Never Shall We Die: A Sekhavi Song

Silence hung over the valley like a thick fog. No one moved, even after the Sakasviiae left the platform. No one wanted to move. The journey back to each of their homes stretched long and arduous before them, and every night would be filled with fear until the last of the Harthaen were eliminated.
Kianakae turned to Damion, who was staring at the Harthaen in the cage with a blank expression. He was impossible to read sometimes. But she saw it, just behind his eyes. Pure terror. The silence remained, and the wind picked up the corner of the cloth, sending it flapping upwards and casting more sunlight on the Harthaen. It shrieked as its flesh sizzled, piercing the silence.
A soft female voice, sweeter than honey, rose up from the very back of the crowd. She sang the first few bars of a folk song. “Carry my body from the grave to the skies, take me to Sakasvan if I should die…”
For a few moments, no one joined her. She sang alone, every word filled with hope despite the existence of that creature writhing before them. Then, a male voice joined her, and another. The small group expanded to a handful of people. “Blood and bone may wither, flesh may turn to dust…”
Three men jumped onto the stage and grabbed the drums that had been left on the side. They looked at each other, waited for the right moment, and began to play, rattling Kianakae’s heart with a beat that drove the song forwards. More voices joined the chorus, until at last, Kianakae’s soul swelled with so much courage that she could no longer remain quiet. “We will not die, no, we will never truly die…though the mountains crumble and the sun grows dark…we will never die.”
Before long, all of Sekhav, even Ivadryn in her quiet and low voice, joined together as one. Tears streamed down Mother’s cheeks, and she wasn’t alone. The song carried through the air, drowning out the Harthaen’s cries, and bolstering the resolve of every Sekhavi.
They were going to survive. Nothing had destroyed the Sekhavi thus far, and nothing ever would. They were of one mind and one body, and they would never truly die.

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Carry my body from the grave to the skies.
Take me to Sakasvan if I should die.
Lay me to rest in Attea's motherly embrance,
For I shall one day awaken alongside the gods.

Chorus:
Blood and bone may wither
Flesh may turn to dust.
We will not die.
We will never truly die.
Though the mountains crumble and the sun grows dark,
We will never die.

Guard my body as I lay to rest.
Post an army of spirits to stand vigil.
Do not weep for me, but lift up your heads,
For I shall one day awaken alongside the gods.
(Repeat chorus)

Look to my body, it rests in the mountains.
Sakasvan, Attea, and their children rest here.
I am not alone as I slumber in wait.
For I shall one day awaken alongside the gods.
(Repeat chorus)

Behold, the graves in the mountains lie empty.
Listen, the promised awakening is here.
Rise, oh children in the Sky-Father's cradle,
Now take your places alongside the gods.
(Repeat chorus)

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This is a song traditionally sung in groups as a simple prayer and reminder that death is not to be feared, because the gods will rise from their centuries-long slumber and awaken all Sekhavi who have passed away. It is short, as Sekhavi songs go, so it is frequently sung and is taught to children at a young age. No other song so perfectly encompasses the Sekhavi outlook on life, death, and religion.