Dead Letters

[rextenebrae]

[ Knoll has letters left on top of his bed so it won't be difficult to miss.

They're all written for a few people, starting with: Percival, Velvet, and Yukina.

All of the words are crossed out for Percival's but let me tell you I did have Knoll write a letter for Percival and it was LONG. ]

Comments

Yukina's Letter

[rextenebrae]

Dear Yukina,

I’d be a fool to say I didn’t know this was coming. That said, I was never quite as eloquent as some may be in their letters, so I will keep this brief.

Please don’t give up, even though I’ll be no longer there by your side to support you, there are others who assuredly will. And even though I have some reservations about what may occur in the future, I can only hope that somehow by the end of all of this that we may meet again.

I’m sorry I don’t have much to comfort you with, but just in case things do not work out as planned, I wanted to tell you that I’m happy that you became one of my friends. You are one of those who made this unfortunate situation unbearable, and despite how much you believe yourself worthy of punishment, I would never wish to see it come upon you.

I have thought about pursuing a career in writing thanks to a talk with Percival about potential dreams, and left some inspirational tales for you.

Best of luck,
Knoll

why did i write this

[rextenebrae]

[ There are a few more papers stuck together here. ]

1. The Diamond of Hope

Once upon a time, there was a poor man, and he didn’t know what to do for his suffering family at first. He was desperate to do anything he could to ensure their survival. He even considered resorting to being a part of the local crime by stealing whatever he could from those who would pass by his town. However, his attempts in thievery didn’t result in anything, since he was too unskilled to even steal one item successfully. He even was caught in his late attempt and spent months in jail.

When he left, he made the 8 mile journey home to find that his family had passed while he had been trapped. Following this, he threw himself onto his feet as he wept before the stars, and asked why he had suffered such misfortune. He didn’t believe himself worthy of this mortal coil, should he have failed to provide for his family. However, his sorrow was heard from above by the stars themselves.

Long have the stars watched over the lives of every soul that walked the world, though they hardly intervened for the sake of allowing life to proceed its natural course. That changed on this day.

One of the stars in the sky shot down to the ground, nestling beside the man in the form of a golden stone—when he looked he could not believe his eyes! It was diamond colored and large enough to tower over him. To him it spoke these words:

“I can end your suffering and bring back the lives of your family. All I would need is an individual of noble spirit.”

With the words spoken to him by the diamond-shaped stone, the man took it as his chance to regain something he had once lost. From thereon, he looked for a worthy person to give to the stone for keeps—however he found that no matter how hard he searched for someone worthy or willing enough to present before this being, he couldn’t help but feel as if the deed was wrong. In the end, he returned, empty-handed.

When asked why, he simply answered, “If I am noble and worthy enough for you to take, I will give myself, and beg for you to return the lives of my loved ones.”

Following such words, a bright light came over him. The stone had dissipated back into the sky to rejoin the stars, but his family did not stand before him. Dejected, the man headed back into his home, and prepared to live the rest of his life in misery. The next day, he descended the stairs and prepared to force his life through another day.

Imagine his surprise when he found that his family stood before him, waiting, and in each of their hands a piece of gold each. He never received an answer to why he was granted this, but it didn’t matter.

And they all lived happily…

END


2. The Two Birds

There were two birds who lived together--a robin and a raven. They knew each other since they were both young. They were inseparable, and promised that no matter what happened, their friendship would carry them through whatever hardship would occur.

One day, the robin couldn’t find the raven at their normal meeting spot in the woods. She was worried since there was a raging turbulent storm that had been encroaching upon their forest. Yet, she could do nothing as everything was washed away in an extraordinary deluge.

After the storm had passed, she searched for him, but to no avail. She was told by her other companions to give up, and that no one could have survived such a thing on their own. She ignored their protests, and searched through the debris for three days and three nights. She was told that there was only obvious outcome and she should give up, lest she continue to look like a fool.

On the fourth day, she uncovered where the raven had been resting, trapped underneath a number of shredded pieces of bark. Imagine her glee and their embarrassment as she and her friend reunited due to her efforts…

Since then, the two have been inseparable.

END

[ There are three other stories written here. One is A Cleric’s Story, The King of Benevolence, and The Frozen Lake. For someone as pessimistic as Knoll was, they end up being tales of suffering but at the end containing a guaranteed happy ending. ]

Percival's Letter

[rextenebrae]

Dear Percival,

I’m sorry, but it may be thanks to my efforts that I am no longer amongst the living. Even so, I don't think I ever really had a chance and I don't think I even deserved that much in comparison to everyone else, but it was nice that you made me feel like I did.

You taught me so many things, and made me realize that I hadn't been living as my own person. I was simply a being that lived in shadows—someone who no one would recognize as an individual with a mind and will of my own. I started to wonder what could be something that I could do, even after everything had come to pass while I lived in my own world. Starting last week I was eager to try new things, knowing that this would be the only chance I'd have to do so.

I wondered what it might be like, if I were an author of some kind. Perhaps there are a few stories I could write that would enthrall many. Or maybe it'll be something that wouldn’t. I think I would have liked to show you, either way.

I could not help but imagine what things would be like if we had met anywhere else but here. Although I hardly think myself worthy of living in Grado anymore, I would have liked to show you around. Maybe you would have liked it. It was a nice thought, but in the end I don’t think I will ever know.

I would have also liked to see what your land was like. You mentioned something about skyfarers and such…with the amazing Captain of yours. That sounds like an enthralling experience that I would love to experience that as well. What would it be like, to be a skyfarer? I could only imagine.

On a more personal note…

Percival, you made me feel strong, when all I could think about was giving up and giving into despair. I told myself countless nights, even if Princess L’arachel assured me so many times otherwise, that there was no use in struggling, since all I would do was meet my death at the end. Even though it ended up being true all along, I think a small part of me wanted to at least do what I could to help you and everyone else. Was I useful to everyone else? Was I useful to you? These are the questions I ask myself as I write.

I can’t forget, how happy you’ve made me felt. I wanted to be there for you, like how you were always there for me. Sometimes I imagined that if I could live to the end of this, that we could share a moment when we’d laugh together and even joke…I’m sorry, I don’t know where I’m going with this.

I also ask that you not blame yourself. There was nothing you could do to prevent anything like this—it was inevitable.

Please stay alive. You still have something to return to—duties, and people who need you. I know you would say you couldn’t guarantee it, but it doesn’t mean you can’t try. Pardon my presumptions, as I believe your Captain would agree.

I have a last request. It’s on the back of this letter. If you can't manage to fulfill it, then that's fine. I’m used to things never working out the way I planned anyway.

I wish you well in all of your endeavors.

With love,
Knoll