Book 4 - Chapter 89 - Cutting the Weeds, Razing the Roots (1/2)

Skye Polaris had his funeral in the main square of Skycloud city.

All business were shuttered for a day of mourning. Every home and business hung out streamers of white silk. Rustling in the wind, they danced like the hair of angels. A solemnity rarely seen in the Elysian lands hung over the city.

People took it upon themselves to dress in black and walked through the streets. It was a sharp contrast to the typical brilliant white of the holy metropolis. Masses of black-clad bodies numbering in the hundreds made their way through the lanes and alleys like a dark, slow-moving river. In their hands they clutched white chrysanthemum flowers, which they placed within the square as a sign of their lament.

Hundreds of thousands of flowers lay upon the cold stone.

A boundless sea of petals carpeted the square. Doves fluttered forlornly in groups overhead. Leading the procession was the High Priest, who was followed by the commanders of each army corps. They bore the jade coffin of General Skye between them. There was no body, of course. In its stead they placed within the casket Skye’s empty armor. Step by solemn step they inched toward the center of the square.

Two thousand soldiers were arrayed as an honor guard. Dull sunlight glinted off their ceremonial regalia, and their drawn weapons. They stood vigil on either side of the lane as though they were ready to follow their fallen General into battle. Trailing the procession were the members of the Polaris family, who trudged along with forlorn expressions and broken spirit.

For the Polaris family, losing their patriarch was like losing their heart. Who among them could shoulder the responsibility this glorious man had borne for decades?

“Thank you, General, for your service to our grateful realm.”

“Almighty gods, watch over the spirit of our Commander!”

“Grandpa Skye… may your journey to Sumeru be an easy one. We will watch over Skycloud for you now.”

Cloudhawk stood outside of the crowds, looking over the sea of white flowers. It was a stunning visual, but what really struck him were the faces of ordinary folk he passed. Old, young, women, men… they looked so lost. The sadness he saw was true, and they had all gathered here to share their sorrow, for each other and for the man they were seeing off. It was a beautiful, painful display of human emotion.

Cloudhawk looked on from a distance.

Dawn was with her family and the other officers, standing before the casket. Her eyes were red from crying, but it somehow only added to her beauty. She told herself to be strong, but visions of when she would ride her grandpa’s shoulders and tug on his beard assailed her as they walked. The tears came as she confronted the awful truth that he was gone forever. That old man who came to clean up the messes she left behind was gone. He carried their family on his broad shoulders for years, but no longer.

From now on, there was no more War-God. The Polaris family was doomed to shameful decline.

Cloudhawk didn’t know how to comfort his friend. She had to go through this on her own.

As he watched, another group of ten people walked toward the procession. They were the representatives from the Cloude family, several veteran demonhunters as well as Frost, Clay, Augustus… faces every citizen recognized at a glance. In the center, walking with solemn purpose, was Arcuturs Cloude, their Governor.

He was dressed in a simple and respectful black robe, here to participate in the funeral. The moment Dawn saw him approach her hands curled into fists. Why were they here, shedding crocodile tears?

However, the citizens looked upon their great Governor with eyes of glowing admiration. General Skye was gone, but their illustrious Governor remained to protect them from the horrors of the wastes.

“My heard is laden with regret, like all of you!” Arcturus stepped into the middle of the crowd, and looked over them with sorrowful eyes. “Together, we mourn the loss of a great warrior, a legend who walked among us. Our magnificent city suffers the loss of a tremendous spirit. It is a tragedy for our people and our society.”

Dawn glared at the Governor with eyes that promised bloody murder – a volcano that threatened to erupt at any moment.

“All of us, regardless of station – from the ordinary man to the noblest officer – will one day take the bitter journey to Mount Sumeru.” Arcturus’ voice carried across the square with an almost hypnotic cadence. The pain of his words drew in the crowd. “But where even a simple life can shine like the bloom of fireworks in the heart of humanity, the loss of this great man will shine among the heavens like a blanket of stars. Though the body may be gone, the will and power shall guide us forward in our righteous exploits.”

“Skycloud is embroiled in a period of strife we have not experienced for many years. But do not think the loss of our Commander makes us weak. His strength will live forever more within all of you, and together are made greater than the sum of our parts. Skycloud is eternal and invincible because of the sacrifice of men like Skye Polaris. Follow his example, and together we will ensure our realm continues to the end of time!”

“Skycloud!”

“Skycloud!”

“Skycoud forever!”

A wave of emotion surged through the crowd at Arcturus’ words.

But then a note of discord trilled through the din, as from the crowds there arose a stifling aura. It was a choking, murderous intent that everyone could feel like needles on the skin.

An assassin!

From the sea of white petals shot a dazzling light, fast as lightning and ten times as deadly. The air became filled with gentle white petals as the glint from a sword whipped passed, toward the Governor.

A sea of shocked faces watched. Someone was trying to kill Arcturus!