There was something strange about walking into the opening with Mylo's arms snaked around me. There wasn't really anything special about the clearing, posts stood about 5 meters apart with torches to keep the area well lit. "There's a table just over there-" Mylo started.

"Leena!" It was Cora flagging me down, pulling Kalliope with her, Thalian and Saleh a step behind. Saleh was exactly what you expected a Root Elf to look like, very plain, but beautiful in her own way. The group all wore different styles clothing: Cora and Kalliope both wore flowy white dresses, Thalian and Saleh in earthy tones, flowers and moss were both on their clothes and in their hair, dirt smudged on their faces.

With so many different people and cultures gathered, it was no surprise that there was an unique mix of mourning rituals. As a mermaid, we didn't have funerals but instead let their bodies sink to replenish the environment. I adapted the only funeral practice I had seen - Earth's. "Hey," I said in response with a weak smile.

"We've been looking for you, they're ready for you to speak."

I blinked a little taken back, "Already?" I gulped.

"Yes, almost everyone is here. There are people who are late for their shift change, but want to be here to show their support." Kalliope seemed back to her bossy self. "You are still speaking, aren't you?"

I was far from prepared and this wasn't what I was expecting. There were over 100 people standing around, not really speaking. I was now noticing most faced west where a small platform was. They were waiting, "Ready as ever," I nodded. Mylo pulled me tighter against him, before removing his arm.

Thalian raised his brow at Mylo and my's closeness but offered me his hand. "Come on," he encouraged.

I was lead around the edge and to the platform. Eyes shifted to me and a hush fell over the crowd. Kane stood behind me and nodded with a supportive smile, motioning for me to start. The night was cool, the brightly shining stars above my head created a tightness in my chest. "Good evening," I said, the only sound was now the cricket song, distant cries of an owl, and the gentle waves hitting the shore. "Most of you here don't know me, some do and wish they didn't," the crowd laughed weakly. "But my name is Leena Asix-Corrah-ha, I'm a mermaid from the Suxolf Sea and for the last year I ran a bar called the Siren Song in Hollowview."

I wanted for the crowd's mumbles of confusion to soften as I continued with a slow nod. "I know, a lot of you probably have some questions about me and why it all matters; I'll answer one of those." I swallowed as I tucked my hands behind my back so I could casually pick at my gloves in attempts to calm my nerves. "A year ago, Hollowview was like any town. Humans were treated as superior and the rest, well, they weren't treated poorly, but it wasn't an equal life."

I glanced to Kane who smiled. "Many of you may not know this, but I helped Kane here start his noble cause."

"It is Ethan, and I do remember this all being your idea and you dragged Thalian and I into it," Kane spoke up.

Once again the crowd laughed until I raised my hands above my head in defeat. "It's true, which was why I refused to just walk by Hollowview. It was a small town, maybe 200 people and a dozen guards. I was cocky enough to take them on and long story short, we won and Hollowview was the first free town." The crowd cheered as I laughed glancing to Kane. "Don't know why you're having so much trouble." I teased him.

Kane rolled his eyes, but he too was laughing. "I met the most wonderful people and while I fully intended on waiting a week then leaving, I found myself always saying 'one more week than I'll go', 'one more week'. A week turned into a year." I paused as my stomach grew heavy. "If it wasn't for Hollowview, the people there, there's a good chance I'd be dead or something much worse."

"Hollowview was so much more than just a small town, it made people better. I entered that town looking for a fight and I ended up finding a home." My eyes searched the crowd until I found Cora and Kalliope, together in a tight embrace. "The people made each other, expected each other to be the best they could be every day. Were there struggles? Of course, but we always got through it all, as a community. So tonight, I ask one thing of all of you - be the better person. We're all here: Elves, Mages, Humans, and Mermaid, different species fighting for the same goal. We want a better tomorrow, an equal tomorrow where no one is someone else's property, where people aren't judged by the size of their ears. Hollowview is... was the town we all wanted the world to look like, so I asked for you to bury the hatchet. Your neighbours, friends, family, if you're at war with them, then you can't be fully devoted to ending the war between species. Make peace, be better, be like Hollowview."

It may not have been the best funeral speech, but tonight wasn't a funeral, we were mourning and honouring those who died. The only way I knew to honour them was to continue to fight for what Hollowview had. I took a breath and smiled weakly at all the faces staring up at me. "I know you all have work, but when I first arrived in Hollowview, a good friend of mine, Mikael, introduced me to a tradition. When a warrior left, whether it be to battle or was lost, there was a song to honour them. It wasn't a song about goodbyes, that isn't what tonight is about either. No, this song was to remember the good times, the love, and to respect their choice, their time to go."

I started to tear up at the memory so Kane stepped forward to run a hand along my back. "I'm sorry," I laughed nervously. "I've sung this song a lot, some of you here today have stood beside me to wish another farewell, others have had it sung to them as they came to join the Unchained." I let out a shaky breath. "I never thought it'd be for something like this... but tonight we honour Hollowview. For those who know it, please join me and for those who don't, please raise a parting glass."

Wrapping an arm around Kane, I used him for stability as I glanced to the platform as I began to sing, a chorus following my lead.

Of all the money that e'er I had

I've spent it in good company

And all the harm that e'er I've done

Alas it was to none but me

I got through the first verse before more voices joined into the song, Saleh stepping to the front of the crowd as she joined in. She was one of the first which I had sung this song for.

And all I've done for want of wit

To memory now I can't recall

So fill to me the parting glass

Good night and joy be with you all

People began to stomp and more voices filled in, my eyes flickering to Cora and Kalliope as I sang the next few lines.

Of all the comrades that e'er I had

They are sorry for my going away

And all the sweethearts that e'er I had

They would wish me one more day to stay

My voice wasn't luring like it had been before, just beautiful. I didn't question my fortune, I didn't want others to feel my sorrow not when so many gathered just to say the last goodbye.

But since it falls unto my lot

That I should rise and you should not

I'll gently rise and I'll softly call

Good night and joy be with you all

Good night and joy be with you all

My voice cracked at the second last line and my head fell as I let the crowd finish singing the song as I shook my head and stepped down from the stage.