Chapter 81

Lennix stood over the dissipating remains of his elder sister. Her severed head was the first to vanish into ash, a rapid transformation that marked the abrupt end of her existence. The rest of her body followed suit, albeit more slowly, as if the weight of her formidable presence extended the farewell process. Lennix couldn't quite grasp the reality of the moment; a part of him expected her to reform, to heal, or perhaps regrow a new head, continuing the relentless struggle they had faced.

As the ash dispersed into the night air, he grappled with an emotional turmoil that defied easy definition. Was it grief, relief, or a complex amalgamation of conflicting sentiments? "What should I feel?" he muttered to himself, searching for clarity amidst the fading remnants of his sister. The strongest person he had known, both in life and unlife, had simply ceased to exist.

Left behind was nothing but ash, fine particles carried away by the night wind, a poignant reminder of an existence that had once been a formidable force in Moonveil/Triton.

As Lennix surveyed the aftermath of the battle, the ashes of his sister drifting away in the night wind, a reluctant acceptance settled within him. Eirisse had experienced her final death, leaving behind memories and a complex array of emotions that eluded easy categorization. With a sigh, he acknowledged the weight of this reality, grappling with the internal turmoil that accompanied it.

Turning his attention to the scene around him, Lennix found Kaden seated, visibly drained and pale, leaning against a large piece of debris. Medics from the militia attended to him, checking on his condition. Victoria, the mayor, was organizing the remaining militia members, tasking them with the somber duty of collecting the few remaining bodies of the fallen for a proper burial.

In another corner, Xain and his friends engaged in conversation, though Cain stood apart, seemingly disinterested in the social exchange. *He really must not like being social,* Lennix thought, observing Cain's preference for solitude. Meanwhile, the black knight had efficiently secured Karin, ensuring she remained tightly bound with proper ropes. Mari, standing nearby, appeared resigned, keeping company with Zee.

The aftermath of the battle left lingering questions about what comes next, a sense of uncertainty that hung in the air.

"How are you feeling, Master Lennix?" Lennix heard Clarissa's voice beside him. Startled, he turned to find her standing there. "Could you not sneak up on me right now, Clarissa? I'm still on edge," Lennix said, a bit exasperated. Clarissa sighed, responding, "I did not sneak up on you, Master Lennix. I simply walked up to you, and you didn't notice." Her tone remained as emotionless as ever.

"Well, I'm in mourning, so sorry if I didn't notice you," Lennix joked, attempting to lighten the mood. Clarissa, however, glared into his eyes upon hearing this. "What is it?" Lennix asked, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.

"Master Lennix, I may not have emotions, but I still understand them," Clarissa stated matter-of-factly. Lennix raised an eyebrow, asking, "So? What does that have to do with anything?" To his surprise, Clarissa lifted her hand, and Lennix braced for what felt like an impending slap. Instead, he felt her hand softly patting on his head. "Wha-what are you doing, Clarissa?" he asked in confusion. Clarissa replied, "Don't keep your emotions hidden, Master Lennix. Let it out."

Lennix struggled to find words, grappling with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. "I do-don't g-get what you..." he stammered, attempting to express his confusion. "Wh-why can't I..." he continued, his hand moving toward his throat, as if suspecting damage that hadn't fully healed. As his hand approached, drops of water fell on it, intensifying his bewilderment. "Wh-where did..." Lennix questioned, trying to comprehend the source of the drops as the night sky was clear of any clouds.

Clarissa, observing Lennix's confusion, calmly inquired, "Master Lennix, when was the last time?" Lennix, perplexed by her question, responded, "Wha-what do you mean?" Clarissa gestured with her free hand toward his face, directing his attention. "When was the last time you cried?" she asked. As Lennix shakily touched his face and eyes, he discovered the source of the water drops—they were his tears.

"I'm crying?" Lennix questioned, trying to recall the last time tears welled up in his eyes. Was it when he was born? Perhaps when his mother raised her voice? Or maybe when his father ignored him in favor of work? Then, a vivid memory resurfaced. It was from his childhood when he had accidentally broken an expensive vase, a cherished possession of his mother. Aware that he would face severe consequences, he tried to conceal his mistake. However, Eirisse caught him in the act. Instead of scolding him, she comforted him, took the blame, and shielded him from their parents' fury when they discovered the broken vase.

*That's right,* Lennix thought, retracing the memory. *That was the last time I cried.* It dawned on him that he had shed tears for the last time in his human life, witnessing Eirisse shouldering the blame for his misdeed. Now, for the first time in his undead existence, he found himself shedding tears over the loss of his sister.

Lennix, finally comprehending the depth of his emotions, allowed his tears to flow freely. The realization that he could still cry as a vampire took him by surprise. "That's good, Master Lennix. Let it all out," Clarissa advised, her typically emotionless tone taking on a slightly softer note. Despite his emotional turmoil, Lennix managed to crack a smile. "Where is this sudden care coming from, Clarissa?" he quipped.

"Master Lennix, I always cared for you," Clarissa stated matter-of-factly. Lennix, taken aback by her admission, began to respond, "You truly..." but was abruptly cut off. Clarissa continued, "If something happens to you, then who will pay me? Mistress Eirisse is now dead, so you're my only source of income." Lennix felt the familiar sting of Clarissa's pragmatic nature, yet he smiled through his tears. "There it is, never change, Clarissa," he remarked.

Clarissa nodded in her usual emotionless manner. "I won't and can't, Master Lennix, especially since you seem to be a pervert who is turned on by my insults," she retorted. Lennix, ignoring her words, nodded back, accustomed to her usual treatment. He then gazed up at the full moon, silently whispering, "May we meet again in another life, sister."