Chapter 18

Logan somehow had been overlooked. So he crawled past his dead friends and comrades on the blood soaked floor, and headed towards the door. He makes it out to see Clarence's corpse still on its knees. At that moment two creatures began gnawing on his legs, as he passed out. Fading into darkness...

Thirty years had passed since the tragic occurrence of the bursting comet and slaughter at the excursion site. Very few survived, the creatures seemingly vanished. People believe they imploded after the rune caught contact with human skin. Tybalt was never seen again. Hadrian was supposedly eaten alive, as Quinn was set free from the prison by the creatures. He soon disappeared into the night as numerous military personnel in the Arcane Militia was digested. Right before Quinn vanished he told them that the symbols written on rune was the demon's full name in their language. It was like a torn out page from their bible, etched in stone.

The rune turned out to be the source of the comet's power. From that moment, Gamon was introduced to the demon's voice, in multiple languages, and it revealed to him the secrets of the universe. It also granted him the exclusive ability to switch on the rune's regeneration. Like an on/off switch. His hand grew back instantly, once again from the black scaly worms. However, no one, especially Gamon, was allowed to touch the rune. Instead he was assigned to travel Ashovania with it, providing nourishment to dying lands. Other regions were kept blind to this as the remaining factions of the Arcane militia veiled the entire event in propaganda.

Cassius was forced back into Gamon's life to his own disdain. But the hatred wore off, and in time they bonded over survivor's guilt. He had been assigned by the Arcane militia to create a magical sealed case in which to conceal the rune, now known as the 'Arcane Rune'. Under specific authority from higher ups, he was to accompany Gamon across the country as well. Their theory was that Cassius was the only one who could subdue him. Thus, the 'peace' was still alive.

One night while roaming across a vast desert plain, Cassius caught Gamon talking and replying to himself. They were going low on water, and in desperate need to locate this forsaken hamlet called 'Legato'. The landscape, encumbered with tundra, had marred the appearance of the smooth, symmetrical sand. Sidewinders continued creating grooves all over, and there was one barren tree that resembled a skeleton arm, reaching from below. The branches' curling inward, like the hand was trying to grasp the sun. Maybe to squeeze it, hoping rain would come from it.

Cassius taps his shoulder when the one-man argument becomes too intense. Praying no one else saw his schizophrenia.

"What ills you? Do you need a tonic? You've been talking to yourself loudly, things like this must be hidden from the people," inquired Cassius, genuinely concerned.

"Yes, you are correct. I fear I've never been the same since then. I haven't aged as well. Is that not a worry to anyone? Have you not....been traumatized? Surely you haven't wished to kill me in a while," replied Gamon, getting acquainted with the new him.

"Once you learned to respect my wife, my qualms with you disappeared. In a way, you taught me about myself."

"I can't stop the voices, Cassius. I fear that this relic has brought a heavy curse to me. So you should proceed with caution. If I begin to show signs...like before, please kill me. It is highly likely that you have been cursed as well, so I would be honored to return the favor."

"I doubt that, Gamon. My mind is sounder than ever," reaffirmed Cassius, lying through his teeth as his hands began to glow pearl white.

"You are the only person I've touched while holding the rune in my palm. And you're the only one who ever fought me in that state. Be careful, Cassius."