Epilogue

Six long days passed as the battle continued to rage on. Ryikaria could feel her body starting to slow down and her reaction time decreasing. The winds had picked up over the course of the battle. Her body had been beaten down until she was on the verge of collapsing. Still, she managed to stay on her feet in the face of the red glaring eyes of Xrzavpe. Even though she was exhausted, she continued to smile as she watched him bring his face closer to her.

“You have earned my respect, Ryikaria the Hollow. As per our noble dragon customs, I will grant you any request that you ask.”

Ryikaria pulled off her dog tag and handed it to the dragon.

“Give my dog tags and weapons to any white haired Shadow Taker that can defeat you. Tell them, ‘I was never the best sister but I loved my little sister and hope she found happiness’. That’s all.”

Xrzavpe took the dog tag in his claw and looked to Ryikaria.

“As you wish.”

“Hey, Xrazvpe?”

After Ryikaria had placed her weapons on the ground in front of her, she felt the gentle grip of his claws around her and lifting her into the air.

“What is it?”

“If by some chance I’m able to fight you again in another life, let’s have a grand duel, okay,” Ryikarira said with a cheerful smile.

He simply nodded and placed the tip of his claw over Ryikaria’s heart. Even though she was about to die, Ryikaria smiled. She was okay with dying and ready to accept the sweet embrace of the abyss. I hope you become strong one day, Yiania, Ryikaria thought before the world around her turned black.

Holding her body in one of his claws, Xrazvpe grabbed the weapons and flew off to the east. Time passed before he had reached the peak of a mountain. Entering into one of the caves, he dug a hole deep within the place he called home. Once he was finished, he carefully placed Ryikaria’s body into a wooden box he had kept and buried her into the ground – three metres under. Covering up the hole, he ensured to place the highest quality headstone that he could find. With the tip of his claw, he etched Ryikaria the Hollow, rohkea soturi into the blank space of the tombstone.

“You will be missed, Ryikaria the Hollow.”