Tales of a Dead God

Chapter Thirty-Three: Goodbyes are not Permanent Endings

Days had passed since they left the battlefield. Many would carry the fallen back and bury them in hometowns across the nation. It was indeed a time to celebrate, but also a time to grieve.

Lorcán held all celebrations until they laid Theo to rest. He took everything into his own hands and planned out the funeral so Noah and the others could rest and grieve.

Noah hadn't left their room since they returned. Many nights he would cry himself to sleep as he lay in the arms of Gabriel or Ciro. On other nights he would sit on the balcony hoping the night would last just a little longer because each day that passed took him further from his brother.

The morning of the funeral Noah was up early. He tossed and turned all night and just decided to wake up and take a walk. A numbness had spread throughout his body and he didn't know where his feet were going to take him, but he also didn't care. So he started to walk down corridor after corridor. The sun hadn't risen yet but the sky was starting to brighten slightly as each minute went by. Noah found himself staring at the garden he and Theo found the first day they were there.

He walked in and sat near the small pond as Theo had done so many times before. It was quiet in the garden but weirdly enough for once Noah felt a sense of comfort. He let out a sigh and heard a soft jingle answer back. He turned around and saw one of the little sprites watching carefully.

Noah reached out his hand for the Sprite to have somewhere to sit. "I'm sorry I'm not Theo. I know you guys loved him." The sprite tilted its head and flew off. Noah sat there and started to cry again. He hugged his knees to his chest and started to sob. A few seconds later the sprite was back but with some friends. Noah looked up and saw them all watching him with curiosity. "He's dead. Don't you get it? Theo is dead and won't ever see you again." The sprites tried to comfort Noah the best they knew how. Weirdly enough Noah felt like his brother was close by as the sprites tried wiping away his tears.

~~~*~~~

The funeral would be held in the afternoon. Gabriel, Ciro, and Noah all decided they would have lunch in the dining hall before heading to get ready for the funeral. Lunch was very somber and quiet. Noah played with his food for a good ten minutes before pushing his plate away.

Ciro looked up from his plate with tired eyes. "Why don't we just go back to the room? It's almost time to start getting ready anyways." He said softly. Noah nodded and all three stood up.

Gabriel stopped Ciro on the way out. "I'll catch up."

"Everything okay?"

Gabriel nodded. "Yeah. Everything's fine, just go worry about Noah."

Gabriel watched Ciro wrap a caring arm around Noah and they headed off. Gabriel waited a few minutes before heading in the opposite direction. He headed out of the castle to the large open field that sat to the west of the castle.

He just screamed. The anger and sadness Gabriel had been pushing down for days now had finally broken through the surface.

Gabriel looked up to the sky with tears in his eyes. "WHERE WERE YOU, BASTARDS?" He yelled out. "YOU COULD'VE SAVED HIS LIFE! THAT POOR KID COULD STILL BE HERE IF YOU EVER GOT OFF YOUR THRONES!"

"Ahmes," A soft voice said. Gabriel turned around. A beautiful woman stood waiting for him. Arjan, Ancient Goddess of Life.

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Now you show." His voice was low and laced with venom.

Arjan had a sympathetic smile. "You know of all people. We don't interfere with the affairs of this world."

"EREBUS KILLED MY BROTHER! HE'S GONE AND WE'RE LEFT TO FIX WHAT HE DESTROYED!" Gabriel yelled. Arjan never flinched but stood and listened. "What more do you need to interfere?" His voice broke.