If you chose the bright ending path, read below. For the Dark ending, wait till tomorrow. Enjoy!
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Graves took the path through the field, a shorter route into town. This would give him a chance to see how the town was doing before seeing his family. He wondered if anyone would even know who he was, or if he would even be able to tell who was related to him and who wasn’t. So he decided to ask around town while he was there, so he could get all the details of the goings on.
Walking seemed strange to Graves, he was so used to floating or sitting. Its not that he could get tired, it just felt strange using his legs again. So he walked down the short path through the field into town, whistling an old tune as he went. Graves arrived at Darkmoon in good time. The town had grown since he had last seen it, though the style and architecture was about the same. Since it was night, all the shops were closed and people were in their homes. It would be tough to find someone to talk to and answer questions at this hour.
After searching the town for a bit, Graves saw a large Tavern where people gathered and drank. It seemed like fun, something he had forgotten all about. So Graves made his way into the bar, thanks to his ability to look like a living human, he fit right in. Graves walked up to the bar and got comfortable, setting his hat down on the bar and ordering a drink. He paid with money that he had on him from years ago. While alive, he hoarded any money he made and kept it in his graveyard cabin. So he now had access to a lifetimes worth of gold that until now just sat by his bed in a large bag collecting dust.
“Excuse me, I’m new in town. Wondering if I could get some information” Graves told the bartender. His voice crackled and sounded gruff. He hadn’t talked in so long he forgot what his voice sounded like and surprised himself. “what do ya need buddy?” Asked the bartender. “I’m looking for the Graves family, their family knew mine. Any of em left around here?” Graves asked, praying for the towns sake the answer was “yes”. The bartender smiled. “Yeah, yeah. That family comes here every now and then. They live up on a big house outside of town. The extended family lives randomly throughout town though” The bartender replied. Graves thanked the man and sighed in relief. It seemed his hard work continued to pay off. Now he would just have to check on them himself, just to see what his direct decedents looked like.
After paying for his drink and thanking the man, Graves walked out of the tavern. He smiled as he passed people singing and laughing at the surrounding tables. Everyone acted like it was a celebration, but Graves was so out of the loop he didn’t know what they celebrated. He didn’t have time to party though, he wanted to see his family before his time was up. Graves made his way out of town and headed to a large house in the distance. It was practically a mansion and was decorated with orange lanterns. He would have to ask what that was about.
At the Graves Mansion children played in the front yard, running around dressed in sheets to look like ghosts. Laughing and giggling could be heard into the night air. Joseph Graves, age sixty-seven, sat smiling as he watched his grandchildren play. Then his muscles tensed as he saw an ominous figure approach from the distance. “Children, go find your mother, its almost bed time” Said Joseph. The children complained but then marched into the house. Once the children were out of sight, Joseph called out. “how can I help you?”. The figure replied. “I’m looking for the Graves family. Just wanted to see how everyone was doing” Joseph gasped when he saw the man. “Jonathan Graves? Of all nights, of course its tonight!”
Graves was startled that he was recognized. All his direct family was dead and buried and this old man wasn’t nearly old enough to be a kid while John was alive. “How do you know me?” Asked Graves. “My name is Joseph Graves, head of this house and I know you because your picture has been hanging on wall over the mantle for the last hundred years. This mansion was built because of you and your service. Everyone in the family and town knows who you are. Though the towns folk might not have seen your picture before” Joseph explained. Graves was shocked but deeply touched. Not only did his sacrifices help his family but everyone in the area honored his name. “Why did you say tonight of all nights?” asked Graves. Joseph smiled and replied. “Tonight is spirits night. A night to celebrate all those who died in the great war a hundred and twenty years ago and to honor the man who put their souls to rest, Jonathan Graves” Joseph explained. Happy to tears to be talking with the man responsible for the family’s fortune and the center of celebration for Spirits night.
Graves was moved, the night had turned out better than he expected. His curse didn’t seem like such a bad thing anymore, not if his work brought so much happiness. His time was growing short though, so with his remaining hours he spent time with his living relatives and helped them celebrate the night. After his time was up he slowly faded away and woke up that morning, back in the graveyard back to work for another year. But when Spirits night rolls by again, Graves promised to return and he did. Every spirits night he would appear at his families Mansion and every generation knew of Jonathan Graves, The Gravedigger.
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