NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66: The Winged-Humans (27)
Rocky Breeze, watching his kind and loving goddess walk away, began preparing himself. He looked at his hands and how they were trembling, and looked as if they were under water. I see, this is what the world looks like through a film of tears. It's as if the world has been distorted… And now I see, Goddess, you showed me such kindness… Allowing me to maintain my dignity… No, you helped me to learn that tears aren't a loss of one's dignity, rather a reflection that one can still feel. You have my deepest respects, I'd even say… He thought, turning to join his fellow people.
"Welcome home Rocky Breeze." Another of the warriors said, seeing their friend walk up. "Everyone is here now. Let us pray that our feelings reach the fallen." He continued speaking, through his own veil of tears.
"Yes, Goddess has given us this opportunity to convene with our fallen friends and family." One Elder mentioned, letting out the first words they've spoken in several minutes.
"Even if they are long since gone…" Another Elder started, but decided to stop when Brightness Dragon Lord showed up.
"Forgive me but, my wife to be, wanted me to check something. I won't do it if you don't wish for me to do it… However, I must implore you to hear me out at the very least." Brightness Dragon Lord said, laying down and looking like an adorable loaf.
"Huh? You seem a little smaller than before… Did something happen to you?" Rocky Breeze asked, being the only one who could see the difference clearly enough. His tears were definitely drier than the others.
"Oh, yes. I am learning a technique to transform into a more humanoid form. All for the sake of my darling, Sil. Because women bear the brunt of reproduction, I must transform to make her part as easy as it can be made to be. She isn't able to hold her transformation for nearly as long as it takes to lay and warm a dragon's egg." Brightness answered without beating around the bush. He was being forthright.
The third Elder managed to dry their tears and then began looking at Brightness. "You… You'd go that far for our goddess…" He asked.
"Of course I will. And while it doesn't look like it right now, this is no easy process. However, I won't complain, as this must be nothing compared to a full transformation. And my beautiful and strong wife, Sil… She paid an even greater price by showing me the transformation… I wouldn't call myself a proud dragon if I didn't have the drive to deal with this issue." Brightness explained while answering the question asked of him.
"I… I see, then what was it you wanted to see?" The third elder asked.
Brightness exhaled momentarily and then looked into the elder's eyes. "I am a Dragon Lord. My magic is the power of the soul. If you'd permit it, I can use my power to help you all say final goodbyes to any souls that yet still linger here." He explained. "However, it will be only this one time. For after this, they will forever be gone, returned to the cycle of life and death. To be reborn in a new form. Furthermore, I can't promise that my evil uncle already ate them all. I can promise that I will not consume their souls. They will be set free, the fate they suffer now is one worse than death." He continued, making sure to temper the expectations of those present.
"Such a cruel fate… This world really isn't nice to anyone is it?" Rocky Breeze said gritting his teeth and clenching fists to the point of spilling blood. "You've had it rough yourself, haven't you Brightness God… Having to clean up after your family's stupidity." He continued, finally able to relax and nearly stop himself from falling over.
"Well, I'd like to clear up one thing… There is no amount of effort that will truly clean up my family's messes. I can only do what I can. And in my current state, this is the best I can do for you, the people I must protect." Brightness corrected, shaking his head. "I'll be here waiting for your decision. As it is ultimately up to you if you desire to see them one last time. It is a big decision, so take your time." He added, closing his eyes to continue focusing on his practice. And while they do that, I'll try to find the ones not close by and persuade them to come near.
The Winged-Humans that had gathered at their old gathering place, were all those who were born in these lands. The desire to see their friends one last time was as strong as ever. Yet there was still a lingering question… One that was removed once the rest of their kin appeared. All of the generations that were born and taught how to live while the tribe was on the move, joined them. It was then that a voiceless, unanimous decision had been reached.
"Brightness God, we've decided. Even if we can not see all of them. We would like to give our people's souls a proper send off. And to let their souls rest at ease. We hope that the warriors who fell are soothed at the sight of their people, alive. We wish for the others to feel comforted in that their kin survived and grew up strong. And finally we desire to put to rest any doubts, our beautiful, kind and loving Goddess has returned to us and will protect us from such evils happening again." One Elder said, as he and the other two stood, spreading their wings, signifying their resolve to continue on.
Brightness opened his eyes. "I can not say for certain which choice is the right one. However, I believe this is the right one." He smiled, opening his eyes to reveal he had been preparing the spell. "My dear Sil would likely not forgive me if I didn't help to let these souls rest in peace. I'm also sure that knowing one's people are protected will be helpful." He continued, as his magic activated.
All around the gathering, little lights began to shine. Slowly changing form into something else. Not so much a shifting of their shape, more like their form was being lit up to reveal their form.