At midnight at the edge of Noxpolis in the barren land where fields have yet to start and where the houses don't reach was a gathering of Valhallans.

  They were gathered around one big pile of wood on top of which the body of Eidar Hadonfield the leader of Valhalla, the Grizzly bear, laid. Stars were looking down, witnessing this gathering like many before it.

  Nicolas was a small distance in front of the group leaning on him was Becky, more reserved than before only her head was inclined pushing into his shoulder presenting a grieving front.

  "You were too hasty. The funeral could wait till they have properly came over their loss." She said.

  "No, now's the time." Nicolas said, determination evident in his voice. He ran a hand through her hair and pressed her closer, against his chest. "If not now when they're overcome with passion of loss then never. Now's the time."

  "Just be careful not to get burned." She said in a low voice.

  His grip on her tightened.

  Lit torches were passed about, everyone had one. Nicolas walked forward into the middle and spoke. "I was his right-hand man, I stayed by his side fighting the good fight, he saved me when I was young and I was the first. I watched as our group grew, as children, orphans and rejected ones. Us joined and took after him.”

  “We took him as our role model even though he was no older, even though he endured beatings and cussing as we did when we stole and got caught pickpocketing. Yet there was an undying defiance that couldn’t be stopped. That was what led us to him. That is what we can’t lose. That is Eidar as I remember him.”

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  Nicolas passed his gaze over each of them seeing the children now men and women, their buried convictions and wants coming back to light. Yes, that’s how he remembered and not the static husks they became. He engraved this image in mind and closed his eyes as he said. “In spite of everything I can't be the one to burn his flame.”

  Murmurs took over the crowd.

  “Falco should be the one."

  This ceremony is the last favour I did for you. Consider it a parting gift.

  Nicolas returned back and, on the way, patted Falco on the shoulder. "I think he would've wanted this."

  Falco stared ahead at his fallen leader, Nicolas’ words were left unheard. I'll take care of things when you're gone, don't worry. I'll hold myself to your word, to your conviction. I'll be honourable like you want us to be.

  The torch left a blazing trail as it flew out his hand. Many others joined in after, the flame roared to life.

  It burned for a long time and they were there for it. To the last whisp of flame they were watching, reminiscing about time spent together. Their conversations turning and twisting to various emotions tearing them inside. All accumulating in the blowing of smoke and ashes in the wind. It was gone just like that, gone with the man, engraved in the heart but gone for the time to be never repeated.

  With the first rays of light the flame burned out. People of the district came to watch, they bore gifts with them. Taking what little they could to give back to the one who made them live as humans. Who took care of them and gave them what little he had himself. Nicolas turned around, turned to the sun and let himself bask in its presence while letting his broad back be clouded in those soft rays.

  "We know who did this to us. Long did we tolerate them. Long did we let them cut away from us, but I say no more. This is the end.” Nicolas saw himself, his glorious tomorrow and muttered. "No more losses for us."

  "No more losses!"