A Sunless Dream

Fast winds blew past Bastion as six figures stood around a grave. It was littered with flowers of all kinds, the tombstone carved out of the finest gold that had been created by mankind. A sombre silence settled over the six as they stood next to the grave, nobody ready to say a word.

Rain fell on the ground in droves, thunder cracked through the sky and all of existence appeared more bleak than usual. The world too was weeping the loss of a valued member, the confidence and steadfast loyalty exuded by Effie now replaced by an immense feeling of listlessness.

Ling held onto the arm of his father weakly, his transcendent strength being oddly controlled compared to his usual outbursts. Lightly pulling on his arm, Ling's father looked down as he placed an arm on his head, ruffling his hair gently.

"When is mommy coming back?" Ling asked, his eyes still containing a weak flicker of hope as his father struggled to remain composed. Effie had been his rock, a symbol of light in a world that seemed endlessly consumed by darkness. Without her, he would have to replace such a role for his son.

"She's gone to a better place now; we'll get to see her when it's time" he replied sombrely. His tone shook as the words escaped his lips; his tears mixed with rainwater as he put on a weak smile to face his son.

Ling didn't appear convinced as he pulled on his arm more forcefully "But I want to see mommy now!" he pleaded, his innocent protests drove a spear through his fathers heart as he continued to try and soothe his son.

Falling to knee, he enveloped Ling in a hug before stroking his hair lightly "I know, but this is just how life is sometimes. I miss her too." His silent sobs were drowned out by the roars of thunder, he had to remain firm, not only for him but for his son.

Kai stared at the gravestone with gritted teeth, the tombstone standing before him marked his greatest failure. He lacked the strength needed to keep those he cared for safe; it was his inadequacy that led to this situation. His lips curled into a thin line as he continued to stare at the gravestone.

"She wouldn't want us to cry" he muttered to himself, turning to Nephis and Cassie he repeated with more conviction "She wouldn't want us to cry, she'd want us to move forward and honour her memory." He forced a smile onto his face, staring into the sky as the rain fell on his face lightly.

Tears poured from his face, almost unnoticeable as he placed a hand over his eyes. Slowly falling to his knees, he clenched his fists and stared at the gravestone, the forced smile never leaving his face no matter how hard he wanted to sob. Nephis placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping it firmly as she stared at the gravestone.

Death of an ally was not something foreign to her, however, each time it took place her reaction was completely unique. She no longer had the strength to produce tears, yet they arrived anyway, her face remaining impassive as her wet hair clung to her alabaster skin.

Nobody even noticed the anguish she went through.

Cassie was hit the hardest, her knees became weak however she forced herself to stand. Staring at the grave with an impassive expression she tried her hardest not to let her sobbing form be seen by anyone else, lest she look more pathetic than she already thought she did.

In a distant mountain, two figures clad in identical onyx armour stood standing next to one another. Sunny and Orion extended their shadow sense to mark their attendance to the funeral from afar, Sunny's hands shook lightly as he continued to stare at the grave.

Millions of memories flashed through his head in seconds, jokes he would never hear once more began feeling more valuable than life itself as he continued to stare, his expression indifferent.

Orion had a similar reaction; his keen eyes observed the reactions of all those present. The state they were in was not one to be envied, a silent prayer echoed through his mind as he hoped Revel would never be forced to experience what his former enemies went through.

Three days had passed, Sunny had made his way to the farthest corners of the dream realm staying only at the edge of the hollow mountains. He wore no armour as he began to swing his sword in motions that appeared honed and practiced over the course of several lifetimes.

In a fluid motion, Sunny swung his sword downwards. Staring at the sky, he noticed the clouds had parted due to the force of his swing, leaving the sun remaining to beat down upon its skin with it's golden radiance. His expression remained impassive as he turned to a figure standing next to him.

"That was acceptable, now continue swinging your sword till you can cut the continent and remember not to use any essence beyond holding the sword firm" Orion's voice came echoed smoothly throughout the clearing. Before Sunny could retort, Orion had already disappeared into the shadows.

Revel sat in an open clearing as her eyes remained firmly planted on the sky. In a moment, a man shot like a bullet from the sky above and landed firmly in front of her shooting her a beaming grin. Revel responded with a slight smile as she tilted her head in curiosity.

Orion stood before her, holding a clearly stolen communicator in hand as it displayed a picture of a long extinct animal. "Hey Revel! Look at this, isn't it's shape so unique? I wonder how creatures like this even begin to develop" his voice appeared excited as he sat next to her, wrapping his hand around her waist and directing her attention towards the communicator.

Her eyes glistened with curiosity as she observed the unknown animal stretch it's long neck and grab a fruit off the top of a tree before greedily consuming it in only a few motions. "If I'm correct, those are called Giraffe's?" Revel asked, Orion nodded his head before scrolling downwards, showing her more and more videos with child like fascination.

"I think I like these animals the most, their unique way of eating is a joy to watch" Orion commented, he slowly raised himself to his feet before picking Revel up in a matter of moments. Before she knew what had happened, they were in the sky, a dragon of shadows flew beneath them as he placed her upon it lightly.

"How did your fight with the saints from Sword go?" her tone was laced in curiosity, although she didn't doubt the strength of her lover, she had yet to see him in a true combative situation. Any expectations she had of him were truly subject to being blown out of the water.

"It's a long story, I had to keep a cursed terror asleep while fighting them one by one for more than five hours. I ended up killing one of them, her name was Effie." To her surprise, Orion's expression softened at the mention of her death. Revel stretched out her hand and placed it upon his before speaking "You seem troubled."

Orion shrugged in response before commenting "I saw her allies strength grow tenfold at her death, initially when we fought, they lacked resolve. None of them had a genuine reason to seek my death, however, when I ended the life of one of their own, they fought with expressions I have never witnessed before. When I killed her, her last thought was obvious. She was praying for the safety of her husband and child."

He paused, staring at the sky before replying "I hope whenever I die, I die with purpose. I'm sure she left her mark on the world, her presence served as a foundation for the strength of her allies. I want my death to be more than that, if I die, I want to be able to know what I've died for."

Before Orion could continue, Revel captured his lips in her own. After a brief moment, she pulled backwards and offered him a warm smile "That feeling in your heart that happens whenever we are together. Live for that, strive to preserve that feeling in your heart and if you choose to, guide your actions so others may experience that feeling as well."

Revel paused for a brief moment, before pulling Orion towards her in a deep hug. "If you ever end up dying, do so knowing you fought to defend that feeling to your utmost capability. And I shall do the same for you as well."

Throughout the variety of people Orion had met, he was certain none of them would notice his shoulders trembling lightly in her embrace or the relaxation of his face as he felt her warmth press against his chest.

Except Revel of course.