Goodbye

Ryllis woke up with a sneeze, a tickle on her nose rudely stirring her back to the realm of the living. Hugging Huey to sleep the night before, she was surprised to see the demon dog wagging its tail in its dreams, the trigger behind her sneeze. Annoyed, her first instinct was to reprimand her friend, but seeing the good boy sleeping so soundly, she could not bring herself to do that. She gently ran her fingers through the pillow-like fur of its back instead. The dog was so large, she couldn’t pat its head as it stuck outside the tent.

Ducking underneath the wagging tail, she grabbed her coat from a small rack in the corner together with her trusty bag. Having already packed her essentials inside, it only just hit her that today would be her last day with the tribe. It was not easy. They did not take kindly to her at first, but now, she was practically one of them. But looking back, she really had the corruption to thank.

Unlike humans, who returned to their bestial origins the more they were corrupted, demons were the opposite; going back to their angelic roots. If this were before The Deletion, she would have been treated as livestock without a doubt. But her patience paid off. From a lost human child they took pity on, to their literal savior, she knew this day would come.

But before she exited the tent, she made sure not to leave without her green book in hand, her most prized possession. Flipping through all the pages, she was satisfied. The ink had already dried on her latest entry. And if things went on as she planned, she would have a lot more pages to write about.

Stepping out of her shelter, the first light of the sun greeted her from beyond the horizon. Beside her was the massive maw of Huey, resting in the snow, still asleep without a care in the world. She placed her tiny head against the Amarok pup, wrapping her arms around its head gently as she whispered:

“Goodbye Huey. I’ll miss you so much.”

It wounded her deeply to leave her friend behind, but it was for the best. This journey was hers to make, not Huey’s. Embracing its soft fur tightly, tears started to form in her eyes. The cold stung her face briefly before it evaporated from the dry air. She did not want to let it go. She wanted to stay warm, blanketed in its fluffiness. The comforting scent that calmed her senses as she snuggled in. But every good thing must come to an end.

Stepping back, she took a deep breath. As she wiped her tears away, she forced her usual child-like smile. Eyes beaming, pepped and ready to go.

Strolling around the village, most of the demons were still asleep in their tents. Unlike her, they were creatures of the night.

It didn’t take long for her to find Gerhart. Bent down facing a tree, he looked like he was up to something suspicious, she thought. She crept up behind him, unable to see what his arms were doing, curiosity blooming by the second.

But the knight paid the little girl no heed, having felt her presence even before her stealthy shenanigans. Using his iron hands like a shovel, he dug around the snow and the soil, arranging a bizarre formation of rocks which he had gathered.

Intrigued by this act, Ryllis stopped sneaking, asking him outright, “What are you doing?”

“Digging a grave.”

Despite his voice lacking any ill-intent, the nonchalance of his tone sent a shiver down her spine. But when she remembered that the corrupted do not leave behind corpses, she grew even more uncomfortable, feeling a lump forming in her throat.

Almost like he read her mind, the knight reassured her, “This is not for you.”

She sighed, relief leaving her lungs as a cloud of white vapour, “Then, who is it for?”

Her question was met with silence. Gerhart continued laying out the stones, the pile resembling a primitive grave of sorts. But without a body to bury, the purpose behind this makeshift tomb eluded her. She observed the knight with great intent, eager to decipher his behavior. Holding the tiny rocks, his fingers quaked, trying to place them in their exact positions.

Just as he was about to place the final stone, he confessed, “I’m not long for this world.”

“W-What?”

“All I had was my revenge. The lie that kept me going, slowing the effects of the corruption on my body…on my mind.”

At that moment, Ryllis realized the tremors in his hands were not because he was focusing hard, but because he was losing motor control.

“You won’t turn! You have a promise to fulfill,” the little girl pleaded. “Y-You can’t turn!” Guilt hung heavy over her head, knowing that she was the cause he abandoned his vengeance.

After placing the last rock, Gerhart pulled from his belt the Winika, holding it in his grasp once more. The tremors paused.

“Aye, I have a promise to keep,” he concurred. “But words alone do not stave off the corruption. Actions…” he said as he placed the flower onto the grave.

“...now that’s different.”

It dawned upon her that the grave was not meant for a person. It was meant for his revenge, his closest companion. His light, shining brightest in times of dark despair. His shadow, following him to the ends of the demon realm.

And by burying it in a literal sense, he communicated to the world that he had a new resolve, bargaining with the corruption within to give him a bit more time to see through his promise.

Gerhart shifted his position, facing the girl, “Make no mistake. I care not for the fate of the world. I’ll be returning to Avbridan.” His voice grew grim as he warned her, “You’re welcome to follow me, but I cannot guarantee your safety. For if I fully turn, I’m afraid not even your ability to rewind time can save you.”

“I understand,” Ryllis answered, her voice determined.

“But are you not afraid? Travelling with someone who’s already killed you once?”

The girl shook her head. Her gaze was unshakeable. “I’ve waited for this moment my entire life.”

“Very well.”

Gerhart respected the girl’s conviction. Her eyes were not that of a child, but a warrior willing to face death head on. It was a gaze that he knew like an old friend. He had the same expression once, a long time ago. Considering the horrors they would face in this journey, he would not have her look any other way.

The burden she slung over her shoulders, her desperation in seeking his help—why was such a young girl so adamant to endure so much suffering? Whether she was as selfless as she claimed, seeking to save the world out of the kindness of her heart, or she had a more selfish reason, it mattered little to him.

He began the arduous trek back to human lands, the little girl following closely by his side. Before long, the demon tribe was behind them. Ryllis turned around, looking at her home one final time. One day, the village would move again, nomads as they were, but this time, she would be leaving without them.

Noticing her longing gaze, Gerhart asked, “If there’s someone you’ve not said your farewells to, there’s still time.”

She shook her head. “They knew this day would come.”

“Or so you say,” the knight replied.

Ryllis did not respond to his comment, having already made up her mind. Her steps were heavy, as were the thoughts in her mind. If Gerhart could give up his revenge that followed him for years, what was a few months staying in a village as a foreigner?

But just as she was about to step into the icy woods, the sound of footsteps running through the snow reached her ears. The light, rhythmic padding that crumpled the snow with each step. Her eyes instantly lit up, recognizing the familiar tune close to her heart.

“Huey!”

The demon dog rushed to her side, sniffing her as he pranced around her excitedly. Even though they separated for a brief moment, reuniting with its master filled its heart with immense joy, tail wagging with so much love that it kicked up a mini-snowstorm.

Ryllis held the head of the happy pup still, looking at it right in the eyes.

“I’m sorry Huey. I can’t bring you with me. We’re going into human territory, they’ll—”

Huey did not let her finish her sentence, licking her with its tongue the size of her body. The girl started to giggle, finding its friendly gesture ticklish.

“Oh…Huey…”

Unable to hold herself back, Ryllis gave her friend a deep hug. Gently, Huey raised its front legs, carefully putting its soft paws over her.

Out of nowhere, the pup flicked its snout, tossing the girl over to its back where she found herself sitting on top of it like a steed.

“E-Eh!?”

As if responding to her confusion, Huey started to bark, trying to put her at ease.

Underneath his helm, Gerhart smirked a little, actually feeling envious for once. The bond that the two had was unbreakable. He had faith that the demon dog would protect its master to the bitter end.

He only hoped that if he were to fully turn one day, their bond would be enough.