As his companions walked over, Kishi felt confident that they would remain. Zectoll had just finished his first hunt, and surely must have been tired after consuming so much meat. Lomen seemed like the type to hunt alone, but the funeral ceremony might scare that thought from his mind. As he pondered this the sight of Xaal's mangled corpse returned to the forefront of his thoughts. The young goblin had been... difficult, but he was family dammit. Kishi slowly gazed over the corpse. Scratch marks permeated every piece of flesh that remained, and the bones that stuck out like daggers of white rock had dozens of bite marks. A once-over of Isurta proved not much difference. The thought of their demise reminded Kishi of that cold, numbing sensation he felt 4 days ago, and fear immediately leaped at his heart. Not the fear he felt with the wolves, no, he could run from that. This was a deep seeded, immense fear, a sense of helplessness. The though chilled him to the bones. [i]The bones marked by teeth.[/i] It was at this moment the, now unfeeling and cold voice in his mind injected more information in Kishi's mind.

[i]Mortality.[/i]

It was at this moment that Kishi's body became cold as ice, and Zectoll exclaimed a response.

[color=f7941d]"Maybe it is just a coincidence, just a random dream. But I feel that somehow in death their strength flowed into me, and lifted whatever curse it was that afflicted me.I will do whatever I can to help in the burial ceremony. Hunting can wait, I would rather see this task to its end here and now".[/color]

Kishi turned to the young goblin and, in place of rage at the comment and joy at the assistance, responded in a monotone.

[color=007236]"Thank you, brother Zectoll. I appreciate the help."[/color]

Lomen also voiced his opinion on the matter of hunting, and laid out an apology.

[color=#a9a9a9]"I agree with Zectoll. It is best to give the dead a proper burial. And Kishi, I apologize for my comment earlier. I have no idea what the experience must have been for you so I am sorry if I have offended you in any way. Grandpa, please show us the ceremony so we can give them a proper burial. After the ceremony if you two would like I can show you how to skin the wolf."[/color]

[color=007236]"I appreciate that, Lomen. Your comment had offended me slightly, but it doesn't matter."[/color]

After he said this, another thought reverberated throughout Kishi's mind.

None of this matters.

[hr]

After digging the holes underneath the two stones, grandfather had begun to recite some scripture in a tongue that had no meaning to Kishi. All he thought about the entire service was his own body, cruelly twisted and mutilated in the same way these bodies had been. Grandfather placed numerous small flowers on top of their gravestones.

[color=#8dc73f]"They were born, they then lived, before they died. Death tulips meant to signify death we are sorry they died so soon."[/color]

A new fear, one that made his hunger look like a spark and his fear of the wolves akin to a flame, shined through his being like the distant sun.

The fear of death.

[hider=Goblins]
[@The 4 Winds],[@El Noche],[@Jangel13]
[/hider]