Burial Ceremony

After mourning the dead, Paul volunteers to report back to the Vatican while Arsha continues her investigation. Reluctantly, Arsha approves his request, it was clear that they need some time apart after the whole ordeal.

"I really wish he would at least be grateful of the sacrifices I made to keep him alive," Arsha sighs as she watches Paul galloping into the distant horizon.

The burial ceremony would take at the very least 4 days, bodies left unattended will attract nearby demons, it is part of Arsha's duty to protect the remaining villagers until the ceremony is complete whether the protectee is willing or not and this gives her ample time for her investigation on the cult's erratic behavior.

Arsha's investigation continues from Onyxia's room. There is nothing in this room except for the bed and a small wardrobe filled with only Onyxia's spare cassocks and undies, to Arsha the room gives off an impression of a prison rather than a room of a girl of Onyxia's age.

"This leaves the local church and Sarah's room." Arsha's hand instinctively grabs onto Sarah's whistle, now hanging from her neck.

*****

Katerin and Arthur are now taking a break from digging graves for the deceased, silhouette of villagers with shovel can seen from their resting spot.

"Arthur what are you going to do from now on?"

"Huh?"

Katerins's question broke Arthur out of his daze, he had been zoning out frequently after Onyxia's secret was revealed.

"How long have you learnt of her secret?" Arthur asks the first question that came up in his mind.

"It was the night of your parents death, I was about leave the church after my prayers when I spotted Sarah and Her Holiness. It was unusual for them to stay over that late so I tailed them, that was how I discover Her secret."

There was a short silence between them, it was Arthur that breaks the silence first.

"I will go to the nearest town and enroll as a knight," that was Arthur's reply to Katerin's previous question.

"I see..."

"I want to take revenge for Her Holiness but I'm too weak. I need to gather any strength I can get to kill that paladin." Arthur's eyes are filled with cold vengeful determination.

"You know Arsha won't be the last one, right?" Katerin reminds Arthur about the consequences of his decision with a melancholic tone.

"I will think about it when the time comes." Arthur pick up his shovel and rejoin the other villagers, there are more graves to dig.

*****

In Sarah's room a hidden basement is discovered, the basement contains a set of table and chair, lies on the table were 4 empty vials lined up on a test tube rack, next to it was what seems to be a diary.

'Why did she leave all these here? She should have plenty of time to collect it before hightailing.'

"Feels like she was intending for me to find this diary." Arsha concluded.

The church was the last spot Arsha visits for the day, she managed to secure the corpse of her subordinate, they were hanged up by meat hooks in what seems to be a meat cellar prepared for long winters ahead, their innards are removed and heads chopped off. Arsha was only able to identify them from the tattoos on their index fingers, the same tattoo can be found on her finger as well.

"Thank you for sacrificing yourself as canaries, though I never actually told you that was part of the plan." said Arsha while collecting their fingers.

Arsha spent the following days in Orn reading Sarah's diary, during the day she would guard the villagers while they bury the dead, at night she would bury her dead companions by herself and read a few pages of diary during her break.

"Tommorrow is the last day huh..."

*****

Onyxia's burial is on the last day of the ceremony, over the span of ceremony villagers came to pay their homage, new visitors can be seen everyday. To some of the older folks Onyxia was their granddaughter, its not surprising to find them wailing at edge of her coffin unwilling to part with her, all of that stop when the an unexpected guest arrives.

"Why is she here?"

"Shh. Just leave her alone."

The spiteful stare from the villagers does not bother Arsha, she is used to it. She had came to terms with herself that she cannot please everyone around her, someone will always get hurt, and this time it is the villagers from Orn.

Arsha stood beside Onyxia and take a good long look at not the monster she had slain, but the little girl that was shouldering the hope of villagers.

Onyxia had a peaceful expression plastered onto her face, her rosy cheeks showing no sign of decay; maybe it was the flowers masking it but there was no foul odour either, it is as if she is taking a nap on a bed of flowers in her white one piece pajama.

"Its such a shame huh, you're really a cutie when looking close like this." Arsha sighs and place a sunflower right next to Onyxia's sleeping face. Among the many white roses, lilies and hydrangeas, the yellow sunflower stands out like a sore thumb, bringing every onlooker's attention to the girls face.

"Stand away from the coffin." the village carpenter urges Arsha to move away as he brings in the coffin lid and nails. Each strike of the hammer reminds everyone of the harsh reality, that their love ones are not coming back, that they can never get their revenge and that their daily lives will continue regardless of their feelings, and with the grave filled up, this signifies the end of the day.

*****

"Maybe I should visit this village once in a while. Hopefully they will welcome me when that day comes."

Although Arsha may had gone through many unpleasant experience at Orn, there was no denying it, the village had an relaxing atmosphere and their pastries are the best Arsha ever got her hands on.

"Hmm? Who visits at this hour?" Arsha asks as she move towards the petite figure casting a shadow on her tent.

"!?"