>>5200203“And so, passed on from this life, the father of Karn has. Last of the old guard, he was, and a proud warrior to the end.” the late Guardian says, you all turning to face him. “Gone from this world, he is. But forgotten, he will not be.”
“Why?” Caulifla asks, your sister sounding just broken as she sobs against your mother. “Why did you stop me? I could'a saved him. I could'a made him better, like I did every week.”
“A caring child, you are, with a brilliant soul.” the former Guardian says, addressing her directly as she cries with a sigh. “But save him, you could not.”
“I could have at least tried!” she fires back, spinning to face him as she literally bursts into flames. Your mother recoils as she does, the heat clearly burning her as she gets clear to protect Karn Jr, but Caulifla pays her no mind. Her furious, burning gaze is focused entirely on the ancient being's spirit. “I learned a bunch of new healing spells, and I could'a done something, anything to save him! He didn't have to die!!”
“Everyone dies, child. Even I passed on from this realm.” the Guardian addresses her, floating up and laying a ghostly hand on her shoulder while he's immune to her flames. “His time, it was, to leave the mortal plane behind.”
“But it didn't have to be!” Caulifla shouts, you feeling the pain in her voice. “Not yet! I could have saved him! Why don't you believe in me?!”
Then to her surprise, and despite the flames, another hand presses on her other shoulder. You see your older brother Broly there, jaw clenched shut against the pain as you see his hand burning, then as she turns around he grabs her in a full bear hug. After a second or two you can <span class="mu-i">smell</span> your brother's flesh burning, bringing back terrible memories of your worst day, but despite the clear pain he's in your stalwart brother doesn't let go. Caulifa can't even speak any more, just sobbing and wailing against him as her burning flames slowly die out. Her agonized cries cause you to tear up as well, you feeling a pair of gentle, fragile arms slip around you from behind. Glancing over your shoulder, you see your wife's worried face, her eyes meeting yours.
“I...I'm okay.” you tell her, choking on your words as you try and speak past the lump in your throat. She leans a bit more forward, pressing her forehead to yours, and the two of you remain like this while the former Guardian starts speaking again.
“Like this, your Grandfather wished to see you not.” the ancient spirit says, you not looking over as he talks and simply listening to his words. “Your faces, smiling and happy, he wanted to remember you by. Your smiles, not these tears; wish to take on with him, he did.”
