Chapter 16:

Alice Sylvalen

Hoffen: Life in Another World Without End


“What are you doing, human?” a soft-spoken voice rang out, holding his wrist.

Luciel blinked. In front of him stood a girl with long, flaxen hair and pointed ears. His body ached, his hands were numb from holding Lilith’s lifeless body for too long.

“You’re pretty messed up…” she murmured, bouncing her gaze from his bloodied hands, to the girl he held dear, “And she’s…?”

His gaze was stuck on her, not even sparing a single look at the person in front of him. His voice cracked, muttering a single response in return.

“Dead…”

The word shattered on his tongue, brittle as glass, as if just muttering the first syllable would make his entire psyche break.

Out of pity, Alice reached out her hand to him, strands of her flaxen hair slid down from her shoulders.

“If you want a proper burial, I can give you one.”

Luciel nodded, “Thank you…” though grateful for her offer—his eyes tell a different story: It was blank, and void of emotion. He then carried her body, walking mindlessly as he followed behind Alice.

Though noticing his distress, she did not ask further. Perhaps, letting him grieve and process everything.

A moment later, she tried to ease the tension between them. “What’s your name, human?”

He hesitated, barely meeting her gaze. “Luciel, just Luciel…” muttering softly.

She nodded slowly, as if committing it to memory. “Luciel, huh? I’m Alice—Alice Sylvalen.”

There was a pause. Luciel gave a faint nod in response, uncertain whether to trust her, but unable to ignore the quiet comfort of her presence.

Alice glanced at the trees ahead, then back at him. “We’re going to head to my village,” she muttered, her hair swayed at each stride. “And don’t worry—I’ll persuade them.”

Luciel was wary of this—moments after meeting Alice.

Elves aren’t fond of humans.

But luckily enough for him, Alice is quite an empathetic person. Not letting previous events that happened way back in the past, affect her prejudice.

They continued their walk for a few more meters, before reaching the Sacred Elven Village. It was mystical, mysterious, and was quite an eye-catching sight. But Luciel couldn’t care less, not noticing the almost idyllic plants littered across the place.

But when Luciel took his first steps into the village, Alice immediately felt the stares from her fellow villagers.

“Who is that human?”

“Where did he come from…?”

“I hope he leaves…”

They kept murmuring about his whereabouts, his physical state, and thoughts of him leaving the village immediately.

Alice then leaned closer towards Luciel, “Don’t worry, I can assure a proper burial for her. Don’t mind their stares.” she assured, before turning away, and kept walking towards the house of the village chieftain.

Inside the chieftain’s home, the scent of ancient wood, and crushed herbs, lingered in the air. A few elders sat in silence, their gazes narrowing towards Luciel—judging his every move.

Alice bowed her hand, placing a steady hand on his shoulder, providing comfort, introducing him to the elders.

“This is Luciel,” she said firmly. “He seeks only one thing—a proper burial for the one he held.”

Luciel said nothing—his eyes remained fixed on Lilith’s body in his arms, as if the world had dulled into gray. The murmurs of the elders seemed to have diminished.

Then, one of the elders spoke, “I’ll allow it—”

“Are you insane, Nethim? Why do you want to offer our help for this lowly human over here?” Another elder stood up, interrupting Nethim with a retort.

“Grief does not discriminate, Marathen,” Nethim said, his voice like worn stone. “Nor should compassion.”

The aforementioned elder that retorted against Nethim, sat back down—Letting Nethim do his job, and Luciel a proper burial.

The burial ritual took place in a sacred grove, populated by silver-leaved trees. The villagers watched from afar, observing Luciel’s movements—still cautious.

Luciel kneeled, placing Lilith’s body gently onto the forest floor. No words came out—only tears, and a hand resting on her once warm hand.

Alice stood beside him, holding a lantern that flickered with blue flame—an old elven tradition. She placed it at Lilith’s side and whispered, “May the stars guide you.”

Slowly, they lowered her body to the ground with magic, not leaving behind a single speck of soil.

That night, after the rites were over and the stars had long since scattered across the sky, Alice led him to her home—a modest dwelling tucked beneath the roots of a massive tree.

“You can stay here for as long as you want.”

Luciel nodded wordlessly. His eyes were hollow, but his shoulders sagged—less with pain, more with exhaustion.

Not much was exchanged between the two. She simply left a warm blanket by the mat, and stepped out—Leaving him with the sound of the leaves rustling, as the wind howled softly, and the echo of a heartbeat that no longer answered his own.

******

Arc 2 is finally here! Alice is finally introduced, as we enter a new chapter in Luciel's life.
It's been a while since I've uploaded, but rest assured that it will come back weekly again from Friday-Sunday!

Chapter 15: A Warm Home (August 8, 2025, GMT+8)

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