The fire has finally started to burn Mr. Thomas lifeless body, as he laid motion less inside the wooden logs. Many people from village has surrounded it and Clapped their hands together to give Goddess Celestia their final prayers for his soul to find peace in her Divine realm.
Asher similarly was giving his own prayers like everyone while standing infront of fire.
The people Surrounding the fire went their ways forming small groups. They talked with each other he was not sure on what as it did not make him curious at all.
Seeing the embers sparkling in the night sky, Asher felt dazed, and empty for first time in his life. 'Such a beautiful view of night sky and burning fire with everyone gathered around yet why was it not a moment of joy and celebrate? Why is our reason to gather to grieve and not a joyful situation? '
To a boy who doesn't understand the world yet, such an innocent question came at a corner of his heart, yet the cold cruel logic soon came after. Washing away that innocent thought.
Looking at Meli beside him who has reddened her eyes probably from crying, she has known Mr.Thomas since her childhood same with kit. His death must have hit them harder then his own feelings.
He knew it was not a right thing to say but Asher still felt a bit envious towards them at how much time they must have spent at his shop, how many memories did they made with him. Unlike he who only has 3 years worth of anything so small and less significant compared to them.
'Where is Mr Frank?' Looking around Asher did not saw him nearby the fire has already stopped, The village cheif has already collected Mr.Thomas ashes, after probably doing a proper prayer from a priest it will be given to Frank.
"Mr. Frank has went home guided by villagers, he was weeping so much that he felt asleep on ground" Meli who saw him looking around answered his inquiry.
"You should also rest, take care. Its already to late at night."
Asher said his goodbyes before heading toward home everyone has almost left, And roads where empty. He soon reached his house not too big nor small. A house of of two floors, made of wood, 1st floor or more like ground floor was where Asher and grandpa lived while 2nd floor was mostly used as storage now a days. It had previously belonged to Williams son .
"So tired" Asher swiftly went to bed, and wrapped himself by the blankets present.
.....
Next morning.
Asher looked around the house but no one was present after he had woken up, he usually was an early bird but after the stressful night he had decided to indulge a bit more in sleep.
"Where did grandpa Will went so early in morning, breakfast is not made so he must be nearby."
Going outside , he saw a group of people gathered in front of Mr Frank house. He was planning on visiting him since last night he was unable to give any words of condolences to him and wanted to share even a bit of his sentiment.
'Why such a big crowd so early morning' Asher did not have good feeling about this. Reaching Frank's house he saw his grandpa nearby.
"Grandpa Will why are so many people gathered here"
William was surprised by Asher sudden appearance and gasped, his face was dry and looked wrinkled not like his usual energetic every day grandpa.
"Frank has died, His body was found in same manner as Thomas. Hanging from the same Tree early in morning by group of kids" William informed him with a deep tone.
"What!! H-How did it happen so suddenly. Did you checked his body grandpa, maybe like Mr Thomas".
Asher bombarded William with questions, his reaction was different from yesterday taking quite logical route today, instead of emotional one. But still signs of sorrow couldn't be hidden no matter what.
"Ash, Frank body was in perfect condition and unlike Thomas his hands where completely fine. As if he himself has surely taken his life."
William words poured like cold water to Asher. His yesterday doubts almost crumbling.
"Did Mr Frank died after losing his brother, I know he was sad but taking such a drastic steps same night of incident. It's not like their family was having any trouble. It just doesn't make any sense at all."
"I know Its hard to accept but he has indeed died. Please don't try to put yourself in danger even with logic it's harmful for oneself. I know how it feels to try to escape reality with logic"
Asher closed his eyes, as he listened to Williams word he was almost denying a second death. He didn't wanted to accept that one more person he knew had died leaving them behind.
"Haaaa, yes grandpa sorry for such tantrum, I just don't want to think such events could happen for something so simple reasons." Asher took a deep breath and mumbled.
" We will swiftly take care of this, Kit and other kids have gone around to inform villagers about this. I don't like the idea of ending the day and starting a new day with loss of our friends. But we still need to."
Grandpa words where harsh but logically correct wasting time would be disrespectful towards both brothers.
After events similar to yesterday night it' was almost afternoon. The village air was quite depressing, as everyone was silent and shaken. The Eron village which was always full of sounds of people going to forest, setting up stalls or gathering fruits to sell on city was dead silent.
While sitting on a chair besides kitchen staring outside through the window, Asher was deep in thoughts.
"Ash with such events celebrating your birthday tonight is not a good idea is it" William solemnly told, regret visible in his grey eyes.
"Yes, I was actually...thinking the same thing. I also to tell the truth don't have any desire for such things anymore."
"Yes a grand celebration is not possible but we can still celebrate it among ourselves, I will show you why I was a first class chef in city tonight"
William gave him a reassuring smile, that they will celebrate it non the less even after Asher nonchalance.
He gave a pleased smile to William, It was not because he was happy for a celebration but because he could spend time with his family. These events have given Asher a reality check on how life works .
He would not be able to handle any more loss.A whole family has vanished in a span of single night.The connections he has built over the span of three years with them was suddenly gone.
No one knows what will happen tomorrow.
His grandpa reassuring smile was the last thing Asher saw before suddenly finding himself extremly sleepy.
'So tired' Ash felt darkness surrounds him as everything was gone from his view.
*creak* *creak* In his sleep Ash heard the floor stomping noise as if something was coming from below.
Feeling his body lifted or fall Asher was unable to move, he did not know anymore if he was awake or asleep. His body felt restrained as he was unable to even open his eyes.His mind empty,not even able to think finally opened his eyes for a few moments.
With a hazy a look he saw himself bundled in veins or roots maybe. Before again falling asleep as he lost all energy from his body.
A white world surrounds him as his body remains unable to move he was lying on ground but it was an unfamiliar view, every thing was white.Asher could not scream nor could even breath. His body felt lifeless like a doll with no will of its own.
Lying he finally saw a change in this white world, a woman appeared her features couldn't be described as she looked illusory and unreal.But she surely was present in this white world.Her movements graceful yet seemed painful to watch.Every step she took made his mind ring like crazy, he instinctively knew it was danger.
Asher heart beated like a caged beast. Fear etched in him at this unknown sensations he was feeling.
The woman face was hidden beneath the fantasy of a white veil, she slowly kneeled beside his body. His eyes could not move away from her.
Her hand shivered as they moved toward him her as if she could not handle her own weight anymore. Her hands finally touched his face. Gently stroking them.
"Wake ....up" She told in a slow yet painful tone.
Asher felt a jolt of energy surge in him. He opened his eyes only to witness his body was currently wrapped by tree roots, his neck, hand, even legs where tightly sealed.
His eyes watered at the unknown sensations he was still feeling from that white world.A second later his head jolted back in worst pain he ever felt. All of this happened considerable fast speed unable to make him even react to all the things not letting him process a single piece of info.