NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38: Crossing the Tombs of the Departed
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Contrary to Mei's expectations, the battle didn't escalate into the intense confrontation she had imagined.
While she weaved through the rain of arrows and found a small opening to close the distance,
Elysia lowered her bow and waved her hand, signaling for the fight to stop.
"Ah, I lose, I lose. You're just too strong! If others find out, I might have to give up my spot as Number Two."
She smiled as always, as if the battlefield of crystalline flowers was merely decorative and the intense fight moments ago just a friendly greeting.
Though no definitive winner was decided, she declared Mei the victor.
After all… she was merely testing Mei. If she truly didn't want her to pass, there were many other ways to achieve that.
In the distance, a gateway woven of light had opened, waiting for Mei to step forward.
Yet Mei remained still, her gaze lingering on Elysia as if deep in thought.
The door resembled something she had seen before, perhaps in her encounters with Himeko. Though this wasn't a final goodbye, there was still a faint echo of separation.
But this was just a doorway.
Mei's thoughts weren't of sorrow or loss. Instead, they were filled with questions.
"Hmm? What's wrong? Don't tell me… you're reluctant to leave me?"
Elysia teased, her tone lighthearted. Mei was so adorable.
"What will I encounter next? Or rather… what is the true purpose of the Elysian Realm?"
"As a database, it operates inefficiently; as a trial ground for inheritance, its costs are too extravagant."
Mei's voice was calm, her analysis precise. She voiced the doubts that had lingered in her heart since her arrival.
"I also don't believe that a whimsical suggestion could have gained unanimous support."
Her gaze fixed on Elysia, searching for answers in her expression.
"Perhaps I can't give you a correct answer," Elysia admitted after a brief pause. She rarely hesitated in her words, but for Mei's sharp intellect, she chose them carefully.
"In different hearts, the Elysian Realm holds entirely different meanings."
Elysia understood Mei's confusion, but she also had too many secrets she couldn't reveal, not yet. The qualifications for inheriting the Realm required acknowledgment from all, not just one.
And she trusted that Mei would make it to the end.
"For Eden, it's a treasury of the past's beauty; for Kalpas, it's a continuation of war."
"For Mobius, it's the extension of the Stigmata Project, a vessel for her dreams. For Kevin… it might simply be a symbol, a reminder that his comrades once existed."
She hesitated for a moment, her expression flickering with uncertainty. Yet, she continued, sharing her perspective.
"To me, the Elysian Realm is simple."
"It's a storybook, recording a beautiful fairy tale—of an era, a journey, and the entirety of thirteen lives."
"Even when the end of the world arrived, there were still those who carried hope for tomorrow."
"When civilization teetered on the brink of collapse, light continued to emerge from the darkness."
"And in that world, there were thirteen extraordinary people."
"Even knowing that civilization had fallen, they still chose to fight to the bitter end, dedicating everything to ensure their proud, vibrant lives were forever etched into history."
"What the Elysian Realm preserves is just that, a simple story."
Elysia exhaled softly, her thoughts flowing freely.
To her, civilization wasn't just about its heroes; it also belonged to countless ordinary people.
Hope and anticipation thrived in every heart.
And for those exceptional heroes, they bore the ideals of many. Even in failure, they never stopped resisting, not once retreating.
"Is that all there is to it?"
Mei's tone carried a trace of doubt. Could the Elysian Realm truly just be a story? A construct that consumed so many resources, manpower, and technology, even serving as a massive device sustained by the current civilization.
She couldn't bring herself to believe it.
Elysia merely smiled, a knowing, enigmatic expression. Perhaps it truly was as she said, but hidden beneath her words, the Elysian Realm still harbored its secrets.
At least for now, all Elysia sought to share, pursue, and warn about was what she had revealed.
"For me, that's exactly what it is. Don't you think it fits my style perfectly?"
"This story contains pain and failure, betrayal and parting, but also happiness and joy, warmth and inspiration."
"Sadness doesn't vanish into thin air, but the warmth of those feelings will remain cherished in our hearts forever."
"And so, I said these words: 'Let's preserve all of our memories.'"
"What we pass down to the future shouldn't only be hatred and duty. To understand why we fought, people must also experience the brilliance of this era."
"Cold, sterile knowledge and technology can be taught through textbooks. But the legacy of the Flame-Chasers must carry the honor of being one of us, the reasons we fought."
"It's about the essence of our souls during this chase of fire."
"And you, the ones who come after us, will witness the marks left by our lives and souls. In those, you may find the answers you seek."
"Beyond that door, Mobius awaits your arrival. But even she is not your final destination. You will surpass her and continue moving toward a more distant, deeper past."
"Perhaps you will walk far enough to uncover truths buried by history, moments that shifted the fate of humanity."
"But regardless of the outcome, our era has ended. And we each completed our missions as best as we could."
Elysia smiled, a soft expression that perhaps resembled Himeko's smile in the past, a smile entrusting the impossible to those who came after, leaving regrets in the hands of those still walking forward.
But it wasn't a burden; it was a warmth.
"Even if heroes didn't save the world, at least you were born. That, too, is a result we hoped for, a second chance for humanity."
"Of course, a new era will come with its own challenges, difficulties, and trials that will halt your progress."
"But those are your problems to solve. And I trust that you will find your own answers."
"Not being pushed, dragged forward, or following a path set by someone else."
"But deciding for yourselves, What do I want to do? What should I do?"
"To chart your own destiny, to leave your own mark."
"With your will, you'll strive toward the goals you set for yourself, living life as the protagonist of your story."
"You see, that's who I am. That's who we all are. That's what the era I knew, and the thirteen it gave rise to, embodied."
"A tapestry of countless intertwined paths, birthing a miracle of countless blooming flowers."
"I wonder if the stories of the Flame-Chasers can inspire you. I believe the answer is yes. Isn't that wonderful?"
"So, what is the meaning of the Elysian Realm? There has never been a definitive answer. At least, this is my hope as its proposer."
She took a deep breath, circling back to the initial question.
Her words might have been scattered, intricate, yet her sweet voice captivated the listener, guiding them to delve deeper into her vision. Her anticipation and joy resonated, unveiling profound emotions that made one's soul tremble.
Every word came from the heart, filled with sincerity.
For countless years, she had waited here, nurturing the hope for an unclear, indescribable bright future, even if it wasn't entirely bright, just living life following her own footsteps was enough.
"In any case, Mei, I have high hopes for you. After all—"
"You're just like me: cute, kind, pure, and strong—a beautiful young girl."
"No matter the past or the present, cute girls can do anything. That will never change."
"…Thank you."
"It's the first time I've heard you speak so much."
Mei's heart stirred slightly at Elysia's words. She had come seeking answers, but what exactly were those answers supposed to be?
Or… was there even such a thing as an answer?
"Ah, to be honest, I was quite nervous. Did I manage to convey what I wanted to say?"
The moment of wisdom passed, and Elysia returned to her lively, playful self, leaning in close to tease Mei.
"Nervous? You didn't seem that way at all."
"At least now I understand why you're called Number Two. One of the leaders of the Flame-Chasers… You truly deserve that title."
"Thank you. I think so too."
Elysia graciously accepted the praise. No matter the compliment, she believed none were undeserved.
"Forget the serious side of me just now. Let's go back to how we were before, okay?"
"Sure, whatever makes you happy."
For this version of Elysia… Mei found it harder to adjust to her unpredictability.
But… if it made her happy, so be it.
"I'm always happy. Spending time with you, who wouldn't be?"
Elysia's teasing continued as she caught every slip in Mei's defenses.
Finally, after an exchange of heartfelt goodbyes,
Elysia left behind a purple crystalline flower for Mei, a token of her victory and a gift between friends.
As her form dissolved into light and she returned to wait in the hall,
Her lingering words echoed through the space, carried by countless shards of broken, violet crystal.
The fragrance remained, the path continued.
....
"This is a long journey. You may feel stuck, achieving nothing for a long time."
"But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Progress isn't always measured by accomplishments or results."
"Emptiness, confusion, hesitation, and self-doubt—these, too, have meaning in one's life. Just like the thirteen individuals here who once experienced them."
"Look at them. They lived with such pride, carrying their ideals to the very end, composing a hymn to civilization with their lives."
"This is the story of those called the Flame-Chasers—the unfinished journey of thirteen who pursued the fire."
"But Mei, your path will continue, won't it?"
Elysia's rhetorical question was meant to lighten Mei's steps and steady her resolve.
"Then, follow your heart and move forward."
"Trace the footsteps beneath you, and bear witness to that journey of pursuing fire."
"And in the end… cross the tombs of the departed—"
"Create the future we were unable to reach!"
Under an even brighter radiance, Elysia's words finally dissipated as her presence faded. She stepped aside, leaving the stage for Mei and the Mobius waiting behind the door.
It was both Mei's desire… and Elysia's expectation.