The next set of words that came from Aster carried a weight he didn't even know existed.
"I want to be stronger…stronger than she had been. The time I spent in her presence made me realise that the pinnacle of survival was strength. She wouldn't be dead if one of you had been stronger. I wouldn't be plagued by guilt if I had been stronger."
He paused, his words resonating in the silence.
"My existence has always been pitiful. A lowly vermin at the bottom of the food chain, surviving on scraps. Dreams weren't meant for people like me."
He let out a humourless chuckle.
By now, his raging voice had garnered the attention of the deeper echelons of the enclosure. The weight and truth behind his words struck at their heavy hearts, making their gazes seem less…lost.
"But here I am, same lowly vermin. The same dreamless fool…yet with the resolve to grow stronger. You can grieve…cry if you have to. But falling into despair won't honour those who died for the life you wish to waste away."
Vivian looked down at Aster, and for the first time she didn't see him as the same scrawny kid that had been bleeding mere moments ago. Amongst them, the kid knew Elaine the least.
He had no right to chastise them while being the weakest in the room. Every single one of them could end him in a split second despite their grief, and yet none of them did.
The kid's words were true, the only thing they had to blame was their own weakness. Despite being the weakest among them, the cold resolve burning in those emerald eyes of his felt more profound than anything else she had ever witnessed.
A deep emotion stirred within her dark eyes, a part of her could relate to how he felt. Being weak was one thing…accepting the thought of one's weakness was another.
She dropped herself down to his eye level, his emerald green eyes reflecting against her deep dark ones. Forcing out a smile, she said,
"Hey kid, let's grow stronger together."
The remnants of the nocturnal lights finally began to retreat at the first sight of dawn.
Those that had survived the gruesome encounter once again found themselves beyond the town's gates and on what remained of the bloody battlefield.
The hundreds of dead monstrosities that served as a testament to the chaos were now piled amongst each other, their mana crystals scavenged and stored.
Aster stood beside the red-haired lady, he still hadn't figured out or asked for her name, so there wasn't a clear way for him to address her. Countless people walked past them, placing item after item in front of the colossal pyre.
'A long sword, a shield…a half emptied bottle of wine.'
Countless items he recognised, and many more he didn't, were placed one after the other at the base of the pyre. A figure moved from the corner of his eye, short framed with inky black hair.
…He had seen him before, together with the red-haired lady.
He looked not much older, if not the same age as Thorne. Aster watched as he walked towards the pyre silently, with a broken long sword in his hand.
Even while damaged, the first rays of the morning sun that reflected off the silver blade highlighted its intricate and complex design. Everyone watched as he stood at the base, unmoving.
Surrounded by countless relics that were given in remembrance of the fallen, he finally bent low and placed the broken silver blade amongst them.
A moment passed.
Others who had stood beside him slowly began to make their way back. He didn't move, and no one rushed him to. Eventually, he turned and began to make his way back.
Vivian gave him a small nod the moment he was back at her side. They were all here, Socrates, Prometheus and her — even One Eye, who was still recovering from his missing limb.
Aster watched as the last of the adventurers finally said their farewells to the dead, and for the first time he took a moment to marvel at the pyre itself.
The wooden infrastructure, despite its impromptu build, was like a towering pyramid. It spanned forward, covering a large amount of mass and towering as far as his eyes could see.
Maybe it was that tall? Or maybe he was just too short?
That didn't change the fact that the wooden structure held a slightly domineering weight to its existence.
The pale blonde beauty had been placed at its peak, stripped of her armour and adorned with a simple white tunic.
'Pyramid of the fallen.'
It almost sounded poetic. If the chill of death and the claws of despair weren't a major part of its existence…then maybe it was, in its own twisted sense.
An old man stepped forward, his face devoid of expression. Aster watched his movements intently, each step felt measured and precise.
He picked up a crude wooden plank and turned. Now facing countless expectant eyes, the old man finally spoke.
"...We fought a gruesome battle, defended our homes against a bestial siege and emerged victorious. But none of that matters when you lose a war. These people behind me were seasoned adventurers, friends to some of you…lovers to most. Party leaders and party members who must never be forgotten."
He paused to catch a breath, the hearts of the countless people slowly resonating with his voice.
"I have lived a long life…long enough to know that life in itself was cruel and merciless as much as it was blissful and kind. No amount of grief or guilt would bring back the dead. So honour their memories by giving them a fitting burial and living your life…well."
Aster looked around him, the despair in the eyes of the people no longer looked as profound. Maybe the old man's speech had unburdened them of the weight they had carried.
The dark-haired teenager walked forward, his short frame looking out of place compared to the old man's stalwart build.
The old man brought the crude wooden stick down, and that was when Aster noticed the small blue flame resting in the other's palm.
The wood ignited with the blue flame, and in silence, the old man carried it towards the pyre. The burning torch was placed beneath it.
The flames spread like wildfire, consuming everything they licked at with frightening speed.
Aster could feel the heat even from a distance. They all could.
It was finally over, the battle against the horde. Aster's close encounter with death.
They didn't come out unscathed…but it was finally over.