Supernatural: Chronicles of the Order 2
Chapter 25: A Somber Spring
(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Supernatural because it belongs to Eric Kripke and Warner Bros. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for graphic violence, adult content, and adult language.)
Many years ago...
Colchuvar was back home as he was returning to duty here on his homeworld of Atreides in which he was bringing flowers to his wife's grave. He loved Tanya dearly after she died giving birth to his twin daughters seven years ago. He wanted to do more as he vowed to fight the good fight, for he was a highly seasoned soldier in the least. When he returned home, he was greeted by his twin daughters as they were happy to greet him at every turn. He loved his girls as they were Half-Elves due to the mixture of his and Tanya's blood in their veins, for they were their legacy that would take over if anything bad ever happened to him.
"Grampy was looking for you, Daddy," said one of the girls, who had his blond hair and blue eyes before he lost it on his own head, along with his eyesight. "He said that he wouldn't let you go until you be here for our birthday."
"Calm down, Abigail," said Colchuvar. "You sure have your mother's energy."
"We also look like you, Daddy," said the other girl as she had dark blue hair and green eyes. "Come to think of it, we also put some flowers on Mommy's grave before you came here."
"Both you and your sister are special to me, Alma, and I'll be here for your birthday before I get called back to work soon enough."
Colchuvar saw his daughters climb on him as they were happy to keep him for their seventh birthday, which was today. It was a happy occasion for him as he would never forget it the moment he would be called back to his duties as a member of the Hunter Corps. Life was grand and sad at the same time, but life was life for this man, who was caring about his daughters so dearly...
Present day...
Colchuvar was up and about as he was busy sharpening his Claymore for yet another round of hunting for food. It had been two weeks since we left Kanto Village as we were hard at work planting a garden in our surroundings at Wall Keep. With the start of Daylight Savings Time put into motion, we were busy tending to the newly planted seeds that were housed in the greenhouses in the main courtyard as we were making sure that no frost or weeds would harm the plants. Even I was helping out as I was in the backyard where I had some backup from Dirk, who had a hand into planting seeds in the garden, for we needed all the food we can get while we made due here in Wall Keep. It was a time to make sure that nothing bad happens here as we all pulled together with such motivation in the Tensho Mountains.
"It's a great time to plant crops here in the mountains," I said as I was hard at work planting some carrot seeds into the soil. "This place here is also located near a volcano in which it keeps us warm during the cold days."
"The Tensho Mountains have a volcano that remained quiet for thousands of years," said Colchuvar as he put away his Claymore. "This place that's here with them even has a cluster of hot springs just to soak in on cold nights. You and Reiko should try it some time."
"We would, but we're kind of busy here," said Dirk. "Besides, this place is more like the Batcave when it comes to building it in the mountains next to a inactive volcano."
"That 'inactive volcano' has a name and it's called Mount Kurosawa and it's a symbol to all who dare to go there to the Tensho Mountains and live to tell the tale. It's also one of the largest volcanoes that ever remained quiet since Mount Fuji, but it'll sleep forever and not erupt in the long run."
"There's also the soil that makes the crops grow here. It's ironic that we've been here for two weeks, but the veggies and herbs are growing like weeds here."
"Don't forget, we're still thankful that the Kirgar Clan were generous to let all of us stay here until the battle was over," I said. "Besides, we might expect some visitors in the form of Jewish folk from Kabizashi bringing plenty of their food just in time for Passover."
I noticed Dirk blushing as he was still not ready to commit to a relationship for someone who was about to turn eleven soon. He was young, but he had feelings for Sachiko as she was also three years older than he was, but age was simply just a number to those who pine for true love, for it was something that was also maintained here by the Rakuen Priesthood in their service in the Order of Letters so far. Still, my ward was too young for that as he was trying really hard into focusing on the gardening part here in Wall Keep. It was the least we can all do as we all welcomed the first day of spring the moment the snow melted and life sprang anew here in the time of war below...
Severin and his faction of the Army of Cain were still on the prowl as they were making their way to the Eastern Lands on the other side of the region in which there was no stopping them in their wake. He was thirsting for more than just revenge against me as he was going towards Orc territory in the town of Padackles, which was a mining town known for its minerals. He was ready to slaughter those who didn't embrace him as he was continuing his wave of terror after resting up from his onslaught in the towns of Bilbo, Barthwick, Kasumiouji, Buckner Grove, and Glass Creek. There was hell all over the place as there was no rest for those demons in the spoiled brat's service in which he was ready to make his mark into the Southern Stride, where there were more Orcs there just to put a dent in him after he was ready to strike at any time.
When he and his faction went towards Padackles, they saw several Orcs armed to the hilt as they were ready to face this threat that was in their town. They were no stranger to facing such monsters from the Elder Days, but Severin and his Army of Cain faction was ready to strike at any time in which he enjoyed the pleasure of killing innocents that were in his way, even those that were small children in his unquenchable thirst for slaughter against Abaddon's wishes. He didn't care who got in his way. He didn't care if anyone precious was lost in his gleeful bloodbath. All he cared about was his need to kill due to his powerful increase the moment he was indoctrinated into receiving the Mark of Cain. Still, he was standing in front of an army of Orcs who were defending their town as they were armed with their own weapons in their hands.
"Well, well; if it isn't the townsfolk defending their turf, but they will end up like the lambs to the slaughter they really are," said Severin gleefully as he had a smile on his face. "You'll never win this war because I will have this planet to its knees and the people will bow down to the future Queen of Hell herself."
"This isn't your place here," said one Orc as he was armed with a broadsword in his hands. "We know all about you, Severin Thrippe. We're not stupid because of what we heard from the western side of this region. You first started destroying Kanto Village and you even put Terrans and other kinds of folk to the slaughter in your thirst for carnage."
"You can't defeat me. You never will. All I'm doing here is holding this planet hostage until it bows down to Abaddon herself."
BANG!
The sound of a gunshot was heard in the distance as Severin looked up and saw Totsuka standing up on one of the roofs of the houses. The Shinigami weaponmaker was no stranger into dealing with such dangerous threats as he was most likely to be aiding those who were ready to defend their town and families in the wake of Severin's ongoing wrath. It was something that he had to put a dent in as he was staring directly at Severin himself, for he was ready to do away with the Shinigami that stood in his way soon enough. Anger filled the spoiled brat's very being as he wanted to kill Totsuka directly in front of the Orcs that were defending their town from his wrath.
"Totsuka the weaponmaker," he said in an icy tone in his voice. "I had a feeling that you'd be here after I made bank in my killing spree."
"You're not gonna hurt those people here in Padackles, Severin," he said as he was armed with the Colt in his hands. "You already hit six towns so far and now you're hitting a seventh? You sure stoop so low that your old man is turning in his grave."
"Don't you talk about my father like that!"
"Well, well; there's someone with daddy issues, but you can't go that far into taking a couple of innocent humanoids with you in your bloodbath."
"Damn you, Totsuka!"
Without hesitation, Severin drew out his sword as he was ready to strike until it was shot out of his hand by Totsuka. The Shinigami weaponmaker was ready to dampen the spoiled brat's endeavor as he fired of several shots from the Colt in his hand. He was quick on the draw as he killed some of the soldiers in the head and heart in which they ended up dead on the floor. Anger filled Severin as he was itching to kill the meddling Shinigami that stood in his way, but the actions earlier made him depart as the Orcs that were in the town were armed with the same weapons that were made from ethereal metal that was used to kill lesser demons dead except for the higher ones. It wasn't long until the spoiled brat turned tail and fled as he was ready to fight for another day. With the town of Padackles saved, it was a win for the righteous as the fight was still going on in this day and age...
I was in the courtyard as I was tending to the twins in which I was getting them used to the warmth of the spring weather and the nature that surrounded it. Our stay in Wall Keep was more than grateful as I was seeing the twins staring at me in which they were smiling with such an open gummy smile indeed. They were also alert as they were now two months old the moment March is in its final stage before the month of April comes along. I was seeing them fully alert as they were also putting their tiny fingers in their mouths, for they were starting to get more handsome with their looks of me and Reiko combined.
"I take it that you prefer your fingers instead of your binkies," I said as I smiled.
"I see that the babies are adapting to our surroundings very well," said Reiko as she was standing next to me. "They have a lot of sunlight shining on them instead of being shut in from the cold."
"Our sons will be having a lot of experience into travelling from place to place since their birth on Earendil two months ago, but they will have much more to go, even if it meant by bringing them along with us."
"Aora, must you yawn right now, my little darling?" We saw our son yawning as he was starting to get tired from being outside. "You and your brother already had a nap two hours ago, but must you be sleepy at this moment?"
We were staring at our twins as Ghimru was still awake and alert unlike Aora, who was yawning even after his nap. We had our work cut out for us as we were simply staring at the legacies that we helped to create in this world, for they were not only Half-Elves, but they also had mine and Reiko's blood flowing in their veins as well. After spending time with the twins, we gathered them up as we were on our way towards our quarters where we had a nursery next to it. Just as we were about to put them in the nursery, we saw Kevin sprinting towards us as he was worried about Colchuvar in which there was no sign of him whatsoever.
"Has anyone seen Master Colchuvar?" he asked frantically.
"Last time I saw him, he was in the garden before he took off," I said.
"He said that he was going to hunt for some game meat to keep us fed, but he hasn't come back yet."
"I hope that nothing bad will happen to him," said Reiko.
"Master Colchuvar is more like a father to me just like he's a father to Alma and Abigail."
"Who are Alma and Abigail?"
"They are Master Colchuvar's twin daughters, but they live with their grandfather and his family on Atreides. At least they're alive and safe from their father's work, but there had been some bad blood between Master Colchuvar and his family due to the fact that they wanted to raise his girls instead of Tythonus."
"Who is this Tythonus?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Tythonus Vallon was an Elf that was part of the Neo-Circus Maximus in the primary Claudian city of Capua. He got out of there with pure luck with his twin brother, Marthonus Vallon, but his days in the ring are no more due to the numerous injuries he suffered. As for Master Colchuvar, I hope that he's alive out there in the woods."
"Then, I'll find him for you. There's no need to worry."
I went towards the nursery as I placed Ghimru into one of the little beds in there while Reiko placed Aora in the other one. Duty called as I had to answer in which I had to find Colchuvar before nightfall. When I went to my quarters, I gathered up my sword and gun as I was ready to get out there and find the towering force of a hunter before anything else happened. With Kevin following me, we were on our way as we were ready to find where Colchuvar might be. It was a crucial task into finding the very man who helped into bringing me back to the Order after I was banished from the fort on Gehenna nearly a year ago, for I couldn't let him die yet...
Colchuvar was trapped in a gorge as it was nothing but rock below. After going out of Wall Keep to hunt for some game to feed the women and children there, he got himself in one huge snag as he also found something that should never have been discovered in the first place. He saw a cave that was never used in years as he entered inside of it. The place was nothing but a derelict as it was none other than a mineral mine that had been recovering due to what was found in there. The mine had tradarium in it as the pricey mineral was something that was ready to be mined and sold to the highest bidder indeed. When he was about to explore the mine even further, he spotted someone coming as he hid behind one of the rocks.
The person was someone that Colchuvar never seen before as it was none other than a non-corporeal demon that required a meatsuit to navigate in. The eyes flashing black were a dead giveaway as he knew of what was there with him. He had to warn me as it was too late due to what was about to occur if he wasn't careful. The demon with him had plans to get information out of him as he was itching to toy with the towering hunter.
"Hello... Colchuvar Grunwald...," said the demon as he was ready to attack.
"You took a long way into coming here, but I'm not gonna tell where Sam and his family are staying at."
"You sure have your reasons into hunting outside of the box, don't you?"
"Currently, I'm hunting for food just in time to take it back to where I'm staying at."
"You're staying at Wall Keep, aren't you?"
"How the hell do you know that?! Are you part of the Army of Cain faction led by that spoiled brat, Severin Thrippe?"
"No, but I can tell him where Sam and his family are."
"You're not going near him 'cause he's got that raw power in him that could put a dent in that prick's evil plans. From what I heard, Severin's already caused enough carnage in five towns after his army destroyed Kanto Village. Even if Abaddon and her forces invade here, there will always be someone that will put their best foot forward."
"I beg to differ, Hero of the Order..."
Just as Colchuvar was about to draw out his sword, he was lifted up by the demon's telekinesis and was pinned against a rocky wall. He wanted to get away in which he had to warn me about the demon that was there in the Tensho Mountains. It would only be a matter of time before he was found, but would it be too late to save him? Only time would tell when there would be a time of both satisfaction and tragedy in the end if it occurred, but for how long, eventually?...
Many months before this happened...
Colchuvar was busy sharpening his Claymore after the latest mission in which he had to tangle with some vampires that were terrorizing everyone on Zassel. Still, it was well worth it as he wanted to go to Alecrast and report to the main headquarters about what went on, but he was into keeping his prized sword sharp just in case he had to go onto another hunting mission so far. By the time he put his sword away, he saw Dean come out of the shower as he was newly cleaned and dressed in his fresh clothes that were given to him. Both of them were in space as they were most likely to be coming to Alecrast just in time to check up on me while at Ippei's home, for it had been a while since the summit on Orianthis in which my older brother was ready to see what I had accomplished from the Sword of Alecrast himself.
"I take it that you can't wait to see your brother after he got brought to the Elder's home," said Colchuvar. "It feels nice that you come to check up on him every once in a while."
"He's probably stuck with the whipping marks that Severin inflicted on him before he got arrested and expelled from the Order," said Dean.
"Sam's no stranger to enduring such crap like that, but he's still stuck on the bottom as if he doesn't exist for some reason."
"Sam's been like that ever since we were taken to Gehenna after our father's death, but he's gonna end up seeing the big picture the moment he matters to the rest of us."
"Let's see that he does."
And so, both Dean and Colchuvar were ready for some smooth sailing on the ship as they were ready to greet me on Alecrast the moment they touch down there. Sooner or later, they would be bugging about my adventures and training with Ippei as I would soon expect them soon enough...
Present day..., again!
Kevin and I followed the trail in the forest that was hidden in the mountains as we were tracing Colchuvar's footprints on the ground. We were worried about him as the day was turning into dusk after travelling from Wall Keep. I took point into searching the whole way as I saw a trail of sulphur that was on the ground. It was a sign that a wayward demon was here as I followed towards a gorge where it ended there. With Kevin still worried about Colchuvar, he saw the sulphur trail towards a cave at the end of the gorge as he had a bad feeling that something was wrong here.
"Why did it have to be a demon here in the Tensho Mountains?" he said with a hint of fear in his voice. "Where the hell are you, Master Colchuvar?"
"We need to be careful here," I said. "If we don't stop that wayward demon in its tracks, he'll end up giving away our location to Severin."
"Hang on, Master Colchuvar..."
We both went towards the cave as we had a feeling that something was terribly wrong in this place that was filled with a fresh vein of tradarium in it. By the time we got there, we saw the demon pinning Colchuvar as he was struggling to get free. I had to step in as I used the same incantation I used on Sadie on Gehenna in which a Devil's Trap was formed on the ground where the demon stood, along with another circle that is used to kill him the moment he gets out of his meatsuit. He wasn't going to get away that easily as he was most likely to be giving away this location to Severin at any given moment. With Colchuvar released from his own trap, he decided to aid us as he didn't want that demon to give away our location to any other demon that was on this planet.
"Well, well; if it isn't the Boy King," said the demon as he was ready to get free from the Devil's Trap. "It's ironic that I see you here in the mountains, but when you let me out of here, I'm gonna tell Severin all the juicy details about how you fled with the women and children of Kanto Village before it was burnt and ransacked."
"Keep talking, asshat," said Colchuvar as he drew out his Claymore. "You're gonna do more than just dance, I assure you."
"And what are you gonna do about it? Talk me to death or slice this meatsuit that I'm wearing?"
"You're not gonna report to your masters so readily," I said as I was ready to perform an exorcism on the demon in my trap. "Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio; infernalis adversarii; omnis legio; omnis et secta diabolica." The demon was slowly being exorcised as it was feeling the effects of the raw power I displayed. "Ergo draco maledicte, et omnis legio diabolica adjuramus te. Cessa decipere humanas creaturas; eisque aeternae Perditionis venenum propinare. Vade, Satana; inventor et magister omnis fallaciae, hostis humanae salutis. Humiliare sub potenti manu dei, contremisce et effuge; invocato a nobis sancto et terribili nomine, quem inferi tremunt. Ab insidiis diaboli, libera nos, Domine. Ut Eccliasam tuam secura tibi facias libertate serviere te rogamus, audi nos. Terribilis Deus de sanctuario suo. Deus Israhel ipse virtutem truderit et fortitudinem plebi suae. Benedictus Deus, Gloria Patri!"
We saw the demon eject from his meatsuit as it was caught in the circle above the ceiling. When we watched it dissolve, we were all safe as we saw its former host flee the cave without any problem at all. We were happy to find Colchuvar in the cave as we were ready to go back to Wall Keep as planned. When we got out of there, we were leaving this place as we had plenty of space in Wall Keep the moment we return to the people that were needing us to bring back some meat to feed everyone there.
"It's ironic that I got bested by a demon," said Colchuvar as he put away his Claymore.
"You're lucky that we came to your rescue," I said.
"Hey, you're supposed to be staying put at Wall Keep."
"Kevin was worried about you, so I decided to tag along in order to look for you."
Without warning, we saw several arrows being fired on by an unknown assailant in which we spotted him in the distance. We never saw him before as he was dressed in Chinese garb that was similar to the exotic wear that was worn by the people in the Kingdom by the River. He was an assassin for hire as he was most likely to be after me of all people the moment after I exorcised that demon. He was like Sawney Masbath, but on the same level as him as he was willing to get his prize that would never get away like that.
"Whoever you are, you have no place here," said Kevin.
"I'm just here to take out the Boy King," said the assassin as he was armed with a bow an arrow.
"If you're after Sam, then I take it that you're a demon in that meatsuit," said Colchuvar as he drew out his Claymore. "As for our situation here on this planet, we're at war with Severin and his faction of cronies, so I suggest that you find yourself another target."
"I was hired by Sawney Masbath the moment he was hauled off to Belbe Citadel on Gehenna, so I suggest that you show him respect."
"Sawney Masbath doesn't have respect for anyone," I said. "Even if you end up killing me, there will always be someone be willing to kill you."
"Your jewel will make a fine trophy when I gut you, Sam Winchester, but you of all people won't escape due to the fact that I tailed you the moment you left Kanto Village while stopping in the towns of Edlund and Kabizashi. Sooner or later, you would be a prize that is worth killing due to the raw power that you have at your disposal, which makes you dangerous." The assassin is ready to fire off another arrow as he was aiming towards me. "Now, Boy King, smile for the camera, 'cause it's gonna be your last one."
The assassin meant business as he was ready to fire off his arrow at me. Just as I was about to meet my end, I saw the arrow being shot from the assassin's bow in which I noticed Colchuvar stand in front of me in which he received it in my stead. He screamed in pain as the arrow hit a vital organ in his chest, but he wasn't ready to give up the fight just yet. When he threw his Claymore at the assassin, it hit him as it delivered a fatal blow to him when he fell from the tree and hit the ground. It was over as the rescue mission to save Colchuvar ended in tragedy when we saw him fall to his knees. Even Kevin was stunned to see him like this as he didn't want to leave his side just yet."
"COLCHUVAR!" he cried as he saw his master fall on his back.
"Kevin...," he said as he was forcing his last breath at the last minute. "You have to fight the good fight ahead. I can't go on much longer."
"Stay with us, Colchuvar," I said as I removed the arrow from his chest. "We'll get you to Dunya the moment we get back to Wall Keep as quick as we can."
"Sam, listen to me for once! You can't just put me back together again because of some stupid arrow. The thing itself has a fatal poison at the tip of it that can be lethal. I beg of you, let me die a warrior in the Order of Letters!"
"Colchuvar..., without you, I wouldn't be here in the Order today, but in the end, you saved my life and I will be eternally grateful for it."
"What's Dean gonna say when I'm gone? Everyone knows that he'll be taking over my unit the moment I fall to the ground."
"Then Dean will make a fine leader in your unit in the Hunter Corps. He'd want that because of his commitment into being a soldier."
"Then the curtain falls on me forever... Tanya, wait for me..."
"Master Colchuvar..., don't leave us," said Kevin as he had tears in his eyes.
"I beg of you, do not grieve for me. It's bad the way things stand." He removes his goggles as he shows us his blind eyes. "Even if I don't see without my goggles, I can see clearly in the end, but this isn't the end for us yet. You have to lead us into an age of destiny, Sam. It's what you're made for in the end..."
"Then I'll do it," I said.
"Man, this sucks..., but I'm off to see Tanya again..."
We saw Colchuvar close his eyes forever as we clasped our hands in prayer. Even I felt grateful as I shed a tear for the tall hulking man who pressured me to return to the Order after I was banished from the fort on Gehenna. I was more grateful than anyone as I vowed to honor my commitment in the Order of Letters. When I went towards the assassin's body, I retrieved Colchuvar's Claymore as I brought it over to him. It was the least I could do as I saw his ghost appear from his body. He was staring at both me and Kevin as he wanted us to be strong in this fight against the Army of Cain. It wasn't long until we saw someone appear out of nowhere as he was none other than Death himself. The person himself was dressed in Victorian clothing as he was also the last horseman of the Apocalypse and king of all reapers who bring souls to Heaven, for he was here for Colchuvar in the end.
"I've come to take your friend," he told us as he stood by Colchuvar's side. "Don't worry, he would soon be reunited with his wife in the end."
"Please see that he gets there," I said.
"You have a huge responsibility, Sam, so I suggest that you honor your fallen advisor's wishes."
"He knows all about it," said Colchuvar. "He has enough raw power to turn the tide against the Army of Cain in the end, I swear."
"Come now, Colchuvar Grunwald, it's time to go."
And so, we saw Death usher the fallen warrior as they disappeared towards Heaven as planned. Our search for him ended in tragedy as we saw Irylla and Dunya appear in which they were too late to aid him in the end. It was a tragic day for us as we were most likely to deliver Colchuvar's body and sword back to Wall Keep for a funeral to honor him.
"Colchuvar...," said Irylla as she clasped her hands in prayer.
"What happened here?" asked Dunya as she was surveying the surroundings.
"Master Colchuvar died protecting Sam in the end," said Kevin.
"Wait," We see Irylla go towards the assassin's body as she examined it carefully. "This man's a member of the Black Dragon Guild." She sees a tattoo of a dragon emblazoned on his chest with a gaping wound in the center. "He was a hired gun that observed our movements without detection."
"According to some of the local law enforcements that are near the Kingdom by the River, these assassins from the Black Dragon Guild tip their arrowheads with swamp adder venom, which is very lethal indeed," said Dunya. "Normally, this venom would kill its target in ten seconds, but Colchuvar died in less than two minutes due to the constant training and conditioning on his homeworld on Atreides."
"Then we have to be careful," I said. "This assassin was meant to kill me after being hired by Sawney Masbath before he was incarcerated to Belbe Citadel on Gehenna. As for Colchuvar, we'll honor him with a funeral. We owe him that much."
"You seem sad, Sam," said Irylla. "You must've cared about Colchuvar that much."
"If it wasn't for him goading me into coming back to the Order, all of us would've been screwed by now. It's something that put me here now and I will honor my commitment in the Order by maintaining my ideals in which I will make sure that we put a dent in the Army of Cain's plans once and for all. It's the least I can do for our fallen comrade."
We picked up Colchuvar's body and Claymore as we left the woods for Wall Keep in order to give him a proper funeral. We owed him that much as we were not out of the fight just yet, for Severin's forces were most likely to be staying their hands for now...
Dean was busy observing the work into the rebuilding of Kanto Village as he was making sure that progress was made after what happened to it two weeks ago. He saw the buildings and scaffolding all over the place as the town was returning to brand new after being razed to the ground. Still, he heard about the slaughter in the five towns after that as he was still itching to kill Severin for what he was doing here on Alecrast. The slaughter and bloodbath had been unforgivable as Dean vowed to do more than just put a dent in the spoiled brat's plans, but he was still there in Kanto Village seeing progress here as he didn't want it to fall down again.
"It's ironic that Sam's not here," said Nicholas as he was busy observing the handiwork of the fixers who came here to rebuild Kanto Village. "I hope that they fix up that ramen stand soon 'cause I miss Reiko's cooking."
"You and me both," said Dean. "I just hope that Colchuvar didn't swing his hulking Claymore around without reason."
"Colchuvar's a tough son-of-a-bitch, but he's also committed to his duty as a soldier in the Hunter Corps. I just hope that he didn't get killed..."
"Speak of the Devil..." Dean sees an Orianthan courier run towards him with a letter in which he received it at the last minute. "It's from Sam." He opens it up as he sees the grim news that he didn't want to hear right now. "Son-of-a-bitch!"
"What happened?"
"Colchuvar's dead. He was killed by an assassin from the Black Dragon Guild that was hired by Masbath to kill Sam, but he took the arrow instead. This letter even says that I'm next in line to lead his unit in the Hunter Corps. This is nuts! What were you thinking, Sammy?! I can't lead Colchuvar's unit after what happened! It's just that..., I'm not ready right now."
"Dean, whatever Colchuvar wanted you to do, I bet that you get off your ass and lead us. It's the least you can do if you want to still kick ass and take names."
Dean felt Nicholas' words eat at him as he now had Colchuvar's responsibilities as a leader of his unit in the Hunter Corps. This was all too much for him, but he had to make due with what he had as he vowed to rid Alecrast of Severin's faction in the Army of Cain soon enough. Still, he had work into rebuilding Kanto Village, but sooner or later, he would receive the call to aid the interplanetary effort into ridding the Army of Cain from Alecrast forever, for they have gone too far into causing slaughter every way they went...
Ginryu was in his office as he heard the news about Colchuvar's death. His trusted aide had fell at the arrow's point from a hired assassin from the Black Dragon Guild as he had a feeling that Sawney Masbath had one last trick before being sent of to Belbe Citadel on Gehenna. He couldn't let this slide as he couldn't let such petty matters cloud his true efforts into weeding out the Army of Cain from Alecrast as soon as possible. Just as he was about to leave his office, he saw two familiar young Half-Elf girls appear as they dressed in warrior garb in which they travelled all the way from Atreides to hear the bad news. Both Alma and Abigail Grunwald were concerned about the sad news as they were also grown up and now turned eighteen, but their response came too late.
"We need to see our father!" cried Abigail as she was fully worried. "Don't tell me he has fallen, has he?!"
"I'm afraid so, Abigail," said Ginryu gravely. "Your father was killed by an assassin's arrow in which the hired gun was recruited by Sawney Masbath before going to Belbe Citadel. The assassin's true motives were to kill Sam, but your father got in the way by taking the poison arrow in his stead."
"Then our father was a hero in the end," said Alma. "We should honor him."
"Alma," said a familiar Elf as he was dressed in warrior garb. "Your father's sacrifice will never be in vain. It's the least we can do for now."
"Tythonus Vallon in the flesh," said Ginryu. "It's been ages since you left Capua as a gladiator, but remained a civilian on Atreides."
"Ginryu Ashizoka..., I had a feeling that you'd be here after all this time. Still, I've come to pay my respects to my fallen son-in-law and I hope that the Black Dragon Guild will pay for their actions after killing him up in the Tensho Mountains."
"The assassin from the Black Dragon Guild was hired by Sawney Masbath before being put in the slammer on Gehenna. It was one last dirty trick that our gentleman blackmailer pulled, but we haven't heard the last of him yet. As for the situation with Severin's faction of the Army of Cain causing bloodshed here in five towns, we're all on edge after what we witnessed, but sooner or later, our former member of the Cross Corps will pay the piper in the end, but his forces are dwindling due to our efforts of everyone, along with the combined efforts of our allies. We can't let this slide forever. This action that Severin's faction of the Army of Cain committed was nothing more than a huge act of war and he will answer for his crimes, either by trial or by the sword."
"Then we'll stunt that asshat where he stands."
The agreement coming from Tythonus Vallon of all people was combined with Ginryu's ambition in his efforts into putting an end to Severin's wrath here on Alecrast. The time for action was more than heard as the head honcho of the Order of Letters had a document on his desk in which is was an indoctrination into the leadership position of the Colchuvar's unit in the Hunter Corps. When he wrote Dean's name on the piece of paper, it was sealed and clear as he vowed that Colchuvar's unit will never be leaderless in their efforts to uphold their responsibilities into protecting the innocent in this time of war...
We were gathered here in the courtyard in Wall Keep as we were saying our last goodbyes to Colchuvar, whose body was placed on a funeral pyre, complete with his prosthetic leg that was ready to burn with him. I was leading the funeral procession as I was dressed in a black kimono in which I was about to lay the once hulking warrior to rest soon enough. I was vowing to uphold my end of the bargain into being committed to my duties in the Order of Letters as I said my goodbyes to my friend at last.
"Everyone here, we are gathered here to pay our respects to our honored dead," I said solemnly as I felt tears streaming my cheeks. "Colchuvar Grunwald was not only someone who lugged his Claymore around, but he was also a committed soldier and even a much valued friend. I may not know much about him, but if he hadn't stepped in to get me back to where I stand now, all of you wouldn't be here by now. He was a warrior who stood by his unit in the Hunter Corps, but he will always be a close friend and ally to all of us. In the end, he sacrificed himself to save me, for I will be eternally grateful for what he did and I will never forget his presence, even if it means by having him watching us from the afterlife." I grabbed a torch as I was ready to light the funeral pyre that was drenched with salt and gasoline. "Be at peace, old friend..., we'll never forget you... You told us not to grieve for you, but we're grieving for you now after you sacrificed yourself to save me. Farewell, old friend..."
When I lit the funeral pyre, I watched it burn as the flames engulfed Colchuvar's dead body. We saw him burn brightly as it was something that we watched while we paid our final respects to the man who helped me get back to the Order the moment I was needed the most. I never forgot him, for he will always be a warrior that stood by in grim times, even in the afterlife. Still, the war against Severin's forces was going, but there would be a time when I would be needed the moment we all stand together into stopping him in his tracks.
With the embers of the funeral pyre sparking into the sky, we all watched until Kevin stood there with Colchuvar's Claymore in his hands. He wasn't the only one who suffered a great loss, for he had a feeling that his former master would end up in Heaven while being reunited with his late wife in the end. Still, we had to pull our weight in this battle, for there was no end in sight if we didn't the moment the Army of Cain got their way. The war against this wayward menace was more than a nuisance and we had to do more to protect the innocent and restore freedom here to Alecrast one small step at a time...
To be continued...