SWNOVELS Chapter 36: Paying respects
The wind, while feeling cold and dead, still blows against my face. I hate how it smells, smelling of stagnation and death. Regardless of it all, the further we ride through the forest, the closer I come to home.
I pan around, seeing more and more familiar landmarks. I glimpse the lake where Rhea and I walked together and revealed a few of the possible plans she and Serasfall had for me. I miss her so much, and the one she was bonded to.
All around me the trees are lifeless, some seem petrified. Through the dead wind, I do smell the pine and birch heavily in the air. There’s even the scent of oak wafting about. I sigh softly, trying to restrain my eagerness to return. This isn’t like going home back the Estate, where I know my heart truly lies. No…this is where I feel another pull, a pull for both closure and simply to come back.
I look up, seeing the tiered gardens and hills marking the entrance to the Shyair estate. Overhead, I see my aunts flying about with Silvi, Marie and Lyra staying in formation. Kerrigan stays close, not wanting to lose sight of me.
To my right I smile, watching Abigale in her wolf form, something she rarely does. I look all around me, seeing those on wolfback. Mom seems rather comfortable on Athena as the pair seem far too natural together. Marron and Leto are the same, although Le’nia and Kenji appear to be somewhat awkward. Bianca however seems happy as a clam.
I grin at them all, also knowing Fenris is even happier to have me riding on his back. To him, it’s where he prefers having me whenever we’re out.
As we turn towards the second tier garden, I feel my heart breaking, seeing all the once beautiful Senacia or Starlight flowers now withered and dead. I sigh softly, loving how they used to glow in the evening along with the moon.
Our direction then shifts as we race up the stairs, passing through the near-endless shield wall of trees, hearing them creak with the wind. I can still remember when Celes first brought me up this way. I then giggle softly, recalling how Fenris and I would still travel up these same stairs after school.
As we reach the top, I gaze at the closed gate, still emblazoned with the crest of Shyair. I slide off of Fenris and look around, still seeing the guardsmen as they manned their post each day. Yet now… lie abandoned.
I hold up my hand to the gate, feeling the old wood on my palm. I feel a wave of nostalgia as I give it a push, obviously finding it locked. I nod, taking out the key Serasfall gave me and inserts it into the lock and twists. My ears flick as I listen to the sound of numerous switches and tumblers shift and click. I then push on it again, opening the gate.
I walk on through and enter into the courtyard. My heart drops slightly as we find it empty, lifeless. I scan around, still recalling the sight of servants as they mulled about their duties. I can still hear the distant ringing coming from Helgsven’s forge at the back of the complex.
I sigh softly, knowing that this is still my home, yet it’s missing so much within it.
“Are you still sure I can stay with you, Aria?” asks Le’nia. “I truly do not wish to venture into the city alone. Even if it’s to my old home.”
I smile to her, “Of course. There’s plenty of room here.”
She smiles. “Thank you, Aria.”
I grin, looking up as the fliers all come in for a landing. I smile softly to everyone as they begin to look around. Mom is immediately taken aback by it while my aunts look around, simply marveling at the buildings.
I turn to Leto and Nelly, smiling to them. “Why not take the pack to the den? I’m pretty sure you’d love to see your home again.”
They both smile, walking over and pressing their heads into mine. Behind them I can see their tails wagging incessantly.
“We wish to see you later, Sister,” says Leto.
“Tonight, Aya,” adds Nelly.
I grin, kissing their heads. “Go get some rest, you two. I’m pretty sure I can have some dinner brought for all of you.”
They smile and trot off with the pack in tow.
I watch Marron stroll over to the manor, seemingly familiar with it. Her eyes gleam with nostalgia. “Everything feels so familiar to me,” she says as she gazes around.
I grin. “Is Celes talking to you?”
She smirks, walking around the house. “Not quite. Yet I feel something old and welcoming here.”
I smile, following after her. I look around, seeing a pockmarks and stones unturned, possibly reminders from the final moments before the seal took full effect. Or perhaps someone did manage to make it all the way out here and attack the estate.
I glance over, seeing Silvi near a fallen pillar near the side of the manor. She looks to me, to which I nod. She smiles, picking it up and placing it back under the overhang.
I then pan over, sighing as I see where Celes and I landed after completing our mission. My stomach even churns as I recall the landing and what it did to me. I then see where I said my goodbyes to Tyrion and his family, feeling my heart breaking as the scene plays out in my mind.
We turn towards the steps leading into the manor and head for the doors. I smile softly, thinking at least we don’t have to repair them. As I step into the entry way, I feel a wave of longing wash over me. My chest seizes up while my heart leaps into my throat.
“Tyrion?!” I call out. I look around, hoping to hear something. “Galen, Darius, Ilia, Sofia, Valeria, Veylana!”
My voice echoes throughout the manor, feeling my heart seizing up even more. Tears then well up in my eyes as I bolt into the house.
“Aria!” calls out Mom as I race through the house.
I search frantically, running through the corridors, trying to sense if my ancestors are here, if my uncle, aunt, and cousins are still alive. I pray deeply within my heart, hoping to find them. My steps take me to anywhere I could think of in that moment. Yet…nothing.
After a few minutes, I stop and drop to my knees and begin to cry, feeling lonely without them. I couldn’t find them, not even a trace. I want them back so badly. I want to see my family again.
I feel arms wrapping around my body, pulling me back. The familiar smell of my mother enthralls me as she strokes my hair, slowly calming me down.
“I…I thought they’d be here,” I let out between sobs. “Just somehow locked away when the city was sealed.”
She gently rocks us, continuing to stroke my hair. “I wish that were the case, my love,” she whispers. “However, the sealing magic utilized here isn’t the same as with what I used. While it’s true we are technically in another dimension, cut off from our world, time still flows normally. People aren’t always sealed away in a form of status unless something is used to protect them.”
I look up to her, feeling my heart sinking into my stomach as horror fills my face. I cling tightly to her. “Did…did I kill them?” I ask chokingly.
She turns me around and hugs me even tighter to her body. “No, sweetheart,” she replies. “They knew what was being asked of them.”
I nod slowly, trying to accept again that they choose to remain behind here. Serasfall asked them to stay so that Celes and I could escape. Part of me really wished they had come with me to my era, yet that could have possibly created a whole slew of problems.
Mom continues to rock me as she then kisses the top of my head, slowly calming me down. My hands still cling to her, feeling her heart beating against my chest. It’s the same heart who’s rhythm has shaped my own, calming and soothing me.
“Why don’t we get up and you show me around?” she asks.
I nod and we slowly rise from the floor and start walking through the manor.
I streak my fingers along the walls, telling more and more stories of my time here. I grin softly, recalling little moments with my ancestors; meals, and time spent in the library, even just relaxing in the solarium. I even chuckle as we pass by the room, with memories of Serasfall or Celes holding me in their arms.
Mom smiles as she holds onto me. As we walk past the portraits of Velkin and Belron, I stare up at them. There were still times when I wished they were alive, that way I would’ve had two older brothers looking after me. It’s still a fantasy I had while here, something I know Serasfall and Celes also wished for.
I gently stroke their nameplates, hating that they were murdered just to weaken Shyair. A cruel and petty way to hurt my family, even though all I am is really their descendant. Yet during my time here, Serasfall treated me as though I really was hers and of this era, that her family was my family. Even Tyrion echoed this when I first met him.
We moved on, eventually finding ourselves in front of the study. I stare at the doors, knowing how much took place behind them. I slowly raise my hand to the door, and hesitantly open it.
If seemingly in a flash, I imagined Serasfall sitting behind her desk with Rhea resting at her side. For the briefest of moments, I could see her smiling to me only for the image to fade away.
I nearly want to cry as I hold out my hand to the fading image of her. Again in my heart, I really wanted her to be there, hearing her welcoming me home from school. Yet…I let out a soft sigh, knowing she’s really gone.
“I know what you’re thinking,” says Mom. “For you to walk into a room and to see someone you love sitting there, when in truth they are not.”
I nod, she really is my mother after all. Yet still, as I gaze onto the couch opposite the door, I also wish that Tyrion was there as well. I still miss them terribly. Even now I can hear their voices, and not only through the video recordings I made of them.
Again we leave and travel the corridors, soon linking up with everyone. My sisters and aunts all walk to me, each sharing a worried look on their faces. I smile to them. “Sorry guys, I just…just went off on a prayer, only to find it not answered.”
I feel a hand on my head, peering up to see Arcturus smiling to me. I blush softly, knowing he’s also trying to be a father to me.
I turn to everyone, finding even the combat maids weary from the trip here. I nod, gazing to Kenji and back to my family. “There are rooms on the second floor,” I tell them. “Fenris and Athena can show you the way.”
They nod, with them seeing the tears rolling down my cheeks. A cold nose rubs under my nose, which is followed by soft fur. I look over to see Fenris smiling to me. I smile, blushing softly.
“We’re back.”
He nods, motioning to Athena who is smiling to me as well. I smile to her, reaching over and stroking the side of her face. She stares into my eyes lovingly, the eyes of a mother with her child. I know she’s also happy to be back here, yet also painful for her. The three of us all have painful scars along with incredibly happy memories.
“You should rest my love,” says Mom.
I shake my head, looking down the hallway. “I need to keep going,” I reply. “There’s one more place I need to see.”
She nods, no doubt still worried over me. Well I did just run like a maniac, hoping to find people I know are truly gone. Yet now…I really have to confirm something.
I look to my knights, who nod to me. They too know where I’m going next
“Where are you going Ariko?” asks Kenji.
I turn to him, smiling softly. “I need to say goodbye to someone. Someone very dear to me.”
He nods slowly. I think he’s still in shock or amazement of where he is…again. If I weren’t in such an emotional state right now, I’d laugh at how I’ve basically dragged my boyfriend twice across Europe. Not only that, had him stand in Court while I addressed the members there. And now have him come to my ancestral home. I can tell he’s exhausted from it all.
“Kenji-kun I could sure use your help unpacking,” says Marron. She smiles to me, knowing I need the assist and help to distract him.
He nods and goes with her. I smile, silently thanking my sister. Silvi and my aunts also travel down the corridor after her as Athena and Fenris go with them to show the way. Arcturus looks to Mom who smiles back to him. I think they’re going to be spending a bit more needed time tonight than we had back in France.
Kerrigan and Le’nia each look to me worried. I smile to the pair, trying to put on a brave face. They too nod and head down with the others.
Mom, my knights and I then stroll through the manor and exit out onto the terrace overlooking the forest. I gaze out onto it, still hearing the sounds of the knights as they trained. As we travel down the steps, I glimpse the alcove where Fenris and I ducked into. I take a deep breath as the four of us traverse it, quickly coming upon the cemetery. I look around, seeing the various gravestones.
I smile, seeing Tobin’s grave. I watch as his parents then kneel before it, gently brush off the dust and debris which had fallen onto it. Tears well up in their eyes as they smile.
“We’re home, our son,” says Orga. Kateryna looks as though she’s on the verge of crying, yet holds herself back.
I nod, smiling softly, then catching glimpse of a door near the tree that I never noticed before. Mom and I go in and walk down steps for a couple minutes. I summon up a kitsune-bi to help light our way. Along the way down, I do see crystal lamps adorning the wall, which obviously don’t light up due to any access to mana.
We reach the bottom and slowly follow the corridor. I look around, seeing nameplates etched in gold under sealed chambers. I nod, now knowing this to be a mausoleum.
I soon recognize a pair of names, the same names we saw just a while ago. I smile, gently stroking them.
“Who do they belong to?” asks Mom.
I smile, “They were Celes’ older brothers who died a year before I came here,” I reply. I chuckle softly, trying to bite back the growing lump in my throat. “Both Serasfall and Celes talked about how if they were alive, they’d instantly take me as their little sister.”
She smiles, holding onto me. I know it would have been the same with Aurelian, in that if he’d come back, and the Fall never happened, he’d quickly come to see me as his daughter.
I look around, hoping I’d see chambers for the others, only to find none. I sigh, feeling my heart tightening a bit, still wishing I knew what happened to them. I lower my eyes, asking a million questions and receiving none.
I look up, seeing an altar at the center of the chamber. We step forward, with me casting several more kitsune-bi, now turning the flames a bright yellow for better light. On the altar I see a casket lying on top, with Serasfall’s name inscribed under it.
I rest my hand on it, smiling as tears start to streak down my cheeks. “I’m home, Serasfall,” I say softly. “I made it back safely to the present and now I’ve come back to you. Mother.”
Mom smiles, stroking my hair. I don’t feel guilty for calling Serasfall “mother”. Mom and I already had this discussion and I don’t have to worry about anything.
I stroke the casket, feeling the lump in my throat growing again, trying to fight back the urge to cry. I can still feel her hand as I held it as she faded from us. A woman I truly came to view as my mother while I was here, yet we never spoke the words. I loved her with all I had, grateful she took me in and gave me a home and family.
Under the casket, I see a memorial etched into the granite.
Here lies Serasfall Nochell Shyair
Devoted wife and mother.
She loved her children and husband, never backing down to defend her family.
I smile as I read the inscription, knowing must’ve been Tyrion who etched it. I then see under the inscription the list of her family. Of course I see Aurelian’s name along with her sons below it. However, beside Velkin and Belron’s names, I see the title of “daughters” inscribed.
Daugthers
Celestine
Aria
The tears which had already been streaming down my cheeks now burst forth as I see my name listed as one of her daughters. I then drop to my knees and cry, wailing loudly as I hold myself. It’s now been immortalized in stone that I am the daughter of Serasfall. I just can’t believe it’s now official, something she actually agreed with Celes and Tyrion over. Yet now… now it’s true.
Mom holds onto me as I cry, gently soothing me as I let everything out. I don’t even care that it’s only been a little over two weeks since I was last here. It might as well been years, but the pain still is the same.
I slowly calm down after a few more minutes of crying, bringing myself back. Mom then gently holds me as I stand up. I grip her tightly; knowing that while I am the daughter of Serasfall Shyair, I am the daughter of Rachel Rivenfeld first and foremost.
I settle down, feeling my crying coming to end as I sniffle a couple times. I wipe away my tears, or at least try to. I then place my hand onto Serasfall’s casket and smile.
“I…I just wanted to say goodbye to you,” I sob, smiling. “I know I’m a little late too, and you might as well scold me for it,” I chuckle.
I take a deep breath and continue to smile. “I will live on and keep making you proud of me. I love you so much, and please keep watching over me.”
I stroke her casket and lean over, kissing it. I wish there were more to say, but I think my heart poured all out itself. I stand back and watch it for a moment.
I feel Mom stroking my hair as we stand there. “Would you like to leave?”
I nod, pulling back my hand. We then turn and head back down the corridor and up the stairs, leaving the mausoleum.
We retreat back into manor and travel up the stairs to the second floor. I smile softly, feeling as though I never left. Granted it’s a bit colder given the heating system is off, but I’m sure Marie has already discover its location and has begun fixing it.
We come to my room, seeing my name over the door. I grin as I open it, only to find it a slight mess. I sigh, shaking my head as we walk in. It can’t really be helped given how I was on mission to seal away the city, not to mention the earthquakes that were going on about.
Mom smiles as she looks around. “So this was your room?”
I nod, walking over to my desk and tidies it up a little. “It is. I spent a lot of time in here when I wasn’t studying in the library, training, or spending time with Celes or Serasfall.”
I turn and find my table and chairs over turned. I sigh, holding out my hands and levitating them back into place. Even if it’s been 400 years, this is still my room and I hate it looking like a mess.
I smile, “On the first night I was here, Celes and I had dinner together.” I then giggle softly, “Athena really was laying on the charm while Fenris was getting jealous.”
Mom smiles, “You should get some rest sweetheart. You’ve had an incredibly long and eventful day.”
I smile and nod to her. “Thanks for everything Mom.”
She grins and leaves, closing the door behind her.
I spend a few minutes tidying up my room. I still can’t believe how much of mess it’s become as I levitate books back onto the shelves and rearrange the furniture. I glance at my bookcases, recalling the long hours I spent not only learning Alcoran, but also Dewlouran history and culture.
I then see my wardrobes, smiling as I still have the many outfits I wore while here. I might put on a few to show everyone. That’s if we have the time to that is.
When I finish, I walk over to my bed and pull out my suitcase. I sigh softly as I crack it open and go over its contents.
I then hear scratching coming from the door. I hop over and open it, reveal Leto and Nelly on the other side. I grin, shaking my head, motioning them inside. The pair gleefully come in as they eye the bed.
I giggle, “I think you two might be a little too big to join me on it.”
They grin and turn, nuzzling me. I hug them tightly, loving that I have my little wolf brother and sister with me again. They may be centuries older now, but they’re still the scrappy little pups that used to follow me around like my shadow.
My ears then flick as I see Fenris and Athena strolling into my room. I giggle happily, “Oh god, this is going to be a fun night.”
They smile as the five of us settle in for the night. All four wolves shrink down in size to better fit in the room with me as I set about fixing it up.