After a week since my dad's death...
Things at home only seemed to worsen.
My mom decided she wouldn't eat anymore. She stopped working, and it was clear she wished I hadn't saved her life. Often, I could hear her crying from her room. Every time I walked near her door, trying to muster the courage to comfort her my hand would freeze on the door handle. Inevitably, I would turn away.
My tears always threatened to betray me... but I dared not let them fall. I felt weaker than ever my heart shattered into more pieces than I had thought possible.
How useless I felt.
The video of my dad being slaughtered by the sinner was caught by the security cameras at the company. She was a girl with long, yellow hair that fell in waves down her back her face a mask of cold determination.
The footage was uploaded online and went viral, spreading faster than I could have imagined. Seeing that video a fire ignited within me.
The image of my dad's brutal end the helplessness I felt it all transformed into a burning resolve.
"Dad, it seems you can't stop me now," I whispered to myself my voice steely with new-found purpose.
"Now I have a reason to become a Guardian. I will take revenge. I will destroy and slaughter those so-called Sinners. I will tear down the system... and all the devils who make humanity's life hellish.
Just then, the previous day, my mom emerged from her room.
I could hardly believe it - after a week without eating, she looked so frail and gaunt, her eyes sunken with deep wrinkles etched by days of grief and hunger.
Her appearance was a stark contrast to the vibrant woman I once knew.
Despite her fragile state, a flicker of hope sparked within me. Maybe things would start to get better.
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.
I went to check who it was and was stunned to see three men, all wearing black suits.
They looked impeccably dressed, their dark suits crisp and professional, each with a solemn expression.
One of them stepped forward and showed me an ID card from Aleca Company.
I quickly let them in, and my mom, with a surprising burst of energy, prepared chairs for them to sit on.
"Do you want anything to drink?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly.
The man who seemed to be the leader cleared his throat.
"No, ma'am, we're okay. We are from the Aleca Company. We are deeply sorry about your husband's death."
I tried to signal to him not to mention it, but he didn't seem to notice.
"It's okay. I know," my mom responded, surprising me with her composure.
The man continued, "Because of his dedication and hard work, the company will cover all the expenses for his funeral, no matter the cost. Additionally, we will take care of all of Louis's education and everything he needs."
He paused, then added, "Your husband also made an investment with the company, and he used that to buy a house in the capital city."
My mom stared at me, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"He kept that from me," she said, her voice a mix of surprise and light anger. "I would have dealt with him if he were still alive."
The man then asked, "When do you plan to arrange the funeral, ma'am?"
"Tomorrow," she said firmly. "I want to start a new life as soon as possible, because the past always... weighs too heavily."
The three men stood up and bowed respectfully as she led them to the door and closed it behind them.
As I watched her, I felt a surge of love and admiration.
Despite everything, she was trying to come back to life, to be strong for us.
And for that, I was immensely grateful.
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The day of the funeral arrived, and Louis was taken aback by the number of people who attended. He hadn't realized how many friends and acquaintances his father had. The small church was filled with somber faces, each person paying their respects to a man who had clearly touched many lives.
The service began with a gentle hymn, the soft strains of music filling the air and mingling with the sounds of quiet weeping. The pastor, a dignified man with a kind face, stepped up to the podium. He spoke warmly of Louis's father, highlighting his dedication, hard work, and the love he had for his family.
"We gather here today to remember a man who gave so much of himself to those around him. His generosity, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to his family and his work are what defined him. He was a pillar of strength and a beacon of hope for many."
As the pastor spoke, Louis felt a mixture of pride and sorrow swell within him. The words seemed to capture the essence of his father, yet also reminded him of the profound loss.
The pastor continued, "In times of sorrow, we must remember that death is not the end, but a transition. Our loved ones live on in the memories we hold, in the lessons they taught us, and in the love they shared. We must find solace in the fact that while they have left this world, their spirit and impact remain with us, guiding us through our days. He now rests in peace, free from the pains of this world, but forever in our hearts."
Louis's mother, Maria, approached the coffin with a rose in her hand. Her steps were slow, her body frail from the week of grief and fasting. She placed the rose gently on the coffin and then, overcome with emotion, she broke down, crying uncontrollably. Uncle Perry, her brother, was by her side immediately, holding her tightly and whispering comforting words, "It's going to be okay. We'll get through this together."
Louis followed, his heart heavy. As he placed his rose on the coffin, the memory of his father's brutal end flashed before his eyes. The image of the girl with long yellow hair, her cold, determined face, ignited a fierce anger within him. He clenched his fists, his mind racing with a burning resolve.
Standing over his father's coffin, he made a silent vow: **"I will find the girl and end her. I will destroy the system that allows such evil to thrive. I will end every devil and sinner, wiping them from this world."**
The pastor's voice brought him back to the present. "Let us pray," he said, and the congregation bowed their heads. The prayer was one of hope and healing, asking for strength for the family and peace for the departed.
After the service, the pallbearers carried the coffin to the gravesite. Maria's sobs echoed in the quiet of the cemetery, each cry a testament to her love and loss. Louis stood by her side, his resolve hardening with each passing moment.
As the coffin was lowered into the ground, Maria clung to Uncle Perry, her grief overwhelming. Louis stood still, watching the final moments of the ceremony. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—grief, anger, and a newfound purpose.
He whispered to himself, "I will make sure his death was not in vain. I will fight, I will avenge, and I will protect. No matter what it takes."
The ceremony ended, and people slowly began to leave, offering their condolences to Louis and his mother. As they walked back to the car, Louis felt the weight of his promise settle on his shoulders. He knew the path ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but he was ready to face it head on.