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No one saw it coming.
News Flash: “VIL SCHOENHEIT PASSED AWAY WHILE FILMING FOR A NEW MOVIE!!!”
It was just an accident. A simple accident really. They were in another land filming, and something very casual happened.
It cost the movie star his life in less than 10 seconds. The news immediately shocked the world. His large fanbase was plunged into darkness.
Pomefiore Housewarden Epel was in the midst of Spelldrive practice, flying around on his broom. His prized pupil Axel, diagnosed with the chronically online disease, was the one who told him the news the first time.
The first year, despite not having a single athletic bone in his body, sprinted from his room from the Pomefiore dorm to the Spelldrive training grounds, holding up his phone for his housewarden.
He held his rapid breath when his senior gracefully landed and extended his hand. He surrendered his phone, panting hard.
Epel read the news paper article slowly, verified the source, but didn’t believe it.
“That can’t be right.” He said as Axel stared at him with a sorry expression. “It’s Vil we’re talking about. This…This has to be a mistake. This type of crap…doesn’t happen to Vil.”
“It’s…It’s T-Twisted Wonderland’s number one magazine.” Axel mumbled, looking down. “Epel…”
Epel threw his broom onto the side, handed his student back his phone.
“Epel…”
“Tell the others I’m leaving early.” He said.
Without changing out of his PE uniform, the housewarden ran through the hallways of Night Raven College, bumping into Ortho and almost unscrewing his arm.
“E-Epel felmier-!” Ortho stuttered “I-I was looking for you!”
The look in his robotic friend’s eyes stabbed like a knife into Epel’s heart.
He knew.
Of course Ortho would be of the first to know.
But it can’t be true.
“No-Not right now!” He said, shoving his friend aside to head to the principal.
”PRINCIPAL CROWLEY!!” He yelled once he burst through the door.
Crowley had Crewel, Trein, Sam and Vargas by his side in the reunion. There was an indecipherable look behind his masked eyes. Trein was sat on a chair, arms folded, eyes shut tight as if he was in pain. Lucius was rubbing against his cheek as if trying to take the ache away.
Crewel didn’t have his face turned towards Epel. His body language was tight. He was looking at Crowley, face turned towards the shadows.
Vargas and Sam only looked down.
”We were just wondering how to tell you, little imp.” The younger man said sympathetically. “We were waiting for you.”
Epel stayed at the door, sweaty, repulsive, everything that Vil wouldn’t want him to look like.
He said: “It cannot be true!!! It’s Vil!!”
What even does ‘It’s Vil’ mean…Is if just because to Epel, Vil always seemed like this immortal god? This force of nature, this unmovable boulder??? It never crossed his mind that anything could make him kneel, let alone…end him.
Sevens’ sake, that man jumped down Tartarus and survived!!
Crewel turned to face him, and he could see the traces of tears and sorrow on his face, the slight puffiness of his eyes and his dehydrated lips.
“Schoenheit left us last night. The news was only released this morning.” He said “His father called me yesterday.”
“We checked every source, made many calls…” Crowley said “He’s no longer among us.” He looked at his hands and suddenly let out a sob as tears (fake or real, who knows?) streamed down from his mask. He looked at his gloved hands and lamented “Vil Schoenheit! One of our school’s greatest pride! A great one! A great one! Oh how to cope-!! Such a terrible loss!”
Epel’s heart sank lower and lower.
“E-Epel…” Ortho had chased after his friend and was standing behind Epel at the entrance. “Epel…”
“Ortho…” Epel said, looking back to the flame haired. He was unwilling to believe his teachers, but Ortho, Ortho can look up all the articles of the land in one second. Ortho surely must have the right information. He would believe Ortho. “Is it true?”
“…I am so sorry, Epel.”
And Epel almost collapsed, feeling as if his brain and heart suddenly collided against each other like two planets.
He screamed, he shouted, he demanded a recording of the phone call Crewel received. They all looked at him with eyes full of pity.
When he came back to his dorm after a long discussion with the faculty members about taking a short leave from school to attend the funeral, the entire dorm was already notified of the news.
He came back late, so they left dinner out for him. The students who haven’t retired to their rooms yet, mostly the older ones who were first years with Epel when Vil was still attending NRC, murmured condolences to him. They didn’t bug him too much, but they themselves were in deep sorrow.
The younger ones who never personally knew Vil didn’t bother their seniors. They talked amongst themselves about how much they idolized him and how much of a shame it was, how they were waiting for a chance to meet him. The older ones looked as if they were all poisoned at the same time.
For Epel, it didn’t even sink in yet.
The news may have crushed him, but it still didn’t feel real.
It’s Vil.
THE Vil Schoenheit.
This kind of thing just doesn’t happen to him. Nothing usually happens to him.
He skipped dinner and did his usual routine of checking on every student before going to bed. He talked to them half-heartedly, and they also replied monotonously with something else weighing on their mind. The same thing as him. Some ignored him, already covered by their sheets. He could see them shaking under their covers and hear sniffling. He let them be.
He tried calling Rook afterwards. The hunter wasn’t with Vil during the accident. In fact, they were a continent apart.
In total, he called him 17 times, leaving a voice message with each missed call.
Half of the dorm cried itself to sleep that night. He could hear students getting out of bed to go to the bathroom, wash their face and blow their nose. Some were accompanied by their friends and they whispered to each other the whole way. Epel listened to their grief on the housewarden’s bed, or more specifically, Vil’s old bed.
He still had his makeup on. He didn’t shower yet and was still in uniform, but sleep couldn’t find him.
In times like this, he’d sometimes ring up Vil since talking to his mentor was the exact remedy. Vil used to be able to go on for hours on the same subject and Epel would just fall asleep halfway through. The older was often still awake late at night to study for his roles or to make arrangements with his team and was always willing to spare him a few minutes for extra tips or advice.
After looking at all of the missed calls he sent to Rook, Epel’s finger moved on its own and pressed on Vil’s number.
He realized his mistake, but clinging onto hope, he brought the phone close to his ear. He was hoping for a miracle.
Come on Vil, I
I want to hear your voice again.
You bastard, you’re not dead are you
I can’t believe I’m saying this crap, but I think I need you.
I need your voice. I don’t care for how long you’re going to talk, I just want to hear you.
Talk to me
Come on…Vil.
If you pick up, everything will be okay
The buzzing of the phone went on forever. He waited for Vil to pick up, or maybe for his usual “This is Vil Schoenheit, please leave a message to schedule a callback.”, but for the first time, he received:
This user is no longer available. Please check again if you have the right number or contact our services at *** *** ***.
Epel shut it off, staring at Vil’s number and profile picture in denial.
He called Vil 5 more times and then went back to calling Rook.
He left longer messages the last time, but this time, he just managed to close his eyes and say:
”Rook. It’s Epel. Please…please call me back.”
—
The following morning, he woke up much later, having spent the entire night trying to get ahold of Rook. No one woke him up, in fact, he could tell that most third years haven’t left their beds yet. Only the younger ones were up and were dutifully completing all the duties for the older ones who were in grieving.
At 10 am, Epel called Neige.
He doesn’t even remember when they exchanged numbers, but he had Neige’s.
Neige picked up. His voice was hoarse.
He told Epel about how he wasn’t with Vil when it happened even though they were co-stars in the movie, but he was amongst the first to know along with Vil’s father. He told Epel about his 4 hour long conversation with the movie director last night where he got vivid details of what exactly happened.
Epel felt like screaming, and Neige understood. He ended the call after having shared his condolences along with the details for the funeral and how Vil’s family said that they would welcome anyone from NRC.
Rook never called Epel back.
Epel rose himself from bed, cleaned up his appearance and forced himself to return to his responsibilities as Pomefiore’s housewarden.
Ace, Deuce, Jack, Ortho and lo and behold, Sebek, all visited with the intent to share their condolences and to inquire about the funeral.
Epel personally asked Crowley to let them, along with all the Pomefiore third years who want to, to leave school for a day and go bid their farewells to Vil.
Not only did Crowley agree, but he, Crewel and Trein would be coming with them.
The blue eyed housewarden doesn’t know what to feel, what to say, what to do anymore. Neither did any of his friends. They awkwardly put a hand on his shoulder, pat him, but they all seemed at a loss for words.
“Epel. I scanned you and it looks as if…” Ortho said with concern “You haven’t cried yet.”
It definitely drew all the other’s attention, but it also surprised Epel himself. He didn’t realize that he didn’t cry.
“I mean. Y-you know how my relationship with him was.” He said, hugging himself, looking down “I…Well. It’s…It’s a shame. I don’t know, it hasn’t really sank in yet. He did everything for me, I don’t know why I’m like this. It’s just…It can’t be right, can it? I must be dreaming. And it’s a really bad dream…!”
His heart had been restless ever since he got the news. It was pounding against his ribcage as if he was having a heart attack.
Jack stared at him, and he stared back. Jack had obviously cried. He was after all a childhood friend of Vil’s and was much closer to him than Epel was, but he couldn’t stand the look of pity that his wolf friend was serving him.
In the end, Jack smiled sadly to him and said:
”It will be okay.”
Well! Of course it will be okay, Epel won’t die without Vil. Vil’s already prepared him for everything. He’s now completely independent. He doesn’t need Vil to do anything for him anymore. His job was done.
And it wasn’t as if he wasn’t there to admire his own work. Vil had said multiple times how proud he is of the beautiful young man his little spud grew into. Vil saw his growth and the fruit of his own work.
What more can he ask for??
“Why are you acting as if I’m the only one who lost something?” He snapped, suddenly very annoyed with everyone “You just lost your childhood friend, Jack, go tell that to yourself. And Ace, Deuce, Vil was your teacher too during VDC, don’t look at me like that! And Ortho, you-your brother, Tartarus man!!! Why are you all acting as if…As if I’d feel worst than any of you?!”
It’s probably because they lived together and Vil was basically Epel’s role-model throughout his 3 years at NRC, isn’t it?
”Yeah uh…Hey man…do-do you wanna like… hug?” Ace asked him awkwardly.
He didn’t know which of them was more uncomfortable right there.
Epel looked at him, just brushed him off and left:
”No Ace, fuck off and forget it. I’m fine. We leave early tomorrow.”
He left his friends there.
And he just knew how they were looking at him.
He heard them talk when he was gone.
”Guys, I don’t know, I guess I wouldn’t really cry if something happened to Riddle, but this…This is Vil! Vil and Epel man!”
“Don’t say that Ace, I wouldn’t be able to digest those kind of news if something happened to Riddle personally! He was difficult but he cared about us! Guess same goes for Vil to Epel. Jeez it must be hard on the poor guy!”
“We need to give him space, he’s still under shock. I wouldn’t cry for Leona either, but Vil…It’s Vil. He and Epel were almost always together back in first year.”
“He just needs time. I wouldn’t believe it if it were Malleus either. At the same time, that would never happen to Malleus.”
“Data shows that everyone deals with grief in a different way. I didn’t have a bond with Vil that’s as deep as Epel and him’s but I felt like I could shut down yesterday. Part of it was because I couldn’t imagine how Epel would handle the news.”
Epel sat on the ground, knees brought up to his chest, listening to his friends. He still had a pounding heart and a distracted head. All he could feel was tiredness. He really didn’t know what he was supposed to do in this kind of situation.
Reaching for his phone again, he composed Rook’s number.
“Hey Rook, it’s Epel again…Where are you? D-do you want to talk?”
The funeral was set the following day. Rook still didn’t answer. Vil’s family was oddly efficient with the preparations.
Epel can’t recall the name of the place, but it was a beautiful, big and magnificent building with the burial site being just a yard away. It’s like a privileged people cemetery, where those most deserving (or not) of the most beautiful resting place are buried. Vil’s body would first be showcased in a glass coffin where guests could take turns to say goodbye.
The NRC troupe arrived much earlier than the time set for the ceremony.
They were personally greeted by Eric Venue, whose wife was still too deep in mourning and would come later.
Eric embraced Epel and looked at him fondly. His resemblance to Vil brought chills to the boy who was suddenly glad for the black suit covering his body.
“You must be little Epel.” The man said, in a smooth voice that reminded the young man of his senior “You played one of the most important roles in my son’s life. He was extremely proud of you and who you became. He talked about you all the time.”
Epel didn’t know what to say. He simply bowed his head in respect. All of it was still too unreal. He couldn’t believe the look of loss on Vil’s father’s face. Hell, he couldn’t even look at the man correctly without thinking of Vil and diverting his eyes.
Vil could’ve grown into a man like that. An old actor, still handsome and popular with many adoring fans of all age with his name still being printed everywhere on magazines.
Epel bit his lip and turned away.
Since they came so early, they could all have a moment alone with Vil.
Epel went into the room where he was kept first, since everyone else insisted on him taking all the he needs. Vil was in the front of the room, behind his coffin were rows of chairs.
The room was cold. Cold to preserve the body.
Epel shuddered as he took a step onto the tiled floor.
It was true.
Vil was no longer amongst them.
He lay there on the satin, lifeless in the coffin, dressed in a suit with both arms on his stomach. His iconic braided hairstyle was added to the look. He looked as if he were only sleeping.
The cold washed over the body of the purple haired boy as the feeling of truth came down on him.
His mentor was indeed, dead.
Rook stood in front of the open coffin. Shoulders slumped down, fedora in his hands, in front of Vil, his boyfriend, lover and dearest friend.
The hunter’s eyes were strangely empty, devoid of all the enthusiasm and curiosity they usually carry.
He looked defeated, tired, regretful, and anguished.
Epel almost didn’t notice Neige. The superstar was sitting in the corner of the room, the furthest away from the coffin. He sat, silent, on a chair, arms and legs crossed, head against the wall, not even acknowledging Epel’s presence in the room. His eyes were red and he had obviously not slept last night. No amount of makeup could cover it.
Rook though, Epel can’t tell if he had been crying or not. The hunter stood in front of the body of his beloved, looking down on it with the emptiest of expressions.
Epel wanted to greet him, hug him, but a sense of urgency drove him to the coffin instead. He rushed towards it and looked inside.
There lay his beautiful predecessor.
His one and only mentor.
The one who did everything in his power to make sure that he and his family thrived.
The one with whom he argued the most.
The one without who he wouldn’t be where he is today.
The one he loved like a brother, didn’t treat so as much, but who loved him back the same without ever really showing it.
“V…il.” He struggled to get the name out, staring at Vil’s pale, immobile face.
He remembered that he once came back to the dorm during a class because he forgot something and Vil was there alone, in the common room, asleep on a lounge chair. It was so random, but Epel knew that he wasn’t supposed to be sleeping, so he woke him up, hoping for the chance to call him out for ‘slacking off’.
The first thing Vil did when jolted awake was ask him: “How do I look?”
Epel had rolled his eyes and said: “Seriously? How about you tell me how you ended there in the first place?”
”Tsk. Just tell me, how do I look?”
He vaguely recalled the annoyance that washed through him at that moment, but he also answered appropriately:
”You look beautiful, Vil.”
And Vil smiled at him brightly, absolutely content.
“Vil…” Epel said now, arms resting on the edges of the coffin, looking down at him “Oh, Vil…”
He doesn’t look too different from how he did that other day a few years ago. Just same okd Vil, sleeping.
Pain suddenly filled his chest and he felt like retching. He wanted to see a rise in his senior’s chest, a slow rhythm setting in, but there was nothing. Epel put a careful hand on his chest. His heart didn’t beat anymore no matter how much he wanted Vil to jolt up, look at him frantically and ask: “How do I look?”
The answer would forever remain the same. He would answer that question thousands of time again if given the chance to.
“You look beautiful, Vil.” Epel answered out loud the question that he never heard, and suddenly, his tears poured out in waves, he slumped against the coffin, arms reaching out to his brother’s hair, fixing it as he cried the loudest he’s ever cried. His crues echoed through the room, maybe through the entire building “Even now…You look so so beautiful Vil, absolutely beautiful!”
He thought he didn’t really have anything to say to him. After all, he just…he just didn’t really know what to do.
Now, with tears streaming down his face, he wanted to tell him thank you for everything he did. How good he feels knowing Vil could witness his rise to glory. How he was actually in the wrong for fighting against him during his first year. How big of an impact he left on his life…
How he’ll miss him everyday and how he will never recover from this.
Oddly enough, it didn’t feel necessary for him to say it. Vil knows. He just knows it. Vil, being the egocentric man that he was, absolutely knows.
“Not even death can take away your beauty, my housewarden.” Epel said shakily, a hand on Vil’s cheek, pressing their foreheads together “You remain the fairest of all.”
It seemed appropriate to say. If Vil were only sleeping, he would love this.
With the heaviest of hearts, he pressed a kiss against his friend’s forehead.
“Oh Vil…” He said softly “How could you let this happen to you…I would’ve wanted you to stick by me for a little bit longer. Weren’t you so sure that you would’ve outlived me and my unhealthy habits? You must be so happy to see me cry this much for you. How could you leave us like this this…”
How could you leave Jack?
How could you leave me??
How could you leave…
Rook.
If someone was feeling worst than him here, it’s Rook.
Slowly, Epel turned away from Vil, keeping a hand on his delicate cheek however.
”Rook,” He turned to his former vice-housewarden “Rook…?”
Room remained immobile, still staring at Vil.
”Give up.” Neige said, and Epel’s attention got turned to him instead “He’s been like that the entire night. I stayed here because I was afraid he would fall. Eric tried getting him to leave, sit, drink, anything.” He bit his lips “He’s not in there right now.”
Epel nodded, turning away from him and pressing his forehead against Vil one last time, wiped away his tears on one side, and murmured:
“I would be telling you rest well, Vil, but I know that you don’t need the rest. You must be angry. You were always a hard worker, and you were on your way to become something even better. It’s alright, I’ll be great for the both of us.”
…
”Since you’re gonna be up there anyways, you better continue being the brighter star, guiding me as always.” He said, fixing a few strands of hair to make sure there’s not a single hair out of place on his mentor “I’ll look for signs of you wherever I go. In every river, every flower, every starry night sky, I’ll be looking for you, and I know you’ll be there. I’ll make you proud even when you’re up there. Once I climb up there too, we can bicker again for as long as you’d like. Thank you for having made me who I am today. I love you. I should’ve said this before. You were like a brother to me, to us all in Pomefiore, and you were the best. Thank you.”
He straightened himself and took back his hand. In the corner of his eye, he could see Neige wipe away a tear with his sleeve.
By doing so, a strange sentiment of loneliness suddenly washed over him. It’s as if the only way that strange feeling of being alone could ever go away was if Epel lied down in that coffin with Vil and hugged him through all of his eternity.
Honestly, it’s hard to let you go. It suddenly feels lonely in a way that I find hard to believe, because I’m not a lonely person.
But letting you go makes me feel as if it’s now me alone against the world.
He reached for Vil’s cold hand again.
Even if I have to let you go…Please…
The current Pomefiore housewarden looked up to stop more tears from falling.
Don’t you let me go.
Please don’t forget about me up there, Vil.
It took more strength than he though for him to let go of Vil’s hand.
I’ll never forget how it felt.
That was the hardest he’s ever had to detach himself from anyone. Like Rook, he stared at Vil, trying to burn his image into his mind.
“I’ll make you proudg, my fair housewarden.” He said more quietly and turned back to Rook.
If he’s feeling pain, Rook must be feeling agony. Him and Vil were the most united couple Epel has ever known. They loved each other to the point where third wheeling them wasn’t even disgusting.
Epel was angry about having Vil taken away from himself. But how dare life rip Vil from Rook?
Those two were meant to live together, always protect each other, for a long long time. Epel used to be persuaded that they would both outlive him despite being older.
“Hey…” He said as he stood between Rook and the coffin “Hey, Rook…?”
He slowly took the blond’s hand that wasn’t holding his hat.
“Rook, please talk to me.” He pleaded “I feel a bit alone right now.” Another tear dropped down his face suddenly. “Rook…”
His fingers squeezed into Rook’s. He’s never even felt this bad before.
“Rook, how are you feeling?” He asked as his voice broke again and he could feel all his heart shatter all over again. In contrast to his pounding heart, Rook’s heartbeat was almost imperceptible. “Rook? I’m here for you if you want to talk. If you want anything really…” He said with a shaking voice “Please answer me. Are you in there??”
Rook’s actually making everything worst for him. If he felt alone before, he feels alone and scared for Rook now.
He couldn’t control the next wave of sobs that came through him he just pressed his face against Rook’s shoulder and cried into it. They were almost the same height now.
“Rook, look alive, come back to me, please.”
It’s always like that. He may be a housewarden now, but whenever he’s with Vil or Rook, he feels like a little kid again. Their little kid, to be specific. Epel almost couldn’t breathe until he felt Rook’s hand pressing against his back.
“I’m here, Epel, I’m right here.” The hunter said.
Epel detached himself from him after a long, pained hug.
“Rook, how are you feeling?” He asked, concerned, looking for any trace of light in his friend’s clouded eyes. “What are you thinking about?”
Rook looked at him, blinked, looked back down to Vil and said:
“I’m thinking I should’ve voted for Night Raven College at VDC 2 years ago.” He said quietly “It was his chance to be number one at something. If only I wasn’t honest. If only I didn’t put my own feelings above his. He was what was best in my life. I would’ve made him so happy.”
He said all of that, looking at Vil.
And a single tear rolled down his face.
“Wha-Rook. Why are you bringing that back up now?” Epel said, trying to understand “It’s over. He got over it easily. It’s not important anymore.”
Rook gave him a smile. A sad, unexplainable one. One Epel cannot understand.
“Rook, we all wronged somebody at least once in our lives. Don’t let that haunt you now.” Epel insisted. “Don’t…don’t.”
“I know. It’s not that, my dear Epel.” Rook murmured. “It’s also…everything else. I just think that…he would’ve been happy. That’s all.”
The tiredness in his voice was something Epel couldn’t put a handle on.
In the corner of the room, Neige made himself even smaller.
Eric Venue came into the room afterwards. He looked at the current Pomefiore housewarden and the ex-vice housewarden and said:
“Both of you, please follow me.”
With a look of terrible regret, Rook ripped his eyes away from Vil.
They entered a separate room and Epel could hear his other friends pooling into the room where Vil was sleeping the second they left.
The new room was a living room of sorts with couches, but no one sat. There awaited a servant, carrying a small chest in his arms.
“The movie director sent the belongings Vil kept with him on set back to us.” He said “We thought you should have a few things.”
The man opened the chest and first took out an envelope.
“Epel.” He handed the envelope to the young man “Vil was invited to an award ceremony. Perhaps he won something. Your name was written as his + 1 on the invitation. The movie director confirmed it. He wanted to bring you along, probably to introduce you to more big names or to maybe see his first win.”
“Oh.” Epel took it gratefully and held it close to his chest. He could hear crying from the other room and he himself wanted to start bawling again. Oh he would’ve been proud and honoured to see Vil win something, that’s for sure.
“Thank you.” He whispered.
Vil probably wanted to Epel to be there to witness his first big win, just like how he was there to see his student debut with huge success into the filming industry.
In the other room, Ace and Deuce suddenly started singing Absolutely Beautiful out of nowhere until their voices started to distort and they broke down crying.
Their antics brought a small sad and nostalgic smile onto Epel’s face. They probably never wanted Vil to forget who they were. Vil would’ve undoubtedly despised that performance, but it’s probably the only appropriate way Ace and Deuce found to send him off.
“And Rook.” Eric Venue said after having let the boys finish the last verse of Absolutely Beautiful before they broke down. He liked the song, that much was clear “…The director found this amongst Vil’s belongings…”
Epel felt his breathing stop as the man pulled out a small squared box from the chest and handed it to Rook.
Rook seemed more shocked than he was. Even the servant looked shocked. Shaky hands went to accept the little present.
He opened the box, revealing a silver ring with a large diamond. Inside, everyone could see their initials engraved together.
“I believed it was for you,” Eric hesitated a bit before adding “My wife and I would’ve loved welcoming you as our son.”
Oh my god.
Vil…
Rook…
Epel suddenly felt extremely worst in the span of a few seconds for Rook.
The blond stared wordlessly at the ring, there wasn’t a single word coming out of him.
“We’ll leave you alone.” Vil’s father said sympathetically, motioning for the servant to accompany him out.
Epel gave Rook a moment before he squeezed the older’s shoulder and said:
“I-I’ll see you at the end of the ceremony, Rook. I’ll be here for you. Take your time.”
When he returned to the room where Vil was, Kalim and Jamil have arrived. Kalim had been bawling, that much was evidently clear. He also came with carriages full of condolence gifts.
Epel and him took one look at each other, and started singing Absolutely Beautiful again with Adeuce and Jamil (who joined in midway through after an internal debate). It was better and more balanced than the just Ace and Deuce version, but it was missing the most important lead voice: Vil’s.
And it was also missing Rook’s.
Kalim bawled even more afterwards, stating that Vil deserved to be sent off with at least this much.
The ceremony had been grand. They had the prince of Briar Valley, a prince of Savanaclaw, the Asims, many celebrities, the house of Styx, Mostro inc and many more big names attending. There was even a crowd outside of paparazzi and crying fans of all ages, demanding to come in to film and see Vil. Security kept them out. It was a private event after all. The information probably only leaked because of the troupe of elephants that came here with Kalim’s carriage carrying gifts despite Jamil having said many time that this was a horrible idea.
Everyone was to bid him farewell for one last time. When it was Rook’s turn, it was swift and discreet, but Epel, who knew him too well, saw it. Rook had slipped a ring onto Vil’s engagement finger, but not the one that was in the box Eric Venue gave him. It was a wholly different diamond with a crown engraved into the ring.
Epel’s heart only sank deeper.
They could’ve been so happy together.
They all took different amounts of time with Vil. Leona, for one, went there with hands in his pocket and an indecipherable expression. He looked down, sighed, shook his head and walked away almost angrily.
”I was looking forward to that movie.” Was what could be read on his lips, but his eyes were narrating a whole different story.
3 steps away, he turned around and bowed his head.
“Don’t get fucking cocky about this up there.” He hissed quietly afterwards.
When the farewells came to an end, Rook came to Epel with a special request.
One that Epel accepted to fulfill.
Close your eyes
Still your breath
Sleep Kiss
With permission from Eric Venue, he created another glass coffin for Vil, using Sleep Kiss. A coffin that will keep the person inside safe, comfortable and protect it from any source of harm.
He’ll be buried in his pupil’s creation, a coffin as beautiful as he was. It’s fitting.
Everyone went home after the burial except for Rook, who stayed to be with Vil for as long as Eric would allow it. And Eric told him: “As long as you need to.”
Epel wanted more than anything to stay with Rook, but he had to return to his duties at NRC.
He squeezed Rook’s hand before he left.
It wasn’t easy to leave through all of the paparazzi and camera flashes, not to mention the random fans shoving phones into his face. He was surrounded by his group, including 3 teachers, but it didn’t stop many from pressing their cameras against his face.
“Epel Felmier, Vil Schoenheit was your mentor and senior, how are you feeling?”
“Any comments on how it happened, Epel Felmier??”
“We heard you were very close, how are you coping with the loss?”
“Will your successor Axel Tox-Belmira replace Vil Schoenheit in the unfinished movie??”
Epel simply let his friends and security shove their way through them. Eric was the quickest and dug into his limo easily. Neige wasn’t any better off than Epel. He was swarmed even more.
Epel was only biting his tongue and waiting for everything to be over, but he was utterly done by the time he heard Neige get asked:
“Do you think it was suicide, Neige??”
And Neige raised his hand almost as if he was going to slap the reporter.
”SOMEONE JUST DIED!” The purple haired boy ended up screaming “WE’RE ALL GRIEVING!! WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH ALL OF YOU!!! YOU’RE INTRUDING!! LEAVE US!! HAVE SOME HUMANITY!!” He was so loud that Ace was rubbing his ears next to him “This is private property.” He continued on a more normal tone “Please do us all a favour and leave.”
“Gee, you clowns must start reading your own goddamn papers.” Leona said somewhere random in the crowd “That guy? Suicide? Please, I’m going back to Sunset Savana.”
With that, the Magic Mirror teleported all the students back to NRC.
Many ex NRC students decided to join them. They all decided to camp out at Ramshackle to talk about Vil. They were roughly 20, so all fitted within the dorm. It felt weird without Grim and Yuu, but they went home, so everything is alright.
Rook didn’t come.
Ortho shared videos of Vil. They sang Absolutely Beautiful. Azul and the twins talked about naming a drink after one of their former biggest investors. Ruggie told stories about how Vil mentioning his village once got them a lot of donations to get everyone through winter. Jack told little anecdotes about his childhood with Vil. Trey baked a Vil themed cake. Riddle was describing the accident to Idia in medical terms. Malleus brainstormed a way to get the news to Yuu and Grim. Leona lay in a corner, pretending to sleep. When Carter asked him how he was feeling, he just said: “That blondie went to Tartarus and back. Can’t believe this is what got him.” Carter just teared up and said: “Yeah unfair I getcha.”
They got through the night like that together.
Within the next two weeks, Epel received countless phone calls from the movie director asking him if he was willing to lend Axel to act in place of Vil for the remaining scenes of the movie due to the kid’s close ressemblance to Vil’s. Many others contacted him to ask if he himself was willing to endorse various brands in need of ambassadors since Vil’s passing as Vil’s legitimate successor (?).
For some reason, the world seems to believe that since Epel inherited Vil’s housewarden position, he should also inherit every other duty Vil had.
Epel also went absolutely viral for having screamed at the paparazzi. Now even more people wanted him to represent them.
He stopped answering calls from unknown numbers after a while. Axel however, who was also affected by Vil’s passing, accepted to finish the movie for him.
The media didn’t take it well however, claiming that Axel was just a fame hungry kid who sees opportunity in Vil’s passing to take his place and become famous. Lots of comments were about how Axel could never amount to the great person Vil was.
Epel was tempted to take him out of the movie, but Axel was determined to finish it.
”If I finish the movie, it will be released and he might win a prize for it no?” He asked, talking about the invitation Epel received from Eric.
Epel never thought his pupil would ever do such a thing for such a reason. Seemed to him as if Axel was never quite fond of Vik.
“You’re correct.” He had nodded.
“Then they can shut it, I’m finishing it.”
Epel didn’t even correct him for his vocabulary.
He called Rook every night, but he never answered. Every time, he would leave a message, telling Rook about his day and how much he wished he would give him some news.
The day for the award ceremony finally came. The organizers called Epel since he was Vil’s + 1, and told him that he himself could have another + 1 as well.
He brought Axel with him, and to their surprise and melancholy, Vil did win a prize. He won Actor of the Year in fact. Epel accepted the award for him with the best picture of his deceased friend, gave a speech about how hard Vil has worked through his entire life, teared up a bit at the end, made the audience cry too, and then left.
He gave the award to Vil’s family and introduced Axel to them. Eric embraced the younger boy and in exchange for making Vil’s dreams come true, he gave Epel Vil’s magic pen.
The next week, Rook came by to visit Pomefiore just as the dorm was beginning to heal.
His eyes still looked empty, and all the students left him alone most of the time. Epel let him sleep with him in Vil’s old bed.
Rook didn’t speak like he used to. He would help around the dorm sometimes, but he would mostly just sit where Vil sat, only looking alive when Epel was in the vicinity or if his eyes landed on Axel sometimes.
Epel wasn’t done grieving either. In fact, he still felt the loss like a fresh wound. He had kept the envelope with the invitation under his pillow and would take it out to look at it and cry often.
But Rook, Rook was a completely different story.
They sat together on the couch one time, and Epel could feel the ring box in Rook’s pocket. He didn’t wear the ring however, it was still kept in the box. The hunter’s face was now always somber and sad. He no longer spoke french. He doesn’t do poetry anymore. Epel stopped being ‘Monsieur Crabapple’ to him.
“Rook, are you still hurting?” He had asked.
“It’s not pain, sweet Epel,” The older said, and he looked away to the distance “I can’t feel anything.”
Another time, when every other Pomefiore student was outside, enjoying the sun, Epel stayed inside with Rook. The blond turned the music on and started dancing alone.
Epel looked at him, conscious of the fact that nothing will ever be the same anymore.
Vil was a huge part of their lives. Their normal relationship died with him.
He looked at Rook, wondering if he’s losing this relationship too, bit by bit. He may be recovering and his wounds will scar, but Rook’s wounds…
They’re not treatable and are only getting infected. The only antidote would be Vil coming back to life.
But they buried him, he’s gone.
“I miss him dearly.” Rook said “My love, my idol, my god…My entire life. He was the most beautiful star in the sky, the prettiest ray of sunshine, the rainbow after the storm, the sun during the golden hour…He was…”
“The absolute most beautiful.” Epel completed. Vil was much more than that, but he knew Vil would love it if he said it.
“And I, like a fool…I was honest.” Rook said, referencing VDC once again “He, the gracious one, forgave me.”
Another twirl.
“Words cannot describe existence without one’s other half.” He continued “It’s empty. It’s ugly. I am angry, Epel. I’m so furious to have to live in a world without my light. Sharp pain every time I wake up, nothing for the rest of the day until the pain comes back when I go to sleep.”
Another twirl.
“I miss every breath that he takes. Every time he closes his eyes. Every time he laughs. I need to hear him sing and talk again.” Rook looked outside up to the sky “I wish I was there with him. I would’ve liked it to be me. Or I could’ve been there just to die with him. It’s killing me that he was alone, in the most random of all places. Did it hurt? Did he feel lonely? It wounds my very soul to not know. I need his answer, his voice. I miss his love, I miss loving him, I miss our love. I miss us.”
I miss you and Vil too.
“Rook, if you need to talk, I’m here. I am not Vil, but I do love you, not the same way he once did, but I do love you.” Epel said regretfully “I loved you both. I loved him too. I miss him too. I can’t pretend I understand your loss, but… But I really loved him too.”
Rook moved towards Epel, pulled him up from the couch and embraced him into a hug.
“And I love you too Epel, I apologize for not having been there for you when it happend.” He said “I wish to see you grow into a fine young man and follow your journey in Vil’s stead. I do. While I was away, all my thoughts screamed at me to come back here and be there for you.”
“Then…why weren’t you here?” The lavender haired asked “We could’ve had each other.”
“This isn’t a matter of what’s right, what I have to do, what I want to do, what’s best for everyone or what’s in my brain’s control anymore, my dear.” Rook smiled sadly “Loving someone, your soulmate, is just that. It’s beyond the brain’s control, beyond all thoughts, all feelings, all logic. It’s on the soul level. I love you, I wanted to be there for you more than anything, but I could not. It’s as if my entire self has been set on soul searching, except for the soul isn’t there anymore.”
Epel simply stared at him with worry, trying to understand. He’s definitely never felt this way.
“You need me, I know.” Rook stated “You used to need him, need us both.”
“It’s not that, it’s just…” Epel bit his lip “Right now, I need to know that you’ll be okay. I don’t want you to…leave.”
Rook simply smiled:
“We’ll both be fine. I don’t intend to ever leave you, my sweet one. I’ll be there to see you grow up. Well, Vil and I both will. We’ll always watch over you, you know that right?”
“I know for the fact that you never left me alone despite my attempts to escape you guys.” Epel returned him a small smile.
“Exactly.”
And they pressed their foreheads against each other’s in the brotherly way they always did.
—
That night, like every other, they went to sleep hugging each other.
Rook rose during the night however, and Epel, felt him leave. He listened to the sound of Rook putting his everyday clothes, taking his fedora and his magic pen, and leave the room.
Epel rose quickly afterwards to follow him.
He followed Rook discreetly into the common room, and hid behind a couch when the blond went to the balcony.
“Mon amour,” He heard Rook murmur into the night “My beautiful Vil, had I known you were going to propose, I would’ve raced you to it. And to think we could’ve been happily engaged all this time, for how long did you keep this ring away from me?”
Epel could hear a small velvet pop of Rook opening the ring box.
“Mon Vil, I absolutely adore you. Even dead, you managed to make my heart beat. I hope you liked the last present I got you.”
“This is where we first fell in love. I wanted to bring you back to Night Raven to propose here, either on this balcony or the courtyard where we met. I would give anything for the opportunity to do it. I just wanted you to win the award of your dreams first and have some time relishing in your achievement before moving on to yet another chapter. You deserved to savor your win for a long time since you couldn’t win VDC, because of me.”
“I couldn’t propose to you here like I intended to, or maybe you intended it as well, but…I can still unite us here.”
“Well, Vil, let’s do it.” Rook sounded happy for the first time in a while. There was a small noise of clothes shuffling.
“I, Rook Hunt,”
Oh
Epel thought, as a tear formed in his right eye.
“take you, Vil Schoenheit, to be my husband.
I promise to be faithful to you,
in good times and in bad,
in sickness and in health,
to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.
May the Sevens bless these rings which we bless in their name.”
Epel let the tear roll down his cheek. He could almost hear Vil whisper his vows back to Rook in the winds.
He peaked out from his hiding place only to see that Rook was standing on the railing of the balcony instead of on its floor.
Immediately, Epel suddenly understood what was happening.
”Rook!” He yelled, jumping out from behind the couch, damn all those he just woke from their beauty sleep. He won’t lose another brother.
Rook’s eyes widened upon seeing his former protégé. Epel ran towards him, but he just softly smiled.
”I forsake all others, in life and death, there will always only be you.” The hunter murmured “I do.”
He executed a graceful jump away from the balcony into the nothingness.
”ROOK! NO!!!” Epel shouted “SLEEP KISS!!”
Epel whipped out his unique spell immediately, hoping to encase Rook into his coffin for protection before his fall, but Rook deflected his spell and let it hit a tree.
He gave his little apple one last look of affection, and gravity claimed him, dragging him down to the ground.
”ROOK!!!!” Epel chased him to the balcony “ROOK! NO!!”
He swung himself over the balcony but didn’t let himself fall. Instead, he parkoured, using the nearest trees and columns until he reached the ground, where the horrific sight of his friend lay.
”ROOK!!!”
The blood was minimal, but Rook’s life was already gone. His emerald eyes were now permanently lightless, but he looked so happy. So damn, goddamn happy.
“ROOK!!” The housewarden fell onto his knees next to him “No Rook, please ’ome back, don’tcha jus LEAVE me!!! Don’t leave me too!!! Ah’ still need you!!! Ah’ need Vil, Ah’ need you, how couldya-…” He grabbed Rook and cried.
Many Pomefiores have woken up, lights turned on, shouts were heard and someone said to call a professor.
Epel sobbed and screamed into Rook as one gentle breeze after another caressed his hair all over and over again as of trying to offer comfort.
He has faint recollection of people trying to pry him off of Rook, but he must’ve blacked out at some point because he doesn’t remember a thing afterwards.
When he woke up, he was in his bed, with the faint sensation of still hugging Rook in bed, except for it wasn’t Rook.
He woke with difficulty, and the first thing he could say was: “Rook?”
Whoever was hugging him just hugged him tighter.
”No, I’m sorry. He’s gone.”
It took Epel a moment to recognize that it was Jack.
For a moment, all he could do was weep. His other friends were standing near the bed as well and after a moment of hesitation, they all joined in for a collective group hug.
It lasted for a long time before Epel could stop crying, but he eventually asked.
“What happened while I was out? What time is it?”
“It’s past midday. Rook Hunt fell at around 3 am.” Ortho said.
“Did I pass out?”
“No, you went dangerously close to an overblot.” Jack explained “Something stepped in to delay the creation of your phantom for long enough enough for us to intervene and knock you out before you destroyed your own dorm.”
“I…what??”
I could’ve destroyed Pomefiore?
My dorm? His dorm?
“What happened before you guys got here?!” He asked, feeling his heart rate go up again.
“You sent some of your own students into the infirmary, but no one’s severely injured. They’ll all recover by 4 o’clock this afternoon.” Ace said “And just so you know, they all understand and they all share your pain…”
“Pomefiore’s looking fine.” Sebek said “All the damage was minor and the students didn’t need more than 2 hours to fix everything up.”
“Oh. That’s…alright then.” Epel nodded.
He slumped back into the bed.
God, he has to check on his dorm students.
He has to…inquire about Rook.
He needs to see if there’s something to do with his blot level.
“I-…Where’s my magic pen??” He suddenly asked, feeling around his pockets to find them light and empty “Did I lose it??”
“You won’t have custody of it until after the funeral.” Ortho said apologetically “As Styx’s representative, I am in charge of analyzing all magical items which have come in contact with blot. It’s my personal decision to give them back to you after Rook’s funeral. I’m sorry, it’s just that…I think you just need to rest for a bit first.”
Epel merely nodded.
“It’s fine. Let me see my students.”
—
The funeral took place 3 days later, and the attendance was almost as big as the one from Vil’s, minus the crowd outside wanting to intrude and the reporters.
Rook’s family asked to meet him before the ceremony, and Epel obliged.
Rook wasn’t an only child like Vil. He had many, many siblings. Like how it was with Vil’s father, Epel found himself unable to speak coherently. He felt much more vulnerable alone with them than when he and Rook faced Eric Venue together.
He would like to tell them that he was sorry for their loss, but he also lost something. It was one thing to lose Vil, but to lose both Rook and Vil in a short timeframe is a pain that he’s not even able to think about, let alone put down into words.
They were his brothers, his mentors. He’s not even able to cry anymore. All the tears he’s shed for Vil, and all of those for Rook, left him with nothing. There’s also the feeling of helplessness that slowly settled within him the more he thought about Rook’s death and tried to find meaning in it.
There was nothing that could’ve been done. He tried to stop Rook with his unique magic.
He tried.
Rook couldn’t take it anymore.
But how is Epel supposed to face the world without him when Vil was already gone?
Rook’s family got to the point quickly.
He was included in Rook’s will.
Other than some things of sentimental value that he left to his siblings, Rook left everything to Epel.
“He wrote the will after Vil’s funeral.” The head of the Hunt family said “He came home and spent a lot of time sorting everything out. He came to NRC to see you one last time and die there.”
“You knew and you let him go?” Epel asked as he was handed the keys to Rook’s room.
“He died on set with the actor. The only difference was that he was given some time to decide what he wanted to do with his belongings.”
Epel gave them a look full of perplexity.
“The most cruel thing we could’ve done to him was keep him from where he belongs.” The Hunt head said “It wasn’t mental illness. It can’t be oversimplified by being called grief or heartbreak either. There was no possible treatment. You should be the first to know how they were.”
“Do you mean to say that…it’s better this way?”
“It’s better for him. Not for anyone else.”
Epel saw meaning in those words. He wasn’t wrong. It would’ve been torture for Rook to keep himself alive when Vil was nowhere to be found in this life. Hurrying to him so that they could both keep their youthful appearances up there may have been the smarter move. That had Epel smile only a little.
Rook must be happy.
Vil maybe not so much, but they are together. That’s how it’s supposed to be.
They don’t belong anywhere without each other.
And he…he was left alone. But just like how it was with Night Raven college, he’ll join them later and they won’t even see him coming.
“You’re right. He must be very happy right now.” He murmured before bowing and excusing himself.
He didn’t cry during his farewell to Rook. It seemed to him as if they’ve said goodbye many times already in the last week that Rook lived with him.
They hugged each other to sleep, conversed and listened. No one was with Vil when he passed, but Rook made the choice to return to NRC and die surrounded by everything he loved and to spend his final days beside someone he cherished.
Maybe that’s more than what Epel could’ve asked for.
He even got to witness his wedding vows…
He simply held Rook’s hand, squeezed it and said:
“May the Sevens bless your marriage…”
He made another glass coffin for his dear friend, kissed his forehead, and finally laid him to rest forever beside Vil.
After the burial, he was the one who stayed with both Rook and Vil in their final resting place for a longer time, just like how Rook stayed for Vil.
—
He was authorized to follow the Hunts to Rook’s main residence instead of returning to school right afterwards.
He couldn’t even believe he was doing this. Rook was the more gentle guide figure he had during his first year at NRC. The one who always had his back one way or another and the one who he thought could literally do anything. He was after all the devoted fool who raced to an unknown place just to give his lover his skincare.
And to think I just buried him….
He stayed in Rook’s room, which the hunter had tidied up. On his desk, the blond had left behind his phone. He didn’t bring it with him to NRC. Rook wasn’t one to use his phone too often, so it didn’t come as a big surprise to his former protégé. Epel knew the password by heart and decided to open it.
Rook had listened to each of his voice messages. Some of them more than once.
He opened every drawer, every chest. There were huge photo albums. 10 in total, all of them dated. 3 of each of his years at NRC, an album dedicated to Vil and Epel, with an occasional photo of Axel, an album just for Epel, 3 more just for Vil and 2 of the older ones for Neige.
Epel set the last two aside. He’ll mail them to Neige afterwards.
The celebrity did attend the funeral of one of his first ever fan and supporter. He didn’t cry like he did for Vil, but he did look conflicted and sad.
Due to his tiredness, Epel went through everything rather quickly before slumping down at Rook’s desk. He opened the drawers there last to find a little envelope to his name with Rook’s handwriting on it.
He sighed, pulling it out.
—
My darling little Epel,
By the time you read this, I probably already left. You must resent me for leaving you, but deep down I’m sure you understand, just as my family did. There was simply no other way.
There’s no point explaining to you the why. I first thought you’d condemn me for leaving you alone after Vil’s passing. I apologize for being unable to pick up your calls. You must’ve needed me, but like the selfish man I’ve always been, I treated myself to your voice messages but never gave you the reprieve of hearing mine in return. There are no excuses, but your pure heart, intentions and love kept me here for longer than I thought I’d stay.
You’re my only regret. I’m sorry you had to love me enough to want me to live. I love you too, just not enough to continue living without him for your sake.
I’m sorry. I couldn’t. You were a cherished, precious thing, the closest Vil and I ever had to a child, and I was ready to die for you one day, but not to live for you.
Living in a world without him is something I can’t bring myself to do. I’m not someone who enjoyed living in the first place. I enjoyed the privilege to be with the beautiful ones that I loved the most, being alive was just part of the experience.
Knowing you, maybe you tried to keep me alive if you found out what I was doing. I don’t intend to ever tell you my plan in person. Even now, I hope that you didn’t figure it out and thought of it as an accident. If you perceive me as a coward for being so weak that I’d rather kill myself than face the pain, then so be it.
It’s alright though.
You may love me, and you may have loved Vil, but you won’t die with us. Knowing that made my decision so much easier. You’re so strong and independent now. I am immensely proud of the person you grew into. As was my love. You’re one of the accomplishments we’ll have left to the world. I’m not taking all the credit for both Vil and I, but I feel as if being the ones to guide you brightened our lives.
Seeing you through NRC was our combined pride. You already carried on our legacy after becoming Vil’s successor, you’re already everything we’ve wanted you to be and even more.
I wish I could’ve left you with more. Had Vil ever written a will, you would’ve been in it for sure. I know you question why I left you my belongings. That’s because I know you’ll distribute everything appropriately. I would hate my family for donating or selling my things. They also have no need for the excess money I’ve made. I’d say you invest those funds into Harveston or Monsieur Dent de Lion’s village. I don’t insist on you keeping anything, but I’d like it if you kept my magic pen.
As I write this, my blot level is drastically high. I’m afraid casting a single spell would cause my sorrow to swallow up everyone around me as well. Once I’m gone, it should return to normal and my pen should be safe fo use.
I’m leaving you my unique magic, my appling.
I’ve cursed the pen to never forget Golden Arrow. It isn’t very combat oriented, but I hope with all my heart that it saves you from a disaster one day. May I be of use to you for the rest of your life. If you ever manage to get your hands on Vil’d pen, do check if he’s cursed his own pen to never forget Fairest of All. That particular one will definitely come in handy to you. I would feel comforted to know that you will still have access to our magic even without us there.
Don’t be sad, Epel. I am happy. As happy as can be. I’m with Vil, and we’re probably beside you right now. It’s a shame that we can’t both be with you, but you’ll live. We kiss and embrace you, our darling little one. You’ll navigate life fine by yourself. We’ll be watching over you always.
Live happy, Epel,
Much love,
Rook.
—
Despite the tears rolling down, Epel only felt peace.
“Yeah, don’t worry…I’m not following.” He wiped his tears away and smiled “I might take a long time. Finally some peace ya know…” He chuckled to himself. Or maybe to two others he can’t hear or see as well.
He returned to Pomefiore only once he’s sorted out Rook’s belongings and the…very impressive amount of funds left in his bank account.
Ortho came to visit him the following day with 3 magic pens.
Two of them with a certain level of blot to them, and a third one, which was perfectly clean.
“Yours, Rook’s and Vil’s.” Ortho handed them to him.
“Why is mine the clear one?” Epel looked at his own pen, which didn’t have a single drop of blot in it. “Didn’t you guys say I was close to an overblot?”
“You were,” The humanoid nodded “But while you were on the verge of overblot, you also had Vil’s pen on you. When you were about to overblot, it started absorbing the blot from your gem into its own. In other words…”
“Vil…saved me?” Epel asked, astonished.
“I’ve heard stories about mages dying with their last wishes saved into their magical artifacts. Vil must’ve had an ardent desire to protect you for his pen to continue saving you even after he’s passed.”
“That’s…” Epel shook his head and chuckled “That’s the most Vil thing ever. Even dead, he’s still the same, overprotective and random person he always was. I outlived him and here he still is, acting as if he’ll be my savior to every trouble in this world.”
He pressed Vil’s pen to his lips.
“Thank you, Vil.”
His students could’ve died the night Rook did if he entered overblot.
“Rook’s pen was also blot filled when we found it. It seems he came close to an overblot himself.” Ortho said after having given his friend a moment “The only reason his phantom never took form was because he most probably noticed his own blot accumulation and decided to stop using magic to not birth a phantom.” The humanoid explained “The last time he used his magic was to deflect your sleep kiss, Epel. That could’ve triggered the phantom, but his passing prevented it from ever happening.”
Epel nodded.
“The blot that Rook’s pen accumulated is entirely gone now. While under analysis, once rid of Rook’s blot, the pen began to absorb yours, sharing the task with Vil’s.” Ortho said “You could say they’re still both looking out for you. You were truly loved, Epel.”
“Yes. Truly loved.” The Pomefiore housewarden closed his eyes and repeated.
Ortho leaned in to hug him.
“Epel, I don’t want to ask this but…You won’t follow them, will you?”
“Don’t be silly. I’m fine. They have each other and in a way, I still have them. They left me with a bit more than I would’ve liked. A huge legacy…I’ll be busy for decades to come.”
“That’s good to hear.”
It’s also what Rook wanted.
As for Vil, he would beat him up if he didn’t uphold their legacy until his death.
Yeah. Exactly.
“Give yourself some time to unwind and go back to norma, the blot should automatically clear itself from the two other pens.” Ortho advised “My theory is that they’ll always be pulling blot away from your pen if you carry them around with the same frequency as you do your own, it’ll now be 3 times harder for you to overblot.”
“Ha. Isn’t that nice…” Epel chuckled lightly “Oh and Ortho, if you could do me a favor, can you check if Vil had left behind his unique spell in his pen please?” He handed Vil’s pen back to Ortho.
“Certainly.”
Weeks later, Epel took his fellow third years to the Pomefiore garden. They’ve cleaned out a huge portion of the grass, a place where they’ve often seen Rook nap and Vil kicking him on the sides to not sprawl out in the dirt like that. In Epel’s glass coffins, they buried Rook’s fedora and Vil’s crown into the ground there, next to each other. Using a forbidden spell from the Queen’s grimoire, Epel grew two magnificent trees that crossed and merged with each other into an arch at their highest point. They wrote Vil Schoenheit and Rook Hunt on the trunks and each student carved in their initials.
Vil and Rook will have the best view of all incoming Pomefiores and will protect the dorm for ages to come. Epel often came to the trees to sit when he felt lonely, as did many other students for various reasons. They came to sing, kiss, pray for a passing grade, cry… Those two blonds will still be stuck comforting and guiding Pomefiore students for generations to come. He missed them, will forever miss them, but he’ll carry them forever with him.
Vil did indeed leave behind his unique magic, which Epel asked permission from his family to use. They of course said yes, since the pen belonged to him now anyways. Eric even joked that after Vil’s passing, “Fairest of All” should obviously be inherited by the now newly crowned Fairest of All.
With that, Epel bared the burden of being the complete Pomefiore package on his own. It’s not because characters have died that the whole story will lose its plot. The queen, the hunter, the apple, one person alone can embody the entire story and finish it till the end.
The losses will scar him for life, but it didn’t mean that he was allowed to stop moving forward. The best way for him to cope with it was to push himself harder and go further than Vil ever would’ve to make both him and Rook proud.
Rook has his peace now that he’s with Vil.
But Epel isn’t at peace. And he knows Vil must also be boiling up there. For them both, he will become the Fairest of Them all.