The next day, the news spread like wildfire across the Holy Kingdom — and then reached the Dragon Kingdom by evening.
"The four remaining heroes and all their accompanying soldiers have been slaughtered in the Adventurers Guild training ground."
Panic erupted in the Dragon Kingdom's capital. The King, the Church, and the nobles were thrown into chaos. Messengers ran through the halls, voices trembling.
"He might come for us next…"
"The farmer who killed one hero has now killed the rest…"
"The Goddess's chosen… all dead…"
Fear gripped the entire kingdom. No one felt safe.
Back in the Holy Kingdom of Elysium, the burial took place in the quiet cemetery behind the inn, in the same peaceful plot where other victims of past conflicts had been laid to rest.
A small group gathered — the innkeeper's family, a few guild adventurers who had grown close to them, and the healers who had tried to save Lina. It was a simple, solemn ceremony under the soft light of the setting sun.
Feng and Lina stood together, holding each other tightly as the two small graves were dug and the bodies of Suki and Shihao were gently lowered into the earth. Suki's grave was placed beside Shihao's so they would not be alone.
Lina cried silently the entire time, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Feng's arm. Feng's face remained mostly calm, but his eyes were red and hollow. Silent tears rolled down his cheeks as he helped place the final stones on the graves.
They stayed there long after the others had left, grieving until late into the night. The moon was high when they finally walked back to the inn, hand in hand, hearts heavy with loss.
In their quiet room, Feng and Lina lay down together on the bed. They held each other tightly, bodies pressed close, sharing warmth and sorrow. No words were spoken for a long time. They simply clung to one another, missing their children with every breath.
Lina whispered brokenly against his chest, "I miss them so much…"
Feng kissed the top of her head, his voice hoarse.
"I know… I miss them too."
They fell asleep like that — wrapped in each other's arms, grieving the family they had lost, while the weight of the future and the revenge still to come hung over them like a dark cloud.