The day was dark and gloomy as rain fell in thick waves over the small quiet little town of San Vivida, Mexico. As the rain was falling, many of the quiet friendly villagers hid in their small homes spending time with their families telling stories and the like. However not all was peaceful; at the edge of the village where the rich farmland laid, a short middle aged man ran as much as he could despite his disability in his leg while he carried a small baby in his arms. He had found the newborn abandoned in the forest and as a kind nurturing man he wouldn't dare leave a baby to die. The best thing he could possibly do was bring the baby to the most respected man in the village; Death. Despite the name, everyone in the village looked up to Death. Many told stories to the children that Death came from a distant magical land, with teachings and magical potions that helped heal the village especially during the times of plague. No matter if it was true or not, all of the village was grateful to him. With the newborn wrapped in cloth and held tightly in his arms, the man known as Jorge knocked quickly on Death's door. He was soaked to the bone, and his cane that he relied on to walk was long discarded back in his hut. As a lonely man, Jorge's only solace was having conversations with Death as well as practicing his love of carving into wood. Often he would carve small toys for children and fashion small furniture for the locals from scraps of wood he would purchase from merchants. With a shiver and a grunt, Jorge held the quiet baby close to his chest. As he was waiting he prayed that the silence didn't mean the baby wasn't alive.

"Por favor, dios mio..." He whispered to himself.

Miguel laid on the ground like a corpse for the next few minutes until Grim began to talk. He groaned after Grim mentioned how long it was going to be until the presents and food, but after Grim proposed playing outside Miguel instantly sat up.

"Okay!" Miguel said with a grin. "But mami and papi won't let us go out by ourselves... We can either get abuelo to come with us or we can sneak our! Abuelo is fun when he plays with us."

 

Grim smiled, seeing his brother cheering up from his boredom. “We can totally get abuelo to play with us! Come on! He should be outside!” Grim squeaked, hurrying out the door and around the house, looking for his grandfather. He didn’t had to look far. Andres was sitting by a tree around the property, burning some incense as he also propped up some random items and charms around. A horse shoe, a few four leaf clovers, even an alligator claw. How he got it would be a story for another time. “Abuelo!” Grim called, running over to him with Miguel. “Want to play with Miguel and I?” Grim asked. Andres turned, looking over at his beloved grandchildren as he smiled softly. “Sure! What you boys want to play?” Andres asked, standing up. He was old, but still standing strong. He had come by a week earlier due to…well, the incoming event. The fact that the day arrived was ever so dreadful, yet he couldn’t help but to think that maybe, maybe he could stop it. Or at least, spend enough time with him of what he had left. Andres walked over to Miguel, lightly tickling him on the side. “Alright birthday boy! What you want to play?” Andres cooed.

 

Miguel smiled brightly and shot right up as soon as Grim agreed to go get their grandfather. Miguel ran right along, and almost immediately they found the very man they were looking for.

"Holaaaaaa abueloooooo~" Miguel sang, jerking slightly and laughing when Andres tickled him. "In in a really huge mood to play catch! Ah, there's always dominos, but I really want to throw a ball. We all could play and pass it to each other!"

 

Andres nodded as he rubbed their heads. “Alright then! We can play with the ball!” Andres cheered. He stood up and looked around for the ball, and picked it up. “Let’s be careful we don’t hit the house. Your mom will chase us down the river if we break a window.” Andres chuckled as he bounced the ball against the floor. “You’re up, Grim!” Andres said as he threw it. Grim jumped, barely catching it as he turned to Miguel. “Here!” He laughed, throwing it at Miguel. It was simple games like this that made some of the greatest of memories.

 

Miguel couldn't help but smile like an idiot as he began to play ball with his brother and grandfather. It was a simple silly game, but Miguel didn't care. He had fun all the same. Miguel tossed the ball back and once he got the ball again, Miguel decided to do some tricks with it. After about five minutes, Miguel tossed the ball high into the air... But it flew away into the field.

"I'll go get it!" Miguel chimed as he ran after it. However as he ran, a kid who hid behind a tree came out and pushed Miguel right to the ground.

"You can't run here bruja!" The kid said. "You'll hurt somebody!"

Miguel frowned and stood up, dusting himself off.

"Stop calling me a bruja! And I don't hurt people! I'd never hurt anybody..."

The kid shook his head, and pushed at Miguel again.

"Yes you do. You talk to the snakes and tell them to bite people! You're the son of the witch!"

Miguel growled, and pushed at the kid back. "Mi madre is NOT a witch! And I don't tell snakes to bite people!"

The kid fell to the ground. "Then prove it!" He retorted. "Catch the evil Python then! It's at the swamp. If he isn't your friend, then catch him!"

Grim watched as Miguel's ran off to get the ball. He tapped his feet and watched his grandfather walk over to him. "Hey Grim, come here for a sec." Andres said as he walked over to him. He knew what was about to come by the end of the day. But how to prepare a young child for something as horrid as the death of a sibling? "Hey Grim, do you know where people go when they die?" Andres asked. Grim thought for a moment. "They go to the sky to be happy and fly." Grim answered. "Yes, they do. That's where their souls go. Do you know what they can do up there?" Andres asked. Grim shrugged. "Well they can do anything and everything. After death there is no pain, no bullies, and you can do whatever you want whenever you want." Andres explained. "Without chores?!" Grim gasped. He paused and frowned. "But when people die we don't get to see them again." Grim hummed. "You're right. We don't. Not until it is our turn to die. But...you have to always remember that no matter what happens, when someone dies, they always end up in a happy place." Andres said. He did his best to paint some sort of heaven fun land that he could imagine for the sake of making it any easier on Grim without telling him the reason. "Happy place..." Grim murmured. "Then when I die. I'll meet everyone else who died, right?" Grim asked. "That's what I think happens." Andres said. Grim smiled. However as the minutes passed he didn't see his brother, and so he ran off. "I'll go get Miguel! I think he might be catching frogs again!" Grim said as he ran down the field. Andres was going to stop it but decided against it. It was his brother. He didn't know how much they had left together. They had to enjoy it. Grim hurried down to the field. Seeing Miguel and some other kid, he quickly ran to his brother. "Miguel are you ok? What happened?"

Miguel was staring down the kid with the most threatening look he could muster. But then Grim came... He wasn't expecting his brother to appear. Miguel was going to talk to Grim, but the kid spoke up.

"All the son of la bruja does is hurt people!" He said. "And that's you..."

Miguel backed away. He looked to Grim then to the kid and Grim again. Miguel closed his eyes tight... And ran off. He ran past Andres and towards the direction of the swamp.

Another bully. Grim couldn't help but to feel overall angry. Why were they always so mean to his brother? He never did anything wrong! "Stop it! Leave him alone!" Grim yelled. Forge wasn't a witch, Megara wasn't a witch, Death wasn't a witch. Why would they say something so cruel to someone who had done nothing? Before he could help Miguel up, his sibling ran off, past him and their grandfather. "Miguel?!" Grim yelled. He glared back at the kid before running after Miguel. Andres watched Miguel run over, but before he could say anything the young boy ran past him. "Miguel?" Andres asked, looking rather puzzled. Grim ran up. "Grim, what happened?" "Some kid was bullying Miguel!" Grim panted. Andres pursed his lips. "Damn him." He hissed. Grim grabbed his hand, dragging him along. "Come on! We have to go get him!" Grim insisted, dragging his grandfather along after Miguel.

Miguel ran and ran until he reached the swamps. He didn't even care if Grim or his grandfather was behind. He just wanted to get to the swamps and prove them wrong. Prove them all wrong. He wasn't the son of a witch... He would never hurt anybody. He would never hurt Grim.

"Stupido..." Miguel uttered to himself, trotting along with watery eyes and a runny nose.

"He's wrong..."

"Are you sssssso ssssssure...?" Miguel turned his head around. What was that voice? Slowly, he saw a snake approach him. It was the Python. The mighty Python that was told in stories at night. It's eyes were cat like and yellow. His scales were black with red stripes...

"I-I'm sure..." Miguel replied with a small peep. Suddenly he heard voices behind him; Grim's and Andres'. He turned around to see them approach.

"G-Guada... Abuel-" he was cut off by the sound of a hiss, and a mighty strike. The snake had bitten Miguel right in the ankle. Almost immediately his body dropped to the floor, and his body stiffened up. He gasped in pain from an injection of venom that killed a man in mere minutes.

"U-Ugh...!"

The snaked hissed and slithered away. "The debt issssssss repaid....."

"Miguel, wait up!" Grim called, running up the hill. What was up with him? The least he could do was to wait. That's when they reached the top, seeing the swamp...and Miguel on the ground. "Miguel?!" Andres' heart stopped. "No." He whispered, the two running down the muddy hill and into the swamp, reaching at Miguel. Andres quickly wrapped his arms around him, lifting him up. "Miguel! Can you hear me?! Miguel!!!" Andres called. Grim looked at his brother with worry, tears forming on the edge of his eyes. His skin was cold to the touch, and once his eyes caught the sight of the bite, Andres began to panic. "No no no!" Andres yelled, shaking Miguel slightly. "Miguel, don't fall asleep on us! Stay awake, you hear me?!" Andres yelled. He knew that this was the day. He knew he wouldn't be able to prevent it. But he had to try. "Miguel...!!!" Grim hiccupped. Andres turned to him. "Grim. Listen to me. I want you to find your father and tell him what happened. Bring him to the house. I'll hurry Miguel there and stop the venom. Understood?" Andres said. Grim nodded ever so softly. "Now go! Hurry!" Andres ordered, and Grim ran off. Andres crawled out of the swamp, hurrying home while holding a dying Miguel in his arms. "Stay with me, Miguel!!!"

Miguel couldn't really hear his grandfather. He was too distracted by the pain coursing throughout his veins. It was unbearable. He couldn't even respond or talk other than his quiet cry and gasps of pain. Miguel was very scared. In seconds his voice and his struggle only began to die down more and more, morphing into a silent whisper.

"G....Gu...a...." His body slowly went limp, but he still had a pulse. It was the faintest pulse as he was soon to be lost to the world. It was a miracle he was still even alive at this point.

Andres hurried back to the home, tensing as he felt Miguel become limp in his arms. He rushed through, slamming the door open. "Megara!!!" Andres screamed, hurrying as he pushed everything off the table and laid Miguel down. Megara hurried over to see what was happening, and instantly panicked once she saw her child. "Miguel!!!" Megara screamed, hurrying over to his side. The colors had been drained from his face, and if he wasn't dead yet, he was just about to be. "Hurry! Bring a belt and tie it around his leg, we have to stop the venom from spreading!" Andres called, Megara hurrying to do as asked. He was a witch doctor, but he knew that his spiritual healing would not be of use this time. He hurried back and forth the famous medicine cabinet, looking around for medicines and anti venoms. It was only a matter of time.

 

Grim ran as fast as he could, warm tears streaming down his face as he would stop for nothing, not even when his ribs began to ache and his heart began to beat to the point of exploding. Within the church Death helped the elderly father with a few things before mass, the doors slamming open as Grim ran in. "Grim?" Death asked. Grim gasped, crying and his lips quivering. "Papi...!!!" Grim chocked on a sob. "M...Miguel...!!!" Death's eyes slowly widened, the grip on the chalice in his hands loosening as it dropped on the floor.

 

Death arrived with Grim as fast as he could, hurrying over to look at Miguel. "Mi Miguelito...!!!" Megara sobbed in panic. "What kind of snake was it?!" Death asked, moving his hands as he felt the faintest of pulses. "I don't know! He barely got bit five minutes ago, maybe less!" Andres hissed, trying to keep Miguel to keep breathing. "Mierda mierda!" Death cursed. He had never seem such venom take such drastic effects so quickly. "Have you injected anti venom?!" "I gave him the strongest one you have, it isn't working!" "Give him the entire thing! Bigger dose, now!" Death ordered, preparing a needle as he rubbed Miguel's head. "Miguel! Miguel can you hear me?!" Death asked. Grim sneaked between the adults, extending his hand to hold Miguel's. It had never felt so cold. "Miguel...!!!"

Miguel's hand was growing colder and colder by the second. It appeared obvious that it was too late to stop the venom, for Miguel's nose began to bleed. His head lulled to the side, and his mouth parted in the slightest. He didn't say anything nor respond; a few seconds later the pulse went away. There was nothing left- Miguel was gone.

Sage meanwhile was sitting on the couch, watching as this event took place. He seemed upset, although he knew at the end of the day this was inevitable. Not even he could do anything about it.

"Cabra gets what he wants..." Sage muttered to himself, watching Miguel's now dead body.

 

As the heartbeat faded, silence seemed to overcome the loud sounds, at least to Death’s ears. He slowly stopped and lowered his hands, his eyes never leaving the child. “I…” He whispered. “I…I can’t…I can’t do anything…” He whispered. He couldn’t even look at his wife. “I’m so sorry…I…I’ve lost him.” Death said, tears falling down his face. Megara screamed in utter horror, wrapping her arms around Miguel as she tried to wake him up, holding him close as she cradled him in his arms. Grim shook his head, trying to wake up Miguel as well. But it was useless. He was gone. “Miguel…no…Miguel…!!!” Grim cried, screaming and sobbing as his whole body ached. He had lost his one and only friend, and brother. He would never see him again. “Mi Miguelito…!!!” Megara sobbed, rocking him back and forth as tears dripped down her cheeks. Death just cried silently, his hands shaking as he looked down. “Jorge…I’m sorry…” He whispered, feeling dread overcome him. “Miguel…Miguel…” Andres looked away, his hand forming into a fist as tears formed as well. One thing was to lose someone. Another was to lose someone right in front of you, and be helpless to do anything about it. Andres gritted his teeth, glancing over at Sage before looking away, stepping out of the house. “I knew this day would come and yet…it hurts so much…” Andres hissed to himself, walking off into the town to look out for a familiar Undertaker.

 

Sage sighed as he saw Andres go to leave. After seeing Andres Sage realized maybe it wasn't the best idea to tell Andres of Miguel's inevitable death. Sage couldn't help but get up and follow Andres or of the house.

"Wait-"

"Wait nothing!" Came a nearby voice from behind Sage. Sage was grabbed by the wrist and turned around by a young man who looked to be just about a few years older than Grim and Miguel. He also looked to be just a few years younger than Sage. He wore white clothes, almost a formal yet monk-like attire and wore a strange rune like necklace around his neck. It all contrasted his dark hair and eye color.

"You had something to do with this, didn't you?" He asked, sounding very aggravated. "He wasn't supposed to die today. The Candlemaker said so so now he has me cleaning up after you."

Sage slammed his palm on his face and ran forward to keep up with Andres once more.

"Leave me alone you little secretary!" Sage grounded out.

"I am not a secretary..." The young man uttered.

Andres heard Sage, but he was too upset to stop. He continued walking, wiping tears from his face as he felt his heart ache. He truly thought he had prepared himself to lose his grandson. But apparently no one could ever be ready to be presented with such a loss. He heard Sage eventually catch up to him, and Andres glanced at him slightly. "I know, I know. It couldn't be avoided. That Cabra gets what he wants or something like that..." Andres chocked on a soft sob. "I just can't hold it, you know? It's his birthday...and the only present we can give him is a coffin...!!!" Andres hissed, never stopping as he eventually reached the Undertaker's place. He didn't held back, slamming his fist on the door a couple of times before Undertaker opened. "Señor Andres, we were just about to head over-" The sight of the elderly man in tears made Undertaker stop on his tracks. Something was wrong. "...Andres...did something happen?" Undertaker asked. Andres breathed, holding in the urge to collapse in tears and slowly sighed. "A...a tragedy...Miguel has..." Andres pursed his lips, feeling the bitterness of the words. "...passed away." Gasps happened in response. One from Undertaker, and one from his son, who dropped the wrapped present in hand onto the floor before clasping his hands over his mouth. "No...you're lying..." Santiago muttered. Andres' seriousness said otherwise. "Dios mio...I'm so sorry. I don't know..." Undertaker bit his lip. "Do you want me to..." "Yes." Andres responded. "Just...give us an hour or two before we bring him-" He paused. "...his body." "No, you're lying, stop it!" Santiago yelled, running past his father as he began to try to punch at Andres, who for the man were merely a child's effort. "You're lying it isn't good to lie!!!" Santiago screamed. "Santiago!" Undertaker yelled as he pulled his son back. Never had he acted like this. Santiago sobbed, tears falling from his face. "You're lying..." He cried. Andres frowned. "Oh little one. I wish we could turn back time." Andres whispered.

Sage growled as he continued to follow Andres. He only continued to bicker with the newcomer.

"Leave me the FIRETRUCK alone!" Sage cursed at the young man.

The young man only shook his head. Once they got to the Undertaker's house and saw Santiago cry, the young man only shook his head once more in unsatisfacton.

"You see what you caused?" The boy asked, crossing his arms as he lectured Sage. "The affairs of the living can't be messed with!"

Sage growled and shot a glare right in the newcomer's direction. "Living? You haven't even been dead for a decade yet! And I didn't mess with anything- I was actually trying to help them!"

"Help them?" The boy asked. "Then how come he died now when he was supposed to die an old man?!" They both started to argue once more, right in front of Andres and everyone. It looked somewhat silly honestly.

Andres and Undertaker both stared at each other as they heard the ongoing fight behind them. "Um...should I..." Undertaker started, but Andres raised his hand. "I'll take care of it. Take your son in." Andres insisted. "Right...I'll get a coffin ready as well." Undertaker said. He turned to his son, cooing him as he led him back inside and closed the door gently. As the argument heated up, Andres turned on his heels and walked over to Sage and the young man that he was arguing with. Usually he wouldn't get involved, but he heard something too interesting to ignore. "What are you two going on about?" Andres asked with a hiss, glaring down. "You said something about my grandson having to die at an old age, but he told me that there was nothing we could do because of some Cabra...What the hell is going on?" Andres demanded.

The boy who Sage was arguing whipped his head around to see Andres approached him. He liked over to Sage with a glare and shook his head.

"He can see us..."

"Well, he IS a Witch Doctor. The grave dude can too because he's the Undertaker. Like I said, you haven't been dead for not even a century yet so don't act like you know everything because you don't." Sage shot back, sounding evermore aggravated by the second. The newcomer sighed and looked to Andres.

"I'm sorry..." He said with a frown. "My name... Is Ani. I was killed by my father years ago. I'm the Candlemaker's apprentice-"

"What he means is secretary or better yet- trash intern!" Sage cut in.

"...Candlemaker's... Assistant... And I have been watching over Miguel for a while now... He wasn't supposed to die now. Just like how he wasn't supposed to die in the fire. But something interfered."

"And that something is Cabra." Sage concluded, with a nod.

Andres clicked his tongue as he listened the situation. He had heard of the horrible murder from one of his son's letters, and was impressed to see that the boy's soul had grown up ahead. However grief was a much more potent emotion than curiosity, and instead of asking questions, all he could do was shake his head in disapproval and sadness. "Candlemaker, Cabra, I will be honest with you, I could care less." Andres hissed. "Cabra or whoever he is has taken my grandchild away from his family prematurely, and we could do absolutely nothing to stop it. I searched everywhere, I prayed and did every ritual and cast I know and even so it was useless. So unless you have something good to say, or a solution to...to this tragedy, then please LEAVE." Andres insisted. His usually strong figure was finally shaking. No battle or fight could ever be as painful to see your loved one die in your arms.

"Cabra..." Ani uttered, crossing his arms and looking down. He knew of the name. The name among Chupacabra's many names were well known. They were names of fear. Some were even afraid of just saying it.

"I'm really, really sorry..." He whispered. After all the anger that died down from the argument, to was all replaced with sadness now that he had the opportunity to mourn the loss of Miguel.

"I just don't know what to do... I don't have any powers or authority... But I'll talk to the Candlemaker right away. When he heard today that Miguel died, he was very upset. Miguel was supposed to have a long happy life."

Sage sighed and crossed his arms. This entire situation was a mess. This situation... Was his mess.

"Look, don't listen to him. Me, I'm known all throughout for causing trouble and doing what I'm not supposed to do. I'll go keep an eye on Miguel where he is and try to stall Cabra as much as I can while candlestick over here finds a way to bring Miguel back if that's even possible."

Andres groaned and gently held his head. "Do whatever you want to do. If there is a way you can bring him back...I'll give you my own soul and a thousand more." Andres said truthfully. No matter how much he prepared...the pain was still there. "If you excuse me...I have a burial to help prepare." Andres whispered, turning around and away from the two mystic beings as he walked away. He borrowed a shovel from the undertaker and began to dig the grave, one next to Jorge so it may be if Miguel cannot return to life, he will at least be next to his father in death. By the time Death arrived with Megara and Grim hours later, the three of them were a complete mess. Their cheeks red and stained with fresh tears. To even hand over Miguel to the Undertaker was one of the most painful things they have had to do. It felt as if it was giving up on him, even though they knew they weren't. Megara grieved in Death's arms, who simply cried silently. Grim wee the worse of the three. Tears never ending, his body shaking as he sobbed out for Miguel. The moment Undertaker closed the coffin with Miguel inside, Grim launched at him, screaming that he needed light, that he would be lonely in there. Megara painfully stopped her son from charging over, trying to mentally muffle Grim's pleads. Death and undertaker picked up the coffin and carried it outside, Grim being quieted down by his mother. Burials were meant to be both sad and happy. He wouldn't like to see you scream, she assured.

Andres left Ani very confused and fearful. He didn't know how Sage was all nonchalant like this entire mess could be solved in a day, it could be even solved at all.

"We can't bring him back." Ani hissed, to Sage. "And how can you watch over him? I thought you were banned from that realm."

Sage rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. Sure, Sage appeared to be very confident and determined, but on the inside he was having an absolute meltdown. "I'm banned from a lot of places, honestly. But I do what I want and after going there a thousand times they don't even care that I visit that realm anymore. Look, I know it's my fault you're dead but the least you could do is try and help me." With that, Sage dissapeared. Ani looked absolutely shocked at what Sage even said.

"The least I could do..." Ani looked down and walked away. "The least I could do after he killed me, my father and practically killed my mother. My mother may be I've but she's not even living. She's existing... Her candle is dull and constantly flickers..."

 

At the funeral, Ani stood off to the side. He wasn't really afraid of being out in the open due to the fact that most people can't see him anyway. He looked down at Miguel's coffin, and felt a lump rise in his throat when he saw Grim's reaction.

"I'm so sorry..." Ani whispered, to both Grim and Miguel. "How could it have ended this way...?" Ani was somewhat surprised he didn't see his mother. Honestly he was happy she wasn't at the funeral because of how close she was to Grim and Miguel. She was already in limbo and to see Miguel dead... It would only drive her more insane, more depressed. The poor woman was already at a loss as it was. On his birthday his mother celebrated it like he was alive. Ani wouldn't be surprised if his mother actually believed he was alive too.

"No one must have found out yet..." He muttered.

Death and Undertaker moved the small coffin to the cemetery, where Andres had dug a hole for the burial. Death nor Megara told anyone, they didn't want to tell anyone. The last thing they wanted was for someone to show up and curse their boy's name at his own funeral. Megara specifically hoped no one came by to cause trouble just because of how emotionally fragile Death was at the moment. He was patient and kind but in moments like this...were anyone to say a bad word about Miguel there would be no way of stopping him from going on a killing spree out of anger. The only one they did call was the priest, who had made his way to the cemetery just as they had lowered the coffin. Megara had to keep her grip tight on Grim to keep him from jumping down into the hole to get his brother. Santiago stood next to his father sobbing, holding a few flowers he had hurried to pick up for Miguel. "What a tragedy..." The elderly priest hummed, shaking his head as he glanced at the family. "My condolences..." He said, Death nodding a big but not making eye contact. The priest sighed and began to speak, "We gather here today to say goodbye to a life much too young to have left this world. Miguel, who was kind regardless of so much affecting him, will be buried next to his father so that they may be together in the afterlife, and in mortal bodies, for the rest of eternity. We must remember that even though he has passed on in a tragedy, that he will be at peace, and that Jorge will receive him with open arms. For god has taken him in his arms..." He explained. There was silence, but Grim quickly broke it. "Why?!" He screamed, all eyes turning on him. "Why would god be so cruel to take him away from us?! Why would any god do this?!" Grim screamed, much to the surprise of his parents. "Grim-!" Megara hushed, but the priest simply shook his head. "That I do not know child. There are many things that mortals like us may never be able to understand." He explained. Grim gritted his teeth, looking down at the coffin that contained Miguel. His friend. His brother. "Miguel..." He whispered. Santiago stepped forward, giving a flower to Grim before looking down at the casket. "M-Miguel liked to collect the flowers and berries from the fields. So I brought him some..." Santiago cooed. He then let the flowers and berries slip from his hands and down into the hole, onto the casket. Grim stared down at the small flower that he was given, his eyes full of pain and utter sadness. "Miguel...I love you...I hope, we meet soon again..." Grim whispered as he let the flower drop onto the casket, landing ever so gently. The day couldn't for once, seem any paler. It was as of the colors had been drained, and Miguel had taken them to the grave.

Ani sighed softly as he watched the scene happen before him. He expected as much as a reaction from Miguel's brother, however it still deeply unsettled him. He Ani couldn't imagine feeling such a way. Just the scene alone made Ani want to cry to Grim and his brother.

"But it wasn't God..." He whispered, wanting to just go over there and give Grim a hug. The clouds were gray and the day grew chilly almost as if even the Earth was mourning the loss of Miguel. Ani looked up the steep hill yards ahead to see Sage there, leaning against the tree as he did when Jorge died.