Chrono Requiem — A Death Song For Time.

Happy birthday, dear.

Sunlight streamed gently through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating part of Rivan’s room. His eyelashes trembled slightly as he mumbled and turned over.

Drink... Drink...

The alarm kept ringing loudly. Rivan groped around the bed until his hand finally found his phone. He rubbed his eyes and stared blankly at the screen. After turning the alarm off, he rolled over again for a moment.

A rough sigh escaped his lips. He ran his fingers through his hair, then got up and went to the bathroom.

After showering and putting on his school uniform, Rivan looked refreshed and cheerful. He grabbed his bag and phone, walked downstairs, and sat at the dining table.

His blue eyes sparkled when he saw the long-awaited notification. He quickly opened it.

[Lunara]: I remember.

[Lunara]: Sorry, I was busy last night and didn’t have time to check my phone."

"I knew it!" Rivan muttered happily.

[Rivan]: Are you free right now?

"Put your phone down. Don't play with it while eating," his mother scolded gently as she placed a plate of fried rice in front of him.

Rivan put his phone on the table and waited patiently for Lunara’s reply. He took a spoonful of rice and ate it.

"Mom, I want two eggs!" a girl's voice called from upstairs. The sound of footsteps followed.

His mother went back to the kitchen for a moment and then returned with a plate of fried eggs. Elena sat down and grabbed her plate.

Rivan glanced around and asked, "Is Dad not coming down?"

“He’s taking the day off. Let him sleep in,” his mother replied.

"Oh..." Rivan didn't ask any more questions and continued eating.

Silence filled the room again. He took a sip from his glass and stood up. "Thanks for the food, Mom. I’m heading out.”

He grabbed his bag and phone, then walked to the door.

“Don’t forget to come home early today!” his mother called out.

“I know,” Rivan replied.

...

Rivan leaned his head on the desk and gazed at the blue sky through the classroom window. The noise around him didn't distract him. Every now and then, he checked his phone, hoping for a new notification.

“Hey, man.”

A boy his age tapped his shoulder. “You’re quiet today. What’s wrong?”

Without looking, Rivan knew it was Rafa, his deskmate. He sighed as the cool breeze brushed his skin. "Nothing. I just want to lie down for a bit."

Rafa raised an eyebrow and eyed the phone Rivan had been clutching. "Mm. You look like Riza when he’s waiting for a text from his crush.”

Rivan flinched and turned toward Rafa instinctively. His eyes widened in surprise. "What—"

“Wait, seriously?” Rafa gasped dramatically. "Who? Who's the girl?"

Rivan pushed his friend's face away. He didn’t want to answer, but Rafa kept leaning closer.

Letting out a weary sigh, Rivan snapped, "No one. I’m just curious about her, that’s all!”

"Ohhh..." Rafa gave him a teasing look, then suddenly turned toward the class and shouted, "Everyone! Rivan—the lifelong bachelor—has a girlfriend!"

Instantly, the class went silent. A second later, laughter erupted, followed by whistles and teasing remarks.

“Who’s the lucky girl who captured our school prince’s heart?”

"What the—!" Rivan’s face burned. He glared at Rafa, who was laughing with the others. “I never said that!”

But no one listened. The room buzzed with curiosity about the so-called "girlfriend."

This wasn't surprising; Rivan was the kind of guy everyone noticed. He was the “school prince,” adored by girls and respected by teachers.

His cheerful, friendly nature, coupled with his good looks and intelligence, made him effortlessly popular.

Thud.

“Quiet, everyone!”

At once, the chatter stopped. No one dared to mess with Mr. Budi, the notoriously strict math teacher.

Rivan exhaled in relief and leaned toward Rafa, whispering, "You're dead."

"Sorry, sorry," Rafa whispered back, though the grin on his face betrayed his amusement.

“Turn to page 120,” Mr. Budi ordered.

Rivan rested his cheek on his hand, turned to look outside, and let the gentle wind play with his hair.

...

Rivan declined his friends’ invitation to hang out, as he had promised his mom. His bike slowed at a green light.

He leaned forward slightly and rested his hands on the handlebars. The city was bustling as always in the afternoon.

Street vendors called out to customers. Some people sat on benches, watching the crowd and passing cars.

When the light turned red, Rivan pedaled forward again, enjoying the cool breeze. The ride lasted about ten minutes.

Then, he stopped his bike in front of his house. He parked the bike and saw his family gathered near his father’s car.

“Where are you guys going?” Rivan asked.

Elena threw her bag into the car and rolled her eyes. "You seriously forgot? Ugh, just go change before Mom starts scolding you.”

Without replying, Rivan went inside. A few minutes later, he came back out wearing a navy hoodie and jeans.

His father’s car weaved through the city traffic. A soft pop song played on the radio.

Rivan leaned his cheek against the window and watched the scenery. His parents chatted quietly in the front seat while Elena giggled over her phone.

He raised an eyebrow when the car stopped in front of an elegant restaurant.

He couldn’t help but wonder: What was the occasion? They didn't often eat out.

He followed his parents silently as Elena yawned beside him. They sat together in a private room his father had reserved.

After their food was served, Elena swallowed a bite of steak and asked, “Do you remember what day it is today?”

“No,” Rivan replied, still busy chewing mushrooms.

Elena sighed, giving up on him.

Their mother placed the box their father had brought home the previous night on the table. "Now that we've all finished eating, let's start the main event—"

Her words were cut off by a violent tremor. They rushed outside as chaos erupted through the restaurant. Screams filled the air. “What’s happening?!”

"Please remain calm, ma'am. Our staff is investigating," said a waiter shakily, trying to restore order.

Rivan gripped a chair to steady himself, his eyes darting around. He felt relieved when he spotted his family—safe and standing a few meters away.

He ran over and grabbed his trembling sister’s hand. Elena looked up, fear evident in her eyes. “Brother, what’s happening?”

“We’ll be fine.”

Their parents reached them and wrapped their arms protectively around their children.

Suddenly, the shaking stopped. But before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, the ceiling collapsed, crushing several guests beneath it. A guttural roar followed, echoing through the chaos.

Everyone froze as a massive shadow loomed overhead.

Then came the monster’s rasping growl.

Screams erupted again. The once-luxurious restaurant became a sea of panic and terror.

“Why is there an echo here?!”

Rivan's body trembled violently. They ran together toward the entrance.

“The door won’t open!” a man shouted.

"Give me the key!" another yelled, grabbing the terrified waitress.

“The door isn’t locked!” she cried, shaking her head desperately.

The man cursed and let her go.

Rivan stood still, scanning the room. Across the hall, a dozen Echoes feasted on human corpses crushed beneath the debris; their monstrous roars reverberated through the space.

"Mama, are we going to die?" a boy whimpered in his mother's arms.

The woman froze, tears streaming down her face, and hugged her son tightly. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Then, chaos surged again as more Echoes charged forward.

Rivan managed to hide under a table and curled up tightly. His mother sat beside him, pale and shaking. Across the room, his father pulled Elena toward them.

“Dad!”

Elena’s scream pierced the noise. Behind her, an Echo was devouring their father’s upper body, and his lower half was collapsing to the ground.

Rivan’s pupils shrank. “Elena, run!”

Elena turned toward him, her eyes wide with tears, only to cough up blood as a claw ripped through her abdomen. “Brother...?”

“Elena!” Rivan rose to his feet, ready to run to her.

But his mother’s grip stopped him. Her cold fingers clutched his wrist tightly. He turned to face her. She was pale and trembling, her eyes glassy with terror.

"Don't go... don't go..." she whispered.

Rivan pulled her into his arms and choked back sobs. "I'm here, Mom. I’m here.”

The monsters’ roars filled the air.

Drool dripped onto Rivan’s neck.

He turned slowly and froze.

An Echo towered before them, baring its jagged teeth. Time seemed to stop as its claw swung forward.

Before Rivan could react, his mother pushed him aside. The claw pierced her chest instead.

She coughed up blood and forced a trembling smile as tears streamed down her cheeks. The white floral dress she wore turned crimson.

"Mom?" Rivan's voice cracked with disbelief.

With shaking fingers, she wiped her son’s tears away, leaving a faint red smear.

“Happy birthday, dear.”

Rivan stood frozen, his mind blank, as the Echo’s claw pierced his abdomen. He could feel his mother’s hand growing cold in his. Her once bright blue eyes dulled.

"Mom? Mom!” His vision blurred. His body collapsed.

With his strength fading, he crawled forward and reached out toward her.

But the echo seized her limp body in its jaws, growling with satisfaction as it feasted.

No! No! No!

Mom! Wake up!

Please, wake up!

Mom, please...

Wake up! Mom!