a broken eulogy | niko, day 3

The path up the mountain is lined with the soft glow of lamps which illuminate the tall trees and streams. It's what had captivated two tributes in curious wonderment moments before the murder of Ivy Mortuus. Niko now traverses the path, weary legs carrying the boy from five up the slopes of the hills.

While he walks, he replays the fight in his head. Cursing himself for trying to find peace in a warzone, he grits his teeth and mutters swears about his idiosyncrasy. Next time, he won't stop himself from fighting, he won't hesitate, he won't let a pair of psychopaths prevent him from living. The battle was nothing like his skirmishes with dissatisfied customers or his struggle with the keeper who had hauled him to the detention center. He'll remember that the next time he sees Itzal.

The blue light of the mutt trailing alongside him mingles with the lamps on the side. For the first time in a while when they're alone, Bean is quiet. It must have some recognition of the situation and that Ivy's death means Niko is once again alone. Silence is important while the boy from five processes this.

After what feels like hours, there's a break in the forest and Niko sees a trickle of water underneath a ray of sun. It's new, especially after the dark cover of storm which had followed him around the arena until his ally's demise.

He sits on the ground in the sun, his breath heavy as the image of Ivy Mortuus' arm flying off her body flashes in his mind once again. From his bag, he pulls out a miniature potted plant and a paper bird he had found back near the large pond. At first, he had no idea why those were there and he brought them along for the ride out of curiosity.

Now, however, he knows their purpose.

Slowly, he uses his hands to dig a hole in the ground right in the center of the sun's spotlight through the trees. He then carefully removes the baby tree from its pot and places it, roots and all, into its new resting place.

When Niko's mom died shortly after his sister's birth, there was a funeral. It was a small gathering. His father, his aunt, a few of his mom's friends, and baby Kat wrapped up in his arms were all in attendance with Niko. A man in a suit had said a few words about the sanctity of life, and then Niko's father had stepped up to the rickety podium to deliver a few words.

At seven years old, Niko was not able to truly process what had happened. He didn't understand that he would never see his mom's kind eyes again, that he would never feel her hugs, or that he would never hear her reading a story after tucking him in at night. His dad had been the one to deliver the final speech before she was truly gone for good, and Niko simply understood.

Now, placing the plant in the calm surroundings, he understands.

Ivy should not go silently into the afterlife.

The boy clears his throat, kneeling in front of the plant in the sun's warming light. "Ivy," he begins before biting the bottom of his lip to stop himself from screaming of the world's injustices.

"I don't know if you're listening or anything and I don't really believe in ghosts and all that, but" he takes a deep breath before continuing, "I didn't know you all too well."

He stops for a moment, collecting his thoughts as he tries to determine what to say.

"But I knew you as a fighter. We dismantled a spider demon from the depths of hell together. And today, I shouldn't have tried to hold you back or stop the fight-"

His voice breaks.

Breath in.

"I know you liked that I didn't know much about you, you never wanted to talk about home or anything like that. I don't know if you were running from something or running to something when you got here, but-"

Breath in. Almost there.

"You shouldn't have died, not yet, not like this. You never deserved being carved up by a monster like that."

With each word, he felt weight of the girl's soul on his shoulders weakening.

Breath in.

"I hope you can find some peace now."

Breath in.

"Rest easy, Ivy Mortuus."

Breath out.

And if you are watching from somewhere, I hope you can cheer me on.

He places the small paper crane in one of the branches of the bonsai.

And mom, if you're watching too, I hope you can still be proud of me at the end of this.

Standing up and wiping the dirt from his pants, he looks down at Bean and takes another shaky breath.

"Okay, Bean, let's keep moving."

[using camo]
[plants a tree, places a bird]
[stuff in maint]

---

bean

[kaitlin]