The pain is more than I can bear...I can continue no longer. -Gladius

I cannot recall just how much time had passed since the loss of our little girl. I only know that when my eyes opened it was day. The ponies around us either attempting to salvage what remained of their homes and belongings, or trying still to handle their own sorrow and pain as they formed clusters of mourning friends and relatives. We hadn't moved much, and Tenebris was still cradled between us like she always was with her mother when nightmares bothered her. she seemed at peace, her little form snuggled between myself and Shield. I could tell the latter had cried herself to sleep, but I still could not; for now the nightmares would be worse as my tears started to stain my cheeks again. I was trembling, so much that I could not stand without assistance as I heard first the sound of many hooves marching in perfect step behind us. Shield awoke, her eyes puffy from tears as she kept our little Tenebris gently laying on her back while we watched the procession of my comrades fall to a halt beside us.

They cradled within their right and left hoof on either side a small casket, hoof-crafted by Steel Smith I could tell. Simple, sturdy, and just perfect as it had inscribed her beautiful name along its side. "Tenebris Lux." It read.

All the soldiers had their heads cast down in respect as they lowered the casket to the ground and opened it slowly. I was watching with slightly blurry vision as the tears clouded my eyes as my daughter was gingerly set in the casket. She could be sleeping, her eyes closed and a small smile on her face as Shield took one last look before sobbing as she gently kissed her forehead. Her affection spoke for both of us, and she rejoined my side as we watched the silent soldiers pick up the casket and begin marching once more to the small graveyard we had on the edge of town. Depending on one another, we managed to keep ourselves upright and walking through the streets behind them. Our neighbors and friends cleared the way, not arguing at all as they all were mourning for our loss as well. At the moment, I didn't care though; I felt so empty inside now, except for the heartache which felt worse than all my injuries I'd ever sustained. I didn't ever notice that Applebits and her friends were following us, nor did I take note of anypony else that tagged along as we reached the small fence that signified the beginning of the graves.

Simple headstones were set up all around in rows and columns, telling of the dozens that had lived here before and passed away peacefully as we made our way along a small dusty path towards a freshly dug hole. Two of my comrades stood there, their spades set off to the side and sweat trickling down their foreheads as they fell to attention and saluted as the casket was set down on a small pallet covering the hole. The Paul-bearers did this as well, stepping one hoof away before turning back to face it and giving the same respect as our Chaplain bowed his head before us. The casket, he opened one last time; allowing us to see her peaceful and beautiful face. It again forced tears to come, making us lean on one another for support as we cried together again; our voices worn out but still stinging sharply with our pain as we both gave her a last kiss on her cheek.

"Mommy and Daddy love you too." I whispered despairingly before we stepped away and it was closed for the final time by the robed Chaplain ghoul.

He read from his tome after draping the casket in one of our old banners from the war, speaking of life; and how it was not measured in years. That life was measured in the years of those around you, and how Tenebris had touched so many souls in her few years to last lifetimes. He spoke of the kind, loving little filly that always had a mind to play and care for others. A filly that had helped countless others through their problems in life, and had ensured nopony felt sad or despaired no matter the challenges in life they faced. Finally, his beautiful and true words concluded with a single prayer that her soul may rest with the Gods now; that she may not worry or hunger or suffer and would always watch over us all. Making sure we'd still be trying to do all that she'd inspired for all of us to be, and yet even then I knew I could not as I heard the tome close and rifles aim to the skies from the soldiers on either side of the casket as it slowly was lowered into the ground. Twenty-one gun salute, to honor her in passing as a comrade deeply felt for and missed as the pulley finally set her to the bottom and the soldiers stepped away.

They all whispered prayers to us as the dirt was cast over her, burying her forever from us; and I broke completely as the last bit of dirt was packed in. I laid before her tombstone; reading the little letters inscribed by Steel Smith of her name, age, and a single phrase she'd always spoken to everypony.

"We can do anything if we do it together, face any challenge!"

Shield was beside me, sharing in my sorrow. We were like this for a long time, neither refusing to leave our daughter. But eventually I caught wind of one of the soldiers talking with Applebits and the others. "We don't have much left here Ma'am, except the armory and a decent bit of our stockpiled food from the fields there. We can't stay here anymore, do you know anywhere we can go?"

"Yes. It's a little town we live in called Nowhere." Applebits replied.

"Nowhere, we've heard of the place before. On the radio I mean." The soldier replied. "If you could guide the rest of us there, we'd be willing to let you take what you like from our humble armory before you head off. We need a home, and this place we can't rebuild; not enough supplies to fix all the damage."

"Sounds like a deal." Applebits said. "Bulls Eye, do you think you could guide these Hearthfire ponies back home?"
"Ah sure could Ma'am." He answered.

"Thank you. I mean really thank you." The soldier said, nodding for another to show them the way to the armory as he set off to round up the town's residents.

Finally, at last I relinquished my embrace against Shield. She was looking oddly at me before my spelled in crooked letters. "I can't leave her love...please...you should still go with them. I don't want you to suffer like this here..."

Shield at first shook her head in response, but I persuaded her with a simple, full kiss before my blood again spoke to her. "Just go ....I'll follow when I can...handle the pain."

At last, she nodded to me. She gave me a kiss back before hugging tightly for a few minutes and then leaving without a sound. Now I was left alone in the graveyard; the eerie silence resounding within my empty soul as I grieved in quiet over the grave of my little girl. All the while I did not notice the presence of that single Ranger mare as she watched me, for some reason not wanting to go with the others as she remained on the path and gave me my space in the ashy, hallowed ground.

Author's Notes:

Another Death Angel Wolf Chapter, this time covering the funeral. Next chapters involving Applebits and Co will be told from our lovable Luna Ranger's POV by yours truly.

Stay Brony Everypony!