Theme Song: "I Will Not Say Goodbye" by Danny Gokey
________________________________

Nathan awoke as good as new again, but something wasn't right. He still felt asleep, but awake at the same time. To add, he's never seen a place before like where was at the moment; it was completely white, no objects, no sounds from outside.

"I swear, crazy shit happens every time I dream about something related to my mother." said Nathan.

"Except this isn't a dream."

Nathan traced the voice behind him and found a young pale woman, wearing a loose, flowy celeste blue gown and no shoes. Nathan observed her carefully; her pale skin, her pitch black hair, and her eyes. All of these features reminded Nathan of one person: Fiona- which could also mean she resembled two people he knew, and that was Fiona's twin, himself.

"Nathan my love, you're so...grown!" the woman said, amazed by Nathan's appearance.

"Wh-Who are you? And how do you know my name?"

"My name is Natalia Blackwood. I'm sure that name rings quite a few bells in that head of yours."

"My mother is dead! I'm not going to ask-"

"Well jeez, thanks for rubbing it in! Shush, can't you tell? We look exactly alike! Well, except that you're much taller than I expected, but still as handsome! It's a shame I couldn't see your sister, though."

"How do you know about her?"

"Nathan, really? I'm- we're in your mind here! I made sure to learn a few things about you before we met. Honestly, bless my cursed soul for saying this, but that little brat deserved what came for her! I would have never raised Fiona to be that way! Speaking of which, your son! What a darling he is, you've raised him so well-"

"Stop, just stop."

Natalia let out a sigh, "Sorry, this is too much, too fast, I understand. I'll give you your time to collect your thoughts."

With that, Nathan realized three key things: one, her ability to sympathize. He then remembered his father's few words, "If it wasn't for your mother's sympathetic genes-..."

Two, her kindness. It reminded him of Vincent. Finally, in connection with his second reasoning, her eyes. He was captivated by them at first, but just noticed that they were the same exact shade of green as Vincent's eyes- dismissing the theory that his son's eyes were a combination of Adrianna's and his own. It then just hit him harder than any other hit he has taken.

"Mom?" he broke.

"Nathan." she smiled, bringing him closer for a tight hug.

A new feeling of relief grew within Nathan, almost like a huge empty space within him has finally been filled after a troubling, rigid, long, long, twenty-seven years.

"I've been trying to get in contact with you you're whole life. I've been stuck in Limbo for so long, but to no avail could I even see you. I would only hear small talk every so often, but it was better than nothing. Now, it seems your father has his focus on destroying humanity, and lost his focus on keeping me in strict boundaries. Eventually, I was able to leave Limbo as a free soul, but I was already comfortable there- so instead, I tried finding other souls or spirits that could have helped me find you. After endless years of searching, I was told to meet with La Santa Muerte, that she was good at allowing the dead to speak with the living. Right now, she's letting me do just that. I must say, I'm quite proud of how far you've come!" she said, tears in her eyes.

Nathan's eyes started to glisten as well, but it was evident he was fighting it, "Did anyone hurt you there? In Limbo?"

"No actually! One thing you should know about me, is that I'm an omnist, even for demons!" said Natalia, wiping her eyes.

"What's that?"

"Well, I guess you'll also learn how me and your father met."

"Oh, do tell!"

"Will do! An omnist is someone who believes in more than one religion, and I actually practiced them all!"

"You're kidding?"

"Nope. Why do you think all the gods get along with you, as opposed to your father? Omnists are rare on Earth, and since there's so little of them in the world, everyone knows exactly who they are."

"What made Satan interested in you?"

"Funny you ask. Well, you see, I also had a particular interest in demonology at the same time. My favorite spiritual figures of all time were Jehovah Himself, Jesus Christ, Allah, and Satan; I'd pray and worship all of them! But, one day I felt daring I actually called upon 'Satan,' this time. I always referred to him as 'Lucifer' whenever I spoke of him in prayer."

"You had a death wish."

"I wouldn't call it that, but yes, I was- both metaphorically and literally- taunting The Devil. So it turns out it worked and I actually wound up speaking to him. He came off as this peaceful, broken soul. I wanted to connect with him more, and eventually, our encounter led to multiple, eventually we professed our love for each other. Well, for me it was love, he obviously had other plans. Almost a year later, I had you."

"And Fiona." Nathan added.

"No, no, I think it's safe to say at this point that she never existed." flagged Natalia.

"Sounds good to me!"

"After you were born, as soon as I got home, I just dropped dead with you in my arms."

"Well shit, I was dropped then!"

"Probably for the better, since even though you clearly had a rough start in life, you seemed to have found your true path and start a new story. Again, I could never be more proud of you than I am now."

"Mom," said Nathan, "I'm also proud to know you're the half-human in me."

"Aw, such words- Oh jeez! I almost forgot, you have a world to save! I need to go now then."

"Now? But, will you ever come back?"

"Sweetie, I can't keep nagging Santa Muerte-"

"I mean to life?"

Natalia hesitated, "You know I can't do that, Nathan. I no longer belong."

"What? Of course you do-"

"Nathan, no I don't."

"No, don't you FUCKING SAY THAT!-"

"Nathan!"

"NO! My whole damned life I've wanted to feel, to be complete. I've never known what that has felt like until now. This is my one chance for it and you can't-"

"You know I can't! There are rules and I've already accepted my death a long time ago, and you should too!"

"What if I don't want to?!"

"That's enough Nathan...I have to go now."

"Mom, you can't- please, don't..."

"Baby, you have your own family now, and look how far you've come without me. All that you are is from me, not because of me, remember that. Nathan, I love you with all my soul, and I want you to remember something: You can't bring me back, but just keep in mind that no matter where you are, I am there watching you succeed. But, I can't do that until we say goodbye and you stop your father once and for all. You have to wake up now. You need to end this. You want me to be free? I can't be alive, but my soul will be forever free and that's all I want. Satan's curse has limited restrictions, but I still want none of it! Do this for me, your family, and the world."

"I'm not saying goodbye, I'm going to get you back Mom, do you understand me? I-...I love you too, Mom." choked Nathan, finally letting loose his tears.

"Please don't cry, Nate. I have to go; be strong. You can do it!"

"I'm NOT SAYING IT!"

"Nathan..."

"NO!..."

"Goodbye, my dear."

She made her final lean to Nathan, pecked a kiss on his cheek and embraced him warmly, as he sobbed on her hair.

Grievingly, he distortedly whispered, "Goodbye, Mom. I will never forget you."

"Again, you can't, because I'm always with you." she whispered back, as her body coldly faded away in his arms.

Externally...

La Santa Muerte released her finger as the communication had ended. She saw tears streaming down Nathan's face and decided to wipe one off his cheek, before disappearing into nothing. Nathan finally woke up and floated in place to an upright position.

The Grim Reaper then just returned to him. "How do you feel now?"

Nathan's red and wet eyelids were shut, his fists were clenched, and his breathing was heavy. Just then, as if his body temperature dramatically rose, the tear drops and tear-trails began to fizz and evaporate, like he was burning his own tears. He then opened his eyes to The Grim Reaper, as they were now engulfed in violet energy. His enormous phoenix-wings spread out beside him.

"Take me back to Earth." him and his spirit responded simultaneously with bitterness laced in their voices.

*I recommend the attached song to better connect with Nathan's new and unseen emotions in this chapter with those lyrics that are ever so spot-on.

Not only that, but if anyone is mourning a loss, this song is worth the listen. I'm not too sure on how it'll heal you, but it's definitely relatable! I get chills every time I hear it.

Hey, at least it's more soothing than the last chapter's theme, right? 😂

Vote, comment, and stay tuned for more!