IN PLACE OF FLOWERS, THE WOLF HOWLS
The wind blew, rustling the flowers and delivering Bete’s resolution to the dead who slept beneath.
He stood alone before a gravestone bathed in evening light, ready for battle in both body and mind. He wore his silver boots, Frosvirt, as well as the twin Unbreakables, Dual Roland.
All around him stretched the countless graves that made up the Adventurers Graveyard. The headstone at his feet read Leene Arshe.
Hers was surrounded by the graves of other fallen members of Loki Familia. Standing in their midst, Bete said nothing. He simply stood there in quiet contemplation.
“Good grief,” came a voice from behind him. “There’s no need for all this sneaking around, you know.”
Bete turned to see Gareth, similarly dressed for battle but also holding a large bouquet of flowers. On the eve of their second great assault, he had come in Finn’s place to offer the thoughts and prayers of Loki Familia’s top brass. Bete clicked his tongue, then turned and began walking away.
“You didn’t see anything, old man,” he growled. “Got that?”
“If that’s how you want it, then very well,” replied Gareth. “I won’t tell a soul. However, I fear it may be a trifle too late.”
Bete stopped in his tracks. The wolf ears atop his head twitched. He slowly turned and looked past Gareth’s triumphant smile to the stooped-over hume bunny in his shadow, Rakuta.
“Awawawa!” she cried.
Bete said nothing. He strode over to her, grabbed her by the lapels, and lifted her off the ground.
“Speak a word of this, and I’ll turn you into rabbit stew. Got it?”
“Erm…er…I…”
“Got it?!”
“Y-yes, sir!!”
Bete scowled and tossed Rakuta aside before stomping off for real this time.
“M-Mr. Bete!!”
Bete stopped again. There were tears in the hume bunny’s eyes, though whether that was due to Bete’s yelling or not was unclear.
“We will win this fight! I’m sure of it!” she shouted.
Bete turned and looked over his shoulder, a truly displeased scowl on his face, and yelled back, “Of course we will, dumbass!”
His roar carried across the sea of graves. Rakuta gave a teary-eyed smile, while Gareth’s lips curled upward as well.
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