The Promise of Tomorrow

[GSM]

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The night was high, over Meranthe. Across a gentle shoreline, the full moon flickered in the darkness high above the clouds that obfuscated the dim light, gazing down at the waters below as it shot a light through those murky waters. Upon the shoreline, no sounds could be heard, except for the rolling of the tides upon the coast.
That was, until the sounds of boots echoed through the night.

A black-clad hunter made their way to a felled log, hooking a foot under the makeshift seat before making themselves sit back down. A dimly-glowing golden eye focused upon the moon, hoping to see something with a heavy gaze; nothing greeted their vision that stood out from the ordinary.

After a short sigh, the figure curled up, bringing a knee to their chest. A voice spoke out, echoing through the verdant winds- low in tone, though soft through exhaustion, and feminine.

"I should say that I am... terrible at speaking to graves. The only comfort I've ever received was from the pale moonlight... so I pray that you all are okay with that, instead."

Harper kept her eyes upon the moon, one bathing her vision in silver and gold, the other in every single dulled color. This peculiar prosthetic painted even the night sky as if it were a gleaming sculpture.

"I didn't expect to lose so many... and so quickly. Time marches for none, I suppose... but I'll try to say something for each of you."

She let out a shaky sigh, calming her nerves just a bit. Would she be able to put every one of her fallen friends to proper rest? Did they all deserve a proper rest?

It was hard to say- but each of their deaths weighed heavily upon her mind. She had been holding in her tears for so long about all of them- and she surely wasn't going to lose her developed traumas from losing so many loved ones in such a short amount of time- but instead of only hurting herself by holding everything in, she was hurting the people she cared for the most.

She needed an outlet, even if it was talking to nothing else but the moon.

"Inigo... I looked up to you. Your faith opened my eyes, gave me purpose. It wasn't without help, but being one of the Moon Carvers- even if I was never formally inducted- has shaped me to be who I am today. You should rest well knowing that your final blessing into Deliverance still rests by my side... I can only pray that you are satisfied with what I've become, and with your Beautiful Death.

Malvesta. As a leader, I looked up to you, too. Your leadership may have been unorthodox, but I helped without question all the same... your final blessing to me, even if you didn't know it was going to be just that, helped me overcome so many of my problems. I can only wish that you're happy with the decisions you made, and with your Beautiful Death.

Zemheri... you earned my respect with your aid to me. You gave me everything I needed when I asked for it, and more when I didn't. Reforging my sword, showing me kindness at my most vulnerable... I couldn't have asked for a more supportive figure, like a father I never had. I can only hope that you're still proud of me, after everything I've done.

Lazuli... I don't think I can even do you justice. Your unerring spirit, your will to continue until the end... I admire you so much for what you did. And through it all, I only wish I could've said goodbye one last time... you deserve your rest, now. I can only think you are finally at peace, now that everything's finally over.

Irina... my King. I don't even know what to say. I wish I could've changed it all, but I think this is what you wanted to happen... I wish I could've helped you to the end, but you always fought on your own. I know, I look back in the past so often... but you were my first friend. The one who made me to who I am now, by your own admission... I may not have always agreed with you, or taken your exact stance on everything... but I can only dream that you're happy with everything that you accomplished."

Harper finally stood from her seat, letting out another shaky breath. She hadn't even noticed that she was crying- but tears now stained her cheeks and littered upon the shoreline. Her eyes, one of a dulled scarlet and the other of a divine gold, still stared up at the moon, as if expecting an answer- but instead, she would speak on her own.

She waited for none other than herself.

"All of you- I wish that you all knew that my dream has not yet died. It'll die with me, and I don't plan for that to be soon... but my fight against the darkness will continue until I can no longer stand. Even if I am alone, even if I am scorned... I will rise again and again, until my last breath.

This is my promise of tomorrow; my promise of a better tomorrow, that tomorrow will still come. When all else falls to darkness... the future remains. So I will fight for that tomorrow.

If I don't, who will?"

With those final words, the kingless Prince of Life now moved to turn her back on the moonlight. She'd need to head home, after making such a promise. She would fight until she no longer could; she would live for those who no longer could. This was her way, wanting to keep those she loved and cared for the most as close as possible; she couldn't bear to lose anyone else, and if she would have to draw strength from it, she would.

After making a promise to tomorrow, Harper moved to go back inside. She'd see another day. She must see another day.

She wouldn't know when she'd see her last, after all.