Besides the majestic gate walls, a solemn assembly took form, where the departed were tenderly laid out in orderly rows, awaiting their families' final farewells. The bodies were dressed in their most radiant traditional clothes, lovingly garnished with fragrant island blooms. In the days leading up to this sad gathering, when Sakura had been absent, grieving relatives moistened the parched lips of their loved ones for one last sip of water, tenderly cleansing the lifeless forms.
Sakura's pack joined The Generations in the ceremony, kneeling on Zabuton in a silent show of empathy for the shared losses. A prayer, a solemn passage to the realm of spirits, echoed through the stillness of the ceremony. Vibrant chimes rang out in measured rhythm, punctuating the serene atmosphere as everyone bowed their heads in unison and clasped their hands.
The deceased, their heads cradled on propped pillows, offered sustenance and cherished items as a tribute to the divine, praying for the safe passage of their beloved departed souls to the spirit realm.
Afterward, the families sat down with their departed loved ones in wooden tub-shaped coffins. They gently sealed the lids with heavy hearts, cradling their cherished ones in a final embrace before commencing the solemn procession toward the sacred shrine beside the mountains.
Everyone walked in somber black robes as they respectfully trailed behind the procession. Those closest to the grieving family were granted passage into the inner sanctum, while others, forming two facing lines, flanked the path leading to the shrine. In a gesture of respect, they bowed to the families in mourning.
Two sacred women, clad in white Kariginu robes with the Hitoe and Sashinuki balloon pants, wore black Eboshi hats atop their heads. Standing side by side, one wore a rosy pink hue, while the other wore a regal purple, identical features marked by pure white skin and a complete absence of makeup. They grasped wooden wands in their hands, from which dangled folded white paper streamers, known as the Gohei purification wand.
Sakura whispered, "Those lassies are unmistakably one of me, ya?"
"Yeah," Athen replied, whispering in her ear. "The one with long, dark pink hair is Isabella's daughter, Alexa. She is The Generation of the Soul. The woman with dark purple hair and eyes is named Hailey. She is The Generation of the Spirit."
Within the shrine, an abundant spectacle awaited. An endless sea of vibrant flowers garnished the walls. At the altar's highest tier, a mirror replica held a place of honor, while the middle level cradled a photograph of the departed souls. On the lowest deck, an array of offerings lay in tribute: rice, salt, sake, water, round rice cakes, sea fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, confections, and dried sustenance.
Finally, as a gentle gesture of closure, the identical priestesses tenderly closed the double doors of their shrine. They fastened a piece of pristine white paper to the door, sealing the passage into the spiritual realm with a mark of respect.
Sakura leaned against Athen, her voice soft as she inquired, "Could ya kindly explain what is happenin' right now?"
Athen replied, "Before the funeral rites begin, a body must undergo an earth purification ceremony. Hailey and Alexa perform these sacred rituals inside the shrine. Afterward, they will respectfully withdraw, leaving the grieving families to their mourning. The sisters will then journey to the cemetery to purify the hallowed burial grounds with sacred water and purify themselves."
Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, Sakura pondered, "I thought this was the funeral, wasn't it?"
Athen suppressed a chuckle, attempting to maintain the seriousness of the moment. Meanwhile, mourners had gathered closely around the shrine. The two young women, Hailey and Alexa, unveiled themselves, gracefully opening the shrine's doors. They distanced themselves from the shrine with measured steps, beginning their procession southward toward the cemetery.
Families graciously accepted offerings in the crowd, bestowing tributes upon the Kami with silent whispers and tearful sniffles. Regrettably, Lina's clan was among those mourning the loss of her grandfather and several extended family members. Overwhelmed by the collective grief, Sakura remained a step behind the others.
Chimes rang out as Hailey and Alexa reentered the shrine, moving at their customary, unrushed pace. Alexa held the purification wand in prayer, and in the ritual, Hailey transferred the spirits of the departed from their earthly vessels to wooden tablets thoughtfully placed beside each body. As the sisters conducted their sacred duties, the spirits stemmed from the lifeless forms in brilliant orbs of light, entering the tablets with an almost blinding radiance, capturing the attention of all.
The girls continued their prayers until the meal announcement brought everyone together. Outside the shrine, the families of the mourners set up long tables draped in black cloaks with an array of dishes. There, they would partake in a proper meal, each dish a diverse selection that anyone could choose from.
Royalty received a distinguished summons to occupy a separate section beneath a wooden overhang with exquisite flowers. The scene bore an uncanny resemblance to a wedding rather than a funeral, with its floral decor. The Alpha took her place, flanked by her devoted protectors, who remained close like a gathering of meerkats.
Her energy depleted and rattled by the immense crowd, Sakura turned to Athen with a wearied gaze, "Is the funeral over yet?"
Athen smiled slyly, saying, "No, Sakura, this part is known as the Wake."
Frustration tinged her voice as she persisted, "I mean no disrespect, but I can't stay here any longer. We have to locate Atlas's grave."
Michael interjected with a valid concern, "How can we possibly do that during all this? They'll likely notice and hate us if we leave, assuming we don't care when we clearly do."
Sakura's gaze wandered across the gathering, finally landing on Hailey and Alexa, who stood together, silently observing the mourners. She suggested, "Perhaps we could approach them?"
Michael violently shook his head. He said, "That's not an option. Those two are terrifying. If they choose, they can direct you into the spirit world and not bring you back. And, Sakura, you haven't been on everyone's good side recently."
Sakura sighed, her anxiety mounting, her fingers absently running through her hair, a cascade of loose strands escaping. Her medication seemed to do more harm than good, and the weight of the situation pressed heavily upon her.
Sam settled beside Sakura, draped in her black robes and concealing most of her bandaged wounds. An awkward smile graced her lips as she addressed the group, "A skilled woodworker will need to rebuild my boat. It was the only civilian transportation between the island and the human territories."
With a soft voice, Sakura whispered, "I'm sorry about that, Sam. I'll help in any way I can."
Sam waved off the concern with a gracious nod. "No need to worry. The timing was oddly fortunate, given the circumstances. Speaking of which, The Generations typically present themselves in mass funerals before mourners for the burial."
A glimmer of hope sparkled in Sakura's eyes. She said, "So, does that mean we can leave now?"
"Yes, as the Alpha, whenever you're ready, you'll need to lead us to the cemetery."
"I don't have a clue where the cemetery might be, to be honest."
Sam reassured her, "No worries. You won't need to know. Your Alpha Protectors will form a line in front of you, from Omega to Alpha, and you'll be positioned in the center. Then the rest of us will follow."
Jack grumbled, observing the playful omegas amusing themselves with chopsticks balanced on their noses. "Yeah, babes, because that's a great idea. Those two will surely bicker about who gets to lead the line."
Sam's gaze bore into the omegas, her tone sharp. "Alec takes the lead. Ensure they don't fight before the mourners."
Jack turned to the twins, inhaling deeply as if summoning every ounce of patience he could muster. Clasping his hands, he looked at them and said, "I am begging you two—be on your best behavior. Just this once."
Alex smirked, leaning casually against his younger brother. He rubbed Alec's head with a mischievous grin, mussing his hair. "I don't know, Alec," he teased. "Think you can manage to behave?"
Alec growled, swatting at Alex's hand. "I'd snap your neck if I had the chance," he snarled.
Alex growled back, their shared tension crackling as their eyes locked in a silent challenge. Meanwhile, the others watched with weary expressions, rubbing their faces as if already drained by the inevitable bickering. The twins' daily sparring was as predictable as the sunrise, but despite their constant squabbles, their bond was undeniable.
Jack let out a long-suffering sigh and stepped between them. "Knock it off, Alec," he said, his tone firm. "Just hold it together for today, alright? You're one of the top werewolves in all of Paradise. We need to prove we're fit for this, so act like it."
Alec huffed, glancing away, but the edge in his demeanor softened slightly. He took the lead, with his brother Alex following, while Jack positioned himself ahead of Michael.
Hidden from the prying eyes of the mourners, Athen subtly extended his hand to clasp Sakura's, offering silent comfort during her looming panic attack. The Generations, forming a line, trailed behind her, departing from the gathering.
The pack reached the island's southernmost point—the cemetery. This eerie and desolate burial ground is where the departed rested for all eternity. At its heart lay a cluster of boulders and massive tree branches, a memorial to those lost werewolves whose identities remained unknown, their remains forever undiscovered.
Over time, the grass had claimed generations of soldiers, rendering the terrain uneven and resembling a lumpy forest. Burdened by the grim surroundings, the twins moved with deliberate care; their teeth clenched as they tread upon this mass grave. Alec struggled to contain his anguish. Yet, the rest of the pack pressed forward with Sakura at the forefront, knowing they would be placed here someday.
Lina gently pulled Sakura and her protectors aside after they had reached the purification fountains. Her voice was hushed, and she said, "Come with me; I know the way to my uncle's grave."
The pack acknowledged her with silent nods, and they followed her, veering in a separate direction. Lina's family tomb, in dark blue and black hues, stood separated from the civilian families who had no relation to the Generations. Within, the air was thick with humidity, and open plots lay ready to embrace more family members. Lina skillfully guided them through the grounds, leading them to a large rectangular stone with flickering candles and offerings.
Unlocking the wooden door that concealed the interior, Lina revealed a wooden coffin. This was the key moment everyone had been expecting. As the casket swung open, an unsettling revelation unfolded before them. All that remained was a well-worn pillow, nearly worn to dust from years spent underground. The location of the metal was supposed to be hidden away on his person, but neither the paper nor the body were there,
Lina said, "I must inform the others. We might not know your father's whereabouts, but we can distinguish his ultimate intentions if you journey to Ireland."
Sakura questioned, "Return to Ireland? I haven't been there in years."
Lina urged, "It's your one opportunity to uncover the truth. Go before the others arrive."
Sakura nodded in agreement. The mission had evolved beyond simply returning the metal to its rightful place; it had become a quest to unearth any advantage they could find.