Shadow Bands

XXX. In The Stars

Aeris' lifeless body lay peacefully in her casket that was being held afloat on a river in an ornate boat. Flowers framed her fragile silhouette, picturing her beautifully.

In this ceremony, other senators from the neighboring nations paid their respects to Aeris and her mother. Knights stood at parade rest while a sea of black suits and dresses swayed along the riverbank.

Lyra stood by her casket, tears threatening to burst from her eyes. Brushing stray hair aside, she placed her palm on her cheek. Kaelen gently placed his hand on her shoulder, letting her know he was there, but Lyra only gave him a slight nod and a smile.

"I'm so sorry for your loss," said Elderlore as he approached. His lips pursed into a thin line. "Aeris was a bright young lady, ready to do the kingdom right. Taken away too soon before she could show the world what she was capable of."

"This isn't fair," said Lyra, the knot in her throat sore from all the crying. "It didn't have to be her. She was all I had left."

A moment of silence slipped by along with the currents of the river.

"We must begin this ceremony." Suggested Elderlore.

Lyra gave a quick nod, but her eyes never left her dear friend.

The gray clouds gave way to dawn, the sun parting it down its center. A sick gesture from the heavens, Lyra thought. She cursed them under her breath, feeling her chest swell.

"This kingdom has lost a great senator," Elderlore began. "A fighter, a friend. Darkness has pulled its wool over our eyes, blinding us from ourselves. Aeris Veil aimed to light our way, bringing back those who have gone astray.

We must remember who we are and what we are fighting for. This war has come to our doorstep, taking the lives of those who we love dearly. Aeris wanted only one thing: to win this war and to bring peace to this kingdom, no matter the cost. Today we mourn; however, tomorrow we will prepare to bring the fight to the demons!"

A proud cheer rose from the crowd, yet sorrow infused it.

Elderlore placed his hand on Lyra's shoulder, nodding to let her know it was time. For a few more moments, she wanted to spend more time with her, but she knew it couldn't be forever. She untied her boat, and the current gently carried it away. Lyra's lips trembled as breaths quivered.

She reached for a bow and an arrow that lay beside her. She stood straight, doing her best not to display any more weakness, but even she knew there wasn't anything she could hide. Kaelen offered to take this burden off her shoulders, but she refused, dipping the tip of the arrow in tar, then lighting it with a torch.

The boat gracefully floated on the river, its gentle waves being sure not to disturb her eternal slumber. Lyra nocked the arrow and raised the bow. Her vision blurred, causing everything in front of her to blend. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and placed her fingers on the bowstring. She struggled to find the strength within herself; trying to draw the bow never felt so difficult.

A sudden warmth filled her chest, and her breath calmed. A glimpse of Aeris smiled at her from the boat. Lyra knew she was imagining it, but she never wished for something so hard. But seeing her one last time made her realize what she had to do. To end the future pain and suffering, she must finish what their mothers started—what Aeris picked up after the wake of their deaths.

With her newfound resolve, she pulled the bowstring back, raised the bow, and released the fiery arrow. Lyra watched as it whistled through the air. Like a shooting star, she watched it soar through the air until the arrow buried itself within the flowers.

Smoke rose from the boat for a few quick moments, then a flame erupted, slowly consuming the contents of the boat as it floated further away. The flames burned passionately, as if it were dancing to a song as it twirled and whipped.

"I'm still holding on to everything that's dead and gone," Lyra whispered to herself. "I don't want to say goodbye because this one means forever. And now you're in the stars, and six feet have never felt so distant. Now I feel alone here between the heavens and the embers."

Deep down inside her, it hurt so hard for a million different reasons. Burning the best of her heart and leaving the rest in pieces.