Author's Preface
Two days later, the entire Buckeye Guild and Eclipse Guild, along with Titus stood in front of Cynthia's memorial stone that had been placed near the golden gate inside the guild. Behind it was a black marble wall with the names of the other guild members who had passed during Midnight's attack. As everyone stood in silence, the guild's doors flung open. Everyone looked back to see Terrance running toward them. He stopped in front of the stone and caught his breath. He looked at Eve and her team.
"She was the best amongst us. She had a brilliant mind and always put you guys first." Terrance reached inside his jacket and pulled out Cynthia's bag. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to finish what she started with the armor she was preparing for you all."
Eve smiled. "I think that's what she would want."
The team all nodded. Terrance put his hand on the stone. "I'll do my best to honor your memory, Cynthia." Terrance hung his head for a moment in silence, then turned. "It may be a while, but if each of you could come find me at the Association when you have time so I can try and tailor them to you specifically, that'd be great."
Samantha stepped forward. "We'll be there, and don't fuck this up."
Terrance smiled. "I won't. I promise." He nodded at Eve and walked out.
Aaron looked at Eve and Blue. "Well, we're going to leave you all to it. It was a beautiful service. If you guys need anything, you know where to find me." Aaron gestured, and the Buckeye Guild, Olivia, and Arthur followed him out.
Titus placed a hand on her stone and said a prayer. He turned to Eve and the team. "The Association is also here for whatever you guys need. We will make sure that no missions come your way until you are ready. Take your time and grieve, and let us know when you're ready to get back in the saddle."
Titus walked out. Eve watched everyone leave as the team stood alone, staring at Cynthia's memorial stone. For a long while, no one said a word. Eve finally turned her head and looked at Blue with an empty expression and then turned and headed upstairs to her office. Samantha turned and chased after her.
"What was that about?" Darrien took a seat against the wall behind him.
"She saw some pictures." Blue took a seat next to Darrien.
Chris turned, facing them both. "What pictures?"
"Of the aftermath of the incident that night."
Darrien and Chris stared at each other.
"Ohhhh," both said simultaneously.
"So, like, did she lecture you or what?"
"No, Darrien, she didn't lecture me. In fact, she hasn't said a word to me since she saw them."
Chris took a seat next to Blue. "I am sure she's just taking it all in. We all knew what you were going to do that night, and none of us tried to stop you. I'm sure she's just processing it."
"Yeah, maybe." Blue sighed. "I still can't believe she's gone."
"Yeah... who's gonna be our cheerleader now?" Chris chuckled.
"Sure as hell ain't gonna be Samantha." Darrien looked at them both.
"You guys should've seen the armor she came up with. She showed me and Eve."
"Eve and I."
"Oh, shut up, Chris." Darrien winked at Blue.
"It was perfect, and it was her to the core. Always putting us first. Doing her best to protect everyone and make sure no one ever felt sad." Blue punched the ground between his legs. His knuckles started to bleed. "I wasn't here." He looked between Chris and Darrien. "I'm sorry, guys. That won't happen again."
"Sure it will," Chris said.
Darrien interjected. "It'll definitely happen again. You have a pendant to find, don't you? She sure as shit wouldn't want you ignoring that because of this."
"Look, Blue, what happened wasn't your fault. You can't stop now, though. Whatever these gods have in store for you is bigger than all of this. It sucks now, but we signed up for this."
"He's right, Blue. We knew what we were getting into when we became hunters anyway. This is just a part of life now, unfortunately. As shitty as it is." Darrien stood and put his hand on Cynthia's memorial. "But don't you fucking dare say you're giving up now. Not now, not after she's lying in a grave. Not after everything she's done for us." Darrien turned, facing Blue. "You keep pushing forward because we all have to keep pushing forward." Tears began to run down Darrien's face. "We will be there every step of the way. That is how we honor her."
Darrien walked off, leaving Chris and Blue sitting in silence.
Chris eventually looked at Blue and slapped him on the leg. "I don't think you can ignore what's waiting upstairs forever, Blue." He stood. "It's best you handle that now and don't let it fester." Chris reached his hand down to help Blue stand.
"I hate you."
"Love you too, bro. Now go see Eve."
Chris smiled as Blue flipped him off and turned to head upstairs.
Blue stood outside Eve's office. He composed himself and pulled at the bottom of his suit jacket. He took a deep breath and walked inside. Samantha sat in a chair next to Eve as he walked in. She stood and whispered to Eve.
"I'll be back later."
She walked by Blue, put a hand on his shoulder, and nodded. Blue watched her walk out, then took a few steps toward the chair next to Eve. He stopped and looked at her face buried in her hands.
"Can I sit?"
Eve didn't look up. She simply gestured with one hand as Blue took a seat in the chair next to her. He watched for a few minutes as she continued to sob into her shirt's sleeve. Finally, she looked up at Blue. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face beet red.
"I'm sorry."
Blue was taken aback. "Ummm. Excuse me... for what?"
"For making you have to do what you did. If I was a minute quicker, she'd be alive, and you wouldn't have had to do that. If I would've noticed something off about Yuki instead of being jealous of her."
Blue put a hand on Eve's shoulder. "Eve, none of this is your fault. She deceived us all. Aaron included."
"Maybe... but it forced you to do what you did."
"It didn't force me to do anything, Eve. I chose to do what I did. I do not regret it, and I'd do it again if someone did that to any of you."
Eve stopped and tilted her head toward Blue and looked him in the eye for a moment.
"How?"
"How what?"
"How is it that easy?"
Blue sat back in his chair. "It's not. Not really, but my uncle always said we repay grudges one hundredfold, and I take that seriously. I hope you never have to take the life of another human being. I will be the one to carry that burden for you, and for the team. Hell, for the entire guild. If I had to choose between letting them live and knowing that, in turn, could endanger you... well, that's an easy choice, Eve."
Eve grabbed Blue's hand. "Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't carry it alone anymore."
Blue stared at Eve. He couldn't find any words to say in that moment.
"I don't want you dying because you think you have to carry a burden alone." Eve sat back in her chair and sniffled. "I don't know what it's like to take a life. Killing monsters is easy, but please don't endanger yourself for some sense of purpose that no one asked you to carry."
Blue sighed and smiled. "I'll try, but don't you dare blame yourself for any of this. And I'll try not to rely on myself anymore."
"Good, because you still have to find your pendant and go back to Murim. And I need you to trust that we can handle ourselves even when you aren't here."
Blue leaned in and hugged Eve. "I promise."
As Blue hugged Eve, he noticed Nomi sitting on the windowsill, smiling at him. He smiled back as Eve hugged him tightly.
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