They will never forget her smile, the smile that sparked joy in their lives. Nor will they ever forget her kindness which taught them the lesson of perseverance. Nor will her burning will and determination go unnoticed. She had been there for them, but none of them were able to be there for her..
"Heard that little kid was the one who directly witnessed the death of lady Astrid. He's one of her sons, too.. Poor kid.", a murmur stands out from the whispering crowd as the three sons of lady Astrid walk along the cleared path with the inhabitants of the settlement on both sides of the road. Hurlem has definitely heard that person, but he's not in the mood to say anything, nor is he in the mood to look at anyone. The same can definitely be said about the rest of her children, Vurul and Theobold. Though, the bird's expressions don't seem to have changed at all, still that awful stare. For many, this is the first time they have seen Theobold without a smile on his face and a confident posture.
Standing in the midst of the people are Elysia and Justice. They feel like it was right to pay their respects to the late mother of their captains and so, here they are. "It kinda pains me to see our captains like this.. They had not seen this coming at all...", Elysia whispers to the boy, her eyes specifically tracking Vurul as he walks by her. Justice looks at the girl, then moves his eyes to the closed coffin with bouquets of flowers and a portrait of lady Astrid on the podium. "..Let's just hope things will get better for them soon enough.. We might have to put our operations to a halt for a few days to let them recover.", Justice crosses his arms and mutters back to Elysia.
Next to the coffin stands a cloaked figure wearing an eye of Yrdos emblem necklace. Despite not having a direct line of sight of their face, Justice can already tell who it is under the veil. The crowd quiets down as the three captains approach the coffin. The priestess opens up a thick book and takes a quick look at the three sons. Vurul returns her gaze with a nod, then the beaconess begins her speech. "We are gathered here today to commemorate the founder of the Valkyries, Lady Astrid Perulem. Apart from being a great leader and duty-sworn protector of Thannatopia, she was also a loving mother who raised three sons, who are also three of the current Valkyrie captains. Due to a new-found infection related to the current events, Lady Astrid passed away just the day before.. She was accompanied by one of her sons during her last moments, and did not leave without a smile.. May her soul be soothed by the guiding light and warm embrace of Yrdos in the afterlife. May every tear shed today be fuel for a fire that burns for a brighter tomorrow. As declared in this book, every operation shall be halted for three days in deep respects of the passing of Lady Astrid.", as she finishes her speech, the book is closed, and the priestess turns to the coffin.
Natalia, the cloaked beaconess, gives the captains a look before getting her eyes fixed onto the deathbed once again. Theobold is the first to step forward and place his hand on the coffin. "Ma'.. I am forever in debt with you. All of your life, you've endured and endured. You have taught me lessons that I would have never been able to have.. Though.. I'm not ready for goodbye, yet. I guess it's time to let go. Love ya, ma'.", Theobold's talk slowly becomes a mutter then trails off into silence. The cat then steps down.
Vurul, the second to step up, reaches into his wings to take out a delicate flower. Even from Elysia's viewpoint, she can see his shaking hand trying to place nature's bloomling down on the coffin. The bird lets out a deep exhale, then steps back down again. He doesn't want to say anything more right now.
Hurlem.. The last and the youngest.. He reaches into his pocket and slowly brings up something to the coffin. But before he can place the item down, it falls out of his hands. A wrapped piece of candy. The kid slowly reaches down to pick it up again, but then he suddenly bursts out into a sob. He collapses to the ground and breaks out into tears. The entire hall gets filled with the cries of Hurlem, putting a heavy weight onto everyone's shoulders. They can feel their spirits getting dragged down into the gallows. Theobold quickly helps the boy get up and carries him in his arms, somewhat muffling the crying of the boy, then he swiftly walks off while carrying his brother. Vurul picks up the candy on the ground then places it where Hurlem wanted it to be.
YOU ARE READING
Of Thousand Lives
FantasiOuroboros - death and reincarnation in one tragic loop. Justice's life was on a constant downhill ever since he was abandoned by his family until he sought for the embrace of death. In this foreign world of bladeworks and sorcery, the soul and memor...
