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Closure (16/16)

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And here we are, a year to the day since I started this little project called Saurian. What better way to celebrate than to deliver the final chapter.

It's been one heck of an experience! It all started as a way to pass the time while waiting on a rather slow-to-answer client, and it quickly became so much more than that.
I think I can safely say, that while working through these images (and writing) I've reached the goals I set for myself in terms of developing my artistic skills.

I would like to take a brief moment to thank those who were supportive through the process of creating this series, to the kind and helpful comments, and even to those that just faved the pretty pictures and didn't bother reading the story along with it. XD It is all still appreciated :) So, a big thank you from me to you! :tighthug:

Comments are always welcomed, and thank you in advanced for faves!
Characters, Image and Story were created by, and belong to me ( Nomminus ) Please be respectful by not copying, altering, or reposting without permissions given. Thank you.
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He signed it.

That was the easy part.

But how was he going to fulfill such a contract?

On the long road back to Clawwood Khaz was quiet, trying to plan out what he would do.

He could slip something into his drink, but for all he knew, his leader probably built up an immunity to poisons.

Maybe he could sneak in to his quarters while he’s asleep and run him through quickly and quietly. But would he be quick enough? He’d seen how fast the Parasaur’s reflexes were.

Perhaps he could ambush him out on a job? No, too many things to factor in, too many things that could go wrong.

“Something is on your mind, you’re never this quiet.” Pilu spoke up. “What’s wrong?”

Khaz quickly snapped out of the almost trance-like state his planning had put him in. “I uh…nothing! Nothing, just…tired, the fight in the swamp we had with that crazy snake was pretty intense.”

At least he had that to fall back on. As they were crossing the foggy swamplands, they came across an old and insane Titanboa who decided they looked like whatever he was hunting for and attacked them. He was surprisingly spry for such an old fellow. But they did eventually get the upper hand.

Pilu had smacked him over the head with a large tree branch. Hard enough to knock him out long enough for them to get away.

They continued further in silence.

Once they reached home, both entered the house, dropped whatever they were carrying, undressed and laid down in their bed, now shared together rather than the two separate beds Chompy had them sleeping in.

It wasn’t long before their tired bodies drifted in to sleep.

Khaz’s sleep wasn’t peaceful in the slightest. Dreams and nightmares kept coming to him as his mind kept playing out scenarios in his head. All of them failing, and with him dying at the hands of his leader as the outcome of each failure.

One such was extremely vivid, and he could feel the knife plunged in to his heart. He shot awake, sitting up in bed. Gripping his hand tight on his chest while trying to steady his breathing.

Pilu had been facing away from him, but rolled over when she felt him get up. “Now are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” she asked with a groggy voice, barely awake.

Khaz had finally caught his breath and his heartbeat had returned to normal. “I....I got a contract, from Ankle Biter.”

Pilu sat up beside him. “You’re worked up over a contract? Who does he want you to kill?”

Khaz pulled his knees up to his chest and rubbed his tired eyes. “my boss.” He groaned, then flopped back down on the bed. “Layrite hired him to kill my parents, so Ankle Biter is giving me the chance to kill him.”

He stared up at the ceiling, “I just don’t know how I’m going to do it.”

“Please tell me you’re joking.” Pilu was concerned, a claim like that had the words ‘death wish’ written all over it.

“I’m not.” Khaz slowly rolled out of bed, a shiver ran through his body as he left the warmth of the bed in to the cold night air.

He fumbled around in the dark, his eyes eventually adjusting, he grabbed his belt and opened up a hidden pocket, pulling out the folded up contract.

He brought it over to Pilu and handed it to her. He then grabbed a match on one of the bedside tables and lit a candle with it to shine a little bit of light so she could read it.

Pilu unfolded the paper and looked it over with sleepy eyes. “It doesn’t look like a normal contract. Are you sure it’s not fake?”

“It’s real.” Khaz said, he pointed out a small signature in the bottom right corner of the paper. “That’s his signature.”

Pilu shook her head. “Are you sure this needs to be done?”

“I signed it.” Khaz answered, “so I need to see it filled.”

“Khaz this is crazy; you’re going to get killed.” Pilu said with panic in her voice. “You’ve already killed Layrite! He’s the one that gave the order. Nuru was just the tool to get it done.”

Khaz shook his head. “I know, but…this is something I need to do.”

Pilu huffed. “Fine.” She put the contract somewhat forcefully on his chest. “Then you’re going to need help, we’ll plan in the morning.”

She laid back down and pulled up the blankets. As insane as she thought this all was, she understood why he needed to do it. She would too if she were in such a situation.

She hoped that with her intervention, he might live. She’d already lost someone dear to her, she wasn’t about to lose another.

Eventually both fell asleep again, and soon enough morning came. They had a late start, but a plan was created. They knew Nuru was running a job up north past the grand city of Poda, and so Khaz left as quick as he was able after gathering what he would need. New daggers, a blowgun with some darts coated in Titanboa venom, as a last-second thought he also grabbed the axe he had used during the battle with the dragon. He’d kept it as a trophy of sorts, he didn’t think he’d be using it again, he brushed off the dust and noticed it was still stained with dragon’s blood in some spots.

He wondered if the blood might share the same magical properties as what the wizard had given him to drink. If he could harness that power once more, he could make quick work with minimal risk. He had half a mind to try licking at one of the stains, deciding against it as he’d probably just look silly with no potential benefits.

He took the cart system as far as he could, just outside of the north end of Poda, beyond the lone mountain that the city was carved out of, he began his trek across sandy foothills and dunes to find his target. He went alone, much to Pilu’s dismay.

“One should not wander out here alone.” Called a familiar old, and raspy voice, from a few feet behind him. “Don’t you know this area is filled with thieves and assassins.”

 Khaz turned around with a grin. “I should say the same for you, wizard. The elderly make for prime targets.”

The wizard laughed and walked towards Khaz. “I’m not THAT old.” He motioned for Khaz to continue walking, and he walked beside him. “I’m only a few … hmm … bah! Age is but a number, a number of no importance to me!”

Khaz chuckled. Then looked to the wizard curiously. “So what brings you all the way out here?”

The wizard sighed. “One of my duties as a wizard is to collect souls. It is my understanding that very soon, one will be leaving its body.”

“I see.” Khaz said.

“You’re walking a dangerous path, what will you do if you survive?” Asked the wizard.

“How did you?” Khaz started, but figured he shouldn’t question him. Though he was curious as to how he knew about what Khaz was going to do. “I didn’t plan that far ahead; I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”

“When? Well, aren’t you a confident lad, most people would say ‘if!’” mused the wizard.

“I survived a fight with a dragon, didn’t I?” Khaz said smugly.

“With my help!” Claimed the wizard “Had I not approached you with a solution, you’d be stewing away inside that dragon’s stomach along with everyone else!”

Khaz began to feel a ping of doubt hit him, he’d been using his dragon slaying to tell himself this would be an easy fight in comparison.

“You wouldn’t happen to have any more of that stuff, would you?” He asked.

“Dragons do not give their power so willingly that I could keep a large supply. What you were given was all I had, and all I will ever have.” Answered the wizard. “I’m afraid you’ve got to rely on skill and no small amount of luck to see the end of this.”

They wandered for a while, the wizard sharing some of his wisdom with Khaz. Which furthered his doubts on surviving, a wizard normally wouldn’t speak so freely about some subjects, he thought. But perhaps if he were talking to a dead man, his secrets would stay locked up tight with those with no breath to speak them.

“Khaz!” called a voice suddenly. “What in the world are you doing out here?”

There he was.

Nuru was a few dozen metres away from them, and approaching with a puzzled expression.

“I’ve got a contract, picked it up in Skyline.” Khaz answered.

He felt aware of every small detail of these next moments. It was quickly becoming overwhelming, but he couldn’t let it show.

“Skyline? I had no idea someone up there would be willing to have someone spill blood in their name. I was convinced they were all zen and peaceful.” Said Nuru, who now drew closer. “So, who’s the unlucky sod?”

He then noticed the cloaked figure beside him. “And who is this?”

“No one of consequence.” Spoke the wizard. “I come only to spectate the events about to proceed.”

“What?” Nuru was confused, he looked to Khaz once more. “What is this guy talking about, is he with you?”

Khaz nodded. “He’s a friend.”

“Why does your friend speak in riddles?” asked Nuru.

“He’s not” Khaz answered, Nuru was still far enough away that he couldn’t attack or anything, now that the wizard blabbed, he’d have to make his intentions known. “The contract is for you, Nuru, someone wants you dead.”

Nuru grinned. “Really? Well I knew this day would come eventually. I wasn’t expecting you to be the one to be the one to fulfill it.”

He dropped his packs and bags, and unsheathed his dagger, still streaked with blood from his previous kill. “I accept that there is a contract on my head, as leader of the assassins, I need to make sure all contracts be completed. But know I will not go down without a fight.”

Khaz dropped what he didn’t need, and pulled out one of his own daggers. “I wouldn’t assume otherwise.”

There was a quiet before the fight, both of them reading every single one of each other’s movements.

Nuru took the first swing, running up to Khaz and swiping his dagger, trying to slice it across his chest.

Khaz dodged and attempted to stab one of his blades into Nuru’s side, but Nuru quickly evaded it.

They both drew back.

“What made you decide to fight me? You could have easily killed me in my sleep, or poisoned my drink. But instead you choose to risk your life to end mine?” Nuru asked.

Khaz remained silent, throwing one of his daggers. Nuru dodges it.

“You’ve got a bloodlust Khaz, an unhealthy one.” Nuru laughed.

They clashed blades.

Khaz quickly tossed another while they were closed to each other. The blade piercing Nuru’s thigh.

As Nuru made a pained noise and grabbed at his thigh, he was able to drag his blade across Khaz’s shoulder.

They both took a moment to deal with their wounds, then proceeded with the fight once more.

The fight drew long, most of it swinging and dodging blades.

The sun had set and the moon cast its blue light on the battle below.

They were both getting tired, they’d collected quite a few injuries as well.

Nuru breathed hard. He fell to his knees. He looked to Khaz with a bloodied grin. “Alright Khaz, I think... I think I’ve had enough.”

Khaz nodded, feeling like he could collapse from exhaustion.  He grabbed the axe strapped to his back.

The shadow wizard spoke up. “Any final words?”

“I give the burden of leadership to my assailant.” Said Nuru. “May he not falter under the weight against his shoulders.”

He laid down on the ground and got ready. “I’ve said my piece, do what you will.”

Khaz took a breath and lifted his axe, lining up his swing with the parasaur’s neck.

“Goodbye.” He said, and brought the axe down hard, chopping Nuru’s head clean off. He then knelt down by the body, tired and relieved it was finally over.

A glow came from the mouth of the severed head, a wispy glowing bit of smoke exited and began to float upwards. Reaching for the starry sky above, when it was then grabbed by the wizard. “This, belongs to me.” He said. “I will bring you to Salthaven, there your wounds shall be tended to.”

He then grinned and tried to make light of the situation. “Congratulations on the promotion.”

They headed to Salthaven, as the wizard had mentioned, he then left to do whatever important business he had to take care of.

It was done, it was finally over, Khaz could rest easy, he felt like his family had been properly avenged, and there were no more worries to be had. He felt a peacefulness he’d not felt for some time.

Eventually he found his way back to Pilu, and told her of what had happened, he also informed his fellow assassins of the change in leadership.

Before taking charge, both Khaz and Pilu headed out to that small fishing village to relax with Chompy. Excited to learn that Nomminus was there too.

They all shared stories of what had happened, though concerned with the path Khaz had taken, Nomminus was just happy to see him alive and well.

A great burden had been lifted, and a chapter of their lives came to an end. An eagerness was held towards what would happen in the next one.
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First: Tavern (1/16)

Previous: Skyline (15/16)

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Comments9
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Vindicator-Leira's avatar
Emote: Entranced 
I do not often leave comments, but I did feel as if this would be an appropriate time to swim upstream in such mention.

You have created a superb and beautiful comic that entrances with the smooth, detailed and emotional illustrations that complement and are in turn complimented with the exceptional and descriptive passages of literature that follow. I found that I was drawn in and held at bay from the launch to the most satisfactory end once the bumps and rises had been ridden on as it progressed.

Admittedly it does feel as if with one end there are many more paths opened and untouched, which is rather pleasant in a sense since one can return and touch upon it should there be desire or need.

It was a really wonderful read; well done to you!