Book #1 Covenant

Chapter 22: Aftermath

The sky was darkened, grey clouds drifted in the wind covering the land. A gentle breeze sent dead leaves upon many of the graves and bodies of the not yet buried, the people who had given their lives protecting those they loved. Only a day had passed and already the war was seen as a lot cause, so many were now dead, never to return. Samuel stood motionless, staring down upon the grave of his brother. He still wore his combat armor as the war had just finished and now required the help of everyone to restore the planets and New Earth. Tears ran down his face falling onto the pavement, pooling on the ground. He read the graves once more, hoping that somehow the letters would erase themselves.

Here lies Aiden Gillian, Leader of the last defense and brother to Samuel Gillian.

Lowering his head he closed his eyes remembering, remembering the times of his brother, things they did together, that was all he had now, memories of his brother. Adalyn walked over hugging Samuel, he embraced her, loving the warmth she brought to his darkened and cold world. She was also still clothed in her armor, beaten and bruised, both of them, blood stained and tired.

Aiden's grave was placed under a weeping willow along with many more of the fallen. How appropriate, Samuel thought. Four separate graves lied together in a row opposite Aiden's. Samuel walked over to them as Adalyn hugged him tighter; she began to cry, her body jerking with each sob. Samuel read the names of the last four.

Here lies Silvia Heirdom, Member to the ENF and sister to Adalyn Heirdom.

Here lies Ryder Lee, Member to the ENF.

Here lies Herman Will, Member to the ENF and brother to Jacob Will now deceased.

Here lies Josef, A Leader of the SNF.

Samuel let out a sigh of grief, "how many more must die? These wars have brought us nothing but sadness and hate." Adalyn looked up to him as her tears trickled down. She wiped them away then walked over to her sister's grave and placed a bouquet of yellow flowers upon her sister's grave. A single cloud moved allowing the sun to shine through upon the graves of the lost, the flowers seemed to glow with a bright flame, glistening golden in the sunlight.

"We have to be strong, we cannot dwell on the things of this passing time, they gave their lives to save others." Samuel walked over to where she kneeled over Silvia's grave. "She was a wonderful person, I'm glad to have known her for the short time that I did." Adalyn looked up to Samuel attempting to smile, then turned back to the grave. "I knew her my entire life, I never imagined this day, never thinking that she would be gone forever." Samuel kneeled down and placed a hand upon her shoulder. He had nothing else to say.

Juno came up to them with tears in her eyes, face focused on a single grave. "Ryder." She whispered. Walking over she placed a bouquet of white roses on the head of his gravestone. Samuel helped Adalyn up as he turned to face Juno. She turned while wiping her tears, "Hey Sam and Adalyn, guess all roads have brought us to the same place. I never..."

"None of us did." Samuel interrupted. He walked over grasping her hand. "It's okay to mourn but do not fall into a continuous sate of mourning, you will eventually need to move on. She lightly smiled. "Thank you." He nodded then walked off with Adalyn.

Others now began to move through the hundreds of graves, searching for their loved ones, placing flowers and crying. Samuel looked around; his heard feeling heavy from the sadness that now filled the world. He read the many graves that he passed, names of those that are now gone from the world and off to a better place.

A Commander from the SNF walked up to Samuel and Adalyn holding a small piece of paper. "Samuel, I believe this note is for you." He handed it to him then walked off. Samuels's heart pounded, what did the note contain? Unwrapping he read the bold printed words.