Chapter Text
Gabriel leans over a railing, the sounds of nature and a new world calming his senses as he closes his eyes, feeling the warm sun on his face. A gentle breeze blew into the room, the curtains dancing like ghosts as he took in the sounds around him. He felt his long hair blow in the wind.
He was…at peace.
He takes in a deep breath, taking in the fresh air of a new day. He could hear birds singing in the distance. He heard people talking below in the streets. All was well. His sister was safe. He was safe.
His life…was just beginning.
Gabriel opens his eyes, the sunrise shining over the green mountains in the distance. There was no fire. There was no death. No screams. Just serenity. Just calm. Just peace. He releases his breath, a smile forming on his face as he feels at ease for the first time in a long time.
He was…happy.
He had found a place where he can learn about the world as it is. Not through corrupted lenses. Here…he could learn the truth. He may not learn all he wished to learn, but he was happy. He had found what he had always wanted.
“Ah, there you are!”
Gabriel smiles as he hears Elderane walk in, the elf standing beside him on the balcony.
“Oh, what a perfect morning…” Elderane says warmly, leaning against the railing beside Gabriel, who smiles back at him.
“Is it always this perfect in Avantasia?” He asks, eying the prince. Elderane shrugs, his eyes locked on the horizon.
“No, no. There are always storms. There are always bad days.” He says, looking out to the unknown beyond the hills. Gabriel followed his gaze.
“What do you do then?”
“We wait out the storm as best we can.” Elderane says lightly, smiling as he looks at Gabriel, the human finally at peace. “We endure the hardships, and then…peace returns once more.”
“You think there will be more storms?” Gabriel asks, turning to meet the elf’s gaze. Elderane gives a small nod.
“There are…always storms…” He repeats, his voice quiet and solemn. Elderane flinches when he feels a hand on his shoulder. He looks up and sees Gabriel looking at him with bright, hopeful eyes.
“Well…then we shall endure the storms together!” He reassures, his heart light. Elderane smiles, his gaze returning to the horizon. Gabriel keeps his hand on Elderane’s shoulder, but his gaze also went to the mountains beyond the city.
“Yes…I suppose we shall, my friend.” The prince says, eying the expanse before them as a new day arose. “I suppose we shall.”
Gabriel smiles and nods; his gaze locked on the mountains. He had no idea what was in store for him. He had no idea what the future would offer.
And he was excited.
There would be storms, but…he had friends to endure them with. And they would survive and carry on.
They would always carry on.
Gabriel closes his eyes, a smile on his face as he stands beside his friend. It was a new day, and he couldn’t wait to see what else was out there, what adventures they'll have.
He couldn’t wait to face the unknown.