Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

"Hey, are you okay?" Amanda approached her sister with a cup of honey water in her hand.

Although Amanda knew it was all but pretense and that the dead body was not of Alex's, the tears Sarah and the other two wept were real.

Amanda couldn't start to imagine how much pain they must have felt to see the one they loved lying there dead. Just the thought of something happening to him because of those immortal servants must have consumed them inwardly and they used the funeral as an opportunity to vent out all their emotions.

They had seen Alex nearly die twice now, one in the cathedral when that bi*ch poisoned him, and now. So they surely must be quite shaken up inside.

"It had been a while since I cried that much," Sarah confirmed her doubt. She actually cried her heart out during the funeral and wept away all her past grievances.

"Do you feel better now?" Amanda asked as she hugged her elder sister from the side and softly rubbed her arm.

Sarah nodded, "Yes, it's better...but until we don't cross the hurdle of the Trials I or others couldn't relax." The ultimate challenge still loomed.

Although they have possibly negated the immediate danger, they need to think of what they must face. The Celestial Trials.

The deities would be shocked beyond belief upon finding Alex there. However, they will still try to suppress Alex somehow so he doesn't ascend to the Upper Realm, where the Allfather would recognize him.

"Sis, I believe that the Curse's parents would know that their son is alive even if Alex appears at the Trials. After all, the Deities have been persistent about getting rid of Alex while he is in the lower realm. " Amanda shared her views on the matter.

If what she was suggesting was true, then Alex has to do nothing but hide for the time being and once they start sending people to the trials, Alex would replace someone.

However, "There is a chance but we cannot be sure. The two greater Gods don't usually pay attention to the Trials. It happens regularly, and they have other duties, too."

Sarah has actually asked the Curse about it so she knows.

Things would have been simpler if the Curse's parents had realized his presence during the trials. However, it was highly unlikely. And if they don't intervene then most of the deities would surely send their devotee after Alex...with the intention to hunt him down first during the Trials.

And at that time, Alex would be all alone...once again.

"Don't overthink it, sis. Rejoice that we won't be targeted again anytime soon. Things would go well, just trust in yourself and Alex." Amanda assured her, and Sarah couldn't suppress a soft smile at those words.

Maybe because she was still quite shaken up, Sarah leaned on her sister and closed her eyes.

She needed some more rest.

°°°°°°°°°

"Where did she go?" Veronica asked in a panic as she stood beside her husband.

She was inside the house when suddenly her younger son told her that Rebecca suddenly rushed out.

Victor appeared calm when he said, "Went for a hunt."

"But dear...we shouldn't leave her like this. Her condition is not well-"

"Trust her, dear. Our daughter is not weak-willed to take any wrong step. She has just gone out to divert her mind a little."

Veronica was still quite restless...she had seen how torn Rebecca was two days ago. And leaving her like this when she was still recovering from the trauma was not a good idea.

However, Victor wasn't afraid. Not only because he trusted his daughter but also because he knew the truth.

....

Rebecca was sitting before the same lake where they had a good time a few days ago.

Everything was going well, they all were enjoying a few days of peace. They all knew what was at stake and what they had to face. But they deserved some rest after constant training and hard work.

But they weren't granted even a few days of relaxation.

A few unwanted vermins arrived on Nebula, with the intention to harm Alex.

Everything happened in a whirlwind and a few days ago, Rebecca faced the funeral of the man she loves more than herself.

She knew that Alex wasn't dead...but when she saw the clone's dead body in the coffin, she had a thought. Just for a moment.

...that, what if he really...passes away one day before her?

What she would do? How she would react? Will she become senseless and overly emotional like she became last time?

...no. The answer was no.

She couldn't imagine a life without him. She tried to think about it but failed to envision that life. It was just...not possible to have a life without him.

'Haah~I wish I pass away before you...' Not for the next hundred or thousand years, but whenever it happens, Rebecca wants to leave the world before him.

*Scruff*

Suddenly, she heard the bushes rustling and a person advancing toward him at a fast pace.

Rebecca got prepared instantly, jumping on her feet and her claws prepared to shred anyone that appeared.

The footsteps drew closer. She could tell that it wasn't a beast, and whoever it was, they were quite in a hurry.

Rebecca's eyes remained focused as she saw a silhouette in the distance...however, as she drew closer, Rebecca's wariness faded, and shock appeared on her face.

"Jullie?" Appeared before her was the familiar violet-haired woman who separated from them a few days ago.

With her hair disheveled, and eyes red and puffy, she breathed roughly. Her face was pale when she asked, "Alex...why...everyone is saying he is dead..."

Rebecca first looked around for a bit. She couldn't be sure if someone was listening that's why she told her, "Come with me. I will tell you everything."

Jullie wanted to ask more, but seeing the look in her eyes, the violet-haired remained silent and nodded.

Jullie actually, can feel Alex's presence through the bond they share. However, when she reached the capital, she heard from people that two days ago, they had taken part in a funeral.

The funeral of their hero.

Whoever she asked, replied with the same answer.

Alex was dead.

He sacrificed himself while saving his people.

Later, Jullie went to meet Celestria, and she also confirmed that Alex was no more.

Jullie's belief started to shake there since Celestria wouldn't lie to her.

Several thoughts started to pollute her mind. Despite having evidence that he was still alive, she was forced to think that something had happened to him.

And in search of answers, she arrived at Chainedvale.

Rebecca brought the woman back home through the backdoor and escorted her to her room secretly.

She didn't want her parents to know about her arrival since Rebecca had something to talk about with Jullie in private.

Once she closed the door and made sure there was no one in the room, Rebecca turned towards Jullie.

"He's alive." She announced and instantly, Jullie's shoulders slumped.

Resting her hand on her chest, the violet-haired exhaled several long breaths.

It felt like several tons of weight was lifted off her chest upon hearing that.

Rebecca poured some water for the woman, and as she passed it to Jullie, she heard her asking, "Then why did Cela lie to me? Does she not know?"

Rebecca frowned momentarily but then something came to her mind, "Was there anyone around when you met her?"

Jullie nodded, "Her mother and a few maids."

"Explains." Rebecca took a chair and sat before her, "We have to pretend that Alex is dead so the Gods stop sending their minions to Nebula."

Jullie guessed it but after meeting Celestria, her rational thoughts just disappeared. She started to doubt her Bond.

Rebecca told her other things about their encounter with the servants and how the battle went on. Followed by the funeral and what they have planned ahead.

"It must be tough on you three." Jullie rested her hand on Rebecca's, her delicate brows slightly elevated in concern.

Rebecca smiled, "Yeah, it was. But now, I have recovered. We just need to stay at our places for some more time before reuniting in the Blood Domain."

Jullie nodded. But then, she asked, "Um...can I meet him?"

"You can, but I don't know where he is right now. You have to track him using your Bond."

Jullie nodded, "I can do that...but Rebecca...is it okay for me to go by his side..."

Rebecca paused for a moment. She knew exactly what she meant, but, "We have already accepted you in the family. And Alex also needs someone by his side, so stop worrying about useless things and go meet him."

Jullie's lips curved in a smile.

She really was desperate to see him.

To ensure that he was safe.

To ask several questions about his rashness.

And...to give him her answer.

°°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.