The Arks 122 The Ark Of Minwoo's Farewell

"What would that be?"

"Smile for me, darling."

The Valkyrie gave another mock smile, tears threatening to flow out once more. She shook her head in dismay.

"How could I? How could I smile at a time like this?" she inquired, her voice cracking.

"Just try, it'll make us both feel better."

Minwoo gave a small smile. The Valkyrie tried and was able to give a small smile, though it managed to squeeze out even more tears. Minwoo gingerly stroked her cheeks once more.

"Well, it could use some work. But it'll do for now," commented Minwoo, slightly giggling at the failed attempt.

"Is there nothing I could do?"

"I'm sorry, but this is the best way. After all, some things are not without sacrifice, right?"

He then stood back and away from the Valkyrie and unsheathed his damaged blade. As he pointed it towards his chest, he paused. His hands shook, unable to push on any further. He then sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Even though I've promised myself. Even though I've killed so many others. Now, faced with such an easy decision, I still can't find the strength to do so. It should be easy," said the Marquess, putting down the blade.

"Taking your life isn't as easy as taking others. It's not the same. Others' lives don't mean anything to you. But when it comes to yours, you are bound to feel hesitant. I would, as well," reasoned Mavislin, looking at him sadly.

"That's just human nature, right? Selfish to the core..."

"Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something. I can't blame you for being hesitant. You would be leaving so many people behind."

"Besides, killing yourself will bound to hurt. Especially if you are using such a worn-out blade."

"And if I continue to live, the Umbra within me will kill everyone I cherish."

"Let me do it then. I've taken lives as well. One more in the pile won't affect me," offered Mavislin as she put out her hand.

"And I thought you didn't want me to go?" asked Minwoo, looking rather confused.

"I don't. But there's no point in seeing my friend suffer if I can give him a release on life. And besides, I don't do well with goodbyes."

"Goodbyes hurt you?"

"It's not the goodbyes that hurt, it's the flashbacks that follow. If I could make this as painless as ever, then my heart and your soul will be at ease. You don't have to worry about the people you leave behind. Because you saved so many when you were here. You can pa.s.s on, proudly."

A huge emblem of Valokia appeared both underneath and above the Marquess. A few chains of light shot out from the circ.u.mference of the circles, encasing the Marquess inside.

"You should be honored. You will pa.s.s using one of the Five Major Spells of the Mighty Valkyries," stated Mavislin, smiling through the tears.

"And what does that mean, darling?" asked Minwoo, tilting his head slightly.

"The best way to gift that I, as a Valkyrie, could ever give you," replied the Valkyrie, with a weak yet powerful voice.

"A gift of death? Sounds morbid," said the Marquess, as he let go of his blade.

"Because it's not an execution. It's purification. Close your eyes, Minwoo Dalles. When you reopen them, you'll find yourself in euphoria. So, sleep well, my friend..."

Orbs of light emerged from the palms of her hand as she chanted the first few lines of Heaven's Wheel.

"Let the light flow. Let the dark fade. Allow this poor, unfortunate soul to seek eternal peace, granted from the heavens. Overturn the darkness within him and approve him the light that he deserves..."

"Even if we lurk within the shadows, there's always a need for light..." murmured the Marquess, smiling wistfully.

As she chanted the spell, the Valkyrie could not stop her tears from flowing out. It was like a waterfall, unending as the Marquess could only beat witness to the sorrow that he would leave behind.

"Hey! It was fun while it lasted..." shouted the Marquess, waving goodbye.

"Let's meet again, someday!" he added.

Mavislin could muster a ghost of a nod before finis.h.i.+ng the spell.

"Heaven's Wheel: Euphoria!" yelled Mavislin, biting her lip later on.

As the light engulfed him, the Marquess finally felt the warmth that he had been missing for so long. When he saw nothing, memories of his happiest moments flashed by, like a cinematic record. It was twisting and turning, appearing all around Minwoo.

From the time that he met Baldwin n.o.ble, to Viscountess Ling and Earl Yan. He tried Gab's drinks and played with young Mavislin. And the countless times he got bitten.