Shadowy (Supplementing Yesterday)

Before the moon rose, Xia Lun led the survivors to clear out all the nearby wild men and returned to the shelter beneath the coastal reef.

The climate on the lonely island changed quickly. It was clear at dusk, but a fine drizzle began to fall before night had even arrived.

The cold rain wet the earth and nourished the soil, making it very easy for the survivors to dig. At Xia Lun's suggestion, people dug a shallow grave on the hillside to the west of the shelter, facing the direction of the setting sun.

"Gunner liked to watch the afterglow." Xia Lun scooped up a handful of soil with a shovel and said in a heavy tone, "So we chose the grave here."

The air was filled with the scent of rain, and the damp, cold wind drove the bloody stench from people's bodies.

Nun Delis silently bent down, took out the pendant amulet Gunner had given her before he died, and placed it into the shallow grave. She turned around again, picked up the clay water jug, and sprinkled a few water drops directly above the empty grave. Then, reciting a blessing prayer, she took out fire-starting tools.

The air humidity was very high, and she tried three times before striking a spark. The spark ignited the tinder, and the weak flame dancing on the tinder slowly spread to the firewood, subsequently turning into a blazing sacrificial bonfire.

"May the flame purify your soul, and may your spirit transform into an eternal living fire, surging forth once more to overflow into this world."

The ethereal female voice finished the prayer, and this simple yet solemn funeral ritual came to an end.

Xia Lun stood in the rain, gazing at the dancing flames.

Although Gunner's sacrifice made people feel