There is only victory? Now that's a one-liner worth remembering! Sure, it came from a potentially psychotic demented demon that somehow resided within me, but, hey, that was a really badass way to end a battle. I mean I wasn't responsible... well technically I guess I was, but I didn't mean to be so badass... if that makes sense...
Anyways, no sooner than when the dirt knight took a dirt nap... pun intended... the fiery demon disappeared and left a panting, exhausted, shocked little boy trying to hold onto reality... oh yeah... that's me.
I couldn't really hear much because the explosive rush of the fires had my ears ringing. Everything was blurry and forming doubled versions. My heart pounded so hard that I felt every vein in my body pulsing. I tried to crawl towards a piece of rubble, but my body refused to cooperate, not because of that fiery demonic thing again. No, this time it was pure exhaustion.
"Zionai!!! Oh gods! Are you ok!?" Sehaela yelled as she came running over to me, but her voice sounded like muffled bells and gargling wind chimes.
She knelt beside me and tried to get my attention as I wrestled with control of will to stay conscious. She had continued to speak to get through to me but it wasn't for a few more moments until she had to divert her attention.
I heard the garbled sounds of horse hooves and shouting. It sounded benevolent, but I couldn't quite make out much.
Suddenly, I saw Lieutenant Bruhom picking up Sehaela. I wanted to say something but nothing could come out of my throat. Then I saw a man, a rather large muscular man, squat down in front of me. He looked down at me and then yelled up at someone out of view. I couldn't make out anything but, "My Son." I looked up at him and managed to say one word, "Dad..." That's when everything went black.
What an interesting turn of events right? Here I was fighting to figure out if I was going to faint, get up, live, die, something... in the ruins of my home just after becoming some kind of monster to defeat some marauders... no real plan of action thereafter and...
Boom! The calvary arrives, bringing with it the mighty Lieutenant Bruhom and apparently, my father, who I haven't seen but a few times over the years... then bleh... I faint... I am getting very tired of blacking out here lately and I can see I'm not going to like this uncontrollable magic fiery demon thing.
I felt myself start to grow restless, and slowly but surely I was able to wake up. I didn't move at first. I elected to look up at the ceiling... yes a ceiling... that meant I was in a building, but where?
I finally decided to turn my head. I looked over and saw a familiar face sleeping in a cushioned chair next to me. Sehaela...
There was a moment where I was extremely happy to see that she was alive, but I instantly realized I needed answers. I attempted to speak but my throat was drier than a sunburnt desert. I managed to croak out, "Se-hae-la..."
She comedically jolted awake and literally jumped up and yelled, "He's awake! He's awake!"
"Stop... yelling..." I croaked out, but I heard footsteps moving quickly towards us.
"Oh Zionai I'm so happy to hear your annoying voice!" she exclaimed before an older lady entered the room and knelt down beside the bed to examine my state.
"I'll go get some sustenance and Lord Korgrav." the woman said before shuffling off.
"You... What's going on?... Where... are we?"
"Zi, we are at your father's estate. Lieutenant Bruhom went and informed them of the attack and they rallied together to come look for survivors. We and only one other was found. A lady... she didn't survive the trip back... I thought you weren't going to survive... oh gods I'm so happy to see you awake."
"You... talk alot..." I grinned weakly, "How long have... I been...asleep?
"About three days actually... you were so weak they thought you were nearly dead when we got here. Your father... he..."
"I what?" A man's voice said and I looked up to see the man who is my father.
"N-n-nothing sir..."
"Don't be so skittish child..." My father chuckled, "As for you son... I'm sorry for your loss, my boy... I wish I could have been there to help... Your sweet mother... You are such a brave and strong young man. Sehaela here told me everything that happened and what you did."
"Dad... I want to know if you found my mom, grandfather, grandmother... any of them? They deserve a proper memorial... What about Captain Dalragon?"
"Your mother was the only one we found. She had a necklace on... It's been cleaned and it's now around your neck..."
I quickly felt for and discovered the necklace. I didn't look at it. I couldn't handle that just yet.
"Captain Dalragon was given a hero's honorary memorial. His resting place is on the grounds of the Mourn-shard estate. I saw to it myself."
"Is Bruhom okay?"
"If you mean whether or not he is in good health, yes, he is ok. If you mean whether or not he's dealing well with all that has happened, well no. He feels like a failure and he's pretty much saying he's going to lay his blade down forever."
"No, no that won't do. He's not giving up on my watch. If I'm correct here, he's still loyal to the Mourn-shards, and I am the only living Mourn-shard left. He will obey me."
"You got a hell of a lot of confidence, don't you?"
"Pfft, you don't know the half of it!" Sehaela giggled.
We both looked at her, and she looked down,"I'll go get you some food." With that said she left down the hall.
"She's pretty." My father said
"Dad... no..."
"What? I'm just saying..."
"Dad, we're just kids."
"Fine, fine."
"I need to find the one's responsible for this."
"I knew that was coming." He sighed, "Look we have a few clues, but you need to focus on getting better first."
"But Dad... I must avenge my family..."
"Soon son... Geez... you might carry the Mourn-shard name, but you act just like a Titanborn." He chuckled.