bookbashuk Chapter 86: Elio's Side Story
Chapter 86: Elio's Side Story
The nights in Lin Yuan Realm always carry an indescribable damp coolness.
This is the sacred land of the Vidyadhara clan, the place where the ancient sea was sealed.
The enormous statue of the Vidyadhara Dragon is half-submerged in the seawater, revealing a silent majesty that has endured the vicissitudes of time under the deep blue light of the waves.
The waves crashed against the broken jade steps, creating a rhythmic roar, like the breathing of some ancient creature.
A broken stone pillar leans against the sea, and a huge fossilized dragon bone casts a pale shadow under the moonlight. The waves crash against the rocks on the shore, making a hollow and desolate sound, like the whispers of countless dead souls.
Hoshi stood on the edge of a towering cliff.
The sea breeze tousled her long, silver-gray hair, and her newly grown right hand rested casually on her knee, golden light dancing at her fingertips.
Behind her stood Xing.
Before them, those once powerful and influential figures, now each burdened with their own sorrows, each occupied a spot according to a tacit understanding ingrained in their very being.
Jingyuan, carrying a pot of wine, leaned against a still-warm stone pillar.
He wasn't wearing his elaborate general's armor, but just a plain dress that made him look rather thin.
His gaze wasn't on anyone, but rather fixed on the shimmering sea in the distance.
That place was once the foundation upon which the Jianmu tree grew, and also the grave of the fallen evil dragon.
Jingliu stood not far from him.
The black veil obscured her eyes, but it couldn't hide the chill emanating from her that seemed to freeze the entire sea.
The ice sword in her hand had long been sheathed, but she still looked like a sharp blade ready to be drawn at any moment.
But at this moment, the sharp edge of the blade was concealed, leaving only an almost deathly silence.
Ren crouched in the shadows at the edge of the cliff.
The broken sword lay across his knee, and a red light flickered in his cloudy eyes.
He stared at his palms, which were covered with calluses and scars, each one a record of death and rebirth.
But what he was thinking about at that moment was the hand that had once warmly patted his shoulder and smiled, saying, "Yingxing's craftsmanship is the best in the world."
Danheng... or rather, Yinyue, who at this moment revealed the true form of the Dragon Lord.
He hovered silently in mid-air, his blue dragon horns gleaming coldly in the moonlight, his dragon tail swaying unconsciously, shattering the surrounding mist.
He looked at these people.
Looking at these old friends who were once inseparable, then turned against each other, and now reunited for the same goal.
"This place looks pretty much like a dungeon in a game." Silver Wolf looked around and blew bubble gum.
Kafka, looking at the uneven ground beneath her feet, said with elegance and composure, "Be careful not to fall, baby."
"Everyone's here."
Nihoshi broke the silence.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"It's quiet here, no one will bother us."
"Even the passage of time seems to be slower outside."
She turned around and took out several wine glasses from her personal storage space.
It wasn't some precious jade cup, just a very ordinary white porcelain cup.
They were placed one by one on a flat boulder on the cliff.
"Although I am an outsider."
Nihoshi picked up the sake bottle that Kagemoto had placed next to him and uncorked it.
The aroma of the wine instantly filled the air, rich and lingering, carrying a unique sense of history that belongs to Luofu.
"But since we're going to do something big, there has to be a sense of ceremony."
"and……"
She poured a full glass and handed it to Jingyuan.
"I think you need this too."
Jingyuan took the wine glass.
His fingers trembled slightly.
This scene is all too familiar.
It was so familiar that he felt a little dazed, as if time had reversed and he had returned to the era when the five of them stood side by side, full of vigor and high spirits.
Back then, they also did the same, raising their glasses in celebration amidst the post-war ruins, at victory banquets, and on every memorable day.
Jingliu stepped forward and silently picked up the second cup.
Blade reached out and grabbed the third cup.
Danheng landed, transformed into human form, and picked up the fourth cup.
Kafka and Silver Wolf stood at the edge, not disturbing the party.
Hoshi poured a glass for himself and Hoshiya.
then.
She picked up the last empty cup.
Fill it to the brim.
It was gently placed in the very center of the boulder.
Five cups.
Five people.
But one thing is missing.
That fox-girl who always laughed the most, always clamored to drink to her heart's content, and always dragged Jingliu to spar with her and Yingxing to look at the stars after getting drunk.
That spot was completely empty.
Only the sea breeze blows by, stirring up a few grains of dust.
Jingyuan stared at the empty cup.
He closed his eyes.
That face, which always wore a lazy smile, was expressionless at this moment.
Only the muscles at the corners of the eyes were twitching very subtly.
"Bai Heng..."
He murmured the name.
The voice was so soft, as if afraid of disturbing the dream.
Jingliu gripped the wine glass tighter and tighter, his fingertips turning white.
She tilted her head back, as if trying to see the moon through the black veil.
But tonight the moon is half-hidden by clouds.
Just like that incomplete ending.
"If you were here..."
She didn't finish speaking.
But everyone understands.
Blade stared intently at the cup.
The red light in his eyes flashed wildly; it was the demonic body roaring and tearing at his sanity.
But he stubbornly held back.
Even if you bite your lips until they bleed, even if your hand holding the cup has cracked the porcelain.
He still didn't move.
He was just like a gravedigger, clinging tightly to that last bit of hope.
Danheng lowered his eyes.
Blue eyelashes concealed the emotions in her eyes.
Guilt, regret, longing...
A mix of emotions mingled together, culminating in a silent sigh.
Nihoshi looked at them.
Looking at this scene is enough to break the heart of anyone who knows the truth.
These are the Five Swift Warriors of the Cloud.
That's what regret is.
"Everyone."
Hoshi raised the cup in his hand.
"Respect for the past."
"It's a pity."
"respect……"
Her gaze sharpened, like a shooting star piercing the night sky.
"A destiny about to be rewritten."
Everyone raised their glasses.
A gentle bump.
Ding--
The crisp sound of porcelain clashing echoed through the vast Lin Yuan Realm.
But no one drank it.
They simply spilled the wine on the ground.
It spilled around the empty cup.
Paying tribute to the deceased.
It also serves as a tribute to that era that is gone forever.
The wine seeped into the soil.
The air was filled with a strong aroma of alcohol.
Hoshi put down the cup.
She knew that the emotions had been brought to their peak.
This suppressed grief is the perfect fuel to activate the "end" power.
Because only the deepest despair can give rise to the strongest desire to reverse everything.
"That's about it."
She turned around and looked at Kafka and Silver Wolf, who had been standing in the shadows, silently watching everything.
Neither of the two Star Core Hunters participated in the ceremony.
They simply watched like elegant spectators, appreciating this tragedy titled "Reunion".
Seeing that Hoshino was looking over, Kafka smiled and nodded.
"Are you ready?"
Kaffa's voice remained gentle, possessing a reassuring magic.
"This script is a 'side story' that even Eriol hasn't written before."