<i>There was a mother who once ruled a kingdom until her crown and her family were taken by her foes.</i>
<i>The mother had a powerful daughter, who then made a pact with the dark mist in the dark woods to drive out their foes. The daughter reclaimed the kingdom for her mother, returning the promised peace to the dark mist.</i>
<i>The mother was to host a grand coronation for her daughter, but the daughter died mysteriously right before the event.</i>
<i>Tremendous woe and then rage engulfed the mother. Her zeal to avenge her daughter was so fierce that the entire kingdom was scorched by her vengeful fire.</i>
<i>Until that fury disturbed the dark mist, who had just returned to its resting peace.</i>
<i>The dark mist demanded that the mother cease, or she would be dragged into the darkness. But in her grief, the mother remained convinced that the dark mist was the one who had taken her daughter. A desperate battle was then inevitable. The mother determined to risk her life.</i>
At the city gates, the nomad looks back at the citadel in the distance one last time.
She resists the urge to turn tail and flee at the acrid burning smell. She knows what it signifies.
She knows she should do as Nemos said, and leave the city to seek the wakemen as quickly as possible, regardless of whether Loughshinny is successful.
But despite the urgency in Nemos's voice, she did not sound like she believed things would take a turn for the better, nor did she believe that Brigid could convince the wakemen to come.
Brigid could smell the same burning smell coming from Nemos. It reminded her of the obsessions that only the dead could have.
The Exiled King
Who are you waiting for? Death? Are you just waiting for it to pat you on the back so you can have a nice little race together?
Brigid
...Who is that?
The Exiled King
Oh. I forgot you could hear me.
Brigid
I can hear you. I can even sense your presence... but I can't see you.
The Exiled King
Leave the city, outsider.
Brigid
You're an outsider too, by the sound of it.
The Exiled King
Naturally. Consider it advice from one outsider to another.
The Exiled King
Live, Brigid. Nothing is more important than being alive. This city will be dead by sunrise tomorrow.
The Exiled King
Listen to Nemos. Find her kinsmen, run as far as you can, and never look back.
Brigid
...You're right. I should go.
Brigid
But I will be back.
The Exiled King
Back?!
The Exiled King
Hah! Stubbornness and stupidity really are hereditary!
The Exiled King
You're going to come back after she tried so hard to get you out of here?
Brigid
So you also think it was just an excuse to keep me safe?
The Exiled King
What else could it be? You really think you can sway those wood-brains? Maybe if you waited for spring, one of their brains would sprout and they might come with you to the Dark Woods!
Brigid
I don't like the way you talk, invisible brother.
The Exiled King
What did you call me? Brother?
Brigid
You have burnt stench, but other than that, you remind me of the nomads. No clue how you're related to us, but it feels right.
The Exiled King
Haha... hahahahaha!
The Exiled King
Let's make a bet then, Brigid.
Brigid
A bet?
The Exiled King
On whether you'll be back tonight, before Na Saoirsí is burned to the ground. I say it's impossible.
Brigid
That's not what you really want to bet on.
The Exiled King
Oh yeah? Then tell me, what I'm really thinking?
Brigid
You just want to prove that you're right, that nothing is more important than being alive. You think I'll choose survival in the end.
Brigid
But whatever. You're on.
The Exiled King
Well, what are you waiting for then?
Brigid
It just doesn't feel fair. If you win, I'll live the rest of my life in regret. But if I win, it doesn't really matter to a bystander like you.
Brigid
So how about this? If I win, you go back to where you came from.
The Exiled King
...
The Exiled King
And where do you think I should go back to?
Brigid
No idea, but not here. This isn't your home.
Brigid
You sound like you've been betrayed by the cityfolk here before, but you still can't bring yourself to hurt them.
Brigid
You act like you want to see them reap what they sowed, but didn't sound happy at all when you talked about the city burning to the ground.
Brigid
Honestly, you're the most struggling person I ever met, and—
The red dragon's remains do not burn. They simply lie there quietly.
This is how death should be. But Nemos seems to hear an ethereal voice laughing in her ear.
Without hesitation, the wayward wakewoman lifts the limp body and tosses it into the coffin.
Nemos
This coffin, red dragon, is your final resting place...
Nemos
It's where those like you belong.
Nemos
So where are you now? Are you still watching us from somewhere, with that twisted smile of yours?
Nemos
But this vessel, at least, is beyond your reach. Otherwise, you'd have burned me to ash by now.
Nemos
And this spear, which never left your side... How many times have you breathed your flames from it, and how many others like Culann have been your victims?
Nemos
You don't even know the answer, do you?
With great effort, Nemos lifts the spear and thrusts it into the coffin.
Flames from its tip engulf the coffin in an instant, spreading along the rope connecting it to Nemos and merging with the purple fire on her.
A deathly cold runs through Nemos's body, but she could hardly feel temperature at this point.
Nemos
You're mine now.
Nemos
I'll finish what Culann started.
Nemos
Let's go, to those lowly, despicable places that suffered from the war you stole victory in.
Nemos
You will be seen by all. Your death will be seen by all.
Nemos
They will know that you are dead. That the proud, imperious red dragon is dead. 'Here lies Eblana Dublinn, in this coffin covered in freezing flames.'
Nemos
But... what will they do then?
Nemos
I pray that your death will wake them up, of course, as Loughshinny hoped.
Nemos
That they'll know that the era you represented is over. That Na Saoirsí will escape this calamity. That Tara need not celebrate its rebirth with the death of a city.
Nemos
But... heh...
Nemos
Your fire must have gotten to my head, dragon.
Nemos
Why is that I suddenly feel like the other ending... where it all ends in destruction... isn't so bad?
Nemos
Someone else may have killed you, but...
Nemos
This is my revenge.
The coffin remains silent, and Nemos no longer speaks.
Silent, delirious, and determined, she drags the burning coffin down the stairs, making a point to let it hit each step on the way down.
