The atmosphere grew tense, the weight of Xue's words hanging heavily in the air. Alissa and Seraphina exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of the situation sinking in. Xue's sharp tone had cut through the room like a blade, leaving no room for further questions.
Xue stood, his crimson eyes now dull and shadowed, the remnants of his unrelenting grief barely hidden beneath his icy composure. He adjusted his sword, its weight symbolic of the burdens he carried.
"Elysia rests here because she was the heart of the Central Continent," Xue continued, his voice steady but cold, though the faintest tremor of guilt lurked beneath. "She belonged to these people, to this land. But Iblis, Marina, and Corrine—" His voice faltered for a brief moment, his eyes momentarily clouding over. "They were the pride of the Elemental Continent. Their people deserve to see them one last time. To mourn, to curse, to demand answers... whatever comes, we'll face it."
Seraphina hesitated before speaking, her voice soft with concern. "Do you think they'll accept it, Xue? That we failed to protect their greatest champions?"
Xue's gaze flicked toward her, piercing yet filled with a sorrow he couldn't completely hide. "Accept it? No, they won't. But it doesn't matter. What we owe them is closure—closure for their families, for their people. Elysia had her place here, but Iblis, Marina, and Corrine had theirs in the Elemental Continent. We failed to protect them. Their parents, their people, the ones who loved them—they need closure."
He looked down, his voice softening, weighed down by the guilt that gnawed at him. "If it's anger, let them pour it. If it's sadness, we'll provide our shoulder. If it's mourning, we mourn with them. If we can't do even this much... what kind of friends would we be? Their sacrifices saved so many, gave so much. What would their lives have meant if we couldn't even honor them properly?"
Alissa clenched her fists at her sides, the frustration in her stance giving way to understanding. "So we're not just delivering their bodies. You want a conference—a way for their families to come together, for their parents to hear the truth."
Xue nodded, his expression hardening once more. "Yes. Rather than just preparations to travel, let it be a conference. Iblis's parents are the heads of the Dragonkin, Marina's parents lead the Undine, and Corrine's father is said to be the best blacksmith in history. They all deserve to hear what happened. What was done to their children. We owe them that much."
Seraphina let out a breath, her wings folding tighter against her back. "You're right. They need the truth. We can't just show up with their bodies and expect everything to be settled. This will be a reckoning."
Xue's gaze hardened as he spoke again, his tone resolute. "This isn't about wisdom or strategy. This is about honor—honoring their lives and sacrifices, and giving their families the closure they deserve. Whatever happens after, we will face it. Together."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words pressing down on them. Alissa and Seraphina could see the exhaustion etched into Xue's features, but the determination in his eyes was unwavering.
"When do we leave?" Alissa asked, her voice quiet but firm.
"Three days," Xue answered, his voice steady now, a flicker of resolve returning. "I'll handle the arrangements with the elemental guardians. We'll gather their parents and those who loved them. No matter what comes from it, we will face it. It's the least we can do."
With that, Xue turned to leave, but not before pausing at the door. He spoke without looking back, his voice quieter than before. "Get ready. This isn't a mission—it's a reckoning. We owe them that much."
The door closed behind him, and Alissa and Seraphina stood in the room, each lost in their own thoughts. The burden of what was to come weighed on them, but they understood the importance of Xue's resolve. It wasn't about his guilt or their fear—it was about honoring the fallen.
Alissa exhaled softly, swirling her hair using air magic. "I just hope we're ready for whatever comes next."
Seraphina's gaze lingered on the door where Xue had exited, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "We never are, but Xue... he always finds a way."
The two Elites stood in silence, knowing that whatever lay ahead would test them all in ways they hadn't yet imagined. But in the end, it wasn't just about them—it was about honoring the memory of their friends.