel the cold sweat that had drenched his clothes. He swallowed and started to talk,

"It…was that same dark landscape. Then, there she was again…that woman…Celina. She told me, "Don't think you've gotten rid of me yet. Far from it." Then, those skeleton hands came again, yanking at me…one grabbing me around the neck. It…it…was Alina."

Ursa sat up and pulled Buddi into her lap. Buddi curled into a fetal position, drawing as close to Ursa as he could. The Barbic leader wrapped her hands around him, one around his temple and the other across his arms. He let the tears falls, but not for long. Ursa wiped them away and slipped her fingers through his matted hair.

"Go on, Baby."

Buddi swallowed, inhaled deeply and then said softly,

"She started to choke me. When she spoke…her voice was so harsh…and cruel. S..smoke came out of her mouth and she was bleeding. I could see her…her…her…bones. Her hands…they were all bone. And she said, "You made me die!" I tried to…tried…I told her I didn't want her to…she keep choking me. I…I thought I was going to die! Then, she turned into Celina. Laughing…" Buddi stopped and started to cry.

Ursa held him close to her. "I know it's hard, Baby. But is there anything else?"

Buddi nodded, slowly. "Y…yes."

"Tell me."

Buddi forced his voice to steady.

"I woke up then. I thought that the fear was over. Then, I heard that voice…her voice. She was in my mirror. I saw her, she cracked the glass…stretched her hand through, intimidating…threatening. Then, then, that's when I got up and ran to you."

Ursa swayed a bit with him, almost a rocking motion. "Well, it's over Baby. I won't let her hurt you. I promise."

Buddi looked her. "Really?"

Ursa nodded. "By the Memory of Barbic Wood."

Buddi shuddered again. Ursa rubbed his face with her fingers. Stroked his cheeks, wet with tears. "But it was truly Alina's words that cut deep wasn't it, Baby?"

Buddi nodded and tears came again. Ursa dabbed them away and reached into the side drawer on her nightstand.

"I should have given this to you earlier, baby. But I didn't." she handed him a small package. It was decorated with small sketches, of suns, moons, and stars. Buddi noted a folded piece of paper on top. He stared at Ursa. She looked at him gently and said, "We found it in Alina's room after…after the cremation." She noted Buddi's eyes went downcast when she mentioned that. She squeezed him. "One to Sunni and this to you…from her."

Buddi slowly unfolded the paper. It was letter, short but direct:

Dear Buddi,

My sixth sense has told me since I was born whenever danger was near. I knew danger was coming. I knew that I would never grow up. I'm not sad. I know that when I go you will be. You're emotional Buddi. That's a strength. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't. Your heart is pure.

I can't really say much. I'm hoping my actions were louder than my words are. But let me put it this way: You're like a little brother to me. Or a younger friend. I know that we started out a bit rough. Ursa pitied me. But I know that we're past that now. If I can't tell you this in person, as I don't think I'll be able to, then this letter will have to suffice. I love you. You and the others opened yourselves to me. Thank you.

I have one last thing you can do. When I go, it isn't your fault. I know that you probably will blame it on yourself but don't! That's the last thing I want. I'll tell you what I do want. I want you to go on. Mourn me if you must but go on. Live, be a child. Enjoy your life. Take your package, my gift to you, and go on. Please.

Alina Gummi

Buddi laid the note down, awestruck. He slowly opened the small box. Inside, he found a black smaller box, with a golden clasp. Opening that, he found a layer of velvet. In the direct center was a small dagger. It was heavily decorated, consisting of a golden hilt with swirls of silver around it to come to a stop at the bottom of the blade. The sheath was golden with stars and half moons of silver and white. The blade itself was supernaturally sharp. Alina had wrapped a note around the blade. Buddi unwound it and read,

"Once my father's, this blade is his tie to his Barbic heritage and my only tie to him. I pass it on to you."

Buddi looked at Ursa. She took the box from him and put it on her nightstand. Buddi clutched her, "I believe you and her, Mama Ursa but I'm still afraid. Celina…she's ruthless."

Ursa nodded. "You can stay with Mama Ursa, baby."

Buddi clutched her and stayed close as she laid down and wrapped her arms around him. He snuggled close to her.

''Sa?"

"Hmm?"

"I thought a dagger was a sacred thing to a Barbic."

"It is." She smiled and stroked his hair. "You should feel honored she passed her dagger onto you."

"I am but…"

"But what Baby?"

"I miss her."

Ursa hugged him. "I know, baby. It'll hurt for a while but then it will gradually fade. But she asked you to live."

"I know. And I will. That was her last request. I'll do that for her, Ursa. But…Mama Ursa…will you help me? Help this pain?"

"I'll try Baby. Mama Ursa'll try."