Sete didn't exchange a word with Hiroshi when she handed him her bag full of tasty figs. She just headed for the Tropical Orchard to use her powers on the seeds of the temperate climate trees and finish her tasks for the day.
Lillia and Bianca were also helping with the harvest, and they exchanged worried glances with Hiroshi. Ever since Dez arrived at H.A.L.O., it had become rare for the young deity to be so quiet and lethargic, lost in distant thoughts. However, the heirs had learned that the best thing to do in such moments was to let Spring reflect alone, so that she would gradually return to her everyday state of mind on her own.
The results of trying to understand Sete by talking to her at such times, based on previous experience, would only be sharp glances and even more distance. Therefore, everyone continued to work diligently in the orchards.
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Spring helped them for a few minutes, picking tangerines from the Tropical Orchard, but then she stepped away to drink some water and rest. Using her powers to accelerate the growth of so many plants at once, and then helping them bloom and bear fruit, was quite exhausting — especially since she hadn't yet regained her full strength.
"Congratulations, you've reached lv. 5 in [Agriculture]!" — Vez announced suddenly, while Sete rested in the shade and watched the heirs finish harvesting the orchards. — "Now, in addition to unlocking new seeds in the store, you've also unlocked the option to send a message to any of the Four Seasons. That means you can write a letter to Dez, Maio, Juno, or even yourself! I guarantee your [Correspondence] will be delivered safely ^-^"
"Very interesting, Vez." — Sete replied skeptically, she didn't seem to believe what the System had revealed. — "But what's the catch? How much do I have to pay to send this letter?"
"Oh, well..." — Vez hesitated a little, which confirmed Spring's thoughts.
"Spit it out." — She demanded, anger evident in her harsh tone.
"To send this message, you will need to pay a fee of 1,000 coins from the Seed Shop-" — The robotic voice, slightly trembling with fear, faltered in the middle of its speech. Under Sete's murderous gaze, however, Vez found himself obliged to continue after clearing his throat. — "There's also a word limit that must not be exceeded... If you want to write more, you'll need to pay an additional fee depending on the number of characters that exceed this pre-set limit..."
Sete was silent for a few minutes, pondering whether or not to send a message to Maio. Of course, the decision she made was far from rational, especially after coming into contact with those precious memories of the oath they had made so long ago, right under that fig tree that shouldn't even exist anymore.
"Okay." — Sete sighed, staring at her own hands almost desperately. She felt the human heart in her chest race and the breath in her flesh lungs escape on its own, just from being faced with the possibility of finally getting in touch with Autumn. — "How do I write this letter?"
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Vez explained that after purchasing the "Correspondence" for 1,000 coins at the Seed Shop, Sete would see a blank, translucent blue screen appear before her eyes. She should then think about the words she wanted to convey, always paying attention to the character count bar in the lower right corner of the panel.
That was exactly what Spring did, so that the following message appeared on the screen floating in the air in front of her:
Maio,
The eternities we swear are the ones that end sooner, I know that now. The weight of eternity condemns them, I imagine.
And it is these endings that bother me. The ones we promised would be infinite.
Despair consumed me at first, I admit. I even thought about praying to the other Gods, those who separated us.
However, the anger and resentment I hold prevented me from seeing any kind of salvation in these damned ones. I was alone. We all are.
Not so much now, though, because I found Dez. Or rather, he found me. His presence has brought me a little hope and relief, like a bright ray of sunshine breaking through dark clouds after a devastating storm.
Still, I know that this storm is not completely over. A series of destructive events awaits us in the future.
Bad things will happen, Maio. The world will change, and so will we.
On the one hand, I know it's okay, because I've learned from mortals that it's natural for some things to end and others to begin. But I'm sure that this heartbreaking distance isn't right.
Nothing has felt right away from you.
Because I wanted what we dreamed of together to withstand eternity.
Just as I also wanted the fig trees we planted in our cores to bloom indefinitely.
Yes, we would make these crypts of flowers our homes: the most beautiful and well-kept secret of all.
It may be a bit of a daunting task for you, after all, making sprouts grow into plants full of delicate petals is not autumn's specialty. However, rest assured that I will be there to support you.
I will never stop being there, just as you have always been by my side.
I remember it more clearly now — that's how we were. Us and those other two. The four seasons that stain the world with all the glory of existence...
But what about now?
Who are we? Where are we?
Will we ever meet again?
I hope it won't be long before that happens.
I'll write to you again soon, when I have enough coins.
I miss you, Maio.
With fondness, Sete.
The young goddess read and reread the letter several times, thinking about everything she could add to the message without exceeding the character limit mentioned by Vez. Finally, feeling that she had put everything she had in mind into the blue hologram, she selected the [Send] button below.
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Sete, the Spring:
Total power restored [30%/100%]
Total divinity restored [28%/100%]
World corruption dispelled [0.45%/100%]
Heirs of the divinities saved [8%/100%]
Seed Shop Coins: 140
Agriculture [lv. 5]
Inventory: 9 Magic Rubber Tree Seedlings