Chapter Twenty Two: Death
My ranch was eerily calm that night, in fact it had been so since early this evening. I went about my day as usual, seeing to my animals needs and tending my budding crops. That was the daily routine that I accepted now, and as part of my daily routine I visited the Harvest King like any other day. He was his same old reclusive self, occasionally showing a softer side of himself. I valued these moments immensely, and I could tell it was getting easier for him to be that way around me.
But today he did something unexpected, he told me about his day. Now big deal, you may think that this is just an ordinary event but I assure you it is alien to me. I had given him the apple, its surface gleaming with its excellent quality. His eyes softened like they always did and he took it gratefully... As I turned to leave he stopped me with a gentle touch on my hand. I was unaccustomed to this, for the Harvest King rarely initiated physical contact with me.
He said it was because he was afraid of hurting me, which I knew he could never do. "What is it?" I asked in mild surprise. He merely turned my hand over in his palm and traced the lines of my hand. "Today I stopped a rockslide on an island far east of here." He said. Curious, I clasped my fingers around his and urged him to continue. "I normally watch for these things, but today my mind was somewhat elsewhere, and I was too late." His words were short and sharp, his eyebrows lowering in frustrated rage.
"To late for what?" I asked, worry catching in my throat. "The child… he is dead. A small boy named Derrick." He squeezed my hand till my fingers throbbed with lack of blood flow, however I didn't pull away, and I merely returned the pressure and offered what little comfort I was capable of. "Harvest King, you can't save them all." I said gently. He closed his eyes. "I know." He said through gritted teeth. "Would you like me to stay?" I asked. He looked down at me for a moment, his eyes unreadable. After a moment few seconds he released my hand. "No." and he turned away from me, his arms crossed in front of his chest as he glared at the clouds.
I stared at his broad back, contemplating what had just occurred. He actually revealed a sorrow to me without motivation or urging. I was happy, yet sad that he had to bear the knowledge. I placed a hand on one of his crossed arms. He didn't look at me and remained sturdily in place. "Life is precious Harvest King; do not be ashamed that you still value it. Be ashamed when you don't." His chin lowered to rest on his chest, his eyes closed in thought. "You see right through me Hikari." He said before pulling me in his arms.
And so here I sat. Night was setting in and all of Castanet was settling down to sleep. I sat at my table; the only light in the room came from the small lamp beside my bed. Iris snoozed on my pillow with all four paws raised in the air and Raem's thunderous snore shook the house from upstairs. Finn sat on the table left of me, the blue feather sitting between us. You see, that brief moment of openness the Harvest King showed me hit home. And now I wanted to have moments like that again, I had the selfish desire that he would only show those things to me.
When I first pulled the feather from its hiding place on the bookshelf Finn was astounded. "Hikari I'm speechless!" He exclaimed. "I don't know what to say! I'm flattered Hikari… really I am! But… it would never work…" he mumbled. I rolled my eyes. "Oh Finn you hurt me so." My tone was as dry and bland as my mood. His head snapped up. "You mean…?" "Of course not Finn, you're a seven inch fairy for crying out loud." I said. So those are the events that led up to this one, both of us sitting in silence for two hours while staring at this damn feather.
"Are you going to say something?" Finn asked suddenly. I rested my chin in my hand, my elbow propped on the table. We both looked at the feather that rested between us and sighed. Ironic, how a feather was used to ask the heaviest question of your life. "So who are you going to ask?" he squeaked. I glared silently at him and he shrunk under my scrutiny. "You should know the answer to that question." I replied tersely. It took Finn a moment, as did everything, to realize what I meant. You mean… him?" he asked in disbelief. I nodded, not really paying attention to him, and continued looking at the feather. "I want to, there is no one else I'd ever consider asking, but I know what his answer will be."
"Then let's go right now!" He said while jumping into the air and grabbing a lock of my hair. "We can go right now and you can ask him!" I pushed Finn away from me. "He will say no." I snapped. "Oh." Was all Finn said as he deflated and slowly sunk back onto the tabletop. "What do I do Finn?" I sighed. He shrugged his small shoulders nonchalantly. "Make him say yes!" Finn said, as if the solution had always been there.
I held a hand up to stop his oncoming babble. "That's not the problem here Finn, the question is how." I explained. Finn fell back spread eagle on the table and stared up at the beams on the ceiling. "Then you have a problem." He said. "You think so?" I replied sarcastically. "Then what are we going to do?" he asked "Whoa, cool your jets there bud. We? There are no we when it comes to this." I said. "But I want to help you!" he protested feebly. "Having you there will make it even more difficult Finn. Plus, last I checked, your no expert on love."
He shook his little head like the bobble head he resembled. "But I am an expert on immortals." He chimed. "Is that so? Then please tell me, all knowing Finn, just how does one get an immortal to take vows with a human?" I asked. His head drifted from side to side and when he didn't respond I though he nodded off. "He loves you right?" Finn whispered. I sat straight and raised my hand to scratch my head. "I think so." I gulped, blushing furiously. It was still hard to believe that he loved me. "Then this is not something I can tell you how to do Hikari. For once you're going have to go into the battlefield blind."
I blinked, surprised by his words. And as I sat there pondering, it struck me. Ever since I came to this island Finn had been there, and in his own bumbling way he had guided me. Every time I got lost, or strayed away from my goals, he always knew where to go to pick them back up again. I gazed at the clumsy sprite, both angry and grateful that I relied on a bobble head with wings. "Your right Finn, this is something only I can do." I said. When he didn't answer I poked his small leg. I scooped the sleeping sprite up in my hands and placed him on a pillow beside my bed. "Night Finn." I said while stashing the feather back on the bookshelf.
Hikari was acting most peculiar, as was I for that matter. I don't know exactly why I felt the need to confide in her, but she gave me the answer I needed. The child's death still haunted me, literally. He was so young and he went so fast that his confused spirit still danced around me, attracted to the life energy that was my power. Always there were questions. Like how did this happen? Where am I? Am I dead? Where are my parents? Can you fix me? I don't want to die. The child's spirit clung to me; he was an innocent and scared thing. I worried for him, if he didn't pass on soon then Him would show up.
I didn't need that, but I hadn't the nerve to banish the spirit from my mountain. Hikari couldn't see the spirit, but I could tell she felt something. It was just like that when she came to visit me again, this time bearing an apple pie. I took it and shared the pastry with her, glad for the company. I found myself growing oddly satisfied with such small favors and I was content with things as they are. But I could tell Hikari was not, always she was fidgeting and stealing secret glances my way. Always she had words that threatened to spill from her mouth, but at the last second she would bite them back.
But what bothered me most was the unknown question in her eyes. I would feel a dull ache when I would see her brown hues grow dark and slightly dull, when she would refuse to look at me. I wanted to force her to ask, to look into my eyes, but doing so would anger her. I valued her trust to much to take such a risk. So here we sat, in silence, with a ghost hovering over my head. Is that pie? Can I have some? Who is that lady? Why is she sad? Hey mister! I grew agitated and shrugged off the spirit hands that clung to my shoulder.
What was that for? Why do you ignore me? Why are you so mean? I bet that lady is nicer than you! "Harvest King?" she asked suddenly. I blinked in mild surprise and cleared my throat. "Yes?" I asked. She poked her slice of pie absently with her fork; she hadn't even taken a bite. "It's nothing, never mind." I placed my fork on my plate and set the food aside. I reached a hand forward and fingered a lock of her hair. "What is wrong Hikari? Will you tell me?" I asked. She blushed and squeezed the fork in her small hand.
"Hikari?" I asked in confusion. "It's getting late." She said while standing. My hands slid from her hair as she moved to clean up the food. "It's not that late, stay." I said. She shook her head while leaning across me to grab the other plate. "I should really get going." She said hurriedly. I grabbed her reaching hand. "Hikari, what are you doing?" She blinked at me. "Getting the plate." She replied. "You know that's not what I meant, why are you behaving this way?" she yanked her hand away. "I told you it's nothing." She snapped.
"Don't get angry Hikari; I just want to know what has upset you so." I said in an attempt to calm her. "What has upset me? I'll tell you if you want to know so badly. It's… this!" she said while gesturing toward me. "Me?" I asked. She shook her head in aggravation. "Not you I mean us!" She exclaimed. "What about us?" I asked while rising. "Just this! All we ever do is this. Can't you see I want more?" "More of what?" I was growing angry, why wouldn't she just get to the point? She clutched the sides of her head and bent over. "Exactly! You don't even know!" "I would if you just told me! Stop dawdling and tell me what it is you want. If you're going to behave this way then just leave!" I yelled.
"YOU ARE AN IDIOT!" she spun on her heel and stomped down the steps. I turned away angrily. Why are you so mean? You know she's crying right? You are an idiot! "Go away!" I pushed my power at the child's spirit and he cowered in fright. I knew it you are mean! I'm going with the lady! Before I could grab the child's wondering spirit he took off like a light down the mountain face and after Hikari. Damn.
I stomped up my steps and scared the hell out of Iris when I slammed the door behind me. The cat mewed in protest and dashed up the stairs to evade my wrath. I sat on my bed and leaned over. After a moment I rummaged in my rucksack till my fingers found the soft edge of the hidden treasure. I pulled the feather carefully out of its secret pocket in my bag and held it in my hands. I felt heavy, so heavy my arms shook and my fingers clutched its delicate length. Hot tears fell down my cheeks as I cried, forcing the sobs to remain in my throat.
Why are you crying? I jumped when I heard the voice and wiped my tears away. Was it the mean man? Did he make you sad lady? He's awfully mean lady, you shouldn't cry over someone so mean. I looked around. "Hello?" I asked feeling foolish. You can't see me? You can hear me but you can't see me? You're a strange lady. I like you lady you don't ignore me like that mean man did. It's his fault you know. Why I'm dead and all. Hey lady! Is that a blue feather you got there? I blinked once, twice, three times, before a scream rose in my throat. No don't be scared I'm just a little kid! I can't hurt you. I paused as the fear halted. "Derrick?" I asked.
You know my name! I knew you were a nice lady, your too nice a lady to want to marry that guy, he's to mean. "I guess he is." I said while smiling. Hey you smiled! That's lots better than crying; my mom says smiles make the world a little brighter, so people should smile as much as they can! "Your mom sounds really smart." I said. She was! She was the smartest lady in the whole world! She taught me lots of stuff! Dad doesn't teach me much, he's still sad about Mom, hey lady do you know where my mom is?
I shook my head, pity filling my heart. "No I don't, I'm sorry." Oh… Well I can just stay with you! You're nice! "Shouldn't you move on or something? Like go into the light?" I asked. Nope! I like it here! Oh no.
Have you ever wondered what it must feel like to talk to ghosts? Well Casper here wouldn't shut up. He said that I was the only one besides the 'mean man' that could hear him so he chattered up a storm. He followed me around the island, asking a lot of questions. Like why I was buying seeds and what I was planting. Why I had so many animals and why I still thought about the mean man. Every question he asked I had to answer, one because I didn't have the heart to ignore him and two because if I didn't he'd keep asking.
As I dragged myself inside after watering my Green Bell seeds Derrick, I assume floated, in after me. Hey lady isn't the New Year tomorrow? Can we go? Huh can we? "You really should move on Derrick, isn't it bad to stay here to long?" I asked. Nope! I feel great! Why? Do you want me to leave? You don't like me anymore lady? "No Derrick I still like you, I'm just worried that's all." Don't worry I'll tell you if I start feeling funny! I'm sure you will kid. Sighing I reached for my lamp to turn the light off. "Good Night Derrick." I said and immediately regretted it. Goodnight? I don't sleep, funny how you need sleep and I don't. Why do people sleep anyway? Hey lady what do you dream about huh? I used to dream about lots of stuff. Derrick's chattering continued into the night, poor Hikari.
I lifted the pillow from my face, and the second I did Derrick's chattering continued. Morning! Are you hungry? You should eat breakfast! How about eggs? I wish I could still eat. You should eat eggs. Do you like yours scrambled? I like mine scrambled, you should eat eggs. I picked myself up out of the bed and stood slowly. My vision went black for a moment and I nearly feinted. Are you ok? You should see a doctor, I don't like doctors. Dad make me go though, I hate needles. Do you hate needles? I was really beginning to hate my ability to hear ghosts.
After I dug up the energy to tend to my animals I skipped my crops and rode over to the Garmon Mines on Lemon's back. As she came to a stop beside the mine entrance Owen passed by with a hammer slung over his shoulder. "Morning Hikari!" he called cheerfully. Who is that guy? Is he nice? I bet he's nice. Is he your brother? He looks like a big brother to me, hello are you listening? "Shut up." I moaned. "What?" Owen asked. "Sorry Owen I'm just a little out of it today." I yawned. I moved to dismount Lemon but I ended up falling. "Ouch." I grumbled as I landed hard on my butt.
"Hikari?" Owen rushed to my side and easily hulled me up by one arm. "Are you alright? You look like you haven't slept in ages!" he said. "No really I'm ok." I said while placing a hand to my spinning head. "You're about to collapse. Here I'll bring you inside and Ramsey can make you a cup of coffee." Owen said while putting an arm around my shoulder. "Owen I need to go…" I protested. "Into the mines? Your nuts if you think you can smash rocks in your condition." He chided.
Insulted, I pushed his arm off and nearly fell when the support left my body. "See?" he said while I struggled to stay upright. I decided to take advantage of his generous nature. "Ok but could you help me to the shipping bin? I need to drop something off." I explained. "Ok but don't try to sneak off." He said. I leaned onto his arm as he helped me fumble my way to the shipping bin. As I leaned on the lid I looked up at him. I gave him what I assumed was my best puppy dog face. "You see those mushrooms over there? I'm so tired that I could collapse. Maybe if I ate some I'd feel a bit better. Could you get them for me?" I asked.
"I don't know Hikari those are red mushrooms." He said. "Not those ones I mean the brown ones, they have some protein and I could really use the energy." When he still didn't move I placed a hand on his arm. "Please?" I pleaded while pinning him with sad eyes. He sighed and turned to collect the mushrooms. He almost caught me sneaking toward the glyphs when he turned around. "Stay there I'll just be a minute." I nodded and waved my hand to assure him I wasn't going anywhere. When he stooped to get the mushrooms I hobbled my way toward the glyphs.
You're going to visit the mean man? He's mean though! Why would you want to be with him anyway? He isn't nice like you lady. You shouldn't go your tired. You should let the big guy help you get better. I glared at the direction the voice was coming from. "Shut… up." I grumbled and reached toward the glyphs. My fingers brushed them momentarily before the effort of moving so much caused me to feint. Before I collapsed I felt the world whirl around me.
"Ok Hikari I got the mushrooms!" Owen said while turning around, burly arms overflowing with brown capped mushrooms. "Hikari?" He asked while looking around in confusion. Lemon sat beside the shipping been and mooed at the bamboozled Owen.
Hey lady! Lady lady lady lady! Wake up lady! I turned in annoyance at the sound of the child spirits voice. Lady? Was Hikari here? I waited a few moments for her bright blue aura to make its flaming way toward me. But there was no fiery blue energy hurtling toward me like usual. I stretched my power outwards in search of her energy. I found her energy shrunken down and flickering like a small flame. "Hikari!" I called while teleporting to her. Space rippled past me and became solid as I appeared before her. She was collapsed in the snow and breathing slowly. The child was hovering above her, shoving her with spirit hands.
"Do not touch her!" I roared. The spirit cowered away in fright as I stooped to pick her Hikari up. "This is why you must move on child. You are sucking her life energy from her like a parasite." Derrick floated slowly toward me. "If you do not leave soon you will forever wonder in this world." I passed the child and didn't spare him another glance. I ascended the steps with Hikari hanging limply in my arms.
She was exhausted. Only one day of exposure to the dead and she was like this. I reached my thrown and sat down, cradling her against me. Slowly I channeled energy into her aura, red mixing with blue. When her energy roared to life I stemmed the transfer of power and separated our life energies. Dozens of copper flecks glinted up at me from the depths of her blue spirit. I smiled and held her possessively to me. She turned into my arms and sighed in contented sleep.
My happiness was short lived for soon a dark energy slowly lurked toward us. It was slow, covering my mountain top like mist that clung to the ground. The groping dark energy slowly closed in around us. I felt a chill, colder than any physical bite seep into my spirit. The child spirit cowered behind my back. I flared my own power in response, the angry red of my aura glowing brightly to engulf Hikari and the spirit. How foolish. A voice said. "You dare foul my aura with your cold touch?" I snarled. I was merely saying hello. "Show yourself you snake." I hissed.
Slowly the dark energy spiraled into itself and rose to form a shape. Slowly the image of a woman appeared before me. It was a shadow of the true creature that lurked in the other realm. It was Him. Death in all his cold power. Death was male and female, evil and good. But death always appeared as a female before me, so as such all other deities called the creature Him. "I've come for the child." Death said in a high soprano. She appeared a woman with long black curls that cascaded down pale shoulders. Her skin resembled that of a lifeless corpse, pale and terrifying in its beauty.
A black robe covered lethal curves in the tall woman but it was her eyes that were the most striking. They were black eyes, no whites or irises. As if the pupil engulfed her entire eye. Thick lashes closed briefly to cover the black pools. She was the source of all ends, where it was my duty to give life it was hers to take it. My exact opposite. "The child is here." I said coldly. I reached behind me and grabbed the fleeting spirit. I'm scared! Please no mister! The child wailed. "You must go." I said while pushing the soul toward death. Death smiled and raised a hand toward Derrick, her cold face transforming into one of tender devotion. "Do not fear Derrick. I am here to take you home." Home? "You mother is waiting." Death said.
She lifted one robed arm and another spirit formed to stand beside her. A woman with short brown hair and soft blue eyes appeared. Mom? The spirit opened her arms. It's time Derrick. The child flew toward his mother's soul, crying into her spirit. Death held the two souls in her hands, cradling them like a mother would a child. Death placed the souls in her robes, which disappeared onto the black garment. Death drifted nearer, her dark energy creeping closer. She gazed down at Hikari's sleeping face. "This one escaped me." She whispered. Death reached down and placed a cold hand on Hikari's cheek. "Was it you're doing Harvest King?" she asked calmly.
The tendrils of her energy slid around Hikari's legs and wrapped around my arms. "Her spirit should have been mine, I was so close too. What a shame, such a strong vibrant life. A soul that captured even that of the Harvest King in its fire. I would love to end it." She stroked Hikari's cheek, her nails digging slightly into her tender flesh. I flared my power outwards. The heat of the sun burned into the dark tendrils and into Death herself. She howled in pain and leaped back as the fires of life burned into her cold power. She covered her burned face with one hand, mad black eyes staring at me. "Remember Harvest King, you owe me a debt." She cackled before receding back into her realm.
I scored the mountain top and burned every trace of her energy from my domain. I stroked Hikari's cheek where Death had touched her. Slowly she opened her brown eyes and she lifted her head. "Harvest King?" she asked half asleep. I bent and pressed my lips to her forehead. "I'm here." I said. She smiled and drifted back into her dreams. I held her closely, burying myself in her burning blue aura.
I opened my eyes slowly, not comprehending where I was. As I came to so did my memories. I was being cradled in the Harvest Kings arms and I felt amazingly warm. I smiled in contentment and snuggled into his embrace. "Hikari?" he whispered into my ear. "Hmm?" I mumbled. "The child is gone." My eyes snapped open and I looked around me. The Harvest King was looking down at me with soft crimson eyes and I smiled up at him. "Good, he was making me tired with all that talking." I said while yawning. I stretched my arms out and moved to get up but he held me fast. "What's the big idea?" I asked.
"I just don't want you to leave right now." He said. I stopped struggling and sank back down into his arms. "Stubborn." I grumbled. He smiled slightly as he gazed at the night sky. "How long was I asleep?" I asked. "Quite a while." He replied. I shrugged and relaxed into his arms. "You're being oddly sweet today." I commented. He glanced down at me. "I can let you go if you want me to." He said. "Ok ok I get it, shut up." I sighed. His gaze left mine and I looked down at my hands which rested on my stomach.
"Harvest King?" I asked. "Yes Hikari?" I twiddled my thumbs, this wasn't the first time I tried to bring up the topic, but it was still hard. "Uh… what do you think of… well you know… of…" I trailed off. My face felt hot as I squeezed my eyes shut. "Never mind." I whispered. He sighed and moved a hand to lift my chin. He gazed down at me and sent my head in a whirl with those pretty eyes of his. "What is it Hikari?" he asked impatiently. I gulped and looked sideways. "What… do you think of… us?" I asked. His hand left my chin and resumed its position cradling my legs. "I think we are unusual. A mortal and immortal in love. What a silly notion don't you think?" I glared into his robe front. "Yeah, silly." I hissed.
"So ridiculous in fact that I can't stand the way you make me feel." He continued. "Oh really?" I asked. "Yes really. You make me act different. You make me feel emotions that are alien to me; you compel me to merciful in my actions." His words were calm and nonchalant, as if he was talking about the weather and not our relationship. "With one word I am at your beck and call, you have me wrapped around your little finger. It's quite insulting to my pride to be honest." I was ready to stab him in his pretty face.
I glanced at the ground, where did Mr. Rock go? "You make me human Hikari." He finished. I was too angry for tears, to angry for words. I didn't move when he reached into my rucksack, I didn't do anything. "And it is to my knowledge that humans use a blue feather to propose." He said. My brain was too fried to really process his words. He pried my clawing fingers from his robe front and opened my hand. The blue feather floated down into my palm and rested there. Its soft weight like a brand in my skin. "And I will only marry the one woman who is capable of changing me so." He said.
My head snapped up to meet his eyes. "What?" I gasped. "But she has yet to ask me." I frowned as I looked down at the feather in my hand. "Harvest King will… will you… marry me?" I mumbled. He leaned his head down. "What was that? Are you trying to say you want to marry me?" I glared at him, what did he expect me to do, grovel at his feet? Like hell! "Marry me!" I yelled at him. "I see… you're an interesting one."
"Stupid." I mumbled. "Fine, I would be willing to take vows with you. It is not possible for me to live with you Hikari, are you sure?" he asked me. I nodded whatever the price I'd pay it. "Then please visit as much as possible." He said. "I already do." "In that case let us meet here on the seventh day of spring. We shall exchange vows then." He stood and helped me to my feet. I felt dizzy, but not from exhaustion. "If you should change your mind, you only have to say so. Be warned Hikari, once I make something mine it is so for eternity." "Eternity…" I mumbled.
I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. I had to stand on my toes to reach his mouth. "You're too tall." I mumbled right below his lips. "And as for eternity, I love the sound of it." He wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off the ground. The passion of the kiss and the urgency of his need wiped all common sense from my brain. When he broke away I was panting, gasping for the breath he finally let me have. And just as he leaned in to steal another kiss he whispered so low not even the quiet of the night stirred.
At that moment I didn't think of anything but the smell of her hair, the sound of her voice, the beauty of her eyes. I was entirely absorbed with this wonderous creauture that I loved, and soon she would be mine. You owe me a debt. The words sounded in my mind like poison. I cast them aside, I would pay anything to keep Hikari alive and beside me. Just as she was now, warm, prideful, and her beautiful spirit flaring brightly beside my own. Before I leaned in to taste her sweetness once more, I whispered with a hint of mischief in my voice. "Happy New Year."
I am welcome to advice and critism to please review ;D?