As the ashes disappear into the vast sky I felt something resting inside my core
I smiled as I realised what they were as I closed my eyes
*********
The gray fog collected near a single intricate table. Almost as if everything that existed was getting collected right beneath me.
I open my eyes to find a large rectangular table with 7 seats, not counting the one I was sitting on.
My eyes lingered on each sea- no, on each individual sitting on the seats.
The space was dark and resembeled a church but with no walls, just an endlessly expanding space and dense gray fog.
O each long side of the table sat two people, whom I very clearly recognized.
On the shorter side, near the big circular and intricate symbol of the Dawnmother.
??? : [Tis the final stop, is it not? ]
??? : [Of course it is, you dumb bitch. What? Do you think you're above life now? ]
??? : [Thine's foul and repulsive voice brings immense pain to mineself's ears. Worthless Julia]
Julia :[Hah! May you die, boring Rosa! ]
Rosa: [Shall I grace thy feeble mind with reminder, that we are naught but already departed from life?]
Julia: [Ah... ]
I turn my head to the source of the noises.
On my right, on the chairs along the longer side sat two girls.
The girl "Rosa" spoke with a Royal and old-fashioned way of speaking and looked about a 17-18 year old with elegantly styled dark black hair and eyes like a crimson moon.
She wore a flowing gown of deep violet satin, edged in black lace, with flared sleeves and a sweeping train—regal, dark, and commanding, as if woven from twilight itself.
The girl sitting right beside her "Julia", had shoulder length curly blonde hair which looked just like Julia's style with a flower pin on the left side and deep drown eyes that shinned like pure copper.
The golden gown pooled in heavy folds around her chair, its bronze embroidery glimmering like filigree across the satin. Lace-trimmed sleeves draped softly at her wrists, every detail exuding poise and quiet majesty.
??? :[Lively as always~]
??? :[Would it be too much to ask you both to keep your mouths shut? ]
Rosa:[It is thee who would do well to still thy wagging tongue, withered elder.]
Julian:[Yea shut the fuck up, geezer.]
??? : [Guh! You brats-!! ]
??? : [You really should shut up, Uncle Fez~]
Fez: [Not you too, Rein!! ]
Rein: [Aha-ha-ha]
On my left sat an old man and a young boy.
The old man hadbrown hair with white patches beginning to show up. He had a slight deep colour of skin and a small white moustache and beard.
He wore white shirt with a marron overcoat desgined with yellow symbols.
Next to him sat a young man. He had a handsome yet a childish face. His shining blonde hair and sky blue eyes made his presence fell like, as if one was looking at a sunny sky.
He wore a striking crimson coat embroidered with gold, its long tails sweeping behind him. A matching vest and layered chains at his chest added weight to his presence, while dark striped trousers and jeweled rings completed the look of a man both regal and dangerous.
I then looked at the end right opposite to mine's. There, where should only be 1 chair, sat 2.
Behind the large Dawnmother's symbol was a big window illuminating the dark place with an aesthetic grayish blue light.
But then it hit me.
The table was filled with a lot of-no, way too much food.
Zolka:[A...banquet?]
Rein: [Ah! Zol bro's here!]
The boy's sing-song voice entered my ears causing me to divert my attention from table as I looked up.
Julia:[Sure took your sweet time didn't ya?]
Rosa:[Even I must chide thee to cast aside thy tardy ways, now that a kingdom rests in thy charge.]
Zolka: [Urgh... ]
Fez: [Ah, the last members' arrived. Still can't believe that a day'll where I would attend a wedding right after my death.]
Zolka: [A... wedding?]
Rein: [Yup that's right! Big bro Seph and bi-mmph! ]
Before he could speak any further, his mouth was shut by Julia's strings.
Julia: [I thought we told you keep it a surprise didn't we?]
Rosa: ['tis a hopeless toil to silence that child's ceaseless tongue.]
Fez: [Everyone quite. Here they come.]
Fez said as he stood up and walked up to the levelled floor and stood right in front of the altar as his clothes seamlessly transformed into that of a priest's.
Everyone instantly shut their mouth, even Rein, whose binding had been instantly undone, sat quitely but was vissibly shivering from sheer excitement.
Rosa and Julia also tried maintained their stoic and noble expression bit were failing spectacularly as I was able to see the tears threatening to drop from their eyes.
I also changed my attention in front but then I noticed two figures coming out of the thick fog from two opposite sides of the altar.
The bride had white long white hair ended in lavender and pink colours. Her yellow eyes were beautiful, her fair skin was beautiful and even the manner of her walking screamed beauty.
She walked with quiet majesty in a gown of shimmering white, its feathered trim softening the glittering sweep of the skirt. A jeweled necklace and tiara caught the light with every step, marking her as both radiant and regal.
The man walking her direction was the man I had just met, Seph.
He strode confidently in a black morning coat with long tails, a crisp blue waistcoat beneath, and grey trousers that lent him a sharp elegance. A small boutonnière at his lapel softened the formality, giving him the air of a groom stepping proudly into destiny.
I watched them both come close to each other before standing face-to-face with each other and right in front of the priest.
Fez coughed in his fist a little and then began-
Fez: [Greetings everyone,I thank you all for attending this wonderful event of the marriage of our beloved Sage Sephaies and our Goddess Dawnmother Lyra.]
̶S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [Ugh I told ya my name's not tha' no more.]
Fez: [Do you have another name ready then?]
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s:[...]
Fez: [Yea, stay silent just like that.]
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [Geezer.]
Fez: [Shut it! Anyways, moving on..]
Fez: [Do you Sephaies Nol Tresta, take this women to be your wife, to love her, to cherish her and to remember her in all of your coming years.]
Without even the slightest hint of hesitation or delay, he spoke-
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [Yes, I do, with all my heart.]
Fez then turned towards lyra and said-
Fez: [Do you, Oh Dawnmother Lyra, agree to take this man as your husband,to love him,to cherish him and to accept all his faults and yet care for him.]
Lacking the same amount of hesitation and thought as her husband, she spoke with a bright smiling
Lyra: [Yes! Yes, I do, with all my soul.]
Fez:[Sephaies and Lyra have chosen ring ring exchange as a symbol of their immortal and unyielding love. Sephaies repeat after me as you put the ring on her finger.]
With a nod S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s took Lyra's hand in his and pulled out a dien ring from the fog, positioning it front of her ring finger.
Fez: [With this, I thee wed-]
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [With this, I thee wed-]
Fez: [-and pledge my love, now and forever.]
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [-and pledge my love, now and forever.]
Finishing his words S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s slid the ring in Lyra's ring finger who in turn then took his hand in her palm as she pulled out a similar dien ring from the fog and positioned it in front of his ring finger.
Fez: [Repeat after me.]
Fez: [With this, I thee wed-]
Lyra: [With this, I thee wed-]
Fez: [-and pledge my love, now and forever.]
Lyra: [-and pledge my love, now and forever.]
The ring slid in his finger and they both took a moment to imprint the scene of a beautiful ring in their fingers.
Fez: [By the authority vested in me, I now, declare Sephaies Nol Tresta and Lyra husband and wife.]
Turning his head to S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s he smiled warmly as he announced-
Fez: [You may now... kiss the bride.]
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s and Lyra looked into each other's eyes with nothing but endless warmth as they moved closer to each other.
Closing his eyes he leaned in towards her face which in turn she closed her eyes and awaited his warmth until finally, their lips met, sealing the pact between them and their souls forvever as a drop of tear escape both of their closed eyes simultaneously.
The kiss ended.
*Sniff*
All attention turned to Zolka who was crying profusely at the scene.
Rosa: [W-what dost thou fancy thyself? A me-mewling child, to weep so?]
Julia: [Say the one *sniff* weeping like a widow herself *sniff*]
Rosa: [I AM NOT! ]
She turned her head around but her snobbing could be heard across the table. Julia was no better herself, she had become a snobbing mess with a bit of snot running down her nose.
Rein: [Hey big bro Zol! Did you see that! Finally they're marr..ied...sniff... Wahhhhhh! ]
Usually Rein was the most cheerful and careless person here, but today, he was the one who wept the loudest.
Rosa and Rein simultaneously got up from their seat and tackled Fez, ̶̶̶S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s and
Lyra.
Fez: [Wah!]
S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s and Lyra: [Ah?! ]
Julial: [ Congrats you idiots! Congrats!]
She said while weeping on Lyra's shoulder.
Rein silently weeped on S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s's shoulder as S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s gently and warmly patted his head.
S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s: [There there...]
Fez then ruffled both S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s's and Lyra's head before being tackled in a hug by both of them.
All them wept in each other's embrace before finally returning to the table and taking their own respective seats.
S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s: [Let me start firs'.]
All attention was directed to S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s as he turned towards Lyra and bowed his head deeply and apologized-
S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s: [I apologize, I truly do apologize for killing you. I-Im so s-sorry...]
Truthfully speaking, S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s was expecting to be slapped across the face or at least being cursed at but Lyra did not because-
She cupped both his cheek within her palms as she pulled him in for a deep kiss. To even say I was surprised by her dominance would be an understatement.
Upon breaking the kiss she looked into his eyes and said.
Lyra: [Why should you apologize? That wasn't even you! So shut up and keep quite like a good boy because I won't accept a self-destructive husband!! And besides it did help it you alot didn't it?So keep quite!]
This did in fact shut him up for good.
Lyra: [Good!]
-because her love for him exceeded far beyond mere topics like death.
She smiled triumphantly and finally released him from her grasp as she grabbed his hand beneath the table.
S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s: [Moving on, this is truly thanks to you Zolka, truly you're da' best wingman I could ever ask for!]
Lyra: [Still I never thought Little Zol would pray for something like "O Dawnmother, let all of the Talon group witness their wedding". I was so shocked that I thought I was dreaming!]
She cheerfully announced to the table causing Zolka's face to burn with sheer embarrassment.
Zolka: [You snitch!]
Lyra: [Tehee(｡•̀ᴗ-)✧]
Zolka: [ Don't "Tehee" me!!! ]
Rosa: [Truly a useful wingman.]
Julia: [An amazing wingman.]
Rein: [A spectacular wingman! ]
Fez: [A superb wingman.]
S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s: [The best wingman!]
Zolka: [Aaargh!]
Zolka hid his face in his palms which caused everyone at the table to laugh.
They ate, they talked, they discussed, they planned, but above all, they spent their time together.
They talked and talked never remaining silent.
It was a stupid talk.
It was a useless talk.
It was a meaningless talk.
But
It was a fun talk
I wished we could continue to talk like this forever.
But I knew that was impossible.
I wished we could visit different places together for a picnic.
But I knew that was impossible.
I wished we could look at our pasts and laugh at each other's embarrassing moments.
But I knew that was impossible.
I wished that we could plan for and see the future together.
But I knew that was impossible.
But most importantly.
I wished we could spend the present together.
But...I knew that was...impossible.
So I had to accept this fate.
I had to move on.
I had to! I had to! I had to...but... I-
Zolka: [-can't.]
All attention was then directed to him as his sobs turned into frantic whimpers.
Even though he had ruined the cheery atmosphere, no one chastised him, instead they all looked at him warmly and smiled.
Julia: [Ah... ]
Julia's body started shimmering with a golden light as her body started becoming more and more transparent slowly.
Then the same started happening to Rosa, then Fez, then Rien and then S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s and Lyra.
Rosa: [It seems the hour has come for this gathering to draw to its close; let us take our leave with words of parting grace.]
Rien: [Yup, let's do just that]. He said with an unusual calm voice.
Julia: [Let me go then.]
Rosa: [Suit thineself.]
Fez: [Go ahead.]
Julia stood up from her chair and looked at everyone at the table.
Julia: [Firstly, Sephaies and Lyra, congo on your big day you idiots and remember, if anyone of you hurt each other, then I'm gonna come back from the dead and bash those teeths of yours in!]
Julia's heartfelt speech caused S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s and Lyra chuckle nervously.
Julia: [And lastly... I...really love all of you! And that includes you both too, you dumb bitch and you old man!]
Rosa: [You lowly cur..]
Fez: [Brat I'm gonna punch the shit out of y-]
S̶̶e̶̶p̶̶h̶̶a̶̶i̶̶e̶̶s: [Huff, cut it out both of you.]
With the conclusion of her speech, an embarassed Rosa sat back on her seat.
Rosa: [Now, let mineself do the honor.]
She stood up from her chair.
Rosa: [First, I offer my deepest joy for thy union… and confess, my days with thee have been the brightest of my life—memories I shall bear even past the grave. Thus,mineself thanks all of you for bearing with me.]
And then she sat down.
Fez: [My turn.]
He stood up from his chair.
Fez: [My deepest congratulations to the both of you on your spectacular marriage, and you all are a bunch of nosy brats that make me feel like a babysitter but...maybe babysitting ain't so bad after all]
Rien: [Awww Uncle Fez is blushing~]
Fez: [No I'm not you blind man!]
Rien: [My turn! My turn!]
The young boy stood up excitedly.
His cheerfulness dimming a little he began-
Rien: [Congo! Congo! Big bro! Big sis! That wedding was superb and very cute! And to all of you here, I... I reeeally love you all! I really do! Really really do, because you were my one and only family. I really love you all.]
His speech touched the hearts of many, especially Lyra who-
Lyra: [Oooooh you're so cuuute~~~ I love yo too!(≧∇≦)/]
Rien: [Wah!]
-had suddenly pulled the poor, defenseless rien into an merciless assault of pats and hugs which he certainly did enjoy.
Releasing rien she stood up and started with her speech-
Lyra: [To everyone gathered here, I thank you for attending this event. To be frankly honest, when I first met all of you, I considered you all as just a tool for Sephaies's happiness but now, I can wholeheartedly and truthfully say that I love each and every single one of you alot but of course not on the same level as Sephaies y'know? (◠ω◕)]
With that she sat down and her husband then stood up as he cleared his throat.
̶S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [This life has been one heck of a rollercoaster for me. Bein' dubbed as a sage, havin' an identity crisis and fightin' cosmic horrors and fallen angels. Truthfully, I wanted ta die so badly, dyin' hurts but livin' with such responsibilities hurt even more, however, I'm glad tha' I didn't end my life back then 'cause if I had done it, I wouldn't have been here talkin' to y'all. So thank you everyone. And finally... ]
Everyone stood up and looked at Zolka with a big smile.
All Zolka could do was helplessly watch as his family dissipated into nothing before his eyes.
He tried to open his mouth but the sobs wouldn't allow him to squeeze out even a single word.
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [Zol' it's gonna be tough y'know? If you really can't then I'll think of smthin' real quic-]
*SLAM*
Zolka: [NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! I'LL DO IT EVEN IF IT KILLS ME! I can't just stay useless anymore...]
Rosa: [Zolka...]
Rien: [Zol bro... ]
Lyra: [Little Zol!]
His head moved to her ever smiling face.
She motioned her hands for him to come closer as the table disappeared into the mist.
He did just so and went up to S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s and Lyra and then was suddenly ambushed into an hug from everyone.
Zolka: [What the!]
Fez: [Dumbass what's with you and your self depreciation huh?! ]
Rien: [That's right! That's right! Just what he said!]
Julia: [What a dumbfuck you are.]
Rosa: [Truly an unfixable fool.]
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [Wasted my time before my las' breath on the livin' world. Try to learn somethin' sometimes! Geez.]
Lyra: [You better drop that way of thinking before I punish you, you understand!]
He couldn't understand but he still remained in their arms because he longed for their warmth.
Slowly, everyone's lower half disappeared and slowly their chest too.
Zolka: [I really don't want you all leave, I really don't! I want to play with you all, I want to walk in a park you all and I wanted to see Master S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s's and Lady Lyra's children and for them to call me big brother! But but but..but..but]
S̶e̶p̶h̶a̶i̶e̶s: [Hey?... You remember our pact? Everyone it seems lil' Zol needs a reminder~]
Zolka: [What are you..?]
Then suddenly all of them together announced-
Everyone: [Upon the stars, our voices rise]
[An oath eternal carved in skies.]
[No world shall break, no time undo]
[For we are one—forever true.]
Zolka's eyes widen as he remembered the first time they made this poem together, and how he was the one who suggested it, it did surprise him at that time that they accepted this so easily because he himself didn't find anything worth it in it. But now he was different. As recited in the oath, no one will forget one another and will remain in each other's memories as a big and happy family.
With a smile he looked the place where his family should've been standing.
There was no one, he was all alone in the gray empty fog.
It did hurt him a little to have them disappear from his life but he had his memories of them, memories he'll recall upon each night and day. Zolka Nol Tresta will never forget them, his family.
A letter then emerged from the fog and was handed to him.
He opened and read the content of the letter and then laughed loudly. The loudest and the most contagious laugh he had ever released.
****************
The letter said the words- 'Live strong and don't give up idiot! *\(^o^)/*' along with a group photo of the first quest they had ever completed as a team.