Chapter 79: No One Needs To Know Aside From Us As the sun slowly set over the horizon, the survivors of the Town of Thaloria gathered outside the South Gate. A giant pyre had been prepared. There, all the defenders who had died in battle were laid to rest. It was a solemn moment, in which everyone would pay their final respect to the Heroes who had sacrificed their lives so others may live. Alex stood beside his Master, Cairo. Elaine and Efa were also close to him. All of them watched as a Priestess from the Order of the High Priestess walked toward the pyre, holding a torch in her hand. She then started to sing a song from an ancient Elven language well-known throughout the world of Arcana. The title of this song was called The Song of Rebirth. A song that wished for the departed to find the light, and once again be reborn into the world. (A/N: Relax. I made sure to write the translation, so none of you need to open your Elven dictionaries. No need to thank me.) "In the ashes, where the earth sleeps," the Priestess sang softly. "Whispers of a flame begin to weep." "From the dark, a spark takes flight, A song of old, a flame of light." The people of the town also joined in singing the song. Some sang as they wept, knowing they wouldn’t see their loved ones again. Others sang to send their friends off in peace, promising the departed that they would live on for their sake as well. ""Rise, oh soul, from shadows deep, Through endless nights, through sorrow’s sleep. The fire burns, and with it, grows, A heart anew, a world to know."" Amidst the singing, the Priestess lowered her torch and lit the pyre, sending gentle flames to wash over the bodies of the departed, wrapping them in golden flames of purification. "In the ruins where the cold winds blow," the Priestess sang. "A seed of hope begins to grow." "Touched by flame, it learns to sing, A song of life, a new dawn’s wing." ""Rise, oh soul, from shadows deep, Through endless nights, through sorrow’s sleep. The fire burns and, with it, grows, A heart anew, a world to know."" Cairo, Elaine, and Efa also sang beside Alex. The young man didn’t know the lyrics or the rhythm of the song. He didn’t dare to sing, fearing it might ruin this solemn ceremony to send their souls to the afterlife. He felt like his voice would break the harmony of those sincerely singing for their loved ones. Not to mention, it might also be disrespectful to the dead. As the beautiful yet sorrowful melody came to an end, the townsfolk quieted down and allowed the Priestess to sing the last verse of the song. "Breathe the wind, feel the flame, Through the ashes, we are not the same. Born again, from dust and rain, We rise, we rise, to live again..." Alex watched as the gentle flames sent golden sparks that rose toward the sky, making it look like those who had died were now about to embark on another journey to their next life. When the Priestess finished singing, the sobbing sounds intensified. Houses could be rebuilt. Damaged streets could be restored. But life, once lost, was forever lost. When the flames finally died down and only embers remained, Alex returned to the inn with Cairo, Elaine, and Efa. The priests would collect the ashes and store them in a special container. It would then be buried under the plaza, where a monument enshrining their bravery would be built to remember them by. "Times like this, people need to drink," Elaine said with a forced smile. "So, let’s drink a toast for our departed friends, who are now about to embark on their new adventure." The Swordswoman then poured some wine into her companions’ cups. Some of the patrons, who had also decided to drink in the Cat Tail’s Inn, also filled their cups with wine. "To the brave Heroes of Thaloria!" Elaine shouted as she raised her goblet. ""To the Heroes of Thaloria!"" Alex drank silently and observed his surroundings. The once lively tavern was downcast at the moment, but this, too, would come to pass. Soon, Adventurers from other towns and cities would come to visit the Floating Islands of Thaloria, and a new cycle would begin. That was simply the cycle of life, and that had always been how the world of Arcana worked. Perhaps feeling melancholy, Alex drank more than he could. After he dozed off, Elaine and Efa took him back to his room because everyone else was still busy drinking. Cairo also decided to retire for the night and go to the room that he had booked in another inn with the other Catkins. "Dim Dim, over here." Dim Dim, who was about to follow Alex to his room, heard Lily’s voice, prompting it to leave the inn to look for its friend. In one of the abandoned homes near the Cat Tail’s Inn, a little girl wearing a red riding hood costume reached out to pick the Dim Sum God from the ground and hold it close to her chest. "Are you sad, Dim Dim?" Lily asked, lightly patting the head of her friend. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶 "Dim..." Dim Dim nodded. "It’s going to be okay." Cupid materialized beside Lily and also patted Dim Dim’s head. "The Priestess did a good job. I’m sure that they all passed on peacefully to the afterlife." "Dim." Dim Dim nodded a second time, deciding to spend the night with its friends, who were worried about him. —— The next day... ’Is this deja vu?’ Alex thought as he looked at the two sleeping girls beside him. Both of them were properly dressed, while he was only wearing his pants. Oh, well. At least he had pants on this time. "I see, so nothing happened," Alex muttered. "I should really tone down on drinking when I’m such a lightweight." "Why do you sound so disappointed?" The petite and beautiful Efa opened her eyes and looked at the young man who was scratching his head in frustration. "Did you perhaps want something to happen?" Looking at Efa’s mischievous and seductive gaze, the young man almost said yes. But after remembering the faces of his "Queens" in ELO, he forced himself to calm down. He would be meeting them at Frieden Academy, and he didn’t want to have a loose attitude when it came to relationships. Efa and Elaine were good friends, allies, and companions. He didn’t want to treat them as casual flings because that might cause complications in the future. But there was a problem, Efa’s rough, small hands were rubbing his chest and abs, as if coaxing him to give into the temptation. "Just a night is enough, you know?" Efa teased. "No one needs to know aside from us." "That’s right." Another devilish voice came from behind Alex as Elaine joined the conversation. "All you need to do is say yes, and we will take you to heaven," Elaine whispered in Alex’s ears, almost making him waver. Just as he was about to give an answer, the young man found a small white bun peeking at him from the window of his room. Dim Dim also had a mischievous smile on its face, as if waiting for Alex to make his decision. "Oh goodness. Look at the time." Alex glanced at the clock on the wall. "It’s already this late? I’m really feeling hungry. How about we have breakfast?" Alex didn’t wait for Efa’s and Elaine’s reply before sliding off the bed. He then picked up his clothes on the floor and stored them inside his storage ring. The young took out new ones and wore them as quickly as he could before leaving the room in haste. "Pffft!" Efa was no longer able to hold back her laughter because Alex’s expression had been priceless. Even Elaine couldn’t help but smile faintly, entertained by how easy it was to fluster the young man. Dim Dim then crawled down from the window and entered the tavern through another window that connected to it, leaving the two ladies behind. "Ugh... my hips hurt a bit," Alex muttered as he walked down the stairs. "Did I push myself too hard in yesterday’s battle? I feel so drained right now." The battlefield had been chaotic, and Alex had tanked several hits from Orcs and Hobgoblins, who were all Rank 3 Monsters. His body had already been in pain back then, but he had been enduring it through sheer willpower. Thinking that it was the side effect of pushing himself to the limits, the young man met up with Dim Dim and ordered breakfast for himself, the little bun, and the two ladies who had also decided to join them for breakfast.