Another footstep echoed through the silence—slow and steady.
The air shifted, reverent and still.
From the far end of the hall emerged Pope Francis, One of the supreme Leader of the Church of Light, the highest servant of the Goddess of Light.
He appeared no older than thirty, his features calm and untouched by time, as if the Light itself preserved him.
He wore robes of pure white, trimmed with intricate blue sigils that shimmered faintly as he moved, like sunlight on water.
No crown adorned him.
No grand scepter.
Only presence.
And that was more than enough.
Just like the King before him, Pope Francis entered alone—no guards, no procession.
Only the soft echo of his steps accompanied him.
Reaching the middle of the hall, the Pope stopped before the casket and lowered his head in silence.
Everyone present, even the King and Prince, rose to their feet.
When he spoke, his voice carried like soft light breaking through clouds—calm, solemn, and unshakable.
> "In the name of Our Radiant Mother of Light, we gather to honor a soul returned to Her embrace.
Queen Aurelia was not only a sovereign, but a servant of her people and of the Light.
Her life was a blessing—not because of her crown, but because of her compassion.
She ruled not from above, but among.
She walked among the sick, the weary, the forgotten, and in doing so reminded us of what the Light truly is:
Mercy.
Courage.
And love without condition.
And now the Goddess calls her home. Not as a queen, but as a servant of the Light—radiant and whole.
Let our tears fall freely, but let them carry gratitude, not only grief.
For we were blessed to walk in her light, even for a time.
The sun has set on her reign in this world... but in the Light of the Goddess, she rises anew.
Not lost.
Only returned.
May Her Radiance guide you, Aurelia.
May Her Light receive you.
And may your name live ever in Her Light."
Prince Solmere cried in silence.
The hall remained still as Pope Francis stepped back and bowed his head.
Raising his eyes, he turned and walked away—his final blessing lingering in the air like the last note of a hymn.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
The Queen was gone.
---
Theron walked forward, slowly but steadily, and stepped onto the platform where the Queen's casket lay.
Turning toward the crowd, he spoke with solemn strength.
> "Today we lay to rest Her Radiance, Queen Aurelia—beloved of the Light, crowned in mercy, unwavering in faith.
She gave her life in service not only to this Empire, but to the very will of the Light.
Her light does not fade—it rises, carried now into the eternal halls beyond the veil."
His gaze turned cold.
His gold eyes burned.
> "But let none mistake grief for weakness.
That demon that dared defile our sacred lands has been marked by the Light of Her Radiant Mother.
It cannot run far.
I swear by the Throne, and by the Everlasting Light of Her Radiance, we will find it.
And when I do... I shall personally kill that demon.
Not just for the Queen, but for every innocent soul it ever touched.
For every prayer it silenced.
For every holy bond it tried to break.
Let the heavens witness:
The hunt has begun."