Chapter 36: Zombie Doctor

The rising sun, always punctual, arrived to herald the birth of a new day. Before the last remaining stars could become too faint to be seen, I spotted a peculiar blue shape traversing down the mountain, with two other shapes following suit.

Perhaps staying up all night had put a strain on my vision...

As it would turn out, that blue dot was actually Matilda, who had arrived at last. Good to know I wasn't seeing things. She was wearing the standard uniform of a wandering trader, which practically covered her from head to toe. Those other shapes were a pair of llamas she had brought along. One of them was white, while the other was a sandy color.

"Hi, there!" I greeted.

"Hello, dear! Glad to see you made it in one piece."

"Likewise. So, how was the trip?" I asked.

"Smooth sailing, overall. Getting these two rascals was a bigger nuisance than I'd like to admit…" she noted, as we made our way to the town.

We remained silent for a bit, which was the ideal time for my mind to start conjuring various scenarios in regards to how the upcoming encounter was going to go. In order for those to hold any real meaning, though, there was a vital piece of information I needed to know.

"How are you feeling? About this, I mean."

"I don't have any expectations, or hopes. Whatever ends up happening, I'll take it in stride."

That was an interesting answer. I expected her to be at least a little apprehensive, considering the gravity of the upcoming task, but hearing her this decisive, made me feel reassured, too.

"In that case, I'll be right there to back you up."

She didn't say anything in response, but judging from the slight wrinkles around her eyes, I could tell she was smiling.

As we stepped into the town's territory, she asked me if I had learned anything noteworthy concerning the villagers.

"I feel like it's better for you to hear it from them... Just know that we stood really lucky for once."

It took some convincing, but in the end, we managed to gather all six villagers in the inn. While they were sitting at the tables, Matilda and I were standing near the reception, trying to formulate a suitable course of action.

Once we felt satisfied, I requested of our audience to quiet down, allowing Matilda to speak up. She gave them a concise rundown of our goal with this visit, and attempted to clear her name.

While she was talking, I was focusing on the villagers' expressions. Distrust was the most prevalent emotion from what I could gather, but that didn't seem to phase Matilda. By the time her little speech was over, a murmur took over them. It was clear they weren't sold, and despite the fact that I stepped in to calm them down, Catherine only got more adamant.

"If you're so confident, why don't you back up your claim? I'll have you know that Sebastian has been locked in a room upstairs for a very long time, in order to not infect the rest of us. Can you really restore them?"

Being told of the librarian's fate left Matilda at a loss for words. I had neglected to bring up the topic to her, because even my knowledge was limited, so I wanted to take the chance to learn more.

Seeing this, Emily decided to fill in the blanks for us. Long story short, after Talos broke down, this city had no way to thwart threatening monsters. So, one night, there was a zombie outbreak, which claimed the life of one villager, and threatened the rest. No one was able to properly contain the spread.

Therefore, choosing the best possible outcome for Cornelia and its people, Sebastian lured the zombie into one of the inn's rooms, and locked both it, and themselves inside. Hearing the full story made me feel some respect for the librarian, but truthfully, half of the hardships this town was facing was a result of their past decisions, and that wasn't something I could easily forget.

Now that we were all caught up, there wasn't anything left to do, other than put the cure to good use. So, Matilda and I got on the upper floor, while the others followed, but not too closely behind. As I was musing over Emily's retelling, I had to ask:

"Is the other zombie still inside?"

I received nods in response.

"How do you think we should handle this? If we're not careful, this could spiral out of control," I asked Matilda.

"You're right... Just focus on taking the other zombie out of the equation, and I'll handle the rest."

"Alright, I trust you."

We got into position. As I got my sword ready, Matilda pushed the button, and the iron door swung open. I followed the plan and dispatched the meddling zombie. Stumbling closely behind, was Sebastian - or rather, what they had become.

Their skin was a putrid deep green, like most other undead, but their eyes were bloodshot, and filled with malice. Their white robe, which was ordinarily in pristine condition, was now in tatters, and covered in filthy yellow splotches, whose origins I didn't want to know.

When we made eye contact, they bared the teeth they had left at me with a growl, and lunged forward. I jumped back, raising my shield just in time to block the incoming bites. The groan they let out bared only a resemblance to their original voice.

"Steve, fall back!" I heard Matilda shout. She flung a splash potion of weakness at Sebastian, and the vial shattered against their right temple, causing them to lose balance and tumble to the floor.

The glowing purple liquid came into contact with the air, which caused it to evaporate. Purple fumes shrouded Sebastian's body for a while, before seeping into their skin. Once the miasma dispersed, we were able to see that Sebastian was left trembling.

Matilda carefully trod over to her former boss' limp form, a golden apple in hand.

"Good job," she complimented me, while rolling Sebastian over. She proceeded to open their mouth, and practically force fed them the golden apple. While this was happening, my eyes wandered off to the rest of the villagers in the back.

Some were staring in disgust or unease, while others displayed little emotion, other than curiosity. I looked back over to Matilda's efforts, and noticed that Sebastian was shaking with more vigor than before.

Appearing content, the witch got up from where she had kneeled, and addressed the others.

"The cure should take effect shortly, ladies and gentlemen. All we have to do is play the waiting game. In the meantime, is there anything you'd like to ask?"

In an instant, a torrent of questions - most of which started with 'how', was unleashed. One of them stood out from the rest, however, since it came from Emily.

"How are we supposed to believe you?"

Matilda responded almost immediately.

"Why do you ask, dear sister? Have I ever done anything that would betray your trust?"

To which Emily retorted with an empty chuckle, which was rather emotive for them, all things considered.

"I can recall a few instances..."

Matilda folded her arms, before commanding in a deadpan tone, "Name one."

Catherine chimed in with exasperation.

"How-how about the fact that you joined our enemies!? You betrayed us in the most detrimental way possible!"

The hums of agreement didn't seem to sway Matilda in the least.

"They wouldn't have been your enemies if you weren't so utterly rotten."

"How dare ya!? You're sayin' it's our fault? Those monsters are merciless!"

"Gordon's right," someone else affirmed. "You joined a group of savage murderers. We have no reason to believe anything you say."

At this point, Matilda seemed to grow a little irritated.

"I repeat. They wouldn't have been hostile if you hadn't given them a reason to be. Also, remind me, did I join the illagers before or after you all collectively decided to shut me out before I even got a chance to defend myself? Learn this: You betrayed me. Not the other way around."

Although that seemed to have stopped most villagers in their tracks, Catherine snapped back with ferocity.

"Don't try to play the saint! If-if you and your brute friends really were as well intended as you're claiming, you could have tried a little harder to prove us wrong. Instead, you kidnap our guardians, slaughter our families, send beasts after us, ruin what we all worked so hard for, and-and-and you really expect us to forgive you!?"

"Oh, please. You lot wouldn't have listened to a word that would have come out of our mouths; you didn't even heed our warnings! We all know you would have sent your golems after us given the first opportunity!"

"Maybe you would have deserved it!"

"This is the fate you deserve, after all!"

...

What had started out as an act of goodwill, was slowly devolving into a mindless shouting match. I didn't know what had gone wrong, but in those moments, I did know one thing.

...

I had enough.

Taking a deep breath, I shouted with an intensity I didn't even know I could reach.

"Everybody, shut. UP!"

...

They graciously obeyed, thankfully.

"I've been listening to you go at it for what felt like an eternity, and this is the conclusion I've reached. All of you have learned NOTHING! I'm convinced that if you had the means to, you'd perpetuate this meaningless conflict, even after every hardship you've barely survived!"

"Shut your mouth, you idiot! You know nothing about-"

Whatever worthless insult that fool had tried to spout, was cut short once I pointed my sword to them.

"Let me. Finish."

"..."

I drew a sigh, and ran a hand through my hair.

"I'm going to be absolutely honest," I resumed. "You have made a lot of mistakes. You have hurt me, and worst of all, you have hurt those I hold dear. And yet, you also helped me when you had the chance. That's partially why I even bothered coming back to this stupid village in the first place."

"..."

"Don't get me wrong; not forgetting your past is important. But you also have to actually learn something from it, in order to properly focus on the present. So end this pointless vendetta, and move on. Can't you see that doing the opposite hinders you?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"He's right," came a voice from behind me. All of us turned our heads, and laid our eyes on the cured and revitalized Sebastian. Their sickly appearance had shedded away, though they seemed fatigued still.

"I... I have been listening," they elaborated. Their voice was slurred and they spoke at a slower pace than usual.

"If… If we had been wiser...none of this would have happened."

Hearing such words coming out of the mouth of a Council member, led the villagers to quell any counter arguments and doubts they were planning to express.

"Matilda. I understand this may not mean anything to you anymore, but I am sorry. For everything. We never should have doubted your intentions. I have nothing to give you for your troubles, I fear, but just know, I am indebted to you. Thank you."

Matilda squinted her eyes, before saying, "You're right, Sebastian. Your words mean nothing to me now. I'm simply satisfied that I got this over with. So, then. Do you schmucks believe me now?"

Some tried to utter an apology of some kind, while others merely settled for a sad nod. Emily and Catherine, however, had burst into tears. Seeing this, the librarian tried to console them with words of assurance and praise for the way they kept Cornelia safe in Johnathan's place.

Matilda and I looked at each other. I could see a faint smile adorning her lips, and I couldn't help but return it for a moment. It seemed as though our mission had reached a sweet conclusion... Therefore, after everyone had calmed down, I asked what had been sitting at the back of my mind for days on end.

"Now that that's settled, can anyone please tell me where Rana is?"

...

The villagers tensed up. A few traded worried glances among each other. Once enough time passed, I clicked my tongue in irritation.

"What's the matter? I asked something very specific."

A buzz of incomprehensible words was being emitted from the crowd, but no actual answer, which left me very dissatisfied. I turned to Sebastian, who had placed a hand on the wall to support themself.

"You wouldn't happen to know anything, would you?"

They'd make fleeting eye contact with me, but otherwise didn't respond. I addressed everyone once again, but the result remained the same.

'Silence isn't a sign of ignorance. It's a sign of hesitation.'

...

Still feeling some of the frustration from my previous outburst, I grabbed the librarian by the collar, and slammed them against the wall. My mind barely registered the gasps of surprise that came from behind me.

"If you don't tell me where Rana is right now, I swear, you'll have to put me on trial for something far more serious than criminal negligence!"

Their eyes were wide open with fear, and their voice was hardly audible at first, but they made haste in cooperating.

"Miss Rana...is not here."

"Go on! Tell me something I didn't know!"

"We-we don't know where she is!"

It was difficult for me to assess their honesty. While I was weighing my options, however, a terrifying thought crept its way into my mind.

"No... You wouldn't have... You...didn't execute her, like you tried to do with me… Right?"

I got no substantial response this time, either. Or, perhaps I did, and simply didn't hear it. Maybe I was too angry to pick up on it.

"You morons were all too worried over some stupid dragon, when in reality, what you should have been afraid of the most, is me! So, I ask all of you again. Where is Rana?"

Unsurprisingly, most of them were looking at me as though I were a monster. Only Matilda, who was watching the scene play out, had a stoic expression. Until, unceremoniously, Gordon stepped closer.

"She left a note for ya. Dunno what it says."

I let Sebastian slide down the wall, and seized the paper the blacksmith was offering me. My nerves calmed a little, as I unfolded the physical answer to my question. My eyes were met with a lengthy wall of text, all written with coal. It may have been straining on the eyes, but it was legible, thankfully. This is what it said:

Dear Steve,

I don't know where you are, or if you'll ever read this note, but I probably won't be in Cornelia when that is. Before I tell you more, there is something I need to get out of the way.

If nothing else, I feel relief, you know? I'm happy that, in the time I got to know you, I managed to pay you back for saving me. Taking the hit from that beast was the perfect opportunity for us to become even. But, even if it weren't for that, I'd still do it. As many times as I'd need to.

Because I love you. I love you, Steve. And I'm so sorry you're learning this through a note. If I hadn't been such a coward, and just told you how I felt, things could have gone differently. Your kindness, your patience, your warm hugs, your cheeky jokes... It hurts knowing I might not see you again...

So that's why I'll look for you. I'll travel three days non-stop in each cardinal direction starting from Cornelia, and then settle down for another three. First, I'll look north, then east, then south, then west.

If you ever read this, we might find each other. If not... Thank you.

Sincerely yours

-Rana

...

"Steve…"

"..."

"Steve, are you okay?" I heard Matilda ask.

"Huh? O-oh…"

I tried to take a deep breath, but it hitched in my throat.

"Need a moment…"

While I was too preoccupied with keeping my emotions in check, Matilda ushered everyone else away, until it was just the two of us left standing in the hallway.

"Do you want to tell me how you're feeling?" I was eventually asked. It seemed like an easy question from a surface level, but actually having to answer it felt so...daunting.

"...I...don't know… She left, Matilda. To look for me... I wasn't there for her."

I felt a hand land on my shoulder, and our eyes met.

"You mustn't blame yourself."

"...I know. It's just...the thought of her waking up alone…"

"...I understand."

We stood there for a little while longer. It was in that timeframe when I glanced outside the window, only to see that it was still day out. For some reason, I expected it to be night… Maybe I lost track of time...

"I suggest we take the rest of the day off, dear. We both need it..."

I agreed with her suggestion.

"I'll go for a walk. Would you like to come with me, or would you rather I left you alone?"

"I...need some time."

She nodded thoughtfully, and left.

...

There was no incentive for me to move from my spot, which left me standing in the hall for a few more moments. In the meantime, I was staring at the note. An almost morbid sense of curiosity overtook me.

'What will I find in her room?'

I hesitantly pushed the button that opened the door that led to her room, and stepped inside, only to be met with...nothing, practically. Sure, her bed was still on the same spot, and there was a potted dandelion on the table, but the room was otherwise empty.

Sky was absent, and so were the paintings that decorated her walls, and added so much character to her room. The jukebox, the block that ultimately led to me falling for that quirky, yet oh-so charming frog woman, was no longer there, either.

At least the chest was still near the foot of the bed, but an oak plank block had been placed on top of it. I harvested the wooden block, and opened the chest. Inside, was a lone sheet of paper, which was practically an identical copy of the note Gordon had given me. If I had to guess, maybe she didn't trust the villagers to pass me her message, so she took this safety measure.

"..."

I couldn't believe how much things had changed... It felt as if my mind was stuck in a time period long since gone, while everything else moved forward. First, my house, then, Cornelia, and now... Rana.

I took another deep breath - successfully, this time, and read the note one more time.

...

'Three days…'

Where would she even be, then? There was no way for me to calculate the answer to that with just the information the note had given me...therefore, I decided to go out and find someone who could help.

...

Soon, I wound up outside of the blacksmith shop again, in search of its owner. Just like the previous couple times, they were sitting outside, on the porch. The only difference this time being, they weren't alone.

Sebastian was sitting next to them. They were having a conversation of some kind, and while I couldn't tell what it was about, seeing Gordon give a pat on the librarian's back meant it was at least light hearted. Once I got close enough, they grew silent, as they looked at me with faint discomfort painted on their faces.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but Gordon, how many days ago was this note written?"

They placed a hand on their chin, and stared off into nothingness for a while, before giving me a rather unremarkable answer.

"Uh... Dunno... Don't recall."

I took a deep breath once again.

"It doesn't have to be an exact number; an estimate would do."

"Maybe...three days after ya left? Not sure."

"Okay... Do you know anything about this?"

"I am afraid not," Sebastian replied in an almost bitter tone.

"Very well. Thank you," I said while turning away. I didn't get the chance to go very far, however.

"Steve, wait!"

"...What is it?"

"Do you plan to leave Cornelia?" the librarian queried.

"I do. I'll be gone by tomorrow morning."

"In that case… Good luck."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. How is anyone supposed to respond to a random word of decency coming from a person that has caused them pain? Then again, in the grand scheme of things, I couldn't truly tell if they were the one in the wrong. From an outsider's perspective, I had also caused a lot of harm to this town...

However, I didn't believe that excused their past mistakes, such as the way they treated Alex or Matilda, for instance.

"Whatever. I really have to ask, though; why did you even bother to accept Rana into your community? I learned that you weren't always welcoming to strangers, so why?"

"We...could not afford to make more enemies..."

I nodded, and left, hoping I'd never see them again.

...

"Matilda, are you in there?" I asked aloud, before opening the library's doors. Upon properly assessing the scene before me, I realized that I had stumbled upon another, seemingly pivotal reunion.

For starters, Matilda was indeed present, but so was Emily and Catherine. They didn't seem to have heard me, nor did they look my way when I walked near them. That left me at an awkward spot, not knowing if I should interrupt, stay quiet, or just come back later.

Based on what I could gather from the atmosphere, their discussion must have been fairly tense. After a sizable pause, Emily hesitantly embraced Matilda, who partially reciprocated with a couple of half hearted pats, but otherwise stood still.

It was at that point where I really thought I was intruding. Before I could leave, the one-sided hug ended, and Catherine and Emily passed me by shortly after, leaving Matilda and I alone.

"Was there anything you wanted to tell me, dear?"

"Matilda, I'll be leaving tomorrow."

She seemed weirded out by my statement, which was understandable.

"Where will you go?"

"South. From what I could gather, I believe that's the best chance I have to find Rana."

"Oh… I see."

"..."

"I'm afraid I cannot join you on your quest, Steve. I want to go back to the mansion."

"I understand... So… This is goodbye, then?"

She nodded slowly. As the gravity of the situation caught up to me, saying goodbye felt harder.

"I've never been good with those…" I added.

"That's true... If you were half as good at farewells as you are at nearly dying, this would be far easier."

That remark seemingly came out of nowhere, leaving me speechless.

"Don't look so surprised. After all, I told you I'd remember that 'burn' you gave me back in the forest."

It took me a split second, but I couldn't stifle a laugh once I remembered what she was referring to, and she laughed as well. This continued on for not too much longer.

"...Thank you for everything, Matilda. For every advice you've given me; for saving my life; and just, in general."

"Hehe, to be frank, I should be thanking you, too."

"Why?"

She tapped her foot on the floor for a bit, before elaborating.

"By returning here, and showing everyone the truth, I got the closure I didn't know I needed. It's like a weight has been lifted from me. That would have never been the case if it weren't for your insistence."

"..."

"..."

We embraced each other for the first, and probably last time. I couldn't help but let the closeness bring a smile to my face.

"Good luck out there."

"Good luck to you, too."

We let go, and with one final farewell, I left the library, right as the sun was starting to set. As I was making my way toward the inn, I could feel a subtle change in the atmosphere; it was a little lighter now than it was when I arrived yesterday.

I didn't dwell on it, though, and soon enough, I was standing outside my room. The moment I stepped inside, I was met with the vile stench of rot. Needless to say, there was no way I was going to sleep in a room that had two walking corpses in it for such a long time.

That left me with no other option than to sleep in the room that used to be Rana's. It wouldn't be until I lied down that I realized just how utterly exhausted I was. Given how I hadn't slept at all last night, it wasn't exactly unexpected, though. At least, I'd be well rested for tomorrow.

Tomorrow...

'Just wait a little longer, Rana...'

...

A/N: Hello, there.

The following chapter is the final one in Rana's storyline. Instead of adding an author's note there, I'll just say what is needed here, so as to not interrupt the flow, or ruin the tone of the ending.

I want to thank you, reader, for sticking with me until the end. In spite of some downs, I truly loved writing this piece, and I hoped you enjoyed reading it, too. I also hope the finale will meet your expectations. Whether you end up reading Alex's ending too or not, I'm still thankful you made it here.

That'll be it. Take care!