The air was heavy with silence as the immortals gathered in the secluded glade, the moon casting a soft glow over the clearing. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on their hearts, and they knew it was time to honor their fallen friend, Vaelor.
Aurelia knelt down first, picking up a small, smooth stone from the forest floor. "This stone feels just right," she murmured, placing it at the base of a makeshift memorial they had built from branches and twigs. "It reminds me of how gentle he could be, despite his terrifying form."
Lucius stood beside her, his face etched with sorrow. "He had a way of making the world seem less dark," he said, reaching for a rock with rough edges. "This one is for all the times he saved us from danger. He always knew when to fight and when to retreat." He added the stone to the collection.
Nyssa stepped forward, her eyes glistening with tears. "We all have stories to tell," she said, her voice trembling. "I remember the first time we met him. I was terrified of his appearance, but he didn't hesitate to show me kindness. It changed everything for me."
"Kindness can be a powerful weapon," Thalos added, recalling the warmth that always seemed to radiate from Vaelor when he was around. "It's what drew us all together, and what made him our friend."
As the stones accumulated, each immortal shared their own memories, weaving a tapestry of laughter and sorrow.
"I'll never forget the time he tried to teach us how to swim," Aurelia said, a small smile breaking through her sadness. "He transformed into a little creature to demonstrate, and then he jumped into the water and splashed us all. I think I swallowed half the lake!"
Lucius chuckled despite the somber atmosphere. "And then he tried to show us how to dive. He hit the water so hard he made a wave that nearly knocked me off my feet. I thought we'd lost him, but he emerged laughing."
The shared laughter offered a brief respite, but it faded as the reality of their loss returned. Nyssa wiped a tear from her cheek. "His laughter could fill the darkest moments with light. I miss that."
Feeling the weight of grief settle upon them, Thalos decided to share a story of his own. "Do you remember when Vaelor risked himself to save us from that ambush? We were outnumbered, and I thought we were finished. But he charged in, using his transformation to distract our enemies long enough for us to escape."
Aurelia nodded, her heart swelling with pride at their friend's bravery. "He didn't think twice about it. He always put us first, even when it put him in danger."
As they continued adding stones, a palpable sense of camaraderie enveloped them, binding their grief into something more profound.
"Sometimes, I wonder if we're meant to endure so much loss," Nyssa said softly. "Being immortal means we'll witness the passing of so many loved ones. It's one of the disadvantages, isn't it?"
"It is," Thalos replied, his voice steady. "But we also have each other. We carry their memories, and that makes us stronger. Vaelor wouldn't want us to wallow in sorrow. He would want us to celebrate our friendship."
Just as he spoke those words, a rustling sound came from the edge of the forest. The immortals exchanged glances, their hearts racing with the hope that it could be Vaelor returning to them.
"Did you hear that?" Aurelia asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Thalos nodded, straining to listen. "It sounded familiar."
They turned as the sound came again—a soft, melodic hum echoing through the trees. It was a sound they all recognized, a reminder of the way Vaelor would call to them during their adventures.
"Vaelor!" Nyssa called out, her heart pounding with hope.
But as they peered into the darkness, the sound faded, replaced by the haunting stillness of the night. A shiver ran down Thalos's spine as he took a step forward, searching for any sign of their friend. "He wouldn't leave us like this," he murmured, but doubt crept in.
"Maybe we're just imagining things," Lucius said quietly, trying to convince himself more than anyone else. "The woods play tricks on our minds."
As the quietness returned, an unsettling feeling settled among them. They returned to their tribute, the weight of grief more tangible than before.
"I don't want to lose the memories we shared with him," Aurelia said, her voice trembling. "We have to keep telling his stories. That's how he will live on."
"Agreed," Thalos said firmly. "We'll share our memories, and in doing so, we keep him alive within us."
As they continued to place stones, the feeling of loss hung heavily in the air, yet there was a subtle sense of warmth, too. Together, they would honor Vaelor, cherishing the moments that had defined their friendship.
Suddenly, the rustling returned, louder this time, accompanied by an unmistakable voice that echoed through the trees.
"Guys!" it called, a blend of urgency and playfulness that sent their hearts racing.
"Vaelor?" Aurelia's voice was laced with hope.
"Could it be?" Nyssa whispered, her breath catching in her throat.
Without thinking, they dashed toward the sound, adrenaline pumping through their veins as they pushed through the underbrush. The anticipation of seeing their friend again filled them with renewed energy, driving them forward through the dark forest.
But as they reached the edge of the clearing, the forest fell silent once more, leaving them standing in the moonlight with nothing but shadows and memories.
"Where is he?" Thalos asked, a hint of despair creeping into his voice.
As the realization settled in, a heavy silence descended upon them. They were left standing together, united in their grief yet fractured by the uncertainty of what had just transpired.
"Maybe he really is gone," Aurelia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But we'll carry him with us."
"Always," Lucius affirmed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We will never forget him."
In that moment, surrounded by the remnants of their memories and the emptiness left behind, they knew they would honor Vaelor's legacy. Through their stories and the bonds they shared, he would continue to live on in their hearts.