Grieving and Walking Towards Better Days

Purple flames of release and absolution burned behind them. Wails of mourning echoed through the collapsing world. Everything was burning away. Soon, The Underworld would be nothing but a charred husk. It was no longer home for the eighty-three souls set to depart its ruin in desperation. Behind them was ash and pain. Before them, the cavernous gate that led to salvation. They just had to survive.

None spoke as Azag used Esca’s enormous power to unlock the gate’s seals. Heavy metallic latches fell like trees, and the gate began to lift. After two months of only living in the low light of The Underworld, Sayane looked forward towards the uncertainty that awaited them. Azag led from the front, with Esca at the ready. Sayane walked in the center, holding hands with strangers and friends alike. Attis sat on her shoulder as she walked. Echo guarded the end, his rose red eyes darting across the land for danger.

As the fires rose behind them, they all bid farewell to their loved ones and the life they had known. Sayane looked back one final time and said goodbye to the place that had changed her into a completely new person in such a short time.

The gate closed as the blaze erupted in a glow of purple. Now, they were truly refugees. Days of walking awaited them. Every person and being new it would be a challenge, and they barely had enough food and water to make it, but they held faith.

For her part, Sayane knew she could help them ease their concern and grief. Though her instrument was packed away, she still had her voice.

“Footsteps lead me places unknown.

Far from the tapestry of life I’ve sewn,” she sang.

Beside her, several of the walkers looked up in excitement.

“I said goodbye to my old life

And braced my feet for a journey of strife.”

Hums of harmony began to rise as her song moved through the crowd. Her voice carried on the soft wind that was drifting through the dark tunnel they now found themselves with.

“That past is gone and tomorrow's not here,

So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.

So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.”

Their lanterns glowed brighter and their path became more visible. Damp stone encircled them. Miles of tunnel stretched out before them. Streams of water ran along the walls and fell into drainage lines. Above them, the occasional vent appeared, with small waterfalls of murky liquid falling in silence.

“My soul’s adrift and my heart unwell

I pray we survive to regale this tale

Of the days we almost lost

But we held out for hope

And set out to live

No matter the cost.”

More and more hums and voices of harmony rose through the crowd. Attis’s hum sent a pleasant melody into Sayane’s ear as she kept her eyes ahead. Far ahead, Esca lumbered onward, her eye beams shining out like threatening spotlights that somehow still felt comforting.

“That past is gone and tomorrow's not here,

So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.

So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.”

A remorse and sorrow had settled in Sayane’s heart in the time since the attack. Though it was only hours ago, Sayane had already moved through nearly every stage of grief. All she could do was hold on to her hope and her rage in equal measure as she walked this unknown path towards an uncertain alliance with The Revolution.

No matter what happened when they reached those shores, she would find a way to fight. With Azag, Artis, and Echo, she knew it was possible. But for now, her priority was the safe deliverance of these scores of singing souls who were looking to her for hope.

“Even if the sky comes crashing down and it all goes black

I know your voices will guide us back

To a new life where we can carry on

With our eyes ahead as we walk to the dawn.”

A familiar tentacle squeezed Sayane’s wrist and she embraced Can-Mo as he slid beside her. Hearing his humming for the first time revealed he actually had a lovely, high-pitched voice.

“That past is gone and tomorrow's not here,

So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.

So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.

Because in my heart

I know that better days are near…”

Every voice joined her without instruction and began to repeat the final lines like a joyously solemn vow.

“So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.

Because in my heart

I know that better days are near.

So I’ll cling to the touch

Of all those that I hold dear.

Because in my heart

I know that better days are near.

Because in my heart

I know that better days are near.”

Tears anointed their journey’s beginning. Nervous breaths held fear and hope in unison within their lungs. Hand in hand, they walked on in the darkness.