JustAnotherAuth
10-26-2016, 11:40 PM
Raid Group VII
The dragon
I still dream of it… our first raid… will the nightmares ever stop? “Brother!” I managed to say through the sobbing. “You promised we’d make it out together! Don’t leave me here!” he’s bleeding too much. At this rate he’ll die in 30… 29… 28 seconds. I put pressure on the wound trying to slow the bleeding. He pushed my hand away and shakes his head. He can’t even manage to speak… he simply mouths ‘Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain.’ 10… 9… 8... 7 I can’t lose him! “No! I can’t do this without you! Stay with me!” 3… 2… 1… 0. He goes limp in my arms, his eyes become lifeless and blank. He’s… dead…
“Commander! Wake up!” I look at one of my raid members in a sleepy haze. “You’re so lazy, how did YOU get to be commander of the most powerful raid group anyway?” Taiel, the raid group’s second-in-command is looking at me with a look of both giddiness and sincerity. “You had that dream again, didn’t you?” In that moment, everyone’s expression changed to a dreary, depressed state. Including mine. I tried to deny it by shaking my head, but Taiel wouldn’t believe me. Part of me didn’t want him to. “I know my commander. There’s no use lying to me.” He almost started tearing up, but instead, with a playful grin on his face, looked at me and said “You still haven’t answered my previous question. How did you become commander?”
I returned his grin with a similar one. “I’ll show you how.” I said while drawing my sword from its scabbard. A good spar with the second-in-command is always good, although he has no chance of beating me. I’m a level 246, therefore making me the strongest person in the entire united guilds. Raid team VII is known for all its powerful members, but no one argues against me being strongest. I joined the raid group at 6 years old, it took a year for my brother and me to be cleared to go on a raid. He was 12 then. It was supposed to be “too easy” but an event boss showed up and threw a javelin into my brother’s chest… We don’t like to talk about what happened afterwards. We escaped and warned the united guilds about the event boss. I asked to be permitted to kill the boss alone. The council allowed it. I set off on what was supposed to be a suicide mission to clear space. But came back three weeks later with its head in one hand and a legendary sword drop in the other. “The sword of the end.”
We had just finished sparring when one of my members said “why don’t you tell him about why we woke him up in the first place?” I was confused. Did something happen? I just looked at Taiel with an inquiring expression on my face. He didn’t look too happy about what’s going on, I was a little worried. “C’mon Taiel, we’ve already wasted too much time already.” That’s classic Joshua. Ever since his wife died he’s been easy to annoy and anger, that man really loved her.
With a sigh Taiel handed me an open letter. “Read it” he said with a reluctant tone of voice. I took the letter and did as he had said. It was sent from Lord Greevurr himself. What does the leader of the United Guilds think is so important to send directly to us? Normally, he would send it to our guild master, who would then convey the message to only those directly mentioned in the notice. I took the neatly folded paper out of the opened envelope and proceeded to read it aloud.
“To the commander of raid group VII of the ‘Immortal Blades’ guild,
I, the good Lord Greevurr, regretfully inform you of a dragon notice in a nearby village to your guild hall. It has been brought to my attention that your current strength, skill, and potential to become even stronger far surpasses those within the highest ranks in any guild including my own personal royal guard. I seek an audience with you and only you in the United Guilds council room. I look forward to the glorious day of 27/12/92.”
His signature was in pure gold. This is legitimately from Greevurr. “I guess I shouldn't keep the king waiting, right?” I took another look at the date: 27/12/92? That isn't today? Is it? “Taiel,” I started “what is the date today?” He didn't seem to want to answer. “I'll ask again, this time maybe you can answer. What is today's date?”
He was hesitant to answer. “It’s the 27th of December, sir” I wonder why he didn't tell me. Was it that bad that there's a dragon notice? We slay at least 100 dragons for daily training. “I know this dragon… its best that we stay away from this one, with all due respect, sir.” Taiel has a history with dragons? He's always been so open, why has he kept this secret from me for so long?
“I'll hear Greevurr’s request, then will make a decision based on that.” I told Taiel, trying to console him in a fruitless effort. He seems to have a bad history with this particular dragon. I wonder what's wrong with him. This isn't his usual self, he's usually really giddy and playful. “I'll need to withdraw 100 gold from the guild bank for fast travel and I'll rent a horse for the way back.” I've always liked long trips. They allow me to think. Sadly, I have less than 24 hours before I'm supposed to be there, so I can't ride into town and therefore need to fast travel.
I arrive at the United Guilds council room, where the king personally greeted me... along with his personal guard who seem to like striping people and taking their weapons as a greeting. They reached for my legendary sword, I instantly reacted by swatting their hand away. They drew their swords thinking I had threatened them. “Calm down.” Greevurr demanded in a deep, yet euphoric voice. “He is not one to be concerned about.” they sheathed their weapons and stood with a respectable posture. These are people I can get used to. Willing to challenge someone way out of their league for their king.
A “Royal” Pain in the ***
I shot a smile at Greevurr and then at his guard, “That’s a shame” I said in a sarcastic tone, “I happen to enjoy being stripped down by big, scary men.” They glared at me with an expression that held intent to kill. “Your highest majesty, why have you called for an audience with me today?” I gave a formal bow in the direction of the king. I know full well why they want me, they want me to command Raid Group VII to slay this dragon. He has likely sent groups V and IX in from the “Starlight” guild in to thin out the mobs and weaken the dragon. In other words, sent in to die. I can tell this by the grim expression on their master’s face, Master Jeremiah.
“Sit, and I’ll tell you, also, this is no time for formalities” the majestic voice of Greevurr is tainted with a tone of urgency, this must be far worse than I had anticipated. Even in times of crisis of the worst degree I have never detected a break in his calm demeanor, but this time is different. I sit in the chair provided for me in the center of the room. “I’m sure you’ve heard of a great dragon, have you not?” This couldn’t be what’s attacking villages. They have been wiped out for generations.
“Yes, I have heard the legends.” I respond
“Then you know of their demise some 200 years ago?”
“I know of that too.” Is it even possible? Is it even plausible?
“Now, your assignment…” the time before he told me seemed like an eternity. Every heartbeat felt like a minute and my pulse was running at a mile per second. “You are to visit your family and await further instruction. Tell the rest of group VII the same. This may be the last chance you have” those words hit me especially hard. My family? I haven’t seen my parents since I joined group VII, I’m not sure if they even want to see me. I haven’t even told them of my brother’s… never mind.
I had send out a currier with a message to group VII’s quarters, informing them of our leave. I can't stop thinking of what Greevurr said. I just kept repeating it to myself, “... This may be the last chance you have.” What does that mean? Surely, there isn't any real danger for group VII, it’s just another dragon… Just unusually large and powerful, yeah, basically the same thing. It just hit me. “No…” I said under my breath, “... Could it be that THEY are in danger?” I became nauseated at the thought. “Ha ha, that couldn't happen”
The nights precluding my arrival into my hometown were filled with sleeplessness. Either due to nightmares of my brother, or of seeing the city bathed in dragon fire and ash. When I arrived, I breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently the dragon hasn't gotten this far East yet. I was greeted with smiles and “how-do-you-do’s” from the adults, and respect from the children. Alenburge is a small city where everyone knows each other's name, the only reason it isn't considered a village is because how prosperous it is. I replied with a nostalgic smile and a small nod of the head.
“Well, well, well…” Edmund, the town butcher, said with a beckoning grin, “Look at the big, bad commander of Raid Group VII.” A look of excitement and query draped on his face like a banner of war. “Where's your brother, runt?” I had no idea how to respond. People in the raid group don’t often mention my brother with such a large grin. Do I tell him the truth?
“I… uh… He’s…”
“You two split up, right? That’s what you were going to say, correct?” Edmund looked at me pleadingly, his eyes met mine in a way that seemed as if I had stabbed him in the back countless times. This man may look scary, but deep inside he has a heart that’s bigger than my strength stat. The kind of man that you simply don’t lie to.
“Y-yes, in a sense...” I forced out. Edmund smiled in my direction, reassuringly, like he knew what I meant. I instantly became disgusted with myself. Why won’t I let anyone know about my brother? I guess it’s just easier to not think about it. Edmund and I said our goodbyes, he then tried to sell me some meat that he ended up giving to me for free anyway, now to see my parents.
“If I remember correctly…” I whisper to myself. “This is it.” I knocked gently on the thin wooden door, and, as if on cue, the door opened for me to be greeted by my father’s strong, yet soft and compassionate face. He still hasn’t changed after all these years.
There was a pause, like he was trying to remember something, then, after a few seconds of blank staring, tears welled up in his eyes. “I-is it really…?” He managed to form before bursting into tears. Every word he said until he calmed down was either inaudible or I could not make sense of them. I decided to try to console him. I put my arm around his shoulder, only to have it pushed away. “I thought I’d be dead before you ever came back.” He finally looked up. He had the face expected of a man that hadn’t seen his son in, well, I’ve lost count of how many years. “Fourteen…” he started, “Fourteen years… I have forgotten what foods you like, I have forgotten what your voice sounded like, I have forgotten what color eyes you have, but I’ll be damned if I ever forgot your face.”
I didn’t want to look at father. I left him and mother behind in search of the better life that never came to me. I left for the “better life” that I would’ve been happy without. I know how much I’ve hurt them. “I’m sorry, father. I’m so very sorry.” Fourteen years that I haven’t seen him. I never even wrote a letter. All the money I sent him and mother was anonymous. I never showed any indication that I still cared in a cowardice induced hope that they would all forget me.
“Come on inside. I’ll make you something to eat.” He said, trying to change the topic. The house was just as I remembered. Nothing was altered in any way, except maybe one thing.
“Where’s mother?” I asked, instantly regretting asking. I knew what happened to her. I can tell by the way father hangs his head from the mention of her. She’s with her other son. The room becomes deafeningly silent. “I… I’m s-”.
Father interrupted me. “Two months…” he began to say before he paused. The air became stagnant with the taste of suspense and raw pain. I doubted he would ever continue his sentence. Although, I knew how it was going to end. I just need to hear the words. I need to hear them from him. “Two months since I buried her… two… months…” Tears began falling from his eyes. His head still hung low, I fear that it’d probably fall off if he hung it any further. No attempt was made at all to stop the tears. He failed to look at me directly for the rest of the day.
No words were shared between us all day after that… until, that is, when he began to open the door to leave the house. “Where are you headed to at this hour?” I asked, in honest worry. Greevurr’s words just kept ringing through my head. “It’s dangerous outside during this time”.
“Care to join me? Care to see her again?” Father tried to hide his excitement, he really did, and still does love my mother. I sensed something else too, alongside the excitement, something I know I have much experience with. A certain driving force. Something that won’t let him give up. I can’t find a name for this byproduct of our suffering. Almost immediately I got up and followed after him.
The night air was brisk and refreshing. I’ve always liked night operations with the guild for this reason. Taiel says he likes them because it’s easier to conceal yourself in the night. I wonder why my father chooses to visit mother at the late hours rather than during the day. Maybe I’ll ask him sometime.
“This is where we stop…” Father said. We were about a mile from the cemetery, nonetheless, there was a peaceful, yet eerie atmosphere hanging over my head, almost pressing me down to the earth. There was a small, marble cross to mark the spot of her burial. Something about it seems so beautiful, fitting for her. I remember father telling me how 20 men fought over her, I believe that too. She always had the most beautiful smile. I miss her so much. We stood in silence over her grave for what seemed like forever, until, that is, he decided to break the silence. “He’s dead too… isn’t he?” Father asked with a certain, yet urgently inquiring tone of voice. I had no idea how to respond. “I noticed when you showed up alone. You two were always inseparable.” This isn’t good. I feel like my chest is going to split open. How am I supposed to tell him that his son is dead? Nobody should have to tell a man that their son is gone.
The Many Hands of Death
“During our first raid…” I began, but before I could continue I heard a distant alarm. Monsters are attacking the village. I ran, as fast as I could, back to the house to gather my gear. I don’t want to try to fight the mobs unarmed… no matter how strong I am. I arrive at the house to find three, no, four goblins making themselves at home in my father’s. I decide it’d be safe to sneak in through the back door, it’s a straight shot to the kitchen, and a wide variety of knives, from there. “Goddammit,” I whisper to myself, there are far more than I anticipated. Three or four my ***, there are twelve of them in there. I’d better not draw any attention to myself.
I open the windowed door as quietly as I could. “Five seconds,” I whisper to myself, identifying my time frame. I rush to the kitchen as quickly and quietly as I could. When I got to the knives that were hanging on the wall, due to lack of other places to put them, I took the smallest one I could find. If this house is like I remembered, I can sneak around them; I may need to kill one or two, though. All I have to do is get to my gear without being spotted, it’ll be easy enough to fight then. There was one goblin, wearing an eyepatch on his left eye, doing what looked like was standing guard in front of the room with my sword and armor in it. “Idiots…” I said under my breath, “having a guard with such an opening guard a room so important” I snuck up from his blind spot, took a deep breath, and then pounced; I dug the small knife as far into his neck as I could, cutting his artery. As he lay there, choking on his own blood, I feel a sense of pity. I never thought of them as sentient or feeling until now, they were always nothing more than experience for the guild and me.
I walk into the guest room and locate my sword sitting next to my armor. I hastily equip everything and exit the house to join the battle. The townsfolk certainly have a knack for fighting, they’ve kept the mobs at the front gates this entire time. I hadn’t any idea that there are any skilled fighters left in the city; most of them ran off to join the guilds like my brother and me. I arrive on the front lines as quickly as I can and when I get there I’m greeted with something much unexpected: my father, wielding two daggers, fighting on the front lines. Of anyone, I never expected father to be skilled in the art of combat. I watch him take down goblin after goblin. That’s when I noticed it, an event boss… The same one that killed my brother.
I become overwhelmed with hatred and begin to rush the beast, slaying everything that tried standing in my way. I get close enough to identify it, “Level one hundred and thirty-three,” I whisper to myself. I activate the Bulldoze skill as soon as I get in close enough to knock him to the ground, but not before he could throw one of his javelins. I plunge my sword into its chest and twist. Its pained screams both terrified and soothed me. The giant tried throwing me off, but I held steadfastly on.
After minutes of struggling with the beast, it collapsed, finally dead. This resulted in a loss of morale of the enemy and they quickly retreated. I slowly walk over to the battle grounds and see something that looked all too familiar: my father, another of my family, lay with a javelin in his chest. I begin to run, no, not run, sprint to his side. All the while screaming, “MEDIC! MEDIC!” when I get to him, I can hear him gasping for air, it seems that the javelin punctured his lungs.
“Am I…” father started, but was interrupted by and uncontrollable cough, “am I the only casualty?” I look around and see no other bodies on what used to be the battlefield and nod at him, holding back my tears. “Good,” he says, “let me sleep peacefully tonight, then.” I burst into tears at that. I can’t let him go too; he’s the last of my family. “Could you remove this?” he says, pointing at the javelin, “it’s becoming quite the bother.” I do as he commands, I can’t deny a dying man his last wishes. I see the life starting to drain from his eyes, and with his final words: “Don’t party too hard tonight, Mr. Hero.” And with that, he’s gone, leaving me to be the last of our family.
The dragon
I still dream of it… our first raid… will the nightmares ever stop? “Brother!” I managed to say through the sobbing. “You promised we’d make it out together! Don’t leave me here!” he’s bleeding too much. At this rate he’ll die in 30… 29… 28 seconds. I put pressure on the wound trying to slow the bleeding. He pushed my hand away and shakes his head. He can’t even manage to speak… he simply mouths ‘Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain.’ 10… 9… 8... 7 I can’t lose him! “No! I can’t do this without you! Stay with me!” 3… 2… 1… 0. He goes limp in my arms, his eyes become lifeless and blank. He’s… dead…
“Commander! Wake up!” I look at one of my raid members in a sleepy haze. “You’re so lazy, how did YOU get to be commander of the most powerful raid group anyway?” Taiel, the raid group’s second-in-command is looking at me with a look of both giddiness and sincerity. “You had that dream again, didn’t you?” In that moment, everyone’s expression changed to a dreary, depressed state. Including mine. I tried to deny it by shaking my head, but Taiel wouldn’t believe me. Part of me didn’t want him to. “I know my commander. There’s no use lying to me.” He almost started tearing up, but instead, with a playful grin on his face, looked at me and said “You still haven’t answered my previous question. How did you become commander?”
I returned his grin with a similar one. “I’ll show you how.” I said while drawing my sword from its scabbard. A good spar with the second-in-command is always good, although he has no chance of beating me. I’m a level 246, therefore making me the strongest person in the entire united guilds. Raid team VII is known for all its powerful members, but no one argues against me being strongest. I joined the raid group at 6 years old, it took a year for my brother and me to be cleared to go on a raid. He was 12 then. It was supposed to be “too easy” but an event boss showed up and threw a javelin into my brother’s chest… We don’t like to talk about what happened afterwards. We escaped and warned the united guilds about the event boss. I asked to be permitted to kill the boss alone. The council allowed it. I set off on what was supposed to be a suicide mission to clear space. But came back three weeks later with its head in one hand and a legendary sword drop in the other. “The sword of the end.”
We had just finished sparring when one of my members said “why don’t you tell him about why we woke him up in the first place?” I was confused. Did something happen? I just looked at Taiel with an inquiring expression on my face. He didn’t look too happy about what’s going on, I was a little worried. “C’mon Taiel, we’ve already wasted too much time already.” That’s classic Joshua. Ever since his wife died he’s been easy to annoy and anger, that man really loved her.
With a sigh Taiel handed me an open letter. “Read it” he said with a reluctant tone of voice. I took the letter and did as he had said. It was sent from Lord Greevurr himself. What does the leader of the United Guilds think is so important to send directly to us? Normally, he would send it to our guild master, who would then convey the message to only those directly mentioned in the notice. I took the neatly folded paper out of the opened envelope and proceeded to read it aloud.
“To the commander of raid group VII of the ‘Immortal Blades’ guild,
I, the good Lord Greevurr, regretfully inform you of a dragon notice in a nearby village to your guild hall. It has been brought to my attention that your current strength, skill, and potential to become even stronger far surpasses those within the highest ranks in any guild including my own personal royal guard. I seek an audience with you and only you in the United Guilds council room. I look forward to the glorious day of 27/12/92.”
His signature was in pure gold. This is legitimately from Greevurr. “I guess I shouldn't keep the king waiting, right?” I took another look at the date: 27/12/92? That isn't today? Is it? “Taiel,” I started “what is the date today?” He didn't seem to want to answer. “I'll ask again, this time maybe you can answer. What is today's date?”
He was hesitant to answer. “It’s the 27th of December, sir” I wonder why he didn't tell me. Was it that bad that there's a dragon notice? We slay at least 100 dragons for daily training. “I know this dragon… its best that we stay away from this one, with all due respect, sir.” Taiel has a history with dragons? He's always been so open, why has he kept this secret from me for so long?
“I'll hear Greevurr’s request, then will make a decision based on that.” I told Taiel, trying to console him in a fruitless effort. He seems to have a bad history with this particular dragon. I wonder what's wrong with him. This isn't his usual self, he's usually really giddy and playful. “I'll need to withdraw 100 gold from the guild bank for fast travel and I'll rent a horse for the way back.” I've always liked long trips. They allow me to think. Sadly, I have less than 24 hours before I'm supposed to be there, so I can't ride into town and therefore need to fast travel.
I arrive at the United Guilds council room, where the king personally greeted me... along with his personal guard who seem to like striping people and taking their weapons as a greeting. They reached for my legendary sword, I instantly reacted by swatting their hand away. They drew their swords thinking I had threatened them. “Calm down.” Greevurr demanded in a deep, yet euphoric voice. “He is not one to be concerned about.” they sheathed their weapons and stood with a respectable posture. These are people I can get used to. Willing to challenge someone way out of their league for their king.
A “Royal” Pain in the ***
I shot a smile at Greevurr and then at his guard, “That’s a shame” I said in a sarcastic tone, “I happen to enjoy being stripped down by big, scary men.” They glared at me with an expression that held intent to kill. “Your highest majesty, why have you called for an audience with me today?” I gave a formal bow in the direction of the king. I know full well why they want me, they want me to command Raid Group VII to slay this dragon. He has likely sent groups V and IX in from the “Starlight” guild in to thin out the mobs and weaken the dragon. In other words, sent in to die. I can tell this by the grim expression on their master’s face, Master Jeremiah.
“Sit, and I’ll tell you, also, this is no time for formalities” the majestic voice of Greevurr is tainted with a tone of urgency, this must be far worse than I had anticipated. Even in times of crisis of the worst degree I have never detected a break in his calm demeanor, but this time is different. I sit in the chair provided for me in the center of the room. “I’m sure you’ve heard of a great dragon, have you not?” This couldn’t be what’s attacking villages. They have been wiped out for generations.
“Yes, I have heard the legends.” I respond
“Then you know of their demise some 200 years ago?”
“I know of that too.” Is it even possible? Is it even plausible?
“Now, your assignment…” the time before he told me seemed like an eternity. Every heartbeat felt like a minute and my pulse was running at a mile per second. “You are to visit your family and await further instruction. Tell the rest of group VII the same. This may be the last chance you have” those words hit me especially hard. My family? I haven’t seen my parents since I joined group VII, I’m not sure if they even want to see me. I haven’t even told them of my brother’s… never mind.
I had send out a currier with a message to group VII’s quarters, informing them of our leave. I can't stop thinking of what Greevurr said. I just kept repeating it to myself, “... This may be the last chance you have.” What does that mean? Surely, there isn't any real danger for group VII, it’s just another dragon… Just unusually large and powerful, yeah, basically the same thing. It just hit me. “No…” I said under my breath, “... Could it be that THEY are in danger?” I became nauseated at the thought. “Ha ha, that couldn't happen”
The nights precluding my arrival into my hometown were filled with sleeplessness. Either due to nightmares of my brother, or of seeing the city bathed in dragon fire and ash. When I arrived, I breathed a sigh of relief. Apparently the dragon hasn't gotten this far East yet. I was greeted with smiles and “how-do-you-do’s” from the adults, and respect from the children. Alenburge is a small city where everyone knows each other's name, the only reason it isn't considered a village is because how prosperous it is. I replied with a nostalgic smile and a small nod of the head.
“Well, well, well…” Edmund, the town butcher, said with a beckoning grin, “Look at the big, bad commander of Raid Group VII.” A look of excitement and query draped on his face like a banner of war. “Where's your brother, runt?” I had no idea how to respond. People in the raid group don’t often mention my brother with such a large grin. Do I tell him the truth?
“I… uh… He’s…”
“You two split up, right? That’s what you were going to say, correct?” Edmund looked at me pleadingly, his eyes met mine in a way that seemed as if I had stabbed him in the back countless times. This man may look scary, but deep inside he has a heart that’s bigger than my strength stat. The kind of man that you simply don’t lie to.
“Y-yes, in a sense...” I forced out. Edmund smiled in my direction, reassuringly, like he knew what I meant. I instantly became disgusted with myself. Why won’t I let anyone know about my brother? I guess it’s just easier to not think about it. Edmund and I said our goodbyes, he then tried to sell me some meat that he ended up giving to me for free anyway, now to see my parents.
“If I remember correctly…” I whisper to myself. “This is it.” I knocked gently on the thin wooden door, and, as if on cue, the door opened for me to be greeted by my father’s strong, yet soft and compassionate face. He still hasn’t changed after all these years.
There was a pause, like he was trying to remember something, then, after a few seconds of blank staring, tears welled up in his eyes. “I-is it really…?” He managed to form before bursting into tears. Every word he said until he calmed down was either inaudible or I could not make sense of them. I decided to try to console him. I put my arm around his shoulder, only to have it pushed away. “I thought I’d be dead before you ever came back.” He finally looked up. He had the face expected of a man that hadn’t seen his son in, well, I’ve lost count of how many years. “Fourteen…” he started, “Fourteen years… I have forgotten what foods you like, I have forgotten what your voice sounded like, I have forgotten what color eyes you have, but I’ll be damned if I ever forgot your face.”
I didn’t want to look at father. I left him and mother behind in search of the better life that never came to me. I left for the “better life” that I would’ve been happy without. I know how much I’ve hurt them. “I’m sorry, father. I’m so very sorry.” Fourteen years that I haven’t seen him. I never even wrote a letter. All the money I sent him and mother was anonymous. I never showed any indication that I still cared in a cowardice induced hope that they would all forget me.
“Come on inside. I’ll make you something to eat.” He said, trying to change the topic. The house was just as I remembered. Nothing was altered in any way, except maybe one thing.
“Where’s mother?” I asked, instantly regretting asking. I knew what happened to her. I can tell by the way father hangs his head from the mention of her. She’s with her other son. The room becomes deafeningly silent. “I… I’m s-”.
Father interrupted me. “Two months…” he began to say before he paused. The air became stagnant with the taste of suspense and raw pain. I doubted he would ever continue his sentence. Although, I knew how it was going to end. I just need to hear the words. I need to hear them from him. “Two months since I buried her… two… months…” Tears began falling from his eyes. His head still hung low, I fear that it’d probably fall off if he hung it any further. No attempt was made at all to stop the tears. He failed to look at me directly for the rest of the day.
No words were shared between us all day after that… until, that is, when he began to open the door to leave the house. “Where are you headed to at this hour?” I asked, in honest worry. Greevurr’s words just kept ringing through my head. “It’s dangerous outside during this time”.
“Care to join me? Care to see her again?” Father tried to hide his excitement, he really did, and still does love my mother. I sensed something else too, alongside the excitement, something I know I have much experience with. A certain driving force. Something that won’t let him give up. I can’t find a name for this byproduct of our suffering. Almost immediately I got up and followed after him.
The night air was brisk and refreshing. I’ve always liked night operations with the guild for this reason. Taiel says he likes them because it’s easier to conceal yourself in the night. I wonder why my father chooses to visit mother at the late hours rather than during the day. Maybe I’ll ask him sometime.
“This is where we stop…” Father said. We were about a mile from the cemetery, nonetheless, there was a peaceful, yet eerie atmosphere hanging over my head, almost pressing me down to the earth. There was a small, marble cross to mark the spot of her burial. Something about it seems so beautiful, fitting for her. I remember father telling me how 20 men fought over her, I believe that too. She always had the most beautiful smile. I miss her so much. We stood in silence over her grave for what seemed like forever, until, that is, he decided to break the silence. “He’s dead too… isn’t he?” Father asked with a certain, yet urgently inquiring tone of voice. I had no idea how to respond. “I noticed when you showed up alone. You two were always inseparable.” This isn’t good. I feel like my chest is going to split open. How am I supposed to tell him that his son is dead? Nobody should have to tell a man that their son is gone.
The Many Hands of Death
“During our first raid…” I began, but before I could continue I heard a distant alarm. Monsters are attacking the village. I ran, as fast as I could, back to the house to gather my gear. I don’t want to try to fight the mobs unarmed… no matter how strong I am. I arrive at the house to find three, no, four goblins making themselves at home in my father’s. I decide it’d be safe to sneak in through the back door, it’s a straight shot to the kitchen, and a wide variety of knives, from there. “Goddammit,” I whisper to myself, there are far more than I anticipated. Three or four my ***, there are twelve of them in there. I’d better not draw any attention to myself.
I open the windowed door as quietly as I could. “Five seconds,” I whisper to myself, identifying my time frame. I rush to the kitchen as quickly and quietly as I could. When I got to the knives that were hanging on the wall, due to lack of other places to put them, I took the smallest one I could find. If this house is like I remembered, I can sneak around them; I may need to kill one or two, though. All I have to do is get to my gear without being spotted, it’ll be easy enough to fight then. There was one goblin, wearing an eyepatch on his left eye, doing what looked like was standing guard in front of the room with my sword and armor in it. “Idiots…” I said under my breath, “having a guard with such an opening guard a room so important” I snuck up from his blind spot, took a deep breath, and then pounced; I dug the small knife as far into his neck as I could, cutting his artery. As he lay there, choking on his own blood, I feel a sense of pity. I never thought of them as sentient or feeling until now, they were always nothing more than experience for the guild and me.
I walk into the guest room and locate my sword sitting next to my armor. I hastily equip everything and exit the house to join the battle. The townsfolk certainly have a knack for fighting, they’ve kept the mobs at the front gates this entire time. I hadn’t any idea that there are any skilled fighters left in the city; most of them ran off to join the guilds like my brother and me. I arrive on the front lines as quickly as I can and when I get there I’m greeted with something much unexpected: my father, wielding two daggers, fighting on the front lines. Of anyone, I never expected father to be skilled in the art of combat. I watch him take down goblin after goblin. That’s when I noticed it, an event boss… The same one that killed my brother.
I become overwhelmed with hatred and begin to rush the beast, slaying everything that tried standing in my way. I get close enough to identify it, “Level one hundred and thirty-three,” I whisper to myself. I activate the Bulldoze skill as soon as I get in close enough to knock him to the ground, but not before he could throw one of his javelins. I plunge my sword into its chest and twist. Its pained screams both terrified and soothed me. The giant tried throwing me off, but I held steadfastly on.
After minutes of struggling with the beast, it collapsed, finally dead. This resulted in a loss of morale of the enemy and they quickly retreated. I slowly walk over to the battle grounds and see something that looked all too familiar: my father, another of my family, lay with a javelin in his chest. I begin to run, no, not run, sprint to his side. All the while screaming, “MEDIC! MEDIC!” when I get to him, I can hear him gasping for air, it seems that the javelin punctured his lungs.
“Am I…” father started, but was interrupted by and uncontrollable cough, “am I the only casualty?” I look around and see no other bodies on what used to be the battlefield and nod at him, holding back my tears. “Good,” he says, “let me sleep peacefully tonight, then.” I burst into tears at that. I can’t let him go too; he’s the last of my family. “Could you remove this?” he says, pointing at the javelin, “it’s becoming quite the bother.” I do as he commands, I can’t deny a dying man his last wishes. I see the life starting to drain from his eyes, and with his final words: “Don’t party too hard tonight, Mr. Hero.” And with that, he’s gone, leaving me to be the last of our family.