Glitter & Gold (Marvel/Star Wars Crossover)

Chapter 10: The Funeral

I shook my head. "No, she's not dead. She can't be."

Loki placed a hand over mine, trying to comfort me. "I'm terribly sorry, darling. She was a good person."

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Loki. I merely nodded as I couldn't find the words to speak. Loki gave my hand a squeeze before glancing over at Alotren, remembering that he had not ended the hologram call. "We'll call you back later."

Alotren nodded before ending the call. I looked down at the table, feeling devastated. I've already seen so many deaths, and now both my parents have perished. I knew they would eventually die, but I didn't think it would be anytime soon. 

•••

A week after discovering that mom was gone, a funeral was held for her on Eshan. Frigga, Obi, Stass, Piecor, and Padmé were all torn to hear that their grandma passed away. Currently we were on my mother's home planet in the city she grew up in as a child. The whole family was here for the funeral along with many of our friends and friends of my mom. There was so many people gathered for a funeral that it reminded me of the funeral of Loki's and Thor's mom. The town my mom grew up in was called Setalvia. It was named after my grandma, Sincra's family, the Setalvi Clan. We gathered at the outskirts of Setalvia on a hill covered with snow, hiding the beautiful blue sunfire flowers of Eshan. After burying her, I approached the grave, and stood before it before beginning the eulogy. 

"Mere life is not a victory, mere death is not a defeat. This was one of many Echani proverbs my mom taught my siblings and me. Veda Ca'ana was many things; A senator, a commander to the Rebellion, a member of the ruling council of the Echani Command, a wife, a friend, but Alotren, Jinx, Maya, and I knew her as mom." I began. "She was a selfless and loving woman, serving those in need and her own planet. Even in her final days she served her home planet by becoming an elder of our family on the Echani Elder Council. 

"Mom was always caring and loving, doing what she believed was best for us yet fierce and protective when she needed to be. Although we had our arguments, I now understand the reasons she did certain things. I'm honored to have a mother like Veda Ca'ana, and I wish I had spent more time with you...Ma'dra, you will be missed dearly, but you'll live on in our hearts and in our memories. You are now one with the Force in the Ivory Hall." I finished. "This isn't goodbye, because I know one day we'll see her again in the afterlife."

After the eulogies, many of my friends and family went into the town for a feast we had prepared in honor of mom. I remained behind with Loki, Frigga, Obi, Stass, Piecor, and Padmé as I stared at the grave where the remains of my mom lied. Loki placed a hand over mine, letting me know he was still here to comfort me. I looked over at him, giving him a smile. "Thank you, ve'lo, my love. Thank you for being here."

"I wouldn't wish to be anywhere else, darling." He replied with his usual handsome smile.

"Look a shooting star!" Padmé then exclaimed in excitement.

I quickly turned to look where Padmé was pointing and as soon as I saw where she was pointing, my jaw dropped. It looked like a beautiful shooting star in the shape of a tear. I then remembered what mom told me. I was only eight years old or so and dad, mom, Jinx, Maya, and I were visiting Eshan. 

"Ma'dra! Ma'dra! Fa'dra! Jinx! Maya!" I exclaimed as I saw a shooting star of different colors, which was oddly shaped as a tear.

Jinx and Maya scurried over to the hill where I was standing on. They watched in fascination as mom and dad approached us. A smile appeared on mom's face. "That's no shooting star, Storm, that was the tear of an Echani warrior."

I furrowed my brows. "A warrior?"

"Yes, a warrior who somewhere has finished their final battle." Mom explained.

"And where do they go?" Jinx asked rather intrigued.

"A warrior who has gone to the place where all warriors go, when they are done with their battles." Mom elaborated.

"And where's that?" Maya questioned.

"To the home of the Divine Mother, Saara known as The Ivory Hall." Mom replied. "All Echani will go there when they die. So remember that when I die I shall see you all again in the afterlife."

"You promise?" I asked.

Mom nodded. "When I die it will not be the end, Storm. Remember this: Mere life is not a victory, mere death is not a defeat."

"Mom?" Padmé called out, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Did you see the shooting star?"

My smile widened as I kneeled beside her. "That was no shooting star, Padmé."

"Really? What was it then?" Frigga inquired.

"It was the tear of a Echani warrior." I informed them. "Your grandma told me that when we see the tear of an Echani warrior it means somewhere in the galaxy a warrior has finished their last battle."

"And where do those warriors go?" Obi questioned.

"In the Ivory Hall, the home of Saara, where your grandma is." I explained. 

Loki placed a hand on my shoulder. "She's in a better place now."

I nodded, placing my hand above Loki's. "Yes she is. And this isn't the end. We will see her again."

"Will we ever see grandma Frigga and grandpa Odin?" Padmé inquired. 

I was taken back by her sudden question. I glanced over at Loki to see that he looked rather surprised, however I could feel his anger and sadness. I slipped my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. Loki looked at me, giving me a small smile before turning to our daughter. "One day you'll see them, sweetheart."

"Let's join the others. I think they're about to start the feast." I suggested.

With that Frigga, Stass, and Obi rushed off in search of our family and friends while Padmé and Piecor remained by Loki's and my side. I tried not to look too distraught as I glanced over at my family. Mom's now in a better place along with my dad, I told myself. They are finally together, and someday I will see them again.

~Translations~

Ve'lo---My Love

Ma'dra---Mom

Fa'dra---Dad