Dawn- An age of Darkness

Tears welled up but I didn't let them slip. We were left there to feel pain and sadness. The angel pointed out our destination and we followed without a word to each other. I didn't have to explain anything to the guys. Alisa did seem to have a lot of questions but no one bothered to explain anything to her.

With grief and despair, we got out of the forest before evening. However, my mind was made up.

I have to get stronger!

There was still some daylight left but the sun would sink soon and the city was still ways off. Besides, we had to bury Brenda as well.

Farewell Biteria… please don't turn into the undead…

"Daarc, I think we should stay under the stars tonight and bury her by that pond." Jowy pointed at a supposed pond far away. It was too far away for me to see.

"No, we should make for the city. I don't want her to stay in these parts where the undead roam." I was being selfish, perhaps too selfish.

I understood what he meant but I didn't like it.

Perhaps Jowy understood it too. "Alright."

We continued on. The old man was getting tired of carrying me, and Alisa was falling behind as she couldn't keep up. But I didn't care. We must reach the city no matter what- or so I thought.

It took little time for the sun to sink. The birds up in the sky were a sign that we had reached a place where at least things were alive. But that was also a matter to worry about. If there were animals then the possibility of there being goblins were high.

"Think we'll make it before nightfall?" I asked.

"I don't think so. We might make it before mid-night though…" The old man said. He wasn't too optimistic about it either.

"That's actually not that comforting…"

The sky was mostly clear and soon turned dark. The stars shimmered through some rouge clouds.

The old man carried a torch in his hand. The undead were here too but most of them avoided us and the one's that did attack us were instantly slaughtered by our swords. We were in no condition to fight but that didn't stop us from fighting.

I was on my own feet now. I couldn't afford to be protected, not anymore.

Never again am I going to lose someone.

Maybe I was making empty promises to myself, maybe I was just being stupid, but I wanted to strong. I wanted to be strong enough to stand on my own feet and to be strong enough to protect my friends.

After hours of walking we finally saw the lights of the city walls from faraway. I chuckled at my fate.

"Looks like we're here."

"Be on guard. The guards here are tricky at night," the old man warned.

We did reach the city walls by midnight but it was closed and the guards wouldn't let us in. The geezer was right.

"State your names and business. Show us your identity or we won't let you in!" There were shouts here and there. They were talking fancy about Identity and what not. But I got the impression that they didn't want us in.

The old man negotiated. "We are mere travellers. We got attacked by undead and our friend died. Could you please let us through?"

This went back and forth for a while.

After a lot of melodrama the doors opened and we went in. but we were stopped in the passage of the wall.

"I didn't know you were still alive old man." A man in his late thirties blocked our path. His voice was prickly and smug.

"Is that how you talk to your father?" the old man said. His voice didn't show any anger, rather, regret.

"What father? I don't remember ever calling you my father. Besides, why should I call a criminal that?" The man taunted. He was a tall muscular man and looked similar and bigger than the old man, but his attitude was nothing like the geezer. There were other people by him too. Probably guards of the wall. "So, what are you doing here at this hour? You of all people should know of the horrors of that forest at night." His tone changed a little. I saw him smirk. It was getting annoying.

"You don't have to tell me that boy-"

The old man was trying to make him understand the situation but I had lost my patience. "We need to bury her first," I said.

He chuckled, clearly not interested in letting us through any time soon. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

My mind was already shredded to pieces and his words aided in me losing my cool. "If you don't want a hole in your chest, then shut the fuck up and let us through!" I let out an exhale. "Or do you want this shoved through your ass!"

I didn't care if he was the old man's son or whatever. We didn't have the luxury to wait and let her body rot. I didn't have that patience, not anymore. My vision was already blurry from a while ago. I didn't know how much longer I'd be able to stay conscious.

"What did you say!" The guys beside him riled up and they pointed their spears at us.

I was about to bring out my sword too when the old man put his hands on his sword, glared at everyone and that was enough to convey his intentions.

"Hmph, whatever! Let these guys through!"

We were permitted to enter the city. Before passing through the passage the old man's son said something. I didn't expect it. "You've got guts…"

I didn't know if that was something I'd say to someone who just wanted to shove a sword down my behind.

We entered the cemetery and forced the priest to come. The priest was already asleep so it was a drag to wake him up yet I didn't care. First, we had to find him, and then bring him here: not to mention the guy really loved his sleep. It really was a drag.

All of us were injured but burying Brenda was the top priority.

A grave was already dugout. In fact, I saw five advance graves. Death was rather common here. And people readily accepted it. But that didn't change the fact that it was still painful to see your close ones go.

"We-we are ga-gathered…" The priest kept on stuttering. I couldn't blame him. If someone had dragged me out of bed, threw cold water, and shouted at me for about half an hour nonstop in the middle of the night, I'd probably be in no better than shape. Actually, we might have ended up torturing the poor guy without even knowing.

With a fist full of earth I bid my farewell. "Goodbye Brend… Brenda. I'll never forget you."

The burial ended fast.

After we buried her, it started to rain. It was clear even just a few hours ago, but I didn't mind the rain. The rain wiped out my tears and I stayed like that for the next few moments. The three of them beside me were standing there as well. I guess we looked like fools. But I was okay with being a fool.

Brenda was not just a comrade but someone I called my friend. She wasn't perfect but she was definitely a good person, and she too had dreams. Was it really necessary for her to go like that? I didn't know what emotions to feel. Should I have felt rage? Or should I have felt sorrow? I couldn't decide. But one thing was for certain, I needed to become stronger. I had to become strong enough to stand on my own. So others shouldn't have to die because of me.

Ahh! Another one goes. Wouldn't it have been better if it were me?

I looked up at the sky: the rain had almost stopped. It was cold and there weren't many clouds. So the rain was somewhat surprising. It wasn't much of a rain and more of a drizzle though. I stayed like that and smiled. As though I was telling myself, "Maybe I really should have died."

"Come with me," the old man grabbed my hand and dragged me along.. The others followed.