-----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 stops 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 off my words with a wave and starts scolding me like I had lost her favorite purse.

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

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

     "Mariana?" She stares at me as I ask the question and she just asks 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 nods.

     "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 hears 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 minds full of thoughts about the time when our noses 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 nods 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 smiled thankfully and he raises his hand in the air.

     "All hail Aaron Eosphoros the Protector of the North!" Everyone screams in joy and I smile. I walk back to my spot at the stage and smile at Kisumi. She nods and takes 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 takes a glance at me and I grin at her, signifying that I trust her decision whatever it may be.

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

     "All hail Kisumi Abiko, the Protector of the West!" Everyone cheers as Kisumi stand 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 me for becoming Protectors. Most of them congratulate Kisumi and me 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 says that.

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