The next day…
On the beach of Lido di Venezia, Missio sat under pressure. Dante released a fraction of his aura, forcing it upon his little brother. Cold sweat rolled off Missio's face. His joints creaked and muscles slowly tore apart. His breathing remained steady. He kept his mind under control, not letting his PTSD trigger. Additionally, the fear he had felt from Volcano Abaddon's chaos vortex had whittled down. It wasn't gone but it was definitely less than before.
'He's already gotten better after one day…'
Dante commented, holding his chin. This continued for an hour until Dante got a notification on his phone. Without releasing his aura, he pulled out his phone. He noticed he had received a message from the jewelers they had gone to a few days ago. He read the message.
[Dear Dante deus Augustus,
Your custom ring is ready. Would you like it to be delivered or will you come for pickup? If you're coming for pickup, please bring the order number of your ring. If you need it delivered, please send us the order number.
Sincerely,
Venice Horizon Jewelers]
Dante raised his brows. He gripped his phone with both hands. He replied to their message.
[I'll be coming for pickup.]
He stood up, tucking the phone in his pockets. He sealed his aura. Missio noticed this abrupt shift and opened his eyes. He turned his head around, seeing his brother leave.
"Where are you going?" he inquired.
"To get the ring." Dante waved. "Keep on with your meditation. I'll be back in a few hours."
"Okay…"
Missio turned back towards the ocean. He his hand together, pressing his thumbs against one another. He heard Dante's steps go away little by little until they disappeared. He heaved a sigh, continuing with his meditation. He focused on the wind, the waves crashing against the ocean. The birds chirped above him, children laughed while playing on the rough sand. His shoulders relaxed themselves and a wave of pleasure washed over him.
His lips couldn't help but curl into a smile as he fully felt the world around him. But right then, his phone buzzed. He shrugged it off, thinking it was a notification. The ringing didn't stop. The phone vibrated in his pocket until his patience reached its limit.
"Who the hell is it?" Missio scowled, pulling out his phone.
Missio blinked, seeing Mary's name flash across the screen.
'Mary…? What does she want?'
He answered the call – curious as to what his friend wanted to talk about.
"Hello? Missio?" Mary's voice sounded.
"Yeah, I'm here." Missio stated.
"Oh! How are you?"
"I'm fine – better actually. How about you?" Missio leaned back.
"I'm fine as well."
"That's good… how's Henry doing?"
"Henry?" Mary repeated. "He's preparing for the upcoming selection for Lieutenant General."
Missio chuckled, looking towards the horizon. "Figured. He called me in Verona, asking for tips."
"He did? The selection announcement was just given like two days ago." Mary noted.
"Dude, he' s a hell of an overthinker but he's got a good shot at lieutenant general."
"I think so too. A few guys stood for the position but I think the general's favoring Henry."
"Of course, he would. He literally said if not for me, Henry would've been the lieutenant general." Missio sneered. "By the way, how's Krishna?"
"Oh, he's an absolute mess. He's been crying his eyes out for the last few days. The Special Ops have really done a number on him."
"Is he considering drugs?" Missio chuckled.
"How'd you know?" Mary chuckled as well. "His room is an absolute mess as well."
"Is it? Have you been visiting him?"
"Yeah…" Mary said in a soft voice. "I was worried about him. Especially after he was fired."
'You're such a great friend, Mary…'
Missio didn't speak his thought aloud. Mary really was a pure soul. He brough his arm forward, placing it on his crossed legs.
"Keep him away from drugs. If it's him, I bet you he's already started drinking."
"You two know each other so well." Mary praised. "But I don't think he'd ever do any of that stuff."
"He'd definitely do some stupid shit like that."
"Missio! Language." Mary scolded.
"Sorry… Anyways, why'd you call?"
"Just wanted to check up on a friend? It's been weeks since we last talked." Mary answered.
"Has it been that long?" Missio blurted.
"Duh."
"Man… Time flies, doesn't it?" Missio sighed. "Oh! I forgot to ask. How's Eira?"
Hearing Missio's question, Mary burst into a fit of laughter. Missio's mouth twitched.
'Did something happen…?'
As he started to become worried, Mary answered his question.
"Oh… Eira's been fed up. She hasn't slept properly since Henry began his preparation for lieutenant general."
Missio heaved a sigh of relief. Then, he lifted his head and spoke.
"Those lovebirds can't sleep without each other."
"I know right! She's been crying about it over my shoulder for days!" Mary exclaimed.
"Yeah, right…" Missio smiled slightly.
Missio and Mary talked for a while longer. Eventually, Missio realized he'd been out of meditation for too long. He panicked and held his phone in front of himself.
"Sorry, Mary. I gotta go."
"Huh? Why?" Mary blurted.
"Training." Missio replied, his finger hovering above the end call button.
"Oh, Okay… I'll see you later then."
"Same." Missio ended the call.
He swiftly tucked his phone back into his pocket. He straightened and went back to meditating. After a few hours, Dante returned with a box in hand. As he stepped onto Lido di Venezia's beach, he glanced at his little brother. Seeing him meditating on the shore made the supreme commander smile slightly.
"Good job, Missio." Dante clapped, releasing his aura. "Now, get back to hard mode."
Missio gulped – not replying to his brother. Dante was amused at Missio's growth. He sat down on a beach chair and groaned. The box click open, revealing a simple 24-karat gold ring without a diamond. Picking it up, he saw his and Isabella's name engraved onto it.
'They did an amazing job on this…' Dante commented, putting it on his ring finger.