AN: Another long, but hopefully good chapter. Thanks to everybody for reading. Please read and review! (And check out Persona 5: Want Emancipation. After reading this chapter of course. :D)
Note For Reading: Unlike previous chapters where I tried to place events in chronological order, in this chapter they're in a character order: Nathan - Serena - Blaine - Karl - Amara. This is probably the only time I'll deviate from normal, other than flashbacks. Also, the date format for Motus is DD/MM/YYYY.
Chapter 77: Reviving Our Devotion
|Albion Inc. HQ|17:21 pm|
Nathan had just left his office, after the worst day at work he had experience in his entire life. The memory of Zao's demise did not leave him at any stage, even during him and his father finalising the details of his ascent to CEO. He did manage to keep a calm and collected demeanour, however, and forced himself to laugh at various jokes around the office.
Alas, one person was not fooled. Priscilla had been constantly checking up on him, and despite his denials, he knew she could tell something wasn't right. She knew him like a book, one she had read every day, every night.
"Nathan." Priscilla said. "You've been miserable all day long. Are you not looking forward to taking over from Reginald?"
"No, Priscilla...that isn't it." Nathan said. "If you must know, something awful happened yesterday evening. Zao...passed away."
She gasped, her face pale with shock. "You can't be serious! He was so young...he had so much to live for! How did it happen?"
"...It was a heart attack." Nathan said, eyes to the floor. That's a complete lie...and you know it. But how could I even begin to tell you the truth, especially now?! "Amara's devastated, poor thing."
"Looks like you are, as well." Priscilla said, sadly. "Oh, Nathan..." She gave him a quick hug, and as they embraced, he let himself shed some tears. If only Zao were here, Nathan thought. Then he could interrupt this moment with a joke, no matter how inappropriate. It would have made them angry, perhaps, but that was a better feeling than loss.
"I'm sorry, darling...I should have said something sooner."
"Let me guess. You didn't want to worry me." Priscilla said, rolling her eyes. "Nathan, if you try and hide these things from me, then that worries me even more! Please, don't shut me out..."
"I won't." Nathan said. "We should get home. I just want to lie down for now..."
She nodded, but as they went to the car park, they saw a distant Joe Kowalski, standing by his car. Next to him was Victoria, his fiancé. Nathan could have sworn he had encountered an Ornatu Legion soldier who resembled her.
"Joseph!" Victoria shouted. "Why are you being such an idiot? If we don't get married soon, your father won't be there to see it!"
"Dammit, I know!" Joe said. "I've been to that fucking hospital every day! He won't even sit up in bed anymore...but...Victoria, I wanted to give you the dream wedding you always wanted-"
"Joe...that's not really what I want. I just want you." Victoria said. "Please, Joe. Let it be today! Your father isn't going to get any better. We don't have many chances left!"
"Alright!" Joe said, sadly. "You always win in the end. Oh, hello." He looked over at Nathan, who felt a shiver down his spine. "You heard all of that, did you?"
"I'm sorry, we never should have listened in -"
"No, don't worry about it." Joe said. "It looks like...today, we're going to get married after all."
"We should have done it months ago, but Joe...he's stubborn. Bad blood between him and his dad, too." Victoria said.
"Joe, I'm sorry. About your father, that is." Priscilla said. "But...all the best."
"Thanks, Priscilla." Joe said, with a small smile. "Victoria's going to end up with Kowalski as a surname, though..."
"So? What's wrong with that?" Victoria said. "It's a unique name, after all. I checked, and there's hardly anybody alive with it. But that doesn't matter! We should get going to the hospital!"
"Wait." Nathan said. "Joe, would it be alright if we came too?"
"...What? You?" Joe asked. "Nathan, I thought you couldn't stand me?"
"Maybe once. But this is a big day for you, isn't it?" Nathan said. "If you're going to have a wedding, you'll need some guests!"
"I suppose that's okay." Victoria said, tearing up a little. "We're going to the East Saragel Medical Hospital. Just ask for Peter Kowalski at the front desk. Now, we really have to hurry."
The two of them hurriedly got into their car, and drove off. Priscilla and Nathan went to theirs, and got inside.
"Thank you, Nathan." Priscilla said. "I never imagined you'd do something like that for Joe."
"Me either. But today...I don't want to be sitting around, feeling sorry for myself. If there's anything I can do to help Joe, I'll do it."
They began heading to the hospital, which was quite far from Nova Albion. Hopefully, Joe's father would be awake for the ceremony...
|Lucille Valley High School|8:21 am|
To everyone else attending today, it was business as usual. Whether training with the wrestling team, or going to the physics club, the students would go about their daily business.
Yet for Serena, this was the first day without Zao. Even if she didn't see him during the day, he used to like sending texts about his fish, or just how 'pumped' he was to be fighting Shadows. Ever since he joined the team, she couldn't imagine him not being there. He was sort of the anti-Nihane, in her eyes. Whilst Nihane she could never love, Zao she could not bring herself to hate.
So Serena asked herself - why not kill Nihane? Take him away from the world, and it would be safe from his evil schemes. Take Zao away, and leave the world a barren and empty wasteland. And even when his life was ebbing away, he still tried to cheer everybody up. How could someone like that die, so young? She didn't have an answer to that. She probably never would.
As she walked, she barely noticed someone to her right, sitting in his wheelchair. While she continued o walk on, he hurriedly managed to get in front of him, and she almost bumped into him.
"Serena!" Kyle said. "Didn't you hear me calling you?"
"I...um...no." Serena said, weakly. "Kyle, I...I'm sorry-"
"Don't worry about that, but what about you? You don't look so good...go home. I'll tell them you're not well."
"No...I'd rather be here than sit at home all day." Serena said. "Kyle, um...do you remember Zao?"
"Huh? Oh, that guy who played the guitar at that barbecue. I haven't seen him since then. Why, did something happen?" Kyle said.
Serena choked, and sniffed. She couldn't find the right words, but she didn't need to - Kyle could tell right away what those words were.
"...I'm sorry." Kyle said, sadly. "Hey...are you sure you want to go to school?"
"I told you, Kyle, I'd rather go into school. I'd rather keep busy than think about what happened to him..." Serena said.
"If you're sure..." Kyle said. He reached up, and gave her a short hug. "It's a cliché, I know, but I'm here for you. Just like how you were there for me, after Matthew."
"Thank you, Kyle." Serena said. "If you weren't in school today, I don't know what I'd do..."
"You sure as hell don't want to talk to Adam. Ever since he got 65% for that Chemistry exam, he's been angry 24/7. The thing is, the average score for that was 50%..." Kyle said. "As for Lucas, well he may be a perfect personal trainer, but he's no academic. He didn't have a score higher than 55%. Perhaps it's time I began training him. Oh, and Catherine invited us to a party next week, so..."
Serena listened to this idle conversation. While it was mere banter, hearing about Kyle and her classmates was enough to distract her. How long could Serena last like this, however?
Kyle...I can't depend on you to help me...but what can I do to feel normal again? Is that even possible anymore?
|Blaine & Dan's House|6:20 am|
Ever since he got home, Blaine had been lying on his bed, looking at the ceiling. Try as he might, fatigue did not come to him. For every time he shut his eyes, he saw Zao's body in that hellhole. Now it was morning, and sunlight was filtering through the gap in the black curtains. Yet Blaine still looked at the ceiling.
First, it had been Blaine's father. His hero, the strongest, bravest man he knew. Then his mother, a headstrong lady who always liked giving his hair a trim. And only two years ago, Matthew, who had virtually become his little brother. Now Zao was with them now.
"Why...why you too?!" Blaine said to himself. He slammed his fist on the table, sending his wonky alarm clock crashing to the floor in pieces. Suddenly, his door swung open. There was Dan, rather concerned. "Hey..."
"Dude, it's six in the morning..." Dan said, sleepily. Then, he took a closer look. "Finally, I've been waiting for you to trash that stupid clock. How about one like mine?"
"Dan...I'm not in the mood for new clocks..." Blaine said, wearily.
"What's up, then?" Dan asked. He walked in, and sat down on the bed. "You didn't get any sleep, did you?"
"Dan, I..." Blaine trailed off. "Do you remember Zao?"
"Huh?" Dan said, surprised. "Yeah, course I do. Blue haired fish guy. He was a weird kid, but he's cool. ...Why?"
"He...died last night."
There was utter silence. Dan looked at Blaine's eyes, which were still facing the ceiling. Tears trickled from those brown eyes, normally full of confidence.
"...How?" Dan finally asked, stunned. "He was...what, twenty?"
"Would have been twenty two in a few days..." Blaine said.
Dan shook his head. "That's...tragic. He barely got a chance at life...just like..."
"Yeah...Matthew." Blaine said. "Dan, if there's a god, why does he take everybody I give a shit about? Dad, mom, Matthew, and now Zao! Who's next? What do I have to do to stop him from killing them?!"
"...I dunno." Dan said, solemnly. "I've been asking myself that for two years. My baby brother, the one I held in my arms the day he was born, and he drowns...it'll never make sense. Not in two years, not in twenty, not even in a thousand."
"Dan, I-"
"Hey. You wanna cry? Scream?" Dan asked. "Do it. I'll be right here."
Finally, Blaine sat up, and looked at his friend in the face.
"I'm still a crybaby, huh?" Blaine said, with a weak smile.
"From the day I first metcha. But even men cry sometimes. Us two more than most!" Dan said. "Come here, big guy..."
Blaine watched in silence as Dan took him into his arms, giving a tight hug. Blaine choked a little, and let the tears come, slowly but surely.
Dan, what the hell would I have done without you?
|Karl's Apartment|11:30 am|
Karl could not sit in his apartment all day. He had already spent hours tossing and turning on that bed, desperate to nod off. Yet to no avail. If he could just sleep, even for a few minutes, he could have convinced himself last night was a nightmare. Then all he would have to do was give Zao a phone call, and wake him up - and plan having lunch. The longer he stayed awake, the more it dawned on him - Zao was truly no more.
Still in the same clothes as yesterday, he left the apartment, and was wandering around. It didn't matter where he went, as long as he got outside. Not very long ago, Zao had been in that apartment, watching a movie and sharing Karl's beer from the mini-bar. That was when Karl followed him into the other world, and was stranded in the abandoned school.
We fought the Unblessed Cherub that day. How appropriate. What have we accomplished since then? Defeating Rudo and Tomas? I wasn't there...I was stuck with that bastard Pierre. If I can't protect Zao, how can I do the same for anyone else? Amara, and my sister...what are we supposed to do now?
He continued to wander the streets of Saragel, the other civilians blurring past his eyes. Some recognised him, and took pictures on their phones. Others chastised him for almost bumping into them, and ranted about the 'youth of today'. His heart was almost bursting with the sheer volume of emotions inside of him. Anger at himself and Aeternus. Anxiety about the future. Sadness about Zao.
Just why did Zao have to die? I never should have called him a coward. We should have encouraged him never to fight that freak. Even if we had to kill the Other Zao, we'd still have our one. But...it's too late for that now. Isn't there something our Persona ability can do? Other than the Eternal Road?
|East Saragel Medical Hospital|17:34 pm|
Everything happened so quickly, Nathan wondered if Victoria had made arrangements in advance. He and Priscilla were standing in the room where Joe's father was being treated. To see him so pale, so wrinkled, was quite mortifying. His weary eyes were open, but Nathan couldn't tell if he was aware of what was happening.
The minister had arrived, and Victoria had managed to change into her subtle, yet beautiful white dress beforehand. Everything was set. The minister began to speak, as Joe and Victoria held each others hands. Mr Kowalski stared ahead, quiet as ever.
Joe...I used to think of you as nothing but a slacker. Habitually late, barely any effort in your work, and you somehow got to keep your job. If only I knew why you were so distracted. Joe, I'm sorry.
As the minister spoke, Nathan couldn't help but think back on yesterday evening. Zao, on death's door, apologising for not being able to go to the wedding. At that moment, Nathan didn't want to believe it was true. Alas, it was. And Zao would never get the chance to marry someone, either.
Where was Amara today? Surely, she wouldn't be at work. She would never be able to cope, not so soon. It would take some time before she felt ready for anything again. Yet Nathan realised that, with the way things stood, there might not be enough time for that. Any second now, and the other world could be gone.
There's no time for mourning. Somehow, we have to get back in that world and defeat Nihane. But how can we just forget what happened? I always knew that place was dangerous, but I never imagined any of us would die. Until...
Now, Joe and Victoria were listening to the vows they had written. Promises to protect, love, and support each other, each one more heartfelt than the last.
No...even if I could die, I can't stop. I've got a Persona, and I have to use it for the sake of others. What use would I be if I were to stay here, fighting the urge to cry? There's no other way forward for us. Me, Blaine, and Serena have to help Karl and Amara through this. There has to be some way to stop the Eternal Road, and I'll find it what it is! That's my vow, to everyone!
"...Do you, Joe Kowalski, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The minister said.
"I do." Joe said, holding Victoria's hand tightly.
"And do you, Victoria Somerset, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I...do." Victoria said softly.
"By the powers vested in me, I proclaim this couple man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
As Joe and Victoria embraced, the guests - Priscilla, Nathan, and a young nurse called Cindy- cheered enthusiastically. Against all odds, this wedding had turned out beautifully, and the couple were elated in each others arms. Nathan wished it could have been in better circumstances. He and Priscilla turned to Mr Kowalski, who had his gaze solely on his son.
"Dad..." Joe said, after finally ending the kiss. "Thanks for everything."
Mr Kowalski did not speak. Whatever his illness was, it had robbed him of making any sound other than breathing. Yet, his lips curled into what could be considered a smile worthy of Zao, and a tear streamed down his cheek.
"That's the happiest I've seen him!" Cindy said. "For the first time in months, I can say he's made an improvement. Oh, and congratulations!"
"Joe, I'm so glad I came." Nathan said, holding out his hand. "May you two have a wonderful future together."
"Thanks...same goes for you two. I hope your wedding is in better circumstances!" Joe said, exuberant. He began to reach for Nathan's hand, but instead raised both arms to pull Nathan into a hug.
"Whoa...what's this?"
"Today's a special day, isn't it?" Joe said. He held his new wife's hand, and smiled. "We should have done this long ago, I know. But...it was hard, forgiving my father."
"Whatever disagreements you had before, what does that matter now?" Priscilla said.
"Exactly!" Victoria said. "If it hadn't been for him, I never would have met Joe. He saved me from terrible people one day, and Joe kept talking to me to calm me down..."
"Is that so?" Nathan asked. "No wonder you were so keen on bringing the wedding forward."
Joe walked over to his father, and looked upon him. Despite being an adult, it felt like he was a little boy again. Peter's hand, trembling, reached up and grabbed his son's.
"Dad...I'm sorry we didn't do this sooner." Joe said, shaking. All his father did was smile, and reach up closer, stroking his son's hair. "Stop it...you're embarrassing me!"
"This is so cute!" Cindy said. Just then, Mr Kowalski's hand dropped back onto the bed, and his head turned to the side. "Mr Kowalski?!"
"Dad, no! Wake up!" Joe wailed. He may have been approaching thirty, but he might as well have been a little boy. Victoria gasped, her hand over her mouth. Cindy ran to Mr Kowalski, and tried everything she could. Yet it was too late for any help.
"I'm...sorry." Cindy said. "He's gone."
Joe stood still, his gaze fixed upon his father. Victoria stood by him, arm over his shoulder. The two of them were stunned into absolute silence. Yet soon, Joe began to sob. Before long, he was on his knees, crying over his father's body.
"Nathan...we should go." Priscilla said, lightly tugging Nathan's sleeve.
"Yes..." Nathan said. There wasn't anything Nathan could have said to help, not now. It was the second death Nathan had witnessed in two days - and both men died before their time. He and Priscilla left the ward in silence, as she held his hand tightly.
"Nathan..." Priscilla said.
"I'll...be okay." Nathan said, solemnly. "At least his father got to be at his wedding..."
"Yes...thank goodness they came today." Priscilla said. "...Nathan. Why don't we go to Reginald's tonight?"
"What?" Nathan asked. "I thought you wanted to make lasagne tonight?"
"That can wait. Your father's always moping about never having anyone around for tea anymore. Let's surprise him!" Priscilla said. "I don't think you want to be alone tonight, either. So can we?"
"Of course." Nathan said. "Dad...he's been lonely for so long. I need to be there for him, now more than ever."
|New Motus Convention Centre|16:45 pm|
Serena had arrived here after a long day at school. As she got closer to the memorial plague, she thought back on today's classes. During them, she had paid even closer attention, and learned of a duet taking place during the festival between two Asian singers called Rise Kujikawa and Cu-Cu-X. Among other things, she learned that her teacher Mrs Barrs had a Siamese cat, and Lucas had received a sports scholarship - the only kind he had a chance in attaining. Adam and Catherine had been caught kissing at the Aqua Disco, much to their embarrassment. All of this listening was so her mind wouldn't wander back to the Interitus Legion Compound. The minute she had stepped in that loathsome structure, she felt an immense sense of dread. Now, it would always remain as a place of death, despair, and heartbreak.
Even so, by the last bell, she knew she couldn't run forever. Nothing could distract Serena enough to make her forget her comrade had perished in front of her. His last words towards her had been to not fail college, unlike him. That did surprise her - did he have a career in mind other than fishing? Even Amara had never mentioned that before. Zao must have had so much sadness pent up inside of him, and she and the others never knew. So now, she came to the place she had associated with death since childhood - the Convention Centre. Kyle had offered to come with her, but she knew she had to do this alone.
Serena laid a bouquet of red tulips by the plaque, the one with her sister's name permanently inscribed on it, amongst so many others. The first time she came here, her parents had broken down in tears right beside her, and try as she might, she couldn't hold back her sadness either. Nina would never have a family dinner with them again. She wouldn't get married, or have children. Her life was over before it truly started. She may have secured an excellent job, but there was so much more she could have done.
"Nina..." Serena said. "You're not dead after all. You keep showing up, trying to help us, but why can't you stay here? Mum and dad would welcome you home, I'm sure of it. They'd be angry, I know...but you're my sister! I'd make them understand!"
There was silence. Perhaps it was too much to expect Nina to show up whenever she wanted, but Serena's heart sank a little. Even though Nina had aided them several times, it still felt like she was gone.
Nina always acts so strange when she shows up. She's only ever focused on the Shadows, and she knows what's going to happen...sort of like she's been through it already. Is that just her power? Or...
Serena shook her head. No matter how hard she thought, it didn't change the simple truth. Nina wasn't planning to come home any time soon. She might never return, either. If that was the case, Serena would simply have to be strong for her parents. Their family would always feel like there was something missing, but Serena had a different idea now.
"I'm not going to abandon Mum or Dad after all, Nina. I'm going to help them, anyway I can. We'll be a family, with or without you. But you know what? We're not really without you, are we? You'll be watching us, wherever you are. Ten years, or a hundred, and I could never forget how amazing you are. I'll just have to work hard on my amazing-factor. I don't care if it's impossible - me and the others will stop the Eternal Road! Just you see!"
Serena punched the air with pride, and then, feeling vigour return to her heart, ran from the centre. As she did, someone appeared in front of the plaque, with a warm smile. Another person emerged to her right, almost smiling.
"That's my sister, Archibald." Nina said. "You think she can do it?"
"There's no way of knowing. Yet they're our only chance." Archibald said.
Nina nodded, and looked upon the centre. Archibald stood close to her, and both of them stared in utter silence.
"Everything is becoming clearer." Nina said. "So much was clouded in fog, and now most of it has lifted. Soon, we will see everything unfold."
"I know. Once our duties are complete, we can rest." Archibald said. "If only the future had not lead to this. Then we could be here freely."
With that, they disappeared, leaving the area in silence.
|Blaine's House|
Blaine was now downstairs, absentmindedly reading the paper. His eyes barely registered any of the words printed on the pages. Yet if he kept busy, he wouldn't have to go back to the compound. If his mind went there, Zao would die again and again.
"Blaine..." Dan said, dressed in his uniform. "I gotta go...but there's something you oughta see."
"Huh?" Blaine asked, without looking up. "You finally had a shave?"
"No...I'm being serious. Look up." Dan said. Blaine obeyed, and noticed an envelope in his hand. A rather aged looking one. "A long time ago, I found this tucked away in a cardboard box, when we moved in. And I...read it."
"So?" Blaine asked. "What is it?"
"...It's from your dad." Dan said, nervously. "I'm sorry. I didn't say anything...because it was meant for your eyes only. And I forgot where I put it until today..."
"My dad?!" Blaine asked, getting off the sofa. "I never knew he wrote me a letter!"
"Well, it's yours now." Dan said, placing it in Blaine's hand. "I always wished I could have met your dad, Blaine. He was one hell of a man."
"Thanks, buddy." Blaine said, gazing at the yellowed envelope. "Hey, you better get going. I'll be okay, trust me."
"I know you will." Dan said, smiling. "Cause if you're not, I'll just have to fix things!" With that, he left the house, and Blaine remained fixed to the spot, eyeing the envelope. In here was his father's words. Timothy Spencer, a former member of the Motus Navy and Blaine's only hero. To any other kid, Tim was a tall, scary muscular man with a big black beard. Yet his heart was genuine, and he laughed when Blaine tickled that beard.
Dad...I can't believe I never read this!
He went back into his room, and pulled out a framed photograph from his top drawer. There, still in full colour, was Blaine as a newborn, in his proud father's strong arms. He barely recognised his infant self, but his father he could never forget. Slowly, he pulled out the letter. The paper had also yellowed over the years, and had a few ink stains on it, yet he knew his father's handwriting immediately. Taking a deep breath, he began to read.
Dear Blaine,
Today is your tenth birthday. Hard to believe you're so big now. And you keep saying you wanna be as big as your old man! You'll have to wait a while for that, little man. Right now, you're finally asleep, but knowing you, you're gonna wake us up at 5 in the morning just so you can have your presents. Don't worry, Uncle Archie got you something good. And so did I! I'm not letting him beat me this time!
But now I'm gonna get serious. Being your dad for ten years has been the best experience of my entire life. I never thought I could love a baby throwing up on my best clothes, or waking me up in the middle of the night. But it was worth it, just to hear you bound up to the front door, all hyper about me getting home from work! You don't know how much better every day is when I see you running up into my arms.
When you were born, my father instincts just kind of switched on. I didn't want to be like the other dads in Kanaloa, who let the moms do everything so they can have a beer and watch TV. I could never let your beautiful mother raise you alone. I love her you both too much for that. It wasn't like that with my dad, though.
You're probably not going to believe this. Maybe if you're older, you'll understand better. But my dad didn't love me at all. He beat me senseless for every little thing. He treated my mother like dirt. We were dirt poor, even worse than we are. By the time I was sixteen, the only furniture we had was a black and white TV, and we had to sit on the floorboards. Life was hell, but when my poor mom died, I knew I had to get out of there. So I quit school, got a job in a beer factory, and found a crummy apartment up Juniper Street.
I thought that's all my life would be, and for a while, I kind of accepted that. Then everything went to shit. I spent all my income on booze and parties, and so I got evicted. Then I had a massive fight at the factory, and so I was homeless and unemployed. Basically, a bum. I didn't know what the hell to do anymore, so I just went from place to place, sleeping on park benches. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Nothing mattered anymore. I kept thinking at least I wasn't back home. Yet even away from dad, I kept asking myself, why didn't dad tell me he loved me? He never hugged me, encouraged me, or took me anymore. He just sat there, drinking, smashing stuff, and roughing me up real bad. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. So night after night, I kept crying myself to sleep.
So then I somehow got all the way to Nova Albion. I sure as hell didn't fit in there. There was a big festival in Augustus Square, and everyone was dressed up. I saw this man with red hair, chatting to his lady friend about their trips to some countries I had never heard of. Seeing him boasting about his money and his father's allowance just pissed me off, so I got on his case, and we got into a pretty bad fight. He wasn't as wimpy as he looked, believe me. Gave me some bad bruises.
So the fight got broken up, and I was staggering away home. Then this girl came over, and started giving me a big lecture. Then she saw how sad I looked, and offered a free haircut. At the time, I told her to piss off, and hitched a ride back home. Then I saw the apartment building getting demolished. There was nowhere for me to go anymore, unless I wanted to come crawling back to my dad.
The next day, I came into that hairdressers in the afternoon. There she was, with her gorgeous curly hair, green eyes, and her soft, beautiful face. She was still mad, but I begged her to at least trim my beard. But she did a lot more than that. She made me look like a new man, with a handsome crew cut, and cut most of my stinking dirty beard away. And when she was done, she said I was handsome. It was the first time in a long time I could see my face clearly. Something just clicked in my head - that it was time to do something more with my life.
Then that hairdresser surprised me again. She asked where was I going to sleep that night, and how I was going to get my clothes clean. I didn't know - and I could have said "It'll be fine" a thousand times, but she was having none of it. She let me stay at her place, for a little while. It was a shock to the system to see a tiny apartment like that so clean, and so nice.
While it was only going to be until I got back on my feet, I found myself staying for weeks and weeks, even after I got the job at the carpenter's. I cooked for the girl, helped her around the house, even learned how to clean the bathroom. Finally, one night we were sitting on the coach, watching some boring news story, and I just reached over and kissed her. I thought she was going to slap me for a second, but she just kissed me back. That girl's name? Pauline Mayflower. Do I even need to tell you that's her maiden name?
So me and Pauline were getting along fine. But then one day, we started talking family. When it came to mine, I just confessed how much I hated my dad. How I wanted to kill him for all the shit he put me through. She held my hand, and let me rant and rave for what must have been hours. Then she suggested I go back home, and let my dad know I was alright. After all, it was four years since I left that house.
The place was a total mess. Trash everywhere, and the TV was completely smashed. You don't want to know what else I saw. Upstairs, lying on his bed, was a guy who looked twenty years older than he really was. He had lost all his hair, most of his teeth, and he had lost half his body weight. It took me a while to realise this pitiful creature was my dad. Sure, I hated him, but I couldn't bring myself to tear into him. He didn't even know who I was, but he rambled on about how he had a son who left home, and he wanted him to come back so they could start again. And without thinking, I said "I'm home, dad."
He was quiet. Then he just raised his arms, and I flinched - but he just hugged me. He didn't hit me, or yell at me. He just held me in his arms, and finally, he let go. That was it. My dad was gone. I thought I would have been happy, but all I felt was an empty, numb sensation. If only I could have come home sooner, that was my thought.
When me and Pauline went to the funeral, I made a decision. I was going to join the Motus Naval Forces. The poor girl started crying, begging me to stay, but I promised I'd come see her at least once a year. And write to her as much as I could. So that was that - for the next seven years, I was a sea dog. You know that bit already, dontcha? You asked me what the anchor tattoo on my arm was for. You even found some of my old badges. I hate to toot my own horn, but I worked damn hard in those years. Helped save a few lives, actually. Just last week, one of them wrote me a letter thanking me, and that he was going to propose to his girlfriend. And of course, I kept my promise. I was scared she would leave me for someone else, but she never did. She always met me on the harbour, dashing into my arms, and showing me all the things that had changed since last time.
Finally, I made another big decision. I quit the navy, and proposed to her, right there on the harbour. You should have heard everybody cheer as she said yes - it was one of the best moments in my life. Not long after that, we made it official, in a little church not too far from your school. It wasn't a big wedding, but it was still one of the best days of my life. Three years, we were happy and enjoying life.
Then something happened, something that made everything perfect. Pauline coming downstairs, telling me she was carrying our baby. I couldn't believe my ears. I didn't think I had it in me to become a father, not after what my own was like. But somehow, I kept going. December 4th 1981, that was the big day. The minute I saw your little face, and your tiny little hands, I knew it was meant to be. I was going to be a good dad, and make my son proud of me.
I hope you are, anyway. You started eating your greens, just cause I told you you'd get big and strong like me if you did. You beg me to help you with homework, even if all I know is how to make wooden furniture. When we're out and about, it feels just right. To you, playing in the park with that blue ball must be a lot of fun. For me, it's a dream come true. And even now, I still do my fair share around the house. I hope you like that bed I made for you - I don't think I've worked so hard on anything before.
So, I better wrap this up, cause my hand hurts from writing so much. Thanks to you, my life finally means something. I can't believe I have such a wonderful little man as my son. Someday, you're going to be big and tall, and you won't need me anymore. But you will always be my little man, no matter how many veggies you eat. And your mom's always going to be there to trim your hair. Don't forget to thank her!
From Timothy Spencer, or 'Best Dad in Town!"
Blaine's eyes were fixed on the very last sentence. Then it came rushing back - the words he had said before he went to sleep, on the eve of his tenth birthday. "You're the best dad in town...yup, you sure were, dad."
He looked back at that picture, of his smiling father holding baby Blaine with pride. "Dad, I...there's something I need to do. I dunno if I can do it, but...I'll do whatever I can. I wanna save this city, no matter what. I'll make you proud, I promise! Thanks to you, I think I can make it...so don't worry! I'll kick Nihane's butt faster than you can make a chair!"
With a tearful smile, Blaine put the letter away in the drawer. He left the room, leaving the picture on the dresser. After today, he would never hide from his dad's face again.
|Saragel Promenade|15:23 pm|
Karl now found himself on the promenade, which was considerably quieter during the autumn. He checked his watch, and he noticed he had been walking for over five hours.
Kazuya told me once that the Japanese word for four is the same for death. Maybe they're on to something...
His feet were aching, so he sat down on a bench. There was barely any sound, other than the seagulls chirping as they flew around, or the waves approaching the shore. It was as Zao had taken all of the life of Saragel with him.
We didn't see each other for ten years. I kind of forgot about him...until he found me online. I thought it'd be nice to get back in touch - then he starts dating Amara. The one girl I really loved, that I drove away. Why did I waste time with jealousy?! Zao didn't know about me and her. He was just as loved up as I was! I should have been happy for them right from the start!
"Hey, mister?"
We were such good friends as kids. I thought we'd keep in touch even after we had to move. Why didn't I do that? Zao must have thought I hated him. Now I'm the only one left. Aimee's gone, and Zao's...
"You okay?"
Karl looked around, and saw the source of the voice. A boy of around eleven years old, with curly black hair and a Lyeds t-shirt.
"Oh, sorry. I was miles away." Karl said, forcing a smile. "What can I do for you, kid?"
"It's really you!" The boy said. "I was in the front row, east stand! Me and my dad were cheering you on the whole time! That was the best match ever!"
"Thanks, um..." Karl mumbled.
"I'm Robbie! Mister, sign my shirt! I want to show everybody at school!" Karl got a felt-tip pen trusted into his hand, and Robbie turned around. Chuckling, he signed his name in big letters.
"There you go, Robbie. Don't let your mum wash that off, okay?" Karl said, grinning.
"Mum..." Robbie said, turning around again. "She's...not around anymore..."
"Oh?" Karl said, panicking. "I'm sorry about that..."
"It's okay. You didn't know...but dad keeps crying when we're at home. Me too..." Robbie said, sadly. "But when we were at the game, we didn't cry when we got home! We were up all night, talking about the match! My dad was having fun again..."
"Really?" Karl said. "You and your dad sound like big fans. Thanks for your support. Robbie. Same goes for your dad."
Robbie almost squealed with joy. "When I grow up, I'm going to be on the team too! Maybe you'll be my captain!"
"I'm looking forward to it." Karl said. "You'll have to work real hard, though. Don't forget, you have to study too, okay? Our sport needs both strength and intelligence to succeed!"
"Aww, I hate studying! B-But I'll do it! I gotta go home, but I'll be at your next game with Dad!" Robbie said, excited. "Bye!"
Karl waved goodbye, as Robbie scampered into the distance. To many people, soccer meant nothing. Yet to people like Robbie, it brought their family together. Even in times of darkness, teams like Karl's gave the fans light.
If I mope around...I'll never get better. I want to win! I'm not gonna do that if I sit here, crying! Robbie and the others would be ashamed if I lost now. My career is just beginning!
He got up, staring up into the sky. Amidst the clouds, there were patches of blue sky. Those seemed brighter now. Karl began walking again, but with a different destination in mind. He might never travel with Zao or Aimee again, but even so, he had to venture down his own life's path.
|Amara's Apartment|17:50 pm|
Stella stood outside the front door, garbed in her trademark attire. The news of Zao had reached the office, and there had been a heavy atmosphere all day. Even Colette could not bring herself to be bubbly, and Juan had no energy to flirt. Sheila was quiet, and of course, Amara's desk was completely empty.
There may be nothing I can do for you. Yet I must try, as hardest as I must. A locked door will not stop me.
Stella knocked on the door twice. No response. Shrugging, she knocked again. While there were sounds of stirring inside, no one came to the door.
"Amara! It's Stella!"
Slowly, footsteps grew nearer to the door, and it was opened. Amara stood there, with bags under her eyes, in yesterday's clothes.
"...What are you doing here?" Amara asked. "I don't really want to hang out..."
"Now is not the time to shut me out." Stella said, shaking her head. "This is not mere socialising. Call this an intervention." She raised the shopping bag in her hand, filled to the brim with essentials. The same ones Amara was running low on.
"How did you know I needed more coffee?" Amara asked, blinking.
"I know you very well." Stella said, pointing towards the middle of her forehead. "This gift has granted me so much insight into the lives of others - more than I ever wanted. And yet, so few people know who I really am. Now...I will show you."
"Huh?" Amara asked. "Stella, I don't need this..."
Stella, in one swift movement, took off her turban - and something else came down with it. Her turquoise hair dropped to the floor. Then, Stella reached at her eyes, and out came what looked like purple coloured contacts. Finally, Stella wiped away her eyebrows.
"...I am Sophie White." Stella said. He voice sounded softer, more innocent now. "That girl from Kanaloa, who nearly died after falling off the roof. ...Or rather, she did die. Stella Cleon rose from her ashes, and deceived everybody I ever knew. Sophie disappeared without a trace..."
"Stella..." Amara murmured.
Sophie sat down, and she quickly pulled out another wig. It was the exact same style as the turquoise one, but in blonde. She quickly put it on, with matching eyebrows.
"That used to be what my real hair was like." Stella said, smiling. "Everyone said I was a cute girl. Then...it started falling out. I was screaming every morning I woke up and found clumps on my pillow. So finally, my mother had it shaved off."
"So...the kids at Kanaloa bullied you for being bald?" Amara asked.
"Right. I had wigs, but they knew they were fake. The taunts they used to use...I will never forget them. It didn't help, having lesbian parents. Each day was worse than the last, culminating in that moment...that bitch dragged me to the rooftop! She said she was going to see if any more hair fell out! And...she lost her grip!" Sophie slammed her fist on the sofa, seething with rage. "I was in hospital for months. I could walk, but I would never be strong enough to go skiing. Thanks to that stupid girl, my dream was over!"
Amara was silent. She sat next to Sophie, and held her hand.
"I told you once, in that hotel room in Glasswater, that I never knew my father." Stella said. "Even though I had two wonderful mothers, I had an urge to find out the truth. Now that I have...I wish I hadn't."
"Was he...a bad man?" Amara asked.
"...Yes." Stella said. "He had a friend he knew since childhood. They trusted each other deeply. Yet he scammed his friend out of all his savings, leaving him broke. My father ran away, never to be seen again. Or so everyone believed. His friend chased him, and...well, now my father sleeps at the bottom of the ocean."
Amara had no words. Stella was baring her heart, and little by little, the layers of mystique and ambiguity were unravelling. She was just a human girl, with strange powers. And those powers could be both blessings or a curse.
"You might be wondering where I'm going with this." Sophie said. "...I don't even know. You were the first friend I made at Real People, and the one that matters the most. It feels like you earned the right to know what makes me tick."
"Sophie, huh?" Amara said. "It feels weird calling you that."
"Then you can call me Stella when we're working." Sophie said. "This is between the two of us. I thought I was casting aside the past, and reinventing myself, but that was just running away. Meeting you made me think. I don't want to run from being Sophie anymore. I want to go back to being normal...but as long as I keep my powers, I'm stuck being Stella."
"Stella, Sophie, it doesn't really matter. They're the same in the end." Amara said. "...You really bought all of this for me? Hold on, I'll reimburse you -"
"Not necessary." Sophie said, smiling. "These are times of need. You may return to work tomorrow, or in weeks. Months, even. I cannot tell you to hasten your grief. Yet you must know, that you won't be alone. Keep in mind I can open any locked door, if I put my mind to it."
"...That's creepy." Amara said, with a slight smile. "But I see where you're coming from. Stella, thank you."
"No need for gratitude. Just by being near you, I feel stronger than a thousand titans." Sophie said. "And I will share with you that strength, for as long as you need."
"What would you do if you lost your power?" Amara asked. "If you couldn't do any of your psychic work anymore, what would happen?"
"Simple. Stella Cleon would never be seen again. Her name would be lost in the annals of time, just like any other. As for me, I wonder...there won't be any way of knowing. Yet that makes the future much more interesting." Sophie said. She picked up her turban, and the discarded wig and eyebrows. "Amara...there is a place I feel you should see."
"...Where?" Amara asked, uneasily.
"You'll soon find out." Stella said. "Do not forget. If you need my strength, you will have it."
|Reginald's Home|19:04 pm|
"Eat up, son." Reginald said gently. "You need to keep your strength up. Don't want you starving, do we? Especially after today."
"I know...thank you." Nathan said, shakily eating a forkful of lamb casserole. Priscilla ate hers, yet her eyes were on him the whole time.
"And don't worry about Kowalski. His wife will keep him safe." Reginald said. "You, Nathan...you did a great thing today. You should be proud."
"I know. Joe was so happy to have us there..." Nathan said, trembling. "But what if I were in Joe's position? What if you never got to see us married?"
"Ah...so that's what's bothering you." Reginald said. "Nathan, you don't have to fret about that. I've been cutting down, after all. I want to be able to fit in my best suit on the big day. I'll be right in front, in perfect health. And that's a promise."
Nathan did not reply, yet he nodded, and smiled at his father. Reginald chuckled, showing off his gleaming white teeth.
"It's good to see you happy again." Reginald said. Then he turned to the right, to a shelf of photographs. One of them was of Reginald and Daphne on their wedding day, both with looks of complete joy on their faces.
"I'd forgotten how beautiful she was..." Priscilla said, admiring the happy couple.
"That was before we were even born." Nathan said, fondly. "March 17th, 1976. I remember trying to buy presents with pocket money to help celebrate it...good times."
"After your wonderful mother passed away, I couldn't find the energy to cheer myself up. Not after thirty five years of marriage." Reginald said. "Do you know what kept me going? You, Nathan. After all, you are our legacy. The scion of the family."
"Dad..." Nathan said, looking embarrassed. "I'm not that special-"
"Ah, of course. Humble as always." Reginald said, amused. "Let me just say this. Nathan, I've been proud of you since the moment I held you in my arms. You're a lot more than special. So whatever the future has in store for you, don't give up. Your friend wouldn't want that, would he?"
"No, of course not." Nathan said. "I'll make sure he's half as proud of me as you are!"
"Good lad!" Reginald said, as he messed up his son's hair. "I'm looking forward to handing over the company. Just remember, if you ever need to unwind, you and I will head down to the golf course. Perhaps someday, you'll win."
"You shouldn't tease him, Reginald..." Priscilla said, sheepish. "He'll throw himself into training just to prove himself!"
"Of course he will. That's my son!" Reginald said.
|Serena's Room|18:40 pm|
Serena had finished a quiet dinner with her family, having ate some roast chicken For quite some time, she had dreaded evenings like these, and had ate out as often as she could - usually at Kyle's house. Yet now, after visiting the memorial, she wanted to stay here, even if her mother couldn't quite get the potatoes crispy enough. Somehow, that didn't matter tonight. Just hearing them talk about their own lives was enough. Serena felt herself engaging in conversation more and more. Granted, some topics were still awkward, but it was a welcome change from the animosity she had felt for so long.
I guess I love them after all...but we've got a long way to go.
Just then, someone knocked on her door. She went to get it, and gasped. "Kyle! You didn't have to come round..."
"I wanted to. I've been worried about you all day, and...I couldn't just leave you." Kyle said, blushing. "You look a bit happier...that's a relief."
"Maybe." Serena said. "I was having a long think about Nina. She was a wonderful older sister, Kyle. More than I realised. But after she died, I thought it was her fault Mum and Dad ignored me...so I think I started hating her too."
"Are you going to be okay?" Kyle asked.
"I think so. It'll be hard to forget about Zao...but if it was easy, that would be even worse." Serena said. "Great friends are hard to come by. Thank goodness I met you!"
"You're the one who saved me, Serena. Without you, I might never have gotten over Matthew. Hey...um...I dunno how to say this, but..."
"What?" Serena asked, confused. "Come on, ask me anything."
"I think - I know you and those other people are involved with something big."
"W-What?" Serena said, panicking. "What are you talking about?"
"Those dreams I had, about me and you. Remembering things I'm sure I've never seen before. Ever since June, you've been acting weird, and you're always busy at random nights." Kyle said. "It doesn't take a genius to know you're up to something."
"Kyle, I -"
"It's alright. You don't have to tell me yet." Kyle said, smiling. "But you're not going to give up, are you? Zao wouldn't want that. And neither do I. I have a feeling this thing is pretty big!"
"...Of course I won't. For Zao, and for everybody else. Especially you - no, especially us." Serena said, her heart swelling with pride. "Once it's all over, I promise I'll tell you everything. You're going to be pretty impressed."
"Is that right?" Kyle asked. "I'm looking forward to it. Just remember, no matter what happens on your 'nights off', I'll be there for you."
"I know that, silly!" Serena said, chuckling. "I don't know how to thank you..."
"Well, you could give me a hand with my programming. You know how to write in Python, yeah?" Kyle asked. He pulled out his laptop, and soon, the two of them were hard at work debugging a large piece of software.
I know what matters now. What's real. Kyle, Mum, Dad, Nina, and everybody else. For them, I'll do my best.
"Oh yeah! I know a great joke. A programmer goes out for a walk, and his wife asks him to buy milk, and if they have eggs, to get a dozen. He came back with a dozen bottles of milk..."
|Blaine's House|10:40 pm|
It was dark now, and Blaine was sitting back on the sofa. Dan wouldn't be home for a few hours, but he had sent quite a few messages checking up on him. Yet after the letter, everything seemed clear now.
Zao may have died yesterday. That was something Blaine and the others would have to accept, no matter how much it hurt. Yet he knew now, that no matter how much time passed, Zao would be part of his life, just like his father. It had been so hard, accepting his father's death. Yet he could never be part of the Eternal Road. If he did that, his father would never forgive him, and nor would his mother, Matthew, or Zao.
Blaine had spent some time sitting quietly, reminiscing about his father. So many little things were coming back to him - like getting a stern telling off for smashing a window, only to get consoled after breaking down in tears. Then the time he was taken to the hairdressers his mother worked, so he could get a 'handsome cut, just like his pops'. Everyone back then remarked on how cute he looked. Not much change there, then, huh dad?
Just then, he heard his phone ring, right as he began to shut his eyes. Yawning, and confused, he answered it, without looking at the caller.
"Hey...what's up?"
"Blaine?" His eyes lit up. That was Lucy's voice. Hearing her speak made his heart skip a beat, but he calmed down.
"Yeah, it's me. What's going on, Lu? You okay?" Blaine asked.
"Not really...I saw something horrible in the paper this morning." Lucy said, nervously. "You know what I mean, don't you? About Zao...no wonder Amara wasn't at work today..."
"Ah...yeah." Blaine said. "I can't stop thinking about it...he was only eight years younger than I am. That little scamp was always running around, yelling about his fish, or his parties, or his girlfriend...and now he's gone..."
"I know...we were just at a party with him!" Lucy said, sounding tearful. "Why did he have to die now? He was just getting started!"
"Whoa...don't upset yourself, Lu. It's not like you could have helped him." Blaine said, now worried. "Lucy...you always did tease him, but you were fond of him, huh?"
"Y-Yeah...he was kind of sweet, and Amara always went on about how happy she and him were together...and without her in the office, it's like she's gone too..." Lucy said. "What if it had been..."
"...Me?" Blaine finished. He heard Lucy sobbing, and sighed. "Lucy...I'm going to be around for as long as I can. My parents died before I even hit twenty, you knew that. But I swear, I won't let that happen to me. You and me are going to be together for a long time, I promise."
"...You mean it?" Lucy said, still tearful. "I really hope so..."
"Hey, why don't I come over? There's something I found today I wanna show you." Blaine said, looking at the letter on the table.
"Blaine, after this many times, I think I can remember every detail of it." Lucy said, dryly.
"Lucy! You dirty girl!" Blaine said. Right then and there, they both burst out laughing. "No, I'm serious. I wouldn't show this to just anyone. Only people I really love. So basically, Dan and you."
"Sounds good...Shirley's asleep, so try not to be too loud." Lucy said. "I'll see you soon, then. Blaine, I love you."
"I love you too, Lu." Blaine said, smiling. After hanging up, he grabbed the letter. The one that had given him hope to save the entire planet, the one more personal to him than any other. Now he was going to show Lucy, so she could know he would be alright. Then maybe she could rest easier...
Dad, if you're watching...don't worry about a thing. I'll get in that world, and protect it. Lucy, Dan, and everybody else that matters to me. Don't forget to celebrate with Mom when I'm done, okay?
Legarte Harbour|18:30 pm|
Karl had arrived, holding a bouquet of orange flowers in his hand. His favourite colour, and Zao knew it. He got some peculiar looks as he walked through the harbour, yet that mattered none.
Soon, he was where he wanted to be. The dock where Zao's boat sailed every day. To his surprise, there was a photograph of him stuck to a post, of him smiling stood next to his equally amused grandfather. Beneath the photograph was the text:
Zao, our little minnow:
17/10/1990 - 10/10/2012
You are as boundless as the sea.
Karl smiled, especially when he saw what was beneath the photograph. So many flowers, of widely different kinds. Each one had a written card attached, each with heartfelt words of sorrow. Karl, however, decided that Zao would prefer something different. So, he slowly lowered his orange roses, and opened the card for all to see.
You'll have a season pass whenever you want, buddy.
"Karl?!"
He turned around, and gasped. In a purple coat, was Amara, holding purple flowers. Next to her was Stella, dressed in a heavy black jacket.
"You came..." Karl said. "You see these? He meant a lot to everybody here. It's amazing..."
"In times like these, the good of people's hearts shows. If only it didn't take such dreadful circumstances..." Stella said, sadly.
"Zao...was special." Amara said, her eyes watering. Quickly, she placed the flowers amongst all the others. "I never thought I'd be giving him flowers. Not like this."
"It is a tragedy. No question." Stella said. "The Motus Rebels have lost a dear friend. Karl, what are you going to do now?"
"I'm...going back to the other world." Karl said, uneasy. "If I didn't, I'd be letting Aimee down. She needs our help, now more than ever."
"That's very noble of you." Stella said, turning to Amara. "Don't forget...it isn't only your sister that needs you."
"Stella, what are you saying?!" Amara shouted. "I don't need Karl! But I'm not going back to that world, either!"
"Amara..." Karl said. "It's alright. You don't have to go. Maybe no one else will come back with me. If that's the case, I promise we'll win."
He began to walk away, and Stella gasped. Amara frowned, and looked back at the flowers laid in Zao's name.
"Amara, did you hear that? He'll go back to the other world, no matter if anyone else does!" Stella said.
"You think they wouldn't?" Amara said, sighing. "You don't know them at all. They've all got something to fight for, don't they? Nathan and Priscilla! Serena and Kyle! Blaine and Dan! But look where fighting got Zao! I can't ever go back there!"
"Amara, look at me." Stella said. "Time is running short. The Divine Sparks may have not summoned the Eternal Road right away, but it's not far off. Do you want Nihane to erase all of us? Do you think this world will be spared?"
"...What?!" Amara said. "What are you saying?"
"That dimension has been linked to ours ever since the day the timeline split." Stella said, ominously. "Haven't you noticed? More and more people are talking online of having dreams of that world! So many clients come to me, wondering why certain places fill them with dread. Someone just e-mailed me today saying they thought there was a giant crater where Solar Ray Mall stood!"
"...So what's going on?!" Amara asked.
"It's just as I told you. The dimensions have been linked! You know the multiverse theory, do you not? Every possibility exists as a separate universe, but those universes cannot interact with each other. Yet thanks to the Shadows, two dimensions are connected. If one were to be destroyed, do you think the other would be safe?"
"No..." Amara said. "The cloaked man - Archibald was right all along."
"What are you talking about?" Stella asked.
"He said our worlds were linked, and if we didn't return, the worlds would be lost." Amara said, shuddering. "...I didn't know anything back then. I wanted everything to go back to normal so much! But that'll never happen. Unless I go back, right?"
"...Right." Stella said. "Go after Karl. Now!"
"Fine." Amara said. Hastily, she ran after Karl, and grabbed him by the sleeve.
"Huh? What's wrong?" Karl asked.
"I changed my mind...I'm going back." Amara said, nonchalantly. "If I don't, something terrible might happen. Not just to you, but to everyone. Stella said so."
"...Are you sure this is what you want?" Karl asked.
"Neither of us are going in because we want to." Amara said. "We just have to."
"Speak for yourself." Karl said, frowning. "We meet tomorrow at half six, in the usual place. Is that okay with you?" Amara nodded, looking away. "Okay then. I'll see you there. ...Take care."
"Relax, Karl. You don't have to watch over me." Amara said. Without waiting for a response, she turned away, and left.
"...It's like you've died too."
|Legarte Harbour|12:15 am|
The harbour was deserted, yet the sea breeze continued to blow over the area. The crashing waves splashed over the piers, still standing after all of these years. However, a person had just arrived on the scene, holding a bouquet of white flowers. It was Aimee, who had been hiding in the shadows all the way from Farawell.
"Is the coast clear?" She asked, looking to Seraphina on her right.
"Affirmative." Seraphina said. "Make haste! Passers-by are imminent in five minutes and twelve seconds!"
The first girl nodded, and marched towards the gathering of flowers beneath Zao's picture. She stared at it, longingly looking into his face.
"Lady Aimee, we cannot linger in this realm for long. If we were to be sighted, the disruption that would ensue would be unavoidable." Seraphina said firmly.
"I know!" Aimee snapped. "But...these flowers are so beautiful...some of them are from Bianca's shop, aren't they?"
"Three of them are. Solar Ray Mall is indeed as convenient as they say." Seraphina said. "I apologise. This is not going to be easy for you. For any of us."
"For a long time, I dreamed of finding Zao again. You know...we were little children, but he was my first love." Aimee said, tearfully. "He was a charmer, even back in those days. I used to love it when he showed up out of the blue, bringing those toy cars I loved so much. He said one day we'd ride in a real one..."
"The truth is often harsher than we like." Seraphina said. "Knowing that truth is a curse, robbing us of the bliss of ignorance that leads to fanciful imagination."
"Don't say it like that! I was sure when Amara and the others came along we'd find him! I promised Karl before he died I'd reach Zao..." Aimee said. "I didn't know where to look, but if I could get more people in the rebellion, we'd have a great chance of finding him! And...everything went wrong! I couldn't save either Zao..."
"You are not to blame, Lady Aimee. Surely you must realise this." Seraphina said. "Zao wished to spare you the burden of fighting what had become of his other self. That was his kindness. Do you intend to abandon your goal?"
"My goal...?" Aimee asked. "The Divine Sparks have all happened, Seraphina! What else is there to do but wait for the Eternal Road?"
"If you truly believed that, you would not have risked being caught in this world to lay flowers here." Seraphina said, angrily. "Instead, you would have stayed in the base until the very end."
"...I don't know what to do!" Aimee cried. "I just thought it'd be easier than this! But...everything has been for nothing!"
"You are grossly incorrect, Lady Aimee. Regard everyone working for your rebellion. Sir Kyle has become very fond of you. Sir Dan devotes himself to helping you and everybody else. Lady Priscilla is one of your staunchest allies! And I...have been proud to be living under your roof, serving you all! Are you meaning to tell me that meeting all of us has been for nothing?!"
"I...no, that's not..." Aimee mumbled. "I love everyone in our team. We're practically a family. That was worthwhile, I'm not denying that."
"Our hearts all beat to the same tune. We intend to continue our quest to end the Shadows. Do you intend to give up, and leave us be?" Seraphina asked adamantly.
"No, I don't." Aimee said sternly. "I have no idea how to stop the Eternal Road, and maybe I never did. But trying to find a way with everyone has been wonderful! I've met so many different people, even discovered another world! I got to see Karl again. I don't want to let Nihane have his way with the planet!"
"Your second wind begins today." Seraphina said, smiling. "If Zao can watch us, I am sure he would be smiling again."
"I hope so." Aimee said. "It still hurts...but just wait until our world's back to being like this! Then he'll be proud of all of us!"
Seraphina looked relieved, but quickly motioned for Aimee to step back. "We must get going. Even at this hour, the walls have eyes."
The two of them vanished into the night, their only trace being the white flowers among the rest.