Dragonfire: Celestia

Chapter 30: The Masterpiece

Damian crossed the pitch black path, only to find himself back on the other side of the bones. He looked around curiously. “Did I do something wrong? I thought we were supposed to end up in the Snake Kingdom base…” He said. The claustrophobic path was blocked by the bones, leaving no way to enter. He began walking towards the exit, only to stop dead in his tracks. His eyes landed on J’s body, and his heart dropped. “No…” He mumbled. It felt as though everything was spinning. He approached the body. “No…no…no…” He mumbled. He knelt down on his knees, staring at the remains. “J…why…why did it have to be you…?” He asked. He bit back tears, forcing his emotions away. To find his brother dead, and in such a gruesome manner…it was heartbreaking. A sound rang out behind him, causing him to jump to his feet! He readied his weapon, turning around swiftly! To his surprise, it was Rowan! He lowered his weapon, taking a shaky breath. “Damian…so we both ended up in the same place.” Rowan said. He approached, only to stop when he saw J’s body. “Damian…” He said. Damian shrugged, barely holding back tears. “Only him…the other two didn’t die here…just him…” He said, “I’m sorry…” Rowan responded. Damian turned around, and scooped J’s body up in his arms. “I should have been here…” He said, lifting the body up, “There’s nothing we could have done…” Rowan responded, “How do you know that?! There had to have been a way back! We could have helped them! We shouldn’t have even gone through that wall’s…asshole or whatever that is without going back for Konari! But thanks to Albedo, we left them behind! And now…now J’s…” Damian stopped himself, taking another shaky breath.

“We didn’t have many options. There was no way we could have known what the best path would be. We just kept moving. And…I’m sorry…but we need to keep moving now…” Rowan said, “I’m not leaving without burying J! We owe him that much…at least…” Damian replied, “How? We don’t even have a shovel…” Rowan said, “I’ll just use my sword…it will be good for that much, at least…” Damian responded. Rowan rested his chin on his hand in thought. Damian was obviously alluding to the sword being weak against Snakes. “You know…I’ve been working on something.” He said, “What is it?” Damian asked, “Well, I was brought onto the team for my blacksmithing capabilities. It seemed unimportant at first, save for repairs to weapons and armor. But…looking at that blade of Albedo’s…I couldn’t help but notice something. It was crafted in a peculiar fashion, allowing it to easily kill Snakes, despite their abnormal durability. With some enchantments, and the specific metal used, it is the perfect weapon for fighting them. So…I decided to try making a similar weapon…” Rowan answered, “A weapon that can kill those monsters with ease…?” Damian asked, “Indeed. I was never able to finish it…but…let’s just say I’ve seen some inspiration, eh? I think I know what I need to do. But I left it in the wagon.” Rowan answered, “Do you know where it is?” Damian asked, “Indeed.” Rowan answered, “We have to get back to it, then! Maybe Konari is there too!” Damian exclaimed, “It’s certainly worth a look.” Rowan responded. Damian looked down at J’s body, and his expression darkened.

“We need to bury him first…then we can head back for it.” He said, “Don’t worry about it. I’ll leave you to say your goodbyes, and head back to the wagon. Do you remember where it is?” Rowan asked, “I do.” Damian answered, “I’ll meet you there, then. By the time you get there, the blade should be finished.” Rowan said. He approached, and put a hand on Damian’s shoulder. “Give him a proper farewell, eh?” He asked. Damian nodded, and they walked out of the cave in silence. Rowan dashed off towards the wagon, but Damian remained. In the muck, there were three sets of footprints, walking off somewhere. “Those weren’t there before. Did Yuki and that other girl go that way? Were they captured?” He asked. He shook his head, and began looking around. His eyes settled on the forest atop the hill the cave was attached to. He climbed the hill, and found a large clearing just above the cave. He laid J’s body down, and began digging. It was difficult, seeing as he didn’t have a shovel. But with his sword, and a bit of magic, he managed. Once the burial was complete, he let out a sigh. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you…I’m sure you did what you could to save Yuki…and that other girl…” He said. He closed his eyes, putting a hand over his chest. “Now…play our finest tunes to the Star-Born.” He said, looking to the sky as he opened his eyes once more. It wasn’t quite night yet, but it would be soon. The sky was turning gray, and the light of the sun was disappearing into the horizon. It was time to head back to the wagon. “Well…J…this is goodbye.” He said. He bit back another wave of tears, and dashed off into the swamp. On the way, he noticed smoke coming from the direction of the cabin. It seemed the Snakes were still there. He decided to go around it, heading for the wagon on a different path.