A Stone for Wolfe

I believed what was left was a simple decision on Chopper's part. I could smell the coming of rain in the air. I didn't want to get soaked, even though it wasn't raining yet, I kept standing under a tree.

Chopper had Azag completely immobilized. I later heard from him that using Ebony, he severed nerve endings, keeping the person completely paralyzed. It might not have been possible for me but Chopper could cut anything and everything with absolute precision.

"Kill me, if that is your wish but I won't leave this body", Azag declared.

"You want your killer to feel the same pain you did, huh?", Chopper smirked.

Indeed, if Azag refused to leave Wolfe's body, Chopper would have to kill his friend. I didn't think Chopper would hesitate, and I believe he was always prepared for this.

"Oi, you brat!", Azag addressed me, "I'll answer that question you asked me before."

I wondered which question he was talking about.

"When I was General Fennerick and you came to kill me...let me tell you what I learned from his memories. As a fellow demon, I can at least spare you that generosity."

Although, I didn't quite entertain the idea of being the same species as him, I wouldn't have refused an offer like that.

"Bardock saved Fennerick in court. The old scumbag...Fennerick was responsible for the slaughter of a whole battalion. When he was brought before the court, Bardock testified in his favor. This is what I learned. And that woman you know...I don't know how she is still alive. But if its true that she lives to this day, then she must have kept her promise by killing Bardock", Azag paused before continuing again, "After the slaughter, Fennerick, Bardock and that woman, they changed the course of everything. But she promised Bardock, that she'd be the one to kill him, on the day that Mercae shone the brightest. Bardock agreed to this. So, if she has managed to kill him, although I find it near impossible that she is still alive...then Bardock had it coming."

I didn't ask any questions, I didn't say a word to him. He then looked at Chopper.

"Now then, since I've completed my last favor to humans, my work is done."

"Wolfe...", escaped through Chopper's lips, "Let me see 'im."

Chopper then set Azag on the ground and released him from his grip. Azag, or perhaps I should say Wolfe, kept still, standing before Chopper. He wore a similar expression as Chopper himself, except it wasn't as stern, but rather beaten down.

Chopper stared at him for a while. I was sure it would rain any minute, so I dared not leave my shelter.

"Are you going to ask for forgiveness?", Wolfe spoke, his voice finding it hard to escape.

"No."

"Then are you looking for condemnation?"

"..."

"There's nothing that I can spare you. Even if you've been looking for me all this time, there is nothing I can give you. Not a word of consolation or condemnation, not a word!"

"I'm not looking for anything. I was looking for you...that's all."

"And did you think what you were going to do when you found me?"

"..."

Wolfe smiled gently, weakness growing in his face, "You kept running...like I told you. I suppose I've cursed you. You will carry this curse forever, won't you? You'll always be running around, there would never be any consolation for you, never any redemption and certainly no rest. That is until, you come see us...Corsen and I."

Chopper took a step forward and hugged him gently. It was cold, empty and at least from my distance, it seemed, it was a futile attempt to brew some warmth. Wolfe didn't return his hug, but I'm sure I saw his hand twitching. When Chopper let go, he was lifeless and Chopper lay him down. I think Chopper had cut some essential brain function within him, giving him the quickest, most painless and gentle death there ever could be.

We were in a forest, in the middle of nowhere. There, in an empty patch of land, Chopper dug a grave with his hands. I just watched him do so from my safe distance. I was sure it had already begun to pour down but it hadn't. Chopper took his time, digging the grave. Then he gently placed Wolfe in it and buried him. He placed a stone for him. Though, he didn't write a name on it. After all, who knows which name was more deserving to be carved on that stone.

When he had finished, he stood up and silently examined his work. Then, perhaps reminded that I was standing useless there all this time, he called me.

"Are we heading back?", I asked, still anxious about the rain.

"Why, you hungry, mutt?", he seemed to be doing fine.

I remained silent.

"Did you figure something out?", he said before heading back.

He didn't even wait for an answer, and I'm sure he wanted none. So I just followed him. I did spare a final look at Wolfe's grave as we walked away. It looked peaceful enough. And I thought to myself that we were all going home, finally.