The Untold Story of Tiberias

Mass Cemetery

Nick was stunned for a while. The man's death carries with it a memory of his childhood. His mother also died while hugging him. A man also died in his arms. Humans can die that easily. Nick's feelings turned chaotic. The enthusiasm that had previously made the young man eager to see the human world, was now slowly receding. The human world is far from its shadow.

Finally, grimly, Nick also carried the limp body to a more spacious place. He intended to cleanse the old man's body but found no water anywhere. Only water from the water remains. Eventually Nick used the water to wash the man's face from blood and dirt. Nick also changed the man's clothes with his own clothes that he brought in exchange. Nick brought two pieces of change. Giving one of them would not make it a lack of clothes.

After completing all the rituals, Nick finally dug a deep hole in the dry land. He buried the man according to the ordinance Calada had taught him. The burial procession is customary for humans, considering that dragons are usually buried in their caves with treasures already collected.

It was late afternoon when Nick finally finished burying the body of the unknown man. He went back around the village. Now some villagers are no longer hiding in fear. Instead they just peeked curiously at the figure of the young man who had buried the body of one of the residents. Still, no one dared to go near Nick.

Along the way down the village, it turns out there are more bodies left just like that in the corners of the village. The body was already stiff, even some had rotted, without being given the slightest balsam preservative.

Nick was so sad to see that condition. Neglected bodies are dangerous because they can carry more disease. But Nick can't blame the villagers either. Most of the people are sick and helpless. They are hungry and thirsty so that to survive alone is already difficult. That's why they can't take care of the dead.

Finally, without saying much more, Nick began to mobilize his energy to start taking care of the bodies, which were scattered throughout the village. There are those in the corner of the market, on the side of the main road, even inside an abandoned house.

Patiently and tirelessly or disgustedly, Nick pulled the bodies one by one into the field that he had previously used to bury the first man. Because there is no clean water in the village, Nick also brought a large barrel and darted back into the monster forest.

There was a lake within the monster forest, not far from the village. The lake is actually the estuary of the river that passes through the village. But somehow the river in the village is dry, while the lake water remains abundant.

Nick has incredible speed, the result of decades of training. With this ability, plus his great strength, Nick managed to bring banging water into the village. One by one he cleaned the bodies, except those that had rotted. Nick dug a lot of puddles. In total there were forty-three graves he made for all the bodies he found.

Men, women, old, young, even children, all die with the same symptoms. Full skin of pus-filled boils. The mouth spits out blood and the thin body is barely fleshy. Everything he buried through a sequential ritual procession, not missed a single one. It is a form of respect for life.

By morning, all the bodies were buried. Forty-four mounds of earth lined up neatly at the edge of the village. More and more people are peeping on Nick. The young man had already removed his entire armor, revealing his muscular, clay body. The sweat that soaked his face and body made Nick look more alive than ever. Even though the morning was so cold, but after working all night, Nick's body felt sultry and dirty. She needs to take a shower.

Suddenly a white-bearded old man approached Nick. The old man walked back and forth, resting on a rickety wooden stick. His face was thin and looked unhealthy. Even so, the grandfather still forced his dragged steps to get close to Nick. Nick hurriedly greeted the old man, so that he wouldn't have to walk too far.

“Young .. ,” said the old geezer.

“Can you share your water for us? It's not just the dead who need water, son .. .” said the old man.

Nick's heart was filled to hear the grandfather's simple request. Why did not he think since then that the villagers who were still alive were also very thirsty.

“Please drink as much, Cake. Everyone can drink that water. If it's over, I'll get it again. But you better not fight. Everyone will get water, don't worry,” said Nick quickly.

The old grandfather nodded weakly then waved his hand towards the residents who were peering behind him. One by one the men walked out carrying their own wooden containers. Nick distributed water to them.

All the villagers were finally able to quench their thirst. Every time the water in the barrel is almost gone, Nick takes it again into the middle of the monster forest. The young man simultaneously plucked baskets of edible fruits. All the people could fill their stomachs.

The villagers were not much, considering that most of their relatives had already died from the plague. Because it did not take long for Nick to immediately make the entire population quenched with his thirst and hunger.

The old grandfather who spoke to Nick earlier turned out to be a village elder named Harold. Harold was only 44 years old, but his entire life had been taken away so much that he now looked like he was in his seventies. Young Harold had the inherited power of his ancestor who was the village elder, namely the healing ability. But due to the curse outbreak, as well as the drought and famine that struck twenty years ago, all of Harold's strength was sucked out to make him look very old. Even so it was that ability that could make him survive until now.

“Thanks to your arrival, this village may be saved, Young Man. I have reached my limit, and if you do not come, maybe our village will soon disappear,” Harold said after recovering his energy.

The whole village is gathering in the square. It was already dusk, but everyone looked even more cheerful now.

“Can I help you again, Harold?” ask Nick to offer his help. It feels like just bringing a barrel of water or a few baskets of fruits will not solve the problem in the village.

“Actually the problem in this village will be solved if the water of the Philias River flows again. At least we can start growing and continue to live with clean food and water. An outbreak of disease may be inevitable, but if I have a healthy body, I might be able to make a medicinal herb,” Harold said grimly.

“Then allow me to help this village, Harold. I'll make the river flow again,” Nick promised later.