What Dark Worlds Hold Before Us

Chapter 8: This isn't the end

The owl stretched his large wings and the area became dark where all you could see was us and his ominous figure. Leu squeaked floating in the air between Kaulder and I.

The inside of the owls beak lit up yellow and a red glow formed around Kaulder making him transform unwillingly. His wings stretched as if they were being pulled. His face scrunched as he closed his eyes, he fell to his knees in pain resulting in a scream he tried to hold back.

"No stop it! Why are you hurting him?!" I yelled pleadingly at the large bird, trying to run towards him but felt my feet stuck again.

"It's your life or his, my information isn't without a price." The owl spoke in an echoing booming voice. "I've lived with this pest long enough, no one good deed will cure his sins. I never shouldn't have give him the gift of everlasting life!"

"Please! Don't kill him!" I yelled as my feet suddenly felt freed, i ran up and tried to push him out of the light but Kaulder stopped me with his magic, blowing me back.

No...Kaulder...please don't stop me. I can't let you die for me. It doesn't make any sense. Why would you die just so some stupid human could find her way. I would've been fine just knowing I had you to protect me, to not make me feel so lost. So why!

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that. I told you I...i-I'd do whatever was necessary to complete my vow to y-you.This is what I'm prepared to d-do. Because I..." He smiled with a brave face cringing still with a pained voice.

"I love y-" As soon as the words began to leave his mouth his eyes opened wide with a bank pained stare as his body lurched for a moment. The red aura around him suddenly dispersed and his form disappeared.

Leaving only his pale human form. Kaulder fell...lifeless on the ground.

"Kaulder." My voice squeaked as I struggled to process it. "Why...why would you tell me that right before you..." I whispered. "what gives you the right!" I yelled shaking my head.

It's not...it's not fair. Why did he have to die just so I could remember some stupid life I can't even go back to! The man I love is dead! Then man who claimed to love me...he said it too late. I...I'm alone again. I held Kaulder in my arms. He just seemed like he...he was sleeping again. I can't keep lying to myself that I'm okay now...because none of this is okay. None of this was ever okay. He didn't even know who he died for!

"You...you want to hear a story Kaulder." I sniffed trying to stop my relentless tears. "I...I made a deal with a gypsy back on earth...to save Holden. He was dying of lung cancer, his mom always smoked around him as a kid so I guess that caught up to him too." I laughed sorely putting a hand on his hair. "So I told this gypsy...please. Please I'll do anything to save him. He was the first man I ever loved...and he was going to die just a few days after he asked me to marry him. He wanted to marry me...before he got the results for it. He was just in so much pain. I was so desperate and...and who believes in this crap but I wanted to believe I could help him!!" I raised my voice. "She told me there was a cost I didn't care I just didn't want him to be in so much pain! And then I end up here...with you...and she kept her promise and he lived till he was old and grey." I could feel tears welling up in my eyes again. "You both kept your promise...and someone had to pay...there's always a price for such an impossible request isn't there. It was such a stupid request Kaulder! You shouldn't have bargained with that stupid owl!!"

I started crying again as I pushed my head into his chest. Why...why won't you start breathing! Please Kaulder!

"I don't...I don't want you to die too. I'm sorry I was so selfish. You were enough. Within only a few days, it didn't even feel like I needed anything else. I didn't even care about my memories! I never needed them to be happy. You made me happy. You can't die for me springing something like that on me! Who does that!" I could barely discern my words through my tears.