//------------------------------//
// Chapter 14: Good company: Part II 
// Story: Unearthed: Curse Of The Undying 
// by Talion The DARKandBRIGHT 
//------------------------------//

Details
*Thoughts*
~Mental speaking~ 
"Normal speaking"
~"Mental and normal speaking"~
Songs
...(Radio static)...





My Love

"In my ear, I still hear you.
In my heart, I still feel you.
With each step, we still walk together.
I love you, always and forever...
Talion. "





"Feuer!"

"Contact! Get on the radio now!"

"Zu deiner Linken! Zu deiner Linken!

~Talion.~

"We're surrounded! We have to hold this line!"

"Amerikaner vor den Toren!"

"Sergeant, where is our armor support!?"

~Talion.~

"Ziele bestätigt. Einsperren."

"Get up now! Move! We are pulling out of here!"

"Eingehend!"

~TALION!~





My eyes shot wide open as I gasped in pain. I started breathing heavily to get air back into my lungs.
I was lying on my back on the snow covered forest floor.
Gun fire and explosions sounded off in the distance all around.

I quickly checked my surroundings to see if there were any other survivers from my squad.
The bodies of my friends were lying in the mud and snow all around me. None of them were moving.

I screamed as pain suddenly shot through my body again when I tried to move a little to adjust my position.
I looked down over my body and saw a large wound on my right side and another on my upper left leg. The one on my side was still bleeding so I pressed a hand over the wound to try and stop the bleeding while I reached into my backpack for a bandage.
I set the bandage next to me while I opened my shirt to reveal my side wound. I then grabbed my canteen, opened it and slowly pored water over my side.

I did my best to tolerate the pain but ultimately failed and screamed.
After putting my canteen away, I then tore off a large enough strip of bandage and wrapped it around my side.
Unfortunately I didn't have any alcohol on me so cleaning the wounds would have to wait.

I grunted in pain as I pushed myself up. It was hard but I managed to get into a sitting position against a fallen tree next to me.
My leg wound was bleeding on both sides. Indicating that the bullet had passed all the way through.

Interesting thing about getting shot is that, yes; it hurts incredibly. But it's cleaning the bullet wound that really hurts like hell.

It would be awhile before my injuries healed themselves.
After wrapping up my leg wound I leaned back against the tree to relax and breath. I closed my eyes as I tried to calm and clear my head.

~Breath in. Count to four. Breath out. Count to four. Repeat.~

A closer explosion quickly followed by rapid gun fire suddenly drew my attention away from my thoughts.
It was too close.
Gaining a sudden burst of adrenalin, I quickly pushed myself up off the tree and used it for support. I then quickly scanned my surroundings again for danger before I moved.

It was then that I noticed my friend Brian lying face down in the snow a few feet away from me.
I slowly limped my way towards the body of my friend.

"Brian?... Brian?" I called as I reached over to shake him.

I placed my hand over his neck to check for a pulse, but found none.
"Oh God... I'm sorry, Brian."
I bowed my head and closed my eyes to say a prayer.
*My Lord. My God... Have mercy on his soul and lead him safely to your kingdom... Amen.*

I turned to the radio next to Brian's corpse and grabbed the phone piece then raised it to my ear as I attempted to get a signal. After a few attempts I noticed a bullet hole on the radio's side.

"Damnit." I silently cursed to myself.

Another explosion in the distance alerted me of the danger I was still in, so I dropped the radio and started looking around for my weapon. I found it lying near the area I regained consciousness. 
I held my side and grunted in pain as Ieaned down to pick up my M1918 Browning automatic rifle and checked it for damage. Finding none, I replaced it's empty clip and quickly began making my way out of the forest.

It was dark. I could barely see anything more than twenty feet ahead of me. But I still had to keep moving. Despite which direction I was going.
If you stand still on the battlefield, you'll be the first to die.

I wasn't sure what time it was, so I had no idea when the sun would rise. All I could do was hope and pray to God that I was heading back towards ally territory.
The only real sense of direction I have right now is to move in the opposite direction of the artillery explosions.

As I continued to limp through the forest, the sounds of distant battle slowly started fading while the dim light increased.
Eventually I could see far enough to see a break through the trees where the faded light shown through just a little brighter. Seeing this, I limped a little faster until I finally came out of the forest.
As soon as I pushed passed the foliage, I let out a sigh of relief and leaned against a tree for support.

I was now standing at the edge of a forest clearing with a few small groups of trees spread out around the area. A thick layer of snow was covering the clearing. About a single foot.
Scanning ahead to my right, I saw small amount of sun light beyond the horizon. Now I had a much better sense of direction.

I pushed myself off of the tree and slung my rifle over my sholder. I then took in a long deep breath and began moving westward. All the while scanning the area for enemies.

"Ah. My head." I grabbed my head in pain.

There was a loud ringing in my ears and I felt like I was burning up, even though it was freezing.
As I continued my slow trek through the snow, I felt sweat drip down on my forehead.
I raised my hand too wipe my brow when I noticed that it was blood.

*I need to stop.* I thought.

~Just a little farther, Talion.~

I took a glance around and saw a large lone oak tree in the field not to far ahead. Seeing as I was already walking towards it, I decided to take a rest there.

My side and leg were on fire with pain. My ears were still ringing and I felt like I was about to pass out, but I still pressed on.
It felt like forever, but I finally made it to the tree. I grabbed onto a low hanging branch for support just as my legs were about to give out.
I let a long exhale as I leaned my back against the tree and relaxed. I hadn't even realized that I was holding my breath. But now I could rest.

I reached up to take off my helmet and wipe the blood and sweat off of my forehead. I then briefly checked my wounds to make sure the bandages didn't come lose.
Now finding everything okay, I finally closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the tree.

My head was still aching and ringing, along with my wounds which were still burning. I was just about to sit down when-

(Cough)

My eyes shot open and the ringing in my head was suddenly gone. I turned my head to look over the side of the tree and saw a pair of uniformed legs lying in the snow.

I turned back around, put my helmet back on and equipped my rifle. I took a few short breaths before I cautiously walked around the tree.
When I rounded the corner I stood still in front of a German soldier, laying against the base of the oak tree.

His helmet was lying next to his feet and he didn't seem to have any weapons on him.
He was young. Probably no more than twenty two years old. It also looked like he had been shot on his right shoulder and side. Both of which were bandaged but still lightly bleeding.

Wounded or not, he was still my enemy.
I pointed my rifle at him and was prepared to pull the trigger when he slowly looked up at me.
I froze.
We both stared into each others eyes and what I saw in his was neither hate nor fear. But sorrow and regret.

He held my gaze for a few moments before looking down as a few tears fell from his eyes.
It was almost as if he was accepting his fate. That I was going to end his life.
I followed his gaze down where he was holding a crucifix in a shaking hand.
He was ready to die.

My expression softened and I slowly lowered my rifle.
I couldn't kill him. I wouldn't.
As soon as I relaxed myself I instantly felt the pain in my side and leg return. I grabbed my side and slung my rifle over my shoulder again. I then grabbed onto the tree and lowered myself to the right of the German.

~Breath in. Count to four. Breath out. Count to four. Repeat.~

I calmed my breathing and mind as I tried to relax.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the German pull out small flask and removed the cap to drink from it. He then slowly offered it to me, which I accepted.
It tasted like a whiskey. Probably a German brand, but it was good. Sweet and soothing.
I handed him back the flask and reached into my coat where I pulled out a cigarette case and lighter. I then pulled out one of the white rolls and lit it.

All my life before the war I have never once smoked or drank. Never needed nor wanted to. But they were currently one of the few things that kept me calm now. I imagine it was the same way for many young men.

I brought the cigarette to my lips and took in a long stroke of it. I then offered it to the German, which he also accepted.
After passing me back the cigarette, we both relaxed more. I closed my eyes and took a second stroke of the cigarette before putting it out in the snow.

(Click)

My eyes quickly shot open again and my muscles tensed as I watched the German pull out a P08 Luger in his left hand. He looked at me for a moment before grabbing the barrel end of the pistol with his right hand and reaching it over to me.
I hesitated for a moment before I grabbed it, but the German didn't let go. He instead guided the gun to his head and held it there as he began to breath more heavily. His eyes were starting to fill with tears again.

I knew what he was wordlessly asking for.
I held the pistol to his head, trying to decide what to do.

"You must promise me, Talion. Promise me zhat you vill alvays fight for peace and to save lives. Alvays."

My grip on the pistol tightened.

"I promise Lorentz... Always."

I couldn't do it. I would not do it.
I lowered the Luger to my side and leaned my head back against the tree. I watched the night sky as it slowly changed colors on the horizon, where a glimmer of light passed through the clouds.

"Cry with me heaven... For thy sons have fallen." I said.

The German had closed his eyes and rested his head against the tree as well. His breathing became calm and steady as he drifted into unconsciousness.

I was exhausted. My body felt numb and my mind foggy as my eyes closed on there own accord. 
Slowly I drifted into sleep, along with a man who was once my enemy, now my brother.





Slowly, I opened my eyes, allowing my tears to freely fall.
It was dark. The night sky above us was clear of clouds and shone brightly with stars.

I took in a long deep breath and pushed myself up slowly as to not awaken Anya from her peaceful slumber.
After freeing myself from Anya's embrace, I checked to make sure she was still asleep before I silently walked towards the river.

I watched the water gently flow down stream for a few moments before I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh.
"I know you're there... Why do you linger in my shadows?"

I almost expected silence, but I heard the voice speak.
~Why do you, Talion?... Is it you lingering in your shadows... or are your shadows lingering in you?~

I opened my eyes.
"Who are you?" I asked the voice.

~Who?... Who is but the form following the function of what and what I am is very much the same as you, Talion... No one of consequence... We are both ghosts of the past.~

I briefly looked around.
"Where are you?" I asked.

I was met with a moment of silence before the voice answered.
~Close... Come and find me... We are never far apart.~

I was about to ask what he met when I felt a sudden shift in the wind, blowing west.
I looked behind me towards Anya for a moment before I turned and walked into the forest with the wind against my back.

As I walked through the dark frozen forest, I felt the wind guide me.
After a few minutes of silent walking, I sent out a physic echo location throughout the surrounding area, but sensed nothing but Anya, who was still asleep back at the clearing.

~You cannot find me that way, Talion... You are searching for something that you already have.~

"Then what I have is hidden from me. Either you are dead or I have finally gone insane." I said.

~No. You are quite sane, Talion.~

"Then... you are dead?" I asked.

I was met with silence for a bit.
~If only it was that simple.~

I continued to walk through the dark forest in silence as the wind guided me up a hill.

"Where are we going?" I asked the voice.

~You tell me Talion. You have already chosen the path I once followed... Where does it end?"~

(Sigh) "It doesn't." I replied.

~And why is that?~

I paused and closed my eyes.
"Life and death walk side by side. They are partners in the cycle of existence. Two sides of the same coin that in this life cannot exist without the other. So as there is no end to life, there is no end to death and I will forever remain lost to both."

..."Talion, do you read?"

I opened my eyes and looked around.

"What is this? What's going on and what are you doing to me?" I asked the voice.

~I have done nothing, Talion... This is of your own making.~

"Enough of your riddles! I want answers!" I shouted and the wind against my back suddenly stopped.

~As.~

~Do.~

~I.~

Before I could speak, I started to hear a low whistling in the distance quickly getting louder in my direction.

I quickly turned around.
"INCOMING!"

A shockwave from an explosion knocked me off the ground suddenly.
I was temporarily blinded as I was thrown through the air with debris from the blast.
Unable to see where I was going to land, all I could do was pray to God that I would not fly off the side of the cliff.

In less than a second I felt my body impact against the ground.
My uniform and the flesh of my back were ripped open as I rolled across the rocky surface.
My rolling came to a sudden stop when I crashed into a bolder. The explosion had already knocked the air out of my lungs. The sudden impact against the large stone knocked me out.

I don't know how long I was unconscious.
The first thing I felt was the numbness across my whole body and loud ringing in my ears.
I held my head as I opened my eyes and found myself lying on my side with my back against the bolder that had stopped me from tumbling off the cliff.

After catching my breath I examined my surroundings, trying to locate my battle buddy. I did not have to search long as I found him lying face down near the cliffs edge, with a leg and chunk of his abdomen missing.
The bodies of our enemies littered the area around the both of us. Most of them were missing limbs. Many of them were missing much more.

*Not now... Not again.*

Before I could even throw up whatever was left in my stomach, I screamed as pain shot up through my back and legs.
Looking down, I saw shrapnel lodged into my legs and blood everywhere.

The pain was unbearable. I don't know how I was able to stay conscious, but dispite the pain, I rolled myself onto my stomach and slowly, painfully pulled myself over to my friend's body.
My breath was labored and heavy as pain and fatigue plagued my body.

*No. Please... Don't make me do this again.*

When I neared him, I heard the partly destroyed radio on his back come to life and heard my CO's voice on the other side.
~Talion.~
..."Do you read?... I say again: Do you read?... How copy over? Over."

As I came side by side with Brians corpse, I continued a little past him and pulled my self up to the edge of the cliff.

~Talion.~
..."Are you clear? ...I say again: Are you clear?"

Ignoring him, I looked down the cliff overlooking the Japanese POW camp, Fukuoka.
My gaze shifted to the airfield a quarter of a mile away from the camp. Scanning the airstrip, I smiled and breathed a sigh of relief as I saw the three Showa/Nakajima carrying the POWs take off.

I must have been unconscious long past the rendezvous time for pickup. But it didn't matter to me. They were safe now and that was all that mattered.

I watched as the hijacked Japanese aircraft gained altitude and turned east towards friendly airspace. Then something else up there caught my attention.
I looked up and saw a few miles above them, what looked like a lone American B-29 super flying fortress, heading towards the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

The radio came to life again and I heard my CO speak in a slightly lower voice.
..."Talion, the bombs on its way. Are you clear?"

I turned away from the cliff and rolled onto my back. Grunting in pain as I turned to face the sky.
Still breathing heavily, I reached down and grabbed the phone piece and slowly brought it to my head. I closed my eyes and with a shaky voice, finally answered.

"We're clear."




++


"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

My eyes shot wide open at the sound of Talion's voice in the distance.
I quickly pushed myself up and quickly looked around for any sign of him.
A second later the sound of a falling tree in the distance drew my attention to the west of my current position.

"Talion."

Something was wrong. I became greatly worried by the sudden silence that followed so I pushed myself up and turned towards the west.

"I'm coming my mate."


++




I swung my fist into a nearby tree, causing the trunk to explode into splinters and the tree to collapse in the opposite direction. It hit the ground with a very loud thud.
I was sweating and breathing heavily as I stood still. My fist still hanging in the air.

~It is you who lingers in your shadows... As they linger in you.~

I lowered my arm and fell to my knees. My vision became blurred as tears filled my eyes.
"I can't do this anymore... I can't."

~Then why do you still hold yourself to blame?~

I closed my eyes as the tears fell freely.
"It's my fault... All of this is... I am the one who has caused all of this pain... I fought and I sacrificed everything for a people and a country that never knew me and have forgotten my name... But I never forgot... And I never forgave."

There was a moment of silence before the voice spoke again.
~Talion, it is over. The war is over. You are not to blame for the suffering you could not end... They have forgiven you... He has forgiven you.~
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"It is time to forgive yourself."

I opened my eyes but did not look up.
"If only it was that simple."

"The Lord has made it so that you can, Talion. He gave us all a second chance." He told me.

"I... do not deserve it." I told him.

"No one does, Talion. We have all fallen short of God's glory. That is why He sent His Son for us. And now we have something more than just a second chance. Just as you have been given in this world, as do all who have Jesus Christ in their heart." I felt him grab my arm and pull me up.
"A fresh start... It is time to let the past remain the past."

I closed my eyes again for a moment before I slowly turned around to face my visitor.
What stood before me was a cloaked figure who's face I could not see, even with my eyes, which surprised me a little.

He wore a long dark red cloak that almost entirely concealed hid body. He wore white and silver coat underneath his cloak along with a pair of gray gloves adorning his hands.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to see any other features because of the cloak he wore.
We both stared at each other, unmoving and even though I could not see his face, I knew he was also studying me.

After a few more moments of silence, I finally decided to speak.
"Why have you hidden from me?"

"I have never hidden from you, Talion. I have always been with you. You've just never searched for me, until now.... It has been you who had been running and hiding from me, Talion. But you don't have to... Not anymore." He replied.

I stared where I guessed his eyes were.
"Who are you?"

At first, he didn't respond, but then I heard him sigh and tilt his head downward where he then grabbed the hood of his cloak with both of his hands and slowly removed it.
As soon as he revealed himself to me, my eyes widened in shock and I slightly stumbled a few steps back as the figure looked back up at me. 

"Just a friend... A good friend." He replied with a kind smile as he removed his cloak.

He was an alicorn.
As tall as I. His fur was a pure white like the snow around us, while his beard, tail and short mane were blonde.
His eyes were a pale silver blue color.
His wings were large and lean. While they shared the same pure white color as his fur, his feathers were like white and blue crystals that glowed.
The most fascinating thing about this alicorn was his horn. It was a crystal horn. Much like the feathers of his wings, it glowed with a magical white light.
The last details I noticed about this alicorn were the scars across his face.

Dispite my clear shock and withdrawal, he still held a kind smile towards me.
"Now you have found me... It is so good to finally meet you in person... Talion."

I was left speechless as I gazed upon him.
"That's impossible."

The alicorn gave me an even wider smile.
"Hehahahaha. You more than anyone should know what is possible, Talion. After all; Once you eliminate zhe impossible, vhatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be zhe truth." He quoted the last part with an all to familiar accent.

I was startled by the words he spoke. He sounded exactly like Lorentz.
"It... It was you... It has always been you in my dreams. The voice."

"Yes... I was there with you in your dreams... Your memories."
~Where are you going?~
~Talion.~
~One last time.~
~Always.~
"But not just them." He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"I have been with you for a very long time. Longer than either of us can remember through countless lives and deaths... You were never truly alone."

I couldn't believe it.
"It can't be... How? How is that possible?" I asked him.

His smile faded and he looked down.
"A long time ago I sacrificed everything for something I believed in... Someone I believed in. And like you, suffered for it." He looked back up to me.
"I do not know how and I do not know why, but... somehow I am here with you. Dead and alive."

I looked down for a moment as I knew exactly how he felt.
"Please tell me." I looked back up to him.
"What is your name?"

He smiled again and turned around.
"Walk with me. Please."

The alicorn began walking up the rest of the way up the hill and I followed him.

"Although my memory is foggy and fragmented, I still remember who I was alive.
In another life before death on this world, I was a husband. A father and a grandfather... I lead and I ruled over a people and a kingdom... I was a king... A great king of old." He paused and turned to me.
"I am Diaphanous... King Diaphanous Cephieuos."

I was even more surprised than before.
"If you are a king, then where is your crown?"

Diaphanous closed his eyes and sighed as he ran a hand over a scar on his face.
"I was a king."

Hearing this, I didn't ask anymore on the topic.
Diaphanous continued on our walk up the hill and I followed at his side.

After a few more moments of silence, I decidedto speak again.
"Why are we here?"

"This is where our journey has led us, Talion. It is the path you have chosen." Diaphanous replied.

I shook my head.
"No. Why are we here? Where are we going?"

Diaphanous stopped and stood still.
"There is something that we need to do... Something that has been put off for far to long." He turned his head to the side to look at me.
"Just as we have been forgotten, we have forgotten the dead."

I moved to stand in front of him.
"What do you mean?"

Instead of answering me, Diaphanous motioned with his hand behind me.
I turned around and saw light from the Sun shinning over the top of the hill.

I turned back to Diaphanous and he reached into his cloak for something.
"It is time to remember them again, Talion." He pulled out of his cloak a silver trumpet and held it before me in both hands.
"It is time to let the dead bury the dead."

"Why now? Why must it be now?" I asked him.
"I have fought so hard to leave it all behind and forget these things... I can't do this anymore."

"You must Talion. No one else will." He said and placed the trumpet in my hands.
"For your friends. For your father... For your brother."

I stared at the trumpet in my hands for a moment before looking back to Diaphanous.
"Why are you doing this for me, Diaphanous?"

He gave me a warm smile again.
"Because no one else will, Talion."

"I don't know you." I said.

"I do know you." He said.

"I need to know more than that, Diaphanous. I just don't understand." I said.

Diaphanous smiled at me again.
"I know, Talion. I know you don't understand but trust that you will soon...
You must be patient and wait, Talion. Wait until you find peace. Because in finding peace, you may know me as I know you."

I closed my eyes and sighed.
"Peace... It is always far from my reach... and it always will be."

Diaphanous placed a hand on my shoulder again.
"No Talion. Now more than ever, peace is within your grasp. You just don't know it yet... It starts with you, here." He pointed to the trumpet in my hands.
"And finishes with you, here." He then pointed to my heart.
"But you must take the first step. You won't forget, so try to forgive... Are you ready, Talion?"

I looked Diaphanous in the eyes. I don't know him or why hes here and where he came from, but there was no deception in his eyes. Nor anger or fear. Only compassion.
He truly did want to help me.

"I don't know if I'm ready... I can't do this alone." I told him.

"You won't have to, Talion. I am here. Let me help you make this first step to peace." He told me and reached out his hand.
I hesitated for a moment before I grabbed it and his smile widened.
"Go and honor them... One last time."

"Talion?"

I quickly turned around at the sound of my name being called and saw Anya approaching me from down the hill. She looked very worried.
I turned back to face Diaphanous only to find that he was gone.

"Talion, what are you doing up here? What's wrong?" Anya asked in concern.

"I'm sorry Anya. I didn't want to awaken you." I said.

"What happened?" She asked me. 

I looked down at the trumpet in my hands again.
"I... There's something I need to do... Something that has been put off for far too long."

Anya slowly walked over to me.
"What is it, Talion?"

I looked up at her for a moment before looking up towards the top of the hill.
(Sigh) "Come with me."

Wordlessly, Anya began following me up the rest of the hill. She looked greatly uncertain and nervous, but choose to remain quiet as we both walked.

The sky was already starting to light up the horizon and clouds, Indicating that the Sun would soon rise.
When we both made it to the top of the small hill, I walked to the opposite end facing the sunrise, with Anya close behind me.

We both stayed silent for a short while until Anya choose to speak.
"Why are we here, Talion?"

"I am sorry for bringing you out here like this, but... this was just something I needed to do." I said and looked down.

Anya sat next to me and lowered her head.
"What is it, Talion? Please tell me."

For a moment, I didn't answer her.
"Honoring... Honoring the fallen." Just as I told her, I closed my eyes and mentally reached out to her mind.

Anya gasped as her vision started to fog and everything around her changed.
The snow melted into bright clean cut green grass. The pines and mountains vanished along with the sound of wind and rushing water. The sounds of birds singing soon filled Anya's ears as strange and unfamiliar structures, walls and statues appeared around her.
To the right of the rising Sun was a very tall obelisk with many tall flag polls in a circle around it with flags of red white and blue.

Anya looked down at me and her eyes widened again as she saw me for the first time in my ceremonial uniform.

"One last time." I whispered and slowly brought the silver trumpet to my lips.





Tears had started to fall from Anya's eyes as she watched and listened.
This was the very first time she had seen me this way. This was the first time she had seen the true Talion. The soldier.

Slowly, the vision started to fade away along with the sounds of birds.
The buildings and monuments around us were once again replaced with a scene of snow covered mountains and an ocean of trees.

As soon as the vision left, I fell to my knees and began to cry.
I have stumbled, failed and fallen so much. I have fought so hard to forget my pain that I had also forgotten everyone I have ever knew and loved. But much worse, I have been running from God.

I brought both of my hands to my face as I pored out my tears.
"Oh God, please forgive me... I'm so sorry Lord... Please forgive me of my failures and my sins...I can't run from you anymore... Forgive me Jesus."

Anya was also crying as she watched me pray. Now she sees me for what I really was. A broken soldier who ran from God.
Anya lowered her head down to me and nuzzled my shoulder as I continued to cry.
I turned to her and wrapped my arms around her neck and she wrapped herself around me in comfort. We both stayed like this for what seemed like hours.

After a while, Anya pulled away and lightly nuzzled the side of my face.
"I'm here for you, Talion. Always."

I smiled at her and placed a hand on her cheek.
"Thank you Anya... Thank you."

Anya pulled away a little to look at me.
"Talion?"

I placed a hand on her neck.
"It's okay... I'm alright now. I just... I've been running for so long... I just can't run anymore, Anya."

"I know, Talion. You don't have to because you are not alone anymore. I am here with you now." She told me.

"I know you are." I smiled and looked up at the clear blue sky.
"Now I am free."
~Now we are free.~

"What?" Anya asked me.

My smile widened.
"I am free... I don't have to run anymore. I am forgiven."

Anya tilted her head.
"Talion?"

I looked towards down to the mountains that were now lit up by the risen Sun.



"Hehehahahahah!" I began laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"

Anya just stared at me for a moment before smiling and laughing as well.
"Heheh. Hahahahaha! Hahahahahaha!

We both began laughing in joy and I jumped around Anya causing her to also do the same.

"I'm free, Anya! I'm free!" I shouted.

After a few more minutes of joyful laughter, I was able to calm down long enough to talk again.
"It's over, Anya. I've finally found peace." I told her.

"How did you do it?" She asked me. 

I looked down at my brothers dog tags and smiled.
"With the help of a good friend. " I looked back up to Anya as I continued.
"For a long time I have blamed myself for all the pain and suffering I couldn't stop. I... Even though I am forgiven... I couldn't forgive myself... I wouldn't."

"What changed, Talion?" She asked.

"Throughout my time here I have only been running, trying hide from everyone so that I couldn't hurt them, but... I didn't realize that now I am free. That the fight is over and there's no more war to go back to. It is over.. It's all over." I told her.

Anya smiled at me as I finished.
"It's all over... You are free, Talion... Free, with me." She then looked down for a moment before speaking again.
"Talion... are... Are you going to leave me?"

I was surprised by her question.
I walked over to her and reached up to rub the side of her face.
"No Anya... I'm going to stay with you... Just as you have been here for me, I will be there for you. Always."

Anya smiled widely at me again and leaned down to hug me.
"Thank you."

I hugged Anya again as she hummed to my touch.
Anya suddenly stood up and walked around me towards the edge of the hill before crouching down and turning to me.

"Fly with me, Talion." She said and lowered her neck.

I was a little shocked by Anya's offer in allowing me to fly with her. Even though I had shortly flown with her during our fight with the frost worm, this time was completely different.
I knew Anya was offering me something more this time.

Wordlessly, I walked over to Anya. She smiled then turned her head and allowed me to climb up onto her back.
I lowered myself onto the bridge of her shoulders and neck while minding her spines.

As soon as I got comfortable, Anya pushed herself up and turned her head to look at me for a moment before facing the edge of the hill.
She then took a few steps back before suddenly sprinting forward, causing me to wrap both of my arms around her neck just as she then leaped into the air and spread her wings.

I tightly held onto Anya as she beat her wings against the wind, ascending us farther into the air.
The wind against my eyes was so strong that I had to hold them shut for a moment.

After several more minutes of flying up, I finally felt us level out and Anya's wing beats become slower.
Slowly, I opened my eyes to the beautiful mountainous landscape that was the Smokey Mountains.



I smiled widely as I gazed around the land Anya and I have been traveling through. We were flying over a mile above the valley below. Right above the first layer of clouds. And it was beautiful.

I inhaled the very cold air as we soured across the sky.
"Amazing." I said.

Anya smiled and straightened her wings so that we were now gliding.
She then closed her eyes for a moment before she began humming.
I turned my attention to Anya and listened to her as she begun to sing.


"The road now leads onward
As far as can be
Winding lanes
And hedgerows in threes
By purple mountains
And round every bend
All roads lead to you
There is no journey's end

Here is my heart and I give it to you
Take me with you across this land
These are my dreams, so simple and few
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands

Deep in the winter
Amidst falling snow
High in the air
Where the bells they all toll
And now all around me
I feel you still here
Such is the journey
No mystery to fear

Here is my heart and I give it to you
Take me with you across this land
These are my dreams, so simple and few
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands

The road now leads onward
And I know not where
I feel in my heart
That you will be there
Whenever a storm comes
Whatever our fears
The journey goes on
As your love ever nears

Here is my heart and I give it to you
Take me with you across this land
These are my dreams, so simple and few
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands"


Once again I was amazed and aw struck by Anya's beautiful voice and the song she sung.
I couldn't express in words the joy I was feeling from Anya, knowing how she felt about me. I was deeply touched.

I smiled and leaned forward against Anya's neck and gently rubbed her, causing her to hum again in response.
We both stayed like this as we slowly descended until we finally approached the hill we had taken off on.
Anya angled her wings upward to slow our descent where she then reared back her head as we gently landed.

Anya crouched and laid down as I climbed down from her shoulders.

"Anya, that was... absolutely beautiful... You were beautiful." I said to her.

Anya smiled and blushed deeply from my comment.
"T-Thank you, Talion... It was for you."

I smiled and hugged her neck as she leaned in to nuzzle me.
"I'm happy to be with you, Anya... You've changed my life."

"As you have also changed mine." She said and moved her head beside mine.
"Talion... I..."
She closed her eyes.
~Love you.~

I closed my eyes and smiled as I leaned in against her.
~I love you too... My mate.~

We both held each other in silence as it slowly began to snow all around us.
Eventually, we both pulled away from each other. I was still smiling as I stared up at her as she did so for me.

"Come on, Anya... Let's go home." I said and walked towards the edge of the hill top.

"Home." Anya said and began to follow me.

"Home?"

We both stopped suddenly at the sound of someone else's voice.
I quickly grabbed onto the hilt of my sword and began looking around for the source of the voice, but I didn't have to look long.

"I am surprised to find that you can still call this land your home... None the less, it is very good to see you again, Anya... Welcome home."

We both turned around to see who was speaking and Anya gasped.
"Velirin."