It all came rushing back in fragments.
The endless storm of battle.
The roar of the Tree.
The Saintess's chains of wind binding the monstrous roots.
The voice of the Sword Spirit echoing within him.
And then... silence.
After that, nothing but darkness.
No dreams. No time. Just stillness.
He took a slow breath, grounding himself once more in the present. "I remember everything," he said softly. "The battle… the sword… everything."
The Lotus Spirit nodded, relief evident in her gentle smile. "Then your mind is intact. That is good."
She paused for a moment before adding, "Your sacrifice saved everyone, Lin Mu. The Ephemera Tree is gone, and peace has returned to the Silent Lotus World. The people are safe because of you."
Lin Mu's lips curved upward faintly. "Then it was worth it."
He exhaled deeply, his body relaxing against the lotus petal that supported him. "That's good. That's… really good."
For the first time since the war five years ago, a sense of calm filled him.
