[Kingdom of Rymis, Haradi]
In Haradi, the enchanting songs of birds from the surrounding forest echoed through the bare branches, lightening the murmur of the streams that bordered Marshal's open-air dojo. Leaves, in warm tones of red, orange, and yellow, created a multicolored carpet on the ground, while the timid rays of the sun filtered through the branches, bringing a soft, golden light. The scene was imbued with an ambiance of peace and tranquility, capable of softening any troubled heart.
Inside, Jacob lay sprawled on the ground, still clad in his dark green kimono, gazing up at the blue sky where birds soared above the building. The joy and cheer that once filled his face had vanished, replaced by a mask void of emotion and dark circles under his eyes.
"I... I want to go home..." he mumbled.
His voice had changed, too; it was weak, tired, and broken by sobs and cries of despair.
"Marshal... please..."
Jacob raised his arm to the sky, a tear rolling down his cheek.
"Please... I beg of you... come back..."
What was most heart-wrenching was the sight of his parched cheeks. Jacob had been overwhelmed by his emotions for days, neglecting to drink or eat.
"I wanted to show you my world... I wanted to live with you... I wanted to learn from you... I wanted to eat with you... I wanted to have fun with you... Marshal... please, answer me... please, say something..."
Then, unexpectedly, Marshal's voice echoed near the entrance:
"Jacob? Why are you sprawled on the ground?"
Startled, Jacob turned to see the esteemed figure of Marshal, standing there, his form bathed in golden sunlight. Jacob couldn't believe his eyes: there was his mentor, holding a bag of provisions.
"Ma-Ma-Marshal! You... you..."
"Yes? What is it, my pupil?"
"I..."
Words failed Jacob as tears flooded his cheeks. Suddenly, he rushed towards Marshal, stumbling over and over, locking his gaze intensely onto his mentor's.
"Jacob?"
When he reached him, Jacob leaped into Marshal's arms. Marshal couldn't comprehend the scene unfolding before him. Jacob's sorrow was so profound that it resonated within Marshal's heart. But Jacob clung to him, squeezing as tight as he could, over and over.
"Marshal! I'm so sorry! I've failed miserably! Forgive me. I should've protected you at the cost of my life, I should've proven myself worthy of you, I should've fought to the death, I should've—"
"Jacob. Listen to me, please. This wasn't your fault."
"But you died because of me! If only I had used 'Deity Battle' sooner, you'd still be alive! I'm worthless! I'm unworthy of being your student! I... I left you for dead, damn it! I'm just a loser who can't even harness his powers!"
"You're not to blame," Marshal consoled, stroking his head. "Jacob, you fought valiantly! You're strong, brave, and disciplined. You deserved to be my pupil... Even though we only knew each other for a week, know that the last moments of my life were the best. I truly saw you as my son, and hearing you berate yourself breaks my heart...
"Marshal, I..."
"Jacob, I sacrificed myself. It was my choice. I did it so you could live, thrive, learn from your mistakes, and grow. I left you the Adaken and my legacy..."
Marshal's form began to evaporate from Jacob's embrace.
"Marshal... no... please don't leave! DON'T LEAVE ME! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"So... my son, live a happy life and cherish every moment as if it's your last..."
"M-MARSHAL, NO! PLEASE! STAY WITH ME! I BEG YOU!"
"May I ask you a favor?"
Though Marshal was fading, he placed his hand on Jacob's cheek, wiping away his tears.
"Anything you wish!"
"I always wanted a son... so... may I call you Jacob Anabito?"
"Yes... it would be an honor to bear that name! I will wear it proudly! I will shout it from the rooftops of every city!
"Thank you..."
A smile and a tear graced Marshal's face.
"Goodbye... Jacob... my son! Be happy..."
"NO! MARSHAL! DON'T LEAVE ME!"
As Marshal's form finally vanished, Jacob collapsed, consumed by his profound grief.
"NOOO!!!", he cried out.
Jacob's devastating cry echoed for miles, sending birds fleeing from the bare-limbed trees. Swallowing the lump of sorrow in his throat, he lifted his head for the last time, summoning Igdifir with a wave of his hand. Igdifir emerged from a cluster of pixels, standing beside Jacob, powerless in the face of the scene unfolding.
"Igdifir! Fetch Marshal! Please!"
"Jacob... you should rest."
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! MARSHAL WILL BE GONE! HURRY!"
"I'm sorry... but... Marshal won't be coming back."
In a fit of rage, Jacob grabbed Igdifir by the neck, his gaze intense.
"STOP TAKING ME FOR A FOOL! MARSHAL WAS RIGHT HERE A FEW MOMENTS AGO!"
Gently, Igdifir released Jacob's grip, lowering his head. "Jacob... you haven't eaten or drunk anything in three days. What you saw was an illusion created by your mind."
"NO! HE WAS THERE! I FELT HIS WARMTH! I HELD HIM... I... I held him..."
Jacob's voice broke, turning his hands over as if still feeling the ghost of Marshal's presence.
"I held him..." he sobbed, "I held him, Igdifir... and then he was gone..."
Looking up at Igdifir, confusion painted his face. "Igdifir... tell me he was there... I don't want to lose my mind..."
"When we lose someone dear, grief can conjure vivid memories... and sometimes, those memories can feel like the real thing."
"But he was there! I felt him! I touched him!"
"..."
Jacob crumbled to the ground, shaking hands gripping the earth as tears streamed down his face.
"Jacob... I'm sorry. Marshal isn't coming back. Death is final. Nobody can—"
"THEN TELL ME WHY ALORA WAS RESURRECTED BUT NOT HIM?! WHY DID ALL OF HARADI COME BACK TO LIFE BUT NOT HIM?! WHY DID EVERYONE RETURN BUT NOT HIM?!"
"You heard the words of Gwendoline's entity clearly..."
"SO WHAT?! WITH HER MAGIC, SHE COULD'VE BROKEN THE PACT BETWEEN THE ARCHANGELS AND MARSHAL!"
"Jacob... do you realize the gravity of what you're saying?"
Jacob took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself. An agonizing silence ensued, broken only by Jacob's soft cries. Igdifir blinked out of existence, not as a turned-off device but rather a brief teleportation. He reappeared holding a plate of meat and vegetables in one hand and a glass of water in the other. Gently, Igdifir kneeled, offering sustenance.
"Jacob, you need to eat and rest."
"I'm not hungry..." Jacob's voice trembled, "I just want to see Marshal again..."
"I understand how hard this is for you. On Earth, you've never experienced loss like this. Here, on Trillia, you've only seen the wonders - the powers, the status, the dreamy aspects reminiscent of manga and anime. But this is reality, and it rarely goes smoothly."
"I just wanted to be happy... to live out my dreams..."
"You're still young, only 15. Any teenager might've done the same."
"Igdifir... I want to go home... to see my room... to forget all of this..."
"I know... but it's not possible."
Carefully, Igdifir opened Jacob's mouth, making him drink.
"Come on... you need to eat and drink. Whether you want to or not."