They came close to where the others were in front of Azzar's house. Rin and Ayk were carrying Ino and Nier—and the unconscious Elir—and dragging Valwa. Berko walked beside them in silence.
Bern saw Valwa and tears gathered in her eyes. "My brother Valwa…"
Seeta looked on in horror as she saw Ayk carrying Nier and Elir. She ran to them, screaming, "Nier…"
Ayk set him down, and she looked at his body. She touched the burns on his face and body, muttering, "No way…" Her Nieth eyes widened around her head, tears gathering in them. As she saw no aura around him, she collapsed to the ground in exhaustion and terror, saying, "It can't be—"
Ayk said sadly, "We thought maybe the boy would want to burn his body and give him a proper farewell…"
Mika also looked in horror at Nier's body. He thought… it could've been Ayk. Mika looked at Ayk and his own state… then jumped to hug him lightly.
In those past hours, neither of them had considered the possibility… that the other one could have died. Ayk returned his brother's embrace just as tightly. He's fine… Mika is fine…
Mika pulled away from the hug, wiping his tears. Then he noticed Elir and said in amazement, "Wait… what is that?? Are those… wings?"
Rin spoke wearily, "Ah… that's… a long story…"
Fojta came closer, leaning on her weapon where they stood. Mika saw her and smiled. "Ah, you're alright?"
Fojta looked at him for a moment. At his smiling face. At his narrow eyes that always seemed angry, even when he laughed wholeheartedly. She said, "Thank you, Mika."
Mika nudged her shoulder and said, "It's what you would've done too…"
They all turned to the sound of rushing footsteps coming near them… to see Eita. Mika and Ayk quickly drew their weapons when they saw her red cloak and long fiery hair, but Eita ignored them, ran to where everyone was, and saw Valwa and Vera on the ground. Anger blazed in her eyes as she said, "You filth… how dare you… how dare you still be alive…!"
Bern looked at her, tears streaming, and said in a childish voice, "Sister Eita…"
Eita spoke amid her seething rage. "Bern… what are you doing here?"
Bern sobbed. "I left everyone just so I could say goodbye to Vera… but…"
They all fell silent. Bern's crying was the only sound they could hear. Mika and Ayk stood on guard, with Fojta by their side. Rin leaned against the wall, exhausted. Seeta sat on the ground before Nier's body, covering her face.
Another body sat off in the distance, unconcerned about everything happening.
Eita rose and said in a frightening voice, "Don't worry, Bern… we'll see them all again in paradise…"
Mika looked at his brother. They were all exhausted. Their bodies bleeding. But Eita… she seemed ready to fight.
Lazith's voice spoke inside Eita. "I won't be together with you in paradise, Eita… but… I want to grant your wish, Eita… I want you to enjoy eternal life in paradise…"
Eita closed her eyes a bit and said, "I might not go to paradise anyway, Lazith…"
He asked, "What do you mean…?"
Eita raised her hand and began to chant,"Falhaḍʾ idha ḍuram bil-badan tadaffaqqa ghishāʾuhu wa-āthāmuhu ka-ssadīmSamiʿat udhnu-hu an-naqīṣ wa-l-khaṣīṣ wa-l-ajījWa-raʾat ʿaynu-hu al-jadhwa wa-z-zakhīkhWa-stan shaqat raʾtā-hu al-yahmūm wa-l-ʿathān"
Bern mumbled in terror, "Sister Eita… no…"
Lazith shouted, "Are you sure, Eita?!"
Eita continued in a louder voice,"Wa-dhāqa badanu-hu al-wahaj wa-dh-dhakwaWa mā khabat wa-lā bākhat illā wa-hamadat al-āthām fī qalbi-h"
Mika cried, "What?! What are you chanting, you witch…?"
Rin said in horror, "These are incantations from the old religion…"
Eita went on, "O fries of Fihara… I command you, by the name of your great leader, Lazith… inhabit the bodies of these sinners…"
Rin put his hand over his mouth, shouting, "No way…"
Bern said, "Why, Sister Eita…? Those incantations are forbidden…" Bern wept. "You won't go to paradise…"
Mika shouted, "I don't understand anything!!"
Eita approached Bern and hugged her, speaking gently, "Don't worry… God Vihara is infinitely merciful… I must do this… Make sure you take all our bodies home, okay…?"
Ayk, using what little strength he had left, said, "Stop now!! It's over… Go home if you want, but leave us alone!"
But any resolve he had vanished when he saw that look on Eita's face. What did it mean… that look… especially with those words she said, "No… It's just begun…"
Noel was crawling, her skin red from the flames, fighting with what remained of her strength to reach her companions. But… she collapsed before getting close. She looked at Elir and smiled, "I knew… you had wings…"
She said that sentence before passing out.
Then… slow footsteps moved behind her. Bodies disfigured. Their burnt skin. Their eyes glowing red like flames. And they moved closer.
They all stood, gazing in terror at the approaching crowd.
Ayk said in a broken voice, "What… is happening…?"
Seeta lifted her face to see a familiar face drawing near… a thin face spattered blood. White clothes, soaked in blood. And the long black hair. And eyes… red…?
Seeta said, "Mother…? What are you doing…?"