Chapter 39: The Final Farewell.

  The somber weight of loss hung over Green Arbor as the community gathered around the carefully constructed pyre, its towering presence a stark reminder of the person they had lost. Snow had fallen gently throughout the day, and now a light layer coated the ground, softening footsteps and creating a quiet reverence that contrasted with the sorrow in every breath. The air was still, except for the occasional whisper of the cold wind. The pyre, built from carefully chosen wood, stood tall at the center, where Sarah’s body lay wrapped in soft cloth.

  The Sentinels stood near the pyre, their faces illuminated by the soft, flickering glow of the candles they each held. Ava, Talon, Miko, and the few medics who had served alongside Sarah were the only Sentinels present, and they carried the heavy responsibility of this ritual on their shoulders. For the Sentinels, no matter their rank or role, the final goodbye was always the same—a fire lit by someone close to them, the flames symbolizing their release from the battles fought in life.

  Jess stood before the gathered mourners, her breath visible in the cold air, her hands trembling slightly as she prepared to speak. Though her voice was calm, the pain of her loss was evident in every word she spoke. "Today, we honor Sarah, a healer, a friend, a protector," she began, her voice strong yet trembling at the edges. "She gave her heart and soul to this community, asking for nothing in return but the safety and well-being of those she cared for."

  Her words carried across the gathering, resonating with those who had known Sarah as more than just a medic but as a person who brought light even in the darkest of times. "She fought alongside us when we needed her most, and she held us together when we felt like falling apart," Jess continued, her voice faltering momentarily as she held back tears. "Sarah was a true Sentinel in spirit, even though her heart was that of a healer. She may be gone, but the impact she made will live on in each of us."

  As Jess finished, the air thickened with emotion, and the crowd stood in collective silence, feeling the weight of her words. It was now time for the tradition to be carried out. Talon, pale and worn, walked forward, clutching a torch in one trembling hand. Every step felt like a thousand, his grief making the short distance from the group to the pyre feel endless. Standing before the pyre, his eyes traced the form beneath the cloth, his mind filled with memories of Sarah’s laughter, her care, and her quiet strength. His heart pounded heavily in his chest as he spoke.

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  "Sarah... you taught me that no matter how broken or lost someone feels, they can still find light," Talon said, his voice raw with emotion. He choked back tears, barely able to find his words. "And now, this fire... this fire is for you. May it guide you... wherever you are now."

  He lowered the torch, touching the flame to the base of the pyre. It caught quickly, the fire blooming upwards as it embraced the wood. The heat of the flames pushed back the biting cold for a moment, casting dancing shadows across the gathered crowd.

  Once the fire was lit, the small group of Sentinels began the sacred procession. One by one, they stepped forward, holding their candles. Each Sentinel would approach the flames, whisper a private message or a final thought, and then drop their candle into the fire as a symbolic farewell. Miko went first, his face tight with sorrow, whispering, "Safe journey, my friend," before releasing his candle into the flames.

  The remaining medics followed, offering their own quiet farewells. Each step felt like a weight pulling on their souls, but they walked with steady reverence.

  Finally, Ava approached, her face set in a mask of determination. She had always found it hard to express her emotions, but tonight, under the weight of the sky and the grief in her chest, she felt them boiling up. "Thank you, Sarah," she whispered as she let her candle drop into the flames. "Thank you for everything you did for us... for him."

  She stepped back, her heart heavy but resolute. Talon joined her at the edge of the fire, watching as the flames consumed the pyre. His hand found hers, gripping tightly as though holding on to something solid would keep him from falling apart. "She deserved better," Talon muttered, his voice thick.

  "I know," Ava replied softly. "But we gave her the best goodbye we could. That's all we can do."

  As the fire burned on, sending sparks up toward the night sky, Jess spoke once more, her voice carrying a sense of closure. "Sarah may no longer walk among us, but she will always be with us. Her spirit is now part of our collective strength, and as long as we carry her memory, she will never be truly gone."

  The gathering slowly began to disperse, one by one, people returning to their homes, leaving behind the fire that burned in Sarah’s memory. Ava and Talon remained long after the others had left, standing side by side, watching the embers glow in the fading light of dawn.

  Talon’s grief was a tangible thing, but Ava stayed with him, a silent promise that they would carry on together. "We’ll get through this," Ava whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackling of the dying fire.

  "Yeah," Talon replied, his voice hoarse. "We always do."

  Together, they turned away from the pyre, walking back toward the cabin they had shared for so long. The fire behind them slowly dwindled, but the memories and the bonds they had built with Sarah would burn on in their hearts forever.