Nothing But Requiem

Chapter Six: [The Pieces of the World] #5

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The next day, the explosive commotion in the square and the death of Don Nicolas were the hot topic in all of Vinea. However, what people regretted the most was the death of DJ Leila. Even now, at the café terrace, there was a young couple discussing her and leaving an offering of flowers. Ario glanced sideways at them as she took a sip of tea.

"You seem well." Seere materialized suddenly and took the seat in front of her. He placed the Jade Skull earrings that Don Nicolas had worn on the table. "Seven more to go... Once all the pieces of the world are in place, the clock will start ticking again, but...are you sure that's what you want?" Seere asked, his voice sounding more serious than ever.

"I don't care about anything else," Ario answered, then stopped the clerk and asked for an apple pie and apple tea for Seere.

"Yay! I love you, Ario!"

"It's to thank you for yesterday."

"Thank me?"

"The twilight realm... Thanks to you, I was able to fight alongside Aria." Ario looked at Aria, sitting next to her.

"Ario..." Aria stood up. "Why don't we go see the ocean?"

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Ario walked down the sandy beach where they played with Leila. The lack of energy among the residents of the favela they passed along the road was probably due to the death of Leila. The children ran past Ario and Aria, who stood there with their parasols and bouquets of flowers. The high-pitched voices of the children passing by were the only ripples of sound that could be heard in the silence.

"A bouquet of flowers for despair..." 

Ario tossed the bouquet into the sea. The flowers drifted out in with waves and eventually faded out of view. After gazing out at the sea, Ario turned around. "Come on, Aria. Let's go!" 

With the sun at her back and a smile on her face, Ario pulled Aria's hand and walked forward.