On another dark and gloomy morning, the cold rain fell with relentless determination, striking my flesh like canine teeth. The sharp tang of petrichor filled the air with an earthy fragrance. The sun hadn't yet graced the horizon, but the demands of the day pressed on.
Each step seemed to drag my boots deeper into the mud, pulling on my foot as my emotions pulled at my soul. My leather cloak deflected the rain, yet my hood failed against the persistent winds. The cemetery stretched before me, shrouded in a thick blanket of mist that obscured the tombstones like ghosts. Navigating through the graveyard, the fog draped the scene with an appropriate tone, unsettling to most who experienced the trauma of the walking dead. It had been exactly a month since my father's death. I still didn't feel prepared to shoulder the Tavis legacy, but responsibility pushed me forward.
"Hey, dad," I knelt beside his tombstone, unstrapping his sword from my back and leaning it against the headstone. The soft rustling of wind mingled with the sound of my ragged breaths. "I... really miss you. I could use some advice." The sound of rain hitting my cloak reverberated in the silence, creating a melancholy symphony that enveloped the entire graveyard. Chilly raindrops hid my tears. The musty odor of decaying leaves and moss wafted on the breeze, carrying with it the weight of all those who lost their lives here.
"I can't stay here. The memories are too painful, and I feel trapped. This place limits me. There's nothing left for me here. My friends are gone, and grandma and grandpa have traveled elsewhere… there's nothing." A gust of wind momentarily removed my hood. My face scrunched up as water blades cut my cheeks. I didn't bother pulling it back up. The physical pain seemed to alleviate the emotional ache, the self-pity.
"Where do I go from here? What should I do? I can't sit idly by while others suffer loss and grief, and should I bring children into this cruel world when the dangers of monsters and demons await them?" Again, no response. I kicked his stone with all the strength I could muster.
"Answer me, damn it! Where are you when I need you? Why did you have to die, you…" Something aside from the rain caught my attention. Could the necromancers be back again? I hoisted my sword and spun, readying myself to fend off any fool daring to ambush me.
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"Kor'tish, friend," the green giant came from behind, a calming demeanor pacifying my emotions. I could barely make out his towering figure through the swirling fog, his sage skin glistening with raindrops as he approached.
"Kor'tish, what are you doing here?"
"Come to visit grave of friend. Find other friend."
I had invited him over. The two of us stood in silence for some time before he knelt down and whispered something in his native tongue.
As my eyes scanned the surroundings, the mist danced around the tombstones like ethereal spirits. An inexplicable presence lingered, a silent echo of my father's guidance. I felt his spirit in the cold wind and heard his whispers in the rustling leaves. The graveyard became a place of connection, a conduit between the living and the departed.
With each breath, I inhaled not just the damp aroma of rain but the essence of memories. The tombstone, once a marker of loss, now transformed into a vessel of remembrance. My father's legacy, instead of burdening me, became a source of strength and inspiration.
"I'm here, dad," I whispered, my words carried away by the wind. "In this vast world, uncertain and daunting, I carry your teachings. Your sword, a symbol of honor and resilience. I will continue onward, embracing the challenges and victories. Even in your absence, your presence is a guiding light."
As the rain persisted, it felt like a cleansing ritual, washing away grief and leaving behind a renewed sense of purpose.
Kor'tish placed his hand on my shoulder. "William would be proud. Tammy is strong and brave, like William. Heroes at heart. World needs more humans to follow example. William and Tammy are best of humans."
"I carry a great weight on my shoulders, Kor'tish. My father is alive through me, and I can not allow him to die. I must honor his name, follow his example."
"Tammy will become greater than William. Tammy will build on everything learned, pass it down to human child in future." Kor'tish rose from the tombstone, ready to return to nature's embrace.
"Kor'tish... I'm coming with you," I stated as soon as he stood up. He nodded, signaling for me to follow him.
I stood, no longer weighed down by sorrow but uplifted by my father's spirit. With his sword in hand and his wisdom in my heart, we ventured into the misty unknown. The rain continued its mournful symphony as the cemetery faded into the background.
