Dawn- An age of Darkness

The wind blew past me. The wood in the fire cracked and burned. I could feel the sadness of the dead. 

But I wasn't such a hypocrite to claim I could understand their pain.

"But that's just-"

"Sad I know. That is why the undead hate the living. That's when Trerortra sent down the angels to control the undead and save the people. And Ashirnae came to be hated by the same people who he did everything for."

I chuckled in frustration. "So in the end humans were the root of all evil just like the gods have been saying all along."

Ven stayed quiet. Lianne and Alisa didn't talk much either. 

"But even so, the gods were stupid. If they knew how humans were, then they shouldn't have done any of that and just stayed as they were. Then none of this would have happened. There would be no undead, there would be no grand monsters, there would no problems," Servesta said, eyes closed. 

I guess that was one way to see this.                           

"Well that's one view I guess. But humans were always stupid. We're too greedy. So I guess the people of this world deserved this. Our world isn't all roses too you know. We had our fair share of wars too. Even now we have civil unrest everywhere and we don't have any magic at all. But I'm feeling a little sleepy, so I'll turn in now." Dick grinned and yawned.

He wasn't wrong. Even if the gods didn't do anything and humanity lived without magic, people would always be people. Greed would always stay the same.

And yet, and yet, I couldn't accept this. 

"You keep the first watch Daarc. Wake me up before midnight," Lianne said. 

I guess she gave up on the training. 

"Okay."

I didn't know what to feel about all this but one thing was certain. Next time I meet, Ashirnae, I'd need some answers from him before I pummel him to the ground.

***

Eventually, everyone went to bed and I stood guard. 

"You sure, you don't need to sleep?"

"Didn't think you'd notice my presence." Ven was on top of a tree, just hanging his legs like some maniac. 

After becoming totally used to his almost invisibleness, I kind of knew he was here. 

"Well, I just assumed you were here."

"Hmm…" It was awkward between the two of us. I didn't know why, but we never had things to talk about. "So, who's this woman that you need to revive?"

For a second I was perplexed. "She's long-dead and-"

"Xerphas told me that you were seeking to free someone from a crystal, but if she's already passed one, my condolences."

"Oh!" For a second I thought he was talking about Brenda. I composed my thoughts. "Actually would you mind taking a look? I'm not sure if she's alive or dead."

I tried to steer the conversation in my favor. But honestly, after learning the truth about the undead, I didn't want anything to do with reanimating the dead. 

After all, the dead had suffered enough. 

He cleared his throat. "Something urgent came up, I'll be right back." His voice was a bit shaky. 

And just like that, the guy was gone. I guess he might have gotten the call of nature. 

I sighed. 

I didn't know why but I was feeling awfully sleepy. 

Yawn.

It was harder and harder to keep my eyes open. And a second later, I fell on the ground. I could hear a faint murmur of leaves… and then nothing.

***

"Ah, my head." My head throbbed. Everything seemed so bright. I tried to hold my head but I couldn't. 

Am I sitting right now?

"Looks like our esteem guest has finally awoken," a voice said. I didn't recognize it. It was very close. 

"Didn't I tell you to wake me up before midnight?" It was Lianne's voice, filled with disappointment. Also very close.

I groaned again and tried to move. I couldn't. My vision sharpened bit by bit and I finally understood the situation. We were more or less screwed. 

Bunnies! 

Yes, in front of us was an army of bunnies. They looked bigger and very humanoid. But unlike demi-humans, they were full-on bunnies and didn't have a human face. Some had muscles bulging, while others had long hair. They even wore clothes. As for our fate, we were tied together to a pretty wide tree. 

And behind us was a pretty steep hill. 

"Wha-what is going on?" I asked, with a shaky voice.

"Judging from the trio sleeping right next to us, I'd say we were drugged by some kind of sleep-inducing incense."

I looked around. We were on top of a mountain. Dick, Servesta, and Alisa were tied together to the tree next to us. They were fast asleep. 

"Wait, who are you?" 

At first, I thought the third person with us, was Ven. But it wasn't him.

"A humble, mercenary." He tilted his head and smiled. The guy was dressed in black and purple and had a smile that made my skin crawl. He had pokey facial hair that reminded me of myself. 

Though nowadays I had enough time and things to clean my face. 

I didn't like him, not one bit. His attitude was totally annoying. He thought so highly of himself that he didn't even feel the necessity to give us his name.

But I didn't have the arrogance to be choosy. "Any idea what they are doing with that?" My voice was a bit shaky but I still tried to smile. I failed miserably. 

There was a fire in front of us. A pot was above the fire and bunnies were dumping all sorts of things in there. I smiled and pretended not to even think about the possibility of the bunnies eating us. I wanted to believe that bunnies weren't carnivorous, even though I knew they were.

"You are a funny one indeed. To think you'd joke even at death's door." The merc started to laugh.