Chapter 7: The Winds of Change
3 days later
Vash opened his eyes and looked seeing Meryl and Vita standing by the bedside. He grunted a little bit as he got up.
" What happened?" he asked
" You've been a sleep for three days I was hoping maybe you or Knives could tell me," Meryl said
She sat down and ran her hand through his hair.
" You cut your hair, there are new scars on your body," Meryl said, " You can't tell me nothing happened Vash."
Vash sat there and put his hand over his face and tried to think, it was like that time he remembered what happened before he went to fight Knives. His hands shook and then he felt two warm bodies embrace him. He looked at Meryl and Vita as they just held him.
" It's all over Vash," Meryl said, " You don't have to worry."
Vash slipped his arms around Vita and Meryl and closed his eyes.
" I know," he whispered
Knives sat up and placed his hand over his face. He breathed deep as he thought about what happened. He was sent to the underworld while another possessed him. Knives got up and slipped his shirt on then walked down the hall hearing a voice. He walked into the kitchen and there he saw Alicia sitting there.
" What are you doing here?" Knives growled
Alicia stood up and walked over to Knives. He narrowed his eyes at her and she reached up and placed her hand on his face.
" I have come to ask you for your forgiveness Knives," Alicia said, " I was forced, by my father, mother and Aunt to do what I did."
" I can't forgive you, you're their offspring," Knives said
" It wasn't my choice," Alicia said
" You should have killed yourself if you knew who they were," Knives said
Alicia looked at him and brought her hand down then turn away.
" Then why did you kiss me?" Alicia whispered, " All I wanted do was comfort you and help you get through your difficulty."
Alicia walked over to Salus and kissed her head then grabbed her things and Knives watched Alicia leave. Knives walked into the kitchen and Salus looked at him. She saw he was not in good shape so she didn't force the issue on what just happened. Knives poured some water and some than drank another glass. He sat down and Salus climbed into his lap. She signed to him that everything was ok and that the bad people were gone. He looked out the window and sighed then put Salus down.
" Go get ready for the day, there's a lot to do," Knives said
Salus took off down the hall and Knives walked down the hall to his room. He looked at the coat of the World Beyond and sighed.
" It's been real," he said
" Knives," a soft voice said
Knives turned around and saw Karen standing there. She smiled and walked towards him. He grabbed her hand and she wrapped her arms around him.
" Oh, Knives, don't push anyone away, I'm still here with you," Karen whispered, " I'm right here."
She placed her hand over his heart and Knives placed his hand over hers.
" Salus needs a mother Knives, I can't be there for her, but someone can," Karen said, " Some one I know you care about."
Knives closed his eyes as she stroked his head and kissed it.
" Now, Knives you have to wake up now," Karen whispered, " I'm here."
Knives opened his eyes and felt a cloth on his head. He looked and saw Salus standing there and Alicia sitting by his bedside.
" Where am I? What happened?" Knives whispered
" You've been asleep for three days now," Alicia said, " Salus was worried so I came to care for you. Do you remember anything?"
" Only pieces of it," Knives said, " It was like one big dream."
Alicia nodded and reached for his hand, and Knives let her. He looked at her and she smiled.
" I'm going to make you some breakfast, so just relax," Alicia said
" I'd gladly take you instead," Knives whispered
Alicia blushed and got up and Salus climbed up next to Knives. She looked at him and hugged him. She signed ' I'm glad your awake, it was very lonely without you Daddy.' Knives sat up and embraced his daughter, he kissed her head.
" It was very dark," Knives said
Alicia walked back in with so breakfast and sat a tray for him. She sat down and looked at him.
" I'm sorry Knives," Alicia said
" For what?" he asked
" For everything that has happened, I lied to you, but I didn't want too once I met you," Alicia said, " It's because I fell in love with you and I had to go against everything my parents had told me. Please forgive me."
Knives looked at the tray of food and sighed. He looked at her and she lowered her head.
" I wish for another chance, I like it here with you and Salus," Alicia said
" Then stay," Knives said, " Salus likes you."
Alicia looked up at Knives and said, "And you do you like me too."
Knives looked at Salus and put her down.
" Go get ready for the day," Knives said
Salus walked off and Knives set the tray down and looked at Alicia.
" I can't like you," Knives said
" I understand," Alicia said
" But I can love you," Knives said
Alicia looked at him and said, " Love me Mr. Millions?"
Knives stood up and Alicia looked at him. Knives stared at her and knelt down beside her.
" We're plants, and what ever happens this race must continue," Knives said
Alicia looked at him and placed her hand on his face. She stared at him and then leaned over and kissed Knives. She looked at him and smiled, then stood up. Knives came to his feet and wrapped his arms around Alicia, then pulled her to him. She looked at him and wrapped her arms around him, then kissed him.
Salus walked down the hall and heard Alicia giggling and she smiled. Then walked outside on the porch. She smiled and folded her arms as though she was satisfied about what was going on.
Vash looked out the window and Meryl walked into the kitchen, with their cooing son. Vash turned around and smiled as Meryl walked over to him.
" There's your daddy," Meryl said
Nicholas looked at Vash with his big blue green eyes. Vash lifted him into his arms and smiled.
" He's beautiful Meryl," Vash said
Nicholas stared at him and Meryl, then started to fall asleep in Vash's arms. Millie walked down the hall and saw Meryl and Vash with Nicholas.
" I have something for the baby," Millie said
Meryl and Vash looked over at Millie as she walked over. She presented a small box and Meryl reached for it. She looked at Vash and Vash waited for her to open it. Meryl opened the box and smiled.
" Are your sure about this Millie?" she asked
" I am, he would want it this way, after all he is named after him," Millie said
Meryl smiled and held out the cross that Wolfwood wore.
" We can always think of him when we see little Nicholas," Millie said
" Oh, Millie," Meryl said, " Thank you."
70 years later
Vita stood by a grave site and placed some flowers down.
" After, 20 years the planet has become plentiful just like the muses said," Vita said, " I wish you could see it. There's life after a great tragedy after all just like dad said. Oh, Dad says hi and so does Nicholas. Eternality, is a long time to live, for a new generation. Uncle Knives and Aunt Alicia have 6 kids and Salus and I have been doing our own research on our new race. Nicholas has taking up the duties that Mr. Wolfwood left behind. We see him occasionally ."
" Vita!" Salus' voice called
" Salus is able to hear and talk," Vita said
Salus walked over under the beautiful oak tree and smiled seeing Vita.
" Come on Vita," Salus said
" I'm almost done here," Vita said
" Alright," Salus said
Salus walked off and Vita knelt down and traced the grave carving. She set a picture of the family on the grave stone.
" I'll be back tomorrow, bye for now," Vita said
She walked off and Salus looked at Vita.
" When will Uncle Vash come back?" Salus asked
" I don't know, he said he needs time," Vita said, " He'll be back, don't forget there's always tomorrow."
Salus giggled and looked at the plentiful planet and sighed.
" Our own Eden, that's what Uncle Knives called it," Vita said, " So, it is an Eden and I get to watch it grow."
THE END: FINAL STORY OF THE OTHER TWO STORIES