The memorial procession ended after some time, and the Fenix Clan members all gathered in the Great Hall of the Clan, which was used for gatherings and celebrations. While a deep sense of melancholy and grief still lingered amongst all those who still lived, the Clan had just survived the greatest tribulation it had ever faced, and celebrations were planned to lift the moods of everyone.
John remained alone for some time, gathering his thoughts and restoring his energy. However, the main reason he didn't join his clan in their celebrations right away was his feeling of guilt.
His conversation he had with his father earlier in the day echoed within his mind.
"The Bloodfiend Sect started this assault because of me."
"While that may be true, they would have started this war eventually regardless for the pocket realm. You cannot put the blame for this on your shoulder."
"I suppose father is right," John mused to himself.
He breathed out a deep sigh before he steeled his mind and floated down to the Great Hall below. The sound of music, discussions, and laughter seeped through the closed doors of the Great Hall.
John stood there silently for some time before he reached out and pressed against the two large doors. The doors parted open, revealing the scene of celebration within. The Great Hall was incredibly large, and all the remaining clan members were located within.
Clan members danced together to music, while others feasted and drank to their heart's content. In the far distance at one of the largest tables, John spotted his father, grandfather, and mother sitting together and happily conversing amongst each other.
The downcast atmosphere from earlier in the day was no more, as those who were living decided that the best way to honor those who had died for them was to happily live their lives. He smiled slightly as he saw this scene before him, which instilled him with comfort and ease.
"Young Master John! It's Young Master John!"
An excited cry suddenly boomed out as someone noticed John's arrival. The entire Great Hall went silent and the music stopped playing as everyone stopped what they were doing to look over at John.
John felt the eyes of all eight thousand clan members stare at him. Most of them were staring at him with awe on their faces, as they still could hardly believe what he had done earlier in the day.
After a brief moment of silence, the Great Hall erupted into an absolute frenzy. The adults of the clan instantly began to discuss amounts themselves regarding John and his displays of power, while the younger children all rushed towards him and swarmed around him, assaulting him with a barrage of questions.
"Young Master John! I heard you saved us yourself!" one of the kids said enthusiastically. "How did you get so strong!"
"You have to tell us how you became so strong! I want to be just like you when I grow up!" another child said with great excitement.
"Haha, alright, alright! Leave him be," a voice boomed behind the group of youths that had gathered around John. The group of kids all turned around to see Cade standing there, smiling as he looked at John.
"John has had a busy day, and you must let him relax," Cade said to the group of children. "There will be plenty of time to ask him questions later on."
"Awwwwww!" A collective groan sounded out from the group of kids, who were quickly shooed aside by several adults.
John watched the group of kids around be shooed away, before a person racing towards him suddenly leaped at him. They wrapped their arms around John, and began to sob uncontrollably.
John smiled as he embraced his mother in return, who continued to weep into his shoulders.
"I'm home, mom," John said to his mother in a shaky voice filled with emotion.
His mother lifted her face from his shoulder and looked at him with tears still streaming down her face. With the war that had nearly destroyed their clan, she had thought she would never get to see her son again.
A smile appeared on her tear soaked face as she looked deep into her son's eyes.
"Welcome home, son."
John, who didn't consider himself to be an emotional person, couldn't help but feel tears start to form in his eyes. His mother smiled and wiped those tears away, before she embraced him once more. They embraced for a short while before John felt a hand rest on his shoulder.
He looked up and spotted his father standing next to him, a look of pride evident on his face.
"You did well today, son," Barden said to John. Even now he could hardly believe his son was as strong as he had displayed earlier.
John nodded his head happily as he embraced his father for a moment. After a short embrace, the two separated.
"Come," the nearby Cade said to the three of them. "It's time for celebrations!"
His voice boomed out loudly for the entire Great Hall to hear, which instantly erupted into an uproar of celebration. John nodded his head and followed his family to his seat. Delicious dishes and wine of all kinds covered the table, although John didn't find himself in the mood to eat at the moment.
Ting! Ting! Ting!
A series of tings echoed out across the Great Hall as Cade tapped his wine glass, silencing the rest of the hall. Everyone looked towards Cade as he addressed his clan.
"My fellow Fenix Clan members," his voice boomed out for all to hear. "These last fews days plunged our clan into the darkest pits, of which we thought there was no escape. However, at the precipice of our destruction, our very own John appeared, with power far greater than any of us could have imagined."
The eyes of everyone in the hall looked towards John, who sat there silently as he listened to his grandfather speak.
"We have honored the dead, who gave their lives to defend this clan. Without their sacrifice, we would have no doubt fallen to the enemy swiftly. However, we must also honor the living as well. To John, and the rest of the brave warriors that fought against our enemy! To the Fenix Clan!"
Cade shouted out the last words of his speech and raised his glass high above, and the rest of the clan did the same as they too shouted out in unison.
"To the Fenix Clan!"
John felt a wave of emotion flood through him once more, and he too raised his wine glass and shouted out before downing the drink. The hall quickly exploded once again into a frenzy of celebration, as clan members danced, ate, and drank the night away.
