It was there.
The black stone stood out among the rest.
Marked with those cursed words.
It spelled the name " Sunless".
************************************************
Nephis stood straight but inside she was wavering, her eyes seemed to flicker.
She seemed to waver, her resolve flickering.
Waning as she read those words.
But nephis had never been broken so easily.
For what could be...
'A lie'
Her body next moved in perpetual motion before her mind could think any further.
The blessing was drawn, it's blade willed in her fury.
************************************************
Jet looked at Changing star, she stood solemnly in fron of her. Not moving.
But jet was no fool. She could sense it. It was subtle but she knew it.
And it occured.
The statue like frozen body moved at exhilarating speed, wielding a long blade.
It's target?
Her
Jet used her own blade to meet it, the straight up assault had even transcended her expectations.
She looked at nephis, what met her were ruthless eyes devoid of sympathy and rationale that jet had hoped for.
There was not reason on them, only emotion and will backed by the raw belief and willpower that nephis wielded.
The relentless strike continued, as a combat veteran Jet knew, that the purpose was not to kill her.
Yet, it was without mercy that the strikes came.
After all she was dealing with a person the same rank as her but one who just may be deadlier. Nephis had not used her aspect on jet yet, clearly a intent to not exaggerate the already boiling conflict by the rational part of her mind
Finally the eventful silence was broken by a question.
"How dare you?"
Jet asked in reply.
"Dare what?"
"How dare you build a grave for him. Are you really so inconsiderate to declare him dead without searching, without hope, or are you so accustomed to conflict, that is just a normal occurrence for you."
Nephis's blade halted. Prompting the end of the unexpected exchange. Changing Star's partners stood at the side all this time. Wanting to find a moment to intervene, yet a reluctancy.
Reluctancy due to fear. Fear of what nephis had become.
"I found his body, it's buried there" Jet answered.
Sealing the fate of the hopeful.
************************************************
Nephis's gaze traced once more to that same Blackstone.
Next her feet moved on her own.
It did not take time for her to reach it.
Then her hands grasped the firm soil.
Then they uprooted it. Searching for something.
Upturning the earth one by one. Something finally revealed itself.
It was 'Sunny'
A breathtaking body lay in complete silence.
It was nor damaged nor decomposed, as if 'alive'.
Something burnt, burnt inside her, a will, a hope.
But destiny had thought better.
"Wake up sunny"
She spoke in desperation.
He did not respond.
She hurdled the body, asking for a response.
He did not respond.
"Wake up, are you trying a prank again."
She said softly.
He did not respond.
Why?
He did not respond.
Why did you leave me again.
He did not respond.
Wake up.
He did not respond.
Sunny, I'm sorry. Please wake up.
He did not respond.
I've come a long way to get you.
He did not respond.
Wake up.
He didn't wake up.
She pried open the eyes, they did not move.
She hurdled him more, yet he did not move.
Why?
The question was answered by silence.
No.
Yes
The answer came from no else. It was her, a part of her, that knew the truth.
The carcasses of ascended creatures just did not decompise that easily.
Sunny.
He was gone.
Gone forever.