The Swamp Dragon

Chapter 6: Love and Death

[Pardia's Castle-Outerior]

-{Left side wall} {12:47 am}

The tension battle of the haven't ended however an unnoticed visitor changed everything

"Hey, wood boy just how long do you plan to play with them don't forget that we still need to meetup with Hygon..."

A man shows up out in the woods that the only person that can probably recognize him is Aren

"Sorry Narsin... I'm going to end this now"

Trofinn: (Theres another one!?)

Drinia: (He looks more dangerous than my brother...)

Tino: "So you do have a comrade after all let him fight with you"

Narsin: "That's right... If you want, I'll help you get rid of them"

"No... Their mine to destroy"

"Sorry sis! But my time is up, I need to do something very important its for the future of this continent!... I'm going to check on you later if you still happens to be alive that is..."

The wood spirit walks away along with narsin they slowly vanishes throughout the darkness of the forest

*Tino felt a sign of relief*

"Finally... I thought were going die this night"

Drinia: "Yeah... I hope everyone is all right"

"Trofinn went down the tree"

Trofinn: "I'm not so sure about that"

Drinia: "Why? Don't tell me..."

Trofinn: "Pyten is dead"

Both: "What!?"

Trofinn: "I'm not sure about the condition of boss right now... since I left him there along with those three headhunters"

Drinia: "Wha- what isn't that dangerous for hi-"

*Aren shouts out of nowhere looking for his friends*

"DRINIA!!!! WHERE ARE YOUUUU!! TROFINNN!! PLEASE ANSWER ME!!"

Drinia: 'Is that... Aren's voice...

Aren is here!! Tino!! Aren is safe!!"

Tino: "Uhh... Ok I guess?"

Trofinn: (Theres no doubt... It really is Aren's voice)

Tino: (Somehow... I feel kinda annoyed by the fact that Drinia is so delighted when he heard that another man's voice)

*Drinia and the other rushed to see if Aren really was that person*

Drinia: "Arenn!! Its me!!!"

*Aren saw her and the other two running towards him without recognizing the other man*

Aren: "Who are you? What are you doing with them?"

Drinia: "Don't worry Aren! He's a kind person.

Tino meet Aren and Aren meet tino.

Aren: "I see... How did you end up meeting each other...?"

Tino: "Oh... I accidentally met them when they used the same carriage I was sleeping on then I got involved with all these... things"

Aren: "I see... And drinia... where are you when pyten and juroo were having a clash on the headhunters did you purposely leave them behind"

Drinia: "I... No... Of course not! Tino said to me that we need to escape right away so that the headhunters won't find me inside the castle then juroo and the other will follow us behind"

Aren: "So that's how it is... They sacrificed their lives just for you to escape"

Drinia: "Lives... Sacrificed.. escaped...? What are you talking about Aren...? I already knew about that pyten's death but... "They"?

Trofinn: "Don't tell me... Pyten was not the only one who died!?"

Aren: "Juroo is dead... undeniably dead... sorry I can't help you guys on time..."

*Trofinn was brought down to his knees*

Trofinn: "No way... Pyten's death was already too hard for me to handle right now... and then... Boss left us too...?"

Drinia doesn't know what kind of emotion will she have right now, is it sadness or anger she was just staring on the ground with her frozen eyes.

*Aren walks towards her*

*Hugs her*

Aren: "Don't worry... I'm still right here with you"

Drinia: "Aren... I'm sorry... people keep dying because of me... I can't take this anymore!! My heart hurts so much!!"

Somehow, While watching Aren hugs Drinia, Tino felt something strange on his heart it aches a little bit.

Tino: (Hmm... I don't know her that much, and that I don't feel the same way their feeling right now... simply because I just happens to be a stranger they accidentally met)

The blue light of the moon recalls something in the past, A moment in time where two brothers imagines themselves as a Royal Knight. Furoo and his little brother Juroo.

Furoo's POV

[I'm only one years old when my little brother came to life. I was qualified as a knight when I reached six years old and he was still five back then so I got to train on the isolated castle more than he did]

*On that certain generation Grand Knight Huru was still the novice assistant and the book which determines if a human had an access to mana haven't been existed yet. The one whose incharge for training the novice knights is the Grand Knight named "Grean".*

[Unlike any tough looking grand knight, Sir Grean is a very innocent, kind and soft person who really cares about how we trainee knights actually feel]

[I trained nonstop for a whole year expecting to be ahead of everyone else,with a goal of achieving my dream before anyone had the chance to surpass me... but then my little brother arrives. He's learning skill far exceeds mine and immediately gets the attention of everyone, leaving me out on his shadow.]

[The time comes where we assigned to have a short sparring match. I knew to myself that this is the perfect moment where I can show everyone what I'm capable of but then I was utterly defeated by some naive young boy who happens to be born with same blood as mine.]

[Its not fair... I'm older than him yet he managed to accomplish everything I worked hard without breaking a single sweat. How is he special? how is he different from me? how is he better than me? Can someone in this world, just a single human explains to me how is this possible.]

*10 years later*

[Later on, Before Grand Knight Grean decided to annouce the future royal guards the book for determining someone's mana had already been created. Even though Sir Grean was against about it the king made it an official huge requirement for someone who wants to be a Vari Kingdom knight.]

[For both of us the gem on the book turns red indicating a lack of mana]

[Everything is useless, all those day and night suffering was all for nothing. We decided to go back home and finds a new path in life.He chose the path that most likely the same one I want to be and it was being a hunter. I despised it and took the cruel path, for him to not follow my steps, for me becoming a headhunter that he can't rival.]

Juroo's POV

[Before my brother went to the isolated castle to train as a knight we often plays together until the blue light starts to shine upon us]

[As we talk about our future while staring at the moon.We both dreamed to be a Royal Knight.]

Furoo: "Juroo... Someday, I want to be something like that moon that shines upon everything when it gets dark"

Juroo: "Then! I'll be the small stars that will glow with you!"

Furoo: "Fine, but the moon will always be bigger and shinier!"

*Both of them laughed*

[Those were the first and the last "happy" times we shared together. I realised how amazing my brother can be if he achieved his dream with all his hard work. He puts so much effort when doing something and I think I need to do that as well]

[He then left our house to pursue his goal of becoming a Royal Guard. However, I have already the right mind to train myself at the same time as my brother training at the isolated castle.]

[I did everything I can to practice secretly, actively and vigoriously. Our parents knew how strong we are even being just a mere child. All the time I spent was worth it... I managed to defeat my brother in a sparring match]

[We studied together for 10 years and yet I can't even talk to him. He kept ignoring me like I was a ghost or that were not related at all but I have so many friends who always walks around me while my brother walks all alone.... Although some really does wants to talk to him too but their intimidated of how he shows attitude towards me]

[I can feel it, the envy , the hatred, the cold eyes.He maybe doesn't realise this but he's a lot more kinder than me. I don't care if I happens to see a kitten lying around the road but he will always pick it up and feed it until it was full]

[He's a lot more smarter than me. He knows every name of different kinds plants and animals from the previous generation of humanity. I just basically trained more than him that's the only advantage I had. After knowing that we can't use magic. I just want to became a hunter and earn a decent money]

[Everything changed where my brother joined a headhunters guild. I despised it. Taking someones life for a piece of gold is not worth it]

[Our parents was caught in an explosion caused by headhunters while hunting someone. No one is allowed to interfere their work. I think that's is the worst part of this last human continent]

[Pardia's Castle]

-{Left Side Wall}{2:46 am}

Now, the moonlight endlessly brightens every dark feelings they felt right now. The cold breeze of air and the exhausted glare of eyes. Aren and the others stare on the burial of Juroo and Pyten. Friends they will never ever forget.

Drinia: "Can we sleep now?"

Aren: "Yes, we can Drinia. We don't have to escape anymore"

Trofinn: "Damn it... Why did you leave me...? *sob* *sob* We were supposed to be rich together and build our own mansion..."

Aren: "I'm sorry Trofinn... If only I didn't let them capture me this will not happen"

Trofinn: "It's not your fault. I'm not that strong enough to protect them! I thought they can managed the headhunters themselves"

Father: "I'm going to rest for now, Aren. Wake me up if we going to travel again"

Aren: "Yes, Dad. Let's have some sleep too"

Trofinn: "Understood"

*Meanwhile, The headhunters team reaches Dime Kingdom in just 3 hours*

Mr. Tilou: "We should see a doctor for pur chief"

Rula: "Ok, I'll look for Herald in the prison to help me bury Helone"

Mr. Tilou: "After visiting Helone's grave. We'll have a meeting with the chief."

*The two went on their separate ways. Mr. Tilou carries Furoo on his back while wandering around the kingdom looking for the best doctor he could find*

Mr. Tilou: (Where could I find one...? It's still early in the morning I doubt a clinic will open at this hour)

*While looking around he saw a light on house and a man just went out of it*

Mr. Tilou: "Hey! You! I need your help?"

Man: "Wait, I know you. You're a headhunter. What can I do?"

Mr. Tilou: "My chief eyes were severely damaged. Do you know some nearby doctor around here?"

Man: "What a great timing! I'm an assistant of this clinic! Please come in, I'll wake up the doctor right away!"

Mr. Tilou: "Thank you very much!"

*He enters the clinic and puts the chief on the sofa and waited for the doctor to arrive*

Mr. Tilou: "Ha... I'm exhausted"

*After a few minutes when Mr. Tilou is about to sleep the doctor arrives along with his assistant*

Doctor Nio: "Good morning, Sir! I'm Doctor Nio"

Mr. Tilou: "Oh, hello! My name is Tilou and I came here with my chief Furoo"

Doctor: "Is he the patient- ooh! One look at him and I already know that his eyes is beyond recovery. I'm afraid that you're chief might not see again. Denver! Bring our equipments please"

Denver: "Yes, sir!"

Mr. Tilou: "No way, Is there any method we can use? How about we transfer my eyes to him? Will that work"

Doctor: "There is no such thing as transfering eyes in this world but don't worry I will make sure that I'm going to fully heal his eyes to avoid an infection"

Mr. Tilou: "Thank you, Sir! Can I sleep for an hour? I really need to"

Denver: "Of course you can! Rest on this living room and let us take care of him"

Mr. Tilou: "All right"

*On Rula's side she went to the small prison of Demi Kingdom to deliver the bad news to Herald*

Rula: "Herald? Are you here?"

*She saw him sleeping on the floor with of the door of one of the prison cell opened. Then a prisoners wakes up*

"Hey! Two prisoners escapes from here that knocks him out!"

Rula: "What the- Where did that boy go?"

*Rula rushes to herald then slap him on the face*

"Hey Herald! Wake up!! What are you doing?"

Herald: "Huh? Is it morning already?"

Rula: "No! i***t!! What on earth happened here?"

Herald: "Ha... Oh wait... they escape! That boy along with his father escaped!"

Rula: "It doesn't matter now! I have a really bad news to you"

Herald: "What is it?"

Rula: "It's about Helone..."

Herald: "What about him?"

Rula: "He's... dead"

Herald: "What...? No... No! NO!!!! First, I let a prisoner escape the knights will punish me if they arrive here and now this!! NOOO!!"

Rula: "I want you to come with me and we'll bury him together"

Herald: "This night is the worse that ever happened in my life. Okay, I'll come with you"

Rula: "Sorry, we didn't protect him"

Herald: "Who cares about that now... I hate them! I want to hunt them all down!"

Rula: "Don't worry, we'll soon meet with them again... You'll have the chance to take your sweet revenge"

Herald: "Let's go"

*The two of them went to the carriage. The moment Herald saw the dead body of Helone he can't stop crying even when they are burying him outside the kingdom*

Rula: "Let's stay for that prison for now. I really want to sleep"

Herald: "Okay..."

*The sun rises up for the new day. Mr. Tilou arrived at the prison to tell them about the condition of their chief*

Mr. Tilou: "Guys! Wake up..."

Herald: "Huh? Oh..!"

Rula: "Mr. Tilou! What happened to our chief did you find a doctor?"

Mr. Tilou: "Yes, he's on a good condition for now. Come with me and I'll show you the way to that small clinic."

Herald: "Wait? Chief in danger? You didn't tell me about this Rula!"

Rula: "Uhh.. oh yeah! Sorry about that! I'm too tired to think anymore"

Herald: "Quick! Let's get there already!"

Mr. Tilou: "This way!"

*Mr. Tilou leads them to the clinic*

Mr. Tilou: "Doctor Nio? I'm back!"

*Doctor Nio is seating on his table*

Doctor Nio: "Welcome! Come on in! Denver assist them to the room, please"

Denver: "This way visitors"

*When the entered the room they saw their chief eyes covered with bandages while sitting down on the bed waiting for them*

Herald: "Chief!! What happened to your eyes?"

"WHAT DID YOU JUST DO HERALD!! YOU LET THAT BOY ESCAPE!!"

Herald: "No! I- I... its just..."

Rula: (Oh no.. The chief is really mad right now..)

Mr. Tilou: "Calm down, chief. You still have to rest"

"JUST WHAT? BECAUSE OF THAT DAMN BOY!! I LOST MY VISION!! I CAN'T SEE A DAMN THING!! DAMN IT ALL!!!

Herald: "Sorry! I'm really sorry!! It's all my fault!! Please, forgive me chief!!"

"I lost my brother... Even if we were mortal enemies... I would never kill him..."

Herald: "Chief..."

Rula: (No... I did it... He's gonna be mad at me... no... no... no...)

"Rula, you're the one who blew off the arm of my brother right?"

Mr. Tilou: "Chief... You're losing your mind

Stop this nonsense stop blaming everyone with you weaknesses!!"

Herald: "You're the one who accepted this job! You're our chief! You knew that we will face your brother but you till proceed to hunt that dragon

Rula: "Who cares about it anymore? We can't rewind time!"

*As they look at their struggling chief a drop of dozens tears falls from his eyes*

"You're right... I'm sorry Juroo! I'm just an attention seeker i***t! I'm the worst brother you could ever wish for!"

Herald: "We were too harsh on you too... We deeply apologize our great chief"

Mr. Tilou: "Looks like you've calm your mind. Were glad to have you back!"

"I want to defeat them... I want to show them what the headhunters are capable of"

Mr. Tilou: "As expected from the chief... We already told them that were not only going for the head of thet girld dragon but for each of one of them"

Herald: "Sounds like a good plan to me! We the headhunters are the only ones whose allowed to kill!"

Rula: "I'm worried that our headhunter guild might disbanded after this but I'm glad that we were still together!"

Furoo: "We were going to do this together! This is our goal! We're going to cut their head off!"

All: "Yeah!!"

Denver: (I'm outta here.. Their just a bunch of wierdos!)

Doctor Nio: "So? What was all that shouting about?"

Denver: "Their talking about death of his brother or something. I don't know what happened to them but they live a dangerous life far from our understanding"

Doctor Nio: "It's our job to take care of them to keep living on that dangerous life. Don't ever forget about that"

Denver: "Yer sir!!"

Doctor: "Quit acting like a child and open the clinic already"

Denver: "Okay..."

*Back on to Aren's group its time for them to keep moving to Vari Kingdom despite of their losses*

Aren: "All righ!! It's time to wake up!"

Drinia: "Huh? Aren you're already awake!"

Aren: "What are you doing in this room?"

Drinia: "I was about to wake you up since we've been waiting only for you to come out"

Aren: "Eh? Can't we have some breakfast first?

Drinia: "We already did but you're really sleeping so good that it's hard to wake you up"

Aren: "Haha! Is that so? Then let's go together to Vari Kingdom!"