“Well... thas r’thar’s a wrap. Mastah finally did it.“ Hornigold said with a bright smile as the sun flooded through the sky, the clouds breaking apart just like their enemies body in the wind.
“Dust in the wind, much like the facility.“ Looking to his master Helsing sighed. There was still so much he wanted to teach them. So much he wanted to learn himself.
“So... still got yer regrets? M’a finally a bit more in peace. Onlay one more in mah book tah scratch off.“ Summoning a final bottle he uncorked it with his teeth and spat out the bit of material, it fading away before it hit the ground.
“Just one. In the end I learned a whole lot, and so did our master. Yet... I never could send this letter.“ Helsing held his catalyst in hand, the material beat and wrinkled now. A gulping came from the pirate as he handed the hunter the bottle.
“Yeah? Mine’s women trouble too... I went and fell ‘ead o’er heels with that Zheng Shi. Now I can’t seem tah find ‘er.“
“You think she’s already passed?“
“I fear tha’s the case... well s’okay tah not say goodbye.“ To this Helsing rose a brow after finishing his gulp and handed it back to his friend.
“How so? I always thought...“ maybe if I’d not said goodbye...
“Nah... Shi? I may be jus’ a scallywag. But I’m honest most tha time. So if I go and keel over before she does she already knows I aint told her a lie from me heart.“
“Ben. You’re not making any sense. If these are our last moments, you should find her. If my love were here Id...“ The thought of her pushed a lump in his throat silencing him from speaking more. Swallowing the thought Hornigold only laughed, a chuckle that turned into a happy hooting. Annoyed he asked, “You baboon what is it?”
“Ye can be honest with me. I know all about your lil’ letteh there.“ Helsing’s eyes widened and he spun on a heel to face the sitting man, his legs already translucent and hands almost completely gone. Though the smile was still there as he finished that big bottle of dark liquor and tossed it, fading before impact. “Scallywag. Through and through... ya never sealed that letter and I know why. t’aint finished. It’s just addressed to her and a few sentences a’length.”
“You’re a bastard through and through... but i guess it’s alright if at least one person knows... Even if they’re such an unseemly man.“
“Then confess yer sins my child. I will guide you to the light.“ Hornigold jests as his hands reach for his chest, his hair that would blur his vision now completely see through.
“I loved two women in my life. At separate times, one that was rightfully mine and one quite the opposite. My wife and child I held dearly, but when they were taken from me I vowed to abstain from the pleasures of the flesh and the heart. Never would I hold on to something that the devil could steal from me. Yet... that girl... she stirred a fire in me that at first I believed to be sin.“ His always confident voice faltered, broke a little bit as his eyes betrayed him.
“I searched my heart and found that it was no such thing. That I’d fallen for my comrade’s... my friend’s wife. She was the first siren to ever break me, the first creature in decades to stir this old heart. Perhaps it is the breaking of this vow that denied me the gates of heaven.“
Hornigold shook his head and said,
“No no no... you know that aint it. I’m sittin’ ‘ere cause I can’t find tha courage to say goodbye to that woman. What’s ye regret?“ Helsing began to cry as he looked out to the surest sign of God pouring over this field of flowers.
“I’m here looking for her... Mina... Mina... please... My real wish was just to find her and send her this letter... it’s all I ever wanted. To relive that kiss, the pinnacle of my belief in God that lived in her eyes...“ Slumping to his knees the strength of his independent action was fading now. As his body glowed gold the tears that fell from his face would become that shining dust before they even hit his coat.
“Helsing... yer not a bad man. Ye even inspired an old traitah like me. Yer letter is what sailed meh love in this life. I pray even from mah sinnin’ knees that you can do the same in the next life. Ye just need’a let go, just throw that to tha wind. If anyone can hear us now... it’s who needs tah.“ Helsing continued to cry as his partner and ally managed to crawl his way over to him. Fighting to stay intact long enough for one last hurrah.
“Captain... you were a damn fine partner... and even in this somber ending. I’m glad to be at your side.“ Putting a hand on Hornigold’s head the pirate smiled.
“Ye know... that’s all I ever wanted tah tell my men. ‘Specially the men I came fer. Haha! What a pleasure it must’ve been to die to THE Captain Hornigold! I almost envy them... they didn’t have tah live with the thought... You Helsin’... Ya made this life fun, and so did that sea witch... i wish... she was... here.“ Helsing’s eyes closed alongside Hornigold’s own as the hunter sat in that field looking up to the sky.
“Maybe... this next time... I’ll get my own wish.“ Holding the envelope in the air it flipped open in the wind as the servants of Chaldea were fading away. With their golden spirit floating towards the sky out flew his parchment. Perhaps it really would find its way to her.
“I’m just glad you had your own Ben... maybe for just tonight. I’ll sleep okay... because of master... there’s no more monsters... no demons... no animals that hunt down honest men and women... the wish I told them I wanted... but not the one my heart desired.“
“Dear lord... before I go back to that mud... grant me that wish... ever so fleeting. I’ve done all I can to achieve it. Grant us all our wish, those who didn’t find it in this life. Show Jane her home, Mordred his throne, Antaeus his family... all of us Servants have merely been servants to our hearts. Forgive us for our humanity, and guide us through a patch of light. In Jesus name... Amen.“
