Inside the Golden Courtyard.
"Eli, it's been so long since we were alone together~ hmm~ it almost feels like we've gone back to our childhood days."
Elysia gazed tenderly at the sleeping boy resting on her lap—the look in her eyes one she reserved for him alone. It was filled with love, longing, and gentle blessing.
Her hands moved skillfully through his snowy hair as she began to comb it, recalling how, when they were little, one of her favorite things to do was to wait until Elias fell asleep, then tie her pink hair together with his white strands.
"Without realizing it, we've come this far, haven't we?"
Elysia softly brushed her fingers along Elias' sleeping face, her heart brimming with emotion. It felt like only yesterday that they had first set out on their journey together.
They had witnessed countless beautiful sights, met many people along the way, and eventually discovered the truth of the world—deciding to step onto the battlefield against the Honkai to protect everything precious.
"What is this, some kind of adventure novel about a hero and heroine?" Elysia couldn't help but giggle softly at her own words.
"But really, Eli... you're amazing."
Ever since joining Fire Moth, Elias seemed to have switched into another mode entirely—cold, efficient, invincible. He saved the world and defeated Herrschers with ease, as though he had done it countless times before. His overwhelming competence made Elysia's heart ache for him.
She smiled faintly, though there was a trace of sadness in it.
"You're so handsome and incredible when you're a savior, but... I think I still prefer the traveler Eli. That was when your smile shone the brightest... and when you weren't carrying such heavy burdens."
As their battles against the Honkai continued, Elysia began to sense more and more of the sorrow and secrets Elias bore within him—burdens she could never fully understand.
She had tried many times to reach out, to share in his pain.
But Elias would never show those wounds to her. Of course he wouldn't. That man... would never let her see how much he hurt.
"Everyone must have tried to stop you, right, Eli? But with your personality... once you've made up your mind, no one can change it. So... I won't try to stop you."
"Eli, do as you wish. Whether you're the savior carrying the world or the free traveler wandering through it—I'll always support your choice."
"Because no matter which version of you it is, you're always dazzling, always strong... and always the one who makes me fall in love. But... let me make one thing clear."
Elysia's eyes grew firm with resolve.
Her mind drifted back to when the fifteen Flame-Chasers were first formed, to the moment Elias revealed the ultimate truth—that he was a Herrscher from fifty thousand years in the future, one who fought for humanity.
In that instant, Elysia understood.
It was likely because of her—because she had once used her power—that the Herrschers fifty thousand years later retained their humanity, breaking free from the control of the Honkai and giving birth to the miracle of Herrschers who fought for mankind.
And from that moment, she made her decision.
If it was for the sake of protecting the future of the one she loved, she would gladly give her life to grant that wish.
"Do you know, Eli? I love this world. It's so beautiful—so full of life, love, and hope. It makes me want to protect it. And it was you who showed me that beauty."
"So, you're the reason I fell in love with this world."
Elysia looked down at Elias with infinite tenderness, her hand brushing his cheek as she spoke her true self.
"I am the Herrscher of Origin. And you, Elias, are my origin—the reason I wanted to become human. So... no matter the cost, I'll protect you. Because this Miss Pink Elf loves you most of all."
She could only say these words while he slept. Because she knew—if Elias ever found out her plan, he would stop her at any cost.
Elysia touched the white-haired boy as if he were the most precious jewel in the world. Tears of pure love overflowed from her eyes. How she wished she could walk into the future with him.
But if that wish could not be granted... then before reaching the end, she would give him everything she had.
...
"Mm... huh...? Where am I...?"
When his vision cleared, Elias found himself staring at a ceiling so familiar it took his breath away. For a moment, he wondered if he was hallucinating.
"This is... the Valkyrie Dormitory? I'm... back?"
He looked around in a daze. There was no mistaking it—this was the Valkyrie Dormitory at St. Freya Academy, and he was lying on the living room sofa.
Game controllers lay scattered across the carpet—Bronya and Kiana's, no doubt. On the table were Mei and Rita's cooking notes. When Elias opened the refrigerator, he found it stocked with Theresa's bitter melon juice and Himeko's beer.
Everything seemed perfectly normal. As if he'd just taken an ordinary afternoon nap.
Elias took a deep breath and was about to look for everyone when a familiar figure appeared before him—leaving him stunned.
"Hi~ Eli, you're finally awake?"
"Ely..."
Through the door stepped Miss Pink Elf herself, moving with easy familiarity. She switched into slippers from the shoe cabinet and pat-pat-patted her way over, carrying a lunchbox.
"Bad luck today, Eli~ Mei's still in class, Rita got called for an emergency mission, and Sakura went to Rin's school for a parent-teacher meeting. So, we'll have to make do with cafeteria food for lunch."
"Ely... your clothes."
"Hm? What about them? It's just the usual school uniform~ doesn't the St. Freya goddess uniform suit me perfectly?"
Elysia twirled in place, doing a full 180° spin to show off her outfit before striking a pose. The white military-style uniform of St. Freya's female students looked both elegant and charming on her.
But that was exactly the problem!
"Why are you wearing a St. Freya uniform? Wait—wasn't I just in the Previous Era? What happened to the Honkai? What about everyone? Did I... did I manage to save you?"
Elias grabbed Elysia by the shoulders, his voice trembling in confusion. His head spun, unable to make sense of what was happening.
"Eli, what are you talking about?"
"What?"
"The Honkai of the Previous Era—you already wiped it out, didn't you? The fifteen Flame-Chasers have all come to the Current Era now! You saved me, remember? You really scared me back then—who would've thought you'd use that method to save me."
Elysia said it so casually as she opened the lunchbox and picked up a slice of grilled meat, holding it to his lips.
"Don't tell me you lost your memory in your sleep? You did it, Eli. You saved everyone. All the tragedies you carried... you rewrote them all. We're together forever now, see~?"
She lifted her left hand, revealing a ring on her ring finger that sparkled faintly. The Pink Elf's cheeks flushed as she smiled radiantly, overflowing with happiness.
Elias froze. He recognized that ring instantly—it was the one he'd personally designed for his proposal. Now it adorned her finger, and the meaning was clear.
"We're... together forever?"
"Mm-hm~ And when I came to this era, I immediately applied to enroll in St. Freya Academy! Haha~ you should've seen everyone's faces when I introduced myself as your fiancée—Mei, Kiana, Bronya, Seele~ they were priceless!"
"Uh... just imagining that is terrifying."
"It was! During combat class that afternoon, poor Miss Pink Elf got ganged up on by everyone~ it was a real crisis! But with the power of love between Eli and me, I still won!"
Elysia proudly crossed her arms, recounting her glorious tale of battling Mei, Kiana, Bronya, Dark Seele, Rita, Wendy, and Ji Xuanyuan on the training grounds.
As the second Flame-Chaser, the true [Ego], a Vipralopa-class MANTIS, and the Herrscher of Origin who rivaled Finality itself—even when faced with a full-scale assault, she still emerged victorious.
Well, until a certain golden saint in shining armor—Durandal—decided to "spar" with her. That was when Elysia finally understood what "broken balance" truly meant. She barely managed a draw.
"Durandal is way too strong! I even used my Herrscher form, and I still almost lost!"
"Well~ it is Durandal, after all. Makes sense," Elias chuckled softly. "By the way, what about the others? How are Eden and the rest doing?"
"Everyone? Hmm~ why don't you see for yourself?"
Elysia turned on the television, and at once, a familiar red-haired beauty appeared on-screen. The headline read: "The Legendary Songstress from the Previous Era Begins Her World Tour."
"Eden's voice truly transcends eras. Thanks to her songs, the cultural exchange between the Previous and Current Eras got off to a wonderful start."
"And Griseo too~ Ah, she's grown up so beautifully. You'll be shocked when you see her, Eli—you probably still remember her as that tiny little painter."
"Oh, and Hua—well, I guess I should call her Fu Hua now—she hasn't changed a bit. Same calm personality, same body, same everything. Honestly, she's so earnest it's almost pitiful... fifty whole millennia of unrequited love."
"Cough, cough! Anyway, Mobius founded some organization called World Serpent. Who knows what kind of research she's up to now. I heard the Overseer of Schicksal even visited her once to consult about resurrection, but he left looking rather disappointed."
Elysia went on describing the lives of the Flame-Chasers in the Current Era while Elias listened intently, his heart swelling with wonder and joy. It all felt like a dream—but a beautiful, comforting one.
Then, suddenly, the door to the dorm swung open.
"We're back~ Ugh, class was exhausting! Bronya, can I copy your homework later?"
"Idiot Kiana. You slept through the entire morning. How could you be tired? And no, do your own assignments."
"Ehh~ Kiana, you really should take your studies more seriously. Himeko-sensei said that if you fail your next exam again, you'll be demoted to D-rank and assigned to logistics duties only," Mei said with a small sigh.
"Uwaaah~ it hurts! Mei, don't pull my ear like that!"
The three distinct voices, the three beloved faces—Kiana, Mei, and Bronya—entered the room, and Elias' golden eyes widened. Something deep within his heart trembled violently. Every fiber of him screamed the urge to rush forward and embrace them all.
"Kiana... Mei... Bronya..."
"Huh? Elias, you're awake? Give me a second, I'll make lunch—wait... Elysia?! What are you doing in our dorm?!"
"Oh, Mei~ don't be so tense! You were still in class earlier, so I just came by to bring Eli some lunch. Don't worry~ nothing happened yet."
The moment Mei saw Elysia, her expression turned sharp. Her hand instinctively reached for the Domain of Sanction at her waist, drawing the blade as red dragon horns sprouted atop her head.
It looked like she was ready to slay a certain pink elf.
Elysia, however, had already drawn her Whisper of the Past, a crystalline arrow nocked and gleaming with light.
Kiana and Bronya exchanged a glance, both taking a cautious step back, identical expressions on their faces that said, Here we go again...
"Ahem, uh... Mei? I'm starving. Could you maybe start lunch? As much as I like cafeteria food, I'd still prefer your cooking."
"And Ely—why don't you tell me more about everyone's lives? You were just saying... oh right, you're not staying in the same dorm as us?"
Elias swiftly stepped in to defuse the impending battle. At his words, both the Pink Elf and the Thunder Queen reluctantly lowered their weapons.
"Ehh~ it's so unfair, isn't it? I'm Eli's fiancée! And they won't even let me share a dorm with him!"
"Hmph! Elysia, it'd be a miracle if they allowed that. There's no place for you in this house," Mei huffed, slipping on an apron. Somewhere along the line, her blade had turned into a frying spatula. It looked like she was ready to wage war on pots and pans instead.
"..."
Elias found himself momentarily dazed, staring in silent admiration at the sight of Mei in her domestic mode. Feeling his gaze, the crimson-haired girl's cheeks flushed bright red.
"E-Elias... why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because... I've missed this. Mei, it's been so long. I've really... missed you."
"You're exaggerating. We've only been apart since this morning. Anyway, what do you want for lunch?"
"Anything's fine—as long as it's something you've made yourself."
Elias smiled softly, thinking to himself that if it were Mei's cooking, he could eat it for the rest of his life.
"Ugh... maybe I should learn to cook too," Elysia muttered under her breath, pouting slightly as she watched the scene unfold.
After that, Elias spent time playing with everyone—affectionately patting Kiana's hair, played a few rounds of games with Bronya, and listened to the gentle sounds of Mei cooking in the kitchen. It was an ordinary day, yet the peace and warmth of it filled his heart to the brim.
Such a simple, mundane moment—yet it made him feel happiness beyond words.
"This is so nice... I wish it could last forever," Elias murmured to himself.
But then, his vision began to blur.
"Everyone... could you give me a hug?" he suddenly said, his eyes filled with reluctant tenderness.
"Eh? What's wrong, Eli?"
"I... I'm waking up soon... this dream... it's about to end."
"..." ×4
Elysia, Mei, Kiana, and Bronya all froze for a moment before smiling sadly. One by one, they stepped forward and wrapped the white-haired boy tightly in their arms.
"Ahh..."
In that instant, as their warmth surrounded him—Elias understood something.
In dreams... tears are something the will cannot suppress.
The next second, the dream dissolved. When Elias reluctantly opened his eyes again, he was staring up at the familiar ceiling of the Golden Courtyard—and before him stood the same pink-haired elf who had appeared in his dream.
"Thank you, Ely... for letting me dream such a beautiful dream."
"Eh? Eli, what are you talking about? I-I didn't do anything," Elysia stammered, her expression flustered.
Elias only smiled gently, saying nothing more. In the past, to reduce the strain on his memory, he had asked Aponia to use [Discipline] to prevent him from dreaming at all. Only Aponia and Misteln knew of that arrangement.
And yet, just now—he had dreamed.
There was no doubt. It had been the power of the Herrscher of Origin—Elysia's power—and her wish.
"Heh... it's fine. It was the dream I've always longed for... and soon, I'll make that dream a reality."
"I don't know what kind of dream it was, but... if it's you, Eli, I'm sure you can make it come true."
"Yeah... I will."