AN: If you've paid attention to my chapter naming, you'll have noticed that the 'Blue' ones involve Zao to some degree. This will be the last one. Which, after Chapter 75, can only mean one thing. I assure you, no matter what happens, Zao will never be forgotten. As always, thanks to all my readers. Particularly CurioOfTheHeart, who has been a great help! Please read and review. I may add a scene here later featuring Shirley performing at one of the TR venues, but since it's really just fluff, I'm leaving it out for the time being. Also, right now the Scottish Referendum results are starting to come out. I'm kind of hoping for a No result, but we'll see what happens.
Chapter 80: Eternal Blue
|October 21st|Furaha Household|10:30 AM|
"Dad, thanks for coming with me." Amara said. She was dressed up in her best black clothes. It didn't feel right to just wear black for today, however, so she put a pair of blue earrings on. Zao's favourite.
"No need." Rudo said. "After all that's happened, this is the least I can do. My poor girl...this must have been an awful shock. I can see it in your eyes..."
They sat down on the sofa, anxiously waiting for Karl and his family. It had been months since Amara had last met Tracy and John Davenport, but after becoming acquainted with Aimee, she felt truly sorry for them. They had lost such a beautiful daughter, that dreadful day of the explosion. And Amara was there.
While she was not looking forward to seeing Karl's parents, it was Zao's family she was dreading the most. Having met Deo on occasion, she had managed to grow accustomed to his eccentricities, such as the famous beard, an even greater passion for fishing, and his affinity for jazz. Yet in the time she had known Zao, not once had he taken her to meet his parents. How bad had relations between them become?
This is going to be the longest day of my life, isn't it? I hope everyone turns up.
When the funeral's date was announced, Amara had immediately informed Nathan, Serena and Blaine, all hoping they would be there. She had an inkling they were all no stranger to funerals, and Karl had been to his sister's when he was only eleven years old. This would be Amara's second. So much had happened since that time she had fled from the service crying, but nothing had stopped her from wearing her mother's keepsake. And she had it around her neck today, for Zao had never seen her without it.
Today would be no different, either.
"Amara, I want you to know something." Rudo said. "No matter what happens, your life continues. You have much left to accomplish...even if he can't see it with you."
"...I know." Amara said. "I just didn't think it'd move so fast. We were spending every day together by the end! I couldn't wait to finish work and see his face. But...I'll never see it again, will I?"
"No, Amara. But you will never forget it, either." Rudo said. "Just as you never forgot your mother. Today...I will sit by your side. Alongside all your friends."
Finally, the doorbell rang. Rudo went to open the door, and in came Karl, dressed in a handsome black suit - with a blue tie. Next to him was his father John, a rather burly looking man who often was frowning. Yet today he looked rather calm, and nodded in Amara's direction.
Also, there was Tracy, a grey-haired woman who had a surprisingly husky voice. She tended to smother both her son and Amara in hugs whenever the two of them came round to visit, and had a strong perfume on most times. Yet today, she had only put a dab of a subtler fragrance on, and merely shook Amara's hand.
Do they blame me from breaking up with Karl? No, surely not. They must have realised it wasn't my fault. Now is no time to dredge that up.
"It's good to see you both again." Amara said, nervously.
"Same." John said. "Karl told us about you and Zao. You and his childhood friend - I never expected that. I completely forgot about Zao after we moved away. It must be fate."
"The last time I ever saw him, he was a tidy bundle of excitement. Always wanted to play with our children..." Tracy said. "...He gave us both plenty of headaches. But...he made Karl and Aimee very happy. I can't believe he's gone..."
"Shall I make us some tea before we leave?" Rudo asked. Karl nodded, and the other four sat down. Amara felt the piercing stares on her, and shuddered, but Karl held her hand.
"I always liked playing soccer with Zao." Karl suddenly said. Amara looked at him, surprised. "...He wasn't as good as me, though. But it was just fun to kick a ball about, and run all over the place. Aimee would cheer at us, but she kept trying to make me let Zao win."
"That's right." John said. "He'd cry, and she'd get mad, and you'd all get in a big fight, but then we'd call you in for dinner, we'd make you make up and then you all went back to laughing together. ...Those were good days."
"The best..." Tracy said. "Amara...you know about Aimee, right?"
"Now I do." Amara said. But I can't say how, no matter what.
"She was my -our daughter. So beautiful, and an angel. Everyday, she would go around trying to stop people fighting. Then...the explosion happened. My baby was helpless..." Tracy said, shaking. "Karl...took it the worst. He was the only one left of the gang...and now, it's happened all over again."
"Mum..." Karl mumbled. "I wish I could have helped plan today. But whenever I called Zao's parents, they just said they'd take care of everything."
"I'm sure they'll make it a respectful service." John said. "Robin's a smart man. He's an accountant, after all. There's no way he'd mess up something as important as this."
"I hope you're right..." Karl said. "I'll just have to deal with whatever comes. I've been through this before, I can handle it again. I just wish it didn't have to be that church!"
"Nothing you can do." Tracy said, holding her son's hand. "We'll be brave for Aimee. Alright?"
"Of course, mum." Karl said. No one else had much to say, not even when Rudo came to serve the tea. Eventually, they were done, and it was time to go. All five of them got inside Rudo's black limo, and made their way towards the church.
|Guildstone Cemetery|11:25 pm|
This place may have been in Kanaloa, but it still managed to look pleasant. Gardeners made sure to keep the grass trim and vibrant, and flowers were in bloom in every direction. Dan and Kyle were by the front gate , looking around.
"Really appreciate you coming here with me." Dan said. "Blaine couldn't come. Today is Zao's funeral, you know."
"Yeah, Serena told me. I hope they'll be okay." Kyle said, anxious.
"I know Blaine. He'll get through it. Might have to stay up all night talking with him again, though, over a few beers. The price you pay when you live with your best friend." Dan said. "...Still, if I had been living on my own, I doubt I could have gotten through these past two years."
"You're so lucky. I never had a brother." Kyle said. "Matthew sure felt like one, though."
"Then you had one!" Dan said, cheerfully. "Anyway, it's to the right. Haven't been back here in ages. He's probably pissed as hell. Every time I was late for something, he'd give me the silent treatment for days. Better late than never, I used to say."
Kyle followed Dan through the small graveyard, until they finally reached it. On it, in black engraved letters, was the name 'Matthew Kingsley', and the years '1992-2010'. The both of them were quiet, as they looked into the stone with his name. Finally, Dan began to speak.
"Yo..." Dan said. "Sorry I ain't been here in a while. Some big brother I am, huh? But I'm here now, so don't sulk. I always turn up in the end, because it's you."
"Dan...?" Kyle said.
"Oh yeah, how come you never told me about your friends?" Dan said, crouching down, arm around Kyle. "You should have told me about this kid! Could have gotten Blaine to cook him something. Wouldn't trust me with that, would ya? I never did learn how to make toast. Course, that was cause we never bought a good toaster!"
"...Hi, Matthew." Kyle finally said. "I didn't know where your grave was. I'm so sorry I didn't come before. But...please don't get upset. With you gone, it was hard to stay strong. You see, you were my only friend for a long time. You were so much cooler than me, so brave, I never understood what you saw in me. But now I think I do. I was your brother, Matthew. You felt the same, didn't you?"
"Guess two big bros weren't enough!" Dan said, chuckling. "Matthew, you had to get on the bandwagon, didn't ya? Well, looks like it worked out well. Kyle's doing great at school - and he's at a nice big one, not like the dumps here! And he's even got himself a girlfriend!"
"Um - That's right. It's Serena. The one I told you about! Blonde, always playing her DS or reading those books you said were the wrong way round!" Kyle said, smiling. "She and I have a lot in common. I really think...that it'll work out. Without you, I'd never be that way. I don't know how to thank you enough."
"Things have been pretty much the same with me." Dan said. "Still driving that bus, drinking with Dan - but there's a lady I like. Her name's Shirley. You should hear her play the piano sometime, it's amazing. Finally, a use for that dusty old thing I never bothered taking away! Haha!"
"Matthew, um...don't worry about me. I'll be fine without you. Of course, I'm not really without you, am I? You're probably watching us, making sure we don't screw up. Well, keep at it. I'll make you proud, I swear it!" Kyle said, his voice trembling.
"Not a day's gone by that I haven't thought of you." Dan said, eyes watering. "I'll...never stop being your big brother. I gave up on everything two years ago, but that stops now. Before I'm up there with you and our folks, I'll have done all sorts of stuff. Just you wait! Till then, you take care. I'll come again soon. Blaine says he'll pop down sometime, so say hi to him for me. You're always my little brother."
Kyle and Dan turned to each other, and despite the tears coming fast, there was a wave of relief from them. Now they had faced the shadows of their past. A massive weight had been lifted, one that had been keeping their hopes grounded for years. With that weight gone, the sky was the limit. Their yearning for Matthew would never stop, but now they knew life still had plenty to offer.
"How do you feel?" Dan asked.
"...Great." Kyle said. "I'm really glad I got to meet Matthew. And you, actually."
"Same." Dan said, smiling. "Listen. Now that we've done this, there's no reason for us to hang out, right? I'll see you around."
"Oh...sure." Kyle said. Dan started laughing, however, and Kyle gulped. "Huh?"
"I'm kidding, stupid! Course I wanna hang out!" Dan said. "Next time you do a race, I'll watch without running off! Or you can try playing those games with me - they sound helluva fun! Whatever you want, kid, I'll be there! You're my pal now, so don't think you're getting rid of me that easily!"
"Dammit. I thought I could have made my escape!" Kyle said, sticking his tongue out. "Not that I can run away, can I? Maybe if I could make this thing fly..."
"Hey, you seen how tall I am? I'd pull you down in no time!" Dan said. Both of them were laughing away, and as they left, Dan held Kyle's hand.
They had lost a brother. Yet now they had a friendship that would never break, no matter what might strain it.
|Legarte - Sacred Heart Church - Outside|11:35 pm|
Until today, Amara had never given this place much thought. It was a typical looking Catholic church, with a large graveyard around the centuries-old building. Yet now she was up close, she began to appreciate the beauty, the magnitude of this place of worship. Every inch of grass was cared for, and every stone was kept clean and shining, to forever remind the eyes of the person that was laid to rest here. Grassy growth was on the front of the walls, making the place seem like it had been embraced by Mother Nature.
The group got out of the car, and when Amara looked to the right, she felt relieved. Waiting there dutifully were Nathan, Serena, and Blaine. The two men were dressed in their best suits, also with blue ties on, whilst Serena wore a long-sleeved black dress with her favourite necklace.
"Amara..." Serena said. They looked at her, and when she came over, each one embraced her tightly.
"Thanks...for coming." Amara said, weakly. "Zao would have been proud."
"I sure hope so." Blaine said. "We should have been celebrating his birthday. Another year older. I'd have made it one hell of a party. Now..."
"Karl, who are these people?" Tracy said, staring at them. "Are these friends of Zao?"
"Yes, mum. This is Serena, that's Nathan, and he's Blaine." Karl said, gesturing towards everyone. "Zao...meant a lot to them."
"I see." John said. "Zao always did end up causing trouble, but it was hard to stay angry at him."
"We felt the exact same way." Nathan said, smiling. "I've got a feeling I'll remember Zao for a long time. The stunts he pulled in the other...um..."
"Other what?" Tracy asked. "You didn't get up to anything stupid, did you?"
"No, it's not like that! Us guys were at the new pub in Farawell, called Other World or something!" Blaine said. "Zao loves to dance, you see, but after a few drinks he gets carried away, and before you know it, we're all being asked to finish up and leave cause Zao's dancing on top of the table-"
Right that second, the hearse arrived. Amara gasped - in that beautiful wooden coffin was Zao. Flowers were on top, spelling out his name. And there was a framed photograph of him, too. Out of the hearse came two weary looking people. One was a brunette woman, with grey eyes. She looked like she hadn't slept in years. The man was no healthier, with greying hair, bleary unfocused eyes, and crow's feet very prominent.
"That's..." Karl began to say. Amara nodded. Diana and Robin Yuria. She had known barely anything about them, instead learning all about his grandfather. She did know, however, that Deo was Diana's father. Then another car parked by the pavement. Out came an older man with the thickest beard she had ever seen, wearing a black cap to hide his bald patch. Furthermore, slightly younger looking men walked out of the car - Zao's fishing buddies.
"Deo." Amara mumbled. "I..."
"Glad you came." Deo said. Just from looking at him, Amara could tell he was trying his absolute hardest to keep it together. His fists were clenched, his cheeks were wet from tears, and he couldn't even look at anyone.
"Dad..." Diana said, grabbing her father's arm. "Let's go inside -"
"Not yet. We agreed last night - I'll be a pall bearer." Deo said, angrily. "Karl, will you -"
"No need to ask." Karl said, walking over to the hearse. "This is the last thing I can do for him."
"Hold on. We'll help too." Nathan said, and he and Blaine came over. The four of them, plus Robin and one of the fishermen, began to carry the coffin. Amara watched, as Serena held her hand tightly. Inside that coffin was the man who had made her smile non-stop this year...
"Serena, are you okay?" Amara thought to ask.
"I'll...be fine..." Serena said, even with the tears streaming down her eyes. Diana stared directly at Amara, examining her closely.
"...Mrs Yuria." Amara said. "It's...a tragedy we couldn't have met earlier."
Diana just scowled, and stormed inside the church. Now is no time to chat. I've got to keep it together. For you, Zao. You must have had your reasons for never introducing me to your parents.
There are so many things I wanted to do with you, Zao. Not just defeating Aeternus. I wanted you to see my homeland. I wanted to go to the theme park again with you. I wanted us to live in a bigger apartment, and I'd have cleaned up my pencils and paper sometimes. And I wanted so much more.
Now today I'm at your funeral, saying goodbye to you. My friends are trying to make sure I don't fall apart. Your parents have lost their only child, and your grandfather's going to have to go to Clairdol alone.
"Amara?" Serena said. "It's...time we went inside."
Amara nodded, and with a heavy heart, she walked up the cracked steps and through the archway.
|Nova Albion - Augustus Square|12:00 pm|
The True Revolution, or the 'BIG TR' as advertised on most posters and billboards, was underway. Therefore, tons of concerts, comedy shows, plays and other performances were propping up all over the city, and exotic food stalls were around offering delicacies from all over the world.
Here, Stella was spending her weekend and enjoying a rather delightful bratwurst. Thankfully, she had the foresight to wear her less outlandish black outfit. She hoped that instead of being identified as a psychic, she would just be considered a perky gothic lady.
"Wow." She said, watching a performing juggling swords on top of a unicycle. Now if I could do that, I wouldn't need to read people's minds anymore.
She briefly wished she had asked Amara to come with her, but then it hit her again. Today was Zao's own funeral. A truly awful occasion to have to attend. For a long time, she had hoped for Amara and Zao's future to be a long and joyful one. Alas, her powers had failed to predict the nightmare that was October 10th. For years to come, that day would be a dreaded one for many.
I must remember to ask Amara how it went. She did return to work, so she must have regained some of her strength. Yet a day like this can easily destroy it all again. How many setbacks did I go through after I fell from the roof? I must spare Amara from that fate.
She walked through the square, browsing the stalls and dodging people handing out leaflets. When she reached the far end, she gasped. Nibbling on a slice of raspberry & almond cake was none other than Priscilla Lancaster, with a bag filled with various novelties by her side.
"Oh!" Priscilla said, putting down her cake on the table. "Good to see you again!"
"Same to you." Stella said, apprehensively. "Um...I'm off duty. Please, leave your questions for today -"
"You can relax, I'm not after consultation today." Priscilla said. "How are you enjoying the festival this year? Did you see that man juggling the torches?"
"Which one?" Stella asked, and they both chuckled. "Well, I saw plenty of those, but most impressive was the unicyclist. To think he makes a living doing that. Amazing, no?"
"Perhaps. However, I'd say yours is the more fascinating vocation." Priscilla commented. Stella's smile immediately vanished, drawing Priscilla's concern. "Oh, you don't believe so? Your ability to read the future like an open book is unprecedented. You manage to predict whatever my friends will do!"
"It is impressive, I know." Stella said, with no hint of passion in her voice. "Yet...every time a soul comes to me with a request for help, and I try to seek out what I need, I open the floodgates to everything that composes their being. More information is thrust upon me that I ever wanted. Each time, I feel like I will lose my identity and memory."
"...My goodness." Priscilla said, humble. "Um...I can only apologise for badgering you with my requests. How long have you been troubled like this?"
"Only recently." Stella said. "Meeting a certain someone has had a profound affect on me. I merely took the job of a psychic because it felt easy with actual powers. But there is no challenge to my work. However, there are rare times where I find myself struggling to give someone advice. I even break a sweat."
"...Then why not change?" Priscilla asked. "You shouldn't stay at a job where you aren't fulfilled. It doesn't matter how many people craze your clairvoyance, if it only serves to harm you."
"I...do appreciate the thought." Stella said, looking up at the sky. A plane was landing, it's trail visible across the cloud-embittered sky. "But I have no training in anything else. It's a miracle I was hired for Real People, truth be told."
"Change doesn't have to be instantaneous. Believe me, I know." Priscilla said, thoughtfully. "Nathan and I have been together for over ten years, yet it took until now for him to propose. And also...like you, I found myself unsatisfied with my work."
"Oh?" Stella asked, curious. "What are you doing now?"
"Well, it's very early days." Priscilla said, suddenly looking proud. "But I'm finally going to follow in my mother's footsteps. I'll be the next best flautist in the city!"
"Is that so?" Stella said. "...May you have the best of luck."
"Thanks." Priscilla replied. "I hope you find something you can truly succeed in to, too. Perhaps you've been inspired by some of these talents?"
Right that second, a crowd had begun to applaud a trio of dancing women in pink suits who were twirling batons, all to rather tedious sounding pop music. Unfortunately, the middle lady lost control and dropped her baton on her foot, hopping off the stage in pain.
"...I think I'll look elsewhere."
|Sacred Heart Church|12:04 pm|
Amara was sat between her father and Karl, and they were both holding their hands. This place felt cold to her, and so dark. The only colour she could see was her ankh and Karl's blue tie. A place like this was no place for Zao. Whenever she had been around him, the world seemed to grow brighter and more vivid. Life seemed to pour out of him, whenever he laughed or smiled. Now all of that had been sucked away. The somewhat young priest, Father Wallace, was finally ready to begin speaking.
"Today, we are gathered to mourn the passing of Zao Yuria, a beloved son, grandson, and friend. It is truly a tragedy that we must part with someone who gave many people happiness merely by being alive, especially at such a young age. It is not for us to now why the Lord has decided Zao's fate. All we can do is pray for a peaceful slumber. What kind of a man was Zao? I have spoken at length with Robin, Diana, and Deo, and can vouch for Zao's compassion for fishing. He cared deeply for the inhabitants of our blue seas, and made sure not a single one he caught went to waste. Indeed, the freedom of the seas inspired Zao's sheer passion to do as his heart willed, a sentiment we could learn from..."
While the priest was speaking of Zao, he cast sympathetic eyes to both of Zao's parents. Diana was wiping away tears from her eyes, and Robin was holding her hand, concentrating on the service. The more Amara listened, the more she thought back on that dreadful evening.
How did everything go so wrong so fast? They were just going for some training, only to hear about the shopping mall being closed for 'maintenance'. Then they had to fight the likes of Cuiling, Atiqah, Bruce & Sidney in the Power Tunnels, yet they were nothing Amara couldn't handle. After that, chaos seemed to strike, with Shadows all over the mall - the Holy Cross stayed behind to evacuate the shoppers. It all seemed routine, even when they discovered the Interitus Legion Compound. The priest was reading poems picked out by Diana, but Amara was too engrossed in her shadowed remembrance.
I suppose I should be glad that we put a stop to that disgusting project. Tomas devoted so much time to playing necromancer. Was he really the same as the one I know? Two sides of the same coin...a case of heads or tails. Looks like my side came up in this world.
Zao had been fiercely battling his other self the whole time Amara's group were locked into battle with the Ater Vox. When they used their signature attack to trap them in an unknown void, it seemed like all was over. Yet thoughts of Zao fuelled Amara's desire to break free and return, and thus she came back. Perhaps defeating the Ater Vox at the same time. During all of that, Other Zao must have awakened to that paranoid, vengeful state she saw him in. Convinced Zao was his clone, the result of Archibald's sick experiments. How much time had he lost since becoming SD01? If he had avoided the Ornatu Legion, he could have attained Rashnu normally, and helped the rebels. There would be no way he could refuse Aimee.
I kept hoping things would work out. I kept telling Zao that! Now look at us. We might have new Personas, but that doesn't change the fact that we're here. If only we could turn back, and fix everything. Zao could be with us, in both ways.
"And now, I would like Zao's grandfather Deo to say a few words." the priest finally said. Amara gasped - she had completely forgot about it. If she had been asked to speak, she would have possibly spoken of the other world, and cause confusion amongst the guests. Karl might have managed it better, but from the look in his eyes, he could barely keep it together.
Deo slowly walked up to the altar, and gazed at the crowd. He cleared his throat, and began talking.
"...Couldn't believe it when my daughter told me. "Dad! I'm having a baby!" Wasn't until the third time she said it that it sunk in - I was going to be a grandpa. Then nine months down the line, I finally get to see him. He's the tiniest thing I ever did see, smaller than my daughter was. Always wriggling about, trying to play with my beard or my fishing gear...he was already a handful."
Amara briefly giggled, then quickly stopped, afraid of being stared at.
"Funny story about how his name came about. Diana told me right from the start she'd love this baby forever. So Robin, the clever cod he is, looked up names that meant 'Eternal'. At the time, they were into Greek food, so lo and behold, they stumble across 'Zao'." So that was it. His name seemed so strange at the time, even compared to 'Stella Cleon', and later 'Nihane Kronos'. Yet now it seemed like a good fit. "He was always happy, my little minnow. He kept smiling, every darn time I saw him." Deo said, trying to ape Zao's grin. "He wasn't the social butterfly, but neither was I. I saw a lot of me in him. I guess it skips a generation, these things. When he was six, we went out to the sea, and he wanted to fish. Took a lot of instruction, but he finally got something. A tiny little trout, but he was so proud of it. It didn't matter where you took him - he always wanted to be near the sea."
Karl nodded, and stifled a chuckle - apparently remembering something about him. Amara would have to ask later - there were bound to be many stories about Zao she had never heard.
"Zao was alone a lot of the time, especially after his best friend Karl moved away. He put on a brave face, but I knew how much it was tearing him apart. He tried to go to college after school, but that didn't work out. Everyone put pressure on him, but he just wanted to be free." Amara noticed Deo staring directly at Robin, who shuddered, staring at the floor, and sank a little. "So when he started fishing with me and the boys, I knew it was the right choice. He was where he belonged, on the sea. Even so, he was really lonely. Never had many people to talk to...until he met a girl."
Amara gulped, and soon all eyes were on her. Flustered, she looked away, only for her father to squeeze her hand.
"Amara was all he could talk about. Imagine that, the boy who rambled on about fish, even in his dreams, now going stir-crazy about some pretty lass he met at the beach! With her, he didn't need to pretend - he was happy, and smiling for real! And then he finally got to see Karl again. Everything was going well for him, and I couldn't have been happier. Zao's joy only mattered if he found it himself, not if people told him where to go and what to do. I could finally relax - Zao had a great future ahead of him. He could have taken over for me, that was how good his fishing had become."
Is that so...? But he always said you were the master! Perhaps...Zao couldn't see how great his own talents were. He felt everyone could beat him...it must have plagued him his whole life. I wish I could have stopped that. Maybe I did, but there's no way to know now.
"Zao had so much more to do. Places to go other than this city. Fish he had only read about, or seen in the aquarium. Now, today...I have to face facts...that my grandson...my little minnow...is no more. It's like part of me's been torn away, and I'll never get it back. Time won't heal us now. I wracked my brain yesterday, trying to think of something positive to say...I finally got it. Zao managed to give us all laughter, and he made us all smile. I don't want any of you to forget that, cause if he did, that smile is going to fade away."
With that, he stepped down, and walked back to his seat. Amara, taking it all in, thought back.
It's never going to get easier, is it? Not even after today. But...if I can just imagine him standing on that beach, with the sun shining on that smiling face, maybe I can go on. If I had never known him, I doubt I'd be the same person. He got me through so many rough times in that world...and he'll see me through to the end. I'm sure of it.
"Are you alright?" Rudo asked. "It's nice to hear how much joy you brought to Zao's life."
"I...have to agree. He lost me and Aimee, but gained you." Karl said, wiping away a tear.
"...Yeah." Amara said. "But...what will Deo do now?"
"That's not up to you." Rudo said. "All you can do is hope. Someday, they'll learn to live with that pain."
|Sacred Heart Church - Graveyard|12:30 pm|
Everyone was now outside, by the hole where Zao's grave would be. In mere moments, the hole would be covered by the earth. Everyone stepped forward to throw forward a petal - all blue. It seemed Zao's favourite colour was well known among his peers. Amara stepped forward, and fighting against her tears, threw hers down. It was silly, she told herself, but she imagined Zao leaping out and catching it, and then they'd go down to the beach for another evening.
"Zao Yuria..." Amara said. "He was special. More than I'll ever know. I'll...definitely never forget him."
"...You." Robin suddenly said, looking angry. "You got my son into trouble, didn't you?"
"I...what?" Amara said, confused.
"Ever since he started talking about his new girlfriend, everything changed! He never got around to bringing her around!" Diana shouted. "Then things get strange. At night, when we tried to call him, he never picked up! What were you up to with him?"
"...We were just spending time together." Amara said, defensively. "Zao and I never got into trouble. I'd not that kind of girl!"
"That's right." Karl said. "And I was with him when he died! I...didn't know what to do! His heart couldn't take it, and he collapsed!"
"That doesn't make sense." Robin said. "There's nothing wrong with our hearts in this family! Or any other organ! Tell me the truth, Karl, or I swear, I'll send you down there myself!"
"Don't you dare threaten my son!" Tracy snarled. "Shame on you! I know your pain, I truly do! Do you not realise that Aimee isn't here? Ten years ago, I had to go to my seven year old baby's funeral! Like you, I wanted to blame everyone involved!"
"Our son did not die in a freak explosion!" Tracy said, shaking her fists. "All the police told us was that he had some kind of heart attack. I want to know, Karl. How did my son die?!"
"I already told you..." Karl said, nervously. "Please, stop asking me! It was one of the worst days of my life!"
"How do you think we feel?" Robin asked. "That evening, we were planning to ask Zao yet again to meet this precious Amara of his! Then that policewoman came to the front door, and tore our world apart! You and John still have Karl, Tracy! But our only son is dead...and I know Karl's responsible! Him, and those other people! What is our son doing, hanging around with that thug, that jailbait, and that redhead?"
"We were - no, are Zao's friends!" Serena snapped. "And don't you dare insult us! Zao would be ashamed! He loved us all!"
Finally, Deo stepped in front of his daughter, and slapped her hard across the face. Amara and the others gasped, and the priest turned white and froze.
"That's enough, young lady." Deo said, icily. "I knew today was going to be hell, but now you've done it! What does it matter how he died? Will finding out bring him back?"
"...No, but..." Diana said, wailing. "Daddy...I..."
Deo stared at his girl, and his glare softened. Finally, he embraced the sobbing Diana, patting her softly.
"I'm sorry...I shouldn't have struck you...my angelfish..."
"I should have expected something like this." John said. "No one should have to attend their own child's funeral. It's not right at all."
"Yes, exactly." Tracy said. "I may still have a son, but my daughter will never come back. I will never see her grow up." I have, Tracy. Aimee is one of my dearest friends, and you'd be proud of her. I wish I could tell you how much she's helped us.
"Daddy..." Diana said, still sobbing. "I've let him down, haven't I? My son's...so ashamed of me..."
"And me..." Robin said, despondent. "He didn't get a college degree, and all I could do was rant at him. I should...have let him roam free. I...I was a terrible father to him, wasn't I?"
"Nonsense." Deo said. "You just did what you thought was best for him...trust me, you two. Zao didn't stop loving either of you. He just wanted you to be proud of how he lived..."
"I sure was." Amara said. "I was always an optimist, but Zao made me look forward to the future more than anyone. I don't want to lose that."
Robin finally took his crestfallen wife's hand, and the two of them began to leave, sobbing. Rudo followed them, perhaps to offer some advice of his own. Slowly, so did the other fisherman, after they prayed. They were going to the pub across the road, a rather large and regal-looking venue called The Lady & The Lion.
"How you holding up, kid?" Blaine asked. "Feel any better?"
"...A little." Amara said. "I used to think his parents didn't care about him. Now I know...they cared about him more than anyone."
"Why is it whenever we part with someone, we realised how much they mean to us?" Nathan said, shaking his head. "I don't want that to happen ever again."
"Me either." Serena said. "We've got a job to do. Let's finish it, for everyone's sakes."
Suddenly, Deo was right behind them. Amara looked at him, timidly.
"...Are we going to the wake now?" she asked.
"Not just yet." Deo said. "I'm sorry you had to see that. My little girl...she was so proud to be a mother. Just like my wife was."
"We understand." Blaine said. "I...was ten when it was my dad's funeral. I don't think I did anything else that day but cry."
"Zao talked to me about all of you, you know." Deo said, now warmly. "Serena, the imaginative writer who loved sharing her games with him. Blaine, the perfect drinking buddy, but scary as hell personal trainer. Nathan, the nice businessman who needs to lighten up some more."
"That sounds like us.." Serena said, giggling.
"He told me about everyone else, too." Deo suddenly said. "Aimee, you can come out now."
Everyone gasped. Then, they saw someone in a white hooded jacket came towards them from behind the back wall of the church. Her face was hidden, but they could see ginger hair...
"What the - why are you here?" Karl asked. "You know how dangerous this could be!"
"I'm sorry...I had to show up." Aimee said. "I didn't realise how much my death would affect mum and dad..."
"That's nothing you can do anything about." Serena said. "But - Deo, how did you know she was here?"
"Trust me, I remember everything." Deo said, tapping his forehead. "She might be able to hide her face, but she can't change the way she walks. If you didn't hold your arms out like that, you might have disguised yourself better."
"...Um...sir?" Blaine said.
"Whoa there, by gar. You're not calling me sir." Deo said. "Don't be such a yellow perch. Just call me Deo. It suits you more."
This guy really likes his fish. He's right, it does skip a generation.
"Okay then, Deo. You look really calm right now, even when Karl's little sister just showed up. Don't tell me you already knew...did you?" Blaine asked, worried.
"Easy there, snapper." Deo said. "Zao told me all about it from the beginning. First I thought he was blethering as usual. Then it all started to sound real. He wasn't making up this whole thing between Karen and Roger, I could feel it. Or meeting Tara and Matthew in Clairdol. Then there was Rudo and his weird experiments, Keisha, Kaman, Lucy, Shirley...he didn't leave anything out."
"Does that mean..." Amara said, taking it all in. "You knew about Bernard?!"
Deo nodded, grimly. "Afraid so. Zao was weeping the whole time...never did trust that old geezer. He always was jealous of my house..."
"Then you must have known about the Other Zao, as well." Karl said. "...Zao couldn't cope with that. His self in that world, reduced to an empty shell. A tool of the Ater Vox."
"That...was what set him off the worst." Deo said, shaking his head. "Seeing your own face, drained of all life, is pure torture. Zao...was too innocent to face that kind of torment. Now you have to tell me something."
"...What is it?" Nathan asked.
"He finally fought himself, in the other world. Right?" Deo asked. "Please tell me. I know, it won't do any good to know. I just want to know...how much pain was Zao in?"
"...It all started when we found out the Aeternus Supply Complex in Legarte was shut down for maintenance." Amara said. "So we sneaked in via the Power Tunnels, and had to fight some Ornatu Legion soldiers to get through. It was all routine for us, until..."
One by one, each member of the group described the relevant events of that evening. They skimmed over the Sentinel Vidofnir and Purified Yggdrasill, and tried to summarise the Ater Vox battle as fast as possible. Deo seemed greatly perturbed about the thought of the Interitus Legion, but continued to listen. Then came...the tragedy that occurred at the Altar of Infinity.
"Zao...defeated his other self at last." Nathan said. "I think he wanted to save him, truly. But he must have learned it wouldn't work."
"The other Zao completely disappeared...and I thought that would be it." Amara said. "Then Zao fell over, unable to move. He could barely even talk."
"He...said we saved him from it all. And to tell you he was sorry." Karl said. That's right. I remember every word he said, because they were his last.
"And..." Nathan said. "He regretted not being able to be with Amara forever."
"At the very end, he made me promise we'd save the world." Amara said, tearfully. "Then...it was over. He closed his eyes, and...he looked at peace."
"...Thank you." Deo said, tears flowing from his eyes. "My little minnow, finally in a school he belonged."
"Will you be alright?" Aimee asked. "If there's anything I can do -"
"You haven't changed, lass." Deo said, forcing a smile. He wrapped his arms around Aimee, who gasped, but let out a little laugh. "You just worry about beating the Ater Vox. I can't go and give 'em a good hiding, so I'm leaving that up to you."
"...Alright." Aimee said. "We won't lose. That much I know."
"We ought to get to this wake." Nathan said. "Aimee, will you be alright getting back?"
"I think so. I did it before." Aimee said, then she gasped. "Oh, no! I should have said -"
"Ah, so it was you who put those flowers down!" Deo said. "...Thanks for everything, Aimee. You leave Robin and Diana to me. One last thing..." He reached into his coat pocket, and took out a blue velvet box. Amara hesitated, but she took it in her hands and opened it.
"A...fishing lure?" Serena asked, peering closer.
"That's right. Last year, I gave it to Zao for his birthday. Best gift he ever did receive. He used it right up until...the end." Deo said, choking up. "Amara, it's all yours. When you look at it, just remember. There's not a fish in the sea you can't catch, and there's nothing you can't do."
"...Thank you so much, Deo." Amara said. "I'll hold onto this forever. Zao asked me to save this world, and that's exactly what I'll do!"
"You really were the finest catch of all." Deo said warmly. Then he embraced Amara, holding her tight. Just then, rays of light seemed to pierce through the clouds, and it felt less cold. "Right then. Time for that wake. We've probably missed most of the food."
"Let me guess." Serena said, grinning. "Fish buffet?"
"The very best." Deo said, proudly. "Let's get what's left!"
Everyone left, except for Karl and Aimee. The two of them looked at each other, and nodded. In silence, they ventured further through the cemetery, past the aging graves and the fresh flowers lovingly placed by their side.
Finally, they were there. A black marble stone, with white letters carved into it. They read:
HERE LIES A BELOVED DAUGHTER
AND A CHERISHED SISTER
OUR ANGEL IS NOW IN HEAVEN
MAY SHE REST IN PEACE
AIMEE DAVENPORT
1994-2002
Karl looked to his right, and saw his sister's eyes welling up. The old instincts were coming back, against all odds. He wrapped his strong arms around his little sister, and let her sob quietly against his chest.
"You might not be in heaven yet, Aimee, but you're still one cherished sister."