Chapter 272: Horus (6)
Shwaaaaaa!
Cairo recently experienced a torrential downpour, a rare occurrence for quite some time. In the past, such downpours had always been warmly welcomed because the country was predominantly desert, and these rains were viewed as a blessing of life. However, with the advancements in technology and Egypt's prosperity, the country was able to construct highly advanced desalination plants, effectively resolving its water scarcity issues.
.
These desalination plants were rigorously managed by the government to ensure a consistent water supply to the general public. The abundant availability of water no longer rendered rain a blessing. Instead, a heavy downpour was now met with a sense of melancholy, akin to the reactions in other countries, due to the somber atmosphere it brought.
Diiing~ Diing~ Ding~
The melodious sound of traditional instruments filled the air as a traditional Egyptian funeral procession was underway. n.(Ove1b1n
[...]
They usually set up tents to host such funerals on rainy days, but this time Tayarana requested that it proceed without any tents. She herself was attending the funeral, drenched in the rain, accompanied by her handmaidens and Mariam as well. All of them wore solemn expressions as the funeral proceeded.
As the traditional instruments played, Tayarana looked up at the sky and whispered, [The sky is dark...]
Shwaaaa...
[The sun... I can’t see Ra...]
As she had mentioned, the sun remained hidden behind rain clouds, casting the sky into an obsidian shroud that only intensified her sorrow.
Splash... Splash...
Han-Yeol, dressed in a somber black suit, silently approached her, offering neither words nor gestures. He simply stood by her side, a silent sentinel.
[Han-Yeol,] Tayarana broke the silence with a voice heavy with sadness.
[Yes?]
[In Egypt, we perceive death as the commencement of a new journey.]
[Ah, yes...]
Han-Yeol had immersed himself in the ancient traditions of Egypt, learning that the Ancient Egyptians considered death a gateway to a new existence, exemplified by the mighty pyramids. These grand structures served as the eternal abodes of pharaohs in the afterlife, and the treasures entombed with them were destined for that otherworldly journey.
[Do you believe our Horus comrades find solace there?]
Tayarana's heart ached for her fallen raid party members, and it was evident that she longed for their presence. Had she been there to fight alongside them, their fate might have been different.
This marked the first time in her life that she had been so profoundly affected by the loss of something precious, and it was the first instance of remorse she had ever known. The only other time she had lost someone dear to her was when her mother had passed away, but she was too young then to comprehend or retain the memory.
Han-Yeol refrained from offering consolation, recognizing that she needed the space to grieve without the burden of regrets. Despite Tayarana's formidable prowess as a Hunter, she was not immune to the emotional toll of loss.
[Tara...]
[Yes, Han-Yeol?]
[Let's mourn as much as we need to right now, and then let's live life to the fullest, so that when we meet them again, we can tell them that we've lived on their behalf as well,] Han-Yeol said, offering the only comfort he could muster.
He wasn't particularly eloquent, and this was the first time he had ever comforted someone in grief, so he struggled to find the right words.
Nevertheless, his sentiment was more than enough for Tayarana. What she needed was someone who would sincerely share in the sorrow of losing her comrades.
[Thank you, Han-Yeol, for being here with me...]
[Don't mention it, Tara. I'm just doing what feels right.]
Of course, neither of them fully grasped the depth of what he meant by that.
***
A traditional Egyptian funeral typically spanned a week, and during that entire week, the rain refused to cease, as if the heavens themselves were grieving alongside the mourners. It marked the first time in the country's history that such prolonged rainfall had occurred.
Meanwhile, news of the Horus raid party, one of Egypt's most renowned, being annihilated by terrorists, spread like wildfire. The public breathed a collective sigh of relief knowing Tayarana was safe, but they mourned the loss of the raid party members, who were revered for their patriotism.
The media extensively covered the funeral, even suggesting that the relentless downpour was a manifestation of the heavens mourning the goddess' loss of her raid party members. Such a story might typically be dismissed as tabloid nonsense, but this time, it carried weight.
[I agree, it's highly likely that the princess can move the heavens too.]
[She is beloved by the gods, after all.]
[Wow... I thought it was nonsense, but our country has never experienced this much rain in its thirty-three-year history.]
[Wasn't our climate arid and desert-like?]
[I went to primary school. Yes, our climate should be dry.]
[So, our princess really has the favor of the gods?]
[Yes.]
[It's true! I swear!]
[Don't doubt our princess!]
Internet comments were inundated with praise for Tayarana, differing only in whether they revered her as a mortal or a deity.
However, Tayarana retreated to her room after the funeral, regardless of the public's adulation. She remained in seclusion, abstaining from eating, drinking, or any activity.
[Tayarana-nim... It's Mariam.]
[...]
She wasn't going to collapse or experience any ill effects just because she had skipped eating and drinking for a few days; after all, she was a Master Rank Hunter. However, she remained an important figure, and concern for her well-being was inevitable.
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