We three parted ways at the Grasslands, and it has been a while since we saw each other since then. I don't know how long it's been, maybe more than I care to remember. The harshness of our own particular curses have weathered out faces and, though still youth-looking at first glance, I see the look of weariness in both their eyes and always wonder if it is mirrored on my own.

It may have been a few hundred years since then, I don't really know. Maybe it has only been three years. But it seems all the same now, and I wonder if this is how he had felt, seeing the same sunset every night and watching the same dawn every morning. The special magic it once held is now no more, now that I have seen enough to last me a lifetime.

It sometimes hurt to think of him, but I always try to remember his last whispered words before his final time: "You were my only true friend."

And those words still make me choke at the curse that always threatens to spill from my mouth, because the memory is always so strong that even with the passing of time, I can never forget.

So I turn to another starlit sky once more and try not to let my thoughts wander. I have so much to see, I try to tell myself, so much to learn. The world changes everyday.

But the nagging thought always creeps back to me, What if I won't?

~ * ~

We had agreed to meet at the Kalekka Town at a number passing of years, and I have remembered not a moment too soon. Even with more than a hundred years' worth of passing, it has only remained a ghost town. The new leaders of the Toran Republic are still afraid of its ghosts, of the past that haunts the history of our kingdom. This town is the perfect place to meet.

A sole figure sits inside one of the houses, kicking at the old dust that has accumulated on the floor, but he turns to me when I enter and gives me a smile I had not seen for so very long. "Tir," he greets.

I nod back and give him a similar smile. "Riou."

He gestures to the pile of wood on the floor that, I now notice, is gathered in place. "I thought I'd make a fire but it's warm now so maybe we can save them for later at night."

I nod again and settle beside him as he loosens the clasps of his pack. "Sure." I look around expectantly. "Where's--"

"He'll arrive soon," he interrupts, stride never breaking from unpacking food and small trinkets. "He's only a few miles away."

I know better than to question his knowledge; sometimes, he and Jowy show the unnatural signs of their runes' bonds, like finishing each other's thoughts, doing the exact thing, knowing when the other is in pain and other such things. It unnerved me at first, but I have now gotten used to it and take it in stride. I nod again and begin to unpack my bag.

Riou has always been the quiet one among us, growing then with a sister who used to cut in through all his sentences before he even finished them, so I am surprised when he goes on, "A lot has changed."

I turn to him and blink, then shrug. "Yes." I put a hand through the leather pack and pull out a small globe that swirls with white and green haze with a tinge of purple liquid in between. A small gift from the people of a faraway continent, and the thought makes me smile. "Change is constant."

"Yes," he replies with a soft voice, sounding dreamy. "Change is constant."

"How was your travel?" I ask, changing the topic. Sometimes, a dark shadow is cast upon us when we mention the past, and since the future is like any other of our pasts, we only focus on the present. "Did you meet new people?"

"A lot of the people I met have already died," he tells me in a mournful voice. He looks down and draws his knees to his chin. "They were all wonderful people in their own way. I stayed in a house that welcomed me for three months before I left. I didn't want to stay attached."

I think about Ted then, wondering why he stayed so long as he did, and wonder if it has anything to do with me. "Was it hard?"

"Walking away is never easy, you know, Tir," he replies, flashing me a small smile. "But I handled it fine and now I'm here."

"Back to where we started," I cannot help saying and he nods at this.

"I went back to Harmonia and studied for a while again, trying to get to their locked compartments in the Priesthood." He cocks his head and turns to me seriously. "I got a hold of some information on the Beginning Runes and the two paths it has taken in the form of the Bright Shield and the Dark Sword Runes. It seems even they are constantly changing, and although the past has been set, the future--"

"Riou," I interrupt, more fearful than I hope. "You don't have to say it now."

Just then, the door opens and the wind blasts through the house. We both jump up, startled as a long shadow falls over the room, bringing with him the chilly winter breeze of the northern Toran. The man with the youthful face smiles and brushes the snow carefully away from his long pale hair. The pack behind his back is shifted and he moves to close the door behind him before stepping towards us.

"Hello, Jowy," I say.

He nods and smiles at me. "Tir." Then, he turns to his friend and reaches out his right hand. "I came from--"

"--Greenhill and you got the fruits I told--"

"--me to bring, I haven't forgotten them they were--"

"--all I could think about. Jowy, I haven't--"

"--told him yet, I know." They simultaneously turn to me. Riou reaches out to touch the hand Jowy had outstretched and I notice that it is specifically his right hand that entwines with fingers that are not his.

My throat catches as I stare at the simple gesture; even with gloved hands, fingers that seem to fit each other, that seem to mould as if made for each other, sends a thrill of shock over my spine and stops me from thinking. I feel a lump in my throat and the burning of my eyes and begin to suspect. They have not been in synch like this before, this is too much. What has Riou found out?

We sit down again, Jowy assigning himself to the task of setting the little cooking chimney set in the middle of the house. He uses his Fire Rune to start a fire and, in a few seconds, the heat begins to steadily creep into us.

"Have you passed the City-States again?" I ask Jowy.

He nods and smiles. "It has changed a great deal, with now five states in their midst. The towns are prospering greatly. I heard that trades have been very good, now that they are famous for their armors and weapons."

"Like Toran." I smile and remember the small town of Kaku where I had passed. "It's not such a small fishing town now, and the Lake Toran has been greatly cared for. Qbac has been taking care of the castle in the middle of the lake for a long time now and I think he and his family are good at it." I do not mention that Qbac recognized me as Tir McDohl, the boy who helped win the Gate Rune Wars centuries before, who was served by his ancestor, Qlon. Lake Toran castle still offers a few shops but it is not an ideal trading place.

"Well, I went to Highland and stayed there for a while," Riou says, taking the fruits Jowy passes to us. He begins to peel a pear. "I stayed at the dojo, it's still alright." He turns to Jowy, who is giving him a questioning look. "I visited Genkaku-jiisan's graves, as well as Nanami-neechan and Zamza-san's graves. Their great-great grandchildren still live there, old, but there."

I grin. I met Nanami-chan before and she was a rugged girl then. She was always looking for a fight but was fiercely protective of her little adopted brother and Jowy. When she had married Zamza, the spitfire and arrogant magician from Riou's army, it had been a fiery romance, with them arguing all the step of the way, but it had worked out in the end.

"Then, I went to Harmonia as well." Riou turns to Jowy again.

Jowy blinks at him.

I feel the tension in the air mount once more. "What is it?" I ask, surprised to find my voice high in a small panic.

They both turned to me and instinctively hold out their hands to each other once more. I feel my throat tighten.

"We met each other again in Loretta Continent," Jowy begins, looking at me as if explaining. "It was about ten years ago. It must have been coincidence or fate, but we were there. So we spent some time together, catching up on the years, updating ourselves and wondering where you were."

"We spent a night there and in the next morning, continued on our way," Riou goes on. "We did not think much about it, as we would sometimes meet in our travels, right? But we met the next year, and the next, and the next, until finally, we began to meet every year."

I swallow hard. "What does this mean?" I ask them but they are not finished.

"It was always the exact same day, today's day," Jowy continues. He breaks off his eye-contact with me and turns to the fire, probably realizing it is easier to stare at. "And the bond has become stronger than ever."

"Until we can read each others' thoughts," Riou interjects, giving a smile. "Sometimes, even across the ocean, I can read Jowy's thoughts and even hear his voice when he speaks to me, and I was so delighted to have someone with me." His smile disappeared. "But, you know, this isn't normal. So I resolved to return to Harmonia and look for more clues; the priests who threw me out then aren't the same now anyhow."

"He got to the Harmonian Scriptures concerning the Legend of the Beginning Rune. And he got to read more about it. The beginning of the our runes was the end of the Beginning Rune, but the cycle...it's due to begin again."

"What do you mean, Jowy, Riou, tell me!" I demand, clenching my hands.

The fire cackles beside us and spits. I turn to it briefly and so do they before we turn to each other again. I stare at them, holders of the Bright Shield Rune and the Dark Sword Rune.

"We've been together for so long, Tir," Riou says softly. "Jowy and I...our runes repel and attract each other to make war, but we lived for many hundreds of years without fighting, without war, and we still have them. And now, the time will come that the Beginning Rune will be one again."

"Riou..."

"We're dying, Tir," Jowy finally bursts out. "Our minds are in such synch that we don't doubt that we are becoming one."

"And what does this mean?" I ask, voice low. I bite my lip, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. "Will the Beginning Rune be broken anew? Will it never be broken apart again?"

The two turn to each other before telling me together: "We don't know."

"All we know is that it will happen in a few days--" Riou starts.

"--and that the years will catch up to us and we will be dead," Jowy finishes.

"And the Tear was dropped," I whisper.

There is a great silence.

Then, Riou lets go of Jowy's hand and kneels before me. "Tir, please, I know this is hard to accept but I hope you would be happy."

"And we hope you don't think we're cheating on you," Jowy says. I look up to glance at their faces. They truly look peaceful. "We're very happy. Now...now, we won't wander around everywhere. We will be together, finally, and that's what we have wished for since the beginning."

I fight back the tears. I cannot help it. Yes, they are truly content, they would be dying, and I would still be doomed to wander this world, only now, I will be alone. No more friends to meet, no more people who will share my burden and ease my burden. I will be as alone as Ted had been, as the other holders of this rune have been...

"I'm glad," I manage to say, breathing heavily. I give them what I hope is a brave smile. "I'm glad you would be going together and not apart. You two...you deserve it."

Riou pulls back again and sits beside Jowy, right hands instinctively holding on to each other. "Thank you, Tir. It means--"

"--so much that you accept it." Jowy gives me a smile. "I daresay hope it--"

"--will be your time soon," they finish together and turn to each other with a smile.

I nod and we drink to their coming end and to the coming Beginning. And, silently, I drink to their love.

~ * ~

I awake the next morning to find them huddled together under one blanket, so far from the fire. They had died during the night, and when I see their right hands, still entwined, I can only see a faint mark where their Runes used to be. Beside them, glowing so brightly, a single Rune, the Sword and Shield together, was placed.

I quickly dress and make a cart. I do not think they would wish to be buried here in Kalekka, a land that is foreign to them despite their many years of traveling and staying. I know they would want to be buried in Kyaro, the forever-small town found at the borders of Highland and the Jowston City-States. I place their bodies on the cart and bury them beside the graves of Genkaku, Nanami-chan, and Zamza-san.

The Rune, though...I walk out of the dojo, thanking Yanku-san, Nanami and Zamza's descendant, for allowing me to bury their graves, and make my way out of Kyaro.

The Beginning Rune...where should it be placed? Will it be set apart again by some unknowing traveler? Will it create wars again, or new countries from the continents? Will two young children pick up the pieces and walk the difficult paths they have done?

I go to the Jowston City-States and walk many nights towards the Forest Area. There, I properly mourn for the passing of my two long-time friends. I give myself enough time to weep for their passing, for their happiness, for their grand end.

And after that, when I think I am strong enough again, I break down once more and remember that now, I am alone. And I remember him, my Ted, the boy who walked his own path alone and found me, and I realize that I still cannot find the heart to curse the Soul Eater Rune because, at least, it has given me my love.

~ * ~

"What are you doing here?"

At the familiar voice, I turn to see Sasarai gazing at me with an annoyed expression. I cannot help but smile. "Sasarai, you've been hanging around with Luc for too long."

"Watch your words, McDohl," he warns but he smiles before glaring at me again. "You haven't answered my question. What are you doing here?"

I look around at the room I have rented in Banner inn. "Here? Well, sleeping. Supposedly. If you haven't arrived, that is. Why? Is there anything wrong with sleeping?" I give him an innocent expression.

Sasarai's mouth quirks and I see that he is trying not to smile. His youthful face, almost only a few years younger than I, and I mean around three or four years, is a welcome. Sasarai took part in the Dunan Unification Wars and the Harmonian Revolt centuries ago and is now with Luc. Lady Leknaat's health, I hear, has been failing steadily and she has now appointed the two Gate Runes to the twins. Luc has received the Entrance Rune to combine with his True Wind Rune and Sasarai the Exit Rune to add with his True Earth Rune. They have inherited the greatness and wisdom of the Lady and will hopefully do so in the years to come. The two, however, are not like Riou or Jowy, my friends.

"There is nothing wrong with sleeping, as you know, McDohl," he replies easily to my question. "But Luc has been watching you for some time and he has been worried." He crosses his arms over his chest.

I burst out laughing. "Jealous, Sasarai?"

At this, Sasarai breaks into a smile and tells me, "No, of course not. Luc has the right to worry about you, as I had the right to worry about Jowy and his other half, Riou." In the Dunan Wars, Sasarai had served Jowy's men as a diplomatic general when the ex-holder of the Dark Sword Rune was fighting Riou's army. "He knew you would be lonely."

I lean on the bed. "Luc has changed greatly."

"Don't try to change the subject," he warns.

"I'm not," I tell him. Then, in a rush of emotion, I tell him, "Luc has changed a lot, and so have you, from that boy who blindly followed all the priests of Harmonia taught. Jowy and Riou, they deserved that ending, that happiness...and you all have each other, but, Sasarai, what about me?" Immediately, I regret the selfishness and swallow the sob that rises in my throat, turning my head away to the window and trying to let the gurgle of the river overcome the ringing in my ears.

Then, Sasarai is there, beside me, embracing me for a long time until I cannot hold on, and I begin to sob and clung to his exotic robes as a drowning man. The years overflow and crashes into what is now myself and I find that I cannot hold on. He murmurs soothing words as he rocks me slowly on the bed and I remember him, my Ted, and sob harder.

When, finally, it is all over, we fall silent in the darkened room until all that is heard is our breathing and, occasionally, my sniffs.

Then, Sasarai says cautiously, "You can give up the Soul Eater."

I am quiet for a long time before answering, "Gremio used to say that this Rune is the significance my father and Ted gave me. It is the symbol of all there is and all there will be. Ted gave me this Rune and I find it impossible to let go."

"What is so impossible to let go, Tir?" he asks softly, hands brushing over my hair. "The Rune or Ted's memory?"

I do not reply.

"The hurt has not gone away, rather has become so strong. You have not told Gremio, nor Pahn, nor Cleo, not even Jowy and Riou, because the pain is yours and yours alone and can never be shared. Am I right?" He does not wait for my answer before going on, "You have done great things for our country, Tir, and you have done them well. No one can say that that Soul Eater is a curse or a blessing, but if you find it already too hard, if you can bury Ted and yourself, you can let go."

I close my eyes and clench my fingers on his robes.

"It has been a long time and I will give you a gift." And he leans closer until his lips touches my ear and whispers in a voice that is not his, "You were my one true friend and I love you for that."

My eyes open in shock just in time for Sasarai to move away and release me. He steps away, to the darkness, and I catch the swirl in his eyes that is so blue that I do not believe it to be his, nor the smile that is so soft and full of meaning and knowledge and happiness that I choke on the name: "Ted."

Then, Sasarai shudders and closes his eyes, arms falling to catch hold of himself. He smiles at me. "My gift, McDohl," he says and I realize that he is holding the packet of the Beginning Rune. Then, he disappears.

I wrench my gaze away from the disappearing figure to stare at my right hand.

The Soul Eater's black tinge now glows.

~ * ~

Gregminster, even now still prospering as the capital of the Toran Republic, is bustling with people, but I quickly evade them and make my way purposefully towards the castle at the end of the town. I know my way around, even though there have been wings added and other renovations. The old throne room had been moved to the higher floors. Many guards stop me but I quickly wave my right hand, now without gloves before their eyes and they fall back, eyes wide and stammering. I do not blame them. I have not returned for a long time.

I search for the president, Cara, and quickly find her at the throne room, walking her way towards me.

"Is it really you?" she asks in awe.

I smile and hold out my right hand. She stares at the Soul Eater before turning to me again. "I have read all the books about the Gate Rune Wars and about the history of the Soul Eater. Your other things, your library, the shrine, they are all in another wing, if you would see our glorification shrine--"

"I have another thing in mind though, President Cara F'lyn," I interrupt.

She shuts up. "Yes, yes, of course," she blusters, looking puzzled. "What would it be?"

"An addition to this said shrine that I do not have to see," I reply.

Still, she looks puzzled. "What would it be, My Lord? Would you like to add another showcase, a trinket from your many years, perhaps?"

"Something greater," I tell her softly. "Hold our your hand."

She does so and I move to cover my right hand with my left, closing my eyes. Soul Eater, you have given me life that lasted for so long. I am not worthy anymore. I am tired, and I have found my purpose. May you never curse anyone ever again. I open my eyes and watch her. She looks nervous and excited at the same time; quite a sight to see from the President of the Toran Republic.

I hold out my hands and touch hers. She looks down and gasps as she sees the Soul Eater in her hands. "But, Lord McDohl--"

"I have learned so much already, and I do not wish to learn more," I tell her softly. I blink back the tears. Inside, I feel something stir, like a biological connection lost or something greater. "I think it will be better in your hands."

She looks up and I see tears shining in her eyes. "Please, Lord, have a look at our shrine for you. It has been renovated."

I bite my lip, then nod at her request. She issues orders to her guards and they clear out, and she walks with me, alone, to the East Wing where she says the shrine has been set up since the rebuilding of the Toran Castle eighty years before.

And when we get there, I have to blink back the tears. Along with the replica of my clothes, the statues, the library, there hung a painting that clearly copies my face during my teenage years. It is the face I still wear but more innocent, more trusting. And there, across me, is the painted depiction of Ted, holding my right hand, looking so sorrowful yet so happy and relieved at the same time. A Ted who smiles as he holds my hand.

"It is a gift from the Qlon Temple, where everyone remembers," she tells me in a low voice. "An artist's interpretation of how you got the Soul Eater."

I close my eyes and breathe deeply. Even though it is not true, that Ted was nearly dying when he first gave me the Soul Eater, it mirrors how I clearly remember I felt then, and how I would like to think Ted felt when he gambled with my life and put his own life into greater risk against the Empire.

My Ted, I think.

I turn to Cara and bow lowly. "Thank you for this gift."

She holds out a hand to touch my shoulder. She looks older than I but I can clearly see the youth in her eyes. "No, Tir McDohl. Thank you for your gift of our past and our future."

~ * ~

I walk to the street where my old house stands. It's still there, renovated and improved. The families who own it now are Cleo and Pahn's descendants, but no one lives there now. I knock on the door and, with my old key (they haven't changed locks), enter and investigate. My old room is still there, but instead of my books, my bed, my memories, there is a newly styled bed and reading materials. There is no more picture of Ted, no more picture of my father Teo, nor Gremio or Cleo or Pahn.

There are not even memories, because they have been replaced, and I am glad, because, now, I can create newer and better memories, knowing that in the future, there is an end for me as well.

I say goodbye to my bedroom, to my house, to Gremio's old quarters, to the backdoor at the kitchen where we escaped a long, long time ago. I bid my old Gregminster farewell, because I know I will not be returning.

I am dying, I think and it makes me smile in anticipation. I walk out of my past and my memories and embrace the new day that signifies the third rebirth of my life.

~ * ~

That night, in Lake Toran Castle, I watch the sunset with a new vigor and interest of a man who has not seen the sunset for a very long time.