The afternoon suns rays dyed the beach of Port Annencia orange, the light reflecting off the clear seawater, blinding . The seagulls were constant squawking as they flew in the sky with so diving into the water to fish out their dinner, all while the sweeping waves pushed white foam across the legs of my chair, darkening and hardening the beige sand.
I gouged so of it out with the claws on my feet before swinging my foot around to throw the sand away, only for so of it to get stuck between my claws. I breathed in the salty air, barely acknowledging the chilly breeze sapping my bodys warmth.
This This could have been a fun, albeit cold, beach day. Just like in Elyonda before the siege happened, we could have played around in the water, drink so fruit drinks, and cheered as people hunted down so rfolk. Sadly, today I only felt empty.
Thank you, everybody.
I raised my head, looking over at our entire Aurora team and as well as our allies sitting in front of an altar made from wood, coral, and a bed of verdant green leaves from Cedarrailes dungeon. Furthermore, there was a body laying on it Akashts body.
His wounds were healed up and Grimnir had fixed up his armor and weapon to allow him to look good. He looked so peaceful, as if he was asleep. I wanted to charge up to him and demand he wake up. I wanted that so much
Sadly, the reality of yesterdays event was undeniable. After all, Master wouldnt be speaking right now if Akasht hadnt passed.
I apologize that this was a last minute request, not to ntion how everybody was gracious enough to hunt down what we needed. Master stared at us, wearing a different outfit than usual.
Instead of his usual attire of a formal, graceful depth priest, his current outfit felt far simpler and tribalistic, with minimum protection and coverage. He was wearing a long skirt made from feathers, animal bones, and leaves, all stitched together with mana threads, that covered everything below his waist aside from his tail. Bone armor covered his chest and arms, a long feather cape hanging from his neck fluttered around from the wafting sea winds, and, lastly, a circlet made from feathers and bone sat on his head, decorating him with the colorful plumage.
Krim and Grazlahta also had changed their outfits to match Masters, only they didnt have a circlet on their heads and instead were wearing the emptied skulls from a few rank C slazzanbals. We didnt know of any dungeons with dinosaurs in them, so we had to compromise with giant fire-spitting salamanders.
Just seeing them wear these outfits made want to thank Saori, Tasianna, Svena, Lorena, and Haati again. We might have hunted down the materials, but those five had to assemble everything into outfits before it beca too dark. It was such a rush job, yet it gave these outfits that savage vibe Master described from his ho continent, Aelozonia.
Our friendship; this is sothing the three of us will cherish forever, Xohulotel be my witness.
Xohulotel, laruz, Krim and Grazlahta said in sync without their usual energetic flare. It wasnt a demand like usual, they were pleading.
Master raised his arms up, letting his bone accessories rattle and whistle a hollow tune with the help of the wind. He stretched and bowed in a practiced rhythm, letting these sounds accompany the constant ebb and flow of the waves. It was a mont of silence, to allow us all to think of the deceased one last ti. This was an Aelozonian funeral.
[Master ] I could hear Rajahs pained voice. Turning around, I saw my virgacuga cub burying his head in the sand as his mother tried to soothe him and his crying siblings.
Poor Rajah He had gotten to know the saurians well during our stay in Elyonda and they even helped him train before he evolved. Rajah, Shere, and Ajaymy poor kittensmight have seen death frequently, but losing sobody close to them for the first ti was hard. A soul-crushing mont
[Dont bla yourself, okay?] I scratched his head. [Youre my precious as well, Rajah. If the sa situation had happened again, I would have always tried to heal you and Akasht. The thought of losing either of you is]
I stopped to ruffle his soft, clean fur. I was so glad I made it in ti for him. I was so glad he woke up this morning. The thought of losing him ached my heart too much on an already sad day.
The virgacuga family werent the only ones with a strong reaction, as Saoris fenrirs were howling in goodbye; this was a farewell to a fellow comrade. Saori and Tasianna werent doing better, with the latter weeping over the loss one of our first friends since we left the Belzac forest. Master and the saurians: to us, they were incredibly precious people from the mont we were befriended, not to ntion how much they taught us about Peolynca and how much they trained us to beco stronger.
Saori Stay strong, I thought as I saw her claws dug into her legs, causing them to bleed Then again, why was I thinking like that? I was having a hard ti keeping myself composed as well.
Aside from these specific people, everybody else was here out of respect. As difficult as it was to say, Akasht didnt really interact with anybody a lot. His throat didnt allow him to speak Common well, as a sarcosilian his magical capabilities were almost as low as a dwarfs, so [Telepathy] cost too much SP, and he never was the one to start the conversation. I always thought of him as a gentle giant, but maybe it was a detrint.
Midirn, Yorshka, Farron, Renee, the twins, Grimnir, and Neill all had the warrior ntality to send Akasht off as a comrade. They all fought side-by-side with him before. Yet, most of them probably didnt know him too well.
And now it was impossible.
After Master was done with his ritualistic dance, he settled down, signaling for the carnosilians to tap their wooden poles on the ground. They then began to growl, throat singing with such a deep bass I felt my soul quiver.
Krux salutet lruu lrue sahrkvark kylux.
Cenret sluxmiel ruxmux rutuk gnurka
The song was entirely in Aelulash, with the verses short but the tempo slow and elongated each word, making it slightly hard to actually differentiate the words if you didnt concentrate properly. I managed to piece the words together, but it felt like my mind just had an easy ti deciphering it. I felt connected to the song.
I couldnt understand what was said, but you could feel the emotions carried by their voices. Pride in the way their dear friend died, the achievents he fulfilled, and that his life wasnt wasted away but it was used to serve his friends for a higher cause, yet, I felt their longing. They shed no tears, but Krim and Grazlahta gave their late friend one last send off, reminding him of his ho.
Master did not participate in the singing, but once those two were done, he bowed once more before he took out what looked like a skull amulet with bones attached on the string. It wasnt the pristine, well-kept catalyst he used as a priest and fighter; rather, the one he now held seed weathered, with so of the bones having pieces falling off right now.
In Aelozonia, our ho, we would perform a ceremony where our won would perform a special dance called Serpents Rising. A combat art, nowadays, but its ritualistic function to send off brave warriors remains a custom. Akasht was a rithuak riraksa. A fierce defender of arcane, a guard we shamans receive upon our initialization. He sighed, nodding slightly. As you know, our culture divides the duties between our three saurian races, with sarcosilians considered simple minded. Their duties, as such, were carrying materials and defending our magic users. He did exactly that.
He then raised his bone amulet into the sky. This was my first catalyst. Unlike the alchemists of Altrust, ours couldnt create magical tools strong enough to defeat the fiercest beast in our jungles. This is rubbish but the mories I have while using it makes feel young again. Fifty years have passed since then. I still have fifty more years left. Yet, my closest confidant is already gone
Fifty more years before I lose Master? My heart ached.
Mortality, my friends. Goddess Death is fickle as always. A life can end so swiftly, and yet it is but a grain of sand under the gaze of the gods; their reign will continue long even after our deaths. Yet, I was never afraid of Her, for we saurians have learned to accept that death can teach us. To appreciate life better, as the fangs of mighty beasts almost rips you apart. To live is to fight, and we should never forget this for without the will to challenge the worst, none of us would be able to stand tall when Goddess Death calls.
Master then turned around and laid his bone amulet onto Akashts chest. Krim and Grazlaht went over too and placed their own trinketsKrim gave a bright feathered necklace while Grazlahta placed a broken wooden tablet large enough for Akasht to hold. There were a few holes in the latter offering, where I was able to recognize a sorta painting with four tailed peopleone lanky, two the sa size, and one giant.
Krim spoke first to Akast, Do you rember our first month fighting together for Kush? We couldnt understand each other, with too impulsive, Grazlahta too stiff, and you werent able to understand our orders properly without Kush speaking for you. We were 25? 26? Young scales, still too green. Fought a giant winged pectrorasus and almost died there, but you just like back then. You jumped into the situation first hand and fought the beast to the standstill despite getting your legs broken. You fought, and we won. We all made a necklace from its feathers as our spoils It always gave the belief that you could survive everything.
He then tapped his head and chest. mories and heart. You will.
Grazlahta and Master imitated him, before the forr gave his eulogy.
Our last day on Aelozonia before Kush told us we would go on the next boat to Altrust. We let our dreams go wild back then, imagining the wonders the new world could show us, and it did! It did show us! The years to beco Depth Guards and then Tide Watchers were grueling, but the strength we gained in Caedhul gave us the might to make the Depths Serpent renowned! He then took one last look of the picture. You were the greatest warrior amongst us, Akasht. Brave, fearless, and loyal. You never wavered and did what you could. I witnessed your last sacrifice. My friend, you are the worst artist Ive ever known but no simple minded brute would immortalize our departure from Caedhul like this. You make the sarcosilians proud.
As the saurians walked away, Master gave his last words to his friend. I told all of you that I would give it my all. That I continue our journey because I believe this is our duty to fulfill, and I have been blessed. My friend, if only you had survived just a bit longer. It shas that I could not have shown you the results of our work; of the future of the saurians and Aelozonia. What we all could have done So, I hope we will have the chance to et again. I pray that Goddess Death grants a chance to et your reincarnation, and when it cos, I promise, I will be the one to defend you. By Xohulotel, I swear once again, I will bring the saurians to greatness!
Master then turned around, this ti holding his usual catalyst. I am not an expert in this dance, and I have forgotten much of it. Please, be patient.
Master invoked his unique skill, [Glory of Aelozonia], summoning a water golem in the form of a serpent with feathers. It was a ryuukoatl, the true dragonkin of Aelozonia, and it was about the length of Masters arms.
Like a snake tar, the serpent began riding his body, slithering around as Master began moving his limbs and tail in dance. The bone accessories rattled once again, producing different notes through the differing lengths and sizes. Like a pan pipe, the wind broke the silence once again, creating sothing of a wild, slightly chaotic lody.
The carnosilians joined in, throat singing and jabbing their wooden poles into the coarse sand. It sounded like they were pounding a mortar with an extra crunch, like scratching the hard crust of a freshly baked baguette. Could this be considered percussion? In a way, of course, yet
The saurians display felt so amateurish. Masters movents were inelegant and it was clear he was making the choreography on the fly, while the rattling of the bones and the throat singing caused so uncomfortable to hear sounds. However there was a harmony.
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To everybody in attendance, it was clear this was far from the epito of Aelozonian cultural music, but it was still fascinating to listen to. The crashing waves, the wind blowing, and the tapping of the sand. It was like listening to nature unfold itself. Everything sounded natural, as if I was once again trapped in the Belzac forest.
I see. This isnt music to be enjoyed, they are trying to recreate their ho. None of the hustle and bustle of Altrust and its many settlents and cities. They were reminding Akasht of their ho in Aelozonia. They were sending him off back ho I took a deep breath, feeling winded as I realized the intentions behind their performance.
It was also then that I noticed sothing about Masters dancing. The way he moved his tail in tandem with his arms and legwork reminded of sobody. Although I could critique the execution, it was undoubtedly my choreography for Till Morning Arrives.
Autumns breeze and the falling leaves
Signals, winters co
I see red, I see yellow
The last colors of the year.
It was a subdued dance, emphasizing the mournfulness of the coming winter and the end of a year. Slow but wide arm movents with every step leading into another motion, creating this illusion that your body was flowing like water. My song was a ballad, telling a story up till the chorus, where intensity of the movents rose a notch.
Pirouettes, sliding your tail along the ground, and so many other movents were integrated into Masters dance. [Serpents Rising] was the na of the dance, right? Well, the water ryuukoatl did exactly as the na said as it wrapped itself around Master, slithering everywhere before it rose into the sky, bursting into a fountain of water. Before the droplets fell onto us, the ryuukoatl reford itself and grew into the size of a bus.
Like pushing water, Master controlled the serpent and had it glide back into the ground to slink under Akashts body. Slowly but surely, his massive body was dragged into the waves, letting it float into the distance before the serpent and our friend disappeared into the depths of the horizon.
Master stopped, breathing heavily. In Aelozonia, to honor a scale-kins death, we send their bodys down waterfalls, the sea, or even in a deep swamp. We, like every other living being, are part of the forest and the seas, and we must return to them. We do not honor our dead with graves, but in our hearts with their tales and bravery. Actions speak louder than words, as you Altrustians say.
He turned around and bowed. Thank you all for coming to this small funeral. Let us all assure this will not happen again!
Aye! Midirn, Yorshka, Farron, Renee, the twins, Grimnir, and Neill shouted, standing up and raising their arms up.
Let us show this Prince of Envy what we can do! The battle calls! Krim roared.
Whroooh! All fenrirs howled.
Rawr! The virgacuga family growled in agreent.
The funeral ended and we returned to Port Annencia. It was actually my first ti here but I found that I just couldnt enjoy the city at all. At least I managed to confirm the city was slowly being repaired. I didnt say much to the city lord, and Marquess Lifcio was kind enough to understand my grief.
Once we entered the subspace, I sent most of the team back to Aureolis since we didnt want to leave the city for too long in case another attack happened. While the majority of Aurora was gone, I stayed behind. I was ntally still not prepared.
I noticed, I told Master as we rested in the living room, sitting on the sa sofa.
He laughed, stuttering like always, sounding a bit like a robot. Is that so? Well, how embarrassing. I had hoped you wouldnt but I guess I couldnt fool the eyes of an expert. By Xohulotel, the dance is traditionally perford by our females, so there was no male version for it. It has been so long, I could scarcely rember it, so I needed inspiration.
Oh, dont be like that. Im flattered! Hiehie, now I wish I could see those dances for real, well, outside of such sad events Makes really curious I turned silent, looking at the wall with no specific goal.
Noticing this, Master moved himself closer to . And you will. I will introduce you properly. My parents and siblings didnt survive our ti in Aelozonia, so Krim, Grazlahta, and Akasht have been my family ever since. Still, I have a number of good friends, quaint acquaintances, and very moody superiors back in Caedhul. Now that I think about it, there is so much I havent been able to show you.
Funny, no? I forced a smile.
Master stared at before he nodded, sharing a smile with . Funny, yes. Sad, as well.
When we first t, I stopped you from telling about the saurians and your culture because it was too much information for to take in. I I regret that. I was in such a rush to learn magic that I avoided doing what you told to doKnowledge is power, and a mages duty is to learn. You told that, but I didnt take it in.
You did. This journey of yours has enlightened you so much about this world. You now know about your bloodline and your magical usage has been superb. Your potential is so vast.
No, no. Thats not the point. I shook my head vehently. I Haa. No, I just wish I could have experienced all that with Akasht. That sa emptiness I felt when I saw Eshes body has returned and I want it to be filled! I want that void to vanish but it keeps on staying there. I cant stop thinking of it.
The lost potential Master gave a hug before standing up. Allow yourself to finally take a rest, my apprentice. You have only been moving since the summit.
Rest? Can we even rest when one of our own just died? Do I deserve this as the one who brought everybody into this ss?
Master then joined the saurians into the sauna, leaving in the living room with only Shoyi and Rajah. I wanted to bring Gravy into the room as well, but as the monster rooms core, he couldnt leave. I laid down on the sofa, stroking the sli and cat, enjoying my rest. Yet, my mind couldnt.
Lady Hestia, your tea. I heard Svena say.
I raised my body. Thank you, Svena. How is Tasianna?
Shes dedicating herself to work. The forge has been in an unsightly state since you reached Aureolis, and Mister Grimnir hasnt listened to us to take a break. With him preoccupied with his drinks, Tasianna brought Haati and Lorena with her to clean it up, she reported. My lady I
Its all right, I can understand what you want to say. Thank you for your concern. I took a sip to hide my emotional turmoil. She probably heard what I told Master, but I had to keep up appearances. This is just the life I lead I should have known. A faith war is still a war
Svena nodded, looking awkward as she didnt know what to say. I If you need to take a step back, then please tell . I might be a servant of House Helvas, but I also swore my loyalty to you. If you need to follow you, then I will.
I showed her an empty smile. Sotis I wonder why you decided to join us. House Helvas has been good to you for your entire life, but you still decided to stay here in my subspace, working for . I dont even pay your salary, Ellaines dad does.
And youre also one of the few nobles who has been good to . She smiled warmly. Although I understand your circumstances, I still feel proud to be joining you on this trip. Even if I cannot fight, allow this humble maid to at least sooth your mind and allow you good rest.
Hearing her say that turned my smile into a real one. I took a drink of the tea again, and felt warmth return to my chest. Sadly, once Svena went away to continue her duties, that warmth disappeared once again. Ever so fleeting. I sank back into the sofa.
[Master ] Rajah nuzzled up to , but all I could do was stare at the ceiling.
Eventually, I heard the sauna door open, followed by the voice of a woman. She approached and stepped into my view, looking down at with her hair still wet. I could feel so droplets fall on .
Oh, sorry about that. Saori wrapped her hair with her towel before sitting down. How are you feeling?
I frowned. I feel like I failed everybody. I feel like I failed Masters trust. It is frustrating.
I understand that as well. I think your sister is going through the sa issues. Saori let out a deep sigh. None of us could figure out a way to beat that sin heir. His constant retreat into the mud and earth made it difficult to follow him, since we dont have [Mana Eyes] and he could use his stealth ability to montarily confuse . Fargryneill had her dragon paths, but they werent fast enough to catch up. If we had kept him in check, you wouldnt have had to heal Rajah, and Akasht might have been alive.
She shrugged. It is a fact one of our friends died. It is a fact it was Akasht. It is a fact the saurians were heavily affected by our failure to get to him in ti. This ordeal was difficult, showing once again all of us might not be ready for this. Are we rushing it? I asked myself this during dinner. Even Tamae-chans delicious food tasted like nothing with this pain in my chest.
I feel lost, I replied truthfully. I feel like everything that Ive done up until now was a mistake. Ever since you told to not help the lizardn and what happened later, I feel like I havent learned a single thing on our travels. Why did I accept Aurenas offer? Why? To et my parents again to say that I am sorry that I killed myself cause I was a complete idiot? That I was so stubborn that I overlooked everything again just to reach a goal.
I turned from the ceiling and looked into Saoris eyes. What is this idol business that Im trying to push? Make everybody smile? How are Eshe, Akasht, or my deceased fans gonna smile now? How am I supposed to make them happy? They are gone, Saori.
I know She stroked my hair, eyes squinting as she tried to keep herself from crying.
Eshe and Akasht, two people we know but will be unable to learn more from. No, maybe we will, but we cant make any more mories with them. Eshe is sobody everybody in Griffonpeak will rember thanks to King Drangleic, but what about Akasht? Barely anybody aside from you, Tasianna, and I knew him in our group.
Akasht likes to sleep, eat, and watch people Saori added. With the students [Storage Magic] and your [Room] he probably felt a bit frustrated since he cannot carry everything. Now that you say it, I have not been able to spend much ti with him. It feels like everything
Saori! I cried out, unable to hold myself back from crying any longer. H-hes gone. Everybody could be gone too if I fail; I could lead everybody into their deaths. Forget outliving everybody, every single one of my friends could be gone tomorrow if we return to Aureolis. Every one! I dont want that, Saori. I dont want that!
I bawled, sounding like a noisy brat giving a tantrum for not getting what I wanted. It was shrill to the point I thought I had de-aged back into a kindergartner, but I couldnt stop myself. Eshe, Akasht, even my parents and my life as Hikari flashed before and I felt like my soul was ready to break once again. Scenes of lying in the bathtub with my wrist slit open resurfaced, causing to shake uncontrollably.
Even if we win, at what cost? We lost a dear friend. What about our surviving is winning ntality and where has it gone? Dammit, we gathered information and you were even prepared but this shit still happened! Its like that damn sin heir said, No more surprises. Were finally on an even field and the first thing that happens is that we lose Akasht This-this My voice quivered, ready to give up. I tried to control myself but my mouth was an open floodgate at this point. My emotions ca out unfiltered.
It couldnt be stopped.
I want to stay ho, huek! I want this all to end and just disappear. If I can keep all of you safe, then this idol dream can go fuck itself! What has it done for ? Im just causing trouble wherever I go, why do I have to deal with all of this? I just-I justhuekI-I just want to be happy, Saori! I want my friends back!
Fuck you, Ilsaphone! Give back my friends! I cursed, even if it was all useless. Asaka couldnt do anything, and neither could the gods due to the rules. I also couldnt ask Master to have the onnikai revive Akasht, since it would without a doubt tarnish his mory. His speech told all I needed to know.
Hestia Saori mumbled.
Our dreams, Saori! Our dreams What have we been doing? You wanted to travel the world, see the sights in the stead of your father and mother. You have Vidia now, but you are trapped with and my idiotic plans. I want to beco an idol but I keep pushing the whole idol idea into everything, even into my blessed schtick. Its so suffocating Im trying to justify everything.
I wiped my tears away and stood up, before I followed my urge and punched the wall. With not even a crack, I punched it twice more, putting my entire strength into it, but aside from so trembling nothing happened. [Room] prevented it from breaking.
I am a dragon with a human soul, but I want to rain down fire on that bastard who killed Akasht and onto the Vicar. I want it all to end already but I dont want to step out of the [Room], Saori. I looked over to her. I dont want to lose you, too.
Saori stood up and wiped the droplets on her face, giving a hug so tight I felt the air leave my lungs, making it hard to control my constant weeping. Once she released , she looked straight into the eyes. An idol has to keep smiling, she cant cry until the show is over.
Huh?
That is what you told after your first song during your first concert ever. You shouted, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! to the crowd in Carine village before you stord away, eyes red and cheeks drenched with tears of happiness. I have never been so proud of sobody since my father. When you broke down once you finished Promise, I knew this was really the life you wanted to lead. You want to be an idol; you cannot give it up. Like I said, you are a good person and you put your idol ideas into everything because this is just how you are.
I shook my head vehently. It doesnt matter. It doesnt matter. If I lose all of you then none of this will be worth it. I dont want to be alone. I dont want any of you to be hurt because of
Shhhhhh, no more. Co. She then gestured for to follow her into my room. Once we did, Saori asked Beth to leave us for a mont before she sat down next to my bed where Mom was still sleeping quietly.
Just one more, Hestia. Let us deal with the Prince of Envy and then you can consider your promise to the alliance fulfilled. She caressed my back, but I didnt turn to her. My eyes were locked onto my moms peaceful sleeping face. Then, you can go ho. With lloxtressa and Fargryneill. et your family. With Yorshka, Farron, and Priscilla. With Tasianna, Ellaine, Grimnir.
M-Mom I sniffed but still managed to nod. Why are you still asleep? After so long?
mories of the Archerudite of Aleistunum and his weakening souls reminded that Mom was equally as old; in fact, she could be categorized as an ancient dragon since she was over 3500 years old. Although she was technically immortal, she could still die due to her soul aging, as was the case with the Archerudite. He said she had to sleep to recover, otherwise she might break down.
Which ant the sa thing with Eshe and Akasht could happen with her. I only just recently accepted her as my mother and I could potentially lose her so soon? What was with this life? What the hell was wrong with my luck? All the potential mories I could have with her would disappear just like that, maybe to the point I wouldnt even be able to truly get to know her.
It felt so unfair.
Mom, please, wake up! Wake up, please! I pleaded, shoving her body back and forward. Please, Ill be done with this crap and Ill go ho! Please, just wake up
I grit my teeth. My sorrow and unreciprocated love were filling the emptiness in my chest with a blazing heat. I felt my core burning, rising up to my brain as I could only think of a single person.
Prince of Envy!
One more goal. One more step before I can say bye to this promise. Aurena only needed to purge the filth from her church and then have it rebuilt, right? As she said, I never had to be one to physically rebuild it.
I am not a priestess. I am an idol. I am a dragon and my place isnt in Aureolis.
A finale worthy to be rembered. To be feared by the demonkin.
Saori stood up, telling she would leave. Once were done here, make sure to fulfill your dream. This world could use a dragon idol. I will handle the
The rest was cut off. My mind couldnt concentrate on anything but on how to defeat the Prince.
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