Elucard stood still over the old mossy grave marker. It had been far too long since he visited Jetta. The elf bent down and placed a single white rose over her grave.

“Innocence. Never lose it, Jetta. It may be all you have left.” Elucard whispered under his breath. Elucard rolled back his head and huffed out a long sigh. “What am I even doing here?”

He shook his head and took a seat beside the gravestone. “Master Legion said I should confide in you with my troubles.”

The forest remained silent.

Elucard nodded and began. “I have nightmares, Jetta. Real…vivid, raw nightmares of my loved ones dying—by my hand!” Elucard couldn’t help but choke out his last words. These violent dreams plagued him for years now, beginning since he encountered the mysterious Collector and his spectre-like sword. At first he tried to push back the visions of strangling Wiccer, Legion, or Kyzo. Anyone he’d ever cared about fell to his rage. It terrified him. He woke up ghostly white, much akin to the blade that struck him.

Elucard gripped his face. Just thinking about his dreams set his mind into a tangent of restless memories. His brutal training with the Black Rabbits. The killings. Both of his own friends and all the lives he took as an assassin— or as a soldier. So much death. So much blood. His youth and—

Elucard picked up the white rose ever so gingerly.

His innocence. He lost it at such a young age. He was only twelve—no maybe ten. He couldn’t remember, the Rabbits stripped him away from his childhood and thrust him into their own program of hatred and vile. Blades of war. He had enough of it all.

He didn’t want to torture himself or torture others with his psychotic mentality. Even though he knew he still might be called to use it again.

Blayvaar, Wiccer, Mave…what have I done to you? Why am I like this?

Yes, why was Elucard like this? What seed of death had been planted in his brain that triggered an emotionless urge to maim and kill at the snap of a finger? He didn’t know. He was a trained dog, sent to sick his enemies. Tear them to shreds. Not for pleasure, only instinct drove him. All that he did know was that he regretted every action and only he was to blame.

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“I am so sorry Jetta, but I am not here to swear that I will continue my vendetta with those responsible for your…” he tried to say the word. “...your…” but he couldn’t

Elucard teared up in exhaustion. Exhausted from hit life. His mistrust. His vengeance. “I just want to move on. I forgave Legion, Jetta. My own master that murdered you, I failed you. I couldn’t take his life, I couldn’t finish the job,” sobbed Elucard. “I am so weak. So pathetic…”

“Do not doubt yourself, my sweet Elucard,” cooed a soft voice.

Elucard looked up from his hands. He swiveled his head from side to side. “Jetta? Is that—is that you?”

“You seek forgiveness and guidance from me? I wish for you to have it.”

The voice sounded like a melodic song. As soothing as the nightingale in a mist laden forest. It calmed over Elucard’s turbulent mind, leaving him in a meditative state.

Jetta. Elucard couldn’t help but smile.

“Who else do I forgive, Jetta? Please, show me my path to follow.”

A long silence drifted in the woods. Finally, Jetta spoke once more.

“Elucard, you must forgive those that wrong me. You must forgive Inle, as well,” she whispered in his elven ear.

Inle. Elucard had often thought about forgiving the shadow elf, but he aligned with Elucard’s newest enemies. The shadow group that wished to wrought destruction upon his world, upon Draak’Terra. How could he possibly forgive Inle now?

Jetta’s voice sang once more. “You must save him, Elucard. Bring him back to your side.

Back to his side. Not only was Inle his apprentice, and later teammate, but also a boyhood crush. Back then they were the same age. Two messed up teenagers stuck in a horrible situation; serving the Black Rabbit clan. Elucard never knew anyone else that was attracted to him, as much as he felt attracted to Inle. These were strange emotions. Different from his love for his parents. Different from his love for Jetta. Emotions that sent a flurry of butterflies in his stomach. His kiss with Inle stirred thoughts that he never imagined before. They confused him, but he wanted more feelings like those.

Perhaps if he did rescue Inle, they could rekindle that relationship…it would be nice.

“I will, Jetta. I will bring him home. I promise this to you.”

“Someday you will find happiness, Elucard, and I want you to cherish it for the rest of your life.”

The elf closed his eyes and grinned. He let out a long sigh of relief and kissed the gravestone.

Thank you Jetta, my friend.