Chapter Thirteen - Broken
As Akkarin lay on the ground unable to move or speak, he watched as Takan was spared his life.
Then he heard Dakova leaving followed by sounds of a new fight taking place not long after.
Takan began pulling the bodies away from his sight. When he bent down to remove Yilana's body Akkarin wanted to speak up but he was unable to utter a single word. Finally Takan had come for him and took his hands in order to pull him aside as well. Feeling the warmth from his hands, the man had made an outburst of surprise and abruptly let go of Akkarin. Then he dropped down besides him. "You are alive? Akkarin! I thought you were dead. Can you hear me? Akkarin!" Takan shook him but he was not able to respond.
Takan carried him closer to the opening of the cave away from the dead. He stayed besides Akkarin rubbing his arms and legs, trying to get him to move.
After a while, Akkarin had been able to flex his fingers a bit. Finally he felt his body once again come alive and lifted his head intending to sit up. Takan had pulled him up in a sitting position and had supported him. "I am sorry, Akkarin" the man had said. Akkarin did not reply. Takan sighed and remained sitting next to him.
"I lost my family to Dakova" Takan said. "I was only a child. Sometimes I forget what my mother looked like…. I did not think that I would want to live again after that…. But life goes on"
Akkarin turned his head and looked at Takan. "For what purpose, Takan? Do you call this Life? I want none of it. I do not care what ever happens to me now. All I want is to kill Dakova".
"You should not speak so" Takan said. "Why? It could get me killed? Akkarin said mockingly. "Dakova will not kill me. He is determined to keep me alive at all costs."
"He needs you as he needs me for strength. You are strong, Akkarin" "Yes, I am strong", Akkarin replied. "And strength is my damnation".
After that they did not speak but waited in silence for hours. When Dakova returned, he only glanced at them. Takan offered him some bread and fruits which he ate before going to sleep.
Akkarin walked over to Yilana's body carrying his blanket. With that he covered her and folded it around her body.
Then he lay down besides her waiting for the sun to rise.
In the morning he and Takan found a suitable burial ground and began digging. They worked silently besides each other. It took them the entire day to dig out a grave large enough for seventeen bodies to be buried in. Afterwards, they carried the bodies to the grave.
Takan gave each and every one of the sacrificed humans a Sachakan blessing whenever a new victim had been placed in the mass grave.
They placed Yilana in the grave lastly. She was the only one who had been covered up in a blanket. That was all Akkarin could do for her as a final gesture of respect and love. Then they covered up the grave and returned to the cave.
"It is done, then"? Dakova asked. Takan nodded. "Yes, Master, thank you for allowing us to bury them".
"But of course, it was the least I could do". Akkarin watched him. Dakova did not show any signs of regret. Slowly Akkarin sat down leaning up against the rock wall.
You have succeeded, Dakova; you have broken me.