Lapis

Chapter 9 - For What You Believe In

SYNOPSIS:

On the path to avenge Farr's death, Lapis recounts her memories of when she met Farr and how the two became allies. As she hunts down the Darklass, she is interrupted by hired assassins across the continent. With nothing left, Lapis goes on a murder rampage to fulfill her thirst for vengeance.

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[scene begins with a large group of BoltWings standing around a large cauldron. The sun set a few minutes ago, leaving a beautiful afterglow in the sky. Queen Thunder is wearing a white cloth around her neck and talons, approaching the cauldron with a torch. A squad of BoltWing guards surround her as she lights the cauldron on fire. Queen Thunder returns with the rest, standing next to Lapis, who's weeping silently]

[Lapis is wearing a white cloth around her neck as well, and white paint is smeared across her snout. The stab wound on her stomach is patched up after her fight. Meanus is standing next to her, wearing the same attire as the rest of the dragons there. He turns slightly to Lapis, worrying about her]

[the group of BoltWings move out of the way to let the shaman pass. Lapis stares at the shaman as she approaches the cauldron, raising her talons over the fire. Meanus puts his talon around Lapis, reassuring her. Amphis stares at the fire in the cauldron, and she looks down at the ground]

RAMA: [speaking the old language] [translation] We thank our God for blessing us with this soul, who will guide his soul safely to the Afterworld. May he rest peacefully for eternity, [raises her talons close to her snout] Ghria.

QUEEN THUNDER: [stares at the violent fire] Let it... [gulps] begins.

[the royal guards tap their spears in rhythm. Lapis looks at the ground, sniffling silently. Tears drop from her eyes, and Amphis looks at her worriedly. Berg and Frost stand across the fire, looking at it and feeling the warmth. Serene stand next to them, keeping her eyes on the cauldron]

RAMA: [speaking Dragon] May he rest peacefully for eternity, Ghria.

[Lapis is still keeping her gaze on the ground, but she feels the warmth from the raging fire. She cries silently as she remembers the memories of her and Farr. She reaches for the necklace she's wearing, grasping onto the Starstone pendant]

[scene cuts to Lapis standing by herself in a dark, empty room. A large chandelier hangs on the ceiling, and multiple giant paintings are displayed on the walls. Lapis looks outside the windows, seeing the three moons emerging from the horizon. A drop of tear runs down her eyes as she slowly approaches the window]

[she suddenly stops halfway when she hears the door opening behind her, standing there without looking at who just entered. Meanus approaches Lapis slowly, stopping when he realizes she isn't going to turn around. He sighs silently]

MEANUS: Lapis-

LAPIS: He believed in me. [pauses] He believed that we could've stopped them.

MEANUS: What?

LAPIS: He understood the risks he's putting himself in, yet he still took it. He knew that I could stop them, and he protected me, but I... [looks at her talon, trembling] I couldn't protect him. He died because of me...

[Lapis waits for Meanus to leave her alone, but he lingers]

MEANUS: Lapis, it's n-not your fault, don't blame this-

LAPIS: [turns around and shouts loudly at Meanus] Why did he have to die? [seethes and stares at Meanus, who's looking at her with a horrified expression] He gave his damn life... [turns and looks at the window again]