Extra – An Alternate End

Ramiel was about to drink wine on the harbor of Tal alone but somehow he didn’t feel like it. Instead, he walked around the market stalls and bought something that kept him awake and full of energy. While walking he noticed the pagoda like lanterns in the Far East corner of the city. Seeing this, Ramiel felt a bit curiously and walked to this place.

This place was lively. There were different stalls selling different kind of merchandises that Ramiel didn’t see before. While browsing the stalls, Ramiel saw a familiar dagger. It oozes with vigor and seeing it, Ramiel asked the stall owner.

“Oh, you mean this? Some mercenary looted it from a dire wolf in the Town of Tal. The Mercenary said that the dagger was stuck on this dire wolf’s neck. It was quite a sight to see. Even made him wonder how such an old dire wolf can live.”

“Holy, shit.”

Ramiel could not believe his ears. That dire wolf sounds like the one he stabbed during the time he was looking for that flower for the lady of Argos. And seeing this dagger, Ramiel felt that he really needed to buy it. So, Ramiel asked the price of the dagger. The dagger costs around for about 1000 gold. So Ramiel bought it and inspected it. Inspecting the dagger, Ramiel felt a sudden sharp energy entering him. This energy sapped him of the weakness that was consuming him and even he himself doesn’t know that his vitality was returning. The dagger has properties that somehow made it filled with vigor. The dagger has been bathed in blood within the hundred years of the dire wolf battling. The dire wolf was quite a fierce being that allowed it to be protected. Actually, the dagger was an ancient dagger that caused ‘luck’ to the user. So the dagger piercing the wolf made the wolf the ‘user’ of the dagger. If Ramiel had this dagger then maybe he wouldn’t have suffered. It was that extraordinary that it can be considered as a misfortune of his for losing this dagger.

But Ramiel wouldn’t know about it. He was clueless to anything magical despite being a hundred-year-old being. So he just carried the dagger with him and inserted on his right bracer where his hidden blade is located. Inserting the dagger on the bracer of his hidden blade a small clank sounded out. Ramiel inspected his bracer but seeing that there was nothing wrong he just ignored it and continued browsing the stores, buying food and drink. It seems that his plan to drink on the harbor was outright dumb compared to the food and drink here. So for once, Ramiel thought of himself as smart for actually going against his instincts and enjoying the bazaar on this place rather than being alone in the harbor with a gourd filled with wine.

...

Ramiel carried his food with him and sat near the edge of the cliff where there are Pagoda lanterns. Sitting, Ramiel ate and drink on the food he has while watching the liveliness of the bazaar. He thought that indeed this place as a better location, unlike the harbor. It was lovely and for once it wasn’t gloomy. Ramiel thought that he shouldn’t really be so gloomy, and not to mention he felt somehow invigorated and not weak. Ramiel wondered why but in the end he thought it was just the atmosphere of the Bazaar energizing him up.

Ramiel sat happily. And as he sat he saw a robed person looking for a place to sit. Ramiel usually doesn’t talk to just anyone but this time he went against his instincts and told the robed person to sit down near his spot.

“Sit here.”

“Is it okay?”

“Yes, it is. A great night isn’t it?”

“Ah, indeed it is. Are you new to this bazaar?”

“Yeah, I never knew that they gather like this here.”

“This bazaar has been founded years ago after the harbor was complete. With the harbor being wide and big, many of the galleon ships would stop by in order to rest until they can continue their journey. The bazaar was once a fall only event but seeing that the people wanted more of it. They let it happened every week. You are quite lucky to witness the bazaar. You are an adventurer right?”

“I think so?”

Ramiel wanted to tell the robed person that he was looking for a place to die. But considering the atmosphere and the gloomy tone of it, Ramiel went against his instincts and didn’t say that.

“I see...I hope that you are having fun then.”

“Yeah, I really like the food and wine here.”

Saying that, the two started talking, Ramiel was planning to leave but somehow he didn’t feel tired. He went against his tiredness and conversed with the robed person. While talking the two felt soothe, they didn’t know why but they just talked as if they knew each other for a while. After for a bit, the two went silent. Ramiel drank his last of the wine and ate his remaining food. Ramiel then dusted himself and was about to stand up.

“Are you done?”

“Yeah, I think so...the food was quite great. Maybe I will buy more since I have the money to spend anyway.”

“Is that so? How about you wait? I think my granddaughter will be here sooner. Or she should be. That young lady sure is late.”

“Sounds tempting I guess I will?”

Saying that Ramiel tried to sit on the ground, but as he did his hidden blade popped out. It flew towards a lantern which made the pagoda lantern drop on the ground, making the guy carrying the wine throw his wine at Ramiel’s face, wetting his Shemagh.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, I am fine.”

Ramiel cursed his luck and grabbed the dagger he bought and placed it on his belt instead. The Shemagh he was wearing was quite wet, so he removed it and mumbled while doing so. After removing his head, showing his face, he looked at the robed person only to see the robed person silently staring at him.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah...ah...Ramiel?”

“That’s me? How did you know?”

“You are alive?”

“Do I know you?”

Ramiel wasn’t sure what the robed person was saying. The robed person was quite covered from top to toe so obviously he wouldn’t able recognize the robed person.

“It’s me!”

The robed person pulled the cloth covering her face and revealed hers face to Ramiel. A whitish blonde hair, long ears, and certainly a charming faze oozing with beauty. The robed person was quite beautiful. Ramiel was stunned for a while at the beauty of this person. He was baffled and only through a warm feeling on his lips and his jumbled memories being hammered by that sensation that Ramiel finally remembered.

“It has been a long time Peronell.”

“It has been truly. Welcome back Ramiel”

Saying that Peronell made a warm smile as the lanterns behind her back illuminated her. There are tears in her eyes, and seeing this lovely woman looking at him with affection. Ramiel couldn’t help but smile too.

He felt truly happy as if his heart would burst any moment within this dream-like moment.

-End-