"My lady, are you sure you should be out of the hospital so soon?" Daniel asked, grunting softly as he limped a bit on his left leg. "Your wound can't possibly be healed that fast..."
He, Christine, and Edna were outside the hospital, while I brought over the carriage to take us all back to the townhouse. After staying at the hospital for a now full three weeks, both Daniel and Christine were strong enough to leave, and while they were both still physically healing, they were able to work again. Edna, on the other hand, still had least a week left to be in the hospital, but after some careful persuasion, I was able to get her out today.
After all, she won't be coming back after what will happen today...
"I'm just as well off as you are, Daniel," Edna replied with a small smile. "The wound has closed up enough for me to be back in my own house. Just so long as I take it easy, as you will be also."
Christine nodded.
"She is right, Danny. You still have a while before your arm is able to get out of that cast."
She moved closer to him, taking a hold of his good arm and looking up at him with big eyes.
"You must be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt..."
Daniel turned his head to the side, a small hint of red coming to his cheeks.
"Yes...I'll be careful, Christine. No need to worry."
Christine smiled in reply. Parking the carriage in front of the hospital, I stepped down from the driver's seat and approached them.
"Ready to go?" I asked with a small, forced smile.
"Yes, very much," Daniel replied with a heavy sigh. "The sooner I'm away from this hospital, the better."
"Indeed," Edna added. "I think a little change of atmosphere would be good."
She walked up to the door of the carriage.
"Will you need any help getting inside the carriage, Daniel, or will you be fine on your own?"
Daniel's eyes widened.
"My lady, I can't sit in the carriage with you and Christine!" he exclaimed. "I will not being my duty as your butler if I-"
"And that is why there are two of us."
Daniel gave me a shocked look.
"I am perfectly capable driving the carriage myself," I said gently. "You'll feel more comfortable in there, with room to stretch your legs and all. Besides…I think Christine would prefer for you to sit by her. Right, Christine?"
She nodded.
"Yes. Please Danny…"
Not even the coldest of souls could resist the pleading look in Christine's eyes. Daniel opened his mouth to objected, waited for a few seconds, and then sighed heavily as he allowed Christine to guide him to the carriage. Edna gave a small laugh, her eyes meeting mine for a second as she soon went inside the carriage and closed the door.
Once I knew the three of them were secured, I got back into the driver's seat and we rode off. But instead of going to the townhouse, which was planned, I drove like I was heading to the manor, miles away from London. I closed my eyes tightly, taking a deep breath of air as I tried to empty my mind. When Edna decided on what we would do, I had been practicing the use of my shinigami powers, specifically, the ability to transport myself and other objects within far distances. In the past, from what I remembered, I had never transported myself with something as large as a carriage full of people. But I had to try, for if Edna and I were going to tell Christine and Daniel the truth…
When we were out of the London area, I had a strange feel of energy go through me, for I could sense myself and the carriage go an inhuman speed. I could hear Daniel and Christine's alarmed voices, Edna's trying to calm them down and the clicking hooves of the horses hitting the dirt road. I opened my eyes, not a single thought going through my mind as I drove the carriage all the way to the Redwood Manor, in only a mere ten minutes.
I parked right outside the grounds, gradually going to a stop in front of the front gate. When the carriage was at a complete stop, the doors to the carriage were thrown open as Daniel limped his way out, soon followed by Christine.
"What the hell, Sebastian?!" he questioned, his voice having more fear in it than anger. "What did you do to make the horses go that fast?"
"H-how are we at the manor?" Christine asked, rubbing her hands together as she tried to keep herself calm. "I-I don't understand… How can we possibly be here if we were at London just a few moments ago?"
"With a human driver, the trip from London to the manor takes almost an entire day," Edna said, coming out of the carriage. "But with a shinigami driver, it can take a little than fifteen minutes."
Christine's eyes widened.
"'S-shinigami?'"
Daniel narrowed his eyes, coming to Christine's side.
"My lady…what are you talking about?" he asked. "There is no such thing as 'shinigami.'"
Edna gave a small smile.
"How can you be so sure if a guardian of death does not exist, when you have lived with one for months? It is a hard to understand, at least at first…but Grell and I have much to tell you."
"'Grell?'"
At the sound of my name, I stepped out of the driver's seat and made my way to Edna's side. Both Christine and Daniel gave a mix look between shock and confusion, Christine seeming more startled while Daniel was more uneasy. But with Edna's charismatic speech, no doubt that she had developed for having to play the noblewoman for so long, explained to them everything. From who I truly was, Lord Black's true intentions, how the grim reapers were going to take me away at any moment now… And she had evidence to prove it all, especially with my little transportation trick from the city to the manor. When she had finished, it took a moment for Daniel and Christine to process the information. It was a lot to take in.
"T-this..."
Daniel shook his head.
"My lady, are you sure you and...Grell weren't mislead with this information? What you have just said...it can't possibly make any-"
"And yet it does."
Daniel stopped in mid sentence, him looking down at Christine.
"Christine...?"
She said nothing in reply, her eyes locking onto mine.
"I can't explain it, but I don't think you would lie about this, Sebastian, Lady Edna. My head has a hard time wrapping around this...but I can sense deep down it is true."
A somber smile made its way to my lips.
"...I would never lie to you about this sort of thing, and I myself had a hard time believing it at first..."
I sighed, trying to keep my voice from cracking.
"I wish it weren't true though, so that I didn't have to leave. While it did not seem that way at the beginning...losing my memory and living and working with all of you was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I didn't know true happiness until this, to have people who I could trust, rely on, and have them care about me..."
I had to cut myself off before I broke into tears. Edna took a hold of my hand and squeezed it tightly. Christine then came up to me and embraced me in a large hug.
"I'm sad to see you go, Grell," she said softly. "You helped me so much through my fears and gaining confidence in myself. I will never forget you, my friend."
I felt my body start to shake.
"...T-thank you, Christine. I'll never forget you as well."
Christine smiled in reply, backing up for Daniel to approach me.
"I..."
He cleared his throat.
"...We had our differences, and even now I don't totally believe you... But I know you are not crazy, and that you are a loyal Redwood servant. Wherever you are going, know that it was an honor to work by your side."
I smiled. "It was an honor to be fellow butlers, my friend."
Daniel, with a small smile, nodded in reply.
"...However, there is one thing I have yet to mention, and that is Grell is not going alone."
Letting me go, Edna walked up to Daniel and Christine. She gave a sad smile.
"I'll also be going with Grell back to the shinigami, by leaving my human life and taking on the life of a grim reaper."
Christine gasped and Daniel's eyes widened.
"W-what?!" Daniel exclaimed. "B-but my lady...!"
"You can stop calling me 'my lady,' Daniel," Edna interrupted. "I'm not the lady you think I am."
"...What do you mean?" Christine asked, shocked.
Edna gave a small laugh.
"...I'm not really a noble, I've only pretended to be one to keep from my deceased mistress's, Lady Holloway's, legacy from dying. For years, I've tried to playing the part of noblewoman, only to have it slowly come apart through trial and error, errors that no born noble would make. Like making a new servant a butler, when in reality, should have been a footman. Daniel, Christine, it is only a matter of time before my true identity is found out by all, and you two would be disgraced for working for someone like me."
"S-so you are just going to runaway just because of that?" Daniel questioned, sounding as if he couldn't comprehend the situation.
Edna shook her head.
"No, but it is part of the reason. I'm going with Grell because...I love him, and I can't imagine going on without him."
Both Daniel and Christine's gazes moved between Edna and I. Slowly, their expressions calmed, seeming like everything was making sense now.
"I see...you've always seemed to favor him, my lady," Daniel finally said with a sigh. "Now it makes sense."
His gaze hardened.
"But if you are to be gone with him, what will happen to Christine and I? We have no jobs."
"...I know," Edna replied. "Even if I were not to leave, you would eventually lose your employment to me. When Grell and I are gone...I will leave to you two to come up with a story as to why we are gone, as well as prepare the funerals for Martha, Simon, and Jasper. And know that what remains of my money, along with the manor and townhouse, will belong to you two to do as you wish, being the only two available heirs, even if servants. You two are very talented and hard working, I'm sure you will be able to find new jobs in no time."
"I...understand."
Daniel was at a loss for words. Christine came up to his side and took a hold of his arm.
"...As long as we are together, we will be fine," she said to both Edna and I. "Just...be happy, you two."
I could feel my heart start to crack. The way she said that, like it was guaranteed...
"Sutcliff."
Hearing that icy voice hit my eardrums, I quickly turned around to see Will, Howe, and a few other shinigami approach us. Edna moved closer to me while Daniel and Christine became alarm.
"Who are you?!" Daniel demanded. "And when did you get here?"
"...Grell?" Christine asked, noticing their eye color was just like mine. "Are they...shinigami just like you?"
Will straightened his specs.
"So you told the other two humans about our kind," he said coldly. "How very unsubtle of you."
I narrowed my eyes.
"At least I'm still subtle about it then you are, Will," I replied passive-aggressively. "With Edna coming with me, they should at least know the truth."
"Ah, so you did decide!" Howe exclaimed. "I knew you, or at least Lady Redwood, would see reason!"
I glared at him.
"What is this 'seeing reason' you are talking about?" Daniel questioned, protectively holding Christine.
Howe looked over at him.
"...It is nothing for you to be concerned about, human. I can assure you your ex-mistress and fellow servant will be fine."
He turned to one of the other shinigami.
"I need one of you to take the humans-"
"Daniel and Christine," I corrected him.
Howe glanced over at me for a second before putting his attention back on his men.
"...Daniel and Christine back to London. Make sure they are comfortable and then report back to our realm."
"Yes sir."
Taking the task upon himself, a lone grim reaper walked over to Christine and Daniel and escorted them back to the carriage. I gave one last look at my friends, my eyes meeting both of their gazes before they were put into the carriage. Once they were gone, I could feel myself tense up as I turned back to Howe and Will.
"Go ahead and get this ritual over with," I said. "But note that if anything goes wrong, I will make you pay for it."
"Grell..."
I turned to face Edna, her giving me a gentle smile.
"I won't let them hurt me. I will have the strength to do this, knowing that we will be free to be together by the end."
She kissed my cheek, left my side and approached Howe.
"I am ready whenever you are."
Howe nodded.
"Good. Please, allow me and my men to escort you to the manor to perform the ritual some place comfortable."
Edna agreed, she and Howe heading towards the manor. I was about to follow them, however Will restrained me by unleashing his death scythe to block me.
"You will be staying here with me, Sutcliff, until the ritual is complete," Will said. "We can't afford any distractions on your part if it is to get done right."
I made eye contact with him.
"...Fine."
I took a step back and Will retreated his scythe. I suppose he was right to that extent. I would just get in the way, and Edna's survival will determine how well Howe can perform it. I did not like it, hell I hated it, but it was grudgingly for the best.
"...Do you have your death scythe with you?" Will suddenly asked. "I had forgotten to take it last time we met."
"I have it," I answered, take it out from my red coat. "I haven't been using it, if that's what you are wondering."
I'm not going around London slaying whores down again like a bloodthirsty lunatic...
Will nodded.
"Good. At least you are trying to be responsible."
He narrowed his eyes.
"However, I will need to take it while the ritual is proceeding in case-"
"'In case I lose it.' I know, I know."
I threw my scythe towards him.
"I don't want to hear your reasoning. You've already made it clear you think I'm unstable and I get it. Can you just give it a rest?"
I crossed my arms and refused to look at him, my throat becoming clogged up and my eyes starting to sting. I didn't hear Will say anything, only hearing him picking up my death scythe. Good. I didn't want to hear his soft, deep voice anyway...
There was a thick silence, much time passing as we waited to hear word from Howe and his men. I tried to distract my mind away from Edna, trying to remind myself that Daniel and Christine were safe back in London. I wondered what they planned on doing, were they planning to stay together? I hoped so, from the way Christine adored him and how protective Daniel now seemed over her. They made a cute couple, and I hoped they would live a long, happy life together. Just like I hope Edna and I would...
"What is it about these humans that attracts you to them?"
I blinked, now noticing that Will was talking to me. I met his gaze, where they were just as cold as usual. But perhaps...there was a small hint of curiosity in them?
"This is the second time you have disappeared to be with a human," Will said. "Though it happened under different circumstances, I can't help but wonder why you are so drawn to them."
It took a moment before I replied, closing my eyes as I allowed my memories to pass through my mind.
"...There really isn't a simple answer to it, as it would be like me asking you why you are so loyal to the shinigami when they work us like slaves. Humans are such diverse creatures, and while there are rules, you are allowed to be an individual and allow to...show emotion."
I smiled, opening my eyes.
"...I guess you can say that I just felt more of a sense of belonging, that humans have more potential then what we assume they have."
"I see."
Will fixed his specs.
"I remember when I brought you back to the shinigami realm after your...first incident, where you had told me you had collected to soul of the woman who your were accompanying with. Once we had taken her cinematic record and placed her life in the shinigami library, you requested access to her record, claiming you wanted to know something. I allowed it, mostly to just get you off my back, as your were...disgracing yourself in front of me, but I remembered that when you read her records...I saw a part of you that I never thought you had. Normally, you were obnoxious, wild, and out of control, but when holding that book...you were calm, entranced, looking as if you were grieving and going through some sort of guilt."
He made eye contact.
"It always puzzled me that it was a single human's life that you seemed to respect. I never got why you would care about a weak human, one that you much less killed. It bothered me, but I never allowed it stay on my mind for so long."
He paused.
"...Until now, where you once again show so much loyalty not only to one human, but a group of them. And from their cinematic records, they seemed to care about you too. It is a strange thing, a strange occurrence that I can't seemed to understand..."
I stared at him, a part of me feeling to hear him say things like that. Was this...was this really the heartless, never sympathetic Will that I've always known? And yet...
"...Perhaps if you took the time to see how humans really are, seeing the little difference each one makes," I finally said, "you would understand. When I lost my memory, I was able to see it for myself and truly appreciate what each little life brings. Maybe instead of just harvesting humans, we could learn to protect them instead."
Be a guardian instead of a god, to have something beyond the river of blood that we shed.
Will rolled his eyes.
"What a romantic idea. No one will go for it."
"Romantic it might be, but not unreasonable, is it?"
Will said nothing in reply.
"Mr. Spears!"
Running towards us, Will and I turned to see one of Howe's men coming towards us. I began to feel anxious. Was Edna...?
"Is Howe finished?" Will asked.
The grim reaper associate nodded.
"Yes. Howe is-"
"You say the ritual is done?" I quickly said. "So is Edna alright?"
The reaper turned to me.
"I...well, I don't know, I wasn't in the room," he explained to me. "I was just told to inform you that it was done and-"
"What room is she in?"
The shinigami blinked.
"What room? The main bed chamber."
"Thank you."
Without giving him or Will the chance to stop me, I dashed off towards the manor. I expected to feel fear as I ran into the manor and up the stairs to Edna bedroom, but instead, I felt a sort of calmness. I couldn't explain it, but whatever condition Edna was in, I had the feeling my emotions were going play out then. Even my heart knew it had to see what has happened before it could react.
It did not take long for me to reach Edna's room, where the shinigami were all at, including Howe. When he saw me approaching, Howe's eyes grew wide.
"Sutcliff? Oh god...someone quickly restrain him!"
The grim reapers all came up to me, blocking my path and grabbing me by the arms. But I fought them all back, allowing nothing get in my way. I was going to see Edna, no matter what.
"S-sutcliff, please calm yourself!" Howe shouted when I was basically at the bedroom's door. "I know you want to see her, but please, wait a little before-"
I blocked his voice out, slamming the door behind me and locking it so that Edna and I could be alone.
I froze in place, seeing Edna lying on her bed, being as stiff as a corpse. There was not a single trace of blood on her, no doubt the ritual healing her after being...stabbed with a death scythe. She looked at peace.
My breathing becoming heavy, I slowly walked up to her bedside. I sat next to her, gently stroking her long red hair.
"...Edna?"
A moment passed, and there was no sign of movement. My chest became tight.
"...Edna? Edna, please answer me! It's me, Grell..."
Another moment passed, and then another. I clutched my fist tightly, a warm tear going down my cheek.
"...Gr...Grell..."
My heart stopped. Through my slightly fogged up specs, I could faintly see Edna's eyes open, her dark brown eyes replaced with a bright yellow-green color. She blinked a couple of times, her eyes looking up at me.
"...Grell?"
Her voice was weak and tired, but she somehow found the strength to lift up her hand and touch my cheek. I held her hand close to me, tears of relief running down.
"Yes, Edna. I am here."
Edna's eyes widened. She forced herself to sit up and put her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I held her close, a new form of light-headedness coming onto me.
But it wasn't because of painful memories trying take me, no, this time it was from the fact I could faint from happiness. I wasn't going to lose what I love most, I wasn't going to be alone again! And even if the shinigami are a cruel, isolating people, along with death itself, I will never lose myself to misery again. I will always have someone by my side to accept me, and a new life of redemption a head of me.
Author's Note:
Well, here it is, the ending to Beyond the Red River! I hoped you all enjoyed it, as this is probably my most challenging fanfic. A lot of things could have gone wrong with this type of story, in fact many reviews I have gotten said that this was risky, but it seemed like it turned out well in the long run.
I would also like to give out special thanks to my friend, Paxloria, who had helped me come up with an ending, point out mistakes I've made, and all around was a great editor. I am forever grateful to you for helping me out so much, and this story wouldn't have been as successful without your advise!
I also thank every one of you for favoriting, following, and reviewing and I hope the story was satisfying to you from beginning to end!