Alya walked toward her room, feeling tired after the long day. But just as she passed by Kairo's door, she heard something.
Was that… crying?
She stopped. The sound was soft, but full of pain.
Curious and a little worried, she slowly pushed the door open and peeked inside.
Her heart ached at what she saw.
Kairo was sitting on his bed, hitting the wall again and again with his fists. His knuckles were red and swollen. His head was down, tears falling onto his hands.
"It's all my fault…" he whispered, voice shaking. "Raiven died because of me… I couldn't save Lyra… I couldn't protect anyone… They're gone… because of me…"
Alya rushed inside.
"Kairo! Stop it!"
She grabbed his hands before he could hurt himself anymore. His eyes met hers—red, tired, and full of guilt.
"Alya…" he muttered, voice broken. "I failed them…"
Without thinking, Alya pushed him back gently and kissed him.
Kairo's eyes went wide. He froze in shock.
When she pulled back, her voice was soft but firm.
"You're not alone, Kairo. Stop blaming yourself for everything. I'm here. I'll always be here."
His body slowly relaxed. His breathing steadied. The storm in his heart grew quiet.
Alya smiled. "Now sleep. I'll stay beside you until you do."
"…Thank you, Alya," Kairo whispered, closing his eyes.
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight peeked through the window as Eldric burst into the room.
"Oi! Get up, sleepyhead. We have to go to Raiven's funeral."
Kairo sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "Already…?"
"Yeah," Eldric replied. "Hurry up. Alya's ready. I still have to get dressed too."
As Eldric walked out, Kairo muttered to himself,
"Don't worry, Raiven… I'll make them pay. I'll take Lyra's revenge."
---
Outside the Building
Kairo stepped out and saw the others waiting. But something felt off.
"Where's Sirius? And Arsene?" he asked.
Veiren crossed his arms. "Sirius left last night. Said he had some business. He'll be back by evening. I think Arsene left too."
Luca looked at Kairo. "You were Raiven's old friend, right? Do you know if he has any family?"
Kairo looked down, his voice quiet.
"He does… but they won't come. After everything is over, I'll go visit them myself."
Luca nodded. But sadness still showed in her eyes.
---
The Funeral
The sky was grey. The air felt heavy.
No one spoke. Everyone stood around Raiven's grave in silence.
Luca, Alya, and Veiren were crying. Eldric stood still, fists clenched, tears in his eyes.
But Kairo didn't cry. He only looked up at the sky, his face calm but unreadable.
Elsa walked over to him.
"Looking for someone in the clouds?" she asked softly.
Kairo didn't look at her. "Sister… where do people go when they die?"
Elsa was quiet for a moment. Then she said,
"I asked Father the same thing once. He told me… good people go to Heaven. Bad people go to Hell."
She paused.
"Then I asked him about soldiers. People who kill in war. I asked if they go to Hell too… even him."
Kairo turned his head. "What did he say?"
"He said there's a third place. A place for warriors. A place called Valhalla."
"Valhalla?" Kairo repeated.
Elsa nodded. "He said in Valhalla, soldiers don't have to fight anymore. They live in peace. Back then, I didn't really understand. But now… I do."
She looked at Kairo with kind eyes.
"What will you do now? Everyone thinks you're a traitor. Are you going to hide forever?"
Kairo stared at the ground. Then at the sky.
"…I don't know yet. But first, I have something I need to do."
Elsa smiled sadly. "I hope it works out for you."
She walked away, leaving Kairo alone.
Kairo clenched his fists. The wind blew gently through his hair.
He looked up again, eyes burning with new purpose.
"Raiven… my friend… my brother… I promise you… I'll finish what you started."
---
(Chapter ends)