SOML – Chapter 26: Grand Funeral

 Chapter 26 – Grand Funeral

…

With his hands in his pocket, Jigen’s eyes narrowed. His current aura differed from his usual persona.

His conversation with Mimosa and Nina continued ringing in his ears.

“Jigen, can you help me?” Mimosa bit his lips. His head lowered and his eyes darted around him.

“What’s wrong?” Once again, Jigen felt sad about him. And he didn’t understand why he was panicking.

Mimosa struggled. His hands turned into fist. Something occupied his mind. Dark bags weighted on his eyes. He hadn’t had a complete sleep. He forced to close his eyes as he spoke. “I want to get strong! But I don’t have a powerful body or great mind like my family!”

“I want to get strong. So that I can face them. And show them I can do something!”

“I considered Sarah’s offer. But with my current strength, and even one year later when we graduate, I will still be weak.”

Saliva frothed on his mouth. His green hair presented to Jigen as he bowed in ninety degrees and spat all he wanted to say.

“So, I will carve my own!”

“This will be too difficult. I don’t like to hit others. But I don’t to be hit too. So, I will get strong. Strong enough to protect who I wanted to protect. And prove myself.”

“Then, I will not regret it if I die trying!”

Jigen shook. He got so shaken that his face changed many times. Even Nina cried in shock. They stared at the boy, who was indistinguishable from the rumors. The latter didn’t know Mimosa’s intention, but she promised to go with him here. Now that she knew, she felt bitter.

He was pitiful, but he wanted to change. They couldn’t imagine how much will they needed to do the same. They knew they couldn’t be like him. Too embarrassed to even think about it.

The chubby boy recovered and nursed his thoughts. After a long time, he spoke. “So, what you wanted me to do?”

“Construct. Let me train in construct. I can do anything. Even serving the Metallon Clan for years.” Mimosa stayed in his bowing position. The knuckles on his side had already turned white.

Jigen looked at the ground. Thoughts swirled as he recalled what happened in the realm. The two people in front of him saved his life.

“I’m sorry.” In the end, fear consumed him. “I can’t let a friend die.” Then he passed them without hesitation.

But a thudding sound halted his tracks. He craned his neck, only to see Mimosa kneeling towards him.

“Please! I beg you!”

“I know that I’m forcing you. B-but… I don’t really have any choice! I can only think of this!” Mimosa begged. Sweat poured down on his determined face. He groveled and put his two palms together. Both palms rubbed together like he was making alms.

Nina was covering her mouth beside him. She choked as she fought her welling tears. “Jigen. Please, just help him…” She also pleaded.

Jigen lowered his head. This was the first time he considered someone a friend.

Warm, having a genuine friend made his heart warm. Thus, he didn’t want to see his friend groveling and shaming himself.

“You want me to kill you. The burden of killing a friend by my own hands. Is that what you want?”

Mimosa hurried to shake his head. “No. I-.” But Jigen stopped him with a wave of his hand.

“Forget it. I’m not going to just because you needed help.” The latter’s eyes became cold.

…

“Ayill! Wait up! Don’t run.” Her lithe figure tried hard, but he was just too fast.

Murky mist and dark foliage covered her way. It had kept on her nerves, yet she didn’t want to lose that faint silhouette.

The red and purple mist kept on interfering her vision. Suddenly, her companions vanished. She looked back and shuddered. “No… No! Ben! Jed! Where are you?! Where am I?”

“Is this a dream?” The girl gritted her teeth.

“Hot. Why is it so hot?” Sweat poured down like a waterfall. She kept parting the mist, but to no avail.

After a long time, she then found a light. Scrambling, she stumbled beside it - a butterfly. Its appearance was like a jade, flying with grace, and glitters shone from its tail. A mysterious aura enveloped it. The foliage and mist appeared embarrassed and parted for it.

It was an unbelievable sight for Sarah. She stood there in a daze. Only when she lost it in her vision, she woke up from her amazement.

“Wait. Don’t go.”

She followed it. The girl didn’t care she where was going now. She had forgotten about her friends. She rolled, tumbled, and even crawled. But her eyes locked on that shape. It now resembled a dot of light in the distance.

All of a sudden, air stagnated and towering auras emerged. They were out of this world. Anyone of them were strong, so strong that they held the life and death of anyone.

Her skin crawled and heart lumped on her throat.

But she gritted her teeth, and grew faster and faster.

And yet, everything remained ahead of her.

The girl became scared. Not because of her life. But she determined all of them had the same pursuit.

Instantly, barrage of attacks rained on that tiny light and there was nothing she could do.

She watched as everything hit the light. Like a broken shell, crumbling into dust. And soon, it got extinguished and disappeared in her sight.

Sarah awakened. Inspecting her body, she figured it wasn’t a dream. Hence, she became petrified knowing that. The girl couldn’t help but survey her abdomen.

“Just what are you?”

Woosh.

Bang. The sound of glass breaking sounded across the night, alerting everyone in the vicinity.

Everyone had been preparing for the funeral, hence, those who were close immediately responded.

When they arrived, they discovered the large fire and a sole person standing in the center.

Her fiery hair danced alongside the flames while maintaining a still motion. Her dazed eyes observed her surroundings before her mouth turning into a sneer.

Like a hungry predator, brutal light shimmered in the depths of her eyes as she glared at each one of them.

The onlookers felt helpless. Looks like their young miss’s wild tendencies were acting up again, they thought. All of them knew she liked to destroy or even burn anything she saw. Although genius, she lacked morals and manner, and the only thing she did was to increase their work.

A bully, yet not the typical one because she had strength and authority. She became more dangerous and unpleasing. They shook their head and only commented in their hearts.

“When will she grow?”

“Pity to the head and previous head. They have a descendant like her.”

Unbeknownst to them, danger lurked at every corner. She only did what she could do. If not, by how silent and swift her assailant she won’t be able to emit a cry by the next second. A loud noise enough for anyone to notice saved her, though.

Thus, no matter what the preconception about her, she didn’t mind. She became used to misunderstanding.

This became usual occurrence to her, assassination, destruction and stuff.

She could only buckle more defenses, warning herself not to drop her guard.

After all, even the supreme youth of the previous generation, The Meteor, met his demise because of these silent attacks.

“County of Hopes and Dreams is an anomaly. Having one Venerable is enough for each county. Only those Royalties and people who have enough authority could enjoy such a line-up.”

“Yet in the previous era, we have two—Deity Hopes and Dreams and my Grandpa, Old Man Pendragon. In addition, they planted their seeds, which resulted in my father and teacher Von Ruler.”

“What many didn’t expect that a genius like Meteor will emerge, without ties with Royalties. It further complicated things.” She sneered. “Thus, it’s worth ruminating who’s who. Meteor is not just someone, after all.”

“Demon? Beast? Human??? Plots are just too complex. The subsequent attacks will be far stronger now their targets had lessened. Only by having sufficient strength I could protect myself.”

“Clans may have trump cards, but they are hard to collect and easy to dispense. Hence, they cannot be considered as a pillar for the clan. No matter how strong a foundation is, as long as there are insufficient pillars, a building will still collapse.”

“And just right on time, Metallon Clan eased my situation.”

“I didn’t expect! I didn’t expect! A hidden pillar appeared. They hid it too deep.”

“This not only stabilized their clan but also my situation.”

“Still, if I don’t do something, I can only wait for death!”

“A time bomb inside my body, swords in front and daggers at my back!”

“Viciousness, eh! I’ll rip the board. I’m sick of waiting for turns!”

…

The guard standing on the Metallon Clan’s gate is called Hermoso. He was very strict and serious about his work.

Many could say his looks were common. He had beady eyes, small nose and small built.

He should be only a normal citizen whose path fated to be limited.

But his destiny changed.

He met the man with a freckled face and slit eye, wearing a business-−looking eyeglass. The latter reached out to him and everything became different.

He was now the strongest individual in Metallon Clan. Currently, only a handful in the county could defeat him in head on battle.

Thus, he became proud not only because of himself but also because of the clan that nurtured him. And he was repaying them by guarding directly into the gate.

He’d seen the welfare of the clan. Though their descendants were not comparable to others, their intelligence and their constructs made them a terrifying opponent.

Aside from that, the clan was renowned for its construction. Many considered it in the top three on the global scale!

Unfortunately, the clan had experienced a tumultuous event that made a fissure in its structure. The clan got divided into two faction−the White Metallon and Blue Metallon.

Grandmaster Eric White Metallon was the brightest predecessor of the White Metallon. But he was already dead for a long time when the large divide happened.

But Blue Metallon didn’t have any person comparable to them. Hence, they were much weaker in terms of power in the clan. That was why the Blue Metallon members transferred locations, which also transformed Hermoso’s fate.

But Hermoso still harbored a dream. One day, the prestigious Metallon Clan would be whole again. He was sure of that.

All of this because of its greatest prodigy, the man with a strict face and business eyeglasses—Shawn Blue Metallon.

The only thing worthy of regret was the child of his savior, Jigen Blue. That guy was lazy with limited talent. He didn’t pay respect with his elders and no manners.

Thus, although Hermoso wasn’t warm with everyone and maintained his stone-cool face, only towards Jigen where his eyes really became cold.

And that guy was coming. Hermoso gave the boy a side eye.

Last time, he brought someone at his age. Probably, the guy was also as lazy as this one. Birds with the same feather flocked together after all.

Yet, he suddenly felt strange.

“Is he that guy?” This time, Hermoso gave Jigen a few more glances.

“The familiar strict freckled face, slit eyes and the aura. The only lacking was the business eyeglasses…” But he denied it almost an instant.

Like any other day, Jigen passed by Hermoso while the latter standing without noise. They belong to the same clan, but they were like strangers. Not bothering to hide their distances.

Seeing him gone, Hermoso chuckled from feeling strange today. Pride once again filled him as he saw the barely affected mansions of the clan. They were still intact because of his earnest guarding.

…

Any clan had something they were developing. Hence, they needed other buildings to do their research and inventions. They called these buildings as factories or laboratories.

Metallon Clan were expert in construction and engineering.

There were reasons water was free and electricity only cost a little. Their inventions really helped the county.

Aside from the capital county, County of Hopes and Dreams, and White Metallon clan’s county, there was no place in the Miracles Kingdom could offer this living.

Entering the grey-silver factory, Jigen went towards his mom.

Unlike what Hermoso’s thinking about him, he was dead serious… because he was feeling a crisis!

And the only person he could run to was his mom. The latter was once again busied herself with working. Thankfully, she could be interrupted and was still available.

Jigen didn’t dilly dallied and nudged his mother’s clothes.

“Mom, what do you think of Mimosa?”

His mother, Minda, was looking at her son with perplex expression. She was still beautiful, even though she was already in her forties. Her black bangs laid on top of her forehead. Her white plastic gown didn’t even quiver, no matter what actions she was making.

“Why are you asking? I don’t know him much. Is he your friend?”

Jigen looked at the side and put his index finger together. He looked comical. “Well, how about adopting him?”

“What?!” Minda raised her voice. “Are you trying to be funny?”

“No, Mom. I’m serious.” Yet, his lips pursed and his eyes staring at the space.

Minda locked her eyebrows. “You want to adopt a child of Dult Clan? They will not take this as laughing matter.” She shook her head and continued with what she was doing.

Behind her, Jigen explained. “I think he’s being pressured by his family. He is too pitiful.” At the end, the boy’s words got laced with sadness.

His mother’s hands paused. “It won’t be easy. We will offend them.”

“First, just the legislations and papers will be a headache. Next, Dult Clan is a large clan. Very large and powerful. Not even our clan in its heyday could compare to them. And they will think that we are snatching their descendants.”

“Last, why will we adopt a kid when we you already a weight to us?” The woman chuckled.

Jigen pouted. His mom continued. “Joke aside. It’s close to impossible.” She saw her son's expression and pursed her lips.

“I’ve heard that his father got furious because of his brother’s failure.”

“Oh?” Jigen squinted.

“And your friend was included, even though he only wanted to share his discovery about his powers.” The woman shook her head. “Your friend got a pleasant gift.”

“But the Dult Clan won’t treasure it. They can nurture generals and strategist. Not a medic or doctor.”

“What a father!” Jigen gnashed his teeth. He didn’t bother to ask her why she knows it. He seemed to take it as a fact.

“Not everything will go with our way, Son.” Minda leveled herself with her son. “Look at me in the eye. I can promise you to help him. But only within my capabilities.”

“Then… can we enlist him on the new construct series?” Jigen made puppy eyes.

…

“There’s someone talking shit about me.” Simon rubbed his nose.

His desk sat beside the window. His pair of black round eyes peered through. The rain finally fallen outside. The night resembled an inky black canvas with no stars. He felt fortunate it rained. If not, he would think he was looking at nothingness.

“Sure, people know you as a blockhead.” A silhouette swayed in the dark corner of the room.

Gradually, the body’s figure became visible. It was a stunning body. Her curvaceous outline swayed as she crept closer.

“You are still as muddle headed as ever. You could reprimand your eldest son. Yet, you also got furious because of your Bunso? You sure quite a dad.” The woman teased as she put her arms around her. Her tight-fitting suit highlighted what was to be highlighted.

The man’s eyes stayed pure. Though, he became awkward when she mentioned about the latest gossip in the county. “I’m ashamed. I’m not fit to be a father.”

“But I stand on my ways. This is all for the sake of my family.” Strength filled his eyes. He made a fist on the top of the table. His thick brows, squarish jaw and bulky figure appeared awe-inspiring.

The woman pursed her lips. Ah, what a blockhead, she thought.

“You still want to prove yourself to your clan? You already been embarrassed last time. And I don’t think your eldest son can save that.”

Simon’s face crumpled. This earned a chuckle from the woman.

“I’m not saying your son isn’t good. In fact, he is great. But if you arrange him beside the geniuses of Dult Clan, then he is only considered common.” The woman explained.

Simon’s face remained stubborn. But he didn’t argue. “My life was nearing its end. And before it does, I want this branch family to be recognized by the main branch. So, no matter what, in two years, my son will reclaim our glory.”

His words reeked of bloodlust and conviction that rendered the woman silent.

After a long time, she replied. “Old friend, I can help you with your life. But it will be dangerous. Are you willing?”

To Simon, this was like a devil’s temptation.

…

Anywhere he looked, there was a sea of black. The sky and ground–black.

Jed scanned his outfit. It was a black suit, giving him mature vibes. But with everyone else, the atmosphere became gloomy.

There were wristbands on men’s arms. Written in it were the deceased.

Jed had only a few people. A few of his employees had died during the incident. Thinking back, he didn’t know why they followed him. He was only a child. And had few interactions with them.

Ayill and Ayill’s mother, Ayisha were also written in it. He recalled that day and it was still vivid.

His other three classmates were also in the wristbands. He didn’t know them, but they were still once a classmate. Jed sighed.

The boy looked in front. One could easily pick women in the crowd because of their appearance. They wore a black dress, a black veil, and a three-petal flower. He knew the latter symbolized the birth, life and passing of a person.

Sarah stood alongside with her father and grandfather. It had been a few days since he last saw her. They dressed the same as others, they even could vanish within the vast crowd. The Pendragons accompanied others like there were no difference in status.

An orator spoke. She narrated the names of the dead people. Instantly, sobbing sounded. Like a sad music. It goes through their ears and permeated through their very being.

The boy raised his head and saw the heavens mourning too. The pitter patter was indistinguishable with the tears that poured out.

Jed closed his eyes, feeling the earth. The vibration. Or it might be everyone’s heart. Also tingling him. Did they also do this with his family? He couldn’t recall.

The procession started, and held in their arms were pictures and memorabilia of their loved ones. They moved in strangely organized manner. As if their whole heart and body moved in unison.

He passed by his friend, Ben, who already choked with emotions. He patted him and continued.

The boy passed many people. Familiar were too few. And too many unfamiliar faces. But they had the same expression. Jed had nothing with him but his feelings. So, he paid respect when he arrived in front.

This was his bow. And also, a vow. To everyone. To Ayill. And to his own family.

“Many people just wanted to live their lives.”

“They wanted to be happy, to love and to pass away without regrets.”

“But people just keep doing the opposite for personal gains. Unbothered what life they will destroy.”

“Hence… I shall cleanse this world of pain and sadness!”

“I’m alone. But I can take this role!”

“I don’t know who planned this. However, I know who will gain the most from it!”

“Just you wait!” The boy raised his head, looking at the north. His eyes tinged with terrifying cold intent!

…

Von grew sluggish when he got home. Only been a few days but his appearance had changed. His hair disheveled and bags marked his eyes. The death of his students took a toll on his body. He felt sick, making him cough from time-to-time.

He lit the lamp on his table. The flame illuminated his increasing hideous appearance. Behind him, a faint shadow emerged. It crept towards him without noise. Yet, a large impact pushed it back.

“WHO’S THERE?”

…

Chapter 25 | Chapter 27