I turned my hand over and over. Light was shining through it. The green of the grass at my feet, the brown of my shoes, and the gray of the rocks nearby, all were clearly visible through my hand. I shuddered looking at it, but wasn't terrified.

I'd been living and working in Anwyn for a few years. Virgo was training me primarily, and I'd spend time each day with Juan, the oracle, learning all I could. I went on missions regularly with Scorpio and Equis, surveying the airways and helping keep the balance.

Returning to my quarters, I found a mirror and surveyed myself. The afternoon sunlight shining through the window illuminated me all the way through. I could see the room as easily as I could my face. The white feathers of my wings barely obscured the cabinets behind me.

Slowly I went back outside and climbed the hill to Juan's house. Was I dying? Transfiguring into some new form of energy? I had no frame of reference, no way to explain this.

Juan opened the door after my first knock and greeted me warmly. His keen eyes appreciated what was happening to me before I could say a word. Leading me to his sitting room, Juan bid me sit and listen.

"Xicarus," he explained softly and calmly, "you have been a son to me. In everything I've taught you, I see it bear fruit in your life. You have been a faithful friend and student, and a great help to Scorpio and Virgo as well."

My heart sunk as he spoke. This was my eulogy. This short life I'd only recently adopted would be over, for no reason I could understand.

"What ... what is happening?" I asked, trembling. "I feel fine, it's just the light passes through me, like I'm made of glass. A ghost."

Juan put his hand on my shoulder, which felt real and solid. "Xicarus, this will be very hard for you. You are dying, but only for a little while. Because you have taken our teachings and made them a part of you, they shine through you so you can bring light to a world still in darkness. Take courage, for only moments after your death, you'll know new life, brighter and better than anything." He hugged me, and I wept.