Chapter 117: The World Beyond Heaven
Afternoon.
You arrived at the private bathhouse of Stelle and Dan Heng.
"It's you? Orion!" Stelle excitedly opened the door. "Come in quickly! I'm trying to figure out how to adjust the temperature of this bath!"
"Be careful not to break the entire system," Dan Heng said helplessly.
You walked in and found Stelle leaning over the edge of the bath, seriously fiddling with something.
"Actually, I came to..." You paused. "I want to hear you talk about things outside this world."
"Huh?" Stelle looked up, her gray hair a bit messy. "You're interested in that?"
"In Amphoreus, we never look up at the sky," you said, sitting down. "But yesterday, after hearing you mention some things, I became curious about what it's truly like."
"Oh, there's a lot to tell!" Stelle immediately perked up and hopped to sit beside you.
Dan Heng also walked over. "Since you've helped us, there's no harm in telling you."
"Outside this world is actually a huge universe!" Stelle gestured. "There are countless planets and civilizations!"
"Some places are similar to Amphoreus, but some are super developed!" Her eyes sparkled. "For example, the Xianzhou Alliance, their spaceships are super big!"
"And Penacony!" Stelle became more and more excited as she spoke. "People there can build cities in their dreams, with all sorts of performances, delicious food, and everything wonderful!"
"There are also Aeons in the universe," Dan Heng added. "They control different concepts—Preservation, The Hunt, Elation, Destruction..."
"Right, right, right!" Stelle clapped her hands in agreement. "As long as you walk on an Aeon's Path, you can gain power and become a Pathstrider!"
"The most powerful ones become Emanators!" She made an exaggerated gesture. "They can punch a planet apart!"
Hearing this, your fingers unconsciously tightened.
It turned out... the world outside was far vaster and more magnificent than you had imagined on your bed last night.
Compared to it, Amphoreus, constantly eroded by the Black Tide, was so small, so dilapidated.
What were those so-called Titans in front of an Aeon?
"And Belobog!" Stelle continued. "Although it was frozen, and its civilization was sealed by the Stellaron, the people there were very resilient... and eventually, they overcame the Stellaron and reconnected with the universe..."
You listened to her talk on and on... and suddenly felt that the outside world was truly wonderful.
They possessed the entire universe.
And you, only this land on the verge of destruction.
They could freely choose where to go.
And you, forever trapped here.
"Orion?" Stelle leaned close to you. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," you smiled. "I just find it very amazing."
But deep down, jealousy coiled like a venomous snake.
Why?
Why could they have such a beautiful world?
Why could they freely traverse the sea of stars?
And you...
Couldn't even save the one you loved by your side.
Several days passed.
Strangely, after spending more time with them, that jealousy faded a bit.
Perhaps it was because Stelle was simply too infectious.
"Orion, Orion!" She always called you like that. "I found a super awesome restaurant!"
"Orion, who is this statue?"
"Orion, look, I've learned to use prayers!"
Unconsciously, you became close friends.
Stelle would share her adventure stories with you, and Dan Heng would discuss the history of Amphoreus with you.
Sometimes, you almost forgot your purpose.
This day, Stelle dragged you out for shopping again.
"I heard there's a super delicious shop in the East Market!" She said excitedly.
At the shop, Stelle ordered a huge amount without hesitation.
"Um..." Halfway through eating, she suddenly remembered something and scratched her head sheepishly. "I don't seem to have local currency..."
"I'll pay," you said, having anticipated this.
"Thanks! I'll treat you next time!" She ate the meat in big bites, her cheeks puffed out. "Once we earn money from this place!"
"You look like a hamster," you couldn't help but laugh.
"I do not!" She protested indistinctly, but splattered sauce on her face.
You handed her a handkerchief. "Wipe it off."
Watching her fumbling, your mind was filled with thoughts.
A life like this...
Seemed pretty good too.
But you knew, this was only temporary.
A few days later, Aglaea found them.
"I hope you can help the Chrysos Heir complete the Journey of Chasing the Flame," she said sincerely.
Stelle and Dan Heng exchanged glances.
"Yes, this is our mission as Trailblazers," Stelle nodded seriously. "We will help!"
"Indeed," Dan Heng also said. "Since we've come here, we should do our part."
You watched from the side.
As expected...
No matter how good friends they were, the difference in positions couldn't be changed.
They would become an obstacle.
They would affect your plan.
But it wasn't time yet.
Just then, Tribbie rushed over.
"Everyone! Trianne has been found!" She panted, her small wings trembling behind her. "The mist has been cleared, and the location of Suspended Blade City has been confirmed!"
"We can go and subjugate Nikador!"
Stelle excitedly jumped up. "Are we finally going to fight the big boss?!"
"Let's go!" She suddenly grabbed your hand. "Orion, you come too!"
You looked at her joyful expression and let her pull you forward.
Her hand was warm, full of vitality.
But at that very moment, a murderous intent surged in your heart.
No matter who she was, no matter how vibrant and beautiful she was...
To stop the Journey of Chasing the Flame, you had already chosen to resort to any means necessary.