Hey all. My... what, seventh fic? Well, I was rereading "Come with you", and got myself all good and depressed. I set out to write myself a one-shot, and landed myself in another continuing story. That's right, laides and gentlemen, this is not the end! Hope you enjoy the fic.

UPDATE 12-11-05: Added some more names to the graveyard, as a bit of hinting toward the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Knights.

The Last One, number one:

The Girl and the Graveyard

I stand by their graves, my short red hair blowing in the wind. The overcast sky above just barely sheds a shadow on the ground as I stare at the headstones, their names engraved in my memory forever.

Thatz, Dragon Knight of Earth.

Sabel, Dragon Knight of Water.

Gil, Dragon Knight of Fire.

Ruwalk, Yellow Dragon Officer.

Tetheus, Black Dragon Officer.

Rune, White Dragon Officer.

Midori, Blue Dragon Officer.

Bierrez, Red Dragon Officer.

Dragon Lord Lykouleon.

Dragon Queen Raseleane.

Farther off, more worn, are two more gravestones.

Alfeegi, White Dragon Officer.

Kaistern, Blue Dragon Officer.

And then there is the newest grave.

Dragon Queen Cesia.

-o0o-

It had been a surprise attack. After Lord Lykouleon died at the hands of Nadil’s spell, the lady Raseleane quickly followed in his footsteps. I guess his queen really did love him.

After that, the castle was in mourning. Soon, so was the entire city. It obviously wasn’t too long before word reached youkai ears. So why was it so quiet?

Several weeks had passed, and there were no signs of any demons coming. We had all thought that every single demon in the realm would launch an attack on the Dragon Castle, taking advantage of the missing barrier to try and overthrow us. But everything remained calm. Everyone was on guard for the first few days, but when no demon attacks came, we began to loosen up. Soon the tension had worn down and we were all back to our old selves again.

That was when they attacked.

They must have had a smarter leader with them, a humanoid youkai, to be able to coordinate such an attack all at once. There must have been thousands of them. Every single demon attacked the castle at once, going after the heart of the Dragon Tribe. Our stronger fighters all gathered outside to help fight. Bad idea, putting all your men in one spot. That just makes it easier for them to get you.

They went after the healer first, to keep our fighters from coming back over and over again. A simple tactic if you think about it, but the demons must have had some more intelligent source to be able to figure out exactly which one was Rune. These guys may have been strong, but they were boorish. There’s no way they could have figured it out all on their own.

They descended on him, at least fifty all at once. Safety in numbers, I guess. He was killed instantly. After Rune was gone, the rest all began to fall one by one. Ruwalk, Tetheus, Thatz. Cesia just had to be there helping, too. I admit, her wind magic took out a good number of the attacking army, but there were just too many of them. Eventually, she was gone, too. The demons just kept killing, going on to slay the remaining Dragon Fighters.

They tried their hardest, but there was member of the tribe they couldn’t defeat. The one rumored to be the strongest swordsman, the killer of demons. He who had never lost. Their real target.

Me.

Fate can work against you, sometimes.

-o0o-

I stand by the new Dragon Castle cemetery, once the flower garden. I stare at their names, still feeling like it’s all unreal. Like they’ll wake up and come out of their bedrooms like any other ordinary day.

One word on one headstone shatters that peaceful fantasy. I stare at her grave, the word forever burned into my memory. Somehow seeing her name on that headstone makes it all real. Like she’s never coming back. Like none of them will ever come back, ever. They’re gone for good now, and they’ve left me here to pick up the pieces.

Her name keeps blinding me as I stare. That one name on a headstone.

Cesia...

With no one left to see me, I cry.

-o0o-

I hate you, Lykouleon.

I sit at the long dining table, quietly eating a leftover piece of meat I’ve managed to find in the cupboards. If I had tried to cook it myself, I would probably have just burnt it to a crisp. Me and my lousy cooking skills.

I’ve always hated you.

For being so... nice to me all the time.

Why...? Why did you do that?

I’m just a toy to you, aren’t I? Why do you even care?

I’ve always hated the Dragon Tribe. For doing this to me. For making me live when all I’ve ever wanted to do is die. Now I have no reason. Death is calling me; it always has been. Can’t I finally go and join it, for once?

I have no reason to live anymore. The Dragon Tribe is pretty much in ruins, anyway.

If I go now, I’ll be reunited with them again.

Thatz and Rune, my fellow Dragon Knights. We were distant at first, but over time, I suppose I really opened up. We were so close, like best friends. Almost brothers.

The Dragon Lord and his secretary. The four officers, who, despite my dislike for them, always seemed to make the castle more interesting. Silent Tetheus. Cool and relaxed Ruwalk. Way-too-uptight Alfeegi. And Kaistern.

And Cesia. Cesia, who, in spite of all our bickering, in spite of all we’ve been through, has still managed to enchant me so.

I’ll be with you all soon.

“Don’t be an idiot, Rath!”

My eyes widen. I know that voice. I whip my head around, and, sure enough, standing there is her determined-looking ghost.

“The Dragon Tribe hasn’t fallen yet! Yes, I know we’re gone. And I know it must be hard. But it’s not over! You can still rebuild the Dragon Tribe! “ Her voice rings out through the dining hall, clear and strong.

“You always were such an optimist, weren’t you?” I mutter.

“And you always were a pessimist,” she retorts smoothly. Cesia leans forward, her ghostly black hair tumbling into my face. “Listen to me, Rath. Don’t you dare give up yet.” And she starts to fade.

I start yelling at her. “Hey! What are you saying? That’s easy for you to say, you know! You’re not the only one left!” But by the time I finish, she’s gone.

I sigh and lean over to rest my forehead on the table. I grit my teeth in frustration and anger, close to tears.

How am I supposed to go on living...? All I’ve ever wanted is to die.

-o0o-

“Um... excuse me, sir?”

I turn around, staring intently at the newcomer before me. She looks to be about fifteen years old, maybe a bit older. Her eyes shine out oddly blue against a background of tanned skin, labeling her as someone from the desert tribes, and wild, reddish-black hair. The girl is dressed in a peasant’s street clothes, which are dirty and torn by now, probably from days in the wilderness.

“What is it?” I say quietly. I don’t mean to frighten her, but she seems scared anyway. Red eyes will do that to a person.

“Um... well, I’ve been wandering on my own for a bit now... you see, I was recently orphaned, and I have no place to go... I was just wondering... if you have any place to... stay...” Her voice trails off.

I glance back toward the graves for what seems like the thousandth time, then abruptly turn and start toward the castle.

“Of course.” My voice is steady for once. “Follow me.”

-o0o-

After showing the girl in and making her feel somewhat comfortable, I’m on my own again. I sit in my own room, quietly thinking.

Maybe there is a chance...

A chance that I really can rebuild the tribe.

I stand up and walk over to my dresser, picking up something from on top. A painting, a small one that I’ve had all this time.

That girl is my proof. You see, Cesia?

It’s depicting the trio of us Dragon Knights, from back when we were young. From when Thatz had just joined, and we were still just bickering with each other.

My proof that I can go on living.

-o0o-

Name suggestions for the girl, anyone? I have a few possible ideas in mind for this (for once; don't want another "Revelations"). Sooo... hope you like, go ahead and tell me what you think, and go ahead and review! Hobey-ho, everyone, and see you all in the next chappie!

Peophin-chan