Written By: Armina Qi Saxton

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Chapter 2: Mourning

Two days had passed since the incident on Isle de Gambino without much going on between then and the dawn of this day. Most of the clean-up had been completed the day after Halloween, when there was no one there to witness anything strange or unusual that would go on. Except for a few stragglers that had hidden themselves in what seemed like closed shops and homes, there was no one there that knew anything of what happened before. The only thing that remained of that night was the burnt-out shell of what was once the Gambino Mansion, now without the height chain fence that went around it. There were few that went to inspect the rubble, perhaps to find something to salvage from it and sell at the Marketplace. Others were just interested in what was left and nothing more.

There were few others that even remotely wanted to get near it, having seen enough of what was left of a lavish lifestyle gone bad. they stayed far away from it as possible, eyeing it only from a distance; even then they did not want to look at it. With the rubble came memories that were trying to be suppressed by those that could not pass it off as mere nightmares, ones of zombies and missiles and things that should have never happened. They kept their distance for the time being, until they could be sure that they were able to remember without shuddering inside and wondering if it would ever happen again.

Needless to say, the island was quiet for a day when most people would have been starting their Christmas shopping already and gearing up for Thanksgiving that was less then a month away. Even the shopkeepers kept their doors locked; there was no point in staying open if there was no one to sell things to. Oh, there were people that were looking into the windows and such, looking for any activity that was going on inside or to see if there was anyone there. They left defeated, glancing only at the rubble of a mansion before departing for the port and heading into Barton Town or even to Durem, where there were places open.

There was one, however, that was not bothering to look into the shops to see if there was anyone there nor trying the bank to see if it was open. No, this one was standing at where the doorway of the mansion would have stood, looking out into the piles of what now was considered trash instead of treasure. There was nothing there, not one piece of the hard work that it took to build the mansion from the ground up. The polished floor was gone, the carpeted staircase no more, the spacious ballroom destroyed---all gone in a flash. An instant that couldn't be taken back.

Johnny Gambino was that one that stood there, looking at what little he had left. It wasn't much compared to what he had before; everything that he could ever want and more, was gone. He didn't want to believe it, even when he was standing there two days prior in front of a fence that was long since gone, staring at his destroyed mansion. He was still in denial, even with it right in front of him. If he couldn't possibly believe it, then why should anyone else in the Gaian population believe it?

He smiled sadly, bowing his head and closing his eyes. He recounted the last two days he spent tucked away in a small cabin on Bass'ken Lake, where he did not even poke his head out a window. Logan had hardly spoken to him in the two days, only muttering a few words here and there, mostly about absurd things that Johnny didn't understand--or didn't want to, for that matter. He could see the anger in the old man's eyes, an anger that he wished would only go away. He possibly was grateful that he hadn't heard the things that were going around the towns and the population as much as Logan had, things that made Logan's anger seem so insignificant. Maybe, just maybe, he would hear it for himself one day.

Johnny left Logan without much word, only muttering that he would pay him back as soon as he could. He didn't know if the other had heard him or had even cared; as soon as he was out the door, it slammed shut and locked behind him and that was the last he heard from Logan that day. That was the farewell, a swift kick to the rear and a door in the face. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to repay him in any sense, even if he did keep his mouth shut to where the now infamous Johnny K. Gambino was. At least that he was grateful for.

It wasn't hard weaving a track to the Port of Gambino and then to the isle. There weren't as many people out on the roads or on the docks, so few people could their say in before he walked away. If he did encounter people, he kept his eyes down and head low, as if that would keep the stares and glares from coming his way. They recognized him almost instantly, one or two bystanders actually pelting him with rocks. Rubbing the spots where the rocks had hit him---when there already was bruising---was the only thing that kept him lingering from the remains of his mansion.

"What a sight, isn't it?" A voice said from behind him. Johnny opened his eyes, his smile faltering just slightly as he raised his head. A single pair of footsteps came from behind him and stopped at his right side. He turned his head to the right to see Edmund standing there, hands in his coat pockets and eyes looking out into the rubble. He didn't know how long he had been standing there or if he had simply had just walked up; regardless, it was a friendly face nevertheless.

"Feh," Johnny said, turning his head sharply back forwards as he nodded to the rubble. "Not much of a sight, not like it was before. It was better when there was actually something to look at inside of charred rubble."

"Yes, I suppose you're right," Edmund said quietly, turning to face his friend. Johnny looked back over towards him, his face turning in what could be described as a cross between a serious and a sour expression. "You disappeared on us that night. We were wondering when you were going to turn up, if you were ever going to. I figured that you'd be here eventually, if you were still around these parts that is, or even alive. I wouldn't have been surprised if the blast had, indeed, killed you."

"I wouldn't have been surprised, either. I was somewhere else, regaining my thoughts in what you might call between life and death. I thought that I would just stay out of the public view for the time being." The look on Edmund's face told him that it seemed like he knew where Johnny had been for the past two days; it was as though all the shopkeepers on Gaian territory knew what was going on even before the rest of the population did. "I was even hit by rocks coming up this way. Lousy, good-for-nothing punks."

"You'll get more then a handful of pebbles thrown at you, Johnny, if you linger around here much longer. The Gaian Council has issued a memorial gathering here in a few hours, at sunset to be more precise, and there will be more then just a few passer-bys here," Edmund said, nodding to the rubble. "The Council saw it fitting to hold it here instead of at the port. I suggest you leave now before anyone else catches you here. You never know what they might do to you?"

"Why is that?" He asked, narrowing his eyes. "Isn't there any place that people aren't trying to force me out of? First Logan kicked me out after he helped me, now you."

"It is not that any of us are trying to force you out of here. Not even Logan would have the heart to force anyone out of his home, no matter what person had done. That's perhaps why no one else knew where you were until just this morning. The way Ruby can get things out of people is amazing." He sighed, trying to force down a chuckle. "It is that there are people who would hang, shoot, stab, and punch you to death in less then a minute given the chance to do so, even before you could say a word of forgiveness to them. They want your blood, Johnny, and they want it soon. if they see you here, it is like open fishing season. You are the worm on the hook and the bass are those that want you dead."

Johnny let up on his expression, lowering his eyes as he did. He knew that there were many Gaians that did not like him, perhaps because of his wealth or even because of his actions that had more then just a few ripples in the ocean. Then, he hadn't cared one bit, knowing full well that no one could harm him while he still had power. Now it was as though it was open season on him, as though he was just a punching bag just waiting to be hit. The rocks would be just the beginning of it; what else did the Gaian population have in store for him, once they found him in hiding?

"What about you?" He asked, shifting his weight from one foot to the other as he raised his eyes. He found that he couldn't look his friend in the eye, not now.

"What about me?" Edmund asked. "If you are asking if I would turn my back and take part in the hunt for you, then no. Not fully, I can't. I've known you too long to turn away without at least helping you in some way, but I can't ignore what you have done. I doubt’s anyone else can either."

"I don't ask anyone to ignore it, Edmund, nor do I ask the same from you. I know it happened. All I want is to be...." He stopped right there, unable to speak the last few words. He wanted to be left alone is what he wanted to say, wanted to mean it with every fiber in his body. The expressions on those Gaian's faces was enough for him to see the hatred in their eyes; it was as though he could see into their minds through their faces. If that was what only a couple of them though and could do to him, then what was stopping anyone else from doing the same thing, if not worse?

And it seemed like Edmund understood him, without the actual words being spoken. He smiled that understanding, nodding his head twice with the same understanding that was on his face. Deep down, Johnny knew, that there was something else lurking that he just couldn't see. Something else that was troubling him more then just what had happened several days before. He wasn't going to ask into it, not at this point. Maybe, down the line once everything had calmed down a bit, then he would inquire, but it was not the right time to do so.

"You know there will be people asking about you. They'll come to us for answers and whether or not they can be answered truthfully is up to the others. I'll try to keep any prying minds at bay as much as I can, but there is only so much I can do. You can't expect the others to be thinking along the same lines as me."

"I know I can't," He said, thankful at there was least one person who wouldn't go after him with a pitchfork and torch in his hands. He was even more grateful that someone would keep curious minds occupied for the time being, even if he were to crack down eventually. It would give him enough time to get away, until he knew it was safe to come back.

"Where are you going to go? There aren't many places to hide in and there are only so little places to stay." If he could read Edmund's expression at the moment, he would have seen a twinge of worry in his features. Although there wasn't much he could do for Johnny, and he still felt angry inside, at least he could know where he was going to be so that it would ease his mind. He wouldn't even say anything, as promised, to those that asked.

"I don't know, Edmund. I honestly don't know. I'll find someplace to hide for a little while, maybe north of the Reclaimation Facility, but I can't tell you if I don't know myself," Johnny said with a sigh. Edmund nodded, accepting the answer for the time being. He knew that this man had some sort of plan and was not about to tell, just in case there were any prying ears around.

"Take care of yourself, then. This world isn't the place you knew of before it happened. It is hostile, so be careful. You never know who you'll run into next," Edmund said with a brief smile. He turned around towards the port-side of the island, walking quickly towards the Marketplace. There was no telling when the two would see each other again or if they would ever; all that mattered was that things were now changed, for better or for worse.

****

Meredith stood not far from the bank's doors, arms crossed tightly over her chest and eyes staring outside with a scowl on her face. She had watched Edmund walk past these same doorways without so much as a glance towards them, perhaps going to see for himself if the paper was true or not. If he was, then she wondered why he had not done it sooner since it wouldn't be odd for someone to see the same thing he was going to see. If he wasn't then, he sure was a long ways away from Durem and it was a long walk back to there.

Not even ten minutes had passed, and she had checked the clock above the doorway just to make sure, and he was now walking back to the port, as if he had seen enough for one day. It wouldn't surprising if he had met someone there, perhaps to give a warning to that same someone that he passed by. Her scowl deepened at the thought, knowing how very well might be standing there at the rubble, alone and mourning something that shouldn't have been in those hands to begin with.

She still stood there, unmoving, a few moments later, just watching the long-since gone retreating back of Edmund that had disappeared into a boat that would take him back to the Port of Gambino. She wanted to go after him, to see what he was up to, to see if there was anything that he could tell her about what he had seen and what he had said. And, yet, she remained rooted to the spot where she stood, unable to even forcibly move her body out the doors and run after him for much-needed information. What caused her to stay put, she did not know, but it was something that she would have to understand later when there was more then one person that she could test wild and outlandish theories upon.

"I have half of a mind to go after that man and make him talk," She growled, her expression not easing up. "He has something hidden up his sleeve and that is what I want to know."

"Well, what would he know?" Sasha asked innocently enough, Meredith tapping her fingers upon her crossed arms. She had come into the bank not long before Edmund had come onto the island, looking more then just a little afraid at the fact that there was no one there other then the few wandering souls out and about and those that were behind the counters in the shops. Meredith didn't blame her; although the bank go less visitors then other places, it was enough to keep her mind on things that didn't need to be wandering about. They both had stood back and watched Edmund walk from where both knew he was coming from, wondering the same thing: had he gone to the mansion's rubble for a reason other then to just see it?

"Everything, Sasha. Everything. Edmund's almost like a mini version of Gambino himself, but with less power to abuse." Meredith turned around to face the other woman, her scowl not softening "He knows something about Johnny Gambino, and I'll be damned if he won't talk about it. Not even Ruby can get anything out of him and she is notorious for getting things out of people."

"I suppose that's what motherhood does to people," Sasha said wistfully, looking up at the ceiling. Perhaps it was because she could not stand the scowl that was coming her way, or it was because another reason altogether; either way, she couldn't look Meredith directly in the face. It was as though there was something in her eyes that would give something away, something that she could not tell. "I think Agatha might know something as well."

"Yes, that woman knows something, but what? It is not like she is the closest one to him." She turned back around to the doorway, watching the stillness of the island that was beyond the doors. It was odd to see little to no people outside during this time of year, regardless of the cold nip that was in the November air. The island's weather was always a few degrees colder then the inland during the fall and winter months, but the rest of the year was in beautiful splendor. Even those that did not like the warmth of the air or the coldness of the wind would come out just to mill around the Marketplace or walk around the small beach.

"Ask her, then, if you want to know. I doubt there will be anyone coming here in the next few hours, so now would be a good time," Sasha said with a nod as she lowered her gaze down from the ceiling. Meredith looked over her shoulder to give her a fleeting look and a frown that only deepened her scowl.

"No, Sasha. I can't ask what's going on inside one person's head to another. Besides, if I did ask, she wouldn't talk to me about it either, even if my intentions were just for information." It was a brilliant plan, really, to ask someone what was going on behind the scenes. Maybe then they could get a straight answer from that person, but it would be hard to accomplish. However, there were drawbacks to everything and those drawbacks outweighed her desire to know things. Besides, if Ruby couldn't persuade anyone to give information, then how could she, Meredith, do it?

****

Edmund straightened his overcoat as he stepped out of the boat, in which he had taken from the island to the port, glancing around the barely alive port. There were a few lurkers here and there, one couple with a pair of binoculars and taking turns gazing towards the island itself. Whether or not they were able to see far or what they were actually looking for, he didn't know nor care. What others did was not his concern and it would never be. He had his own things to worry about as he placed his hands into his coat pockets and strolled down towards Bass'ken Lake.

It was quiet around the port whereas it usually was bustling with those that were waiting to catch the next boat to the island. this was a little too quiet for his tastes, even on days that were too cold to venture out into. He was used to the crowds in Durem, where lunch-goers gathered around cafe's and donut shops for a quick meal before heading back to work or to wherever else they had to go. His version of quiet was when it was early morning and he could enjoy his coffee in peace without anyone else around him until he opened his store. Maybe it was just him, or the aftershock of what ha happened; whatever it was, he was going back to what he was used and quickly before he could be asked any questions.

It was this quietness that allowed Edmund's mind to wander on things of long ago, when he was a fair few years younger. He smiled to himself on those memories, mechanically taking his right hand out of his pocket and rubbing the scar just below his hairline. It took him a moment to realize that he was doing it, frowning as he stopped and lowered his hand down to eye-level. It was as though he could still see the blood that had once come from this very scar in which he had gotten so many years ago and this was the only visible sign of troubles of the past. It was a visible sign to the world, but there were other things that weren't so visible.

Edmund lowered his arm, closing his eyes tightly and shaking his head hard. No, he couldn't think of that at the moment, not now. It was all he could do to keep himself from reliving the moment in his mind over and over again, as though it was only yesterday. If this past Halloween would be remembered as the day countless lives were lost, then the day he and others had lived through would always be remembered as the day that Gaia lost it's innocence.

"He is up there, isn't he?" A familiar voice asked from in front of him. Edmund's eyes snapped open to see Leon standing not far from him, eyes staring past him as though he really wasn't there. He was not in his armor as he usually was, but rather in a pair of loose fitting jeans and a long winter's coat that came to his knees. Edmund continued to frown, wondering just how long Leon had been standing there. "If you say he was, or even still is, then that'll save me a trip up to the island to see. No, it's not for me---it's for Rina. That woman never seems to give me a break, even when she is not dragging me shopping with her on my days off---or whenever she gets a chance."

"Yes, he is still. And, no, I don't know where he is going to head next or what he is going to do, so don't ask," Edmund said coldly, putting his hand back into his pocket and started to walk down the path again, moving past Leon without even a look towards him. He did not want to talk to anyone and he kept his promise to Johnny that he would keep prying minds at bay as long as he could.

"I know what you were thinking of, Edmund," The guild keeper said softly, just loud enough for the other to hear him. Edmund stopped once again, silently cursing himself. He turned halfway around, head turned fully towards the back of Leon, who's shoulders slumped slightly. If he could see his face at the moment, there would have been a look of longing and pain mixed in with determination. "Scars on the outside fade with time, but those on the inside never do."

"You were a child then, Leon. Barely over the age of twelve, if I remember correctly. Rina was eight then, or just about to celebrate her eighth birthday. Heh, even then she followed you around like a love-struck puppy," Edmund said slowly, his frown loosening. It was times in which his own memories got in the way of other things that he had to remember, of those that suffered even greater things. He watched as one of Leon's hands moved up to his neck instinctively, as though he was trying to adjust something on his coat. "There was little you could have done. Even I couldn't do the things that people twice my age were doing to help those in need, so there was nothing a twelve-year old could do to stop things from happening."

"There was something I could have done. I was not a helpless child that day," Leon growled, spinning around quickly. Barely sticking out of his coat was a medium-sized chain , his hand clasped around the bottom of it as if it had broken. Edmund's brow scrunched up, walking the short distance between the two of them.

"Leon, remove your hand," He said softly, attempting to meet his gaze. Leon lowered his eyes instead, his hand lingering on the chain for a moment more before he opened his hand and let his arm fall to his side. Hanging neatly upon the silver chain was a platinum band with a small flower on one side of it and a onyx stone laying upon the middle of it. If Edmund could, he would have reached out and touched the ring to make sure it was real. "I remember that ring. Agatha had spent weeks perfecting it. Where did you get it from?"

Remaining quiet, Leon continued to stare down at the ground, his whole face changing. Instead of looking as though he was set on doing something, there were hints that tears would start to form at the bases of his eyes at any moment. His hands balled into fists, his body shaking not from the cold but from something else that only Edmund seemed to know of. He did not speak for several more moments until he raised his gaze up from the ground to finally meet the other's own eyes.

"My mother gave it to me, just before she died. Had I not been foolish then, she would still be here and it would still be on her finger. I won't make the same mistakes again." Tucking the chain and ring underneath his coat, his face hardening to stone, he walked past Edmund without another word, going as quietly as he had come, coming towards the lake. Edmund watched him go, his face softening and a small smile coming upon his lips. He could not blame Leon for things that he was blaming himself for; no child should have to see death right in front of them.

Especially when it was one of their own kin.

****

It seemed like the whole Gaian population had gathered from all around the Gaian Territory upon the island that had been deserted only hours earlier, from as far as the outskirts of Durem to within the safe walls of Barton Town. Hundreds had gathered around a small man-made platform that stood in front of what used to be Gambino's Mansion, where the Gaian Council was sitting quietly on chairs, watching people pour in from boats that came from the port. They had somber looks upon their faces, each looking like it was an expression that was forced upon their faces. The Gaian's that were gathering there did not seem to notice, as they came together and talked amongst themselves.

Some looked closely at the remains that laid before them, looking skeptical at first at this place, where once there had been something so magnificent that once stood there. They eyed it, wondering if they were being lead into a joke that went horribly wrong or Halloween had been extended a few extra days. Others were seeing this place for the first time since Halloween, not believing it until they actually saw it for themselves. That was when they muttered unheard things to themselves, nodding to things that only they could hear.

All were given golden candles upon arriving on the island, for when the sun would sheath itself in the water so that the candle-light memorial would begin. Some pocketed the candles, not intent on allowing them to be lit on this night but rather to use them for a later purpose. Guards roamed the beach, keeping a sharp eye on those that wandered upon the island and around the platform the Council sat upon. If anything went wrong, then they would be the first to know and the first to act. It did not get quiet, or as quiet as it could be, until the first candles started to be lit.

Sundown did not seem to slow enough for some, as the sun gently hit the lapping water. There was still enough light to go by to get home for those that did not want to stay or to do some last minute things before the memorial, but not a lot that it drowned out the flickering candles that were being lit. One by one, the gold candles were lit until the very last few were now burning dully. It gave a shadowed look across each Gaian's face that gathered there, giving them a more hallowed look. Even this night, it deepened the features of all who were present.

One by one, the members of the Gaian Council stood and spoke briefly, all remembering those that could not make it out on that Halloween night. No sooner did one sit down then another stood up to take that person's place; there were those in the crowd that did not realize just how big the Council was until it had gathered right in front of them. They had thought there were only a few altogether; now they saw that there was far more then what they had originally thought.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Lanzer stood up from his seat after the last Council member had spoken, a rather large roll of parchment in his right hand. He stood there without word, his eyes moving across the crowd that was now watching him, gripping the roll tightly in his hands. He had a worn look about him, as though he had not slept in days. Whether or not he had was not the point; what was that he was there, waiting for the last bits of conversation to stop so that he could speak.

"I thank you all for coming here. I know it must be hard for those that lost someone on Halloween, but at least it is a step into the direction of the future," He said hoarsely, his voice sounding just as tired and worn as his face did. "There is so much other things I would like to say right now, but please forgive me if I do not say the same speeches my fellow Gaian Council members have said. Instead, I have a list of those that left us to go to another place and to the soil beneath our feet."

He unrolled the parchment and let the bottom slide to the platform below him and began to read the names off of it. Some Gaian's cried upon hearing a single name as they were read, while others stood stoically by as each name was called, numb to everything that was going on around them. The rest stood silently by without much care, a few muttering to themselves once again or to others, partly glad that they knew none of the names on the list. It was a sign that they could at least forget some of what happened and move on with their lives without a passing thought on this moment.

When the very last name had been called, the sun had all but dipped it's last bit of golden rays upon Isle de Gambino. Lanzer muttered a few other words to the crowd before bowing his head and rolling up the parchment; the rest of the Gaian Council did the same, muttering the same words Lanzer had just spoken. Many in the crowd did not say anything, instead only bowing their own heads for a single moment. This moment would symbolize a passing day when all came together for only a few seconds of silence, to remember those who were gone from the same plain in which the remaining dwelled upon.

When the moment passes just as slowly as the sunset had, all raised their heads with somber faces and eyes ablaze. Perhaps it was the candles that they held in their hands or it was another fire inside them that burned; whatever it was, there were several that now had a resolve to find the man responsible for this. Others did not feel the same anger inside, instead only shrugging it off as they slowly moved away from where the Gambino Mansion once stood. There were even others that whispered quietly to themselves, about how they were going to find the same man, who others wanted dead, and help bring him back into power.

Whatever their future intentions were, it would not begin that night.