Ephemeral Blooms - Death and Demise
"Zai Zai, hurry!" Nors urgently pushed the little one towards Elder Yu.
The little ones scrambled to Elder Yu's side, extending their arms as magical energy flowed from them, forming green healing runes that spread over Elder Yu's heart, slowly treating his wounds.
Healing magic had long been lost, yet the little one miraculously possessed this ability. Nors kept it a secret from everyone except Elder Yu and Celia, not wanting to attract attention. However, the little ones hadn't trained much, and their magic wasn't strong, especially for healing such near-fatal wounds. Soon, the little one was struggling. Seeing this, Nors immediately held their hand, transferring his magic to ensure the spell continued.
"Where's the healing team? Where the hell are they?" Someone was already shouting in panic. "Hurry up, Elder Yu! You can't leave us!" Some were so scared they could only mumble to themselves: "It can't be, it can't be." Various emotions collapsed around Nors, the suffocating helplessness weighing heavily on his heart. Even knowing it was futile, he stubbornly held the little one's hand, continuing to transfer magic.
Besides Elder Yu's uncertain fate, many other wizards were also injured, some fatally before they could form their magical runes. Compared to the black weapon that pierced through bodies instantly, the wizards' rune formation was far too slow.
"Dad, Zai Zai can't heal him." Seeing the wound not healing and starting to corrode the surrounding skin, tears rolled down the little one's face. It was their first time feeling so useless.
If only I had trained properly, the little one thought, looking at the elder enduring the pain.
"It's okay, it's okay. The healing team is coming, just hold on a bit longer." Nors trembled slightly as he held the little one's hand, not daring to relax even a bit.
"Don't... waste your efforts. I know... I'm... not going to make it." Elder Yu opened his eyes with effort, trying to stop the little one, but they ignored him, sniffing and continuing to cast the spell stubbornly despite their tears.
"Celia... where is she?"
"I'm here, Grandpa, I'm here." Celia, who had been silently sitting nearby, immediately took Elder Yu's hand in hers.
Elder Yu's gaze was distant, knowing his time was short. He struggled to reach into his right pocket, pulling out a silver key and handing it to her. His mouth moved as if he had something to say only to Celia. She leaned down to listen. After hearing his words, she nodded, tears welling up in her eyes, and promised, "Got it, Grandpa."
"Nors... little Celia... you both..."
"... must take care of each other..."
Both nodded tearfully, unable to say anything more, holding the elder's hand tightly. Elder Yu's gaze dimmed, his breathing growing weaker. His vision shifted to the stained glass windows, the strong light shining through, bringing back memories of happier times.
He remembered the day Celia and Nors first arrived;
Nors practicing his sword;
Celia practicing her light magic for the first time;
An old man elegantly sipping tea, occasionally offering advice;
Sometimes he was furious, other times he was laughing heartily.
Ah, those were happy memories. Time sure flies, doesn't it?
In the end, his vision settled on Nors and Celia.
Those beautiful eyes now filled with tears, looking at him sadly. Why does his heart feel so glad? Perhaps he had indeed held a place in these two poor children's hearts. Thinking this, Elder Yu felt no regrets.
Even in death, my soul will return to the Sea of Souls.
Becoming a breeze; becoming a rain; becoming a cloud, continuing to watch over my beloved children.
He slowly closed his eyes.
His breathing stopped.
A chorus of wails erupted around him, cries of grief echoing through the space.
The year 378 of the Solan Calendar - Elder Yu, Yu Agretus, Head of the Shadow Magic Academy, passed away.
Dusk settled, the sky gradually covered by thick clouds, the orange twilight suppressed into a dark gray-purple. The silhouettes of trees stood solemn and still in the fading light. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, producing a low, mournful sound, as if mourning this solemn moment.
In the quiet dusk, the funeral was held in the academy's cemetery. A dozen white coffins were arranged in the open space, intricately carved with magical runes, adorned with flowers and candles.
All the wizards wore white robes, standing solemnly behind the white coffins. The oppressive silence filled the air, the weight of grief pressing heavily on their shoulders. Yet they stood tall and straight.
Death is not the end.
The coffins remained open. Legend had it that wizards, even in death, would return to the Sea of Souls.
The elders' voices rose in the silence, reciting prayers slowly and solemnly. The people behind them joined in. Soon, one by one, souls began to appear above the coffins. Most were white, some glowing faintly with golden light.
Seeing these souls, tears welled up in everyone's eyes, sorrow surging in their hearts.
"Damn it, why'd you die so early? We were supposed to sneak some drinks together," one soul's friend cried out.
"Sister Nia, I mastered the magic you taught me. I... promised you I'd advance soon."
"Waah!!! Avi, my Avi. My child!"
"Huber, you bastard still owe me money. Wait for me, I'll come for you after I die."
Nors and Celia quietly gazed at Elder Yu's soul. Their time together had been only ten years. Alex, Scarlett, and Ethan stood silently behind, supporting their friends.
Elder Yu's soul shone with a brilliant golden light, his face still kind. He gazed at Celia and Nors, seemingly to confirm they were safe. Feeling reassured, he slowly smiled.
Soon, his soul transformed into a soul bird, flying towards its final destination.
The Sea of Souls, the fabled place where all wizards' souls return after death.
"Blessings!"
All the wizards spread their hands over their chests, only their index fingers pointing up, thumbs crossed below. This was the wizards' salute, and they recited the blessing spell together.
Even though the body perishes, the soul remains immortal.
After the funeral, the crowd quietly dispersed. Only Celia and Nors remained. Celia stood before the gravestone, silently gazing at the setting sun. The little one sat quietly on her shoulder. In her hand was the key Elder Yu had given her before he died.
"Celia, if you want to know who you are and where you come from, this key will help you find the truth. Remember, you must protect it. If you don't want to know the truth, destroy the key, forget what I've said, and live your life."
"What are you thinking about?" Nors asked, seeing Celia standing silently.
Celia pondered for a long time before speaking, "Brother Yun, that person was carrying a 'quantum gun.'"
As soon as she said this, the air fell silent. They looked at each other, their minds racing. Nors sighed deeply, turning to look ahead, the last rays of the setting sun fading away.
"We're not sure yet if those people are from that world." The strange clothing and the impossibility of a quantum gun in this era spoke volumes, a complex emotion flickering in Nors' eyes.
"If they are, Brother, would you want to go back?" Nors turned to look at her, suddenly realizing that Celia also felt a deep unease. He held her shoulders, turning her to face him, their foreheads touching as he gazed into her eyes, calming her emotions as he spoke softly:
"Wherever you are, that's where I'll be." With that, he pulled Celia into a hug. Celia silently listened to Nors' heartbeat, feeling a wave of calm wash over her.
She wrapped her arms around him tightly, her myriad emotions ebbing away. For now, she only wanted to feel the familiar comfort of his embrace.
"Wherever you are, I'll be too," the little one chimed in loudly, not wanting to be left out, asserting their presence.
The twilight bathed the three in a peaceful atmosphere. They leaned on each other, knowing that from now on, they only had each other. The one who could protect them was gone.