The Book Of Flowers
Why Stars Should Exist
--- Before that day, Verdea dreams---
...
"You come in here again" The voice greeted him
He didn't need to look to know who the owner of the voice he already knew so well was
"Marcellus"
Verdea then turned to look at Marcellus, finding a bright smiling face from him. But the absence from Canopus and Spica this time made him feel a little unsettled
"You're wondering why those two people weren't present this time?" Marcellus asked, as if he knew the thoughts of Verdea
And Verdea just nodded. But he immediately diverted it by saying, "We should talk alone. Whether the 2 people are present or not, I won't bother about it"
Marcellus agreed in silence to Verdea's offer, allowing her to approach while they enjoyed the view of the sun still appearing half as far away as the horizon in the dream
"Something's been troubling you this time?" Marcellus opened the question, when Verdea had just sat down nearby
"More to complicate me as a whole..." Verdea answered him, half sighing. "Once upon a time talking to someone other than that stubborn Vainzel could help" he then sneakily added
"Your friend did something bad?"
"No to me. To himself" Verdea put on a limp face. "It's hard to get her to talk when she's acting like she's not her age"
"Sounds like a man of high opinion"
"Too, high"
Marcellus then laughed softly while shaking his head
"Ah. And I've never told you that he doesn't trust you one bit" Verdea said
"I'm not surprised" Marcellus who this time had to reply. "All Elven races will not like my name, given the history they have and remember"
"Very unfortunate. Even if you did do something bad in the past, I'm sure you've changed now"
"Unfortunately the cost of the change is my brother and the peace of this world"
Marcellus who dragged his brother's name in the conversation immediately made Verdea quiet. Leaning on the painful past is not her favorite topic—not once
"That's why the stars must exist, Regulus. And they must exist, as long as humans still need guidance"
The spirit slowly looked at Verdea who looked stunned. "But honestly. We all exist, just to raise the dawn star. Including myself..." He also said
"Sirius..." Verdea then muttered. "Should that person bear the burden of all this? As the last light?" The question came out after that
He had thought about this from the beginning. Verdea knows that being a star is something that is not trivial, or can be said to be difficult. The fate of the whole world is in their hands
If they fail, they fail. There is no second chance to save the world
But among the ten figures who will appear as the brightest stars of the world path, Sirius is the greatest bearer of responsibility. The light of dawn, which was to mark the coming of morning, before he left, was fused in the light of the sun
Verdea did not know the figure of Sirius. At least, he wanted to know why he had to fight, why he had to help the morning star rise. But he didn't know, and he started to worry a little about the concept of these stars
Of all the stars, only Sirius is unidentified. Even the stars refused to tell him anything, because they were still in the spirit form
"Will other stars be in my position now...?" Verdea asked in a tired tone
"Trust me, friend" Marcellus answered. "If the next star's time comes, even you will refuse to tell the answer about the figure of a Sirius"
"Delighted. You even believe myself I'd be like that"
"I'm pretty sure you would"
Verdea only snorted before planting her chin on both knees, as she stared wryly at Marcellus
"The only picture you have of him is that he has a golden light, doesn't he?" He asked another question—where Marcellus answered with a nod of his head
"After I used the rest of my life energy to summon you, he was the first to extend a hand towards me" the reply was given
"When I just cried out loud, that golden hand stretched out without a doubt. And when I lifted my head, I saw a very warm smileI thought he was an angel in myth. But in fact, he was just a soul destined to be born to send light to mankind all over Vitario
I called out millions of souls at that moment. Millions, maybe billions. But among the sea of spirits, only one answered me, where 8 souls then responded after 1 invited them personally
He was only 1 person, but what he could do was extremely limitless. He is always beyond our expectations, and no one can see the movements he will make literally, or figuratively
Sirius was happy to joke around, but would not hesitate to take things seriously when needed. He hates liars and is very sympathetic and empathetic, as seen from his first treatment of me. He's not someone very good—no. He is the one who does what is necessary, while still being bound by his moral values, and his promise to me
If I told you, maybe when he was born into the world, he would become a king. If so, then he would be a very good king. It's a pity I can't witness its glory until the seal reaches his hand"
Hearing the image of Marcellus, Verdea doubted that she herself could see Sirius' time unfolding
Only through the seal. The seal on his right hand
When he is gone, the next star will inherit this seal without him needing to be needed. These seals will know their own owners and will adjust. After that, through the seal as well, Verdea would be able to communicate with his successor later, just like Marcellus was to himself today
"I wonder what Aldebaran's trip will be like..." He said with a small smile, looking at the seal on his right hand
The next star that will go up is Aldebaran. A star that will have a greater light than a Regulus
"But there's still a way I have to make for him—for all of them" He then continued, while clenching his hands tightly
His face started to get serious when he thought about it. Given how long their trip was— and there's more until it feels like it won't end
...
"Marcellus..."
"Yes?"
He almost forgot why he was here. He didn't just come here to pour out his heart
"I can feel that the end of our journey is very near. Maybe in a matter of months" Verdea then said
So, he had to ask one opinion that felt very important
"How do you think I'm going to succeed in this task?"
Very trivial question. But the answer means a lot to Verdea right now
Because inside him too, there is fear. Afraid he would have to end all this with a disappointment or a very heavy heart. If so, his struggle all this time would only feel bland
Marcellus had to answer. Give him a certainty that he will hold fast to with strong trust
...
...
...
"... Your name is Regulus"
"Little king, is the meaning of your name. The name of a leader who is born naturally, and only needs a little polish to make him a good king"
Verdea began to pay attention, intrigued by the answer that would sound long
"By putting your trust in your subject, they will repay it by giving their trust in you back. You will succeed with pride, as a good leader. Succeed among the cheers of your troops that you are so proud of"
Marcellus paused for a moment, before he continued with one fact that was impossible to avoid
"But your trust will give your people great responsibility. The responsibility that makes them feel that they have to do whatever it takes to meet your expectations and repay your kindness. So with that...
A sacrifice, perhaps it will not be avoided. A sacrifice you will remember, but not regret. Mourn over it, yet also feel proud..."
...
That's answer...
Sacrifices. Sacrifice cannot be avoided in a war
Especially when it involves saving the world and humanity from the clutches of death and destruction
The question is, how much...? How many people will make sacrifices for Verdea, just to ensure the success of all of them...?
Verdea did not ask that question. He knew that even Marcellus would not be able to give a definite answer
"His dream, misfortune remains inevitable huh...?" He limply then said
Destiny is very cruel to some people, especially to those who live and are destined to fight in a cruel time like now
And in the end, not everyone will live to see the light at the end of that dark fight...
...
'Sacrifice that you will remember very much, but not regret. Mourn over him, yet also feel proud'
The word itself... It can make Verdea a little quiet
It meant that if all the things he faced on his journey all along, none of them would end up in vain. Everything, will end up with a very mature and delicious result
Bitter, but delicious. Just like a well-processed wine to drink
"I just need to prepare myself for a breakup. Or maybe more..."
He felt sad, but a smile he showed, as Marcellus fell silent looking at his expression
But it couldn't stop him from smiling
"Breakfast..."
There was a regret in Marcellus' heart remembering that...
She was just sorry, the separation between her and her brother couldn't have gone any better. Their separation was very cruel and not worth anyone going through
He could no longer repeat the farewell and make it right. But at the very least, he could improve on that by continuing to walk forward, ensuring that the task that was originally given to them could reach the end that was also satisfying
Compared to Verdea, the mission is longer. Very long, even if the other 9-star missions are combined though
But he felt lucky, there were 9 people who were happy to help him from their deepest hearts.9 people who were willing to guide humans, for the sake of straightening out the mistakes he and his brother had made for disappointing their ancestors' orders
"That's why, Verdea..."
Marcellus' voice shocked Verdea
His name is not usually mentioned by Marcellus...
A wide smile, with a refined gaze pointed towards the sun on that horizon. He did not turn his head in the least, and the light that hit his face made him look very calm as Verdea looked at him
"You... It's more than ready"
......................
back to the present ---
...
...
...
Prepared already...
"That's what you told me..."
...
His name was called Marcellus in the dream...
He felt that the spirit was calling out his real name, because he already thought Verdea was ready to take on this task
As if, Regulus, who was a spirit before that, was fully prepared to serve in this world
...
...
...
Ya
Verdea has already got the answers it needs. All of them
As a Regulus, as a star...
As someone who bears the name Verdea itself...
He's ready to face all this...
He just has to believe
That's why stars exist. They're...
They have to believe that they can protect everyone in this way. They have to believe that they can successfully carry out this entire mission...
As a directional guide. As a lantern in the night sky...
For the sake of a brighter and more joyous morning...
And after he looked back at me, Veskal, as well as all our friends...
Does he need anything else to convince himself that he can...?
