Recovery and March

Private hospital of the Light Association. 

On the top floor of the main building, Anton stood, watching all the cars come and go from side to side while holding a rosary in his hand. 

Before, he couldn't afford to believe that there was something beyond death. Nowadays, he prays every morning to have strength and not collapse due to exhaustion, depression, the feeling of emptiness, and knowing that maybe what he fights for is not what he really wants today.

He had changed so much that the Anton from before wouldn't recognize himself if they saw each other now. The current Anton seemed overwhelmed by every emotion. Just remembering those who died by his side generated a sense of dissatisfaction.

"It would be unforgivable for me to find solace in knowing that they had no families to mourn them. But for that, I will take care of mourning their deaths, my dear brothers." Anton looked at the somber sky while thinking about how it would be if no one but him had to suffer.

When Anton was lost in his thoughts, a gruff voice sounded beside him, asking, "Do you plan on getting injured every mission you undertake?"

"I'm glad to see you too, Dad. How are you?" Anton didn't turn to see that it was his father, Sebastian.

Sebastian looked at his son and grunted. He had heard that once again, many agents had died, and he was here because his idiot son should be blaming himself for it, just as he was doing now. "It was a great mission; those who died must be proud."

"How was Mom?" Anton asked this while feeling the light rain falling from the sky.

Sebastian, who was about to give his son some words of encouragement, fell silent. He didn't know how to respond in these moments or how to act. He felt the need to do something as a father but also didn't know what to do, so he just thought in silence.

"Has it been tough, son?"

"A lot. I can barely recognize myself from how I was before." Anton smiled bitterly as he thought about getting drunk.

Sebastian thought about the education Anton had received and believed it had been too tough. But there was no other way to prepare his son to protect himself other than this. 

To hell with people; many deserve to die, and in most cases, they never appreciate what he does for them every day. Sebastian, better than anyone, knew how dangerous the world was, so he was just fulfilling a promise, and the best part was that he was taking care of his son.

"Do you know that I did all this to prepare you?" Anton let himself be carried away and said, "I've always known it. I'm so grateful for that; I don't know how to repay you."

At this moment, the image of his old father and the new one merged in Anton's eyes, and like a little child, he wanted to hug his father, but the one he had become now prevented him.

"Do you know I won't die soon? For heaven's sake, stop acting like you are now; it gets on my nerves. My doctor told me not to engage in intense work, and now you come to destabilize me." Sebastian put his hand in his pocket and took out a bottle of pills he couldn't open.

Anton, seeing this, took the bottle from him and opened it. "When are you going to retire?"

"That's not going to happen; I'll die on a battlefield just like your mother did." Sebastian was very clear about this, and no one would make him change his mind.

"Are you going to leave me alone?"

"That's why you have to get married, start a family just like I did, and increase the numbers of our family." Sebastian said as he hit the ground with his cane.

Anton didn't feel any better, so he said, "I'm still young, Dad; you should endure at least another fifty years."

Seeing that it was getting late and that it was raining, Sebastian was brief with what he wanted to say and said, "The world is ending, and it's getting more and more complicated to contain dark entities... Vampires are becoming smarter, werewolves know how to hide, and other strange creatures know how to stay anonymous."

"Do you think it will get worse?" Anton spoke calmly with his father, something he had never done before.

Sebastian nodded and said, "Some things come from space, others come from the sea, and sooner or later, we'll have to reveal something... That's why you have to stay strong, son; many people need you to be strong, especially those who will continue fighting."

"Understood, Dad..." Anton nodded.

Seeing that his son was changing a bit, he sighed and said before leaving, "Your mother was an excellent woman, someone who loved you until her last breath, so be strong for her, son."

Anton remained silent as he watched his father leave. For some reason, he felt a bit sad about their destiny, but at least he would make it worthwhile.

"Our true reunion is not here."