Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!The decision was correct, Taren thought as he settled in for the night. Many thanks, Taren, he heard a voice say. After the sun had set, Abril fell asleep, seeking warmth despite the summer chill that had crept in. Taren and Sirius took turns sleeping, ensuring that the fire remained safe from any lurking beasts while they rested. The next day, they would continue their journey, stopping in the nearest village, which they found in a state no better than the last. The villagers were sick and contaminated, their condition a grim reflection of despair. Abril's heart sank as she saw them.Compared to the previous village, this one was much worse, with many already dead. In that moment, doubt crept into her mind. If her decision had truly been the right one, how could they have ended up in such a dire situation? Death and guilt weighed heavily on her. Abril was horrified to see the villagers sprawled lifeless in the streets. She approached a woman, but it was too late; the woman was already dead. "Abril," Sirius said gently, "there's nothing you can do." "We can't leave her here. We have to bury her," Abril insisted, her voice trembling.Taren moved to inspect the other villagers lying on the street. They were all dead. He turned back to Abril. "Is there anyone alive?" she asked, hope flickering in her chest. "Not among those on the street. They're all dead. We'll need to search the houses for survivors." "Let's do that first," she replied, her heart heavy. "Understood." They searched every house, but all were empty. "Only the church remains," Taren said, a grim determination in his voice. Abril entered the church, a foul stench hitting her nose. Inside, more villagers lay on the ground, covered with tattered blankets.She approached the one closest to her, who still breathed but was teetering on the edge of death. Sirius and Taren examined those they could, some already lifeless while others were gravely ill. "It's very bad," Taren said, his voice low. Abril stood in the center of the dwelling, realizing she had the power to heal them all, but time was running out. She raised her hands high, desperation coursing through her. A warm light enveloped the room, flooding it with hope. The villagers began to regain color in their faces as their lives hung in the balance."April," Sirius warned, "you need to be careful. Even with your great power, overexerting yourself could be dangerous." Abril felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her, but she pressed on. Taren moved to her side, steadying her as she swayed. "Your Majesty! Are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face. "Yes, I just feel a bit lightheaded. How are the villagers?" she replied, her voice strained. "They're stable, but they need rest. We should move them to a clean place, or they might fall ill again." "Yes, we must do that, but what about the dead?" Abril asked, her heart aching.Taren nodded solemnly. "We'll take care of it." Abril tried to gather her strength, but dizziness overwhelmed her. "You need to rest," Sirius urged. "You used a lot of magic yesterday and haven't had a proper break. We'll handle everything." "No, I can't just sit back. I have to help," she insisted. "Just for a while," he replied firmly. "Fine," she relented. Sirius turned to Taren. "Take Abril to a safe place and then come back to help me." "I will do it immediately," Taren promised. He led Abril to one of the nearby houses, helping her recline on a small bed. "Your Majesty, please rest.I'll take care of things," Taren said gently. As he left the house, he returned to the church, where Sirius was using his magic to heal the sick who remained. "You're responsible for transporting the sick to me," Sirius instructed. "I'll take care of the dead." "You want to move all the sick and look after them until they wake up?" Taren asked, surprised. "Yes. Don't waste time. Get to it." Taren found a shovel and began digging in the most devastated part of the village, burying the dead one by one.He started with those in the church, the ones in the worst condition, and then moved on to the others. He raised his gaze to the sky, which was dark and heavy with clouds. Small droplets fell on his face; it felt as if the heavens were mourning the loss of those who had perished without a single tear shed for them. Taren whispered a small prayer for the departed before returning to the church. Some of the sick had begun to recover, while others remained unconscious. Abril appeared behind Taren, her voice soft as she asked, "Have you buried them all?" "Yes, Your Majesty," he replied."Taren, please don't call me that here. No one can know who I am." "Of course, Abril," he said, understanding. As she looked out the door, rain began to fall. She extended her hand, feeling the droplets as they touched her skin. "It sounds like tears," she murmured. "That's what I thought too. It's as if the sky is crying for the dead," Taren replied. "Just because I didn't cry today doesn't mean there's no reason to. When everyone wakes up and sees their loved ones are gone, they will weep," Abril said, her voice heavy with sorrow."We must wait until they awaken to bury their dead," Taren suggested. "No, I believe it would be worse for them if they saw the state of those who passed," Abril said, her heart aching at the thought. Taren nodded, sensing her pain. "It would be a greater burden for them." Abril looked down, sadness enveloping her. Taren asked gently, "Are you alright?" "Yes, I'm fine," she replied, though her voice betrayed her. As Abril moved back inside, she saw Taren's weary expression. "Are you not well?" she asked, concern creeping into her tone. "I'm just tired," he admitted."You must be blaming yourself for the villagers' deaths." "Why would I?" she asked, confusion evident in her eyes. "Because you feel responsible for their suffering. You believe your decisions led to this." "This was not your fault," Sirius interjected, lighting a fire nearby. Abril took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weight of guilt that clung to her.noveldrama