Chapter 27: Caves remnant part 3
[Scene: Inside the Cave – Post-Battle Silence]
Synoh opens his eyes slowly. The cave ceiling above him is faintly lit by flickering torches. He hears faint voices and senses a calmness that wasn't there before.
Captain Elara (gently):
"Good. You're awake."
Synoh turns his head slightly. Captain Elara, Captain Alistair, and Lux are all nearby, watching him with a mix of relief and concern.
Lux (teasing but worried):
"Was that your new technique? You trying to give us a heart attack?"
Synoh lets out a tired smirk, but before he can answer—his body slumps again. He faints.
---
[Scene: Outside Synoh's Room – Night]
Fel floats nearby, eyes glowing faintly as he guards over Synoh. Shadows swirl softly around Synoh's body, the lingering dark aura making the air thick.
Captain Alistair (whispers to Lux):
"…That power. It wasn't normal. What happened in that cave?"
Lux looks at Synoh silently for a moment before answering offscreen. Whatever he says isn't revealed, but it causes the captains to share a serious glance.
Captain Elara:
"Then we leave him be. Only Captains are allowed to enter this room. Understood?"
Lux nods.
---
[Scene: Next Day – Morning at the Village]
Division 7 prepares to depart. Villagers wave goodbye, their faces more hopeful than before. Division 10 members smile as they receive kind farewells—food, flowers, and thanks.
Villager Elder:
"You're all heroes. Especially that young man… Synoh."
Dred (quietly):
"…Didn't expect that from the kid."
---
[Scene: A Small Monument Outside the Cave]
A new grave marker is placed near the cave entrance. A plaque reads:
"Here lies Sir Eremond, the Knight of Lost Vows. He guarded a noble girl until death, and even in death… he remained."
A short flashback is shown: A noble girl laughing with a young knight. Bandits attacking. Flames. Screams. Eremond carrying her body into the cave, wounded and dying. His last vow echoing:
Eremond (ghostly voice):
"I will never leave your side… not even in death."
---
[Scene: Final Farewell]
As Division 7 marches off, Division 10 remains in the village a bit longer. Captain Elara stands in front of the villagers.
Captain Alistair:
"We'll leave soon. But if anything strange happens again… don't hesitate to call us."
Villager Woman:
"Thank you. And… we're sorry. We didn't know that cave was sacred."
---
[Narration Over Scenery of the Cave Sealed with a Barrier Spell]
> "The ghost knight wasn't a monster. Just a broken soul… bound by an old promise. It wasn't hatred that turned him violent. It was sorrow… triggered by the disrespect of the living."