Imperatrix Fallen: Alith's Cradle

XI

*********Direct Family Known: All outside Frontier III
Note: In the subject's home, the presence of plates and cutlery for two people has been reported, although this could be due to the deplorable state of cleanliness caused by his long absences, as mentioned on page 15 of this report. *************

Subject Report: Makia Kuth.

Makia nodded solemnly, signaling to the gravedigger that he could lower the coffins of his parents. He stood alone by the graves, while the other attendees gathered much further back. Flora, Max, Isaias, and Roy were there, accompanied by their parents and a few teachers from the institute. Max noticed how heavily guarded the place was by soldiers from Sacra and Victrix, and spotted, in the distance, the girl Makia had saved in the library—Laura—accompanied by three other young women, all dressed in mourning attire. "Afther the thing she did to him, she came..." Max thought.

"Where is the rest of Makia's family? His uncles and aunts? Didn't he have grandparents?" Roy whispered to Max.
"They're all from the outskirts of Frontier, and the city is still a chaotic military mess," Max replied.
"But he has us!" Flora exclaimed, her voice breaking as she sobbed.

As the coffins were lowered, Flora was the first to step forward to approach her friend, but she was abruptly stopped by a single hand gesture from Makia.
"Leave him be; maybe he wants to be alone," Max said to the others, though privately he thought, "Or perhaps he doesn't want us to see how badly injured he really is."

Everyone began to retreat in silence while Makia stood watching the gravediggers as they shoveled dirt.

As they walked away, Max's father raised his voice, addressing the kids.
"Children, I understand that you're Makia's friends, but I think you should focus more on your own safety and future. You agree with me, don't you?" he asked, turning to the other adults.
"Well, with everything that's been said, it is a bit dangerous," Roy's father commented, "but that doesn't mean they should leave him alone, right? He has no one left..."
"That's irrelevant," Max's mother said calmly.

The children exchanged glances, rolling their eyes at their parents' conversation. Only Flora appeared visibly upset by the insinuation, but it wasn't until she noticed her mother's absence from the group that she became truly flustered.

Makia turned to watch those who had come to the funeral walking away, but his view was suddenly blocked by an older woman dressed in what seemed like an ancient ceremonial robe and a wide-brimmed black hat. She stood against the sun, and after a moment, he recognized her—Flora's mother.

"Ma'am, please..." Makia said, slightly offended.
"Why didn't you cry?" Flora's mother asked.
"This is my mourning. You have no part in it."
"It's not healthy to hold in your emotions, boy." She embraced Makia. He lifted his arms to return the gesture but stopped midway. She let him go and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Even though you've always been like this, it's not good to keep it all inside, Sitsho."

Makia froze for a second. He looked at Flora's mother, his eyes filled with confusion.

"The boy is strong, Kila. It'll take much more than that to bring me back," Makia said, though it wasn't his voice that spoke.

"Mother!" Flora called, appearing behind her mother with the rest of her friends.
"Makia, we'll be here for whatever you need," Isaias said nervously.
"Sorry for not respecting your wish to be alone, Makia," Max added.

Flora rushed forward to hug him, but Makia stopped her. "It still hurts," he said. Flora assumed he was referring to his physical wounds, so she stepped back sympathetically.

Makia remained silent, turning his attention back to the gravediggers as they finished and left. The group of friends, filled with sorrow, quietly departed without saying goodbye.

"Will you cry tonight? Do it for me, dear," Flora's mother whispered in Makia's ear before leaving.

Once everyone had gone, Makia sat down by the grave.
"I... I'm so sorry... I don't know why I did it... I don't know why I did it... But now it all seems so meaningless, and I don't know why. I feel so empty... Dad, Mom, please help me... I want to be left alone, but I don't want to be alone. What the hell is happening to me? Am I... am I really dead?"

Makia stood up and began pacing back and forth.
"I'm sorry..."

With tears welling in his eyes, Makia finally left the cemetery.