𝑅𝐸𝑀𝐸𝑀𝐵𝐸𝑅 𝑀𝐸 | druig

𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑒𝓉𝑒𝑒𝓃

Hiya! Weird request lol but if you've read all the chapters up to this point, would you mind sending me a DM? Thank you! Happy reading:)

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The ceremony and celebration that took place throughout the entirety of the afternoon, ripped Nita's heart apart and then pieced it back together. The villagers said their blessings, passed around fond stories of Andres, and sent their prayers to the unseen hands of the universe. And they acknowledged and embraced her as not a single pair of eyes held judgment or disgust or any sort of hate when they looked at her. Her family stuck close to her throughout, making sure she was okay and offering her words of encouragement every so often.

As Andres' body was never recovered, they couldn't burn it to release his spirit. Instead, they gathered some of his personal belongings and other necessities to burn in place of his body, to send off for him into the afterlife.

Nita stood at Diego's side from the start and then walked him back to his cabin after the ceremony finished at dusk. They said their goodnights and then stood in each other's arms for a few prolonged moments. Without saying a word, Nita knew that this moment was the final piece in Diego's journey to accepting his brother's death.

"Anything you need, Diego, come to me. Okay?" She said, brushing her hand down his arm.

The corner of Diego's mouth twitched as if attempting a smile but denying it as it took too much energy. "Thank you, Nita, same to you. Goodnight," he said and then ducked into the darkness of his hut.

She stood on his stoop for a few moments, listening to his footsteps trudge around the hut. When she could no longer hear the floorboards creak, she knew that his head had finally hit the pillow so she began the trek back to her hut.

The village was quiet and empty as everyone had turned in for the night, the gold-pink glow of the sunset now turned a deer purple as night fell.

Nita slowed her pace, wanting to savor the silence. Tomorrow, Druig would make the announcement about the Deviants and what's to come. All the danger, destruction, and possible death. The thought made Nita's stomach churn and her chest constrict. Who else would she lose? How many more death ceremonies would they have?

A microscopic part of her wished that she could just take another boat and run away, never looking back. But how could she possibly live in peace with herself, knowing she left everyone behind to fend for themself. The fact that her mind even conjured that thought made her body surge in anger at herself.

Peace. She needed one more moment of peace before tomorrow, not knowing when she'd be able to feel so again. And before she realized it, she was making the trek up to the moonpool.

The short hike was a little easier now that Nita had already done it once before. However, she did veer off the unmarked trail a few times as it started to get dark and she could barely see. She eventually made it although it took her twice the amount of time then it did the other night.

Tonight the moon was hidden behind the dark clouds, making the waters of the waterfall and pool look like thick ink. It made Nita's shoulders slump a little as it didn't have the same magical aura that it did with Druig. But maybe that's als why she wasn't feeling as calm and at peace as she was the other night. Because Druig wasn't with her.

After their moment by the river, they were soon engulfed by the activity of the celebration and ceremony, Druig staying in the background while Nita was at the front with Diego. Their eyes met a couple of times throughout, Druig giving her small nods of encouragement. When everyone dispersed for the night, she lost sight of him as she went off with Diego.

For a brief moment, she wondered if she should've seeked him out after saying goodnight to Diego, but at the same time felt that having this moment alone was appropriate.

"Andres?" She spoke, feeling the sudden need for her friend's company. "Andres?" She said again, a little louder.

A light breeze then brushed past her, sending a chill crawling down her spine and her skin to prickle.  A small smile tugged at her lips. Sure, it could've been a coincidence that a breeze ran through the dense, windless amazon jungle at the exact moment she called out to her deceased friend but she chose to assume it was something else.

"Hi," she said, sucking in a shaky breath. Just then, the sudden feeling of not being alone washed over her, making her heart rate accelerate yet she wasn't afraid. If anything, she felt more at ease.  "I really hope it's you Andres and not something else."

Nita then felt the sudden urge to smile or laugh as if someone had just told a joke, or she was portraying someone else's emotions.

"Today was pretty amazing, hey?" She said, her gaze fixed on the waterfall as if someone was standing under it. "Everyone was there. The whole village. And believe it or not, Druig was the one to bring it all together, even with everything else going on."

A rush of wind ruffled the leaves of the tree above her, no other trees that circled the pond moving in the slightest. Her eyes glossed over at that. Andres was there and she knew it. She felt him. 

"Oh, Andres. I'm so sorry," she sobbed. "You're supposed to be here. It was supposed to be us against it all." She then felt a strong sense of comfort and warmth despite the icy chill that continued to run through her body in waves.  As if he was telling her that it's okay. He's okay and they're okay.

"And Druig. I didn't–I know it wasn't supposed to be like th-this," she choked out the words, almost painful to admit. "But he helped me. If it weren't for him–" she couldn't finish her sentence because of the guilt she felt and the conflict surging through not only her mind, but her entire body. Like her blood turned to molasses.

But then that feeling of comfort became so profound, it was almost suffocating. And followed with a voice in her head.

"It had to happen. All of it. Everything happens for a reason and you cannot blame yourself for any of it–past, present, or future. Be free, my friend," the voice said. The voice was hers but the words were not.

With those words, it was as if the weight of the world was suddenly lifted from her shoulders. She felt lighter and like she could finally breathe a full breath. Her mind was clear as she no longer felt that crushing weight of guilt and confusion.

Nita smiled, wrapping her arms around herself. "Thank you," she whispered and then jumped to her feet. "Thank you, Andres." Her mouth curved into the biggest, most genuine smile she had managed to muster since Andres' death. "I'll see you soon, dear friend," she said and then turned to head back toward the village.

Nita stopped when she hit the bottom of the rocky slope, looking back up toward the pool where his presence remained behind. Her heart felt heavy for him as she knew he wasn't yet at peace. And she had the feeling that his spirit wouldn't be until he was reunited with her. He was waiting for her.

His best friend.

His soulmate.