Dragon Realm Cypress

Elucard hiked through the small thicket outside the city. He walked the winding path, his body wrapped in a large wool poncho, covered with the snow that had been falling since the previous night. The striped birch trees gradually gave way to a log cabin nestled near a frozen river.

The cabin had only been around for the last few years, but Elucard spent most of his free time there either fishing or relaxing within the shade. He considered the cabin a place of serenity from his chaotic life as a soldier, even though he didn’t call it his home.

Elucard rapped his fist on the cabin door. He tucked his frigid nose into his poncho collar, blowing air into the wool to warm up his face. As winter continued, the days had gotten colder, but in the darkness of his thoughts, blizzards raged. He’d hope he would find respite at the cabin today.

The door opened and Elucard shuffled in, minding to kick the excess snow from his boots.

“It has been some time since you’ve visited, my student.”

“I come seeking guidance, Master.” Elucard bowed to his old mentor, Legion. Since becoming a Ghost Fox, Elucard didn’t have the time to visit Legion’s home anymore.

The battle-scarred elf took Elucard’s poncho and hung it on a bronze hook along the wall. He pulled out a chair by a table for his student to sit as he fixed a kettle of hot tea.

“What troubles you?”

Elucard stared at Legion’s longsword displayed on the wall. It had seen much bloodshed, but now was retired as a reminder of the death in his master’s life.

Perhaps it is time to hang my sword up as well, before I hurt any more of my friends.

“I fear the Rabbit in me has returned,” said Elucard, “A part of me thought I had hidden it away forever so that it might see the light of day again.”

“That which we hide, will eventually see the light.” Legion placed a small cup in front of Elucard before pouring it full of steaming tea. “You know you cannot run from your past, you have to live with it and the sins you have committed.”

Elucard wiped his finger around the rim of his cup. “It's as though no matter how much I try to forgive myself- the more I try to live with my Black Rabbit self, and I end up relying on it in the end.”

Legion pulled a chair next to his troubled student. “What have you done, Elucard?”

“I hurt those I swore to protect,” whispered Elucard, “My friends, my brother, my king. I betrayed their trust... and I did it without hesitation.”

“I feel this is my fault.” Legion placed his hand on Elucard’s shoulder. “I trained you well. I have severed your morality from your heart. I did it so you could die as a child, but survive as a Black Rabbit.”

Elucard lowered his head. “What I did to them... needed to be done.” Elucard looked to Legion, his magenta eyes burned with a cold fire. He had no love in his heart, only bitterness and pain. “They may never forgive me and I know I need to live with that, but am I a monster because of this?”

Legion stayed quiet, only bowing his head. Finally, he broke his silence, “I tried to turn you into a monster, Elucard, but monsters feel no regret.”

Elucard’s eyes blurred from forming tears. “All I know is regret.”

Legion tightly gripped Elucard’s shoulder, “Then you are no monster, my son. The actions you take from here shall prove to others what I already know in my heart.”

Elucard grew a wide smile.

“Tell me, my son, have you found someone special to bring over yet?” laughed Legion, “You aren’t getting any younger.”

“I can say the same for you, Master!” Elucard blushed red to the tip of his ears.

The two elves chuckled over their tea well into the night.

***

Wiccer brushed the snow off his brother’s tombstone and placed his silver captain’s insignia on top of the cool stone. He wrung his hands, nervous of his new placement in life. No longer a soldier. No longer a fighter. Only Wiccer now.

“Avren…” he said, “Thank you for always being there for me. Even- Even when you don’t seem to be there at all…” Wiccer choked up, his chest became tight. “I know you are still there. Helping me find my way through the forest... you, Mother, and Father.

Wiccer let out a long sigh and squatted down to get closer to Avren’s gravestone. “I don’t know how to tell you this, but I no longer want to carry my sword. I’ve become something I am ashamed of when I take a life.” He grazed his hand over the inscription on the marble stone. “I’m not as strong as you, I’m sorry. Not as strong as Father, either. Just not strong, I suppose.”

“Strong enough to know when to find peace, Wiccer”

Wiccer grinned. “Thank you, Avren. I knew you would understand.”