This is dedicated to Jarem Nightlord (Ryo/Alec), may you find peace. You will be held and remembered in our hearts and memories forever. Amen

-Raine Lemuria (aka Sage of the Halo)

Honoring Virtue

I never wouldve expected to be attending a funeral. The air was heavy with sorrow and all mouths were silent. Despite the pouring rain, I heard the heartbroken cries of Ryo's cousin, Angel. The other warriors and I were also in mourning and we were all dealing with it in our way.

On the news of Ryo's sudden passing, Ro pretended to be reading but in honesty, he hadnt touched one of his treasures. He even shucked training and even ignored the Pixy Stix he loved so much. Cye refused to cook, even less come out of his room but I heard him sobbing. Kento, he didnt eat. As for me, like the others I didnt bother to converse with anyone and I didnt train either. I wasn't caring if Talpa decided to attack today. Even the Warlords were keeping to themselves and even though they didnt show their emotions as the others, I knew they were feeling the blow as much as we were. As for Mia, Yuli and Whiteblaze, they grieved by locking themselves in Ryo's room and remaining there, only to take meals and do their every day business, and to come to the funeral.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a robot you know, I too feel the loss but I was always taught to keep my chin up. Sometimes, like today, I find it dificult to do just that. Under the dark sunglasses I observe everyone present. Rowen was on right, Cye and Kento on the left. Mia, Yule and Whiteblaze at the south side while the Warlords, I and Angel were at the North. Anubis had volunteered to say the last prayer.

"We are all gathered to bid our last respects to a warrior who has been unjustly taken from us." He said. "His soul was one that was like the flames he represented, warm, yet deadly, refined yet untamed, compassionate yet wild. His memory will never fade and we lay him to rest in honor." I watched as Anubis closed the book and bow his head. We all did the same. After a moment he turned to me and waited. I looked at him then walked to the coffin, holding Ryo's katanas and kanji orb in a black silk cloth. I handed them over to Angel, placed a red rose onto the coffin and returned to my place. Anubis nodded and allowed some of the moist earth to sift through his fingers and onto the coffin. "Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust." He turned to Kale and Dais who began lowering the coffin. As it made its six foot journey into the earth for the final rest, the others threw their flowers down. Soon it hit home and the dirt began to go on top. I wanted to break my resolve but my discipline would not allow it. So I stood there, biting my lower lip.

When it was done, I watched as one by one, the others left the grave and to their cars, leaving Angel and myself. I walked to her and placed a hand onto her shoulder. She turned to look at me, showing me tired, tear swollen eyes.

"Sage," She began hoarsely. "Why haven't you shown your tears?"

"Because, I know that whereever Ryo is, he's always watching. So, dont think of him as gone, because we can no longer see him, think of him as no longer being in pain, no longer suffering. He is at peace at last." She looked at me and hugged me. All we did was stay by the grave, watch as the rain pattered on the stone. Not a word was exchanged, but then again, none was needed. We both thought the same.

You will be missed and held in our hearts and memories forever.