77. Until we meet again.

"Having fun there?" A manly voice sounded from the shadows, making the woman turn around and look for the unexpected guest.

"Of course, how could I not? It's the night of a full moon after all- a girl can have a little fun," the woman grinned, leaning against the nearest tree. She knew who the uninvited guest was. She knew him better than anyone ever could. He was her brother, after all.

"Oh, Aaraya, it indeed looks that there are things or creatures that don't change even after centuries. How was your sleep?" Anto stepped out of the shadows. His massive body hidden behind ripped clothing; an enormous hood hiding his face. Anto had never been a creature close to others, instead choosing the life of a loner.

"Right back at you, brother. You have been watching me, don't pretend that you haven’t. I felt your eyes on me since the day I awakened," Aaraya looked down at her fists, her posture seeming rather careless. Her eyes travelled over a freshly done manicure, a smile appearing on her lips.

"Have you enjoyed yourself? Not sure I should ask that since you've used my looks more than your own. I get it, it's exciting to be a shapeshifter, but come on- you could have chosen someone more handsome," Anto neared her, avoiding any sharp movements. Family or not, the Watchers were more dangerous to each other than the ones they were hunting.

"True, but what's the point, if I have to scare someone? I’d rather use your ugly face than some movie star." She laughed, sounding like an animal in pain. They weren't made to feel emotions, but in time those did come along. Their smiles looked like ones of mad predators, joy in their eyes reminded one of a killer- looking straight into the eyes of their terrified victims.

"You haven't changed at all. I missed you, Aaraya," Anto shook his head, finding the weak grin on his lips.

"As much as I love the unexpected family gathering- what's going on here?" he questioned his sister, leaning against the same tree.

"I felt like playing games," she shrugged off his question, raising her eyes from her fists and looking at the setting around them. The moon was setting, its dim light illuminated the whole forest. Anto and Aaraya were the only creatures within a five-mile radius- even animals ran off. Most wild animals were smarter than humans- their primal instincts made them run for their lives.

"Did you see the black sunset today?" Aaraya suddenly asked Anto, their gazes finally meeting. The man looked as if he had been thrown out of a boat. The shock didn't leave his face for a while. Anto kept opening and closing his mouth like a fish, yet not a single word left his parted lips.

"A black what? You're fucking kidding me, aren't you? For the first time in my life, I fucking hope that you're joking, Aaraya," Anto snarled. If his sister wasn't trying to pull another cruel prank on him- this might be the end of many. If Aaraya saw the black sunset, many people, creatures, or just some vital beings would die. Anto stood frozen, fear taking over the body which wasn't meant to feel such things- the smirk on his sister's lips faded. She wasn't joking, not even trying to prank him.

"Holy fucking mother of King Magnus!" Anto hissed, grabbing both sides of his head in his hands.

"I know, I needed a distraction from that shit, so I decided to play with the little mouse. Also, I knew that by doing that, you'd finally appear somewhere near, and I'll have an opportunity to let you know what's to come," Aaraya sighed, keeping her eyes glued on her brother. Even she knew how bad the situation might turn out, especially with her brother acting like that. Most of the Watchers were impulsive, but not Anto. He was the calm one and the only one who would think before doing anything stupid.

"Shit!" Anto hissed, letting go of his head. He kept walking in circles, cursing the whole world under his breath.
"You do understand what will happen next, right?" Aaraya looked up at the night sky, deep down, hoping that their life would be as peaceful as the sky for once. In her eyes, stars had the best experience- seemingly useless floating around the dark universe.

"I do; that's the problem. Okay, give me some time to think on that, but now tell me who you were chasing." Anto decided to get his mind off their dreadful feature.

"The red-haired fox," his sister shrugged her shoulders, a happy smile on her face.

"And, I assume, you won't go after her. For how long are you going to play the game this time? Days, weeks, or months?" Anto knew his sister way too well; it was a habit of hers- playing with the prey before hunting it down. She reminded him of a cat, who would weaken and laugh at the fish it was about to eat. Despite the strong resemblance to the cat- Aaraya was a lot worse. Playing games wasn't the only thing she loved- getting her victim to the point where they became terrified of a shadow, was the thing she aimed for- creeping up on the target when least expected, using their families as baits and chasing the poor creatures around. It was bad enough to have a Watcher on your back- getting Aaraya on your back was the worst thing to happen.

"A month, maybe? I haven't decided yet; all I know is that she has to get out of the picture and enjoy myself a little hunting. You can't blame a girl for having a little fun. Give me a break, Anto, I was asleep for centuries. My first, real hunt should be enjoyable. I'm so fucking tired of feeding on animals; I need real human heart," Aaraya whined like a child. Anto was used to her behaviour; she was the youngest of them all, always acting like a child of God. It was in her nature to get whatever she wanted, no matter what. Of course, that trait of hers did make Aaraya a better Watcher than some. But her nature was too playful, unlike other Watchers. For a while, they stared at each other, observing whatever had changed in them. Anto hadn't changed a bit, but his sister looked like she had started aging. Suspicion rose in him, Anto couldn't keep quiet anymore.

"You're aging," he stated, trying to sound like his statement didn't have any hidden questions.

"I know. This is my last," she sighed, averting her gaze. Aaraya stared at the forest behind her brother. Her behaviour made Anto concerned. What did she mean by last?

"Last what?" He waved a hand in front of her face, hoping that his sister might look into his eyes again. No Watcher was able to lie when their eyes met.

"Mission, task, hunt- call it whatever. It's my last assignment; therefore, I'm aging a little. After it's done, I'm gone. Out of the picture, I am finally accepting peace and the afterlife. I've served the previous King for decades, I've killed many, and I've slept for centuries- waiting for the next in line to serve. I'm tired.”

“Brother, I know we were made to protect the King, but aside our primary goal- I want this to stop. Back then, when we were sent to sleep, I hoped that I wouldn't wake up. We are just weapons in his hands, and I don't want to be one anymore. I want to sleep," her voice cracked, a couple of lonely, blood-red tears slid down her cheeks.

"You're tired, just like mom and dad were back then, right?" Anto shook his head, a memory of their 'parents' flashing in his mind. Even though their whole existence was based on a cruel King and his experiments, some Watchers were born. Anto and Aaraya were one of the first flesh born creatures. Their parents were one of the first-ever made Watchers, first to experience love. The King announced that the Watchers, feeling any emotion is a sin, a crime of death. So, their mother had to hide until both of them were brought into the world. When the twins turned sixteen, their parents had had enough. Kids were the first to find out about the plan they had. Father offered them to follow their chosen road, but the kids decided that they wouldn't. It wasn't uncommon for Watchers to give up their immortality or lives- a lot of them did it before and after Anto's parents gave up.

"I am."

"So, you think it'll be fair? I lost my sister as soon as we were put down like fucking dogs, and now, I will lose you again. No, you can't leave me alone, you're the only real family I'm left with. Call me a self-centred bastard, call me a dick or an asshole, but I can't imagine my life without my little sister!" Anto nearly screamed in his sister's face. He had been lonely for so long, and when they finally meet again, Aaraya announces a suicide plan. The world is a fucked-up place, making the best do the worst things.
"No, not even for a second, I thought that this would be fair. Understand me, brother- this is my choice. This is my most passionate wish; I want to reach my peace. Yes, what mom and dad did was awful, but sooner or later, you will understand why I want to do this. I didn't understand the reasons why they did this back then, but I do now. It's time to go. You can come along, but I feel like you have some unfinished business around here." Aaraya grabbed Anto's hand and brought it to her heart.

"For all those years they were here, you were and always will be here. The same goes for you- our parents and I, we will always stay in your heart. Let me finish the last hunt and go. I am so bloody tired of being someone's marionette. I'm taking my life and my death in my hands. It's time, brother."

"You know that I can't go. Not until I find her, not until I know what happened. There are too many unanswered questions surrounding me. I will find my peace only after my soul will find it. And the only way my soul will find peace is being next to her. I will come along sooner or later; we shall meet again, sister." They brought their foreheads together, grabbing onto the backs of each other's necks. That was their way of showing the love both felt for each other.

"I'm going to hop after that red fox lady. Protect the Queen, make me proud." Aaraya bid her goodbyes. Anto tried to keep his face as emotionless as possible. He knew that his sister was unlikely to come around again. These were their goodbyes- for good.

"I love you," he whispered, pain laced over the three simple words.

"And I love you, brother. When you're done with protecting the Queen- go and find her. Find the one. Never dare to think of giving up, don't let your happiness fade. She is alive, I know it. Until we meet again- I will be watching you." Aaraya ran into the forest, disappearing within the shadows. Anto stood straight, waiting for her to turn around and change her mind. The man didn't move a muscle for a full thirty minutes. She didn't look back as she ran away. She didn't turn around and run back to her brother. Aaraya was gone.

"Until we meet again," Anto whispered under his breath.