Book 14: Chapter 64
The last time I dug Luna up my fingernails broke and was covered in blood to the point that my bones were virtually visible. The pain within, however, far surpassed the pain on my fingers. I tightly hugged the young girl, who wouldn’t ever open her eyes again, with my bloody hands and wailed.
The last time I had to dig her up, I dug the dirt up with my scales. The dirt felt wet and heavy. I didn’t know how long I dug for, but I kept digging until the sun went down. Little insects emitting light began to shroud the sky. The dim light lighted up the flower petals around. The entire area was dead silent. Not even an insect made a sound. The White Deer King silently stood behind me similarly to a loyal sentry. My dragon scales were incredibly tough. The dirt and stones couldn’t damage my dragon scales.
I didn’t bury Luna very deep last time, so I soon managed to make contact with the casket. I gently and carefully brushed off the dirt on top as though it was the side of Luna’s face that I was stroking. I widened the hole. I formed a fist, and then violently smashed down onto the wooden casket.
I was especially strong after having the dragon blood reconstruct my body. Thankfully, I was able to smash the wooden casket open with a single punch. I then ripped it open from the centre, thereby gradually revealing Luna’s body. Her hands folded across her chest looked so soft. They even glimmered as if they were pearls thanks to the insects’ glow. I shakily reached down and grabbed hold of her hands. Her hands felt so cold that I pulled my hands back as though I was electrocuted. The spot I held sunk down and didn’t bounce back up. Her soft skin didn’t react again, because she was gone.
I was genuinely afraid. I didn’t dare to look at Luna’s face. My hand stopped right in front of it. I couldn’t bear to pull the piece of wood away. My hand trembled intensely. I didn’t know what to do. Before I arrived, I was so eager to see her face when she was revived; I didn’t know why I was afraid all of a sudden. I must’ve been afraid of her death. Her death was basically the destruction of my world. Leading up to her death, I thought I could protect those around me, yet she died so pitifully.
I felt as though I was drowning in despair. I did so much, yet Luna still died because of me. I could see my powerless self when I saw Luna. A lonesome sense of despair gripped my heart and wouldn’t let go. I guess I was reluctant to accept the past…
I then suddenly felt an odd, warm sensation from behind. Surprised, I turned my head around to see the White Deer King touching me. She gently nudged me with its head as though it was trying to get me to move. I suppose she was encouraging me. I looked at the White Deer King with gratitude, but she turned her head away.
“So, you’re rushing me, not because you’re trying to comfort me, but because you want to return sooner…” I assumed.
I gave the wooden board a big push. Luna’s face was once again bathed in the moonlight. Mommy Vyvyan wouldn’t get her magic wrong, so Luna’s face didn’t undergo any change. She still had the smile she wore when I buried her. The smile on her face wasn’t her true smile, however. The smile she wore in her casket was a fake one somebody put on her. It was completely different to what I remembered. I didn’t want that sort of fake smile. I wanted Luna to be alive, and I wanted her authentic smile.