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[ No way, they're all gone?! ]
[ So the Night Warden Wars are this dangerous? If the death rate is this high, why were all those contestants fighting tooth and nail to get in? ]
[ Is this what they meant by "the nation of war"? ]
[ Holy crap, holy crap, this is intense! ]
[ I have a feeling something unexpected will happen... ]
-
At the center of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, Mavuika spoke again:
"Ishkab, Iansan, Kachina, Chasca, Kaiulani—their names are now etched into the Heart of the Sacred Flame. Their sacrifices illuminate the path forward for Natlan."
"This is not the end. The Sacred Flame will rekindle their lives, and the Ode of Resurrection will summon back their heroic spirits."
"Rest now, heroes. In a moment, the Sacred Flame will welcome your return."
After delivering these words, Mavuika departed to prepare for the Resurrection Ritual.
"All the heroes who fought in the Night Warden Wars have fallen..."
Mualani found this hard to believe.
Kinich: "Prepare yourselves. The Ode of Resurrection is about to begin."
Paimon: "Is this the Resurrection Ritual you mentioned?"
Mualani: "Exactly. First, someone will deliver a eulogy, and then we'll all sing the Ode of Resurrection together."
"Follow me. Let's find a good vantage point. Just sing along after me later. We should go up higher so they can see us as soon as they emerge."
The four climbed to a higher vantage point and waited. After a short while, the ritual officially began.
-
An elder, Ntotila, stepped onto the platform.
"Warriors of Natlan, heed the call of Life!"
"We inherit memories and legends."
"We grow alongside the sun and wind."
"We forge our fate and future."
All Natlanians placed their right hands over their chests, bowing their heads in solemn silence.
Lumine and Paimon followed suit, mimicking Mualani and Kinich.
Ntotila: "These are the fires of Natlan, the blood of Natlan."
Before the roaring Sacred Flame, Mavuika ignited her crimson hair and strode into the inferno.
The entire Arena fell silent, plunged into a brief moment of stillness as everyone closed their eyes.
Elder Ntotila's aged yet dignified voice resonated once more, like the first pebble dropped into a still lake, rippling outward in concentric circles:
"The story continues—"
Immediately, tens of thousands of Natlanians seemed to awaken from a deep slumber. Still with their eyes closed and right hands pressed firmly against their chests, their voices rose in a low, reverent chorus from all directions. At first, it sounded like a gentle stream, but it swiftly swelled into a vast ocean:
"Glory passed down through generations—"
This was no longer an individual's chant, but the collective soul of a nation singing in unison.
Each syllable of the ancient Verses of the Ode of Resurrection carried tangible weight, intertwining with the radiant glow of the Sacred Flame, resonating and reverberating through the air.
"Courage lights up the heavens and the earth—" the crowd chanted.
"Natlan has once again welcomed victory—" The voices swelled in cascading waves.
"We await you, we sing for you—"
"Return, brother, return, Hero—"
"Once more, once more, burn—"
The monumental chorus merged with the soaring Pillar of Light, forming a bridge that pierced the heavens and spanned the divide between Life and Death.
The ground trembled slightly, and the radiant glow of the Ley Lines responded in kind, purifying all impurities and healing every wound.
This majestic anthem embodied the will of Natlan, the undying legacy of the Spark, and the most sublime tribute to Life itself!
-
Mavuika emerged from the flames.
Mualani and Kinich craned their necks, peering behind her, but no matter how hard they looked, they saw no one else.
All eyes were fixed on Mavuika, awaiting her explanation.
"I did not find them or their Ancient Names in the Realm of the Night God," Mavuika declared, her expression grave. Her sun-like eyes narrowed as she pondered the possible reasons.
"What?!" Mualani exclaimed.
"Huh? She didn't find them? What does that mean?" Paimon wondered aloud.
"No, this shouldn't be happening," Kinich protested. "According to tradition, after the Ode of Resurrection, the Pyro Archon should bring the resurrected forth from the flames. But now..."
The other Natlanians were equally bewildered, especially the relatives of the five champions—Ishkab and the others—their faces etched with anxiety.
Just then, the two who had been beaten by Xilonen earlier leaped forward again:
"Isn't it obvious? They simply didn't achieve true victory!"
"Think about it," one of the men said. "The Ode of Resurrection reignites all victors—we've seen it happen countless times. If the Pyro Archon can't find them in the Realm of the Night God, doesn't that prove there's something fishy about their victory?"
Kinich, already seething with anger, shot a murderous glare at the pair and immediately strode toward them.
"Hey, hey, what do you think you're doing? Are we not even allowed to speak the truth anymore?"
Just as the conflict threatened to erupt, Xilonen suddenly appeared, blocking Kinich's path.
Though furious at the pair herself, Xilonen recognized that fighting here would be inappropriate, especially given the unusual circumstances. A public brawl would only make things more difficult for Mavuika.
On the high platform, Mavuika signaled for silence. She then declared:
"The victories of all participants are beyond doubt. The Sacred Flame itself has affirmed this. They are heroes deserving of our respect and blessings."
"However, it is also true that they have not been successfully reignited. I am still investigating the specific reasons and offer my sincerest apologies for this situation."
"Until the investigation is complete, to prevent further harm, the Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame will be temporarily suspended."
Mavuika turned to the two who had spoken earlier. "No one can foresee everything and eliminate all errors, not even me. Questioning is a means of seeking truth, not a weapon to attack others."
Faced with Mavuika's challenge, the two visibly wilted.
"We... we didn't mean it that way. We were just... just..."
Mavuika: "Then ask me directly. You can even question my answers. Is there anything else you want clarified right now?"
The two: "N-no, that's all."
Mavuika: "I haven't said anything substantial yet. It seems the truth doesn't matter to you anyway."
Kinich glared fiercely at the two, making them squirm with guilt.
This isn't over yet!
They can insult me all they want, but they won't disrespect my sister. One of them is a Scion of the Canopy, and yet they dare act like this!
Kinich, Mualani, Xilonen, and Lumine all requested to join the investigation, and Mavuika agreed.
Thus, the Ode of Resurrection concluded so briefly.
-
After the ceremony concluded, Lumine and her companions headed to the Office of Affairs, where Mavuika was already waiting—or perhaps, to put it another way, Mavuika had been expecting them all along.
"Given the urgency of the situation, I'll get straight to the point," Mavuika began. "These five are undoubtedly heroes of Natlan. I deeply regret that this has happened."