Crash!
Somewhere far from the Dragon Nest Tribe, in a rushing river, the utterly exhausted and drenched Edward grabbed onto a tree root on the riverbank. Using his last ounce of strength, he hauled himself ashore with a roll.
Having spent his final bit of energy, Edward lay flat on his back, soaking wet and disheveled, gasping for air as he stared up at the sky, his eyes seemingly devoid of spirit.
"Valen, my brother…"
Recalling that final moment, his hands involuntarily clenched into fists, nails digging into his flesh, and blood dripped down.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have let you take such risks…"
Edward's eyes turned bloodshot, and his voice became choked.
Thinking back to that initial accidental friendship he formed with Brother Valen, and then how time and again during their adventures, Brother Valen took care of him, being more than a big brother to him, more like family.
