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The Twin Cities arc is completed there.
Next Arc - Rise of an Empire
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The arrival of Seraphine lightened the somber atmosphere in the workshop.
She was lively and cheerful—a girl whose bright spirit shone through even her timidity.
But once she heard the melody of someone's soul, her enthusiasm became boundless.
"Sister Katarina, you have a younger sister? What's that like?"
"Haha, the soul is singing a tender, touching song, full of warmth with a hint of sweetness. Your sister must be adorable."
"Orianna, don't worry! Everything will be fine. The melody of your soul's song is shifting. When a song changes, that's the most exciting part!"
It was the first time Seraphine had shown her abilities in front of outsiders. She seemed to have endless things to say, flitting around Orianna and Katarina with words of encouragement.
Although she never mentioned Ryan directly, her curious eyes kept drifting to him. After all, he was the first person whose soul she couldn't hear singing.
Everyone's soul sings its own song—sometimes melodious, sometimes sorrowful, sometimes joyous, sometimes wistful. Seraphine loved exchanging melodies with those whose songs radiated sunshine; their lightheartedness filled her heart with joy.
"Right! I haven't even asked yet. Orianna said you needed my help. What can I do?"
Seraphine swayed to a rhythm only she could hear, her pink hair fluttering as if carried by the melody of Orianna's soul. Survival in desperate times, hope emerging from despair—she loved this beat.
Orianna's expression remained calm, though her gaze shifted to Ryan, silently asking for guidance.
"The body is an extension of consciousness," Ryan explained, his tone steady but measured.
"Consciousness and soul are inseparable. Seraphine not only hears the voice of the soul but can also touch it with her own. Magic alone doesn't always save lives, but the song of the soul might."
"You mean… during the heart transplant surgery, let Seraphine sing?"
Orianna hesitated. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and she wasn't sure if Seraphine could succeed. Even more daunting was the idea of relying on someone else for precision where she trusted only the cold accuracy of machines.
This wasn't just about her—it was about saving her father.
"Heart transplant surgery? What's that?" Seraphine tilted her head, confusion written across her face.
Orianna repeated her preparations, her hands clenching slightly as she waited for Seraphine's response.
The latter's mouth fell open in surprise.
"That's… that's crazy! No wonder your soul's song has been changing so much lately, Orianna. But… I've never done anything like this before."
Seraphine wrung her hands together, her anxiety palpable. She was kind-hearted and always eager to help others, but this task was monumental. What if she failed?
"I have a Requiem," Ryan interjected, his voice calm but firm.
"If Miss Seraphine can sing it, the success rate of the operation will be close to 99%. The remaining 1% depends on your determination, Miss Orianna."
"Mr. Ryan, what is a Requiem? Is it… beautiful?" Seraphine asked, raising her hand like a student eager for knowledge. Her wide eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"It's a song for the soul," Ryan replied, his expression growing distant.
"Originally, it was meant to bring peace to the departed. But someone rewrote it… turning the rest of the dead into the death of the living."
His words hung heavy in the air.
Ryan's thoughts drifted to the Requiem and its dark origins. In the Immortal Bastion, the archives brimmed with ancient texts on souls and magic, many of them centuries old.
He often wondered if Pale Lady was truly the scholar she claimed to be. Someone who loved knowledge wouldn't allow such treasures to rot, forgotten in time.
But then again, Noxus was no place for scholars. In this empire, everyone carved their own path with unrelenting force, caring little for the wisdom of those who came before.
Countless books recording the mysteries of magic languished in the forgotten corners of Noxus, their wisdom crying out in silence. Ryan thought of them often and looked forward to the changes promised in three months.
If the conditions allowed, he hoped Swain would purge the corrupt nobles. The scrolls and tomes hoarded in their mansions could then be put to greater use, serving the advancement of Noxus rather than collecting dust.
"Death… Will I sing that song?"
Seraphine's voice wavered as she trembled at the thought. Her vivid imagination conjured a grim vision, and her body shuddered involuntarily.
Using Requiem to take lives—what kind of twisted soul would manipulate a song for such sin?
"You're not like those lunatics," Ryan said, his voice steady yet kind.
"I believe that in your hands, this will become a true Requiem that honors, not harms."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Ryan's mouth. He raised his hand, and the ring on his finger shimmered faintly.
With a graceful motion, he traced patterns in the air, and countless droplets of water materialized, dancing like obedient soldiers.
The droplets arranged themselves into glowing characters suspended in midair.
"Channel your best emotions," he urged her gently.
"Sing with everything you have. Don't worry about anything—I'll handle the rest."
His words brought a flicker of reassurance to Seraphine's anxious heart. She stared at the letters crafted from water droplets, mesmerized. Unconsciously, she began to hum.
"%@&..."
Three delicate notes escaped her lips. In that instant, a faint cyan light descended, bathing the room in a serene glow. But just as quickly, a curtain of water rose, dimming the light's intensity.
"Canció…"
Another note escaped her, but this time, the melody faltered. Though she wanted to sing cheerfully, the song veered into a somber tone, tinged with sadness.
Even with the water curtain shielding them, everyone except Ryan winced in pain. Objects in the workshop trembled as if the air itself carried the song's weight.
Seraphine's expression twisted in agony, but she couldn't stop. Her voice carried her forward, detached from her intent.
Her singing seemed to usher everything into a final rest—a burial of all life and soul.
To the end.
To death.
The cyan beam of light grew stronger, tearing at their very souls. The pain was unbearable.
"La vida llegará al descanso…"
The song swelled to its climax, its mournful notes transforming into an almost ecstatic crescendo. Seraphine's face contorted in a struggle against herself.
"Make it your melody, Seraphine," Ryan's calm voice pierced through the chaos, gentle yet commanding.
Her body jolted as if waking from a dream. The weight of the Requiem lifted, and she found herself back in the workshop, surrounded by familiar faces. She remembered her goal.
This isn't right, she thought, her lips trembling.
Requiem shouldn't kill—it shouldn't be about death!
Determination flared in her eyes as she pursed her lips and steadied her voice.
The Requiem shouldn't be a dirge for death alone. It should mourn the past, yes, but also celebrate the beauty of life and bless the living.
She sang again, each word heavy with resolve. Slowly, the tone shifted.
Sadness gave way to joy.
Despair melted into hope.
Passion transformed into nostalgia.
Her voice painted the achievements of life, the moments worth cherishing, and the memories worth holding close.
The cyan beam faded, replaced by a radiant pink light that emanated from Seraphine herself. The beam fractured into thousands of glowing motes, which floated gently downward and merged into the others' bodies.
The pain etched on their faces dissolved, replaced by serene, heartfelt smiles. The motes and her voice wove a melody that soothed and inspired.
"The song… It's no longer sad," someone murmured, their voice trembling with awe.
"It's uplifting, alive!"
Seraphine opened her eyes, the hesitation that once haunted her now gone. Only certainty and strength remained.
Her voice flowed effortlessly, each note brimming with life.
The Requiem—once a dirge of despair—was reborn through her.
It became a hymn celebrating the beauty of life, a tribute to the memories of the departed, and a beacon of hope for the living.
At the song's conclusion, a deep sense of peace lingered in the air. The light motes dimmed but left a quiet glow within everyone's hearts.
Seraphine smiled softly. The love within the song endured is a testament to life's infinite beauty.