"Everyone has said their goodbyes one by one, so what is Maomao up to?"
After following Phainon for a while, Guinaifen was almost exhausted.
Although she knew this was very wrong,
many players, including Guinaifen, sometimes harbored a bit of resentment towards Cipher.
As a Chrysos Heirs, a demigod bearing the Spark of Deceit, possessing such immense power, why was she unwilling to help the Journey of Chasing the Fire?
If she were willing to shoulder some of the responsibilities of a Chrysos Heirs, perhaps Aglaea wouldn't have died, Mydei wouldn't have had to garrison Kremnos City for a few more days, and Senate wouldn't be so rampant?
And a few days later, Cipher arrived at Dawn Cloud Cliff.
There, she recalled memories related to the "All-World Gem".
It was something she learned from the other party not long after moving into Aglaea's shop a thousand years ago.
A fragment that fell from the dawn machine, part of Kephale's body, so precious that even the "Golden Weaver" shop didn't have it.
Since the young Cipher didn't yet understand how to become the hero Aglaea spoke of, she wanted to steal it, sell it for a good price, and distribute the money to the poor.
But Aglaea discovered it in time.
She told Cipher she didn't need to prove herself this way and firmly believed she would be the one and only Fated Daughter of the "Deceit" divine office.
Cipher sincerely hoped:
"If only I could make everyone believe in me. I want everyone to think the world is a wonderful place and the people in it are kind."
"Even though I know that's a lie, if enough people believe it, can't the lie become true?"
Within that hope, there was also a trace of sadness, and Cipher awaited Aglaea's answer.
And what was Aglaea's answer?
"A lie will always be a lie, Sefaria..."
"It's just that, at times, it can indeed be nobler than honesty."
Witnessing all this,
Guinaifen felt remorse for the slight resentment that had just arisen in her heart.
The more she understood Cipher, the more she realized she seemed to be a kind person too.
[At first, I thought Maomao was purely greedy for money. I didn't expect that in her childhood, she stole to survive and even robbed the rich to aid the poor?]
[Aglaea's guidance was so effective, she's practically like Cipher's mother!]
[Cipher's wish is beautiful, hoping for a wonderful world. It's a pity, a lie is always a lie. The burden of saving the world falls on Phainon; she can't save it...]
[Speak of the devil, and Phainon appears? He's actually been waiting here for a while? So mature!]
When she came to her senses, the player noticed Phainon had been watching Cipher from the side all along.
He had become increasingly steady and composed.
His purpose in coming here was simple.
Now, with Aglaea deceased, Okhema faced threats from Senate internally and the Flame Reavers externally, full of vulnerabilities.
They were about to depart soon, preparing to sever the Sky Spark, the eye of dawn and dusk.
Therefore, during their absence, he hoped Cipher would use any means necessary, even if it meant deceiving Phainon and the others, to ensure the Spark Kephale left in Okhema was protected!
After some back-and-forth, Cipher ultimately agreed to this at a high price.
"That confident, in-control demeanor... you've learned half her essence," Cipher said to Phainon.
Finally, she left with these words: "Alright, I'll play along with that Flame Reaver while I'm at it."
"But remember, Savior Kid, there's one truth in this world: 'Sefaria always has the last laugh.' No need to worry about a demigod. I'll do what I must, so—"
"Before paying the equivalent price, don't you go dying first."
"Phainon is becoming more and more steady and calm too. The Journey of Chasing the Fire keeps pushing everyone forward," Guinaifen shook her head and sighed.
At this moment, she sincerely hoped they could quickly complete the Re-creation.
And she sincerely hoped what the Chrysos Heirss said about the Re-creation was true, so everyone would have a chance to meet again!
"But... why do I always have this bad feeling?"
[Shut up! Shut up, Guinaifen!]
[Don't say it, Guinaifen! If you have a bad feeling, absolutely don't voice it.]
[Right, right! Last time, what Guinaifen said actually came true. She said the star was gone, and the star really disappeared?]
[Seer, just get buried already—!]
As soon as she spoke, the barrage had a stress reaction.
Guinaifen gave an awkward smile but ultimately closed her mouth.
"Am I that scary, folks?"
"I just wanted to apologize. I think Maomao is absolutely adorable now!"
[!]
[!]
[!]
[We're doomed!]
[...]
...
After thanking a wave of gifts from the live stream, the game's perspective finally shifted to Hyacine.
Before departure, to reach the sky, they needed to erect a Rainbow Bridge, which required the Sky Scion to gain the ancestors' approval.
For this, Hyacine returned to the Tree Court, where she also met Dan Heng. Together, they reminisced about their ancestors and bid farewell to the Tree Court of the past.
This place held many memories, including the final lesson taught by Anaxa. He once asked Phainon what his ideal was, and he also asked Hyacine.
Phainon wanted to be a hero who could protect everyone. Hyacine wanted to fill in the heroic epic of the Sun-Thunder Knight, writing about the corner of ordinary mortals.
"Seneios, who conquered the sky, left behind legends and a will, entrusting the mission of returning the Sky Titan's Spark to his descendants—you and me."
Just like her ideal, when the golden tide pushes the world towards rebirth, to do her utmost to heal every ordinary person who might drown.
So soon, the first ancestor recognized her for her courage.
Then she returned to where the second ancestor was, the Creation Vortex Core.
Coincidentally, Cipher and Tribbie were also here.
After agreeing to Phainon's request, Cipher also gave an envelope to Tribbie, calling it a gift.
Tribbie asked with an expectant face what was inside.
But Cipher suddenly played coy:
"Sister Ti Bao, this is a parting gift."
"It's also part of the game. If you want to see the complete form of this gift, wait until after dark to open it."
[What is it? What did Cipher give Tribbie that's so mysterious?]
[Wait until dark to open it? Wait, does Okhema even have nighttime?]
[It really doesn't! I didn't notice. Okhema has always been in perpetual, unending daylight, right? Cipher must be tricking Tribbie, haha.]
[Wait for dark? No wonder they call her the Demigod of Deceit. This gift probably can never be opened. Where would Okhema get darkness?]
Seeing this, Guinaifen and the barrage area found it amusing.
Immediately after, Hyacine arrived and, with the help of the two, met the second ancestor.
From her mouth, she learned about the oracle concerning the sky—
"'At the end of the Rainbow Bridge, the Child of the Sky shall mend the Dawn and Dusk.'"
"It's just a pity that no ancestor has yet been able to decipher the meaning of this prophecy."
Guinaifen didn't react to the previous plot, but as soon as an oracle appeared, she couldn't help getting excited:
"It's here, it's here, folks! This is the last oracle, right?"
Guinaifen's voice was the first to spill from the screen.
[The last oracle of the existing Chrysos Heirss? No, wait, it seems Phainon's hasn't appeared yet, right?]
[Only Phainon's is left!]
[Strange, but what does this oracle mean, 'mend the Dawn and Dusk'?]
[Teacher Dan Heng says this oracle sounds somewhat... sorrowful?]
The Journey of Chasing the Fire was nearing its end. It's hard to imagine the Author prepared an oracle for each Chrysos Heirs.
And now, what everyone most anticipated was: what would Phainon's oracle be?!