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~30 years later~
Rena was in a hospital room, surrounded by her loved ones. To her right was Clark, holding her hand, his eyes red from crying. To her left was her now adult daughter Sybil and her girlfriend Lily. Lily was holding their two-year-old granddaughter, Violet, who was fidgeting in her arms. Rena looked around and couldn’t help but smile. Everyone’s eyes were filled with tears.
“Please, my loves, don’t cry. I know it’s hard, but I have lived a full and happy life. You all have given me such joy, filled my life with such happiness. I could not have asked for anything more.”
She looked to her daughter. “Sybi, you are an amazing young woman. I am so proud of you. You found an amazing partner to spend your life with, and look at your own daughter. I cannot begin to express how happy I am that you will get to experience the same joys that I had with you. Motherhood is a blessing, and I was so blessed to be yours.”
Turning to Lily, she continued, “Lilith, thank you so much for everything. I cannot ask for a better partner for my dear Sybil. You will face hardships, but I know the two of you will pull through together. I love you both so dearly.”
She then addressed her granddaughter, “Little Violet, I know you don’t understand, but just know your Grammy loves you very much. You be a good girl for your mommies, okay?”
Rena then turned to her left and into her husband’s eyes. Sybil saw the look and quickly shuffled everyone out so they could have their moment.
“Clark. My beloved Clark.”
“Ree, don’t go yet. Please don’t go,” he said, his voice breaking as tears started to fall.
“Clark, it’s okay. It’s my time to go. We will see each other again, I just know we will. Please don’t be sad. You need to hold on for Sybi, Lily, and Violet. Just a little longer, my love,” she said, reaching up to wipe his tears away. He leaned into her hand, holding the back with his own.
“Clark, you were my light, my shining light that led me out of the darkness. Thank you for coming back to me. Just when I was about to lose all hope once again, you came back to me. I love you, forever and always. I will love you till the end of time.”
He looked up into her eyes and smiled through his tears. “Yes, my love. You were my hopes and dreams. My own light to my own darkness. You shined so bright I couldn’t help but be drawn to you. I love you, forever and always. I will love you till the end of time.”
Rena leaned in for one last kiss. So tender and so soft, yet it was filled with such love and passion. She leaned back and smiled as she closed her eyes.
“Goodbye, Clark, my love.”
“Goodbye, Serena, my love.”
Memories flew through her mind. They say your life flashes before your eyes as you die, but this wasn’t a flash. It was slow and smooth, guiding her along to memories long forgotten. Memories of a time that didn’t exist, or so she thought. Memories that had been taken away. Memories of beings not known to mankind. At first, it felt wrong, like they weren’t her memories. But soon, she realized they were hers. Memories taken were returning, but why? She reached the end of the memories and soon felt like she was waking up from a long dream.
Rena felt herself get lighter. The room seemed to get brighter. She opened her eyes and saw everyone back in the hospital room, but there was one more figure in the back of the room.
She looked at herself in the mirror and saw she was back in her 20-year-old body, well, as a ghost of her 20-year-old self.
She looked up towards the figure standing in the doorway and smiled warmly. “Hello… Old Friend.”
The figure, dressed in a black robe and holding a scythe in one hand, used the other to remove his hood as he walked into the room and approached her bedside. “Hello… Rena.” He smiled, his red eyes glowing, contrasting sharply with his snow-white hair.
“Fancy meeting you here,” she giggled, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
“Yeah, fancy that,” he chuckled back, his voice deep and familiar.
“The memories. They came back. Why?” She looked up at him, her eyes searching for answers.
“Because this is the end, my dear,” he replied gently.
“So, what now?” she asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Well, I take you to the underrealm and you pass on to your forever after,” he said, a slight grin forming on his face.
“Seems about right,” she chuckled softly.
“Or…” he started, a mischievous smirk appearing.
“Or what?” she asked, her confusion evident.
“Well, my dear Rena. How would you like to become a Guardian?” he proposed, his eyes twinkling.
“Become a Guardian? How… wait, who? What?” she yelped, her voice rising in surprise.
“Calm down, no one died. It’s more like a new ‘position’ has been created,” he explained, making air quotes with his fingers.
“You are not making any sense,” she glared at him, her patience wearing thin.
“What I’m trying to say is that a guardian is needed for a new element. So Serena Amara Reyes, how would you like to be a Guardian?” he asked, his tone sincere.
“New Element? How does that work?” she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
“No one knows, but what we do know is that you are destined to fill the role,” he said confidently.
“If I’m destined, then why did you ask?” she rolled her eyes, exasperated.
“Formalities?” he replied, his tone questioning.
“You are still such a dork, Blaine,” she chuckled, shaking her head.
“Would you want me any other way?” he smiled, his eyes softening.
Rena looked around the room at the ghostly figures of her family. Glancing one last time at Clark, she smiled softly. “Very well, I accept,” she sighed, her voice filled with resolve.
“I knew you would,” Blaine grinned, his expression triumphant.
“Oh, shut up. So do I get a fancy guardian name?” she asked, a playful glint in her eye.
“We did pick one out if you want it,” he said, his grin widening.
“What is it?” she asked, her curiosity returning.
“I’ll tell you on the way,” he grinned, turning towards the portal.
“Alright, let’s go,” she smiled, ready for her new journey.
Blaine stood up and she followed him. “Welcome to the guardians,” he said as they walked through the portal.
“Guardian of Peace - Serenity.”
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