Levi's instinct was definitely telling him something was about to happen. It couldn't distinguish if it was good or bad. Levi didn't think about it much and just ordered the eyes to keep a watch on the pope.
He entered the office, and the noise of the typewriter singing echoed around the room. Everybody looked at Levi and just nodded as a greeting. Levi too "smiled" and gave them a small nod. He then walked towards the boss to collect the papers he needed.
His boss, Dave, seemed to be a bit aloof these days, mainly because he lost one of his employees. Dave kind of blamed himself for Mark's death because if he had sent someone earlier to check on Mark, maybe he would have never gone to Noel's shop or simply disappeared to people who didn't know what had happened to him.
"Boss, you shouldn't dread too much. All we can do is hope. I too miss him."
Dave looked at the seat next to Levi, empty with the photo of Mark and flowers, some candies, and his favourite beverages littering around his desk.
Dave just let out a small sad laugh and said, "They say you only miss something once you lose it. I hate that sentence… it is so f*cking true."
The sad boss couldn't help but curse. He was strict towards each of his employees and Mark too because all he wanted was for them to do better. Mark would easily get offended and pessimistic about the scolding but never quit because those words weren't to demean him but to make him realize his true potential.
And, now when he was about to reach it, they didn't know where he went. He disappeared and was pronounced dead one month before his wedding.
The boss handed Levi a small piece of paper. It was an invitation to Mark's funeral. Because of the missing body, Mark's parents didn't believe he was gone, so they kept searching, but they had to give up and admit it. Their son was no more. That is why the funeral would be held today, even weeks after his death.
Levi took the paper and kept it in his pocket.
"Let's go together boss and bid him farewell."
"Yeah."
Levi went back to his seat and kept a small candy beside Mark's portrait. Though Levi didn't miss Mark, he too felt the space felt empty without his senior stressing out and cussing out his work.
******
Dave and Levi walked to the cemetery area on the west side of the town. They were the last to leave the office. Both didn't speak a word and kept on walking. They both stopped at a shop so Levi could rent formal wear.
They reached the cemetery. The whole atmosphere was too gloomy, many were crying, some holding their tears, and some cried so much they didn't have any left. The latter was Mark's fiancée. Her dam of tears had exhausted.
Both were orphans and didn't have anyone to rely on. She had known Mark since childhood and loved him since then. They were the perfect match. Her bright and positive aura filled the negative Mark. In every dream, Mark was there and now the only way she could see it was in her imagination.
'Come back Mark… come back to me….Let's marry, go to the south and have kids. You can buy your dream house and I will garden your favourite flowers near them. Let's give our kids love we never had. Fill them to the brim with it so they never feel alone….Let's fulfil our promise, Mark. Come…..Come home, you pessimistic idiot.'
Her mirror-like heart had shattered, the only one who could glue it didn't exist anymore.
Dave and Levi approached her to talk with her, but she didn't respond. All she did was look at both and then look at the silver ring in her hand. Her brown eyes had lost their charm and colour… empty.
Levi knew those eyes. He always saw those eyes when he looked in the mirror.
'She's like a vase without the flowers.'
Though her physical form was present, her soul had long left her body. Now only like a doll, her head bobbed looking at the ring and her surroundings.
Levi looked around and saw many familiar faces, his colleagues from work. The headmaster too was there, standing beside Fiona. His mentor also was there with another man beside him hiding his face in a robe. Levi didn't stare at him much and focused on the funeral.
The incineration was about to begin, and his fiancée, his only family, couldn't muster up the strength to burn the empty casket. Instead, the pastor asked Mark's closest friend to the casket.
The pastor took out his book and started praying, requesting everyone to follow his words. Everyone clasped their hands, closed their eyes, and started praying for him. The whispers of cries and prayers went on and on, hoping Mark would find peace in his afterlife.
Levi could hear sniffling noises on his right, but he didn't say anything and continued the prayers. Even his strict boss couldn't help but control his sorrow. Both had been working together for eight years and hoped this would go on. Not every dream comes true.
Once the casket was fully burnt, the priest collected the ashes using wind magic and kept them stored in an urn. He just kept it beside the broken girl who didn't even spare a glance at it.
After the funeral was over, the crowds began to dissipate. Dave and Levi stayed there for a few minutes longer, hoping the girl would stand up, but she didn't. Her body was like a corpse put on display for people to look at, feel pity and only hope for the best.
Dave went near her and knelt down.
"Hyla, I am sorry for what had happened. Everybody has searched for him, but not even a single sign shows where he is at, and now we cannot deny he might not be in this world anymore. So you need to stand up. Not for me and not for you but for Mark. He wouldn't want you to be like this."
Still, Hyla showed no response. After a few minutes of convincing, she stood up, holding the urn tightly in her arms. Levi could see a carriage coming across the cemetery. Dave and his wife had decided to take care of Hyla until she recovered or at least was able to survive on her own. She didn't have anyone left to rely on.
Dave wanted to do this because he still partly blamed himself for what had happened. Both got into the carriage, and Levi waved them goodbye.
Levi turned around and looked at the priest talking to two people who then turned and looked at Levi. Ryan gestured at Levi, and he walked towards them. The man standing next to him took off his hood and a mask, showing his ethereal, handsome face. If the people saw his face, then they would be on their knees praising and worshipping the man. With the signature golden hair of the royalty and green eyes, his face and name were known throughout the world. He was popular as much as the king of the human kingdom.
The only saint to have been born in the world and given the title of pope by God himself. The brother of the king, Siras.
Just by a look, Levi could tell why the lesser eyes and the central eye
panicked a bit. Though his strength was hidden, Levi could still tell he was strong, really strong, on the same level as the headmaster, Roman.
Siras reached out his hand and introduced himself.
"I am Siras, pope of the Holy church, nice to meet you."
Instead of shaking hands, Levi left him hanging and did a 90-degree bow. Shouting at the top of his lungs, he said, "It is an honour to meet the only pope in the world. Your presence has blessed me."
Ryan rubbed his eyes and ears twice to confirm what he had just heard. He had never heard Levi speak in such a high…tone voice like an annoyed kid who didn't get chocolates for Halloween.
Siras covered his ears immediately, like how Levi had wanted.
Feeling a bit annoyed, Siras sighed. "No need to act this way. Ryan has already told me how mature you are."
Levi just sighed as he brushed his hair. He did that because, in the game, Siras had one big weakness, loudness. He hated it so much that there was a side event in the game where you had to stop him from damaging his earbuds. That is why he avoided crowds and didn't like loud people in general.
Levi did so because he didn't want to be acquaintances with Siras. Not because he was a villain or turned into one in the game.
'He's a pain in the ass.'
Even in the game, every player kind of hated him. The missions he gave were really weird and not easy to beat, and your level didn't matter because the missions he gave were filler events. Plus, the rewards didn't help them progress in the game. That is why players avoided any kind of route that led to meeting Siras. Cause he had an ability that could help him see the status of people just like Levi could. If anyone had the potential of A or S rank, he would turn into a madman just to get them on his side.
But Levi had a C rank potential so he shouldn't get interested in Levi, should he?
The main problem was Levi had an S-rank trait, though he may not be able to see the description of the trait still, an S-rank had unlimited potential. Plus, the two titles he had were enough for Siras to take an interest in Levi.
Levi and Siras started evaluating each other's stats. Levi thought of ways to avoid being with such a monstrosity and Siras looked at someone who could become a monster himself… no for him Levi could be something even better and magnificent.
'Two titles and he must have obtained both from slaying demons. At this age, he has the ability to kill humanity's greatest and my biggest head ache. I need to get him to work under me.'
Ryan watching their stare down felt relieved seeing both sharing a smile with each other. His innocence didn't let him delve further into the dark intentions both of those two had in their minds.