Chapter 66: Druid’s Homecoming
Flashback
"Hero of the Evergreens...do you wish a proper burial for your...companions?"
"...I’m afraid there weren’t any ashes left to be buried, Elder Adil."
"...I see."
The elder’s silvery eyes narrowed at Demond, before glancing upon the graveyards that filled the clearings, each of her sister’s name carved into the wooden crosses, a sincere request from Adil to the church, for even without vessals that contained laughter under the suns or cheers for the rains, may they be rested in the lushed greens that used to be their home.
Adil glanced around, charred remains have been cleared away, yet the soils forever were tarnished blackness, the tyrant’s ash and blood seeping into the lands, and his flames forever stitched into the Evergreenn’s roots. All...all because he knew the Hero is here, by the damning vampires who dares intrude and leak the intel that would cost Adil’s everything.
She clutched her palms into her fist, the lily’s bile mess still clinging to the throat, the children’s cries and the sisters’ sorrowed smile just like yesterday, the vengance’s disgust forever a part of her, so...maybe that’s why...
The avenger took a peek at Demond, whose brows calmed and loosened, as he smelled not the tarred soils beneath him, not the dusty graves in front of him, but the lushness of woods that once surrounded this land.
Even the clinging lily’s sweetness in her throat let slip a curiosity, as Adil’s lips opened once again, for the fellow survivor who deserved none but more.
"I am sorry...for everything."
Demond’s eyes fluttered as he turned to Adil, confusion drifting along in the flesh wind. "Why?"