159 Aftermath

Utsui's funeral was a private affair that Toka barred Syryn from attending. It enraged him but the last thing that Syryn wanted was to create a commotion during his friend's final rites. He accepted the denial that met him with a sinking heart. Elder Toka was cruel.

However, they couldn't stop the teen from sending a lantern into the sky with Utsui's name on it. It joined the hundreds of glowing blue lanterns in the night sky that floated slowly above Helios.

"Goodbye Utsui." Syryn released his words to the wind. "Rest in peace."

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Syryn still hadn't seen much of Nua but his enthusiasm was gutted by the tragedy that fell upon him. All he wanted to do was go home and fall back into the familiar routine he knew in the presence of Salem.