"What's a sword saint? Or a divine general?" The boy asked
The man had taken a break from speaking. As he normally does during something involving Nyx. But what the boy found strange is that, he spoke fondly of Jack, the leader of the group. Seeming to not hold anything against him now.
"Titles. The Sword Saint Miriel was the greatest swordswoman in history. There was no weapon she couldn't wield and no fight she could lose.
And the Divine General Joseph's body was rumored to be indestructible. As no weapon could ever wound him. At least not in his prime."
The boy nodded to these explanations.
"So how come Josiah is super good with a sword? Is it because they are his parents?"
"You are familiar with blessings yes?" The man asked to which the boy agreed, "Well no two people can have the same specific blessing at a time. The sword saint died when Josiah was born, and her blessing was passed on to him."
Huh? It can work like that? The boy still was confused. If blessings worked like that then why didn't anyone now have strong blessings from the past? What are blessings really? He knew they gave some people the ability and to have supernatural powers but otherwise he didn't know anything else.
"It'll be explained child, as will all things when the story is over."
The boy nodded, and the man began again…
Night had fallen, and yet Josiah still sat with Nyx's corpse. He had already cleaned the blood from her the best he could. His eyes no longer able to cry. His voice no longer able to scream. He simply sat in silence holding her. Until finally he decided he couldn't stay.
He picked up her body as gently as possible and carried it outside. Finding a suitable spot on the ground he began digging a hole. Using only his hands he dug and dug even after his nails cracked and his hands became bloody. Once it was large enough he lowered her body into it and began to cover it.
Kneeling next to the grave he made Josiah heard a voice call out to him.
"Oh great! You haven't left yet. Jeez I was worried I was going to have to chase after you."
Turning around he saw Jack standing behind him. No longer filled with rage, only grief Josiah was able to actually inspect him… her?
Jack had long black hair, and extremely feminine features. With green eyes that seemed almost too green. But sported impressive muscle mass for a female. Noticing Josiah staring Jack started explaining.
"Okay I get it, this is a tad awkward. But listen I have an offer! Let me tag along with you!"
"No." Josiah turned back to his wife's grave trying to find peace but Jack kept talking.
"Aww cmon! Listen I can't go back to Wolfhaven, cause they'll, you know kill me. And you can't go back to Elysium because you are uh. Technically dead."
Now, Josiah was paying attention. "Explain. How exactly am I dead?"
"Oh! Yeah you wouldn't know, but the day you left the Nobles announced you dead, and took over, and kind of made themselves hero's in the eyes of the public. Claiming to have 'tried to save you from cultist' or some bull. Anyway you can't go back. So we should stick together!"
Josiah paused, trying to process the information. As much as he wanted to say Jack was lying, it made sense. If one noble betrayed him, why wouldn't they all? The nation was united yes, but only because of the foundation his father layed down. It was a fragile balance.
"So, Jack. You think I'm just going to trust you and allow you to follow me? You don't even know where I'm going."
"Sure I do! You're going to Wolfhaven, right? To kill Thalorin. You'll want help I promise. As for trusting me, I owe you my life right now. A mercenary takes debts very seriously." Jack nodded proudly at his background. Really trying to sell it.
Josiah didn't trust it, not at all. But he had a feeling that Jack would follow regardless. Like the smell of shit after stepping in it.
Mentally saying his last goodbyes. Josiah stood up, catching a glimpse of the crone in the distance in his peripheral vision. Nodding her head almost in approval before disappearing from his view.
Turning to look at Jack, the whispers in his mind growing louder as he spoke. Josiah addressed her.
"You can come with. But if you die it is not my burden to bear. The king is dead. And an avenger has been born. Everyone responsible will die, don't let yourself end up on the other end of my blade."
Jack stared at him with awe, and.. admiration?
"Aye Aye Captain! Also. In case you're wondering, no I'm not a woman."
Josiah waved Jack off, who only started giggling.
"We'll leave in the morning. I'll take watch, get some rest."
Jack nodded fanatically, "You got it, Goodnight!"
Josiah went back to the grave and sadly stared down at it.
"I promise, I will avenge yo-"
Josiah got interrupted by the sound of snoring. Either Jack was stupid or naive but he had already fallen fast asleep. Laying on his coat he had on. Josiah himself was exhausted, but found out after the last couple days that he could still function without sleep.
Thinking of what is to come, Josiah decided to sit in silence the rest of the night. Swearing in his heart that he would not die until he got his revenge…