In scratchy, pained strokes. The pages reek of cinder and ozone.
More death. It steeps into the foundation of this city. I write slumped onto the floor. Merlin and Kethan scuttle over the ruins doing the young man's game of finding treasure. Today has been taxing. My migraines have returned.
Merlin heard of a tower that may have valuable goods in it. Wealth would help us tremendously make our way towards the angel so we all agreed it was worth a shake to try and hunt down. The district is flooded with rubble. Even the signs torn away for firewood I suppose. The tower though stood; dominating the district. Kethan and Artorias approached with a grapple in hand to scale it. A flash of purple came streaking across the sky. Damnable sorcery it. Kethan and Artorias took a beating. Merlin's keen eye and itchy trigger finger couldn't see the source of it. I hung back. These old bones were no good for this kind of thing. Kethan and Artorias came to have a sort of struggle. There was a tripping and Artorias fell over in pain. Another blast hit Kethan who slumped over. At this point Merlin swore and took off after them. I still hung back, my migraines and bones aching look at the clearing I'd have to cross.
Unbothered by Kethan's attempt to trip him, Artorias scooped him up and made it to the tower. I am unsure as to what happened next as I was still so far away. But Artorias dove, dropping Kethan, a massive shadow moved in the frame of the door. I heard a scream and something stuck through Artorias Damn it all. I started to trot. My hips ground, my legs screaming. I wouldn't make it in time. Too old, too slow. I only burden these youngsters.
Out of breath, passing through the frame Merlin's gun roared. Most shocking, Artorias covered in gore and blood waved his hands in an intricate pattern, muttering some guttaral speech through mouthfuls of blood. Merlin's blunderbuss shimmered and the shot belched like the fable of the Dragon. Now above I saw the beast. The ruined visage of humanity perched across a leonine body, terrible wings as stretched parchment flexed across the wall. It dropped. The flames tearing it in half.
My foolish, oaf self almost got crushed by the falling beast.
Kethan awoke after some treatment, badly injured but okay. Merlin was shaken but alright. Artorias's last gift to us was the reveal that he knew some very invovled magicks. I never would have guess he'd been so learned.
We will bury him. Say a few words. Strike out again. I am old, with one less companion.
An angel waits out there in the old city. With what terrible fates befall us ordinarily, I fear what great change waits.