To Put One to Rest
"AAAAAAHH!!!" [Adam] [Krino]
"STAG HAFNA GURD!!" [Corpse]
Adam dropped the book from fright, causing the corpse to release his grip on Adam's wrist. Without wasting a second, he scurried away to the other side of the room.
"S-stay back!" [Adam]
In an instant, he manifested Krino into his hands and shakily held the blade against the corpse. Even with a blade pointed at it, the body ignored Adam. It simply bent down and picked up the book. After carefully setting the book aside, it approached Adam.
"Yak… naterm shim tinarn… Tarst lek refnam?" [Corpse]
It's voice was deep and hollow, it was as if its own voice was echoing within itself.
"It… can talk?" [Adam]
"It's been talking…" [Krino]
It spoke in a language Adam had never heard of, he somehow understood it.
"You… The one who has come to my abode… What do you seek?" [Corpse]
Though it's appearance was frightening, Adam swallowed his fear and tried to converse with it.
"I… I'm looking for a soul weapon." [Adam]
Surprising himself, Adam spoke in the same language as the corpse.
"A… soul weapon…?" [Corpse]
The flames in its eyes shifted, it's gaze fixated on Adam's blade.
"I don't like this! Not one bit!" [Krino]
"I… see…" [Corpse]
The corpse glanced around and walked over to a pit of fire.
"What is he…" [Adam]
"Is he looking for something?" [Krino]
Without hesitation, it thrust a hand into the flames.
"EH?!?!" [Adam] [Krino]
After rummaging about, it pulled out a familiar ornate box from the flaming tongues.
("Isn't that… What was it called again?") [Adam]
"It's called Pandora's box. It houses a soul weapon until it comes across a vessel, in this case, you." [Krino]
("Pandora's box… You mean from that one story?") [Adam]
"The one and the same. Where do you think the story came from?" [Krino]
("I dunno, some country called greece?") [Adam]
"Hah! That's funny." [Krino]
While Adam was lost in thought, the corpse began to drag its feet towards him. Seeing the corpse come closer snapped Adam back to the present moment.
"W-wait!" [Adam]
He took a few steps back while waving his hands vigorously. Seeing Adam in a panicked state, the corpse stopped in its tracks.
"Is there… something you need…?" [Corpse]
"N-not really… but, uh… ca-can you place the box down instead?" [Adam]
The corpse looked at him questioningly, but proceeded to place the ornate box on the floor gently.
"Thanks… Now can you back up a bit?" [Adam]
Still somewhat confused, the corpse simply obliged. With the dead (living?) body far away from the box, Adam grabbed it in a hurried fashion.
("Got it. Now I just have to leave.") [Adam]
As if reading his mind, the corpse waved its hand. The air shifted, forming into the unmistakable shape of a dungeon entrance.
("Is it… telling me to go?") [Adam]
"I have… linked this room to the outside…, but I ask of you… Will you… grant me one request…?" [Corpse]
"A… request?" [Adam]
"Yes… Please grant me eternal rest…" [Corpse]
"You… You can't mean...?" [Adam]
"Indeed… But this is merely a suggestion…" [Corpse]
"..." [Adam]
("...What should I do?") [Adam]
"Just put him to rest." [Krino]
("You're heartless aren't you?") [Adam]
"I'm a sword. Why would you think I have a heart in the first place?" [Krino]
("Then you have no kindness.") [Adam]
"I'm telling you to kill him out of kindness. Look, ask him how long he's been alive." [Krino]
Ending off the conversation in his head, Adam spoke to the corpse.
"Before I actually… put you to rest… How old are you?" [Adam]
"..." [Corpse]
It remained silent. A feeling of unease came over Adam.
"It's… been a very long time… One hundred…? No… perhaps three… hundred…" [Corpse]
"See? I told you. Just kill him." [Krino]
"..." [Adam]
After realizing the corpse's pitiful state, Adam gave in. He took a step forward and strengthened the grip on his sword.
"Have you… finally chosen…?" [Corpse]
"...Yeah… But I don't want to just kill you." [Adam]
"What… do you mean…?" [Corpse]
"Everyone should value their life. Pick up a sword. Defend yourself." [Adam]
The corpse stared at him with visible confusion, but in the end it held a faint smile.
"You… are most kind…" [Corpse]