Damian stood up slowly, the empty bottle dangling from his fingers.
The amber liquid had run dry, the last drops already soaked into frozen earth beside Brian's grave.
He looked down at the carved stone one final time, his white hair falling forward to obscure his expression.
"As much as I would love to spend more time with you..."
His whisper emerged soft but carrying clearly across the empty mountainside.
"There are many things that I must do."
The wind picked up, pulling at his clothes, scattering snow across the fresh grave.
"And if everything works out in my favor, if I manage to see this through to whatever end awaits..."
His hand settled on the stone marker, fingers tracing the carved letters.
"We will meet again someday."
A pause, weighted with meaning that pressed against the silence.
"Till then..."
His hand lifted, pulling away from the cold stone.
"Rest in peace."
Then he turned, his boots crunching through snow as he started walking down the mountain.
