The Verzstani cathedral had not gone unscathed after the rampage of the dreadful Hesperus.
Shards of multi-colored glass from the broken windows glittered on the floor of the inner sanctum - the holiest place. Iron candle stands lined the sanctuary, but their ever burning votives were extinguished from the rain that leaked through the cracked ceiling.
His footsteps were leaden and slow. Boots crunched on the shattered fragments - the only noise that broke this somber stillness.
Gabriel carried the motionless form of Laeleth to the altar. He laid her carefully upon the cold, damp stone. Her arms were now crossed in the slumber of the dead; her lithe fingers entwined around the opal that no longer held her life.
As he knelt beside her, Gabriel turned his face upwards to the one window still in tact, directly above the altar. The stained glass depicted the image of an angel spreading out its wings and arms as though to welcome one into eternity.
He recalled all the years before when this had been his one devotion, a life dedicated to God - long before the curse had taken hold and stripped him of any righteousness.
Once he had served what he deemed a holy cause, but that was now an empty hope that brought him no solace.
Heaven was silent in all of this suffering.
This place recalled to mind the ruined chapel wherein they had spoken their vows of love.
"Noster amor, tenet nec mortem"
Love has no death ... but death had claimed her in the end.
Once more Gabriel felt intense despair flood his heart while the tears welled in his eyes.
He could now feel as Laeleth had felt - the pure love and forgiveness she had always shown him. But he was not comforted by it.
To never again see her radiant smile, to hold her closely, or hear her soft voice speak his name - to never again gaze into those blameless eyes so full of love and trust - was all too much for him to bear. He did not wish to carry on in a world void of her light.
Gabriel bowed his head in reverence as he carefully took her lifeless hand and clasped it gently.
"Dimitte me quia peccavi."
(Forgive me for I have sinned) he whispered in a pained tone. The guilt of what he had done refused to be abated.
He then drew out his sword and held the blade in his hands. He studied it for a moment as his mind continued to think over all that had brought them to this place.
Laeleth had sacrificed herself for this world, for his very soul. In her act of unselfish love he could now be with her for eternity. He gazed sorrowfully at her face so full of beauty and final peace. She had died as she had lived - with nothing but devotion and love.
Gabriel rose and bent over her. His long, silver colored hair fell around her face as he lightly kissed the gray, departed lips. They were already cold with the icy grip of death.
If only love could bring her back as it once had!
"We will be together again, my love," he whispered, "even if I must join you now in death."
Gabriel lifted the sword, that now seemed so heavy to hold, and leaned the hilt against the altar. The sharp blade flashed in the weak light as he turned its point towards his chest - the faint scar above his heart.
He bowed his head one final time and spoke in an unwavering voice,
"Odii relinquo hoc mundo
Nam de morte aeterna in pace."
