(Other Realm)
Outside the inn, Alethia's desperate cries for Chris echoed through the stillness, but there was no answer. The silence that enveloped her only fueled her need for answers, her longing to hear his voice. Suddenly, a radiant light burst forth, revealing a figure she hadn't seen in ages.
Mace stood before her, his countenance heavy with sorrow and weakness. "I... I am sorry, my dear," he spoke softly, "but he won't be answering your call anymore."
A surge of anger and grief coursed through Alethia, her hand instinctively reaching for her sword. Three days had passed since the incident in the other realms, and her attempts to find solace had been met with frustration. "What do you mean he won't answer me anymore?" she demanded. "Where is he? Why isn't he here? Tell me!"
Mace winced, his voice filled with regret. "I am truly sorry, Alethia, but he gave his life in your realm. In doing so, he also forfeited his life here."
Tears streamed down Alethia's cheeks as she shook her head. "No, you're lying! Where is he?"
With a heavy sigh, Mace took a step closer, hesitating before enveloping her in a tender embrace. "I am sorry, my dear, but these are the rules. If a guide loses their life in your realm, they also perish here. We all abide by these rules."
Alethia's sobs grew louder as she buried her face in Mace's shoulder. "Why? Why did he do it? He was your son! Why did he have to sacrifice himself? Couldn't he have found another way, changed his name, anything?"
Mace shook his head, feeling her tears soak his shoulder. "He did it to protect you, Alethia. It had nothing to do with himself. By giving up his life, Chris ensured your safety more than he ever could have while alive."
Her heart aching, Alethia cried even harder, unable to bear the weight of Chris's sacrifice. "How is that even possible?" she choked out.
Gently rubbing her back, Mace attempted to provide comfort. "Slade knows that Chris gave his life to save yours. In respect for the dead, he will not harm you for two years. Slade may be a wretched man, but he still clings to honor."
"I never asked for any of this. I didn't want him to give his life for me. I want him back," Alethia whispered, her voice filled with anguish.
"I know, child. I know," Mace consoled her. "Losing a loved one is never easy, but you must understand that it is not your fault. You are not to blame. Chris willingly sacrificed himself. It is not your fault."
Alethia cried harder, her words muffled by her tears. "It is my fault. If it weren't for me, he would still be alive. It's all my fault."
Mace continued to rub her back, his voice gentle yet firm. "No, do not burden yourself with guilt, Alethia. Chris wouldn't want that. He would want you to live, to carry on and find happiness, to lead a fulfilling life."
Pushing him away, Alethia's voice trembled with sorrow. "No, if he truly wanted me to be happy, he wouldn't have done what he did. He would be here with me now, helping to guide the others, continuing our mission." Without looking back, she made her way toward the inn, tears streaming down her cheeks.
As Mace called after her, she paid no heed, her pain propelling her forward. In her room, she slammed the door shut, collapsing onto the bed, her tears soaking the pillow. She felt utterly alone and lost without Chris, unsure of where to turn or what to do.
A soft tap on the door interrupted her solitude. "Alethia?" Cordelia's voice penetrated the silence. "I miss him too, but you can't blame yourself. Please, let me in so we can talk about this."
Alethia sat up, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. "I want to be alone. Please, just go away." A sigh escaped from the other side of the door. "Alright, if that's what you want. I'll bring your dinner later, in case you change your mind."
Alethia lay back down, her gaze unfocused, unable to comprehend the reality of Chris's absence. Hours passed, and another knock reverberated through the room. This time, it was louder. "I'm not hungry, Cordelia. Please, leave me be."
"It's not Cordelia. It's your brother. Let me in," Galen's voice called out.
Confusion etched across Alethia's face as she concentrated on unlocking the door. She heard the familiar click as it swung open. "Come in."
Galen stepped inside, holding a plate of food before him. "I brought you dinner, just in case you feel like eating. And we need to talk."
Alethia let out a weary sigh. "What is it, Galen? This really isn't the time." He nodded, taking a seat beside her and placing the plate on the side table. Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he drew her close. "I understand, Alethia. I watch over you in the other realm, ensuring your safety. Now that Chris has passed, both Phraan and I are here to support you in both realms."
Alethia shook her head, her voice filled with desolation. "I don't want any help, Galen. I want things to go back to how they were. I want Chris back, and I want Slade and his White Doves eradicated."
Galen held her tighter, his voice filled with empathy. "I understand, Alethia. It's difficult, I know. But you can't blame yourself for Chris's choices. Yes, you played a significant role, but it was not your fault."
Alethia shook her head against Galen's shoulder, her voice tinged with frustration. "You speak in contradictions, Galen. It's not your fault, but it is your fault. This isn't helping me at all."
Galen sighed, his brow furrowing. "I apologize. Expressing myself has never been my strong suit. What I mean to say is, he did what he did to keep you safe, but it's not your fault that you didn't stand there and command him to jump."
Alethia pulled away, her eyes welling with tears. "No, but I didn't stop him either. I was there, and I did nothing to prevent him from leaping off that cliff."
Galen gently squeezed her shoulder, his voice filled with empathy. "You couldn't have stopped him, Alethia. That stranger was there, holding you back. And even if you had reached Chris, nothing you could have said would have changed his mind. He had made his decision long before your conversation that day. I'm sorry, Alethia, but that's the truth."
Alethia's tears flowed freely now. "I miss him so much, Galen. It feels like a piece of my soul is missing. I long for his smile, his kind voice, and his ability to lift my spirits when no one else could. It feels like a terrible nightmare, and I can't believe he's truly gone."
Galen pulled her back into his embrace, his fingers gently caressing her hair as she wept. "I understand, Alethia. Losing someone you love deeply is never easy, especially when they had so much potential and were taken from us at such a young age."
"It will never be the same again. I wish I could have expressed how much he meant to me, how he was like a brother to me. How he helped shape me into the person I am today."
Galen held her tightly, his voice filled with compassion. "You can still tell him, Alethia. There is always the funeral, where you can pour your heart out and let him know the depth of your love and gratitude."
