Epilogue: Never Alone
Their feet touched the ground softly as Gallows' wings dissolved back into his back.
"Well, that was fun, but I ain't doing it again.." laughed Gallows lightly, rubbing his broken arm gingerly.
"I don't blame you at all….Gallows…" said Virginia, pulling away from him and looking at him with a worried expression. Gallows scratched his temple with his good hand and smiled.
"Yeah?" said he, looking at the dry blood on his hand with a certain amount of distaste.
"Are you.. I mean… I AM talking to Gallows and not Rsalis..? Right?" inquired Virginia, wringing her hands together nervously. To this, Gallows closed his eyes and smiled even wider.
"If you were talking to Rsalis, we would be speaking of Inter-dimensional entities and what have you because…" he opened his cheerful eyes, his smile as big as it could get. " You would be my wife."
Virginia blinked to this theory and then smiled.
"Well now, seeing as that I'm talking to Gallows and not Rsalis, I suppose it would be all right if I were to do…" She walked the short distance between them and kissed him softly on the cheek. "..this." She finished, her lips still hovering near his now slightly flushed cheek.
"Eh heh. Well.. um.. yeah… I suppose that… Yeah.." stuttered the befuddled Baskar as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Virginia blushed as he lifted her off her tiptoes so that she was at eye level with him.
"And, need I even ask if your Virginia?" he laughed, brushing his lips against hers. She closed her eyes and returned his gesture softly, savoring the warmth that she felt around her.
(We're safe now… And we will never be apart…) She smiled around the kiss and then pulled away, extracting a playful pout from Gallows.
"Ah, it was just getting good!" He laughed, lowering her to the ground slowly. As her feet hit the ground her smile faded, Gallows, noting the change, looked at her inquisitively.
"What's wrong, Virginia, you're not hurt are you?" he asked, the look of inquisitiveness slowly sinking into a look of concern. Virginia quickly shook her head "no" and put her hand lightly on his chest.
"I'm just really curious about your wings, about Rnaia and Rsalis and… well.. about EVERYTHING. Gallows, there is so much that I don't know, nor understand. And…" she looked down at the ground, noting that her boots were speckled with blood. "I want to understand…so you don't have to go through something like this alone again.." she said, leaning forward and resting her forehead against Gallows' chest, her hand falling down to her side glumly and somewhat helplessly. Gallows sighed and wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held her without saying a word, and yet, somehow, Virginia understood everything that his heart was saying. They stayed that way for awhile until Gallows broke the silence with a subdued cough. Virginia pulled away and felt tears running down her face. Gallows, still not saying a word, gently wiped the tear away with his index finger and smiled.
"I think we need to go and check on the others. You and I will talk later and I will explain everything.. Okay… Virginia?" asked Gallows, slowly moving his hand down Virginia's face and cupping her chin in his hand. Virginia looked up at him and gave her winning " Let's do it!" smile. Gallows chuckled and removed his hand from Virginia's chin.
"Ready?" asked Gallows, extending his hand to Virginia, which she took without hesitation. Their fingers intertwined with one another and they walked toward the entrance of Simulacrum, anxiously awaiting their reunion with Clive and Jet.
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Clive was the first to see the two forms coming from the ruins and threw a small pebble at the sleeping Jet to get his attention. Jet, feeling rather annoyed that a pebble had nearly whacked his head, looked at Clive with a mix of annoyance and silent fury.
"What's the idea?! I didn't… Huh?!" exclaimed Jet, following Clive's pointing finger.
"That, Jet, is why I wanted to get your attention." Smiled the sniper, walking slowly toward the hobbling duo. Jet, with a slow smile spreading across his face, followed Clive.
(They made it! They're both alive!.. My heart feels so… light.. Like I have awoken from a long running dream. I want so much just to… tell them all how much I care for them.. Maybe I will…Maybe…)
"Hey!" Exclaimed Gallows cheerfully, giving the other two a goofy grin.
"Gallows! Virginia! You both are safe! I'm glad! We worried there for awhile." Laughed Clive, running the rest of the way to help Virginia with Gallows. Jet, still smiling, ran over to where his team mates were and offered his assistance. Virginia, however, refused to give up Gallows' hand, even for a moment. Jet, realizing that he would have no chance to win an argument with her, dropped the subject and walked beside Clive.
"Gallows, I hate to tell you this, but you look like hell…" laughed Jet, as he pointed to Gallows' broken arm, which was, at the time, being supported by Clive's arm. Gallows chuckled jovially and shook his head slowly back and forth.
"Well, man, let me tell you, I FEEL like I've been through hell…" and then, as and afterthought, he added "And back." Jet moaned playfully at this overused expression and slapped his forehead lightly.
"Hey, Jet, don't do that to much, don't wanna knock out what little brain you have left after Clive nearly took your head off with that pebble!" laughed Virginia, nodding toward a now embarrassed Clive.
"I did NOT nearly take off his head! And… What relevance does his brain have… ? No, never mind, if you try to explain it right now, MY brain might cease to be.. Why don't we head back toward Baskar Colony?" asked Clive, looking at his three smiling team mates.
For some reason, Gallows' stomach dropped down to his knees and he felt faint.
"Ungh…" Gallows moaned, lurching forward, trickles of blood falling from his nose and mouth. Their smiles quickly faded as they caught the falling Baskar, which took ALL of their efforts. Virginia's heart almost stopped beating as she caught Gallows with the rest of them.
(Just how severe ARE his injuries? Will he live through this..?) Tears started to sting her eyes and she had to blink a couple of times to keep them in check.
"We need to get him to Baskar Colony on the double! He's obviously hurt worse than he let on!" exclaimed Virginia, huffing as they dragged Gallows to his horse.
"I'll hold on to him! Jet! Would you please take the reins of my horse and lead him back? Clive! Make sure that we're not engaged on our way to Baskar! Let's go!" demanded Virginia, climbing on to the horse behind Gallows and spurring it on, leaving a cloud of dust as she sped away. Jet and Clive nodded at each other and went to do their assigned task.
Virginia's heart sped alongside the horse as she gripped the reins.
(Please hold on Gallows, we'll get you home safe…I promise..) She pressed her forehead against his lax back and silently prayed.
Jet and Clive watched helplessly as Virginia despaired. They could not find the words to give her heart solace, no matter how much they wanted to .
"Hey Clive… do you really think Gallows will be all right? I mean, he looks to be in pretty bad shape, and, if truth be told, I think he was running on both adrenaline and joy when he walked out with Virginia…"
"And now that he has nothing to fight for or against, his body and mind just gave out… " finished Clive, looking at the young android. Jet locked eyes with Clive a second longer, long enough to convey his doubt, and then spurred his horse forward. Clive, sighing, gently kicked his horses flanks and caught up with his comrades, keep a sharp eye out for adversity.
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His world was dark, silent, and peaceful. Not a single sound penetrated this haven of safe thoughts. Unfurling himself from a fetal position, he stood, his rainbow colored wings flapping silently behind him. He was nude and yet he felt no shame. No one would see him this vulnerable.. No one would see him with all his card on the table. He ran a now unbroken hand through his hair and brought his hand back down to find it covered with silver.
"Huh?" me mumbled, holding his hand out in front of him and observing the substance with the utmost of fascination.
"You still do not get it, do you Gallows?" chuckled a deep voice from behind him. Gallows, caught off guard, whirled around and used his wings to cover his vital areas.
"Who are you?!" exclaimed Gallows, looking at the distinguished looking gentleman that stood in front of him. Then man simply laughed and pushed a long, silver, lock of hair behind his slightly pointed ears. The young Baskar blinked, for some reason, this man seemed and… FELT familiar..
"My dear child, I am Rsalis, and, had you your senses around you, you would have known as much…" said Rsalis and a slightly condescending tone of voice. Gallows, relaxing at this bit of information, unfurled his wings and let them flow behind him.
"What is going on? Why am I here… and…" Gallows blushed a little, "Why don't I have any clothes on?"
Rsalis took a step toward him and that was when Gallows realized that Rsalis was slightly taller than him.
"You were not born with a shell so why should you have one as you speak to the God of Death?" Inquired Rsalis, reaching a strong hand out to touch Gallows' face. Gallows flinched a little as Rsalis' hand made contact but then relaxed when he found that there were no ill effects from the contact.
"I see.." said Gallows, scratching his arm although it did not itch.
(Damn nasty habit..)
"My child, I wish to tell you a story.." started Rsalis, removing his hand slowly from Gallows' face and putting it firmly on his silver clad side. To this, Gallows nodded his confirmation and sat down cross-legged and looked up at Rsalis anxiously. Rsalis chuckled and sat down in front of Gallows in a similar fashion.
"We are all born into the hands of fate. Each child holds the knowledge of the heavens within their hearts. However.. as we grow and absorb the ways of the world, we lose the original that plan the Supreme and the Guardians have laid about before us. Gallows…" said Rsalis, putting his hand on Gallows knee and giving it a small squeeze. ".. You're the missing link between the child and the corrupted. That's why, in the direst of occasion, you could access your power. You see, Gallows, your wings are an extension of your soul. The more passion you feel the brighter and more vibrant your wings become. Hm, here's something interesting. Those wings on your back could have been formed into anything at all by you. But you chose wings, why is that?" inquired Rsalis, removing his hand from Gallows' knee and leaning back, placing his arms behind him as a brace. Gallows thought about this question very deeply and then, the answer came to him in the form of a memory he had held deep inside.
"I remember when I saw Virginia nearly get crushed by that debris, I was powerless.. My mind screamed for my body to move, but, like a blob, I just stood there and watched dumbly as Jet saved her life. I was jealous and yet I was grateful. He was like her angel.. But, I wanted to be her angel! I wanted to be the one that held her in the midst of her nightmares… But I couldn't because of my weakness… My own shortcomings. That memory came back to me as I started to fall. I thought "I want to be her saving grace… I want to be, just this once, her angel… her savior." And then the wings appeared…" finished Gallows, touching his wings gingerly.
"Gnshinurca, that is not the only reason, but I will not push you for the answer that you have hidden within your heart. We are here because you are on the brink of death. But, do not fear! You will live to see another sun rise. But there is much I must tell you. When you were born, our fates were already braided together. I was to guide you though hell in exchange for a vessel to use. But it goes deeper than that. You see, gods can die, but the thing is, we're reborn with the memories from our past. I wanted to see first hand, how a demi-human felt in the heat of battle…. And passion. Ironically, your love is my wife's vessel. Hm. My wife and I have been reincarnated as such for many years. Our love grows stronger every day. And, therein lies the beauty of love. It can span years, decades, generations.. even eternity."
Gallows eyes lit up, for the first time he understood it all. Time, life, death.. EVERYTHING, but then, like a sweet dream, it slipped from the fingers of his mind and sailed down the stream of time.
"You mean that destiny has a way of reviving everything?" asked Gallows, trying his best to sum up what he had heard.
Rsalis nodded his confirmation and stood up slowly.
"We will die, my wife and I, but we will be reborn as much more intelligent beings. Your memories live within me, just as Virginia's live within Rnaia's. In the same token, my memories lie within you. But, I guess the same could be said of all deities. So, live my child, and create memories that will live on for eternity… and…" Rsalis smiled and extended his hand for Gallows to take. "Don't do anything that I would not do…" Gallows laughed and took the God of Death's hand.
"Good Luck… my child." Spoke Rsalis softly, kissing Gallows on the lips softly. Gallows blinked as the god started to fade.
"Make me proud and have many children!" Laughed Rsalis, as the last part of him faded from view.
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Shane looked out the window nervously as Halle cooked her famous stew.
"You know, Shane, lazing around will not bring you brother home any sooner. Come and help with this stew. Make sure to not let the rice stick to the bottom." Cackled Halle as she stood from the sitting position that she was in and walked toward the door.
"Okay.. But what are you going to do grandma?" Asked Shane, taking over Halle's job of stirring the stew.
"I'm going to welcome our hero home.." said Halle with a genuine smile.
"You mean… Gallows is ALIVE?" exclaimed Shane, trying hard to contain his joy.
"Yes, and from now on you shall call him buy his true name… Gnshinurca Carradine." Finished Halle, turning her back on an overjoyed Shane and walking out to greet the quartet of Drifters that were entering the gate.
Virginia glared at Halle as she dismounted the horse and tied it to a post.
(She still is angry at me for sending Gallows out…I don't blame her.. But, it had to be done..)
Halle hobbled over to the black horse and had to stifle a cry of pity when she saw a bloodied Gallows leaning against the horses nervous head.
Virginia's eyes locked with hers as she draped a blanket over Gallows' shoulders and signaled for the others help. (This is your fault…) said the young woman's fervent eyes
"Gallows needs medical attention, may we use the closest house to treat his wounds? I don't want to move him around to much.." said Virginia, scooting in a little closer to Gallows in order to establish a firmer center of gravity.
"Yes, please follow me." said Halle, motioning them toward the nearest establishment.
Clive looked at Jet, who was trying to keep Gallows' head up and gave him a smile that somehow affected BOTH of his teammates. Clive, who had most of Gallows weight on his shoulder, shifted into a more comfortable position and took Gallows to the appointed home.
Thankfully, the occupants of the said home were out on a pilgrimage so the bed was free and there was plenty of room to move around. Having laid Gallows on the bed, they turned around, almost at the same time, and looked at Halle. For the first time, Halle seemed uneasy.
" If you will please wait outside I can.." started Halle, only to be interupted by an exasperated growl.
"NO! I will NOT wait outside!" Barked Virginia, stamping up to Halle and glaring at her.
(Respect be DAMNED! She sent me out once and Gallows nearly did not make it! Never again!)
"He matters more to me then he EVER will to you!" she said, jabbing a finger angrily toward Gallows' innate form. "And I will stay in here, the others can go out if they want to, but damn it, he's MY responsibility too, both as a leader AND a friend!" finished Virginia, dropping her hand down to her side, still glaring at Halle menacingly.
"Very well, you may stay in here. But, we can't have people crowding around here… That will not help Gnshinurca's recovery.." replied Halle calmly, although her eyes gave her true emotion of ill-ease.
Virginia's eyes softened at Halle's words and she nodded her head.
"What do I need to get to help you out?" asked Virginia as Clive and Jet exited the building.
"Well, we will need some boiled water for starters. I will gather the medicinal herbs. Please go and fetch a pot from Shane and fill it to the rim with water and we will work from there.
Virginia once again nodded and exited the building to get the supplies.
"My foolish grandson…" chuckled Halle as she walked over to the bed that Gallows was on.
"You're just to much for an old lady like myself." She chortled as she pushed a strand of hair from his forehead. Gallows' lips twitched into a small smile and then fell back into a frown. Halle shook her head and walked to the supply shed. It was time for her to pay her debt to Gnshinurca.
Thirty minutes had produced a strong smell of fermenting grain, a very dizzy Virginia and a highly amused Halle.
"Gee… This stuff could wake the DEAD!" groaned Virginia, fanning the vapor away from her nose and toward Gallows. Halle chuckled a little and started to wash the blood from Gallows' wounds.
"Heh. It's been in the family for generations. And trust me, all those generations were heavy sleepers.."
Virginia raised her eyebrow to this and then chuckled a little herself.
"Gallows is a heavy sleeper… It would take a small earthquake to wake him up…" she said, wringing out a clean, warm rag and handing it to Halle.
"I take it you have had many sleepless nights watching my grandson?" smiled Halle with a smile that made her look and feel ten years younger. To this ,Virginia blushed and turned around, using washing the rag as an excuse to hide her red face.
"I… I had nightmares.. and his snoring kept me awake!" stuttered Virginia, turning around, a trace of a blush still on her face. Halle closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and slowly shook her head back and forth.
"You know, denying how you feel for him will not make the feeling go away.. In fact it will make the feeling stronger…. " She opened her eyes and locked them with Virginia's. "Why not finish cleaning him up? Who knows? Maybe your touch will bring him around quicker.." snickered the old lady, throwing the rag to Virginia, who caught it in mid-air effortlessly.
"And what will you do? You're the one that started this…" said Virginia softly, a tone of accusation creeping into her voice. Halle walked past her and was halfway out the door before she spoke.
"The Eve of Reaping was coming and we had heard that there was some unrest at the ruins. Had Gnshinurca NOT been successful at freeing the imprisoned spirits, the closest colony, which is ours, would be claimed instead. I did not choose Gnshinurca for that mission because I hated him, I chose him because I believed in his spirit." She turned around and gave Virginia a cutting look of her own.
" A man free of spirit but bound to destiny" Was what the ancient parchments foretold. Gnshinurca fit those requirements…. As did his father… But unfortunately, Roka was not strong enough to break the chains that held his cursed soul…" and with that, she turned back around and exited, leaving Virginia and Gallows alone.
Virginia walked over to bed and sat down beside Gallows.
"Hey.." She said, running her hand through his hair slowly, stopping to untangle it from time to time. "When are you going to wake up? We were supposed to talk and finish what we started.." she smiled, washing his face with the hand that was not tangled in his mane.
"Well.." she said after a moment of not getting a response, "You better wake up soon or you might miss the…." Her face fell and she laid her head down on his chest, praying that she would hear a steady heartbeat, and was happy to find that it was there.
"Gallows… Please don't leave me…" she whispered, rubbing her cheek against his chest and wrapping the arm holding the rag around his neck
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Gallows stood on a rivers edge and watched as Virginia walked on the water toward him, her long, unbound hair flowing freely behind her.
"Gallows…Please don't leave me…" she said desperately, reaching her hand toward him, standing right in the middle of the river. Gallows started to walk toward her, ignoring the fact that, he too was walking on water. Virginia took his now extended hand and pulled him close.
"It is time to come home…" and with that, she rested her head on his chest, threw one arm around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair as they slowly started to sink into the river, feeling no fear or apprehension at all.
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Gallows awoke to the pressure of Virginia lying on his chest and wrapped his good arm around her, causing her to start and then relax, her breath coming out in warm puffs on his chest.
"I guess we have a lot of catching up to do.." whispered Gallows, kissing the top of her head. Virginia smiled as she pushed herself up and looked into his eyes.
"I suppose we do…" she whispered back, pressing her lips against his, feeling to shy to do much else.
And yes, they had much to discuss.
But, that my friends, is another story….
Ending note: Okay, I want to say right now that this is NOT the true ending, case in point, this is the edited ending. I was not going to bump this story to a rated R rating, ESPECIALLY since this is the last chapter. I will put a link to it either on this page, later, on or in my BIO page. If you want to know the true ending BEFORE I post it on the other site, please feel free to e-mail me and I will be more than happy to send it to you. Similarly, if you would like to know Deleted scenes (And yes, there were just some scenes that were either to gruesome or to explicit to be posted). Bloopers (Yes, they are somewhat amusing and I can't post those up either…). And character interviews (Again, TOS forbids me to post anything of that nature)
E-mail me and I will send them to you.
And now for the Thank You Section.
Black Waltz 0: Thank you so much for honoring me with all of those shining reviews and comments. I also want to thank you for giving me confidence when I felt this story was not good enough. (And, when compared to your story, I still do not think that it is all that great) . Also, all the conversations we had pertaining to religion, parapsychology and philosophy gave me plenty of inspiration.
Teefa85: Words can not describe how happy I am when I get a review from you! They were always so full of encouragement and kind words that I felt as if I just had to write good to keep those great comments coming in. Also, your sense of humor often had me rolling. I simply adore how you integrated you Muses into the reviews. Oh, and I never forgot that you were my first reviewer when I first came to and posted "Beside You". Thank you.
Jurie: It was so refreshing to find someone out there that liked Gallows just as much as I did. You don't know how inspired I became after reading your beautiful story. I also enjoyed getting e-mails from you, namely because they were just so amusing or so thought provoking. You have a lot of heart, please never lose that or cheapen it, for a kind, brave heart is rarer than gold these days.
My Husband: You were there when I felt the need to cry and you inspired me with your loving touch and kind embrace. You are my Vērus Angelus and I love you.
Draco675: Yeah, you know who you are, you silly behemoth! You know I love ya! You were always there to offer advice, encouragement, and even a good laugh or four. I would not have posted this if not for you. Thank you, oh Dragon one.. Oh, and try NOT to get your Drow killed again ,K? thnx….
ArchAngel: You always brightened my day with your comments. You also helped me with all the discussions we had about the astral plane. You were also my inspiration for making Gallows my angel.
Thank you so much, my friend, may the gods guide you.