Loss editedRX

Loss Marcus When Marcus and Ashlyn stepped outside, Lack was still waiting for them in a chair. He stood up without looking at either of the two as he spoke. "'You ready?' "'I guess,' Marcus said, shoving his hands into his pockets. The hunter nodded and began to lead them down the stone hallway, lit by torches of bright green fire fed through a gas line. All the while, Marcus kept one eye on the hunter, and the other taking in his surroundings. The hall had an old-fashioned castle look to it, like in one of his father's stories. The walls and floor were layered with stone-filled granite which smelled faintly of a forest. There were some posts where the torches rested which were of a dark brown color, with thin pipes of similar color lined along beside the posts. Marcus had only seen this much of the new place they were in, and he was already impressed. He remembered being young, and was once taken to the baron's dungeons for some misunderstanding that he was captured and detained for. And those halls had nothing on the halls they were walking through right now. Just then again, no hallways leading to dungeons have ever looked great, Marcus supposed. When they exited the hallway, Black led them into a large circular room with many doors lining the walls. A large metallic statue of an owl stood in the center on a block of bronze. Its wings were folded against its back in shining iron, and its hooded face was curved with bronze platings. Its eyes were glowing red with rubies the size of a pair of fists. At most this thing looked to be almost as tall as halfway towards the glass dome ceiling, which was about fifty feet high above their heads. Beyond the glass, Marcus could see a pale blue sky shining down upon them. Wow! he said, impressed. The Leviticans are influenced by the great owl here," Black said, a spirit of the wind and wisdom, and also the symbol of the rebellion that took place long ago, when the city became disconnected with the capital and the rest of the world. That's incredible! Ashland said, still staring in awe. Didn't know people believed in such things, Marcus said, while distastefully glaring at Black as he walked in front of them. He didn't truly know if he was in Levitica or not, and if they weren't, Black was doing a good job of trying to convince him otherwise. Well, there is no actual spirit, per se, Black said. There is actually a legend, of someone who wore an owl-like mask, who actually helped with the rebellion against the capital. Before there were the kingdoms that dot the landscape today, since the great owl represents wisdom and wind, I assume that the owl, as the locals named the hero, used the symbols as a way to lead Levitica to freedom. Whether it was an actual spirit or not remains a mystery, however, but some say it really was an actual person who defeated the Mad King a long time ago. Oh, was all Marcus could say. He had heard of the Mad King. He was a horrible tyrant who ruled the entirety of the northern wastelands from the capital, before the kingdoms were made and separated across the land. That was over a hundred years ago, Marcus thought. Is this city we are in now really that old? If this is actually the City of Angels at all. Come, Black turned to his left, where an iron door stood. The sign above it written in the language Marcus did not understand. He pushed it open and stepped aside. He held out his hand to the room, which was darkened except for the table which was sat in the back. Surrounding the table was a great many crates and vases including burial urns of gold and bronze, and on the table itself was a glass coffin where inside Marcus saw a familiar figure within. He felt a lump immediately form in his throat and he felt like his heart had suddenly been punched with an iron fist. I'll wait outside, Black said. Take your time. Thank you, Ashlyn said as Marcus uneasily stepped inside, with her by his side. The door then closed behind them, locking the two inside the dark, the only light coming from the table area. Another illuminating crystal sat beside the coffin on the table, and its glow was brighter than any torch or lantern, reflecting against the glass and Ruth's pale face within. Marcus felt drawn to the light, and closer to Ruth who lay there as if asleep. A bundle of white roses rested against the glass. Marcus couldn't smell them. In fact, he wasn't quite seeing them to begin with. His heart grew heavier and heavier with each step towards Ruth, and when he finally came close enough to press his hand against the glass, he felt tears filling the brims of his eyes once again. Ruth, he whispered, as one finally broke free and trailed down his cheek. He hung his head against the glass, crying for his sister who slept soundly. Ashlyn remained by his side, but she did not try to speak to him. She was simply letting her friend know that she was here, that she was staying. Marcus did not look up, or even attempt to wipe the tears off his face as he cried in silence for Ruth. Ruth had been properly cared for by the looks of it, her soft cheeks laid still and pale, her hair which was no longer a rat's nest of blonde streams, but now neatly combed. She was also no longer wearing her torn up pants and coat. She was now clothed in a white linen gown, reaching down to her knees. Her hands overlapped each other across her still chest. No longer would they shake and shatter from that dreadful cough. In fact, it looked as if she would rest for eternity in peace she never knew in life. I'm sorry, he heard Ashlyn said beside him. Don't be, he said, wiping his tears away with his free hand. He was grateful for her company. He took a deep breath and turned to her. At least she is in peace now. Never again will her body be shattered by that dreadful disease. I suppose, Ashlyn said, breaking into his thoughts. Yeah. Marcus nodded, letting his head rest against the glass again. He resisted the urge to beat his fist against the glass. I don't know it. She then asked, What will we do now? I don't know, he said while turning to face her, but he still didn't look at her. All I know is there's nothing much left for us here. If we really did make it to the City of Angels, regardless of how or why, what good is it us being here? What is even the point now? What about what the crystal said? She asked, The prophecy? Or what about even starting a new life here? We don't even know where here is, Marcus said, and frankly I don't give a crap about the prophecy anymore. It was all a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, and we both know it. All I wanted was to find a cure for Ruth, no matter what. And the new life? How can I do that without her? She would want that. Remember what we talked about earlier? That stunned Marcus, but he knew she was right. They were here now. There had to be some purpose to it. Marcus still didn't really care about the prophecy and the crystal or whatever these Leviticans wanted with him. In fact, the thought of it only made him angry. That's bullshit, he suddenly said. What? Ashland said, shocked at this sudden outburst. Is that really all I can do now? He demanded, while clenching his fists, Move on? Live my life when she is gone? How can I do that? Why should I? Ashland frowned. You never know unless you try and find out. What kind of answer is that? he demanded, glaring at her with bloodshot eyes. Ashland looked at him and said, You still have her memory when she was alive. Even if you lost one precious thing in your life, it doesn't mean your life is over. You can have another thing, or a thousand things, that can give you a reason to keep living. I was struggling to find something to live for, and then I found you two. I'm sad that we lost Ruth too, but it was because of both her and you that I found another reason to keep on breathing. If I can do it, so can you. Marcus sighed after thinking over Ashland's words. Must you have an answer for everything? Ashland smiled at that. You want me to answer that? Marcus looked back at Ruth, who laid still in her eternal slumber. No, I already know the answer. He turned back. I'm sorry. I guess we can go back to Black for now. He didn't want to, though. He just wanted to curl up somewhere and sleep away the pain eating his chest from the inside out. But at the same time, he didn't know what else he could do. He was doing no good here, and he didn't know where else to go from there. He wanted to find out more before making his final decision. You hate him a lot, don't you? Ashland asked him. He stared at her. How many times am I going to be asked that? Do you? Without missing a beat, Marcus replied, yes. You know he brought us here? Ashland asked this while giving him a peculiar look. Now that really hurt. What do you want me to say? Someday, you're going to have to forgive him, Marcus. You can't hold it against him forever. I know it hurts, but maybe he's changed since then. Besides, holding a grudge is just dead weight. You don't need any more weight upon your shoulders. You can't bear everything forever. Would you forgive Vigar for killing your family? She looked down at her feet in silence. Didn't think so. He ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. Ashland, you just don't understand. My family is all gone, and one of those members was killed by Black, right in front of me. Dead. And Ruth? She died right in my arms. Even if the doctors, even if Black, tried to save her, there was still nothing they could do. Nothing. My whole family is dead. And yes, I can't blame Black for what happened to Ruth, but I sure as hell can blame him for killing my father. You really expect me to see all that, and then think that he actually cares about Ruth, or even me? You just don't understand. I can't accept that, no matter how much. Smack! Marcus's left cheek stung, and there was a ringing in his ear from the sound of Ashland's palm making contact with his face. He looked back at her, and Marcus saw that she didn't look sad, but rather angry. In fact, if he didn't know any better. Ashland looked furious. It shocked Marcus into silence as she spoke. I don't understand, huh? She said in a dangerously low tone. You say I don't understand having your family killed right in front of you. But I wouldn't be able to forgive the man who did. I told you already, I do understand. Think about my father and I. He left me for dead. He let me run away instead of killing me with my mother and sister. Nothing will ever make me forget the pain he caused me. Having to live on my own, escape the guard and simply survive, sleeping wherever I could and eating whatever I could find, all the while hating my father for what he had done. Hating him doesn't make anything better. Hating him never made me feel better. It only made me miserable. Has hating Black done any good? And what about now? What about after he saved us and tried his best to help Ruth? Marcus was stunned into silence. He didn't know what to say to her. Ashland looked down and then looked back up. If you really hate someone, you have to do something about it. If there's nothing you can do about it, then what's the point in carrying all that baggage? Her raised voice echoed in the dark room, and all Marcus could do was stare at her as she glared back at him. Ashland sighed and took a deep breath before continuing. He really tried to save her, Mark, whether you believe it or not. Marcus's jaw twitched, still in pain from the slap. Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I should have listened to you the first time. I get it. You do understand, probably are the only one I know who does. But I don't know. Why did Black kill my only parent? Only to go out of his way to save Ruth and I. Ashland pursed her lips. I don't know. I really don't. Why did Vigar kill my family to earn Ovid's trust? Why do men? Why does anyone do the things they do to win the praise of others? Marcus nodded understandably. I guess we'll never know for sure. You should ask. Marcus scoffed at that. The thought of it humored him slightly. Right? I don't think that will go well. What's the harm in trying? The truth was, he didn't have to answer that. And as much as it irritated him, Marcus knew she was right. What harm could there be? He would never know until he found out for sure. He'd be able to find out the truth behind it all. He was owed that much, at least. Besides, they were here. Here in Levitica, apparently. Why now? Marcus did not know for sure. Would they be able to start fresh here? Would he be dragged into this so-called prophecy? Did anyone here even know about it? Since waking up, the only people he'd seen were Ashland and the Hunter. Marcus himself was still left in the dark, ignorant by what the people he would soon meet would want with him. All he knew was that it was him and Ashland against the world now, and they had to stick together until the end. I'm not asking you to forgive him yet, Ashland said, but I am saying, stop letting your hatred just pull you down. You're better than that. What good has it done you since that day? Don't forgive him for his sake. Do it because you deserve peace. Besides, with what has happened, the last thing you need is more pain. You deserve to be at peace. Deserve peace? Marcus mumbled, looking back at Ruth. In this world, is there really such a thing? Only if we look, Ashland said, and for a long while, Marcus stared at her, taking her words and running them through his brain, which was still going a million miles an hour. Come on, Marcus eventually said. Let's get back to black. Are you sure? You're the one who said, he shrugged. But you have to want to, Ashland said. She looked over at Ruth, who still slept peacefully. Ruth would want you to feel peace, Marcus, and sometimes being at peace is to forgive, and at least hear someone's reasons for the things they do. Easier said than done, Marcus said. Ashland chuckled humorlessly. Blame you there, but you've been hurt for too long because of this. Don't you want to feel that weight lift, finally? Marcus looked down at Ruth. How can I know that she is gone? This is... Ashland grabbed Marcus' hand again and gave it a squeeze to get his attention. There's no rush to things like this. Best part is, you don't have to deal with any of it alone. He smiled at her sadly. But... Come on, Ashland said, releasing his hand, let's go find out where we are now. Right. And without the two left Ruth in that room, in her case of glass, sleeping away the pain and sorrow left behind in this world.