I returned to my home, lighthearted at last after these long months of torment. I anticipated being presented with a conspicuous indication that I had done well, a sign from my grandfather that my quest was complete. I could not wait to, at last, collect my hard-won reward, and return to (Y/N) as a consummately free man. All the hardship was above and beyond justified, now that I could share my life with her, unburdened by my everlasting hunger.

Feeling carefree, I scanned my map room for the expected confirmation of my success. When I failed to espy anything altered from its previous state, a sharp spear of panic rent through my guts. Had I done something wrong? How was I to know what to do next without instruction? Was (Y/N) lost to me forever?!? Every cue related to this hideous quest had always been given to me in the map room! Where was it, where was my indicant!?!

All semblance of calm was discarded as I went rampaging through the entirety of my home, searching for a sign, a signal, anything changed or out of place. A note, a cell phone, a beam of light, Metatron himself, anything at all! But there was nothing!

When racing through the lesser solarium, I went flying, pell-mell, over the extended footrest of a reclining chair. I collided headfirst with the antique, glass gateleg table before skidding across the floor, but couldn’t have cared less about the damage to the furniture. All that mattered was that it had slowed me down. Cursing feverishly, I ignored the pain, the shards of glass in my knees and palms, as I took off at a fast clip, meticulously scrutinizing everywhere I went.

Six hours later, I was certain of it. Nothing had changed; there was no sign to find. From the long-abandoned dovecote to the undercroft, fucking nil.

Once I had returned to the map room, for long minutes, I stood absolutely stock-still. My mind cartwheeled helplessly, trying to make sense of a situation where there was none to be found. I had no way of knowing if it was safe to return to my beloved, if my quest had been adequately completed. What if I had missed something? Had I forgotten some key piece of instruction? If I returned prematurely, would I once again be bound to her apartment? Would all hope of gaining (Y/N) immortality be forfeit? Did I have to start all over again? Small rivulets of smoke curled from my nostrils, but I ignored them as my thoughts raced in unending circles.

For most of my life, I surely would have reacted to such an unforeseen snag with an explosive loss of my temper. I would have become indiscriminately incendiary and destroyed virtually anything around me. But now, I was a profoundly changed man. I was separated from the woman I loved without counsel to guide me back to her. In time, I realized no solution was forthcoming, that I had no idea what to do. I fell to the ground and began to weep in frustration and despair.

I was beyond despondent; I longed for (Y/N), at the least for some reminder of her to comfort me. How I wished I still had even a crumb of the cookies she had made!

With a start, I realized I felt genuinely peckish. Alarm shot through me as I made the connection; my pining for (Y/N) was consuming me! Resolute that I should never give in, never acquiesce to being parted from her, I forced myself to concentrate on the happy memories we had shared.

The rose! I gracelessly lumbered to my feet, jogging through the hallways until I reached the foyer. The front door opened with a touch. There, to the right of the entrance, was the rose (Y/N) had gifted me. Now proliferating beautifully, its many blossoms were a rich ivory. The color used to express the sincerity of ones love, a long lasting promise of commitment.

A novel emotion filled me, some manner of feeling I was unaccustomed to. Something akin to serenity, or perhaps confidence. As I looked at the roses, the nature of the sensation was revealed to me. Faith. I had faith in the love I shared with (Y/N), that it could overcome any setback, that not even my grandfather could keep us apart.

My being replete with that simple belief, an unquestionable clarity, I realized I knew exactly what I had yet to do. I had one, final contract that remained intact, one more mark from which to beg forgiveness.

Notes

At last, an update! Sorry for the delay, it's been so hot where I live, it's broken multiple records, and I can't sit by my computer for long.

Let me know how I'm doing! Rate, comment, subscribe! :3

Also check out my newest (much shorter) story that I've just started posting, Turning Thirty