The stone-paved path stretched gently through the village, warmed by the soft glow of the afternoon sun.
Jasper walked ahead of them, her small steps light and full of energy as she guided Kael and Julian through Driftwood.
"And over there," she pointed excitedly, "is the bakery! Grandpa says they make the best honey bread in the whole region!"
Kael followed quietly, a faint smile resting on his face.
Julian nodded along, though his eyes wandered more than they focused.
The village was… peaceful.
Children played in the distance.
Merchants called out their goods.
Life moved on.
As if nothing had happened.
As if a battle that could have erased all of this had never taken place.
Jasper turned around, walking backward now as she continued talking.
"And that path leads to the river! And sometimes, "
She paused.
Her voice stopped mid-sentence.
Kael noticed it first.
The change.
The subtle shift in the air.
The laughter in the distance had faded.
The breeze felt… heavier.
Julian's gaze moved past her.
Toward the center of the village.
Where people had begun to gather.
Dressed not in bright colors...
But in muted tones.
White.
Grey.
Black.
Jasper slowly turned.
Her small expression changed.
"Oh…"
Her voice softened.
"…they've started."
Kael's smile faded.
Julian's hands tightened slightly.
The three of them stood still for a moment.
Then..
Without another word.
Jasper gently stepped forward.
This time…
She did not speak.
She simply led them.
The lively village streets grew quieter with each step.
The sound of footsteps replaced laughter.
The scent of fresh bread gave way to the faint smell of burning wood.
And soon…
They arrived.
At the center of the village.
Where silence had taken hold.
Where a pyre stood tall.
And where a fallen mountain awaited his farewell.
The village of Driftwood stood in silence.
What was once a place filled with laughter and simple life now carried a heavy stillness.
At the center of the village, a pyre had been built.
Carefully.
Respectfully.
Dorian's body rested upon it, wrapped in white cloth, his weapons placed beside him. His axes lay crossed over his chest, as if even in death, he stood ready to fight.
Villagers gathered from every corner.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Even the soldiers stood in formation, heads lowered.
No one spoke.
Even the wind seemed quieter.
Kael and Julian stood at the very front.
Both still wrapped in bandages.
Both… changed.
Gurtrud Strage stepped forward.
The old mayor removed his glasses for a moment, closing his eyes before speaking.
"He was not just a warrior…"
His voice carried across the silent crowd.
"He was a shield."
A pause.
"A man who chose to stand… so others would not have to fall."
The villagers listened. Some lowered their heads. Others wiped silent tears.
Gurtrud continued,
"Dorian was not born a legend."
"He became one… through the lives he chose to protect."
His voice softened.
"And to me…"
"He was a friend."
"I still remember the day we met. He told me
...."
Gurtrud's voice wavered slightly.
"'What is it to be a warrior… if you cannot protect what's dear to you?' with such stupid and huge smile."
He closed his eyes as of trying to stop tears from rolling out, a bitter smile crossing his face.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Respectful.
Then.
One by one,
The villagers stepped forward.
Flowers were placed upon the pyre.
Small tokens.
Handmade offerings.
Gratitude.
When it was Julian's turn...
He froze.
His hands trembled.
His chains, wrapped around his arms, clinked softly.
"I…"
His voice failed him.
His eyes lowered.
"I couldn't…"
His grip tightened.
"I couldn't hold it long enough…"
The words broke.
He stepped back.
Unable to move forward.
Kael glanced at him,
But said nothing.
Then...
Kael stepped forward.
He stood before Dorian.
For a moment…
Nothing.
Just silence.
Then Kael slowly reached forward.
From his hand, he placed something beside Dorian...
The hilt of his shattered blade.
His voice was quiet.
But steady.
"I'll deliver your words."
A pause.
"And that's a knight's promise."
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
That was enough.
The flame was lit.
Fire slowly began to consume the pyre.
The wood cracked.
The flames rose.
Golden light danced across the faces of the villagers.
And for a brief moment…
Within the rising flames...
A massive silhouette flickered.
A towering figure.
Broad.
Unmoving.
Watching.
The Mountain God.
And then,
It was gone.
As if it had never been there.
The fire burned long into the day.
And when it ended....
Only ashes remained.
But the world did not remain silent.
A letter was placed upon a grand desk.
Sealed.
Stamped.
Urgent.
An older man, dressed in academy robes, opened it slowly.
His eyes scanned the contents.
Then stopped.
"…A pseudo-dragon… defeated?"
Silence filled the room.
"By trainees?"
Another figure stepped forward.
"What are their names?"
The man replied quietly,
"Kael Dravenheart… and Julian Grates."
A pause.
"And the technique used…"
His gaze sharpened.
"Star Slayer."
The room grew still.
"…That's the first time I've heard of such a technique."
Far from Driftwood, within halls of nobility,
The name spread.
"Dravenheart…"
"Isn't that?"
"Yes… that family."
Interest stirred.
Not admiration.
But attention.
In a dimly lit room...
A lone figure sat in silence.
A report rested in their hand.
They read it once.
Then again.
"…Star Slayer."
A faint smile formed.
"How interesting…"
The paper crumpled slightly in their grip.
"Let's see… just how far you can go."
Back in Driftwood....
The sun had begun to set.
The crowd had long dispersed.
Only silence remained.
Kael stood before the ashes.
Alone.
The wind passed softly through the empty space.
For a long time,
He said nothing.
Then...
"…Ashmorg."
A quiet whisper.
A destination.
A promise.
"I'm coming."
Footsteps approached.
Julian.
He stopped beside Kael.
Silent.
But present.
The two stood together.
Then Julian broke the silence.
He knelt.
"Brother… I don't know what path you're about to walk… or how heavy it will become."
His voice steadied.
"But mark my words...."
"I will stand beside you."
"In life and in death."
"In poverty and in riches."
"In light and in darkness."
"I will not leave your side."
He raised a dagger.
"So… please."
"Share your burden with me."
Kael smiled.
Calm.
Proud.
He grabbed Julian's hand.
In one swift motion.
He cut both their palms.
Blood spilled.
They clasped hands tightly.
A crimson light flickered between them.
"A blood oath…"
Kael spoke softly.
"From this moment on…"
"We are brothers."
"We entrust our lives to each other."
Julian's eyes burned with conviction.
They tightened their grip.
Blood dripped...
Falling onto the warm ashes of Dorian.
Behind them..
The past.
Before them..
The unknown.
A path had been chosen.
And far beyond the quiet village...
The world had already begun to watch.