Chapter Text
Solemnly entering the room, you see your dear Grandfather lay gasping on his deathbed.
You're the last to say goodbye, and it shows. He can barely move now, only waving you forward with a weak, limp hand, so you approach and grab it firmly in his stead. His grip back is so faint that you're not sure it's even there, and it hurts you to think that soon he'll be gone. You wish to flee, even, if only to erase this horrible memory from your mind, and keep him as the beloved old male you'd known since before you could ever remember.
But here, now, trapped as you are in his dying grip, you are forced to stay. Perhaps it's for the best--you'd never have this chance again, otherwise. A deep breath fills your lungs, strengthening your resolve. Still, you cannot help but avert your eyes, unable to bear the sight of him so weak, so close to crossing over this world’s grey veil.
To leaving you forever.
Dread squeezes your heart with its icy grip. It suddenly becomes clear to you that this is real. It's real, it's happening, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Your eyes clench shut, and you dare not look at him. You can't, you mustn't, if you do then it'll be over, it'll be done, he'll be gone. How could you have come here, you knew better than to agree, to strain him further, if you hadn't he wouldn't be wasting what little time he has left with-!!
He suddenly gives a harsh, wet cough, yanking his hand away to cover his mouth. You're startled into looking at him, tears flooding your eyes and breath hitching in your throat.
After a moment he stops and his hand falls away, to reveal a small letter hidden within. He offers it to you with a mischievous grin on his lips, and a twinkle in his eye.
Ah, of course he'd do that. He always did love his little pranks, especially in serious situations such as these. It brings a tiny, sad smile to your face.
He beams at your reproachful look, then rasps out between breaths, "My dear...this gift...is for you. You...come of age...soon. Inside is...a place you can go...to recover. It will not...open itself until...the time...is right, but...what's life without...a little...mystery...eh?"
He smiles at you again, tiredly this time, head resting heavily against his pillow. You bite your cheek and try to smile reassuringly back at him, but you fail. Tears once again fill your eyes, threatening to take over, so you carefully take the proffered envelope to distract yourself, gently placing it against your heart. Gratitude swells within you, pouring from your lips as you thank him from the deepest corners of your soul. You understand how significant this boon is--of how wondrous this place must be to be his greatest, and final, gift. That you may use it during the most troubling and vulnerable time of your life...
You're so glad.
Not everyone has a sanctuary in which to go during those chaotic times, and you know your Grandfather wouldn't send you anywhere dangerous. Relief shudders through you and your soul feels just that tiny bit lighter, even as something much heavier settles in its place.
Your Grandfather suddenly lets out a hacking series of coughs - true ones this time - and panic rips through you without mercy, scoring jagged furrows of dread and pain and fear deep into your heart. It's a truly soul-rending sound, deafening and resolute, and you can't help but flinch away from it, frightened of what is to come.
The hour is here.
No, no please, please-!!
...But no amount of pleading can stop it.
The time has come.
You nearly fall to your knees, nearly start cursing the name of that which comes to steal him away, if only to distract and delay just long enough to have a few more precious minutes.
But no, you can't. You mustn't. You must be strong. For him. And for yourself.
You grit your teeth, and firm your will. This was his final request, you being here as he leaves this world, and so you will honor him, and will see this through. No matter how much it hurts.
His coughing subsides, but his wet breaths have grown weaker, and his eyes are slowly shutting close. Once he's settled you inch closer to him, gnawing anxiously on your lip, and shakily reach out to caress his cheek. Those aged eyes open again at your touch, just a sliver, and he smiles sadly at you.
He whispers so softly you can barely hear, "I...love you...my dear. I must...go...now. I'll see...you...in the next...world...alright..?"
You nod your head quickly, your vision blurring, and bite hard on your lip to let the pain ground you. He smiles one last time before slowly falling still, going limp, and you force yourself to watch as the Life fades from his eyes.
As they grow blank, and dark, and empty.
One last large breath, and then it escapes him. It flows softly around you, swirling and swaying in a kaleidoscope of colors. You watch, wide-eyed and amazed, as the storm flows upward to dissipate freely into the air. Electricity runs up your spine and you might just feel a tiny bit of that age-old soul settle upon your skin, granting you its power.
You finally give a true, small smile, as you begin to realize that maybe your Grandfather hasn't left you, after all.
You turn, and leave his husk behind.