In the darkness he laid. A prisoner, to the cursed spear that was imbedded in its chest; a prisoner to life itself.
His scales like white marble stone. His eyes, more beautiful than gems, shined more beautifully than stars in an unspoiled sky. His teeth, claws and four horns, gleamed like reflective obsidian. His once beautiful feathered wings, torn and ripped.
The old dragon wondered where his friend had gotten to.
Throughout the thousand years they knew each-other, she’d never once left his side for the three-hundred. He was glad she was going outside again—it only took three-hundred years to convince her that he’d be fine on his own.
…What is she doing? What sorts has she met? I wonder?... He couldn’t help but worry a little.
But for now, he could do little.
So, he went to sleep and dreamed of flying above the clouds, again.
__________
The skeleton stepped through the dark landscape... Leaving only a trail of death behind it...
It had been eight days since the skeleton had left its post at Ziligish’s gates, in search of the Labrador.
Its once white bones had been smeared with blood and dirt. Its spear was slick, and dripped crimson. In its burning green eyes focus shined.
Many fearsome beasts had attacked it, none had survived. The fights were toilsome at first, yes, but as they went on, the voice in its head gave better directions and advise—but with every good thing, there was a price.
...Where’s the Labrador?...
...Where’s the Labrador?!...
...Maybe it’s far from here?!...
...Maybe it’s dead?!...
...Dead...
...DEAD...
...DEAD!...
…Maybe we’re useless?...
...We are useless...
...USELESS!...
...USELESS...
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...Useless...
...We’re useless...
It wanted the voice in its head to shut-up, very much. It had been getting louder and louder with time; the questions getting more depressing. Though it had point. Maybe the Labrador had gone to some place far-away or maybe it was-
...NO!...
The skeleton wouldn’t allow such things. It will refuse such things. The Labrador must be alive; ...It must be somewhere out here, in the dark~ ness~...... Huh?...
The skeleton stopped and stared straight forwards to see something so incredibly out of place in this dark realm, that it was like a magnificent beacon.
A Labrador.
“WooF!”
The Labrador barked as it stared back at the skeleton.
The skeleton fell to its knees. Something began falling from its eye sockets. It looked down and saw sparks of green upon the ground that still fell slowly from its sockets.
What was this feeling it felt?
Ah, yes, it knew. It was...
...Completion...
It wasn’t useless. The skeleton completed its task, and at that, it could only presumably grin and let presumable tears of green embers fall.
But now a new problem had arisen from this. The skeleton gathered itself up, standing up as looked at the Labrador.
...What do... we do now!?...
What to do? The Labrador was the only real thing giving it a purpose to this moment, but now what should the skeleton do?
As the skeleton pondered on such things. The Labrador tilted its head with a curious mourn and trotted off.
…Ah! Wait for us!...
The skeleton felt compelled to follow the Labrador. What else could it do? The Labrador’s been its only real purpose for existence—other than guarding the Dark City’s gates, which this skeleton didn’t want to do anymore; such a boring and changeless task, it never really did anything until the Labrador came along. It would also be a shame for such pure creature to die in these dark lands… honestly, how did this dog survive?
…New command: follow and protect this Labrador!... Until, we find something better to do…
And the skeleton followed after the Labrador. Surprisingly, nothing threatening attacked it and the Labrador continued, with the occasional game of catch the rib-bone, all along into dark woods…
Some time passed… nothing changed…
The skeleton followed the Labrador passed another grim looking tree… another… and another…
Until, at last, the two of them came affront a large cave entrance in the side of a great cliff face. The cave was wide enough for twenty men to walk side by side, and 20 metres tall.
When the skeleton stared in, all it got back was a new feeling…
Fear…
Why?...
Was it because of the powerful presence that dwelled within the cave?...
No...
It was because of something that slept within the powerful presence...
Something different, but something similar to the skeleton...
...Unique...
While the skeleton had searched for the Labrador, those long eight days, the voice in its head rambled. And from the voice’s long ramblings, had come to know it, itself, was unique from other Undead.
While all other Undead, thought only of following the commands given to them by others; this skeleton, had as the voice put it, woke up. Before felt like a long dream, but now it commanded itself—with the aid of the voice.
What is that voice anyway, hmm?
The skeleton, looked down at the Labrador.
The Labrador looked up at the skeleton. They stared at each other for quite a while. The skeleton’s green flames flickered as it stared into the Labrador's soft, yet oddly intelligent eyes.
...Intelligent?...
And then...
“Please, help him…” the Labrador spoke, before trotting into the cave.
……What!? Don’t go in!… Even voice in its head knew it was unwise to enter.
The skeleton, didn’t understand. What did the Labrador mean? The skeleton’s self-command was to protect the Labrador, not help whoever it desired…
The skeleton, was its own damn master! It does, what itself commanded and no one else may command it!
But its own command was to protect the Labrador, so...
The skeleton, took a step forward…