Present Day -- Rookridge Cliffside
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The cliffs of Rookridge are quiet under a pale moon, the statue looming over the dry grass where two figures now stand, faint and ethereal.
Alex turns slowly, her spectral form glowing softly, eyes wide with disbelief as she sees Victor standing before her. He looks at her with gentle sadness, the pain of the past now faded into regret.
"I'm so sorry for what I did to you," she whispers, voice fragile like mist. "I've never forgiven myself, you know. And I never...I never forgot you."
Victor steps closer, his ghostly hand reaching out hesitantly. "I loved you so much."
Her eyes shimmer. "And I loved you too. Maybe this is our second chance. Maybe we can--oh."
Her voice cuts off sharply, gaze shifting behind her. The Villain--Chicken Chaser had quietly approached, standing silently, watching the spectral reunion unfold.
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"You!" Alex cries, anger igniting instantly. "What are you doing here?! You broke my heart. You toyed with my life and threw it away. And now you're here?!" She glares accusingly at Victor. "This was all your idea, wasn't it? You just wanted revenge. I don't believe this."
Victor shrugs helplessly, embarrassment evident even through his ghostly form. "I was upset. It's not easy being dead, you know. I mean, you'll see for yourself..."
"I never want to see you again," Alex says fiercely, her voice shaking. "Either of you! Oh!"
She turns abruptly, her translucent form wavering as she dashes away, fading into nothingness.
Victor reaches out desperately. "Wait! Alex! Wait!"
But she's already gone, vanished into the night. With a groan of frustration, Victor chases after her, his own ghostly figure dissolving into the mist.
Chicken Chaser remains standing quietly beside his loyal canine companion, who blissfully rolls around in the dirt, oblivious to the ghostly drama that's just unfolded.
After a moment, he shrugs lightly, turning away from the empty cliffs.
I step out from behind the statue, clutching a familiar journal in one hand and eyeing Chicken Chaser with wary fascination.
I had warned Alex last night--âMind the edge, lass!â but she jumped regardless. I couldn't believe it.
"Till Death Do Us Part," I say with a faintly mocking tone. "Do you enjoy breaking hearts? Destroying lives? If so, well done! You're one nasty piece of work."
I hold up Alex's journal, shaking my head slightly. "Still," I murmur, eyes sparkling greedily, "this little book ought to fetch a fair price."
Chicken Chaser regards me silently, expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he jogs off into the night, his dog bounding happily at his heels--off to their next adventure, this odd little chapter neatly concluded.
Side quest completed.