Natasha organized Austin, Mike, Beth, and Jess to go with her for the ceremony. While she would do most of the talking, she felt it was important to have all of the leadership at the front of the funeral. It served as a way to show their unity and respect for those who passed. The group stood behind the pyres as people from the camp started to filter into the area.
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Austin watched as people started to filter in and find a spot to stand. While many people entered with somber expressions, the children did not seem to understand. Some of the children acted confused and distressed. Others tried to play and had to be calmed by their parents. Austin looked for Maya and saw her enter with Elliot in her arms. Elliot was shockingly calm as Maya ran her hands through his hair.
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As the last of the people entered the camp, Natasha moved to the front of the pyres. Before addressing the group, she looked side to side. It was almost as if she were acknowledging every person in the camp. Like she was personally connecting with each one as she scanned her eyes.
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“First, I would like to thank all of you for coming today,” Natasha began to address the group with a powerful and commanding voice. “Loss is never easy. Even harder is confronting that loss, but we must do so to respect the lives of the dead. Yesterday, our camp was abruptly attacked, and we faced danger that many of us haven’t experienced since the beginning of the Survival Game. In that danger, we lost friends and comrades. Friends and comrades that we will always remember as we move forward.
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“The loss is not a reason to stop. Instead, it is a reason to keep fighting. We carry their memories forward as we grow stronger and work to avenge them. Today is not only a day of mourning but a day of renewal. Today, we renew our convictions, and we say that we will not be pushed around by others.”
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As Natasha’s voice rose towards the end of her speech, people started to cheer. Natasha then nodded to Mike to begin the lighting of the pyres. Mike created small orbs of flames to light each pyre in quick succession. The intensity of the flames caused the pyres to light strongly and quickly. The flames rose high above the people while intense heat filled the area.
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Natasha’s body appeared to be on fire as orange light stained it. Her expression lost its typical welcoming appearance and instead was filled with intense conviction. She did not look like her typical easygoing self but like a warrior angel ready to lead people into battle.
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“We also have a few announcements,” Natasha spoke loudly over the cheers. “Back at camp, we will have a feast to celebrate the lives lived by the fallen. We hope that you enjoy the food. As well, we have procured four weapons from my expedition.”
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Natasha extended her hand towards the group behind her. The group each grabbed a weapon that sat against nearby trees. Austin held a silver spear in his hand with a golden serpent twisting around the shaft. Mike held a double-bladed battleaxe with a blade the color of blood. Beth held a simple short sword in her hand. Finally, Jess held a scimitar with a silver-blue blade. Each of the group walked beside Natasha and held the weapons forward to showcase them.
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“We will be holding a contest in three days to determine who will wield each of these weapons. The contest will challenge all of the basic methods of Essence manipulation. Use this time to solidify your skills and prepare,” Natasha motioned with her hand for the group to lower the weapons. “That will be all. Please go and enjoy the feast.”
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Austin and the rest of the group were the first to leave the clearing. Since the feast was for the people of the camp, they decided that they would do all the cooking. Which meant they had to get back there before everyone else.
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As the group arrived at the camp, Austin and Beth worked to summon cooking supplies while Mike and Jess started fires throughout the camp. They summoned several skillets, tongs, and metal stands to hold the skillets over the fires. Flashes of light repeated as they summoned each item.
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Austin worked to set up cooking stations while Beth continued to summon objects from the scrolls. This time, she worked to summon plates and utensils. After they were satisfied with the number of plates and utensils, each member of the group moved to a cooking station with a scroll filled with food.
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“We aren’t too bad at this,” Jess commented as they each took position.
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“Set up was the easy part. Now we have to hope that our food is edible,” Mike chuckled.
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“We got this,” Beth smiled and gave a thumbs up to the group.
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“We should probably get started. They’ll be back any minute,” Austin said as he already started to summon slabs of pork belly from his scroll.
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Each member of the group followed suit and started to prepare food. As the pork belly cooked on Austin’s skillet, he summoned a small table to prepare potatoes. As the first batch of pork belly finished, he threw diced potatoes in the fat left behind to fry them. The smell of food filled the camp with a cacophony of sizzling sounds from each cooking station.
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Soon, people arrived back at the camp and lined up at the various stations. Each station had a table with the cooked food set out on it for people to take from. The group continued to cook as people took food. It was supposed to be a feast, and they all decided they would not stop cooking until they were sure everyone had their fill.
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As everyone started to eat, the somber tone of the funeral melted away. The camp was filled with laughter as people joked and talked as they ate. Many of the children finished their food quickly and moved on to playing games. A sense of relief filled Austin as he watched over the camp. The last day had been filled with heaviness, and he enjoyed watching the people find a moment of happiness.
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As people stopped coming back for more food, the group finished cooking. They made just enough more for themselves and started to return the various tools back into their scrolls. Austin sighed in relief as he sat down at the edge of the camp and began to eat.
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Maya took quick notice of Austin at the edge of the camp and sat next to him. “I think everyone is enjoying the feast.”
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“I’m glad to hear it,” Austin smiled. “I know that the food was for us, but I thought it was a good idea.”
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“We will be fine,” Maya dismissed Austin’s concerns with a smile. “I think it is better that everyone gets a chance to experience normal food again.”
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“Yeah, it’s tough eating mushrooms and berries all the time,” Austin laughed. “This will remind everyone that life here isn’t permanent.”
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“It was a really good idea,” Maya said. “You know that Natasha and everyone else credited you for the idea? Everyone in the camp was talking about it.”
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“Really?” Austin was shocked that they gave him all the credit. “What were they saying?”
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“They were just talking about how underneath your standoffishness, you are actually a nice guy,” Maya said.
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“I don’t know about that,” Austin shrugged. “It just felt like the right thing to do.”
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“You always think that way,” Maya said before she abruptly kissed Austin on the cheek. “But I wouldn’t have married you if you weren’t so kind.”
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“I just try to do what I think is right,” Austin said. “I think most people do the same.”
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“Sometimes, I forget how naive and optimistic you can actually be. I don’t think most people think as you do,” Maya said. “You have even seen it with that Chet guy.”
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“You might be right, but I still like to think his selfishness is an exception. Look at all the people here,” Austin countered.
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“Fair enough,” Maya shrugged. “I still think you're an exceptionally kind person.”
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“Well, thank you,” Austin said.
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“You’re welcome. Now, if I were you, I would finish your food quickly,” Maya suggested. “People were talking about coming to you for tips.”
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Maya stood up to go socialize with the others in the camp. She also used this as a chance to play guard while Austin finished his food. She figured that she could distract people long enough to give him time to finish.
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As Maya walked away, Austin dug into his food. While the food was better than the nutrition bar or berries, he did not really get to enjoy it like he did when he was with Artas. There was a sort of hollow feeling to eating the food. It was like he ate to keep moving forward, but not for the enjoyment of the food. He thought maybe it was because of the events of the prior day. Or maybe, he just felt like he needed to get so much work done that food came secondary.
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Austin stuffed the last of his food into his mouth before Josh approached him. A sense of relief washed over Austin as Josh approached. If he was going to talk to people in the camp and give tips, he was happy that the first person would be someone he was familiar with.
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“Your feast sure is a hit,” Josh said as he leaned against a nearby tree.
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“It was not just me,” Austin said as he stood up. “They were all part of it.”
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“Everyone knows it was your idea, though,” Josh pointed out. “So, I think it’s your feast.”
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“Yeah, yeah,” Austin rolled his eyes.
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“It’s okay to accept credit,” Josh said. “You’ve done a lot for the people here already. Everyone is very appreciative.”
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“I’m happy they think that,” Austin said begrudgingly. “I just don’t know if I feel the same.”
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“For someone so willing to help others, you sure do doubt yourself a lot. From the moment the Survival Game started, you have put others above yourself,” Josh said. “Remember, I was just a random guy that you didn’t want to let die? That mentality is what makes people gravitate towards you.”
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“You think so? It’s not just my exceptional talent?” Austin smirked.
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“Maybe I’m boosting your ego too much,” Josh chuckled. “Your skills are definitely a part of it. I’m sure you have already been warned by Maya.”
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“Yep, I’m waiting for any second to be swarmed by people looking for tips,” Austin said.
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“About that, I’m the first of the swarm,” Josh said as he nervously scratched the back of his head.
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“You too?! You have betrayed me!” Austin exclaimed in sarcastic offense.
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“Not tonight, though. I just know you use Champion techniques and could use some advice,” Josh said. “I managed to convince everyone else to let you relax tonight.”
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“Oh, thanks, I appreciate it,” Austin said.
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“No problem at all. I figured you deserve a break. So try to socialize and have fun,” Josh said before he started to walk back to the gathering of people.
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Austin felt a weight come off his shoulders after talking to Josh. Everything had been some sort of work since he entered the Survival Game. It was nice knowing that Josh had his back to help Austin relax.
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Austin scanned the area to find Elliot. If there was one way he could relax, it was definitely playing with him. While he could talk with the other adults, the joy from spending time with Elliot would be much better. Once he gained sight of Elliot, he saw him playing tag with some of the other children.
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Austin quickly moved to insert himself into the game of tag. The other children did not seem to mind and even seemed to enjoy it when they caught Austin. While the game started with Austin and the children, he quickly brought in Maya by grabbing her by the waist and pulling her in. Soon, almost all of the adults had been dragged in one way or another, and the game continued until the children and adults grew tired. Laughter faded into silence as everyone lay down for sleep.
