John Jackson - The 9th Fortress

Harmony's chin dropped; Yuki had to prop her upright as the knight and horse gallantly approached.

"It is him!" she said, heaving. "Look everyone! It's Godwin!"

The black stallion snorted and Harmony rejoiced. "Benoit! It's my horse! My beautiful horse! The two of them coming!" Cheeks burning, her face was covered in tears. We were all laughing when Harmony spirited off the ground and swooned in mid-air. "Hurry!" she yelled at them.

The proud black horse and knight trotted into clear view, Eddinray wearing a newly polished coat of silver mail. "Ahoy!" he announced, pulling on the reins. "Your leader has returned!"

Before he could utter another word, Harmony swamped him with unfussy hugs and kisses; and overzealous in her affections, she yanked the man from his saddle and their bodies fumbled to the floor.

"Compose yourself my dear!" said Eddinray, blushing. "You'll cause yourself a mischief!"

Also embarrassed by this show, Sir Isaac Newton cleared his throat for their attention; and Harmony, hair everywhere, promptly rose with her hand in Godwin's.

"If you are both ready?" he asked them. "It is time to go home."

The angel gleefully bobbled her head whilst an alarmed looking Eddinray could not help but scrutinize Kat's bloody form. "You are missing an arm, samurai." he said, as if Kat had perhaps failed to notice. "I say, that's quite revolting!"

Kat's growl warned the knight not to pursue the issue, and the Englishman got the message.

Moving toward her horse now, Harmony combed Benoit's coat, set a foot inside the stirrup, and then pulled herself over the saddle.

"I've missed you boy!" she exhaled, patting the animal's neck. Eddinray bundled up and onto the saddle behind her, locking both his lanky arms around her waist. "Shpt!" he chocked. "Angel, your wings are smudging my face!"

Harmony's formidable extras settled to rest at the sides of Benoit, then, she vigorously clicked her heels against the horse. "Onward!" she cried. "Ya! Ya!"

Benoit briefly stood on hind legs before galloping fast for that open star.

"Never said goodbye." I said, waving at their backs as Heaven slowly consumed them.

"Why?" Missy blared back. "You're all headed in the same direction." She then peered anxiously to Sir Isaac Newton. "Aren't they?"

"They are." he confirmed.

"All of us?" asked Kat, nervously.

His concern was legitimate. After all — why would a born killer, a tool perfectly crafted for the purpose of murder be permitted or wanted in Heaven? Thankfully, Sir Isaac Newton was of a different opinion, and he did not leave that tool on tenterhooks.

"Harmony earned back her wings.” he said, “and you have more than earned your peace, Kat. No longer will you wait to be heard; no longer will you fight for redemption. No longer…old man."

Overcome, Kat slumped on the verge of a breakdown, the lines of his face like shattered toffee. "I do not believe." he grumbled. "I do not."

"Believe." Newton said, fixing a respectful palm on Kat's chest plate. "Have you ever heard the phrase, better the devil you know? Some in Heaven will resent your presence there, but one day these pious souls will need a devil to defend them. On my endorsement, you are now an agent of God. But for now, go and take your reward…Kendo."

Kat appeared utterly exhausted, but remained stubbornly statuesque. An emotional Yuki set her head against his lumpy shoulder, and together they watched the welcoming glow that awaited.

Before they set off, I came face to face with my weary samurai warrior. We did not exchange words, we simply embraced, and I felt his remaining hand pat firmly on my back. We parted then I watched, as hand in hand with his wife, Kendo Katamuro walked in glassy eyed mystery toward eternity…

Only Sir Isaac Newton, Missy and I remained in the stark, passionless panorama now. So much had changed since we three last stood here. A constant then, and now, was my endless questions, questions that would have to wait for answers. Right now, the scientist had one remaining loose end to tie.

"Kathy," he whispered. "I promised you would be with her in Heaven, Daniel, and I also promise you time to enjoy it."

I glanced again at the portal of gold, where a bright young girl glowed like desert mirage. Speechless, I saw none of her face there, nor heard her voice, but she was so recognisably my only child.

"Go get her Daniel." said Missy, sobbing. "Go get her."

Cramp in my legs gone, my dreamy walk became a feverish sprint toward the brilliant haze and her thinly outstretched arms; and at very long last, two dearly departed souls reunited in celestial starlight.