NOVPUB
Chapter 312: Chapter 312 Funeral ceremony
"We found his body, and it turned out he was someone I knew very well. He went missing two years ago, and we sent his body back to his family. He was only nineteen," Alessandro said, his voice low and heavy with pity.
Early in the morning, Alessandro had brought a healer along with him, and he and Oceanus had talked about something. Now, hearing that Joy was so young and had died, Kyra bit her lip, struggling to hold back her tears.
She felt a deep sense of guilt.
It was because of her.
Someone gently hugged her from the side, and Kyra looked up to see Damon’s reassuring gaze. She gave him a weak smile, trying to find comfort in his presence.
"We’re holding a funeral ceremony for him... So I hope you’ll come with us," Alessandro said, his voice heavy. Kyra’s heart sank even further.
"Sure..." Kyra said softly, glancing at her mates for reassurance.
𓆩🖤𓆪
As they traveled, Kyra looked around in awe. The trees were tall and thick, towering over them with their massive trunks. Her eyes gleamed with amazement at the sight of the tree houses built into them. They looked cozy and beautiful, and some of the larger houses even connected two trees together, creating bridges high above the ground.
She was sitting on Damon’s back, with Lucas hugging her from behind, keeping her secure.
Oceanus and Simon weren’t coming with them as they had something very important to do.
Despite the nature beauty around her, Kyra couldn’t help but notice the heat. The temperature in this area was high, and sweat was already forming on her forehead and nose, making her feel uncomfortable.
Soon, Kyra saw Alessandro fly down toward a beautiful, bright yellow flower field. After they landed, they continued walking for a while along the dirt road through the field.
The trees around them were tall and majestic, their branches adorned with stunning pink, heart-shaped leaves that swirled through the air, gently falling with the breeze.
As they approached the gathering, Kyra noticed many people had already assembled. Most of them were tall, gorgeous, and lean, with strong physiques males.
As Kyra stepped forward, she felt the eyes of everyone in the gathering land on her. Even Lara, standing quietly behind the crowd, had glanced her way, but no one said a word. Kyra remained near the back, her gaze scanning the solemn scene.
Kyra’s attention was drawn to an older female. She appeared to be in her mid-years, with weathered skin that had a deep, rich brown tone and honey-colored eyes that seemed weary with age and sorrow. Her thick, graying hair was tied into a bun atop her head, and she stood tall, surrounded by a group of males who Kyra guessed were her mates.
The resemblance was unmistakable; Kyra realized this must be Joy’s mother, her features almost identical to her son’s. Kyra’s heart twisted, knowing Joy had sacrificed himself for her..
He was innocent in all of it.
Nearby, Kyra noticed a handsome, middle-aged man begin to speak. His long, wavy gray hair fell to his shoulders, and his eyes, the color of the forest, glowed softly in the fading daylight. Unlike the others, who wore their original animal fur clothing, he was dressed in a pristine white robe adorned with intricate diamond patterns embroidered along the sleeves and collar. His aura was calm and soothing, and his voice carried an ethereal, graceful tone.
"Joy was a cheerful, kind owl," the man began, his voice soft yet strong, "He always helped wherever he could, with a heart full of warmth. But what he did in the end was more than just a kind gesture. He gave his life to save a pregnant female—a sacrifice that speaks of honor and courage. May his soul find peace and happiness in the afterlife."
Kyra listened, tears welling in her eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to hold back the sob threatening to break free. Joy’s face flashed in her mind—those sparkling inocent eyes now forever gone.
She felt a deep discomfort, the weight of guilt almost unbearable.
As the man finished his speech, Kyra’s eyes wandered around the space. The gravesite was beautiful in its own right. Beneath the heart-shaped leaf trees that she had admired earlier, there was a series of simple, yet carefully tended graves. Each grave had a small, carved stone marker, and flower petals from the trees above floated down gently, covering the area with a soft pink blanket. It was peaceful, almost like nature was watching over the departed, cradling them in beauty.
Joy’s grave was fresh, the earth still slightly unsettled. A small carved stone sat at its head, with an owl symbol etched into it.
Kyra’s heart ached for Joy’s mother, for the family that had lost a son, and for herself, burdened with the knowledge that he had died protecting and helping her. Damon stood quietly by her side, his hand gently resting on her back, giving her silent support.
Lucas was nearby too, his comforting presence helping her stay calm through all the emotions.
The gravesite lay beneath the large heart-shaped leaf tree Kyra had seen earlier, with pink leaves gently swaying in the breeze and falling softly to the ground. The grave was simple, just a mound of earth marked by stones and flowers, surrounded by others like it.
One by one, people began to bow their heads, closing their eyes in prayer. Kyra glanced around, unsure of what to do but quickly followed suit. The silence was heavy but comforting, the only sounds were the wind rustling through the leaves and the occasional sniffle from the mourners. Each person seemed lost in their own thoughts, perhaps reflecting on Joy’s short life or sending prayers for his peaceful journey into the afterlife.
Kyra felt Damon’s presence close to her, his warmth grounding her in the moment. Lucas stood to her other side, his hand resting gently on her back in silent support. For a brief moment, Kyra closed her eyes tightly, offering a silent prayer of her own, wishing peace for Joy’s soul and forgiveness for herself. She couldn’t help but feel responsible.
