"Elara!"
"..."
The cemetery's cold air hit Darian like a sharp dagger, abruptly awakening him from the hallucination. The lightless graveyard that showered the trio in anguish solidified Darian's worst nightmare. Rows upon rows of stones are embedded halfway through the ground.
Empty.
The yard was completely empty, with not a soul present except for Katrina, Emory, and Darian. As they gazed upon Elara's grave, which was no different from the others, a cruel reality spread itself throughout Darian's mind.
His wife was dead.
Heavy, shaky breathing exited Darian's mouth. His maroon eyes dilated, and dark eyebags surfaced above his cheeks.
Emory, the silent and observant baby, was being held by Katrina, who watched Darian hysterically cry out Elara's name.
"Sir…" Katrina watched the man's previous actions in silence. She was met with Darian talking to himself for a while, mentioning things like pregnancy and love.
Then, he started manically knocking on the grave, shouting, "Elara! Open up!" as if it were a door. After he realized the door didn't budge, Katrina witnessed Darian stagger to the ground, clutching at his limbs. He cried out Emory's name and then Elara's, vowing he would save her.
Katrina decided not to interfere because she knew this was grief.
Love was something so vile. A parasite, latching on to your heart and never letting go. It slowly digs inside, leaving a hole only someone else's love can fill. So when they die, you are ultimately left with an incurable pain. It eats and eats away at you, only ceasing when you forget your memories with them.
It's supposed to be a feeling synonymous with happiness and delight. So who knew it could harbor such brutality when abruptly stripped away?
Maybe true happiness is never falling in love at all.
Rubbing his eyes, Darian turned around and put on an obvious fake smile. "I-I'm sorry you had to see that." His eyes were red and swollen while his lips were chapped and bleeding.
Katrina relaxed her neck and softened her tone, "Please don't be sorry, sir. Mourning the death of a loved one is difficult." She brought Emory closer to her, the latter catching Darian's gaze.
Motioning his hands upward, Darian indicated that he wanted his son back. Katrina noticed and immediately handed back the baby.
"Losing someone… It's a feeling you can never get used to." She muttered to herself, not aware that the man in front of her listened.
That must have been the breaking point for Darian because he instantly broke down in tears. His grip loosened on Emory, who was caught by Katrina right away.
Faltering and plummeting to the ground, Darian covered his eyes with his hands and cried out.
"Why did she have to die?"
A question not directed at Katrina, but at the sky above them. His voice cracked and stammered, "She was the kindest, sweetest woman I've ever known! S-She always helped people! Her voice was so soft, like music! Why?! She didn't deserve to die!"
A fragile whimper escaped his voice, "I miss her."
"..."
The group stayed silent for the next 15 minutes.
. . .
"I'm sorry."
While wiping his pants from the mud, he repeatedly apologized to the military officer. Katrina smiled wryly as she handed Emory back to his father, "Please don't be sorry, sir. It's alright, I promise."
The trio had finally finished the funeral only after Katrina officiated to the best of her abilities. Her speech brought more tears to Darian's eyes. But this time, he welcomed them. While he wasn't fully over the death of Elara, he could safely say that after today, he can move forward without lingering regrets and constant grievances.
Katrina was mainly to thank; she spent time empathizing with Darian and letting him talk about stories about his wife. After they had finished, he thanked her multiple times.
Katrina dug into her pocket and read her pocket watch with a stern expression, "It's getting quite late." Contemplating for a minute, she offered, "I can get us a carriage if you would like." I wouldn't recommend walking back, especially at Theales' current condition."
Agreeing, Darian thanked Katrina once again for her generosity.
Reaching her hand to the handle of her sword, Katrina slowly unsheathed it and held it directly in front of her. Clenching the muscles on her arm, she huffed before aiming her attack into the air. The current of air created a separation of the clouds and exploded, creating a sonic shockwave that radiated past the cemetery.
Returning her sword swiftly back into its brown leather sheath, Katrina nodded, "It will be here in 20 minutes."
Darian watched the sequence with widened eyes. Such power... He held Emory close to him and gently swayed left to right.
Precisely 20 minutes later, the group could hear the wheels of a carriage spinning. Jolting, Darian subconsciously rubbed his limbs.
Katrina glanced over at him before taking the lead to enter the carriage, where she nodded toward the driver before entering.
Darian, holding Emory, followed. The carriage was no bigger than the one Darian had previously ridden on, but it was much nicer. Golden brown seats and a large clean-up added much-needed sunlight and color.
This time, the trio sat together, with Emory in between the two adults. Darian darted his eyes before slowly opening his mouth. "I'm sorry." He felt like he had to continue apologizing, especially after what he had done during the funeral.
"Again, it is truly alright. I promise." Katrina responded, not agitating one bit. Her hand was playing with Emory's chubby fingers. Emory stayed obedient the entire time; his fish provided an excellent play buddy.
They reached 34 Hind Street, and Darian and Emory slowly got off the carriage. "Thank you again, Ms…?"
"Katrina." She replied.
"Ms. Katrina. That's a beautiful name."
After saying goodbye to Darian, Katrina waved joyfully at Emory, who paid her no heed. Her face drooped as the door closed.
As Darian entered the house with the child, he sighed before stretching, "That was a long day." Emory started to suck on the fish as if that was his signal to say, "Tell me about it."
Darian chuckled at the sight of the adorable baby.
"Let's go to bed."