Epilogue

The consecration would take a few nights. There were many words to be recited and proclaimed. Although Appo had long memorized them, he had little energy after all they had passed on their way to the Temple. Adok’s wound initially worsened, and Appo feared he would develop bloodrot. But on the second day, Adok recovered, his fever lessening. Despite all this, Adok completed the consecration more quickly than Jere, who struggled with the simple phrasings and became frustrated with their words. But eventually, he too completed the consecration.

The three spent an additional day removing the shrine, taking it down and placing its pieces into a nearby tomb. Jere blessed the remains of the shrine, hoping his simple words would be enough to guide their souls to the next plane. They took Juddken’s body and buried it separately, providing him with the same words. None were keen to sleep in the throne room, instead moving out to the hallway between them all. Appo remained uncertain whether the consecrations would work at all. Adok struggled to sleep through the pain, though Appo’s remaining poppy allowed him some comfort. Jere had grown tired of talking, spending most of his time in meditation.

On the third day, enough time had passed. The three made their way up the Temple stairs and pushed aside the stone slab. No screamers awaited them on the other side.

It was difficult to determine the time as the three exited the Temple. When they found darkness on the outside, Adok believed the sun had just gone below the skyline. He asked whether they should wait any longer before leaving.

But Appo and Jere knew better: they were looking at clouds. Clouds never covered the sky over the Eivettä.

Appo was the first to exit the Temple. He noticed how cool it was, almost chilly against his skin. It was a sensation he had not felt since the Raider’s tent in the Rust Waves. But it was even cooler now. Adok wondered aloud whether he was dreaming.

Stolen story; please report.

Then they noticed the screamers. They were still outside with them. They stood like statues, blending into the shadows underneath the dim light of the clouds. There were thousands of them, all standing side by side around the Temple courtyard.

The consecration worked.

“Bless you, Goddess Lowya,” Appo said in his mind. He'd tried to talk with her below the Temple, but she never responded.

The screamers only blocked some of their surroundings. Main Street remained empty, and something had opened the gates of the outer wall. Slowly, the three pressed forward. Even though a few nights had passed, the embers of Ash Manor continued to sizzle. A small column of smoke rose ahead, curving over them as it followed the breeze of the sky. There was an orderliness that seemed unusual, considering everything. It was as if the screamers cleared out the path themselves.

Appo watched the faces of the screamers as he passed them. Men and women, old and young, decrepit and beautiful. All shared the same blank expression and widened red eyes. These were not people who had returned to who they once were.

Their faces slowly changed. One by one, their mouths curled into smiles. Soon, they collectively giggled in complete silence. Their nodding heads reverberated through the crowd of thousands. In Appo’s head, he heard the faint giggling of a small girl.

Thunder crackled overhead. Adok nearly fell in shock.

The three pushed their way through, ignoring their silent nodding and focused on making it past the gates. Appo noticed one screamer in the crowded, a tall woman, her face and body spared except for a large burn. Appo did not stop to confirm if it was who he thought he was. He watched Jere do the same in front of him, keeping his eyes locked on the gate, seeing screamers continuing well beyond.

No one looked back at the city. Appo hoped they could make it to the river. Then they could find someone to help. A Jyväskian legion who had somehow survived the plague. Maybe Norsu would provide a ride. He even hoped he'd find the Yalds, and apologize to them for what had happened to their children. He knew they would never know unless he told them.

Raindrops fell from the sky. Then the drops became a pour. The Goddess Lowya would provide the city of Ash with its greatest rainfall in centuries. One its new citizens would all be grateful for.