The headed west to the Kamalyan Lake and arrived at nightfall. The lake was glowing in an unnatural way than an ordinary lake. Across the lake was the cave the butcher described. "We can't cross the lake so we'll have to go around it",said Grim. "Giddy up then",said El. They rode round the lake to the other side. They tried entering with the horses but it wouldn't fit, so they tied them to a tree and left them. "Guess we'll have to complete the journey on foot", said El. On the other side of the cave was Widow's Garden."So this is the infamous Widow's Garden ",said El. "I thought it'd be spookier ",said Grim. "Yh, me too. It's more magical ". The garden was filled with many species of flowers,each with its own abilities."You see anything here that looks like a widow's wail kind of flower?",said Grim. "I dunno. It'd probably look pale and old", replied El."Or maybe something like that ",said Grim, pointing to a small group of flowers separated from the rest like a mini garden. "Good, at least you can identify it", said a strange voice. "Who's there?",asked Grim. "Come out where ever you are". "Alright then", replied the strange voice. The witch used her powers to hang them in the air before coming out of the shadows. "What brings you to my garden, humans?",asked the witch. "We're here for a widow's wail ", replied Grim. "A widow's wail?,Hmm. Been a while you lot requested for a wail. What for?",said the witch. "My father ",Grim said, choking. "He's sick.Cancer!". "Cancer?of what kind?",she asked. "Lungs",Grim replied, still choking. "Oh dear, that's a nasty one but nothing my wails can't handle", she said as she released them from her magic. "I'm sure you already know the requirements, don't you?". "Yes", El said, still trying to catch her breath. "Priceless for Priceless",said Grim. "Good",said the witch, smiling now. "And what would you give me that so priceless?". "We were hoping to give you ths Kernobyl, the lost hem we recovered from the lost city. It belonged to...". "I know who it belonged to, human. I've been around a lot longer than you, boy",said the witch. "You're very brave for retrieving it, you and your... companion",she finally added. "Where is it then?". "Uh....see the thing is we actually....kinda...". "LOST IT", they both said. The widow laughed hysterically. "So why'd you bother coming at all?To die?Do you have anything else to offer?". Grim sighed reluctantly and said,"I will give you...". "...my life", El interrupted. "Ouuuu", the witch exclaimed, smiling. "El. What the fuck?", Grim asked, holding her by her shoulders "I grew up in a prison-of -a-castle, Grim. All I wanted was an adventure and a real familly. Within this short period of time you all gave me that. You, Pyre, Max, Brida, Mobis and even Ethan. I've got nothing else to loose. I have everything I wanted. Plus I might actually get to meet Pyre if there's a. afterlife. You on the other hand have a lot to loose, your father for example. I can't stand and watch you loose him and your future "."I'm gonna miss you El. You've been a great friend to me",He said hugging her tight and weeping. "I'll miss you too", replied El. "I'll never forget you. You will always be in my heart". "If you're done with your whinnings, can we get this over with? I haven't got all day",said the witch sighing impatiently. "Hey!! How I know I can trust you?", yelled Grim. The witch laughed and said "What choice do you have?". "It's okay Grim", said El. "Whenever you're ready girl"."I'm ready ",said El. "Finally! That's the spirit. Hold still, this won't take long ".The witch cast her spells on El, draining the life out of her and all Grim could do was watch until all that was left of her was her body, lifeless on the ground.He rushed to where she lay and held her under his arms. "El", he said touching her right cheek, she was so cold, so fast. "She's not coming back, boy". "A deal is a deal", he said, looking up at her with anger burning in his eyes. "Indeed", she said smiling, "Here's your price", she handed the wail over to him. Hearing the word "Prize" was like driving a dagger through his heart because if what it cost him to get it "Alright, chop chop. Time to go, boy, I haven't fed my pets in hours",said the witch. "He was still there. Are you going to move or do I have to move you myself?". Reluctantly, ths got up on his feet. "Can I at least bury the body?"."I have no use for it, boy. Do as you please, now go". As he was about leaving the cave with El the witch called out to him from inside the cave. "Boy!". He turned his head to the left "There's a reason why it's called Widow's Wail",said the Witch. Grim said nothing.
He rode back to Valstock within three days. His father's sickness had grown worse. Doctors said he wouldn't survive another day. His mother had been worried sick of him and also of Grim's whereabouts especially when she read his letter he left for her. But there he was standing on her doorstep. He'd aged quite a bit. It'd been a month or two, no one really kept track. But he was there and that was more important. "You're back", his mother exclaimed. "Yes I am". "Did you get it?". "Yes mother. Quickly, soak it in water and give father to drink, pluck a little of it". The mother did so and gave it to the Father to drink. The doctor came in to check on his Dad and found them giving him the wail."You got it",the doctor said."Remarkable. You really are something, Grimlock"."How long will it take to heal him?". "Well no one has used Widow's Wail in centuries but based on old studies, I'd say within two days", replied the doctor. "Great". His father coughed. "Father,Father". "Grim....Did you get it?....Did you get the wail?"."Yes Father", replied Grim. "At what cost?",asked the Father. There was a long pause in the room. Finally, Grim replied "The lives of my friends".
Grim took El's body to her parents to bury. Her parents had also been worried about her whereabouts."She died a hero", Grim said. "She deserves a proper burial". He also did his best to console the parents of his other friends and making them see their kids for the heroes that they were.Two days passed and Grim's father was fully recovered from lung cancer. There was joy and celebration in the ousee of Hagelswith.