The final folds of the ceremonial burial cloth were carefully arranged.
The attendants stepped back in respectful silence.
Lucas now lay fully prepared according to the ancient funeral rites of Lechia.
The sarcophagus had already been brought into the chamber.
Carved from pristine white stone and adorned with the imperial crest, it rested only a few paces away, its lid standing open.
The guards assigned to carry Lucas approached solemnly.
One of them bowed his head.
"For the hero of Valerion, Lechia, Rus, Blackmare and other kingdoms…"
he whispered.
The chamber fell into complete silence.
Then…
Lucas's chest suddenly expanded.
He drew in one enormous, desperate breath.
"GHHHAAAH!"
The sound shattered the silence.
Every candle in the room seemed to flicker at once.
The attendants froze.
One of the guards stumbled backward so violently that he fell onto the floor.
The elderly servant preparing the final rites nearly dropped the ceremonial vessel from his hands.
