Radiance

Choices and Grief

This was supposed to be the image for last chapter but my phone didn't save it- >:(

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|Time|

After Elite Leif, left to head to the Violet Kingdom, Aether stayed by my side. I didn't want to be rude to him and tell him to go back to doing his own thing again, but I needed some time alone. The blue Elite stood off to the side, reading one of Light's books from his bookshelf, as I was working on more paperwork. I wanted to get as much done for Grace before he fully came into leadership so that it wouldn't be as strained and overwhelming for him.

Aether flips a page and sighs, seeming engrossed in the pages and the story. I couldn't see the cover from where I was sitting, but had a feeling it was one of the story books Light had in his study. He always insisted on having them in here in case he needed a break.

Or to throw them- sometimes he did get irritated about things and would have a book on desk that he would throw at the wall. Never truly got the reason why, but with how there were repeat requests about things that weren't needed for the guards but were technically civilian requests, I could see why he'd be irritated.

I set the paper I was reading down and stretch. My back pops a bit and I feel a relief in it. I had been sitting here for hours, reading through reports, signing requests, and going through all of the meeting minutes from the different divisions under the Light Core directive. So to say the least, my back was sore.

"How's the paperwork going, Lieutenant?" Aether finally speaks and looks up at me, his freckled face and light blue eyes shining in the noon light that shone from the white, stained glass window behind me. I shrug then look at my mask I had set to the side on the desk, that had been partially covered by papers then reply. "Going alright. Just need to have some of these sent back to the Orange, Yellow, and Green kingdoms. Also, I now understand why Light got so irritated by these civilian reports. Some of these are minor requests that can be fulfilled by the local guard quarters and not the main Headquarters." I sigh and roll my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. Aether chuckles and nods.

"Yeah, those just don't seem to stop. I've had a couple sent to the Spirit Walker HQ regarding minor scuffles in the World Beyond that were just annoying. They've stopped as of recent so all is peaceful over there." Aether marks his spot in the book with the attached ribbon and shuts the book, setting it down on the shelf beside him. "So that's why you've been around the Headquarters a lot?" I ask him, knowing that the Blue Elite had been here for the past three weeks. He nods.

"Yeah, things have been peaceful there. I do remember there being a singular report sent to me about one oddity connection between here and the World Beyond, but I couldn't figure it out or what the soul was doing so I've left it be." The Elite shrugs, running his hand through his hair as I organize the completed papers into piles of where they need to go, then tie them with string. It perked my interest though... Why was there an oddity?

I make a small, 'ah', then attach colored labels that stated where the packets needed to go, to the strings. As I pick up the bundles and stand up, there was a sharp knock at the door. Instantly Aether goes to open it before I had a chance to respond. "Oh, Violet Leader, greetings to you." The Elite says as he steps out of the way and the tall Violet steps into the room. I could instantly tell that he wanted to talk about something serious with me.

"Thank you, Elite Aether." He says as he had his head turned to the Blue Steve, who nods. "Should I step out?" Aether says, and Violet Leader nods, prompting the Elite to quickly step out and shut the door behind him, then walk away, his footsteps receding down the hall.

I sigh and set the papers down as Violet turns his gaze onto me, his face set in a grimace.

"I can tell from that look, you need to discuss something with me, Violet Leader?" I say cautiously and he nods, a sudden tiredness to his face. "The other leaders have been made aware of what happened to Light. Green Leader checked in with Light again, as well as he says Elite Leif Greenwood did, and both don't believe Light is with us anymore, despite his body being here." I feel my heart sink with those words, and nod grimly. Violet pauses a moment before continuing on. "The preparations for Light's burial has been set in place... Orange Leader said that it was only fair if Light was buried in the Orange Kingdom or here at the Colorless Guard Headquarters. We are still deciding. But, we were planning on having his casket carried through the kingdoms so that the citizens can mourn him properly. Route was planned for it to start in the Violet Kingdom, then travel to the green, yellow, red, then the Orange Kingdom. Blues and Indigos would be at either the Green or Violet Kingdoms." Violet takes off his circlet and sighs, his hair floating into his face and showing off the fact that he was beyond tired and grieving. Violet Leader was a caring person and ever since the creation of the Lilac Core to help with the therapy of Steve's who needed it, he was eternally grateful for Light's help.

Some of this just didn't feel real to me. I had been hoping that Light would wake up, be back with us, but none of his outward signs showed that happening. As much as I wished the opposite... It wouldn't change. I push some of my hair out of my face and nod. "Alright. That sounds good. I just... Ambassador of Time, I don't even know how Sabre is going to take this. He already grieved for Light and I don't think he's even seen Light's body yet. This is going to be so harsh on him." I rub my neck and sigh, knowing that my non-steve friend wasn't going to take this well at all. Violet Leader nods, sadness in his eyes.

"We're just going to have to hope that it doesn't break him. Much as I hate that thought, it's... the best outcome to hope for right now." The Violet Steve says quietly as I let out a slow breath, then nod.

Just... Had to hope.