Capitulus XVIII

The sun shone brilliantly in the cloudless sky, birds silent, the wind still, yet it was a beautiful day. People dressed in black could be found in a large cemetery, surrounding an open grave. A wooden coffin lay on the ground beside the grave as a priest spoke prayers to God above, people crying and holding each other as they bid their farewells to the body before them.

Levana could be found amongst the mourning people, her eyes pinned on the coffin, not a single tear shed. She recalled every word, every sentence Aurelia had ever spoken to her, and played them through her mind, hoping to never forget the sweet sound of her voice. She couldn't believe Aurelia was actually gone; she always thought she would always be there for her even after she began ignoring her. Aurelia was someone she could always count on; someone she could always go to when in need of a true friend, but now she was gone, and she was never coming back.

Years from now, don't you wanna be able to say you had the guts to journey to the village?

Levana could remember the excitement held in Aurelia's eyes as she said this. This had been when they first made their decision to carry on with the mission Lucius had placed upon them, oh what joy it must have brought to Aurelia to finally spend a few days with Levana, and now that she thought about it clearly, Levana had also been happy to share time with Aurelia, time they had not shared in what seemed ages.

What do you wanna do? Tell me we're not friends anymore? We never were to begin with since you ended that a long time ago over not trusting me enough to tell me you were raped!

Levana had been so stupid; such an idiot. Aurelia had always told her everything, she even expressed her true feelings to her when her father had died, but why couldn't Levana tell her that night instead of lying in bed, crying into her pillow? Aurelia's friendship meant so much to her, how could she have been so stupid to throw it all away because of something Aurelia could have done nothing about? She remembered blaming Aurelia for not having been there to protect her, but it wasn't her fault; how could she have known? She had lost so much time she could have spent with her, but now that time was gone and so was Aurelia.

Levana watched as the priest finished his prayers and the coffin was slowly lowered into the grave, Aurelia's body being lowered inside it, never to be seen again.

I wanna tell you so badly, but I'm afraid, why am I so afraid?

She was afraid, because Levana had caused her to be with all of her senseless actions. Aurelia had always been the best friend she could be to Levana, but Levana had only turned around and stabbed her in the back after all she had done for her, how could Aurelia ever trust her again, yet she still did, but why? Was Aurelia really that close of a friend to still care about her after all that? To actually love her after all the pain she had caused her?

I swear, Levana, and I will kill them all once I find you! Wait for me! I promise you, I will be there!

And she had been; she had found her and rescued her, killing off all the soldiers and not leaving her until Hera and Xermes were dead as well. She had never let her down, but in a way Levana had killed her. Had she not been so stupid, so weak, she wouldn't have been captured and Aurelia would still be alive.

Once the coffin had been lowered all the way to the bottom of the grave, two men began to cover the grave with dirt as everybody watched in tears, hoping and praying Aurelia was now in a much better place.

What do you mean why? Because I'm your friend.

Yes, Aurelia had always been a true friend to Levana, but Levana had not always been a true friend to Aurelia. She regretted this now, thinking that maybe if they had continued to be friends that maybe Aurelia would still be alive to this day, and she wouldn't be in a funeral now, watching Aurelia being covered by dirt that would forever remain above her.

Nothing's gonna happen, I won't let anything happen to you, I promise.

Oh how Levana wished Aurelia had never promised that. It was because of that promise that Aurelia now lay lifeless inside that coffin. If only she would have accepted it was Levana's time to go and left her in Xermes's grasp to be hit by that electrical attack then maybe she would be the one standing in front of the grave now, thinking about Levana's words before her death.

The coffin was now buried in the grave, people stepping forward to place flowers and photos against the gravestone as the priest retired back into the church. Levana watched as everyone mourned for the love of her life, but she wasn't able to cry even though a deep, empty hole was eating at her heart.

I love you, Levana.

Those words, the way Aurelia had spoken them, they brought a warm feeling into Levana's heart even though she knew she would never hear them be spoken by her love ever again. She remembered them; repeated them in her heart, making sure she would never forget the way Aurelia spoke them; the love audible in her voice as the words slowly flowed out from her heart, touching Levana's.

When you feel alone, when you want to break down and cry, look up at the moon, that will be me watching over you and saying I love you.

Ah the moon, what a beauty it surely was. Levana would always cherish it from now on, feeling it was her lover's presence, hearing those three words being whispered into her ear whenever the moon's light hit her skin, warming her greatly. She felt safe at night; loved.

Watching everyone retreat to their cars after having placed their tokens of love against Aurelia's gravestone, Levana took small, careful steps towards it. She stared down at the words engraved upon it, kneeling to trace her fingertips over them.

Aurelia Sanders

1991-2008

A loving, honest, truthful, and caring soul. May she forever rest in peace.

How true these words were, Levana agreed as she rested a hand on the top of the gravestone, closing her eyes as she lowered her head to say a prayer. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she squeezed the gravestone, hoping Aurelia could hear her, see her.

Goodbye, Lux…

Those last words, that heartbreaking goodbye. Levana had never wanted to part with Aurelia, especially not now, but fate had made its decision, and she could do nothing to alter what had already been done. The past is the past; she had to live in the future now, that is what Aurelia had always said.

"Goodbye, Tenebrae…" Levana whispered, the first words she had uttered all day. She could feel a part of her heart being torn from her as she kissed a red rose she had brought with her, placing it down against the gravestone. Lifting her head to look at Aurelia's name one last time, she smiled softly, thankful for having spent those last days with her, and then she stood.

"Could you take me home, Rena?" She asked in a whisper, walking past her and towards her car as her parents and Rena stared after her in understanding and sympathy. Rena glanced at them, earning a nod as she followed Levana, getting into the driver's seat and finding her already buckled up in the passenger's seat. She was staring out the window, tears present in her eyes, yet she had a pleased look on her face. She seemed to be smiling, even if it seemed saddened, Rena was sure it was a smile.

"You know, some things we take for granted, and once they leave us we see how much they really meant to us," Levana whispered, not removing her eyes from the view outside. Rena stared at her for a few seconds, wondering if she should reply, and if yes, how so?

Deciding to shrug it off, she started the engine as she drove off towards Levana's house, Levana closing her eyes as she left Aurelia and her heart behind, the rose a symbol of her undying love that would remain strong until the day they met again.

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And that concludes Otherworldly, but I am thinking of writing a sequel to this story since it has been one of my best works yet. I would like to know what you all think of this, and if you would like me to write a sequel for it. I really appreciate comments, both positive and negative, and I am always interested in what my readers have to say, so please leave me a comment. Thank you! Until next time.