The sound of air being sliced through whispered in the ears of everyone around.
Flames licked the sky as time seemed to slow.
Embers fell from the wood turning to ash in contact with the ground below it.
Humans are much like these Embers. Given flame and ambition throughout life. We are raised up and stoked until we are finally able to fly out on our own. Eventually all Embers must return to the ground. From flame to ash we are given another opportunity to grow into something bigger than us. As ash lays the foundation for plants to grow.
The ashes of our dreams and expectations allow real life to take hold, growing us new ambitions and hopes. Matter is not made, it is renewed and much like these embers, renewal is the chance for new life.
Silence surrounded Liam. Cold truth laid before him. In a competition of familiarity with Lurue compared to Tethyr he would lose every time. A week's worth of association would do nothing let alone one she likely would have never participated in if given the chance. Liam knew this. Hope is all he had.
Opening his eyes a scream entered the air. Standing in front of his body was Lurue, Hands relaxed at her sides. Her bow still remained dangling loosely from the confines of her hands.
Turning his head Tethyrs body laid at his feet. Hands still twitching as his body's systems were shutting down. An arrow rested deep in his eye socket.
'A beautiful shot' Liam remarked to himself.
Moving to the resting body of Tethyr's corpse he grabbed his bow and moved it away from his corpse.
"Lurue" Liam called to her as he turned around
"Thank you" he said and walked toward her.
In an unusual show of kindness he embraced her in a hug. As tears ran down her face onto his chest he simply stayed silent. Having no words to say to her that would mean anything nor any sympathy for Tethyr.
"I will bury him for you, it's the least I can do." Liam in a low tone told her.
Running his hand against her back, she was suddenly reminded of his injury as the pain shot through his nerves and accidently leaving his blood all over her shirt was not his intention.
Either way Liam calmed her down until Lurue's eyes could cry no more tears.
"I appreciate it" Lurue's raspy voice whispered out.
Nodding his head Liam nonverbally responded as he walked around the camp in search of a shovel.
Searching through deserted tents and barracks he was finally able to find one around the old archery practice area. Picking it up he looked to the sky. The gorgeous moon set directly above his head, Liam always loved the night sky. The stars always looked so careless and free to Liam. He wished he could join them one day but alas he remained grounded.
Lurue stood over Tethyrs body. Staring down at his frozen expression, one of fear and worse of all betrayal.
Liam quickly returned from digging. Whipping sweat from his brow he caught a glimpse of the moon. Shimmered brightly above him he walked back to camp, It seemed to be following him as if lit for the sole purpose of guiding him back to Lurue,
Walking back he witnessed Lurue's body begin to shake as he got closer to her, and before it could get any worse he placed his hefty hand on her shoulder.
Feeling her shaking body he decided to stay quiet and just be exactly where he was. Keeping his presence near her in order to comfort her seemed to do the trick as she began to stop shaking.
"Lurue go lay in one of the tents, there is one not too far behind us that has had minimal damage or you could lay in one of the beds in the barracks. I will take care of this" He said to Lurue
"Is there any location or way he stated he wanted to be buried" Liam asked in hopes of any response.
"Yes he said he always regretted leaving his family, he always carried a pendant with him." She choked up
"Alright I will see to it that I arrange it so." Liam resolutely responded
Feeling through his clothes he found a flask, a skinning knife and the pendent that Lurue mentioned.
In his pocket was the gray and black metallic pendant. A sun symbol engraved into it revealed that it held the emblem of the house of Siamorphe.
'So she was telling the truth'
Opening the pendant revealed a faded picture in which a family portrait of five members laid inside. Faded and dark, Liam could only barely see facial features resembling Tethyr in each of the other four silhouettes. Tethyr's face was the only one that could be made out in its entirety.
Placing the pendent in his pocket for a moment he lifted Tethyr's dead weight and carried his corpse outside of the compound's walls. Dirt shifted from its original belonging as a deep hole rested against one of the wooden and stone walls. Dropping the body into the hole he felt the impact through the ground. Dropping down the hole with the body he placed the pendent in the hand of the deceased man and placed them both on Tethyrs chest. Liam forcibly pulled down Tethyr's eyelids over his eyes before climbing out the hole and beginning the process of shoveling the dirt back to where it belongs.
Liam sat there staring at the stones stacked neatly on top of one another. Unmarked Tethyr laid in the ground. Acknowledging Tethyr Liam carved MGA in the top rock.
Liam's Greatest Adversary yet laid dead in the ground and Liam stood victorious. That left him empty however because if Lurue hadn't saved him who knows who would be standing in Liam's place. Lacking any of the things Liam hoped to accomplish left him infuriated at himself. Even with his new abilities it wasn't enough to get his perfect result.
Dawned peeked over the horizon and as did new opportunities to rise,
Liam's Vow reformed him and every battle seemed to renew his spirit but Liam felt nothing and as he stumbled back distracted to the general area he saw Lurue walk off to numerous thoughts running through his mind.