A Day in the Future

Four days after returning from Riddly Village, preparations were almost complete for the funeral. However, Carolyn didn't have much of a role in this process. According to Hanson, after learning about how she pushed herself during the send-off ceremony, he became determined to leave her off of any physical work. He would still consult her for approval on matters relating to the funeral but never let her actually work on it. Carolyn still had much to learn from Teri, so she wasn't bored, but it allowed her enough time to have worries about what came after the funeral.

She hadn't faced any issues regarding her preparations to leave the village, but there was one major thing that she hadn't checked off yet: saying goodbye to Atla. She and Hanson had agreed that farewells could wait until after the funeral, but Carolyn knew that she had to break the news to Atla properly. For now she could put it off, but it wouldn't be like that for much longer.

She had already hinted that she would leave one day, but thinking of Atla's anguished expression made her hesitate. It wasn't to the extent that she was considering pushing back her departure date, but the thought to leave without a farewell was certainly appealing. Still, Carolyn knew that would be the worst option. In the end, she would have to say those painful words to her best friend, but there were two that she had to say goodbye to first.

Thanks to Hanson handling all of the preparations, the morning of the funeral came before she knew it. Unlike send-off ceremonies, funerals were more solemn affairs that didn't involve many steps. This funeral would also be a very private event, so only those familiar with the deceased pair would attend. In this case, that meant Hanson and Carolyn.

Teri also knew Carolyn's parents, but not personally, so he excused himself even though Carolyn and Hanson said that they wouldn't mind his presence. Rilis was in a similar position in terms of being allowed but deciding not to come, except she wasn't aware of the identities of Carolyn's parents and had the kids to look after.

The clearing that served as the funeral venue was wider than Carolyn remembered, and she could spot traces that this had been done recently. She wished that she had been there to help, but also understood that that was just her selfishness. Usually, the burial would be performed before the funeral, but since neither of her parents' bodies could be recovered, their personal belongings were used instead, or at least that was the plan. Hanson had managed to recover her father's sword, but there was nothing left of her mother besides what she placed in the bag that Carolyn had. She considered burying that bag, but she and Hanson both agreed that she would need those items if she wanted to pursue the truth. It was the same for her silver necklace, so Carolyn came up with a compromise.

On the hilt of the solemn steel sword that was pierced into the ground in front of the large boulder was a bracelet made of shiny rocks.

"Are you sure? Your esteemed mother was the one that made that for you, correct?"

"That's right. In a sense, you could say it's one of a kind, and it's what reminds me of her the most. That's why it's a perfect placeholder to make sure that I definitely return one day."

"Very well. I will ensure that this village remains safe so that that day may come."

"Thank you, Hanson."

Ordinarily, Carolyn would address him as Mister or Village Chief, but before the graves, the two were equals; at least that was the excuse Hanson gave, and Carolyn accepted it. Once the memorabilia were placed in front of the boulder, Hanson handed Carolyn a bottle of wine. Although Carolyn was now old enough to drink, that wasn't the reason for this action. While send-off ceremonies were meant to assist lingering spirits in moving on to the afterlife, the meaning behind funerals was slightly different. A funeral was a wish for the deceased to find peace in death, and alcohol was used as a symbol of detachment and carefreeness so that the dead could rest without any remaining worries.

With the opened bottle of wine in her hand, Carolyn spoke. Funerals were infamous for having a series of long eulogies, but for a private setting like this, that many words were unnecessary. Or rather, they were insufficient, because no amount of words could accurately express how she felt. However, Carolyn was confident that she could get her thoughts across to the two who had known her the best.

"Thank you."

'For giving birth to me.'

'For raising me.'

'For loving me.'

'For sacrificing your lives for me.'

"And goodbye."

'Until I learn the truth.'

'Until I return.'

'Until I cross over to that side.'

After those two simple phrases, which were packed with her emotions, Carolyn gently tilted the bottle and let the wine fall to the ground. There were no bodies there to receive the liquid, but Carolyn could imagine the scene of her father taking a sip while trying to hide his nervousness and her mother finishing a gulp like it was water with a refreshing smile. Usually, this would be when she stood there in a daze as she combed through her memories; however, this day wasn't for her; it was for them. And she knew that the only face she could show them was one with a smile and eyes looking forward to the future.

Once the wine was finished, the ceremony was for all intents and purposes over. Hanson also had the opportunity to talk to them, but as he would end up slipping details Carolyn wasn't ready to learn yet, he postponed his official farewell.

Time moved on at a rapid pace, and soon there were only two days left until Carolyn's planned departure. It was decided that her departure would be announced on the day of her leaving, but before then, Rilis suggested having a farewell dinner. She had overheard Carolyn and Hanson praising Adam's cooking skills and saying that she would have a tough time beating him, so she was especially eager to show off her skills.

Carolyn and Teri headed over to Hanson's residence for the dinner. When Carolyn knocked on the door, Hanson was the one who eventually opened it.

"Ah, Ms. Carolyn, Sir Teri. Please come in."

The two followed behind Hanson and entered the house, but once they made it to the living room, Carolyn was stunned by the sight of the additional guest standing next to the couch.

"Atla?"

"That's right. I invited her at Sir Teri's suggestion."

Carolyn turned in Teri's direction, and he responded with a grumpy expression.

"Your dillydallying got on my nerves. Now, hurry up and go talk to the girl."

Teri and Hanson then left the room. Partly because she was busy preparing to leave and also because she found it hard to break the news, Carolyn hadn't met Atla in quite some time and felt nervous to finally see her.

"It's been a while."

Atla could tell from Carolyn's attitude and the fact that she was invited to this dinner that Carolyn had some unwelcome news for her. Therefore, she was also nervous.

"Yes..."

"..."

Conversing was difficult, but looking at Atla's gloomy expression brought a terrible pain to her heart, so Carolyn built up some courage and went towards her. A bit surprised, Atla stared at her as she approached.

"Atla, we need to talk."

Even if this would make her expression become gloomier, hiding this from her felt equally reprehensible.

Though she sensed something unpleasant incoming, Atla prepared herself to listen to her dear friend.

"Okay."