Two days later…
The city was quiet as if it was whispering. Wind scraped against the bricks and metal, creating an eerie melody that crawled into your spine. Beneath the sky lay a memorial park. Open fields stretched around tombstones and flowers, giving the place a sense of dread. 16 coffins were lined up into rows and columns. A crowd of people wearing black suits were standing near the coffins. Soft cries could be heard from them, some held back tears and some screams.
Along the coffins, hundreds of soldiers wearing red uniforms lined up at attention. Aside from them, Chris, Arthur and Lancelot were at the back, near a podium with a microphone. They all wore red uniforms like the soldiers; dark shadows cast across their faces. The wind sang a hum of silence that sent a message to the dead, the leaves rustled in a symphony to guide their souls and birds chirped to signal their departure. Chris stepped onto the podium, voice heavy and filled with pride.
"Today, we gather here…to mourn the passing of these brave soldiers."
The crowd shook as if he had told an unwanted truth.
"They fought with courage on the front lines. Risking their lives to save thousands and…"
The wind brushed against hair as he raised hand, pointing at the coffins.
"To all the sad fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters…"
He turned his head to look at the crowd. He held back sadness that would otherwise make him weak. His voice was grazing with sadness as he spoke again.
"To all the broken children and wives…" He paused, took a deep breath and then, spoke solemnly.
"…They fought well."
The crowd burst into tears as the clouds started twist with the emotions of the people. Lancelot adjusted his gloves repeatedly, tapped his foot quietly, or let out an almost inaudible sigh while everyone bowed their heads. Chris held back his emotions as he continued.
"Be proud but mourn their deaths as we have lost good souls to fate. Now, we must bear and move from this loss to make sure their deaths weren't in vain. In the future, make their deaths mean something great."
Chris stepped down from the podium. Then, Lancelot stood up, his voice filled the park.
"My soldiers have died with regrets, but we shall not hold any grudges against them any longer. Grieve till your heart breaks, mourn until your mind accepts it. Then…forgive them for their mistakes just once and pray to God for their happiness."
Lancelot's speech was short. As he stepped down from the podium, he had annoyance plastered over his face once the crowd couldn't see him. He clicked his tongue as he stood beside Chris. He glanced at Chris, the man's calm composure making him feel inadequate. He clenched his fists at his sides, trying not to fidget.
'Ugh…seven hours of this. If Chris looks at me one more time, I'll lose it.'
Next, Arthur stepped onto the podium. He closed his eyes and stayed silent for a moment, feeling the cries of the families. Children and mothers trembled with sorrow, another man whose brother was dead whispered in a windy voice.
"You can't be…dead…"
The brother snuffled as a father shouted in anguish.
"My…my son…he…he can't be dead…he can't be!"
A group of friends stood together, dark expressions etched on their faces. They laughed and cried at the same time. Dreadful smiles, scarred laughter mingled in the group coping with their friend's death. Lancelot looked at the crowd from behind with hollow eyes.
'All these tears…so dramatic. You'd think they fought dragons instead of air-type chaos beasts.'
As Arthur scanned his surroundings, his chest tightened uncontrollably. He gripped the wooden corners of the podium, bruising his palms
'I've failed as a commander…'
He thought, taking a deep breath. Then, He spoke into the microphone with shattered confidence.
"I want to say that they all were some of the best bastards I've met in a while... Loyal, quick thinking and happy…they seemed to be…happy. That's all I them wanted to be – nothing more…For now, tomorrow, the day after that and until I die. I will cherish each one of the memories I had with them…"
He drew a deep breath again. Clouds rumbled above as Arthur whispered into the microphone once more.
"…I will embrace them…So, please cherish them as well."
With that he left the stage with the sorrow of the people echoing behind him. Lancelot sneered silently.
'Yeah, Arthur's speech is great…so inspirational…makes me look even worse standing here like a second-rate shadow.'
Thus, the service began. Soldiers marched around the coffins, saluting every minute while Chris, Arthur and Lancelot stood in front of the wooden boxes saluting all the way till the end. Lancelot saluted like everyone else, but his hand shook slightly, betraying the irritation and embarrassment he felt for being forced into this ceremonial role. After a few minutes, they began taking the coffins to the graveyard.
Soldiers held a coffin on their shoulders. Tears welled up in their eyes as they carried the bodies of their dead comrades. They marched through the street with horns blowing behind them. Flags of Ashland, strips of red, white and black with the symbol of a phoenix on it. Soldiers carried it alongside the coffins.
No car dared to honk at the parade. They got out and saluted the people walking past. Eventually, they reached the graveyard one after another and started to place down the coffins. Families rushed to the coffin embedded with the name of their loved ones. Rain started to pour, covering the tears of the broken families as they said their last goodbyes. The rain and wind danced together, creating a melody for the deceased, a final goodbye to the virtuous souls.
***
A few hours later…
Chris didn't say much, honoring the fallen before leaving himself. But Arthur knew his brother had hidden emotions he refused to show. Chris, Lancelot and other officials left first. While the families and Arthur stayed behind in the endless rain. Arthur looked at the tombstone of one of his comrades.
'Why is fate so cruel?'
He thought that with a stone face. Water dripped down from his immaculate face and his blue eyes reflected a deep sorrow without saying it. He pressed his hat and remembered his memories with all his comrades. How they ate in the cafeteria, how he checked up on them after raids and how they would talk about their daily lives. He bent down and grazed his comrade's tombstone softly, making sure not to damage it. He looked at the name embedded in it and said smiled bitterly.
"I failed to protect you…Forgive me."
As more families left, he was the only one remaining at the graveyard. He strolled through the tombstones, cherishing the memories of the fallen. His best memories were the ones he played the most in his head. He flinched as he remembered the memory of his fallen comrades pouring into the hospital. His tears were covered up by the rain as he walked to each grave. His uniform soaked through as he finally whispered a solemn farewell, leaving the graveyard.
"I hope you all find your place in heaven…"
He got into his car and placed his head on the wheel. He couldn't hold back anymore…and cried more than ever. Tears flowed from his eyes like a waterfall as he finally let sorrow over take him.