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Published at 3rd of July 2023 05:06:09 AM


Chapter 008

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          Very early in the morning Bastian woke up, and beside him lay Julya, Renee, Maleen, and Aleena and he kissed all the ladies on their lips, his mother and sisters were a little stunned but a smile appeared on their faces. Renee and Maleen had trouble comprehending what had just happened. After he stood up, he asked for help getting dressed for the ceremony’s clothes which had been specially designed for Bastian to attend the occasion. 

In the tranquil morning light, the scent of incense wafted through the air as Julya, Aleena, Renee, and Maleen prepared to help Bastian dress for the solemn occasion of a traditional burial ceremony. The room was filled with a somber atmosphere, yet the girl’s gentle presence brought a sense of comfort and support. Julya carefully laid out the traditional mourning attire for Bastian: a black “kimono” with a subtle golden line dragon and phoenix embroidery, woven pattern, a crisp golden undergarment, and a black “hakama”. Julya meticulously folded the garments, making sure every fold was precise and neat.

As Bastian stepped into the dressing room, the girls greeted him with reassuring smiles. Julya helped him into the white undergarment, adjusting it to fit him perfectly. Next, she draped the black “kimono” over his shoulders, making sure the left side overlapped the right, as was customary for such occasions. With practiced hands, Julya tied the “kimono” with a black “obi”, creating a neat and dignified knot at the back. She then helped Bastian slip into the “hakama”, fastening it tightly around his waist. Finally, she handed him a pair of white “tabi” socks and black “zori” sandals to complete the ensemble.

As Bastian looked at himself in the mirror, he felt a sense of gratitude for Julya's unwavering support. Her gentle touch and attention to detail had helped him prepare for the ceremony with grace and dignity. With a final loving glance, Julya adjusted Bastian's collar smoothing out any wrinkles. Together, they bowed their heads in a moment of silent prayer before leaving to attend the burial ceremony, united in their shared grief and the unbreakable bond of their love.

After everyone had dressed and found their way to where the clan elders were gathered and together, they began the chanting for the ceremony driving into the heart of an ancient near forest, a somber procession made its way through the trees. The mournful sound of a horn echoed through the woods, signaling the passing of a great leader. The Family Clan Chief, a revered figure among his people, had passed away, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom, courage, and compassion, but to make matters worse, his brother Duran, an Elven Knight and the second in command had also perished. Both were the anchors of the family clan and the foundation of the village.

The clan's young master led the funeral procession, dressed in traditional garb and carrying a litter adorned with flowers and leaves. The chief's family, including his wife and children, followed closely behind, their faces etched with grief and sorrow.

As the procession reached a clearing in the forest, a circle of stones came into view. In the center of the circle stood a great tree, its branches reaching toward the sky. The tree was a sacred site, a place of worship and reverence for the elven people. The clan members gathered around the tree, forming a circle around both family clan leaders’ bodies. The eldest members of the clan began to chant out loud in sadness, their voices rising and falling in a mournful melody.

The family stood at the center of the circle, their heads bowed in prayer. Their bodies were buried wrapped on white linen deep in the earth, and upon their body, on their burial sites, seeds were planted, an old tradition amidst the clan families.

The post-burial ceremonies were deeply rooted in their traditions. After the burial, a series of memorial services and rituals were held to honor the deceased and provide comfort to the grieving family. Following the burial, a single-day mourning period was observed. During this time, the family performed prayers and rituals, to guide the deceased's spirit through the afterlife as it is believed that the soul undergoes a transition period before being reborn.

Throughout the mourning day, several services were held and took place after the burial. Family members, relatives, and close friends would gather to pray for the deceased and offer incense. A memorial tablet was placed on the family's clan altar during the mourning services represented the deceased's spirit and served as a focal point for prayers and offerings. Family Clan members would light candles, burn incense, and offer food and water.

In addition to the memorial services, the families also performed ancestral rites to honor the deceased and ensure their continued well-being in the afterlife. These rites were typically held during the annual festivals when it was believed that the spirits of the deceased returned to the world of the living. By observing these post-burial ceremonies and rituals, families were able to honor their deceased loved ones and maintain a connection with their spirits, while also finding solace and support within their community the night came and everyone was lodged to the night.

The next day everyone woke up early because today is a day of the deceased lives celebration, all day long, food and beverage were served abundantly for everyone. During the day, the family and friends of the deceased gathered to celebrate the life of the departed loved ones. This celebration was held in a cheerful environment, with dance and music. People dressed up in daily clothes to honor the dead because in their belief the deceased should proceed to the afterlife and reincarnate.

Food and drink were important parts of the celebration. Families prepared the favorite dishes of the deceased and drinks. Offerings were made on altars decorated with candles and pictures of the deceased. During this ceremony, people shared stories, bravados, funny stories, and memories of the deceased, by the end of the day, evening came and Bastian stood up with a Tea Cup in his hand and he started to tell the story of the last battle against the Venomous Snake Dragon that Thorem and Duran fought and their final moments, showing their love, courage, loyalty, and commitment to him and the Family Clan, and after these words, Bastian said:

-This Celebration is a way to honor the life of the deceased and keep their memory alive. It is an opportunity for my family clan and friends to come together and find comfort in each other during this difficult time, for that I am grateful to each one of you, and together I am sure we will survive and thrive to a better future.

Every single one where stunned and clapped out their hands to Bastian demeanor, posture, and speech dexterity. Sometime later everyone went home with a bitter smile on their faces but with hope for what was to come.





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