Canon Divergence, Angst, Implied Character Death

"Are you sure this is the life you want to lead?"

"It's dangerous, you know?"

"I don't think you're cut out for such a job."

These comments were nothing new to Cyno. Every time he'd tell someone about his interest in becoming the General Mahamatra, he'd always be met with a variation of one of these three comments.

He feared he'd get the same reaction when he told Tighnari the news, but it wasn't as if he couldn't just keep quiet about it. Steeling his nerves, he went and broke the news, bracing himself for the worst.

Much to his surprise, it never came.

"That's cool," Tighnari didn't seemed phased in the slightest by the news.

If anything, Cyno was probably more surprised than Tighnari was. "That's all you have to say?" The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them, too shocked to filter what he said.

"Well, even if I said anything else, it's not like it would make a difference," Tighnari leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're a very stubborn person, Cyno. Once you've got your sights set on something, there's no stopping you. If anything, I think that makes you a good fit for the job. And besides," he offered his companion a smile. "I trust that you won't get into any trouble."

Cyno could only stare at Tighnari in disbelief, too dumbfounded to form a coherent sentence. Honestly, he should've known better. Of course him of all people would be understanding; but yet, the Matra could feel himself start to tear up in relief. "Thank you," he just barely managed to huff out, wiping his eyes with his trembling hands.

^w^

Tighnari was known for being honest to a fault. He had meant everything he had told Cyno that day.

Did that mean he approved of his choice? Not in the slightest.

He had heard plenty of stories about previous General Mahamatras- they didn't take on ordinary cases of plagiarism like normal Matras; these guys would investigate grand-scale conspiracies, going as far at to take out entire groups of ill-intentioned people. Sometimes, those people would resurface with a vengeance, going as far as to assassinate the ones who had figured them out and shut them down. Needless to say, it wasn't unheard of for General Mahamatras to get killed or go missing.

Sure, Tighnari did mean it when he told Cyno he trusted that he'd keep himself out of trouble- but there was no guarantee that trouble wouldn't come knocking at his door instead. The mere thought of Cyno meeting a fate as gruesome as previous General Mahamatras was enough to make his head spin and his stomach churn.

At times like these, when he found himself in over his head worrying about Cyno's wellbeing, he'd give himself a light slap on the cheek, as a reminder that he'd put his faith in Cyno, trusting that everything would turn out just fine. He shouldn't be going back on his word now, of all times.

^w^

Tighnari could hear the incessant mumblings of the people of Gandharva Ville all the way from the outskirts of Chinvat Ravine. He couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but the fact that it was louder than usual must've meant something.

"Master Tighnari?" Collei looked toward her master with a concerned expression. "Is something the matter?"

"I'm not certain," the Forest Watcher had answered in earnest, furrowing his brow. "All I know is that we should hurry back."

With every step they took toward Gandharva Ville, the voices became more clear to Tighnari- yet what the people were saying didn't make any sense out of context. The atmosphere was heavy with something ominous, almost sinister.

When Tighnari and Collei finally arrived, all of the village people fell silent, looking at the two with worried expressions.

Amir was the only one who dared to step forward. "Tighnari," he cleared his throat, averting his gaze to the object in his hand. "There's a letter for you."

The moment that Tighnari caught sight of the familiar purple seal on the letter, everything clicked in his head. "Collei, I'm going to head to my hut to read this," he took the envelope with shaky hands, turning away from the two to head toward his hut.

"But-"

"In private," He added, a little more harshly than he had intended, before stalking off.

As soon as the forest watcher arrived in his hut, he nearly shredded open the envelope. His heart was racing, making him feel as if he were going to vomit. Surely it wasn't about what he was thinking of.

Feeling a little dizzy, Tighnari sat down on his bed as he took the slip of paper out of the envelope.

It couldn't be. Not like this, at least.

He unfolded the paper, green eyes scanning its contents.

My Dearest Tighnari,

If you're reading this letter, then I'd like to apologize for betraying your trust. 

That line was all it took for the tears to come spilling out of his eyes. He balled up the paper in frustration, hand raised to chuck it across the room- only for him to freeze up. 

It wasn't supposed to end like this. Why did it end like this?

He unfurled the paper with trembling hands, a few tears of his dripping onto its surface and smearing some of the ink. No matter how many times he read it, the words refused to process in his mind. Tighnari didn't want to believe it- he found himself making up excuse after excuse in his head, anything to explain the situation. Perhaps it was a prank, or maybe it was just a horrible nightmare, and he'd wake up in a few minutes and everything would be back to normal.

It was only after he read the last line that reality had finally settled-

I know it is not my place to ask for favors, but I entrust that you will take care of Collei for me.

With love, and great sorrow, 

Cyno

-The reality that Cyno was dead, and there was nothing he could do about it.

The crumpled letter fell from his grip, fluttering unceremoniously onto the floor. He brought his hands to his face to wipe his tears, but it only served to make his gloves soggy and cling to his paws in the most uncomfortable manner. He wanted nothing more than to cry out, to scream and yell out to the archons and demand an answer as to what happened, why it had to end like this; but the only noise that came from his throat was nothing but a pathetic hiccup.

Why? He couldn't wrap his head around it. Was that really it? Cyno was gone, just like that. He couldn't even remember what their last conversation was about- probably something to do with one of his stupid jokes, or perhaps it was a kiss goodbye. The thought made his eyes sting, yet no more tears came out. How was he expected to just go about his life when his lover left him with nothing but a letter for a farewell? How would he pick himself up and move on after losing the most important person in his life? What would he even say to Collei?

As soon as the thought entered his mind, his door burst open, making him startle in surprise. "Tighnari!" Collei's eyes were wide in alarm. She was huffing, as if she had sprinted here. "Is-" she hunched over, hands on her knees as she wheezed for breath. "Is it true? Is Cyno really...?"

Tighnari opened his mouth. He didn't know what do say, what to do- he didn't know anything. His lip quivered as he turned his head away, ears flattening against his head. He couldn't bear to look at Collei. Not like this.

His silence was the only thing she needed to confirm her question. "So, it is true..." she muttered, an air of hopelessness to her words. "Cyno, he's- he's-" she sniffled loudly, before rushing toward her master and wrapping her arms around him in a hug.

Hearing Collei wailing against his chest was enough to make Tighnari's tears return. He reciprocated the hug with just as much fervor, clinging onto Collei for dear life. The two sat there for what felt like an eternity, hugging one another and crying to their heart's content.

Tighnari was uncertain of a lot of things- but there was one thing he was sure of. 

Cyno had put his trust into him to take care of Collei, both when he had initially brought her to Gandharva Ville, and now, in his final wish. Although Cyno had failed to uphold his end of their mutual trust, Tighnari was determined to see it through.

Don't worry, Cyno. She's in good hands.

Author's Note

Screaming crying yelling passing away... I was wondering what to do for this prompt when this brilliant idea presented itself to me. I am so sorry for this. It had to be done. Also sorry it came out so late LOL I kept getting distracted. Next chapter will come out earlier though, I'm super excited! I really hope you liked this one, as I'm not the best at writing angst.

Word Count: ~1.5k Words