Whoosh~
The small private jet descended smoothly, preparing for landing amidst a clear afternoon sky. Soft sunlight streamed through the airplane windows. The few dozen passengers on board began to stir, many having anxiously awaited this very moment for days. Their longed-for destination… "Home." A short word, yet one that held immense meaning.
The pilot's gentle voice came over the cabin's sound system.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now beginning our descent into [Airport Name in Country]. Please ensure your seatbelts are fastened. Thank you."
Death rose from his seat at the very front, quietly checking that everything was in order before speaking in his usual calm tone, now tinged with a warmth many had become accustomed to.
"I've already contacted all of your families. They are waiting for you at the airport."
Many passengers exchanged surprised and joyful glances – how had this young man managed to find information about each of their families? But at this moment, no one dared to ask. What they had endured was horrific enough, and the fact that they were about to return to the embrace of their families was more important than anything else.
"Hey, Ms. Alice... Wake up. We're about to land," Death said, before lightly flicking Alice's forehead with his finger – Thwack.
"Ouch! What was that for! You could have woken me up nicely, you know! No need to be so rough!"
Alice grumbled softly in surprise but quickly adjusted her posture. She still felt a considerable amount of respect and awe towards him, even though they had become more familiar.
Airport - Hometown
"Welcome back to your homeland. We wish you all a safe and happy journey home."
A warm welcoming announcement echoed through the airport terminal as the plane touched down safely and taxied to its gate.
Alice turned to Death, who was standing by the aircraft's exit, a smile tinged with hope and profound gratitude on her face.
"Mr. Death… um… will you be taking me home too?"
Death paused for a moment, as if contemplating something, before replying in his typical flat tone.
"No... You've arrived home safely. From here on, you must walk your own path."
"Oh... Huh? I-Is that so..."
Alice was slightly taken aback by his answer. A small pang of disappointment welled up in her heart, but she tried to understand.
"I'm a mercenary, not a babysitter or a kind older brother."
He said, before turning back and sitting down in his original seat, as if his mission had truly ended.
Alice let out a dry, soft laugh.
"Right... You have a point..."
She sighed softly, looking at the part of his face visible above the mask one last time, before deciding to turn and disembark with the other survivors.
Death watched Alice's retreating figure until she disappeared from view.
"Make it home safely... and just keep living. That's enough," he thought silently.
Beep... Beep...
His mobile phone rang, breaking the silence within the aircraft. Death retrieved it from his shirt pocket and answered with a familiar gesture.
"Hello, Grandpa?"
A deep, yet warm and authoritative voice of an old man replied from the other end.
"You're finally back, grandson. I'll have someone pick you up at the airport... And I have some good news—your little sister just graduated high school yesterday."
Death listened quietly, his eyes under the mask flickering slightly.
"And more importantly, damn it! The little rascal got into the medical faculty of the top university in the country! That kid is as smart as her mother, no doubt about it!" The grandfather's voice was filled with pride and excitement.
A faint, unseen smile formed beneath Death's mask.
"It's been nine years... It's time you really came back to what's left of your family, Death."
"...Yes, Grandpa," Death replied, his voice soft but firm.
He slowly hung up the phone. Silence enveloped him once more. The sound of the plane's engines shutting down became mere background noise.
Outside the Airport Terminal
A sleek black sedan waited quietly by the curb. The chauffeur, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, stepped out of the car with a polite and deferential air, walking directly towards Death, who had just emerged from the terminal.
"Mr. Death, I presume? The Master sent me to pick you up. Everyone is waiting for you at home."
Death nodded slightly in acknowledgment before getting into the back seat of the car without a word.
The car was silent, save for the soft hum of the engine. Death leaned back against the seat, slowly closing his eyes, replaying the vivid memories of the past.
The image of their old house collapsing before his very eyes.
The image of his little sister, crying hysterically in their grandfather's arms.
Those images were the nightmares that had haunted him endlessly, images he would never forget.
He tilted his head up slightly, looking out the car window at the passing scenery—the pale, clear blue of the sky, something he hadn't noticed or cared about for a very long time.
"Home... at last," he murmured softly to himself.
The black car drove along the road, heading towards a destination he had been away from for so long. His heart, once as cold as ice, began to feel a certain warmth seeping in, though still tinged with complex, indescribable emotions.
The luxurious black sedan slowly pulled up in front of an old teakwood house. The house looked weathered by time, yet it still exuded a familiar aura of memories and warmth. Death stepped out of the car, standing still as he gazed at the familiar wooden door, a torrent of emotions flooding his mind.
A young woman stood waiting at the doorway. She looked taller, perhaps a little thinner, but the features of her face were an uncanny resemblance to his mother's... and those eyes, looking at him, they had never changed.
She took a step forward... staring at him without blinking, as if unsure whether what she saw was real or a dream.
They stood there, gazing at each other for a moment... no words were spoken. Only the gentle breeze and the sound of their two hearts pounding.
Then, suddenly, she threw herself into his arms, sobbing.
"Brother Death... It's really you... You're really back..."
He hugged his sister back as tightly as he could, choking back the lump in his throat. Tears silently streamed down his face beneath the mask he still wore.
"Grandpa... Grandpa told me to wait at home... He said you would come back... He said this will always be your home..." she spoke softly, her face still buried in his chest, her voice trembling.
Amidst the warmth of his return after nine long years, faint yet vivid memories from certain moments began to resurface for the young man named "Death"...