Chapter 21
Fabian walked slowly along the streets of the small town. The golden hues of the setting sun cast a long shadow behind him.
The low Eleyburnian–style houses lined both sides of the street. The air was filled with the rich scents of butter tea and barley wine. In the distance, the rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed through the town.
Looking up, Fabian saw a young Eleyburnian girl riding a horse. She wobbled slightly as she approached.
Suddenly, the horse was startled. It reared up on its hind legs. The girl let out a frightened cry. Her body tilted precariously, and she was about to be thrown off.
Without thinking, Fabian rushed forward, catching her just in time. They both tumbled to the ground.
The girl was pale with fear, and her eyes welled up with tears. Ignoring his own pain, Fabian quickly checked to see if she was hurt. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. Her voice trembled as she said, “Thank you, sir. But why did you risk yourself to save me?”
Fabian froze for a moment. His gaze settled on her face. Something about her features reminded him of Valerie as a child.
His expression softened, and he murmured, “Because you look a lot like someone I love.”
The girl blinked and asked curiously, “Are you here in Eleyburn to get married? I heard a lot of people come here for wedding photos.”
Fabian’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Yes.”
Her face lit up with a brilliant smile. “Then I wish you happiness!”
A trace of warmth flickered through Fabian’s eyes. “We’ll be happy.”
The next morning, Shane knocked on Fabian’s hotel room door but found no one inside.
His heart sank. He rushed out of the hotel and frantically searched for Fabian. Finally, he found him near the sky burial platform.
Fabian stood before it. His gaze was fixed on the distant snow–capped mountains. His expression was eerily calm.
Shane approached and said with a hint of urgency in his voice, “It’s time to go back, Mr. Porter.”
Fabian turned to look at him and replied calmly, “Go buy some souvenirs. I’ll be back soon.”
Shane hesitated but eventually nodded. “Alright. Just don’t take too long.”
Once Shane was gone, Fabian’s attention returned to the sky burial platform.
He pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket and placed it gently on the ground. Then, he swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills and closed his eyes.
By the time Shane returned with the souvenirs, the area around the burial platform was crowded with onlookers.
His heart pounded violentiy. He forced his way through the crowd, only to see Fabian’s lifeless body lying there. His hands were clenched around a note.
On it was written, “I want a sky burial, just like hers. We still got married in the end. This is quite a good ending.”
Darkness threatened to consume Shane’s consciousness. His hands trembled as he clutched the note, Silent tears rolled down his face.
Above, vultures circled in the sky, as if welcoming a new soul.
The next day, Shane kneeled beside Fabian. His fingers trembled as they brushed against his cold, lifeless cheek.
1
His voice was hoarse and barely above a whisper. “Mr. Porter, you and Ms. Hartman are finally together now.”
Raising his head, he looked at the sky burial specialist and said with determination, “Please perform the sky burial for him. It was his last wish.”
The specialist nodded solemnly.
Shane stood silently, watching as the ritual began.
The specialist made precise incisions along Fabian’s spine, methodically dismembered his limbs, and crushed his bones with stones. The vultures arrived swiftly, devouring the organs first, then the bones, and finally the flesh. The whole process was quick and seamless.
Tears slipped down Shane’s face, but he made no sound. His gaze rested on the distant snow–capped mountains, where he seemed to see Fabian and Valerie standing side by side, Faint smiles graced their faces. It was as if they had finally found peace.
“Mr. Porter, Ms. Hartman, you can finally be together forever.”
His voice was barely audible, yet it carried an aching mix of sorrow and acceptance.
Above, the vultures soared, offering their final farewell to the lovers.
