Chapter Text
“Cyrene?”
“Yeah?”
“You once said about how the story of Amphoreus is the most romantic tale ever told.”
“Indeed, and I will stand by that.”
The bride-like demigod swings idly by his side. The sight of Aedes Elysiae complements her colors very well, especially with the newly blooming flowers that surround it. As his trusted partner throughout Amphoreus, it's natural that the trailblazer asked her of this. He felt at ease confiding some of his insecurities to her. Thus, it makes sense that he will ask:
“Is pink meant to be loved?”
For a moment, Cyrene's adult-like appearance is betrayed by her childish expression. It was akin to a child not comprehending what was being asked. Strange, since she has recorded so many tales, surely such questions are not that hard.
“Sorry, what?”
“Okay, let me elaborate…”
Caelus went on a long rant about how pink girls are the sweetest and friendliest people he ever knew. It was as if he was moved by his own experience he began to regale how each pinks he encountered gave him new insights on how to view life.
He spoke of a diviner who can see the possibilities and how despite her somewhat strong attitude, she cares a lot for the people who worked for her. Though Caleus noted how a certain general kept pestering her from ever reaching his position.
He spoke of a ninja who despite her cuckoo nature, taught him how to truly live by your own identity. Whether it is artificial or not, it doesn't matter as long as you live sincerely and abashedly cringe.
He spoke of a maiden who longs for a warmth of life. In her seclusion among people, she watches from afar and cares in her own ways until the embrace of death is finally in her reach.
He spoke of a healer. Whose measly strength that descended from false promises endured the sky and under her watchful eyes, she soared and dispelled the gloom and cleared the skies for the earth to see.
He spoke of a girl who dreamt of a faraway world beyond the stars. In her simple Village surrounded by golden wheats, fate sets her out to regale the tale of the world of timeless circles. Forever writing the stories under the moonlight while her sun shoulders the world so that tales could still be told.
And then,
“There is a girl,”
At this point, Cyrene was silent and intently watched over Caelus.
“A silly one I might add. I wondered why I rushed to shield her from destruction. I guess it was my instinct to crave it as a Stellaron holder, but that doesn't fit. A newborn child couldn't think of that immediately. Well, holding a bat definitely not,”
He stood over the pond, pensively looking at his reflection.
“I have a choice yet all of it leads to that. Do you think protecting someone is a desire to seek love? By preserving it so it remains on one’s side all the time.”
“I sense this story of the pink you protect hasn't reached its end yet. It would be a shame if it ends here. So why don't we continue it?”
“Alright.”
Long before his arrival at Amphoreus. In a homely celestial chariot, the deliverer pulls his hand out, yearning for a star that is yet to be discovered.
“Are you trying to catch the stars?”
Rosy Celestial Maiden.
“Wow,” March said between snaps. “Your village has got to be one of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen.”
“Of course! Even if Amphoreus is merely a simulation to him, the sweat and tears are real to everyone here. We are proud of what we accomplished.”
“Gotta say, I can see this is going to be a great tourist spot.”
The young hero threw his bait, he cast his rod onto the vast ocean.
“Really!” He was elated yet, “But that means…”
“Yeah, some bad folks are gonna try to squeeze you guys. Now that Amphoreus is connected to the silver rail and probably gonna be visited by everyone in the galaxy.”
“I have heard of these ‘visitors’ as Dan Heng and Caelus describe them. Men and women who hide behind their sugary words to trick others into following them. Reminds me of something, huh?”
March indeed knew them very well. After all, even if she is just a memetic entity following her fellow trailblazers around back then, she does find it tiring there are bad people who let their obsession obstruct them from doing the right thing.
(Ugh, why did I have to diss myself.)
“Tell me about it,” she rolls her eyes. “Besides, there is no way they are gonna go gung ho when they have to deal with the power couple of Amphoreus!”
“Power couple? Hm, I suppose Imperator and her knight? But, not trying to brag, I could definitely take on threats easily and Mydei can vouch for me too! Heck, just ask Caelus.”
(I don't think the ones he mentioned can summon meteors though.)
“Eh, I am thinking of you and Cyrene. After all, you have a big sword like Master Yanqing and you must know that pink girls are not to be trifled with!” March smugly said.
“Oh…Cyrene,” Phainon suddenly looked downcast. “How long has it been since we actually spoke like we used to? Everything felt like a daze after we took our vow to save Amphoreus. As if time has moved on yet…I can't help, but cherish each sacrifice to the point I saw myself willing to burn it all so I can carry their wishes in their stead,
(Ah, the loop.)
“It's not that I am afraid, but what I saw–no, what we saw…I don't think we can go back. There are things that are no longer the same.”
(Whoa, the mood is getting heavy. Good job leading it to that, March. Jeez, I am starting to see why Dan Heng used to be one who scolded me.)
“But, you don't have to look back and wish for the lost time, you know?" March took pictures of the sky. "We all have a bright future ahead of us! So many possibilities so surely you two can create something new again! Heck, I am sure Caelus did.”
“He does, huh? I wonder what he thought about his old comrades. Stellaron Hunters, right? Though from his description why does it sound familiar to the Astral Express?”
(Firefly and I do fill the cute ones! Himeko and Kafka clearly fill the big sis role. Er, I dunno about Blade though. Maybe he is like Dan Heng, but that can't be right. He looks too dead compared to him. What about the gamer? Mister Yang is a nerd like her. Huh, I think I got the impression wrong. Caelus probably knew better.)
“To be honest, I have no clue. The one I interacted with the most is the one around my age.”
“I see, perhaps one day I can meet them. I wonder what their scripts say about our future.”
(Time to get back to the topic. Master conversationalist March 7th is about to show off her persuasion technique!)
For a moment, she felt dizzy. It was like a one second interval before she regained her bearings, but something is wrong.
“So, Deliverance, have you ever wondered what happens if you bottle up all of the feelings you had?”
(Hold on, that’s not what I am about to–)
“March” looked to her side where the ocean lies. Her reflection cast not of her visage.
“Ah, it must be you then. The one who dwells within Miss March’s consciousness,” Phainon remains calm despite “Evernight’s” sudden intrusion.
“Hah…quite perceptive. But my question still stands. Casting aside your heart into the night will eventually shine it when the sun comes. The Dawn of Amphoreus has risen, there is no need to bear it all.”
(“Evernight”...)
Phainon sighed. “Maybe you are right. It has been so long that the miracle felt unreal. My path may not follow your tracks, but that doesn't mean I should stop. Ironic since I did declare that I will trailblaze onto the future I almost forgot to look back to where it started.”
“Satisfied, Deliverance?”
“One step at a time, I do take your advice to heart.”
(You will thank me later |>)
(Fiiine. Why do I have to thank myself.)
March groaned and lament of her stolen moment.
“Jeez, I am about to show my serious cool side. The pain of knowing I have an alter ego.”
“In a sense I know the feeling.”
“So…when are you gonna talk to her?”
“It will take time–”
“Too late, I already called her.”
“W-What!? Hold on, that is not the deal.”
“We never made a deal though. Are you trying to gaslight me?”
“Wha–but it is implicit!”
“Welp, you don't have a proof anyways so I leave Cyrene to you, ‘kay~”