Chaos Mortalitus (16 page)
Faster and faster the cloak flaps violently as we pass through the gateway from these origins of creation, back to my birthplace. Within Father all things are possible, yet on this day I go to finally calm the raging seas, this day I go to put right the wrongs of eternity and pick a fight in the eyes of tyranny for all beings. For the Creator, for our Father, for all those I love. Above all for those I hold most dear, for the love of my life, Angela. I whisper softly as I near the exit of this gateway as I am ready to finally return to my kingdom.
"I love you Angela…now and forever."
CHAPTER: 12
REQUIEM
It's only been a few weeks on the shorelines of Father, yet four long years have passed on the planet I once called home. Earth has continued its silent rotation among the stars as lives throughout the cosmos have continued to change. The human date is March 10
th
, 2029 A.D. as Angela Mortal's struggle continues onward still, without any signs of hope. Tormented by her past as she faces the hardships of motherhood alone to raise my son, Seth Ashton Mortal. Never fully giving up on the man she loved so long ago, the man that vanished without a trace four years ago on today's fateful date.
Every year as the date approaches the 10
th
of March, Angela is brought back to the moment that still has no explanation and this year is no different. Four years came and went without any evidence leading to the whereabouts of Ashton Mortal and Angela is finally ready to put these painful memories to rest. Today, a requiem in the name of a fallen angel as my wife and son will bury the memory of my name and begin the new chapters of their lives; unaware of my imminent return to the universe I vanished from. Overcast and a feeling of gloom set the mood for this sullen afternoon as spring rain clouds slowly gather overhead.
Group after group huddle together with umbrellas ready, to pay respect to a man they all loved, a man whose time came far to early. The look on the faces of many in attendance is one of discomfort, the sheer anguish of the unknowing. This maybe the funeral of Ashton Mortal, yet to those who knew me the closest, my passing seems to be more than they can take. Fate carries the cruelty these people do not deserve, the hidden seamstress weaving silently this final masterpiece. My father stands alone in front of an empty casket containing pictures and belongings of the man I used to be, trinkets from a life I built with these people that matter most.
My mother sits in the front row for the service, sobbing relentlessly as the quiet air about the cemetery has an eerie feeling and the gloom seems to worsen. Cascade Mortuary, my final resting place with a beautiful view not far from the beaches I loved as a child. My parents never imagined this day, never pictured this moment and truly have no way of understanding the fate of the son they lost long ago. Angela sits next to my mother gripping her hand tightly with their pain worn deeply in this face of acceptance, of remembrance. My son, Seth Ashton Mortal, born November 3
rd
, 2025 A.D., sits in the seat next to his mother silently scanning the endless crowds of people beginning to gather around the burial site.
He doesn't quite understand the meaning here, only that his mother feels a deep pain. Seth stands and walks to his grandfather's side as Daniel stares down at his only son's coffin, tears building in his eyes. Reaching his hand toward his grandfather's, Daniel returns the gesture embracing his small grandson's hand as rain droplets begin to fall from the skies above. Within the crowds familiar faces all share the same loss, all having their own story of family and friendship, their individual connections to a man many knew simply as Ash.
Landon Roth, the preacher that married Angela and I, presides over the service as he enters the cemetery from the ground's
mausoleum
not far from the burial site. He signals to my father that the funeral service is about to begin when there is a sudden burst of activity at the front of the mortuary as police car after police car pulls into the parking lot. Unmarked large black vehicles follow, as a small army assembles not far from the burial site. Just then the Presidential limo pulls in and slowly comes to a halt, with the entire funeral party staring in disbelief. This is no surprise for the young widow because she knows this man, and exactly why he's here.
Angela doesn't even acknowledge the Presidential convoy as the large group of people organizes and awaits the President of the United States to emerge from his escort. Silent whispers race from group to group, from family to friends but there is only one question on everyone's mind. Why is President Jonathan Reynolds at the funeral for Ashton Mortal? Two familiar faces exit the vehicle as well taking their place at the side of the President, Jason Scott and Greg Knight, my best buds, my family. Jonathan left his high profile position in the government for the Presidency in 2028 A.D., his administration calling for reform in these drastic times.
Jonathan's appearance is to bury a man he's never met and despite the controversy created today, he has come against the advice of his closest. Swarms of Secret Service accompany President Reynolds to the funeral service that is just about to begin. Jonathan heads for a seat sectioned off from the rest of the crowd, briefly stopping to speak with Angela. "I'm sorry for your loss Mrs. Mortal." Jonathan says. "My condolences."
"I'm sure you are Mr. President." Angela replies never making eye contact.
The President of the United States of America, the man that has secretly run this country for the last thirty years, Jonathan Reynolds. His interests have become vast at this point, minor pieces of an enormous puzzle but he is here to pay his respects to the one that got away. The clouds are unforgiving and the rains begin to fall to a choir's tune as Landon Roth begins the ceremony. "Friends, family, we are gathered here today to say goodbye to our friend and loved one, Ashton Seth Mortal. Four years ago today was the disappearance of Ashton and so it is on the anniversary of this day we lay his soul to rest with heavy hearts."
Grace begins to sob heavily at the reality of this moment, for her son is gone as Daniel places his hand on his wife's to console her. Holding an umbrella overhead to shield his family from the gloomy afternoon his face carries a deep sadness, an arduous burden. Angela hugs her son ever so tightly as young Seth sits on his mother's lap. Tears pour from her eyes uncontrollably as her son lifts his small hands to help wipe away her pain, yet does not understand her wound. Beautiful memories keep her breathing, hanging on for one more day, one more hour.
"Ashton is survived by his wife and son, Angela and Seth. Sometimes we may not see God's plan in our everyday lives, sometimes the tragedies we must face seem more than we can take. It is these moments we must forge ahead as one, to remember those lost to the whims of fate. Let us pray for our dear friend and companion, for his heart shall await us all in the kingdom of heaven." Landon says. "Let us pray."
Kalden Skamar stands silently in the rain this afternoon, for the plans of a man who had become a brother to him, these plans they made together have now changed forever. The moment he said goodbye four years ago today, the life he had grown to enjoy so much was snatched away. Kalden's pain is constant, for his friend's disappearance has burned a hole in his heart and changed him to his core. Most days he wishes this were just a dream, yet the nightmare of it all remains as real as anything could ever be.
"The kingdom of heaven awaits us all in the clouds of God's will. Might our friend Ashton find peace now, find solace in the serene embrace of our heavenly Father. God in heaven, please watch over the Mortal family and those dear to their hearts. Shield them from whatever sadness may follow in these days to come." Landon continues as his words touch the hearts of this congregation.
Many weep in these moments, pain seeping into the onslaught of raindrops as the smells of rain and sounds of mourning fill this burial site. "In these precious seconds we find the courage to live, to persevere onward in memory of those we immortalize in stone. We lay you down today Ashton Mortal, may you find solace in your final everlasting peace. Let us pray."
Every head at the burial site drops and hangs low as the soft wounds of nature echo with the prayer of our father. Landon Roth finishes the prayer with a unanimous amen from the gathering. "Can we have those of you who wish to read a testament to Ashton, please step forward one at a time to address the gathering."
The first to come up is Tyler Morgan, long time friend and comrade, a true soul through and through. Walking to the podium in front of the coffin holding the remains of my memory, he stands facing the crowd. "Ash and I met in high school many years ago, quickly developing a friendship I could never fully explain to you. His was a life I could never fully match, a friend, a brother, Ash Mortal; you will be missed more than you know. My only regret is that we could not meet face to face in your last days. Forgive my absence, forgive my hand in this…please forgive me. Forever in stone, but never alone." Tyler says fighting back the tears.
Angela's pain grows and grows as the minutes tick by with each person who praises her husband, the man she is dying to love. Her fragile heart works hard just to keep beating, to love anything as she prays for better days. Kalden follows Tyler in speaking in the honor of their fallen friend. "I want to bless this day in the name of my friend and partner, Ashton Mortal. The times we spent together are forever imprinted in my heart and the life we've shared lives on for all time. To my dear friend Angela, you are a sister to me and you're not alone in this struggle."
"I am here for you and Seth, for anything you might ask of me. Till we meet again my dear friend, till that day I'll keep your memory held close to my heart and fresh in my mind. Ashes to ashes." Kalden says pouring his heart out, tears streaming into the raindrops.
Kalden pauses for a moment and just stares at the casket in front of him and it all becomes very real in that moment. He then rounds the small podium and pulls a paintbrush from his right jacket pocket, his lucky brush. Placing it against the casket as the rain droplets pelt the glossy finish, he can finally say goodbye to his friend. Kalden returns to his seat as Daniel approaches the podium, his wife Grace barely able to hold it together as she sobs aloud. "I stand here before you not only for myself but for my wife Grace, whom most of you know. My son was a wonderful man…" Daniel says barely able to utter the words.
Finding it hard to swallow, Daniel stares out toward his family and friends, toward the many lives his only son has touched as the pain becomes mesmerizing. His wife sits sobbing, a wounded heart with no remedy in sight. Daniel digs deep in this moment, for his family, his wife; he knows he must be strong. "My son was a wonderful man, a man you all knew well. His life is celebrated here today, his legacy honored. I loved my son. Even in this moment I still love him with all my heart and with everything good inside me, I pray for his safekeeping."
"In the last moments with my son I find the memories I will reflect on until my last breath. Although this experience has shown me a father's true pain, I would never change it for the world, you hear me son. Wherever you are, I wouldn't change a thing!" Angela and Grace squeeze one another's hand with everything they have, holding each other in these moments that shake the cold depths of their shattered hearts. "You're my greatest accomplishment son, the only reason the stars ever made sense to me. Never forget the love your mother and father have for you my boy. We miss you everyday, every second. This family will love you always." Daniel says no longer able to hold back the tears. "Goodbye son."
Daniel also stops in front of the casket as he makes his way back to the seat next to Grace. Placing his hand upon its beaded wet surface he stares at his reflection through the raindrops. Tears continue to merge with the falling rain and he feels a brief moment of peace as a lifetime of sorrow approaches. I love my father and on this day I wish things could've been different, if only somehow this chalice could pass from their hearts, yet sacrifice is required in this the grander scheme of things. Many emotions this afternoon as one after another speaks of memories with a man they knew as a friend, a teacher, comrades till then end.
Jason Scott stands at the right side of President Reynolds, Greg Knight to his left. They both struggle to maintain a stone cold stare forward, grieving silently for the friend they also lost long ago. Suddenly Jason leaves his post and makes his way to the front of the podium and as the rain pelts his face he calmly removes black shades from his eyes. Raising his right hand, he rubs his sockets to help focus as the droplets bombard him. Pulling a small piece from his ear setting it on the podium, his link to the control center constantly barking orders. A moment of silence from the military man as this congregation wonders the soldier's intentions.
"My name is Major Jason Scott, special forces in the United States Marines Corp. I've been called a patriot, a hero and above all, a Marine. In this moment I am wounded and backup is nowhere in sight, all I know for sure is I'm hurt bad. I live by certain codes in life and nothing can break these ideals held close to my heart. I have a mission that extends beyond civilian life, but above all I swore to myself an oath, to never leave a man down. I know in my heart that my friend, Ash Mortal, understood that, embraced it. I knew the man that we go to release into the hands of our heavenly father, I knew him well."
Jason's words are evocative, heart felt and for a widow who has lost the will of forgiveness, these words mean the world. "I promise this, I'll never leave a man down and I'll never forget you Ash Mortal. Know that your life inspires my dreams and vindicates this drastic sacrifice. To my brother from long ago I say good bye for now and for those still lost on the battlefields of life, in the name of Ashton Mortal, we will not leave you behind." Jason says finishing the speech with a powerful voice.