Kenan was alone. That was his wish. Earlier that day, the village had a huge pyre to burn and honor Rufus. For those that had a personal connection with him, well there were none. Only out of respect did anyone show up. Lucy, Doco, and the Schmitz had arrived just to support Noctis. Even Jorun had been unusually muted by Noctis’s solemn mood. Geia on the other hand, had been unusually close. Even hugging Kenan, despite her usual fear. Out of everyone there, she was the most comforting, but he didn’t know why. Nonetheless, the entire time, Nattura's words rang in Kenan’s ears.

[“Instead of avenging the dead, you can protect the living.”] Mentally his guilt was grating against his confidence. No matter how much Doco or Lucy or anyone told him it wasn’t his fault, he simply couldn’t let go of the feeling.

As tradition had it, of the village that is. They took the ashes of the fallen guardsmen and spread it all around the perimeter of the town. So that he may forever fulfill his duty and watch over his loved ones. If he had any, that is. On his request, Kenan was given a tiny capsule that had a bit of ashes in it. Not for himself, that is. He had a feeling, indescribable, that someone somewhere would want to honor Rufus’ memory.

Eventually everyone besides him left the pyre sight. On his insistent begging to do so, Kenan's family also left, leaving him alone. Except for Dion that is. As soon as no human was in sight, he got to work. Building a second, slightly smaller, pyre. Collecting both the leftover wood and getting some new. It took longer than anticipated because of his injuries, but Dion transferred the sticks. Which helped lighten the load. Once done, he fetched the two wolf bodies that were wrapped in cloth, then placed them on top.

He sat on his knees. Then using a flicker of mana he set the pyre ablaze. Somewhere in the back of his mind he held out hope. He firmly believed, while he might know it’s not true, that the soul never truly left until the body had been taken care of. So that maybe, Both Rufus and the black wolf would have the opportunity to see their bliss. Maybe.

***

I am Rufus. At least that's what you know me as. Let me backup. You could be a multitude of certain persons. However, as of writing this letter, I have yet to find somebody to keep my secret or be strong enough to honor their words. Unfortunately, I don’t think I will. No matter.

My true name is Ricard. My titles are long, as I have many of them. The one that you need to know is this. Slayer of the O’wryn family. Depending on who you talk to, you can replace the first word with Betrayer.

If you're old enough, you already have surmised my true identity. However, let me tell you the full story. Then maybe you’ll see my grief.

I was born in the slums of Clufist. The old capital of the Shio empire. When I was born, I was immediately sold for slavery. In a stroke of luck, I was bought by a loving couple, who were the heads of the royal chefs and royal stables respectively. More specifically, I wasn’t bought. More like adopted. They never could have children of their own, and took pity on me. So I was taken into the household of the Dukas.

Do not think my life suddenly got easy. No, I worked like a dog for many years. Why? Because I was repeatedly told I was a slave, and I needed to work off my debt. Before you get an Ideas, It was always the guards who told me that. My father and mother always tried to get it through my thick skull that I was their child. It didn’t matter, not to me.

When I was 12 My body had grown strong. Stronger than any kid my age. Tenure under the royal blacksmith, moving sacks of sacks of random shit for the guards, running long hours to get messages across. Any odd unordinary physical job there was, I did. I was on track to pay myself to freedom in record time.

Then, that's when things get weird.

I was in the Royal garden. Only special people were allowed in. For this place wasn’t for looks, but growing herbs for expensive potions and in some cases, poisons. Only those that had the knowledge to avoid the lethal stuff could enter. Not even Royalty were allowed in without a guide and a large amount of guard. I was moving fertilizer. I only knew enough to avoid the worst of the stuff. Plus I was sticky, dirty, and a peasant. Remember that.

In the middle of moving a bag of brown shit, I saw a girl. long brown haired, naturally tan, big brown eyes, girl around my age. She wore a beautiful white dress. Alone she was, and currently in the middle of reaching down and picking a flower. Purple with yellow dots all over it. I didn’t remember what it’s name was. But I did now. It was in a herbalist's book of very poisonous things of not to touch.

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Being the good, little boy I was. Dropped the bag, ran, tackled her away. Ruining her dress in the process. I was pulled off within seconds. Well, it was a blur. Basically, she was a princess to the O’wryn family. Not just any princess like the fourth or fifth. No, The princess. Zaria O’wryn.

I was beaten. No, I was beaten. I mean beaten. From that point, to now, I had never been that broken down In my life. Ever. I don’t remember much. Somehow I landed in mud, it was raining. Endlessly. The water was so cold I thought I was going to freeze. Then suddenly, I see Zaria running towards me with an older man, bearded and vaguely dressed as royalty. Upon closer inspection, it was the emperor of the time. Arcin O’wryn.

They both were looking down on me. Again not everything about that day was not clear. However, I remember to this point, clear as day. Arcin said this. The most powerful man in what I thought was the world. “You saved my daughter, and I wronged you in return. I owe you a debt.” What? How can a man like that owe someone like me a debt?

I was treated by the best healers money can buy. I tried to decline, because I thought my own debt would increase. Anyway, I was bed-ridden for two months. During my time under the royal roof. I talked to Zaria, a lot. Like for hours everyday. Also, I met my best friend, and brother, Curwon O’wryn, first of prince, second in line. Everyday I got closer to the two. We became an inseparable trio.

As soon as the doctor said I was good to go. I snuck out and began work again. To me, my new found friendships ended. I was a peasant, and they were Royalty. It would never work. Well, when I came home again. Sitting at the table, eating and talking happily were both the Emperor and Empress. They basically told me and my parents, I was going to be forced to be friends with their kids. Everyday I could work, however I had to either go to them, or they to me. Before me or my parents could rebuttal saying we were mere peasants. Arcin said that they caught their children sneaking out trying to find me. They weren’t the type of parents to restrict their children from finding friendship. So the sneaking out might as well be royalty sanctioned.

Oftentimes they hung out while I worked. Then I started to go to the palace more and more. Arcin talked to me as if I was his kid, and the Empress loved me as one of her own.

One day, I don’t exactly know the circumstances leading to the situation. I can’t remember. I was relaxing with Zaria watching Curwon work his swordsmanship. Somehow he convinced me to spar with him. A wooden sword in one hand and a fake shield in the other, we fought. I absolutely tranced him. I don’t know how. Well the Master at Arms was impressed. I then spared him. I got a hit in. Then got beat and flung ass over teakettle. The next morning, I found him talking to my parents. Asking if he could train me in the mornings. Well, not exactly asking. More like telling.

Sword and shield were in my hands more than bags. Eventually, I trained all day with the guy, and I became incredibly strong. Then I got magic. No, not my drunken fist tome. I had a tome of darkness.

Years passed. I grew to an adult. Somehow I was put on the battlefield with Curwon by my side. I killed many, won countless battles. Eventually Curwon took a permanent leave. I only saw him when I was home. I also saw Zaria when I wasn’t departed, which was not often. Each time I left, and I returned. The love we shared only grew. Yet mine with Curwon became more distant, and he grew… off.

Little did I now.

Zaria had left to take tenure under a powerful sorceress. As she had a natural affinity for poison. Who knew? Well, at a ball, in which I was alone, and full of O’wryn family, tragedy struck. Curwon made a deal with a devil. Why? I don’t know. He wasn’t left alive long enough for me to ask him. Anyway, he used his power to kill everybody. I tried my best to protect, and somehow retrieve my friend from the dark. It didn’t work. In one last encounter with him, I knew I had to finish it. Yet I was tired and beaten.

However, I managed it. Yet I overdrew my mana reserves and dipped into my life-force. Permanently crippling me. I was left the only one alive. When a guard saw me drive a blade into my friend's heart. Well, I would come to the same conclusion.

From that incident to how I got here, with the name Rufus is a long unneeded tale. How I went from a powerful darkness blade user to a drunken fool is even longer. Yet you do not need to know that story. If I didn’t ask you in my dying breaths. Then I will ask you now.

There is a letter with a dragon seal in the same lockbox you found this one. If you ever find yourself in front of the Shio Royalty. I am pretty much talking about Zaria, the current queen. Give it to her, and say it’s from Ricard. Tell her I’m dead too. Actually, lead off with the death part. Thank you.

Kenan put down the letter with wide eyes. After the funerals he went to Rufus-Ricard’s house. He didn’t touch anything besides the lockbox. He sat on the bed, slack-jawed. Then he looked towards Dion. Who was laying with his head on Noctis’s lap. “Well shit.”