I don't like funerals. They are too...draining. Sitting in an atmosphere like that for hours mourning over someone I know nothing about is a strange feeling. Today's event requires everyone where black. I brought a long black dress that fell to my knees and wore my necklace again. My arms and shoulders are left bare with this outfit, allowing the mist from the falls to grace my skin. It felt both uncomfortable and comfortable, like swimming in the air. A duality from the heat of the sun and the coolness from the water.
The event is held at the bottom of the tower. The building at the base seems to also double as a sort of place of worship and everyone gathers at its doors, slowly making their way inside. I arrive but have seem to have beaten Phoenix leaving me in an awkward situation with no one here to talk to. Suddenly a young woman approaches me. Despite the mood of the area, she smiles from end to end. I've seen her before. She was the same height as me. She had green eyes, long black hair down to her waist, and pale skin. She too, wore a black dress.
"Hello there." she says in a cheery tone.
"I...uhh. Sorry. Uh."
"Demi, right?"
"Y-yeah."
She reaches out her hand
"Stella. We met yesterday but never got the chance to talk. Nice to meet you."
I reach out my hand too and shake hers.
"Nice to meet you too."
"Is your party here yet?"
"He seems to be running late, I guess."
"Well they are getting ready to start, shall we go in? You can sit with us."
"Are you sure? I don't really-."
"Come on," she says as she grabs my arm, "It will be fine."
Against my will, she drags me into the building as everyone makes their way to their seats. The building is quite small. It's essentially just a massive hollow space, consisting of a single floor that reaches into the ceiling. There are only ten rows of seats split into two sets of five each with the center open to allow for walking. A large decorative window sits in the front of the building. It's the main source of light giving a sort of spotlight effect on the podium where the casket laid. We arrive at our seats in the front row of the building. As we begin to sit, a man circles around us and places his hand on Stella's shoulder. He's dressed very vividly, like he wants everyone to know who he is. He wore a black suit with hundreds of pins and banners pinned to his shoulder, running down his arm. Stella looks up and smiles before reaching up to give him a kiss. Afterward he turns his attention to me.
"Commander Demi. Its good to see you here."
"Prince Dillon. Its an honor to see you again."
"Please, the honor is mine. I see you are sitting with us today?"
"I was kind of dragged here."
Stella giggles as I shrug my shoulders. A chuckle comes out of him before he sits down next to Stella. A single seat is left for me closest to the middle isle. Soon Cadence arrives and stands over the seat. She too wore a back dress, though shorter than mine. She sits down and faces the front, almost oblivious to the fact I was even here. Though she is not looking at me, she does smile a little and says, "Hello Demi."
"Princess."
"I am glad you are here."
"Thank you."
A black hooded man approaches the podium, prompting everyone to stand to their feet. He bows, and speaks loudly and sternly, making sure everyone can hear every word he says.
"You may be seated. I'd like to thank you all for coming. I know this is a sad moment for everyone, but fear not. For we shall rejoice. Our mother and father shall be proud of his actions, and the legacy he leaves to his children."
Everyone in the room claps before he quickly silences them again.
"Before we continue, let us pray."
As everyone bows their heads, I catch Phoenix, who is standing against the wall along with the rest of SDF, who have surrounded every corner of the room, armed to the teeth. Melena and Soul stand next to him. She nods her head as she spots me looking at her. Soul greets me with salute before returning his attention to the front. The hooded man starts his prayer and the room goes silent. As I close my eyes, my thoughts start to wander a little. Honestly I don't really understand what's happening here. I feel like a animal in a foreign land, like I should be here. The royal family it sitting here acting like I am one of them yet I feel so out of place. I open my eyes and scan the room. I spot Phoenix again but his eyes are closed. Soul's, however, are not. They are still working it seems as well as the other SDF troops.
Then, out of no where, my heart starts beating loudly. Almost like someone beating a hammer against the wall. A light goes by me. Its impossibly bright and seems as if its flying all over the room. What's odd is no one seems to be reacting to it. None of the SDF can, like I am the only one seeing it. The light lands on Cadence and starts to grow brighter and brighter. What the hell am I looking at? Suddenly it flies away and heads for the window behind the hooded man, who is still praying. It lands in the window and grows brighter and brighter again until its so bright I cannot see anything in front of me. Nothing but...a silhouette of a ship? The hell? As the light dims, the silhouette becomes more clear. Is this real? No it can't be. I am seeing things, right?
I turn my attention to Melena and Soul, who are still looking around the room like nothing is wrong. The hooded man finishes his speech with these final words. "...for our mother and father, hail to the empire."
As everyone opens their eyes and raises their head, I stand to my feet for a closer look. Cadence, Stella, and Dillon, notices my moment leading Cadence to grab my arm and attempt to pull me back.
"Demi? What's going on?" Cadence asks.
"Is everything ok?" Stella asks as well.
I lean forward for one final look. The wings of the ship start to open, and something along the wings tips begin to spin up almost like a...shit!
"Everyone! Get down!" I yell.