It was late autumn, leaves gently drifting through the air while warm sunlight bathed everything around. The perfect conditions for a brief afternoon nap under a tree.
"Zzzz~"
Senti possessed a naturally joyful disposition, and at this moment, she slept soundly, curled up with her head resting on a pair of soft, warm thighs.
Perhaps Fu Hua's legs were genuinely comfortable, or maybe their familiar scent provided reassurance—Senti's expression during sleep was serene and contented. Occasionally, her glossy pink lips would subtly move, as if dreaming sweet dreams.
"I'm curious about what she's dreaming. How can she sleep so peacefully?" Fu Hua whispered softly, tenderly brushing aside stray strands of hair from Senti's forehead. Her gaze, filled with warmth, was fixed upon the sleeping girl.
However, these words weren't spoken to herself but directed towards a stern figure who suddenly appeared behind them.
Zeke, holding countless rapidly moving black particles with one hand, looked up and suggested, "Wake her up to ask or directly invade her consciousness—you'll find out right away."
"Unwaveringly cold-hearted as always, my esteemed sovereign." Fu Hua turned, smiling warmly at Zeke.
Zeke shook his head.
"Sigh... Please stick to your usual self; this title feels quite unnatural."
"Well, you'd better get used to it, for the time has come... Speaking of, after traversing through each world, have you made all the necessary preparations?"
"The theme of civilization is perpetual progress; there's no such thing as perfection or being fully prepared. However, indeed, we're nearly ready. The rest will unfold over time, shaped by the evolution of civilization itself."
"Ahh..." Receiving Zeke's confirmation, Fu Hua paused, then glanced back towards the garden enveloped by an invisible force field, beyond which lay a world gradually dissolving into Nihility. She let out a soft sigh.
Zeke ceased his calculations, making the countless black particles on his palm vanish. He asked, "Is it too much to bear? Because of this world bubble's demise?"
"Yes, somewhat. Even though it's uninhabited now, it was once a thriving world, wasn't it?"
Fu Hua sat on the grass, gently stroking Senti's hair, her sigh carrying a sense of melancholy.
On one hand, witnessing firsthand the silent, despairing moment when a world bubble burst was truly moving, hard to remain unaffected by such a sight.
On the other hand, this was their last world bubble before returning to the Cosmic Juggernaut. After today, they would retrieve the Book of Fuxi, Kevin, and Su, then head back to the real world. From that point on, he would be His Majesty the Emperor, and she would become Fusion Warrior Fu Hua—no further ties between them. Fortunately, due to the first reason, the melancholy from the second felt justified, masking any unusual emotions unnoticed.
Zeke approached Fu Hua, reached out, and patted her head softly.
"If it makes you feel better, I could extend this place's lifespan."
"Oh? So kind of you?" Fu Hua smiled slightly and continued, "I get it, another attempt at winning hearts, right?"
"...At least we're friends now; some things don't need to be stated so bluntly." Zeke lowered his gaze towards Fu Hua, a hint of warmth appearing on his otherwise indifferent face.
Having traversed numerous world bubbles together, they had spent a considerable amount of time side by side. To Zeke, acknowledging her as a friend seemed entirely appropriate.
Fu Hua chuckled softly, "Ha ha! Being friends with Emperor Zeke carries quite some weight indeed. However, there's no need for persuasion here. Life follows cycles of birth and death, just as humans do. Similarly, from the tender sprouts to their eventual decay and demise, the Leaf World's journey mirrors this cycle. Perhaps it is simply the will of heaven?"
"Life inherently opposes its environment, defying nature itself. When considering the continuation of civilizations, the principle remains unchanged. As for whether there exists a divine will, I cannot conclusively determine until reaching a higher level of understanding. But if such a force truly exists... then we must defy it."
"Your will be done! Fu Hua pledges unwavering loyalty through life and death."
"You exaggerate. Since you can accept it, let's appreciate this spectacle together; sights like these are rare... And yes, that goes for you too—time to wake up."
Zeke crouched down, gently pinching Senti's cheeks and pulling them outward.
"Ow, that hurts!"
Abruptly jolted out of her pleasant dream, Senti instinctively lunged at Zeke without hesitation.
"Bam! Clatter!"
After a flurry reminiscent of a vicious dog pouncing on food followed by a swift rebuke, Senti found herself sitting next to Fu Hua, sporting two swollen lumps on her head. She glared menacingly at the unfolding scene before her, now silent and brooding.
Zeke sat down next to Fu Hua, witnessing together as the sky, earth, and all creation gradually shattered and disappeared, ultimately returning to Nihility and darkness.
Meanwhile, the Book of Fuxi was cooking noodles.
Patriarch Kevin had a deep love for various types of noodles. Su, being the quintessential good-natured person, always catered to his old friend's preferences without asserting any of his own.
As such, since taking over kitchen duties, the Book of Fuxi most frequently prepared...you guessed it, noodles!
"Ahh!"
The Book of Fuxi held up a standard-sized bowl, tasted the broth, then placed the massive bowl, larger than her entire body, back on the table. She flew over to the seasoning area, wielding an oversized spoon, and added salt to the pot.
"Hmm, that should do it... Ahh! Alas, the mighty Book of Fuxi has now become a dedicated noodle cook. Life is tough; poor Little Fuxi sighs, sigh!"
"Nobody forced you, did they? Weren't you the one who eagerly volunteered?"
A gentle voice, soft as a breeze, resonated behind Little Fuxi. Su appeared, reaching out with a finger to lightly tap the Book of Fuxi's small head.
With a roll of her eyes, the Book of Fuxi tucked her hands into her sleeves and floated to sit atop Su's head.
"Well... how about I start cooking from tomorrow?" Su scratched his face, asking good-naturedly.
The Book of Fuxi covered its mouth with a stifled giggle.
"I'm just joking! Being around a blockhead like Kevin, that's how things usually go - it's not really bothersome. However, you two are quite dull indeed. Kevin is an iceberg no one wants to joke with, and you, taking every jest seriously, rival even the blockhead... Ah, wonder how the blockhead and Senti are doing? Hopefully Zeke takes good care of them?"
"Don't worry, they're fine; I can sense their well-being."
"The blockhead should be okay; she's as easygoing as a ball of cotton, surely cooperating well with Zeke. But Senti - hmm, I feel we should have stocked up on some medicinal supplies for injuries; they might come in handy."
"You're right. Senti has a fiery temper, easily provoking Zeke, which will likely lead to her experiencing some hardships."
Su nodded slightly in agreement, careful not to disturb the Book of Fuxi perched on his head while acknowledging its concern.
The Book of Fuxi pondered for a moment, then helplessly shook its head.
"Actually, Zeke has a bit of a mischievous streak, enjoying pranks on the girls around him. Especially those with fiery temperaments; the stronger their reactions, the more he delights in provoking them. He claims it's all in the name of fostering their obedience, only to subsequently suppress and demoralize them. Senti perfectly fits this typical profile. Oh no, I can already envision what's unfolding between them."
"Ah, that..." Su scratched his face, ultimately speechless because it was indeed true.
"BOOM!!"
Just as they fell silent, a massive explosion shook the entire world.
Taken aback, Su, with the diminutive Book of Fuxi still atop his head, stepped out of the kitchen.
Outside, Kevin held aloft his colossal flaming sword, gazing skyward.
There appeared nothing unusual in the azure heavens. However, after carefully sensing the surroundings under the questioning gazes of Kevin and the Book of Fuxi, Su shrugged and said:
"Don't look at me, it's Zeke's doing."
"What does he intend?" asked Kevin, his voice calm amidst the extraordinary change enveloping the world.
Kevin asked calmly, his blue eyes as tranquil as ever, seemingly unconcerned about the unusual changes enveloping the entire world.
Su closed his eyes, appearing deep in thought or perhaps observing something through an alternate means. After a few minutes, he slowly opened them and said:
"The moment has arrived. It seems Zeke doesn't intend to meet us first but instead is directly pulling the Cosmic Juggernaut into the real world. Kevin, Little Fuxi, it's time for us to go home."
The word "home" cast a layer of melancholy over Su. Even Kevin, with his typically impassive demeanor, showed a flicker of complex emotions in his gaze.
For both of them, this was a place they had been separated from for thousands of years—the very location that once bestowed upon them everything, good and bad, only to ultimately leave them with a despair-filled end.
"Su."
"Yes, I'm here."
"We may die if we confront Finality again, you and I both."
"I know, and I am prepared."
These two friends, whose bond spanned fifty millennia, exchanged glances briefly. Then, Su smiled, and a rare hint of a smile also graced Kevin's face.
Subsequently, they served the noodle soup, beginning their dinner as the Cosmic Juggernaut raced across the Sea of Quanta.