The day of Melinda's funeral arrived beneath a quiet gray sky.

The weather itself almost seemed to understand the mood of the world, because for the first time since the Sovereign War had ended, there were no celebrations echoing through Nortasia. The cheers that had once filled the streets after humanity's victory were gone, replaced instead by silence, mourning, and remembrance.

The Presidential Island had been transformed overnight.

Large white flowers lined the roads leading toward the ceremonial grounds near the eastern cliffside overlooking the ocean. Tall black and silver banners carrying the national crest of Nortasia swayed gently with the wind, while rows upon rows of chairs stretched across the vast open field where thousands had gathered.

Military officers.

Government officials.

Foreign leaders.

Soldiers who had survived the war.

Families who had lost loved ones.

And ordinary citizens who simply wanted to pay their respects to the woman whose bravery had become one of the final stories of the war.

Security across the island was extremely tight, but unlike before, the atmosphere no longer carried panic or tension. Instead, there was sorrow.

Deep sorrow.

The entire country mourned with Jayden.

Across Nortasia, businesses remained closed for the day by presidential order. Massive digital billboards displayed Melinda's image with black ribbons surrounding her portrait. Television stations replayed moments from the war while reporters spoke softly about her sacrifice.

"She stood her ground against one of the most dangerous figures of the Sovereign Protocol invasion."

"She displayed remarkable courage during humanity's darkest hour."

"Today, Nortasia says goodbye to Melinda Vale."

Even beyond Nortasia, the funeral was being broadcast worldwide.

In Espana, crowds gathered in public squares to watch the ceremony in silence.

In Icelandia, soldiers stood at attention before giant outdoor screens.

In Hexland, candles were lit across entire neighborhoods.

The world remembered her.

And at the center of it all stood Jayden.

He wore an all black suit with a long dark coat resting over his shoulders, his expression calm but visibly exhausted. The usual confidence and overwhelming presence that people associated with him had become quieter now, subdued beneath the weight in his chest.

Harper stood beside him in a black dress, her eyes still carrying traces of sleepless nights and silent grief.

Temi and Camilia stood nearby as well, equally dressed in mourning attire, while Paula remained close to Charlotte among the front rows reserved for those closest to Melinda and Jayden.

Even Royce and Esta were present.

Royce stood silently with his hands behind him, while Esta observed the ceremony with a surprisingly respectful expression, her usual teasing nature absent completely.

The coffin itself rested beneath a white canopy decorated with flowers.

It was elegant.

Peaceful.

And painful to look at.

Jayden had personally ordered every detail of the ceremony himself. Nothing was left unfinished. Nothing was neglected. He wanted everything perfect.

Because if there was one thing he refused to allow, it was for Melinda's sacrifice to be forgotten or treated as ordinary.

The ceremony began with silence.

A very long silence.

The kind that felt heavier than words.

The ocean waves crashed softly against the cliffs nearby while the wind moved gently through the gathering.

Then came the military salute.

Rows of Nortasian soldiers raised their weapons toward the sky.

The sound of the ceremonial shots echoed powerfully across the island.

Many people lowered their heads.

Some cried quietly.

Others simply stared ahead in thought.

And finally, after several moments, Jayden slowly stepped forward toward the podium placed before the gathering.

Every camera focused on him immediately.

The entire world watched.

But Jayden himself barely noticed.

His eyes rested on the coffin for a long moment before he finally spoke.

"When people talk about war," he began quietly, "they usually speak about victory. They speak about strategy, power, survival, and glory. But very few people speak enough about loss."

His voice was steady.

Calm.

But there was pain hidden beneath every word.

"This world survived because many people fought for it. Soldiers gave their lives. Families lost the people they loved. Entire cities were destroyed. Humanity paid a heavy price for survival."

The wind brushed against his coat softly as he paused.

"And among those people… was Melinda."

The cameras captured the slight tightening of his jaw.

Captured the struggle behind his composure.

"She was brave even when she was afraid," Jayden continued. "And trust me… she was afraid. Anyone would have been. But despite that fear, she still chose to stand her ground."

Harper lowered her gaze quietly.

Temi wiped at her eyes.

"She was not a soldier," Jayden said. "She was not trained for war. She did not possess supernatural power. She was simply… human."

His voice softened slightly.

"But maybe that's exactly what made her courage special."

Silence filled the area again.

Jayden's eyes remained fixed ahead as memories continued flooding his mind.

The café.

Sky High University.

How everything came together.

Their awkward moments.

Her smile.

Her confession written inside that book.

"I love you, Jayden."

The memory nearly broke his composure completely.

He inhaled slowly before continuing.

"People around the world are calling me a hero now. They praise my name and celebrate what we achieved together." He paused briefly. "But heroes do not stand alone."

His gaze shifted toward the coffin.

"She believed in me before the world did. She stood beside me during moments when everything was uncertain. And in the end…" His voice lowered further. "She gave her life during a war that she never asked to be part of."

Many within the crowd were openly crying now.

Even some soldiers struggled to maintain composure.

Jayden looked toward the gathered citizens.

"I want the world to remember something today," he said firmly. "Humanity did not survive because of one person. Humanity survived because ordinary people found the courage to do extraordinary things."

His words spread across the silent gathering powerfully.

"Melinda was one of those people."

Another pause followed.

Long.

Heavy.

Then Jayden looked back toward the coffin again.

And for the first time during the speech, the calm expression he had maintained began to crack slightly.

"You once told me that someday you hoped you would get the chance to prove your feelings to me," he said softly, almost as though speaking directly to her now. "You already did."

Harper quietly covered her mouth.

Temi looked away entirely as tears rolled down her face.

"And I am sorry," Jayden whispered. "I am sorry that I arrived too late."

The pain in his voice spread through the entire gathering like a wave.

Even the reporters speaking during the live broadcasts fell silent.

Jayden stood there for several seconds before finally straightening himself again.

"But today is not only about grief," he continued. "Today is also about remembrance. About honoring someone who faced fear and stood strong anyway."

He slowly raised his head.

"And as long as this world exists… Melinda's name will not be forgotten."

The crowd erupted into applause.

Not loud cheering.

Not celebration.

But emotional, respectful applause filled with sorrow and admiration.

People stood to their feet gradually.

Soldiers saluted.

Citizens cried openly.

And for a brief moment, the entire world mourned together.

After the speech ended, Jayden stepped away from the podium and approached the coffin one final time.

The burial process began quietly afterward.

The coffin was lowered slowly into the ground beneath the cliffside overlooking the ocean.

White flowers were placed carefully beside the grave.

Harper stepped forward first, kneeling briefly before standing again silently.

Temi followed.

Then Camilia.

Then Paula.

One after another.

Even Royce eventually approached quietly and lowered his head respectfully.

Esta stood near the back, watching silently.

When it was finally Jayden's turn again, he stood before the grave for a very long time without speaking.

The ocean wind moved gently around him.

The world behind him remained silent.

And eventually, after several long moments, he spoke quietly enough that only those nearest could hear.

"You should have lived longer than this."

His voice was calm again now.

But broken underneath.

Then he slowly placed the small notebook she had left behind beside the flowers.

The same notebook that had carried her final confession.

Jayden stared at it briefly before stepping back.

The ceremony slowly came to an end afterward.

People began leaving gradually while the gray sky above remained quiet and still.

But even as the crowds departed and the broadcasts ended, one truth remained clear throughout the entire world.

Melinda was gone.

But she would never be forgotten.

Not by Nortasia.

Not by humanity.

And certainly not by Jayden Cole.