The Inner Gambit of Darkness - Continued (Part 2)

"Are you two okay?" Gwene said, her eyes red also from the tears she had been wiping away.

"Yes," Celeste said, but the sound of her voice suggested otherwise.

Gwene seperated from Konbei and went to hug Celeste "I'm so sorry, I wish I could have done more."

Celeste shook her head. "It's okay. Nuala told me what happened. Nothing could have been done..."

"Are you alright," Nuala said quietly to Konbei who just glanced at her and nodded.

Gwene still held Celeste, wanting to comfort her as much as she could.

"Can we go please?" Celeste managed to say.

Gwene nodded, she looked over at Nuala and Konbei.

Nuala nodded and let the others go ahead.

Gwene wrapped her arms around Celeste's shoulders and walked her away with Konbei.

Nuala went over and crossed Praenuntius' hands across his chest. She placed her hand over his and let soft wisps of darkness wrap around his body, and then fade away with the wind. When he was gone, Nuala's hand dropped to the ground and Praenuntius' initials appeared in small, elegant letters on a nearby rock with phrase "moriendo renascor" beneath them. The phrase stood for the new way Nuala now remembered her father.

She stayed for a moment longer and then got up to follow the others.

(Moriendo renascor: In death I am reborn)

Gwene didn't know where to take them, she just walked with them until they had reached the Kakariko Inn. "I'll get us a couple of rooms, shall I?" Gwene walked inside and got two seperate rooms. She gave a key to Celeste and Gwene went up to the other room.

Nuala paid for her own room and said goodnight to Celeste and Konbei before she and Celeste retreated to their respective room and Konbei followed Gwene.

Gwene was already lying in bed, her clothes and weapons laying in the ground beside her, when Konbei walked in she looked at him, still very sorry for what had happened.

Konbei glanced at her with a sad look as he walked out to the balcony overlooking the village.

Gwene couldn't help but sigh, she knew he was hurting. She climbed out of bed and put her shirt on, she walked around in front of him and wrapped her arms around his waist, she wanted to hold him, to let him know that everything was going to be okay.

Konbei barely acknowledged Gwene's presence, but he felt a little better with her there. However there was nothing she could do; he felt weak. He'd never seen his mother so upset before and it pained him not to be able to make it better. He was weak and useless and everything was starting to get to him.

Gwene looked up at him and kissed him on the cheek. "Everything will be fine."

"No it won't, everything is going wrong," Konbei sighed.

"Don't think like that." Gwene pleaded "Please, we have to stay positive about everything."

She wished she could follow her own advice.

"I don't feel strong anymore. Everyday our lives are being threatened by creatures from the Evil Realm and I haven't defeated any of them, I doubt I could even beat Deserax today," Konbei admitted.

She pulled him closer "But you are, you're the strongest man I have ever known, and I'm glad I have you to protect me and the others." she paused "Deserax is a brute, plain and simple, he is only coming along to satisfy his own selfish intentions, to get stronger, whereas you are actually fighting for something." she kissed him again "True strength comes from the heart, not muscles and sword skills. Remember that."

Konbei listened to her, but found it very hard to believe her last statement. If he wasn't physically strong, he was worthless.

"Hold me." Gwene asked. "Please, it makes me feel safer."

Konbei silently wrapped his arms tightly around Gwene and leant on the railing.

Gwene leant her head against his chest and shut her eyes. She knew how strong he really was, even if the world felt like it was against him right now. "I love you." she said, without thinking.