Memory of Heaven:Romance Written By Fate Through Beyond Infinity Time-Chapter 428 Between Rooftops and Warm Bread — A Typical Day in Vernesya City

Birds flew low above the narrow alley, which was adorned with round stones warmed by sunlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves. The aroma of burning wood, salted butter, and autumn leaves mingled, creating a calming atmosphere amidst the bustle. The city wasn't large, but it was full of sounds. Joanna often took time to reflect on the noise around her; within that chaos, she sought clues about who she was in a world that seemed to overlook her presence.

Vernesya, as the residents called it—a city in the southeastern part of Earth that grew from the ruins of an old port. Its architecture blended Etruscan-style stone houses with open red Mediterranean roofs, adorned with small flags fluttering from balconies. Every corner of this city evoked a longing for something greater, a sense of loss that Joanna felt in every moment of her presence there. Among the old stone walls and the scent of spices enveloping the air, she yearned for her lost identity in a magical realm full of mystery.

Joanna gazed at a round loaf of bread in the display case, letting out a sigh as if exploring the depths of the sweet and bitter choices before her. "What does it mean to choose in a world without magic?" she murmured, her voice almost lost among the clamor of the merchants. Lost in her thoughts, she questioned whether this bread was merely a substitute for something far more significant that had slipped away from her.

"I thought we would be facing demons, guardians of dimensions, or blood curses again."

Rui, wearing a light brown hood, rested her chin on the glass. A reflection emerged not only in the mirror but also in her heart—the question nagged at her mind about the meaning of power without responsibility. "But now... I think I'm more afraid of choosing bread than fighting cosmic entities." She voiced the uncertainty within her, a dilemma that seemed to preserve the peace from the world outside. Her desire to save the people in other dimensions now felt like a burden conflicting with her hope for a simpler life.

It had been three days since they arrived in Vernesya. Days passed, yet the feeling of alienation lingered. They tried to forge a new life in a place devoid of magic, but the peace sought in daily routines was often overshadowed by memories of past battles. Was it possible to hold two lives, two conflicting identities?

There is no magic. No rituals. In fact, the locals are not very familiar with the magical world. All they know are harvests, the seasons when ships arrive, and occasionally news of destruction far to the north. During every exploration, Joanna feels an unanswered question: What would happen if they had to return to their adventure filled with magic? Will the identity they built in Vernesya be enough to face that challenge?

They both rented a small room on the second floor of the La Sapienza inn, owned by an elderly couple named Almon and Edra. Their room's window faces directly onto the main road: Via Fleurs, where flower vendors and small instrument sellers compete in singing the funniest folk songs. Joanna and Rui often sit by the window, watching the seemingly utopian daily life, yet there is a gap that allows memories of the past to fill the void in their hearts.

"You know," Edra said, as she taught Rui how to slice, "your hands tremble like someone holding the world."

"I indeed used to do that," Rui replied. "But now, I just want to slice potatoes."

Edra nodded, recognizing how Rui's seemingly simple words carried deep layers of meaning. "Sometimes, we find ourselves trapped in routines that appear monotonous, yet from that, we also find small strengths to rise again. Do not hesitate to love the little things, Rui."

In the heart of the city lies Plaza Lyanthor, where a majestic golden dragon fountain stands surrounded by small stalls selling various goods. The sound of the fountain's gentle trickle awakens a deep nostalgia within Joanna, transporting her back to the past. She imagines how this place used to be filled with laughter and joy; now, only memories remain. With hope in her heart, she is determined to find her true self here, amidst the bustle of the vibrant vendors and lively visitors.

Joanna loves to sit near an old tailor named Ronn, who always plays melodies from his crystal phonograph. As she listens to the soft notes, she reflects on times when she envisioned herself as someone more connected to the world, more than just a shadow. Each note feels like it touches her heart, reminding her of the dreams she keeps tucked away. Ronn, with his unspoken wisdom, teaches Joanna invaluable lessons about discovering beauty within the chaos of her life.

Meanwhile, Rui had a new companion: a striped cat named Mocha, who loved to sleep in her bag. With a curious gaze, the cat seemed to understand the sadness and hope that always clouded Rui's mind. Whenever Rui felt isolated in this grand world, Mocha would curl up at her feet, bringing a warmth that soothed her soul. "If only I could live as simply as you, Mocha," Rui thought, gently letting her fingers caress the soft, warm fur of the cat.

"This cat understands my heart better than all the Alpha soul readers," she murmured. The pain buried deep within Rui often blurred her own vision; she felt trapped in a labyrinth of her never-ending life. In the darkness of her thoughts, she yearned for light—a reason to keep moving forward. Seeing the burdened sadness in her friend's face, Joanna tried to offer a smile, but couldn't hide the sorrow in her heart. "We will find our way, Rui," she whispered softly, hoping to bring a glimmer of hope to her friend.

Joanna laughed at that and bought two cups of lavender ice cream. Yet, beneath her laughter lay a deep sorrow; she knew that each laugh was a mask hiding the uncertainty within her. "One for you and one for me," she said in a cheerful voice, but behind her smile was a yearning to return to a simpler world, where dreams and hopes could connect with one another. The delicious ice cream seemed to symbolize a small moment of happiness amid the complexities of their lives—something they could hold onto, if only to feel a sense of normalcy.

In the evening, they sat on the roof of Almon's house. A gentle breeze blew, inviting them to reflect on what they had been through. The space around them felt filled with unspoken hope; a spirit of seeking identity under the colorful sky. "There are times I feel like we are estranged from everything," Rui said softly, her gaze piercing the horizon, searching for something greater than just a fountain or a tabby cat. "This world is sometimes too big and too painful."

The sky above Vernesya was turning yellow, the sea appearing both distant and near. The surface of the water sparkled as if inviting hints to those brave enough to dive in. "Are you afraid... that days like this will fade away?" Rui asked. In that moment, her question reached beyond the day itself, capturing a yearning to find their place in this fast-paced world. The noise of the city below provided a soundscape of life that continued unceasingly, while they felt small amidst their doubts about the future.

Joanna nodded. Deep inside, she felt the same fear, an acknowledgment that beautiful moments always held the potential to vanish. Yet, with courage, she did not want to let that fear steal away their fleeting happiness. "Because we are not part of an ordinary world." In that moment, she realized something greater was at play, a quest for identity—something valuable not only for the two of them, but for everyone who felt alienated.

"But for some reason... this is where I feel most human." She couldn't fully grasp why she felt this way, but being with Rui, sharing moments about Mocha, made everything feel more real and precious. They exchanged touching moments, where understanding flowed between them without words. In that silence, there was a presence of emotion that filled the void, akin to a meeting of souls that had long been apart, now united in the search for the meaning of life.

Rui held her hand. As their hands united, a warmth blossomed that transcended mere physical touch. In that moment, they felt that, even amidst this uncertain world, they had each other. The hope of supporting one another in their search for identity blazed brighter. "We already know how to save the world... but we don't know how to live." That statement hung in the air, imbued with so much meaning hidden beneath the surface.

"Perhaps... we can learn," said Rui with a glimmer of hope. This declaration implied that even though they did not possess all the answers, there was comfort in the journey of learning and growing together amidst the uncertainty. However, not everything was peaceful—rumors began to circulate among the townsfolk about their presence.

Some residents started to whisper about the winged girl and the young man with a fearsome visage who were seen forming a blood symbol on the inn's window. From a shadowy street corner, a middle-aged man observed with curiosity, his heart racing. He remembered the days when the world felt simpler, long before Rui and Joanna disrupted the tranquility that had taken years to cultivate.

There were also stories of strange nightmares experienced by the children after witnessing Rui touch the water. As night fell, their laughter turned to silence, fear enveloping them, and in the darkness, whispers haunted the puddles of uncertainty. Joanna vividly remembered her own childhood, where every night was a time for adventure, not fear. She was determined to protect those children from feeling the same loneliness she had experienced.

"We can't stay too long," Joanna said one night. Her voice carried a deep note of doubt, as if her soul felt the tug-of-war between comfort and danger. "What if we aren't found?" she asked Rui, trying to restore her waning confidence.

"This peaceful life... cannot fully accept our existence."

Rui let out a quiet sigh, her gaze drifting far into the darkness of the ocean, as if seeking answers in its depths. She felt the weight of existence pressing harder on her chest, like waves that constantly came and went, but never truly left her on the shore. There was a buried yearning within her—for acceptance, for a place in this world full of uncertainties.

That night at the port of Vernesya, Rui and Joanna stared out at the sea. Silence enveloped the air around them, but within their hearts, both wondered if they truly wanted to continue this search—not just to escape, but to discover not only a place, but also the identities they had lost. Their characters, shaped by various pains and losses, felt more pronounced in the heavy stillness of the night.

In the distance, a ship slowly shimmered—without a crew, yet bearing a symbol they had seen in their visions: a sign of an unwritten future. The ship stood as a symbol of hope and fear, representing what might lie ahead—beautiful yet equally tense times. Rui felt her heart race, not out of danger, but from curiosity about what awaited them.

"Maybe it's time to move on," Joanna said.

"Are you sure?"

Joanna smiled, though there was doubt in her eyes. "It's not because we're running away... but because we're searching for something." Her feelings were a mix of hope and fear. She wanted to believe that out there, there would be a place where they could be themselves, where a part of their souls no longer felt alienated.

Rui nodded, taking Joanna's hand tightly. "Then, wherever the wind takes us, I will always be by your side." Within that statement lay an agreement—a journey toward discovery, not just for a better world, but to find out who they truly were within it. They stepped forward together, with hope and dreams trailing behind them, challenging the darkness that greeted them with a sense of mystery.