He whose heart is filled with fear,
Cries his bones when blood is near.
Love so mere he walks away,
Believes he got another day.
Head to death, and fight the old,
Before dawn claims what's been told…
…
"Oel…" Leo muttered as he slowly woke up. "What are you singing?"
Nothing.
"Okay, but I swore I heard something."
I'm in your head, stupid. Of course you'll be hearing stuff. Anyway, when you'll be leaving?
"Leaving?" Leo whispered.
Yes! Don't tell you are planning to stay with the people you almost killed.
"I didn't kill anyone!" The words came out louder than expected. Someone muttered something near him, but none were awake. Fortunately.
Yeah, yeah. Leo, the kindest soul, is never capable of killing anyone. What about the strays then?
"I haven't met any yet. I don't think they are real. Maybe just stories to scare the children."
I don't care. You need to leave. If they find out your name isn't Junius, who knows what could they do to you.
"I… uh… I don't know… what should I do…?"
What you need to do is leave. Right. Now.
Leo didn't respond.
He picked up his backpack, filled with some food and water, and headed north. There was no point searching in the city. Or that's what he thought.
The morning cold air brushed against Leo's scarred cheek. It was mid-spring. Today was supposed to be Alex's sixth birthday. Leo made a small cake from mud and a burning wooden stick, and sat around it until noon.
"Happy birthday, Alex." He repeated until his throat was sandpaper from thirst.
If it wasn't for a mutated animal, who knows how long Leo could have stayed there.
…
He started to count the days. Then the hours. Then the minutes. Then the seconds.
Every night, he would sit around the fire, trying to will the bracelet to life again and again.
Every morning, he would hunt using his bow. One killed; a dozen missed. But over time, the dozen became ten, then five, then none.
Every noon, he would walk and talk none-stop. Either to Oel, to the wind, or to his lost family. The further he walked, he thought he was going to see the edge of the calamity. But there was no edge.
Every evening, he would sit and eat in silence. Eyes red.
But Leo failed to prepare. Food was depleting. Water was getting scarce by the second. A day's meal was spread over a week. His body and mind protested, but he muted them all.
While crossing a deserted area, Leo's canteen was empty. His lips were cracked. Even sweat couldn't form. If he still had the bracelet, he could have made water from his energy. Finally, his body gave out. He fell to the ground, dust and sand filling his face. He could see Betty's face, her beautiful warm smile. He laughed. He liked looking at her, so he laughed.
"Oel! Look Betty is here! I told you we are saved!" Leo coughed the last breath he had.
My job is done… for now… goodbye Leo.
"Oel? Come with us! Look! Every Yuki and Alex are here with us!"
…
Blackness engulfed Leo, but this time, he was smiling. Happy.
…
The knight of cowardice is bleeding gold,
For humans loved him a thousandfold.
Rest my child, as now is night,
For death already ate the light…
…
"Wake up! Hello?! Are you still alive?!!" someone was shouting at Leo's body. They made Leo drink water, and only after he coughed his life.
"Thank God, you are still here," the voice cleared for Leo. And when he opened his eyes. He saw… him.
A boy.
Leo jolted back, but his body was weaker to even do that.
The boy — which his name was Lloyd — helped Leo stand on his feet. He gave him water and a bit of food, but he vomited everything out.
Still, Leo was most thankful.
"My name is Lloyd," Lloyd announced. He was a dog-human hybrid. He specifically had a tail, ears and enhanced physical abilities that dogs have. "What about you?"
"I… uh… My name is…" Leo stuttered, half waiting for Oel, but his mind was silent. "My name is Junius."
He lied again. He had to. Lying was better than death.
"Nice to meet you, Junius." Lloyd smiled.
"What happened to you?" Leo muttered under his nose. He meant it for himself, but Lloyd heard it clearly.
"Me? After the calamity, I woke up like this," Lloyd said, but his voice became deeper by each word. "But if I found out who did it, I will turn their insides into food for strays."
"Wh—Why is that?"
"You ask me why? Do you know how it feels like to wake up and see your mother dead? To wake up and see that crowbar pierced her eye and brain? Do you know how it feels like to be drenched in your own mother's blood?" Lloyd eyes reddened. "I woke up with her blood in my mouth! I woke up with her dead hand holding mine! She was there for my until she died! I swear that if I ever crossed paths with who did it, I will personally make sure that they will feel EVERY drop of torture I have been through a millionfold."
"…"
"I… I'm sorry I didn't mean to dump all that on you. You seem like a good kid." Lloyd smiled.
I- I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it. Leo's mind screamed with no sound.
Lloyd gestured for Leo to go to sleep. He would be guarding tonight. But Leo refused.
"I guess I could use some company for tonight." Lloyd patted Leo's shoulder, then continued, "There is actually a new village that's being established."
"Village?" Leo finally spoke.
"Yeah. Every survivor is gathering there to rebuild society again. You never heard of it?"
"No… I guess not."
"Okay, then tomorrow morning we'll go to it. It's near the shore so about two weeks journey at our pace."
"Oh... Okay…" Leo trailed off.
Despite Leo trying to staying awake, he fell asleep. It had been two months since he left the survivor's camp. Today was his sixteenth birthday. It was also the same day he met Lloyd.
But Lloyd couldn't just stay awake. He put Leo in an old cart and dragged him.
"The longer I wait, the further the monster gets away," Lloyd muttered.
The next morning, Leo woke up to find himself getting dragged. "Lloyd, what's happening?" He asked immediately, eyes half open.
"I just couldn't wait."
"But… aren't we heading east? I thought the village was far north…" Leo said, his voice low.
"I know, but trust me, it's important…"
Leo didn't push further, he just complied with everything Lloyd said. Instead of a two weeks journey, it took them two months to reach the promised village. It loomed before them as its small houses and dirt roads cleared in the horizon, illuminated by dawn's light.
During those two months, Leo's bracelet shook violently that it sent him in a deep sleep for six weeks, not remembering anything in the meantime. Even Lloyd didn't explain. He was just chill about it. Said that he just carried Leo all the way.
The village was home to hybrids. No humans. No horned. Just hybrids.
Leo looked at them all. He was going to introduce himself as Junius again. Their forms. Their features. All his fault.
…
"I'm sorry…" Leo whispered.
"It's fine. It's not your fault," Lloyd answered back. Pushing Leo into the village.
It's not my fault… Felix pushed me… He did all of this… But what if… where are you, Oel?
A coward's dawn.