- Heaven's Last Breath -

Priorities and Regret

- Aaron -

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Just as Iaid eyes on the two girls in the distance, I quickly realised something was wrong. Without delay, I flew myself across the desert, landing a few feet behind where Ariel and Jade were facing.

I looked ahead of them, seeing that they were standing before a grave of some sort. At the headside of the burial site, there was a wooden stake, a name inscribed across it.

"Uh, girls, what's going on?"

As I spoke up, the girls turned around and I quickly realised I might have been better off not saying anything. I looked up to Jade's eyes, seeing that they were unusually absent. Then I turned to Ariel, the rose blonde having an uncharacteristic frown on her face.

"Where were you Aaron?"

I was taken back by Ariel's question, not knowing how to respond. Thankfully, Jade stepped in, turning to the rose blonde, "Hey, hey, it's not his fault. You're angry at that spirit."

At that, Ariel's eyes softened, an apologetic expression on her face. She nodded slowly, turning away from the two of us. Still awaiting answers, I looked to Jade.

"Uh, we had a run in with the Spirit of the East Wind. He, uh, Kaiden..."

The mention of that name was all I needed to hear. I stepped forward, between Jade and Ariel, crouching down at the foot of the sandy grave.

For a moment I was silent, remembering how I was the one who accepted Raya's burden to find her brother. But when it came down to it, I had other goals I prioritised over the wishes of that young girl.

Even if I was the one to find him first, the situation may not have played out any differently, but I still felt something in my heart for failing Raya. I raised my head, seeing a faint apparition at the head of the grave.

I kept silent, knowing that the girls couldn't see what I was seeing. I lifted my gaze, my eyes meeting a familiar face that I knew couldn't be anyone else other than Raya's own brother.

There was a faint smile on his face as he looked to me. I knew his time was short but I thanked him for staying around long enough for me to meet him, face to face.

Under my breath, I spoke to the spirit, "Raya's doing just fine. She- She's a natural."

In response, the spirit only nodded, accepting my parting words. Since I had met the young girl, I knew that her brother wasn't worried about her. He must have realised her potential long ago, knowing that he wasn't capable of leading her down the right path. But thankfully, someone came along to relieve the spirit of his dying wish.

With that, the apparition faded away into the air, disappearing from this realm.

"Death! Where have you been?"

I stood to my feet, saying my final goodbyes to Kaiden and as I turned around, none other than Death himself had joined the three of us.

Around his neck, I noticed there was a silver chained pendant. I recognised the symbol as the Eye of Horus, the sapphire blue gemstone glinting under the midday sun.