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"Why go to the World of Elysium, Old Antique? Shouldn't we focus on preparing for battle instead, unleashing our unstoppable combined power?"
Fu Hua stood inside the elevator leading deep beneath the Imperial City. In the mental domain, Senti sat cross-legged, arms crossed, tilting their head in confusion as they questioned Fu Hua.
Dressed in her Phoenix qipao attire, Fu Hua adjusted the golden arm guards on her hands with a gentle smile.
"I want to try doing something different this time. Just come along and keep me company."
[Fine, suit yourself!]
"Thank you, Senti. For your constant companionship and care, as well as during these recent times... In short, having you by my side brings me great joy."
[Huh?! What nonsense is this? Too cheesy for me! I'm not listening, la-la-la!]
In their shared consciousness, Senti covered her ears, shaking her head vigorously. Despite her stubborn expression, her exquisite little face flushed bright red.
Aware of Senti's naive yet tsundere nature, Fu Hua chuckled it off before sighing softly.
"Senti, let's be serious now. I've decided to become Zeke's wife. But what do you plan to do from here on out?"
[I don't care! As long as you're there, that's where I'll be too. Don't even think about leaving me behind, Old Antique! Not in your wildest dreams!]
Senti had moved past questioning Fu Hua's decision based on her own preferences. To her, perhaps the most important thing was simply being able to stay with Fu Hua forever, nothing more.
Fu Hua sighed once more, her voice tinged with hesitation.
"I understand what you're saying. It's not that I intend to leave you after marrying him. But becoming family with Zeke is my choice, and you should have your own thoughts on this matter."
"...I don't have any thoughts about it! Just remember, you can't think of leaving me behind!" Senti clearly hesitated for a moment before stubbornly insisting.
Perhaps, deep down, she hadn't fully figured out her future relationship with Zeke either?
Silently shaking her head, Fu Hua glanced at the elevator's depth indicator, realizing they were nearing their destination. She decided to set aside this question—for now. After all, this was another version of herself, sharing the same memories and emotions; regardless of Senti's future choices, Fu Hua would support her.
"We're here."
The silver-white elevator doors silently opened, revealing a vast landscape resembling red glass. Fu Hua stepped forward, heading towards the entrance of the World of Elysium.
Stepping through the luminous portal bridging reality and illusion, Fu Hua arrived at the World of Elysium.
Perhaps due to Zeke's prior arrangements, she materialized within Eden's Golden Courtyard, surrounded by old friends currently residing in this realm—Kevin, Su, Eden, Aponia, Cosmos, Griseo, and many more... Including her past self.
"Nice to see you again, Hua! Would you like to patronize my humble shop? As an old friend, I'll give you a 9.9% discount!"
"That barely counts as a discount, Pardo."
"Aiya, it's been ages since any customers visited, and funds have been tight—I really can't afford more than that!"
"You haven't changed a bit."
Fu Hua chuckled, shaking her head at her alluring catgirl friend dressed nearly in just a bikini, yet nostalgia filled her eyes.
"It's been too long, Pardo. Last time, with most of my focus on caring for those children and Dr. Mobius, I couldn't even venture deeper to meet you."
"Don't worry about it; you're seeing me now, aren't you? Thanks to Zeke's upgrades for the Elysian Realm, we have much more freedom and comfort here—hee-hee! The only thing that really bothers me is still not managing to get even a single coin from Boss Zeke—it's downright agonizing!"
Pardofelis scratched her hair anxiously, her cat ears and tail twitching restlessly, reflecting her genuine disappointment.
Fu Hua couldn't help but envision Pardofelis going all out to sell her wares while Zeke maintained his emotionless expression, looking at her as if she were a mentally challenged child...
"Pfft!"
It was just too familiar a sight.
After laughing, Fu Hua bypassed the still frustrated Pardofelis and greeted the many old friends behind her.
"Long time no see, Aponia, Cosmos, Vill-V, and... Griseo."
Fu Hua stepped forward, nodding in acknowledgment to each friend one by one. Finally, she approached Griseo, who rarely left her art studio, and gently patted her head.
"Hello again, Sister Hua. Want to visit my art studio? I'll give you ten percent off!" Griseo chimed in her usual monotone yet adorable voice.
Everyone except Griseo immediately shifted their gaze onto Pardofelis. Cosmos, standing right behind Griseo, leveled a judgmental stare that nearly overflowed with disapproval.
Pardofelis's tail and fur bristled, even pushing Canned Food forward to deflect some of the cold glares. With eyes squeezed shut, she protested, "ヾ(*.>Д<)o ゚It has nothing to do with me! We just met not too long ago!"
"...In any case, this isn't good, Pardo," Cosmos finally broke the prolonged silence, succinctly expressing her disapproval and rebuke.
Pardofelis nodded rapidly like a pecking chick, too afraid to utter another word—as the weakest little kitty here, this was her survival strategy.
Following this exchange, they engaged in some casual catching up.
After a brief conversation, Kevin, sitting apart from the group, finally spoke up and steered the topic back to its original purpose: "So, what brings you here? Zeke gathered us ahead of time, I assume not just for reminiscing."
Each of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers had their distinct personalities and beliefs, representing entirely unique individuals, yet they also had a leader.
In the present moment within the Elysian Realm, while not everyone might fully adhere to Kevin's words, at least they carried significant weight.
When it came to discussing serious matters, having Kevin take the lead faced no objections—even Kalpas, with his extreme late-stage mania, acquiesced.
Thus, Fu Hua sat across from Kevin, facing him directly along with the other Heroic Spirits behind him. With a long sigh, she began:
"Sigh... The outside world, I fear, is about to face its ultimate trial, much like we did fifty thousand years ago."
The Heroic Spirits fell instantly silent, as if even the Elysian Realm itself lost all sound.
After a moment, Kevin lowered his gaze and spoke softly:
"What happens in this era concerns us not. Moreover, we have already provided our answer before; both Elysia and Mobius ventured out. What more do you seek?"
"No, it does concern us."
"How so?"
"I am still alive in the outer world, just like you and Su. We endured for five long millennia, persevering until hope was found within this realm. Now, we wish to protect this hope with everything we have... Asking you to reclaim your discarded fighting spirit for a foreign world indeed seems unfair. But, would you do it for us?"
Fu Hua spoke slowly, her words carrying both sorrow and pleading.
The span of fifty thousand years was a terrifying number, so immense that even Kevin, cold-hearted as he was, couldn't remain unaffected.
Kevin's mouth slightly parted, but for a long moment, no words emerged. As he gazed into Fu Hua's icy blue eyes, they involuntarily softened.
As for the others, they were once comrades-in-arms, bound by shared life-and-death experiences; how could they remain unmoved?
Continuing, Fu Hua said:
"Zeke has always been meticulous. When he invited you here last time, he must have prepared to ensure your return with full combat prowess intact. Now, I implore you, for me, Kevin, and Su, please give us this chance."
The Heroic Spirits looked at Fu Hua, inevitably comparing her with her counterpart from the World of Elysium, their emotions complex.
The former Fu Hua, just like the one in the World of Elysium, was stubborn, withdrawn, and reserved. Behind her repeated insistence on stepping onto Mobius' experimental platform lay a profound grief she occasionally revealed only briefly.
But the present Fu Hua is different—her eyes now shine with vitality, and she has even learned to appeal emotionally to everyone... Could these changes be the result of fifty thousand years of enduring transformation?
The Heroic Spirits independently arrived at similar conclusions and began harboring feelings of sympathy for their former companion Fu Hua.
Yet, still, no one responded.
Perhaps it was due to too long spent in silence, or perhaps their hearts had entirely given up with the fall of the previous civilization. Although moved by Fu Hua's plea, none found the words to agree.
Amidst the prolonged quiet, Fu Hua visibly felt disheartened but quickly managed a smile again.
"What if I told you...I'm in love?"
"...Huh?!?!" × N
During her last visit, Eden, as a confidante, learned about Fu Hua's romantic situation, yet even she was taken aback by Fu Hua's candidness. The others were equally stunned, their eyes wide and thoughts swirling in confusion.
"I mean, in this era, I have found my own love. Zeke, my husband-to-be, I want to be with him, build a family, and even have children together. No longer am I protecting the world solely out of duty or righteousness; I wish to protect those I love, safeguard our future... Yes, I've fallen in love with Zeke, and he loves me too, just like that."
Fu Hua placed both hands on her heart, the warmth within radiating from her uplifted smile, clearly visible to everyone present.
As the Heroic Spirits stood bewildered and unsure of what to do, Fu Hua took a deep breath.
"I'm here for myself, but more importantly, for Zeke," she said earnestly. "Please, help me just this once. I've endured for fifty thousand years, not knowing how I managed to survive until today. Now, I want to be with Zeke forever. I want to live, and I deserve my own happiness..."
Fu Hua sniffled, then lifted her head towards everyone present. Like a flower blooming after the rain, her pure smile was radiant and captivating, while a tear gently rolled down from the corner of her eye.
"...Will you?" Her trembling question resonated like the heaviest iron hammer striking the hearts of all the Heroic Spirits, igniting the brightest and most passionate sparks within them.