It had been a little over a year since Banshi died.

She had lived to a ripe 1000 years, and he had been there when it happened. She died with dignity and, forgive the cliché, looked just like she was sleeping. The death had hit him hardly, he wouldn't even come out of the Cathedral until Hawk had dragged him out. After all, there was business to attend to. Someone needed to take over the clan and it was supposed to be Michael and Hawk. A joint rule between two of the oldest, and strongest, Crusniks in the clan.

He left the very night before he took command.

These thoughts haunted Michael as he sat upon the edge of a cliff overlooking Haven. This was his home now, this frozen waste which he claimed his own. He had found it about a month after his fleeing from the clan. A small cave which housed him and a white wolf with whom he had befriended in his time here. The two of them managed, but only barely. Food was scarce and the never ending winter cold bit at his body constantly. A coarse beard had grown over his face too, he had tried to shave, but it only reminded him of those nights where he would spruce up for his love. At his side was the sword which had won him many a battle. Now it sat rusted and dulled, only useful for beating the occasional snow beast to death. He was pathetic, only a shadow of his former self. He was a deserter, a criminal, weak.

Every day was pain. Pain from the winter. Pain from his hollow stomach. Pain from his frostbit skin. But mostly, the pain of knowing that he was alone and that he would be for the rest of his miserable existence. The knowing that Banshi, the one woman he had loved for over 400 years, was gone. He would give anything to see her again. Anything.

The night was coming quick, like usual the wolf came to his side and nudged at him. He would need to make the fire for them both. Michael got up and pet the starving creature, tonight he would eat well. They had killed a bear and the meat was plentiful. It only took a few minutes for Michael to get fire roaring, he had gotten quite used to it in his time here. In the next few hours, he roasted up the bear meat and set it all on the stone they used as a table. Petting his companion, he threw a bit more kindling on the fire and walked out of the cave, leaving all of the bear to his last friend.

Now he stood at the cliffs edge once more. The thought had crossed his mind many a time, but until now he had been afraid to act on it. Tonight was different. Digging his his pocket, Mike found the old picture of him and Banshi. It had been their wedding picture, he had finally convinced her one day to tie the knot. It had taken years but she eventually caved in. It had been a happy day, all of their friends had shown. Even Avarice of all people. It was a Bohemian wedding, lasting three days and leaving all of the guests quite exhausted. The picture was taken at the end of the party, with the both of them looking very ragged. It was one of his happiest memories. He could feel the tears steaming down his face as he tore the picture in half and sent it off the edge of cliff, letting the harsh wind blow it away. Now he drew the rusted blade from his sheath, kneeling upon the frozen ground. Slowly he moved the iron sword to point at his heart, placing the point right between the ribcage. He took a deep breath, and said one last thing before thrusting the blade deep into his heart. “I love you Banshi.”