What Comes After?

“A letter?” I wondered, watching as Julius ushered the hawk back into the air and once more read over the scrap of parchment he had been delivered, “I thought you said that your lines of communication got disrupted?”

The man nodded absently. “It’s true, and I haven’t exactly had much of an opportunity to do anything about it on my own. My niece somehow managed to get it reestablished, thank the goddess!”

I exchanged a look with Rill. That explains how he’s so knowledgeable about everything. I figured rumors would travel, but he’s getting his news from somewhere more direct.

“Are you using spies, then?” Rill asked him directly.

“In a manner of speaking, yes. We have individuals all throughout Marik’s ranks who report back to us about their activities and such. Most of them are former citizens of Eastelias who want for nothing more than to end his reign of terror. The man might have put a damper on travel and trade, but nothing can stop the spread of information.”

“So what’s it say?” I asked as Julius shook the paper, a tone of triumphant jubilation in his movement.

He paused and regarded me for a moment before replying, “Forgive me if this request is in bad taste, Leolyn, but have you ever heard of Umbra Gearfield?”

Cautiously, I replied, “The dragonslayer? I’ve heard of her, but in name only.”

The man chuckled. “I see. Well then, allow me to explain why she might be the key to actually defeating Marik, the infamous Bandit King.”

I leaned back against the cool stone behind me, raising an eyebrow. “Alright, go on.”

“Umbra is a warrior, through-and-through. Born without the Gearfield clan’s blessings, she fought and clawed her way to the top through years of excruciating training and harsh battles. She always insisted on fighting on the front lines, solely for the sake of gaining experience. And it paid off. Now, she’s the head of the Gearfield clan, which also means she’s the master of the dragonslayer corps. She’s the single strongest warrior in Centrale, and has slain over a dozen dragons. I can’t think of anyone better to help us in our endeavor, and it turns out she’s currently on her way to meet with the Bandit King.”

I listened to his tale, a frown finding its way onto my lips. You’re worried because she’s a dragonslayer, Rill commented in my mind.

Yeah, I replied, you could say that. All the more reason for us to bow out.

To Julius, I said, “Well, sounds like she’s capable. But I doubt she’d be very willing to help out a dragon, and I’m not in the mood to risk another encounter with someone like her. I’d like to go at least another month without needing to fight for my life.”

Julius scratched his rough-shaven cheek. “Well, to be honest, there’s no telling how those two might measure up, and I’d still really appreciate your help. At best, we end up not needing it, but at worst your strength might make all the difference. As for her willingness to help, I have an idea about that, as well. But it all depends on how her meeting with the man goes. I’m thinking that once she meets him face to face, she’ll realize just how dangerous he really is. In that case, she might be willing to ignore the fact that you’re a dragon and join us, just for this one fight. Come on, Leolyn! What do you say?”

I considered his words for a time, mulling over the options. I really don’t like any of this, Rill. There’s a lot of ‘if’s’ and ‘maybe’s.’ Moreover, I don’t relish the thought of ever seeing that man again, if we can help it. Throw an especially powerful dragonslayer into the mix, and I think we should run for the hills.

She was silent for a few moments before she replied, I understand where you’re coming from, Leo, I really do. But, think back on all the people we’ve met and seen so far who are suffering under Marik’s rule! I know you want to help them, and this might be our only chance. We can help to change the lives of thousands of people for the better. If you pass up this opportunity, you’ll always wonder what might have happened.

I blinked, and looked at her in surprise. She was right. The entirety of my life on Earth, I had regretted the things I had not done more than the things I had. But this was different. This was quite literally a matter of life and death. There was no way I could make this decision halfheartedly, for her sake as well as my own.

Sensing my hesitation, she added, Plus, I’d like to at least find out what happened to the others. Come on, the least we can do is see where this leads. You don’t need to agree to anything right now.

I sighed, and after a while, questioned Julius, “You said this Umbra is having a meeting with Marik? What’s that all about?”

“Ah, right. I’m not entirely sure myself. The Pope sent us here, but Umbra was sent on behest of the king. I’m not sure how Johel managed to talk her into it. She’s notoriously headstrong, but that lad’s also too clever for his own good sometimes. Who knows what he might have planned? I will say that this timing is certainly coincidental.”

“Alright, I just have one more question, for now. Something that’s been bothering me since the fight. Say we somehow manage to defeat Marik, against all odds. What happens next?” The words of the Bandit King echoed in my ears as I explained, “The bandits might be ruthless savages, but it can’t be denied that their occupation has some upsides. They might terrorize the people, but they’re also kept just under control enough that they don’t unnecessarily kill too many, because Marik needs the people for his system to function. I’m not saying I agree with his methods, but if we remove him, that all collapses. Don’t you think we’d be doing more harm than good, in the end?”

Julius considered my words carefully, humming to himself. At length, he replied, “You’re right, at least in principle. The people have been forced to accept their loss of freedom and some basic rights in exchange for a very situational sort of protection, and I’m sure that there are those who see it as welcome. However, it is my opinion that the greater majority of them would rather be free to fail on their own terms, than continue to live under bandit rule. Wouldn’t you agree?”

I nodded slowly, recalling the people of Layhaven and Lakeside, who had fought with us despite knowing the consequences. “Based on everything I’ve seen so far, yeah. But if we are successful, it would leave behind a massive power vacuum. At worst, it could cast this entire region into a civil war. Is that really any better than the way things are now?”

“Eastelias is on the brink of ruin, that much is true,” the man admitted, “But that was also part of King Johel's agreement with the Church. You see, beyond the eastern border of Eastelias lies a massive stretch of tainted land, the Dreadlands, the site of an ancient and devastating war humanity once waged against demonkind. It’s a terrible place, one of constant decay and corrosion, where the ancient dead still walk the land. And it’s spreading. Slowly, maybe a pace each year, but even so, we cannot leave it unchecked. The Church has always had a strong relationship with Eastelias because of this, and prior to Marik’s occupation, our holy knights served as the bulwark shielding humanity against its steady advance. It has always been a guiding interest of the Church to cleanse that land, and this is why the Pope sent us on this expedition. In return, King Johel somehow got him to agree that, once Marik is dealt with, the Church will do all it can to stabilize the region in the wake of his demise."

The Dreadlands? Constant decay and corrosion, where the dead still walk.

I was reminded of what Exziel had told me, during our meeting in the spiritual plane, Everything he touched withered away, and even the gods of this world were powerless to stop him… We sacrificed our physical bodies to seal away portions of Caius’ strength…

“Hmm,” I mused aloud, thinking to myself, Could that place be the site of their final battle, the place where Exziel and his companions gave their lives? If so, that corrosion he’s talking about can’t be so easily purified. Still, I am glad to hear that they’ve thought this through. To Julius, I said, “I see, then perhaps I owe you an apology. It seems that there are some contingencies in place, after all.”

Julius shook his head. “No, if anything I owe you an apology. I must admit that I was initially hesitant after meeting you, despite how human you might seem. Hearing you give so much genuine thought as to the wellbeing of the innocent people whose lives are at stake is reassuring. It has also helped to assuage any doubts I might have had about what happened in Layhaven.”

I chuckled, telling him, “It’s alright, I’d be more concerned if you didn’t have any misgivings. I think Rill’s the only one in this entire world who simply accepts me for who I am, after all.”

“H-hey!” Rill protested both mentally and aloud, her cheeks turning red.

Julius hid his own laugh behind a fist, and then asked, “You still haven’t given me a proper answer, Leolyn. I know that you understand the dangers, perhaps better than anyone else. But that is precisely why I am so hopeful. Will you help us?”

I looked back and forth between them, still not able to make up my mind. I’ve already told you my thoughts, Rill said, but if it helps, you and me are pretty similar, Leo. We’re both prideful, and we hate to lose. You might not recognize it, or be willing to admit it, but I can tell that you’re itching for a rematch. Just thinking about everything he’s done tears you up inside, am I right? Well, this might be your only chance. These people are willing and ready to lay down their lives for this cause, and they’ll fight by your side with everything they’ve got.

Surprised by Rill’s straightforwardness, I laughed as I realized she was absolutely right. I hated the fact that I had lost. That we had lost. However, I also had to face reality and acknowledge that Marik was uncompromisingly more powerful than us. Could this Umbra really be the key to overcoming that seemingly insurmountable strength?

Thanks, Rill, I thought, and told Julius, “I can’t agree, not yet. Not until I see this Umbra and how she compares.”

And whether or not she’ll be willing to help us at all.