A Different Path

Chapter 2

"... Would you want to?" Narinder asked her.

Rose turned to face him, her eyes brimming with tears. "More than anything... At least one more time before they leave..."

Narinder nodded. He held his hands on either side of her head, letting his power flow through her. The Red Crown glowed in turn. "Okay, turn around..."

Rose turned around and did indeed see her husband and best friend... She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw them standing there. They were smiling at her, happy to see her and for her to see them.

"The spell lasts for a few minutes. Until it wanes, they are tangible to you. Say what you need to while you can," Narinder told her.

"Adlan... Brightstar..." Rose reached out to them...

Brightstar held one of her hands and Adlan held her other hand. Rose let out a sob before she hugged them both. Adlan hugged his wife while Brightstar hugged her sister. Adlan had been dead for much longer than Brightstar, but it didn't matter to Rose. She was just happy to see them again.

"I've missed you..." Rose's voice was but a whimper. "Mi amor... my friend..."

"We do too, mi vida..." Adlan wiped her tears away. "But we're always with you in spirit, and in here." He placed his hand where her heart would be.

"You just need to look up to see me, sister," Brightstar said. "The stars will always guide you and will never fade... unless it's a cloudy day."

The three couldn't help but laugh, but that wasn't the only thing bothering Rose. "Yes... but... it still hurts not seeing you everyday anymore. I still expect to see you with our children," she looked at her husband and then at Brightstar. "And you when I visit Kitaro Clan and my godchildren..."

"Our times had come, Rosa. And in time, your heart will heal. It's okay to be sad, pero todo mejora. Everything will get better..." Adlan kissed her head.

Narinder stayed nearby to ensure the spell kept working until it wore off. He could see how happy Rose was to see her loved ones again, especially her husband. She talked with them until they started to disappear from her view. Rose noticed immediately and knew it was time...

"I love you both... so much," Rose and her husband shared one final kiss and she hugged Brightstar tightly.

"And we love you..." They said together.

They looked at Narinder and thanked him silently. The cat saw in their eyes that they wanted him to help protect Rose... To them, he bowed his head respectfully. They were unlike any of the creatures Narinder had seen before. In her letter, Rose explained that many looked as they did, but Noonveil had many creatures of all shapes, sizes, races, species, and more. Speaking of... Rose had stayed silent after the spirits disappeared. Narinder watched what she would do, but never expected her to hug him as soon as she turned to face him! Narinder froze, tensed, and his fur spiked up...

"Thank you...!" She said in her quiet whimpering voice. "All I wanted was to see them again one more time... had I not, I would have fallen deeper into despair... but you.. You helped me see them again!"

"It... was nothing..." Narinder was still spooked.

And Rose didn't realize until... Now. "Oh!" She backed up with her arms bent up. "I'm sorry for being so forward! I didn't mean to scare you!!"

"I am not scared," he flicked his tail. "Most do not dare touch a god. Much less one of death."

"I'm still getting used to that... knowing that you are a god. I've lived two centuries now and have never met a god in this realm," Rose explained.