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He entered the caves alone, Karamir. Akira was outside. In fact she sat on the same rock that they were sitting on previously. The mighty dwarf was frail now, as his eyes searched for the thing that he counted most precious to him. The other dwarves knew a darker presence was among them. They made way for the man. The younger dwarves and women stood behind the men, as the fearless dwarf made his way inside. His eyes grew sharp now like a predators as he glanced at everyone. There were eyes that met his, some weaker men at once took their eyes off him. They looked down mostly out of fear.

Akira, meanwhile outside threw small stones in a playful manner. The thought of Leonadir slowly faded away from her memory. But it never left her heart. She had accepted it, in fact. That he would forever stay in her heart. However, her mind was contemplating things that would be catastrophic in nature. Mostly to her own kind. She had come to hate the people of her own skin, lately! Yet her heart bore love for the people who looked like her mother. One arm yearned for the dwarves while the other reached out for her own kind. Her palms crushed the rock she was holding. It was broken into a few small pieces. Her eyes glanced at the caves

Karamir's met Thronirs. There was silence all around. Both had their hands on their weapons and treaded carefully. Karamir knew he had met a man who was ready to give his life up for an ideal. And there he realised, so did he! He was ready to give his life up to be with his family. A glance at the eyes of his wives would give him eternal peace. One last look and he would be ready to face death. Then perhaps, death would not scare him. But for now, it did scare him. He was not ready to die, not yet. His eyes softened, but he looked at the eyes of Thronir. It did not. It stared at him as fierce as it could. He was prepared for death at any moment. Karamir knew it was time for him to accept defeat. Again, for the first time in a very long time, he had realised that he was slipping. The image of his wife flashed before him. " Galiel " he called out. Who is that asked the deep voice of Thronir. Who was what? asked Karamir. The name you just whispered loudly in these caves. That is my wife "Galiel" whose name I had called out, replied Karamir. Thronir took his hands of the axe he was holding. He did not utter a word, he just stepped aside to let the dwarf slide. Karamir nodded in gratitude and walked past the man, he would soon go on to admire. And what he would not realise in his lifetime is that, the admiration would be mutual! The kids now surrounded him and aided him in his search. He shouted "Galiel". And the kids too shouted " Galiel", "Galiel". The names rung so loudly, echoing around the caves! It even reached the ears of Akira!

Galiel! She said and smiled to herself! It started to pour down, first a few drops and then all drops at once. She sat there drenched, occasionally wiping the drops off her face. Still, the words 'Galiel' ringing around the caves. The tiny rocks she held in her palms, were floating around like ships on the ocean. There could have been thunder, but it never thundered in the planet. Nor was there no lightning! However there was a strange light that came down from the pouring rains. It was a ship, and a familiar face showed itself yet again. " The masked man " she thought!