-----A few days later-----

Aaron's POV

     I stare numbly at the grave of Alister and Luthia as family members of both sides cry into each other's arms. Some of the families offer me consoling words but I shut those words out of my mind, still wanting to think that this is a dream. It is a few days since Alister and Luthia had died but I am still not ready to accept their deaths. Yet. I see Aragorn calling me and see the wife of Alister. She looks mad at me before slapping me hard in the face and everyone stop talking and saying consoling words at each other. Their gaze locks into mine and the atmosphere become tense.

     "How DARE you be alive?! All because of you. YOU!! My husband is dead!!" I look at the floor, ashamed of myself.

     "But.....I....." She cuts of my words with a wave and start scolding me like I had lost her favorite purse.

     "You should be dead! Not alive you DIMWIT!!" She grab at the collar of my shirt and pull it tight but someone, I think it is one of her family members, pull her away from me and hand her over to another family member before the wife of Alister could do any damage. That person turn to me with an apologetic gaze.

     "I am sorry. My mum is not in a stable state right now....." She stare at me in shock and cup my cheek.

     "Mariana?" She stare at me as I ask the question and she just ask me back.

     "Aaron?" I nod and she flings herself into my arms and cry. I hold her as we both hug each other, trying to fill up the empty feeling that resides in us.

-----after the funeral-----

     "So your dad is the Protector of the North huh?" I ask Mariana as she nod.

     "Yeah. He was the Protector of the North as far as I remember when I was a kid." I stare at the ground sadly thinking about Alister until she breaks the silence.

     "So, how did you met my dad?" I told her about the time how I met her dad and she tries not to laugh.

     "Are you even serious?! Stealing a loaf of bread?! Seriously?! Oh my god!!" Mariana giggles as she hear that. She loses her footing and our noses touch. We both blush as red as a tomato as we both realize our noses touch and we quickly pull back.

     "C'mon. Let's get home." Mariana nod and accept my hand. Together, we both walk back home with each of our mind full of thoughts about the time when our nose touch.

-----The next day-----

     "We are here now to announce the candidate for both the position of the Protector of the North and the Protector of the West. Will Aaron and Kitsumi both come on stage?" I stare at Kitsumi and she nod in encouragement. We both walk up to the stage and bow in front of the announcer.

     "Aaron Eosphoros, would you accept to be the Protector of the North?" I nod at Kisumi and smile.

     "I accept." The announcer smile thankfully and he raise his hand in the air.

     "All hail Aaron Eosphoros the Protector of the North!" Everyone scream in joy and I smile. I walk back to my spot at the stage and smile at Kisumi. She nod and take her place in front of the announcer.

     "Kisumi Abiko, would you accept to be the Protector of the West and support Aaron in his decision as the Protector of the West?" Kisumi take a glance at me and I grin at her, signifying that I trusts her decision whatever it may be.

     "Yes. I accept!" I smile even wider and the announcer sigh a sigh of relief.

     "All hail Kisumi Abiko, the Protector of the West!" Everyone cheer as Kisumi stands next to me and we both recite their promise as the new protectors.

-----After the ceremony-----

     There are lots of dancing and laughter as everyone celebrates Kisumi and I for becoming Protectors. Most of them congratulates Kisumi and I for being the chosen protectors and gives us petite gifts. We both smile and wave to everyone before running to a quiet place and worry for the future crosses our features.

     "We have to be ready for Lucifer's retaliation against us." I nod and hug Kisumi tightly as she say that.

     "We will be ready for it. I promise." We both give a small smile and look up at the night sky, each catch up in our thoughts.