Chapter 4: Burying the Past
"Wuh-What heh-happened," was all Raki could muster.
The scene was understandably sickening. What remained of the young man's home was a littered with two shades of blood and two corpses. One of which was his Uncle Leo. Raki began to cry as he dropped to his knees. Unlike Raki, Clare simply stared at the one she knew as Dimitri with a furrowed eyebrow. The grieving foreigner, his grey coat and face peppered with purple gore, upon seeing the sobbing sufferer gently removed his arms from the dead man and slowly tread up to Raki. Clare took a step back as Dimitri approached the sick boy.
"Hold your grief! There will be time and place for it tomorrow," spoke the miraculous survivor with watery eyes as he pulled the boy up by his shoulders. "Your Uncle gave his life to save another's; a man such as that deserves a respectful burial. Understand!"
The still shocked youngling immediately caste his gaze up and simply nodded, but it was clear something was bothering him as he looked around through tear stricken eyes. Clare knew the truth despite not having witnessed it, for Yoma are known to latch onto those who have suffered greatly. Raki was the perfect host to pray on because he was naïve and weak reasoned the hybrid mercenary. Had there been slightly different circumstances determined Clare while looking at the decapitated cadaver; the boy and his uncle surely would be already consumed at this point. Shifting attention back to the consoling hunter, the Claymore resolved to request that he tell of how he slayed such a dangerous being.
'There has been barely any records of anyone, warrior or not, being able to slay the beasts even in large groups,' reflected the blond woman. 'Yet this one doesn't have a scratch on him.'
"Weh-where is my brother Zah-Zaki?" mumbled Raki to the man now digging in his backpack.
"I'm sorry to tell you this mal'chik, but your sibling met the same fate as your parents," Dimitri said while looking at the orphan with remorse. "The truth is that headless bastard on the floor there disguised itself as your brother."
"Oh…I see," muttered the teen as he looked down at the yoma with new tears in his eyes. "So I don't have any family left…"
"Ah but you do, for where I come from people who suffered as much as you and I have are all siblings"
"But we just met today…"
"It doesn't matter Raki, I am indebted to your Uncle and I assume his final wish would be for you to be taken care of," declared the sympathetic survivor with a somber expression. "Therefore we are now brothers and as such it is our duty to help our dead rest in peace."
Upon his statement of honor Dimitri appeared to find what he had been looking for. Motioning for Raki and now Clare, who was visibly surprised by the man's compassion, the experienced traveler kneeled once again beside Leo's body. As Raki kneeled on the other side of his uncle and the curious battle maiden strode to a place at the deceased man's feet Dimitri revealed that in his hand was a small metal flask. Confused and becoming nauseous at the view of the hole in his relative's stomach Raki began to question his new friend. The scavenger quickly pulled a large orange handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to his puzzled ward.
"Wipe away the blood around the wound when I tell you to," instructed Dimitri.
Ignoring the growing compulsion to puke the assistant waited patiently for the order to be given. The stalker, whom had been taught medical skills by an old friend, poured a quarter of the alcohol around the large laceration. The signal to wipe was a three fingered countdown. The uncoordinated teen was amazed at the boiling liquid's power. Working quickly a curved needle and spool were brought out and the process of stitching the gash shut began. The result was imperfect and fairly crude, but the bleeding stopped. Repeating the procedure on the subjects back was much easier and in a few minutes the operation was over.
Tired and losing control of his emotions Raki grimaced when Dimitri suggested Uncle Leo was to be moved to a bed. Apparently there was a door across from the entrance hall that lead the bedrooms that the Russian visitant hadn't noticed before. Dimitri reasoned this was probably because of his intense focus on studying Zaki and his true form earlier. Clare kept quiet during the whole ordeal and generally stayed out of the two humans' way, but rather leaving them to their own devices she remained in the house to wait for the chance to make her request.
Opening the overlooked door Dimitri found a dark hallway with a door on the left and a door on the right. Checking quickly the room on the left appeared to have only one bed while the right one had two. Lifting Leo by the shoulders the blood speckled undertaker motioned for the Claymore to lug the legs of the fallen comrade. There was an awkwardness in the air as Clare took a moment to make her choice on whether to help. Eventually the blond demon slayer concluded that gaining Dimitri's trust would make him more likely to tell her the truth.
Leo's mattress and covers were a dull chestnut brown noted Dimitri as the body was carried in. Once the dead man was placed face up on the bed, the mournful nephew set Leo's hands on his belly. The departed was then wrapped in his sheets. The silver eyed would-be yoma killer only watched as quiet prayers were given.
"S-Sorry, but I just remembered some people are at the door right now," said the boy who was happy to think about something else than his dead Uncle. "They probably want to know what's going on."
While pondering what to do footsteps were heard in the den. Immediately Dimitri grabbed Raki by the shoulders.
"Have you ever lied Raki?" questioned the scrounger in a low voice.
"No, never," replied the young farmer startled by the sudden movement.
"Then I'm sorry, but you're going to have lie now"
"Why?"
"If you tell them the man-eater was among the villagers for weeks, posing as your brother, it would cause mass hysteria, so you must say the demon ate you brother whole this night and that it was slain by the Claymore, understand?"
"Yeah I-I think so," answered Raki with a nod, yet a look of uncertainty still marked his face.
As the little deceiver left to give out the story Clare took the opportunity to ask what really did happen. The lie that the warrior maiden had killed the beast did not phase her in the least if it meant getting the information she wanted.
"How did you kill that yoma?" inquired the combat vestal standing in the bedroom doorway.
"I must admit it was bigger and faster than I expected," muttered the worn-out person of interest while gazing thoughtfully at the one called Leo. "That und-underestimation nearly spelled my end, but the sole reason it didn't is because of this man."
"Is that why you feel you owe him so much?"
"Yes, after the ublyudok's transformation I was knocked on my ass, but before I was gouged in the stomach Leo here shoved axe blade into the mongrel's back."
"I see that the Yoma was too quick for the human"
"Indeed, but his death, no, his sacrifice gave me enough time to pitch a couple of daggers into the creature's eyes."
The tale teller continued not to mention the use of his unique weapons. Instead the Yoma's head was separated from its body by Leo's axe and was promptly hacked to pieces to prevent any sort of revival. Dimitri admitted that the cranial splitting was a bit excessive, but he wasn't sure if yoma could somehow reattach their heads or not. The cautious fabricator stated that had Clare and Raki not arrived so soon he would burned the beast's body straightaway. Satisfied yet still apprehensive Clare asked no more further questions.
The night went on to include to the incineration of the yoma filth by the Zebithians and Elder Lawrence ordered that Raki's home be cleaned of any trace of the horrible entity's presence. It was agreed upon that Leo would be buried the next day and so Dimitri finally found some rest in Zaki's bed once things settled down.
The morning of Leo's funeral was indeed a rare event for it was the first time in a long time that a Claymore had stayed overnight in a home with humans. Clare did not know why she did it, but she simply couldn't leave the newcomer after everything that had occurred. The boy's obvious depression also kept the usually apathetic female drifter from deciding to proceed to the next city under yoma attack. Clare considered perhaps it was simply inquisitiveness, but her feelings for the two individuals said otherwise.
A rather large crowd showed for the burial, yet they all still made an effort to stay at least ten meters away from the silver eyed witch. Dressed in black robes Lawrence led the service with a prayer to Stella the Goddess of Hospitality. An unnerving vision of reminiscence overcame Dimitri while he solemnly stood next to Raki and Clare. He had closed his eyes to blink away a tear, but upon opening them the metro dweller found himself on a bed back in his home in Polis. There was a faint sound of a guitar being played downstairs.
'Was it all a dream?' thought Dimitri as he noticed he was wearing navy blue trousers and a blue' n 'white striped tank top. "No, it felt too real."
As the bewildered man journeyed through the house that looked vaguely familiar he recognized the tune being played. It was one that Dimitri knew only two people could play. Determined to pinpoint the location of the music the stalker eventually found a young woman in a living room with her back facing him. The glow of the fireplace in front of the woman illuminated her shoulder length hair, which was a deep rouge and the side of her face was very pale. The song seemed to be reaching its end as Dimitri approached.
"It's been a long time moya lyubov'," said the woman in an affectionate tone as she turned revealing honey colored eyes.
"Inga…you're alive?" questioned the mystified investigator as he examined his first love from head to toe. 'And where did you get that black dress?'
"No, you know darling that I haven't had a physical form for two years now."
"Am I…dead then?"
"No, that isn't the case either, I've simply come tell you something very important."
"I-I don't…," began Dimitri as he put his hands on his head out of frustration.
A growing thought took hold within the troubled son of the underground. The suppression of the terrible memory had manifested itself into this. All this time Dimitri imagined he had moved on from the death of his first lover, yet here his mind had created a reality in which he believed could speak with her spirit. But it was all a façade. He needed to wake up.
'I still remember the day we found you,' thought Dimitri as he watched Inga put down her guitar, lift herself from her chair, and seem to float towards him. 'You were so skinny and dirty from living alone in the tunnels.'
"Oh but your mother fed me and cleaned me!" spoke the dead woman lovingly while she wrapped her arms around Dimitri's neck. "You used to tell me stories about your father and I learned to play his guitar, remember!"
"You can read my thoughts?" asked the supposed captive of his own mind.
"I could read you when I was alive silly," giggled Inga. "Those days we played the no talking game as children made me quite effective at interpreting your body language dear."
"Why did you have to join me on my scavenging trips?"
"It would have been hell being away from you and worrying about you."
"Why… why didn't you find paradise once you died?"
"There wasn't one, believe me lyubimaya, I looked."
So what Khan the Prophet said was true. Khan was a spiritual man and close friend of Dimitri's father. He often visited and helped fund the school Dimitri's mother had begun much to the stalker's memory. The truth about the Dark Ones was kept alive solely by Khan's Church of Restoration. The holy man always preached of the destruction of God's domains forcing the dead to endlessly walk the Earth. The way to respect and protect against these spirits possibly driven mad from a pointless eternity, according to Khan, was praying and offering gifts to them. God, Khan professed, was still alive and rebuilding what he had lost and therefore would answer the prayers of what was left of his creations if they were humble and did it often.
"So, what did you do all this time?" inquired Dimitri to his late wife. 'I know Khan said this was possible but I might still be just insane.'
"I followed you and watched your life continue," said the hazel eyed spouse with a faint smile. "I thought that you might commit suicide and then we would travel the world together."
"Well…I'm sorry but I still found a reason to live."
"I know and please don't die soon because I won't be waiting anymore."
"Why is- wait don't tell me!"
"Yes, this reality does have a place where I can go, and I'm leaving for it now."
"I see," stated Dimitri with a tears starting to form. "So…you wanted to say…goodbye."
A deep kiss was shared by the two as a golden light appeared behind the deceased. Inga promised Dimitri that they would see each other again someday once he died, but they might look very different in the next life. Thought he didn't understand the man nodded and squeezed her surprisingly warm hand as she left him to enter the light. It was a beautiful scene, and yet Dimitri fell to his knees and lamented.
In moments he felt a hand on his shoulder and someone embrace him. Opening his eyes, the pathetic man saw that Raki was hugging his back and Claire had put a supportive grip on his shoulder. A look of discomfort dotted the Claymore's face. Dimitri, upon composing himself, thanked his companions for their concern. After the ceremony ended at mid-morning and everyone had gone except for the three closest related to the dead man, Elder Lawrence approached and tossed the youngest a bag of gold.
"I'm buying your Uncle's house and land," declared the mayor in an astute tone. "I know you'll be traveling with this one, so you may keep your livestock."
The three pigs previously owned by Leo were slaughtered within an hour after the burial. There meat was divided into smoked jerky, and fresh portions then was distributed among the two human travelers for the halfling said she didn't need to eat much. The two cows were mounted with supplies and their milk was placed into marked decanters. By noontime all preparations were ready and so the Claymore, the Stalker, and the farm boy began their journey from Zebith together.
Author's Note
Sooo this took a while because I had to take some motorcycle training and work a lot lately, but I'll get crackan on the next chapter soon.
Oh and thanks to the guest with the whole heaven, hell, and purgatory being destroyed idea it really inspired me.
PS:The song Inga plays is Last Light Guitar Version on the Metro Last Light Soundtrack.
It can be found on youtube at this address /watch?v=Gd9HxWGxBB4
Reader Question:
Was Dimitri's tragic past a little too quickly revealed?