The Death Arena lay in ruins, Galakriffin dead.
Under the rampage of the Abyssal Light Wheel—or perhaps, the berserk Celestial Wheel—not a single spectator in the four rings survived. The four major sections, spared from the immediate devastation, had long been abandoned, their occupants fleeing. Faced with such a terrifying, apocalyptic scene, no one would foolishly remain to await death.
Within the vast, ruined arena, only one remained: a man driven mad with grief, relentlessly and aimlessly assailing the debris, venting an unresolvable torrent of emotion.
He continued until the spirit soul energy stored within the Spirit Soul Tree’s fruit was depleted, until not an ounce of his strength remained.
You’er’s body was riddled with wounds, every inch from his face to his toes exuding a chilling stench of decay. This was the curse of the Shadow Demon, and Galakriffin’s curse, one that even the awakened bloodline of the Elf King could not dispel.
Yet, the protective power of the elven bloodline persisted, allowing You’er’s body, which should have long since turned to dust, to retain a flicker of vitality.
Dragging his heavy steps, You’er reached Noelle Noah, who had become a shield of ice. He embraced her, holding her now impossibly cold and rigid form, remaining silent for a long, agonizing moment.
He yearned to weep, yet no tears would come. His throat was hoarse, his eyes dry, and his spirit utterly extinguished.
****
At a certain point, a second and then a third figure finally arrived amidst the arena’s ruins.
“I’m sorry, boss,” Veron mumbled, his head bowed low. “Big Sister suddenly grew wings. I… I couldn’t stop her.”
Veron’s heart was heavy with remorse and self-reproach. You’er had entrusted Noelle Noah to him, and he should have fulfilled his duty, sending her away no matter the cost.
“Boss,” Keane said, stepping forward, “this is what Big Sister Noelle wanted us to give you. Please, take a look.”
Keane advanced, presenting a pristine sheet of snow-white paper to You’er.
In a reflexive, almost snatching motion, You’er took the paper. He gazed at the page filled with elegant, delicate script, recognizing it instantly, intimately. It was her handwriting, Noelle Noah’s.
“My dearest husband, by the time you read this letter, Noelle will surely no longer be among the living.
Noelle knows that at this moment, you, my husband, must be terribly, terribly sad. So please, weep as much as you need to. After your tears have fallen, everything will begin to heal.
My husband, there is a secret Noelle has kept from you, one she never told you. From the moment we failed our escape a year ago and were brought to this place, Noelle’s life began its decline. Noelle was never destined to be with you, my husband, forever and ever.
So, my husband, please forgive Noelle. Selfish Noelle only ever thought of herself from beginning to end.
My husband, Noelle never regretted her initial choice, never regretted transferring her bloodline to you, for Noelle loved you deeply, even unto her death.
My husband, please face the reality before you, and cherish the life we shared. From the moment we first met, Noelle has lived on, eternally, within your heart.
Finally, Noelle has one last message for her most beloved husband: In the two years we shared, Noelle lived a very happy life. A happy Noelle rejoices in the encounter bestowed upon us by heaven.”
…
This was the entirety of the message inscribed upon the snow-white paper.
‘What did this mean?’
‘Was it telling him that her death had been inevitable, that dying now was merely a premature end?’
‘Everything would be fine?’
‘How could anything be fine? She was gone. Wouldn’t his heart simply die with her?’
‘Weep? Cry his heart out?’
You’er did indeed weep, though his eyes were dry; it was his heart that shed tears.
‘Could he accept this outcome?’
‘No! He could not! He would absolutely not accept this outcome!’
‘Was there… was there any way to save her?’
‘That’s right… that’s right… the Spirit Soul Tree! The enigmatic Spirit Soul Tree!’
“Spirit Soul Tree! You must have a way to save her, right? There must be a way! Please… save her! Save her!”
You’er fell to his knees, gazing skyward. He knew, he understood, that the Spirit Soul Tree must see, must hear… Thus, he pleaded incessantly, petitioned endlessly, his desperate cries echoing through the silent, ruined arena under the tranquil night sky, sounding so mournful, so heartbreaking.
“Boss…”
Keane, standing behind You’er, wore a tormented expression. He longed to offer comfort, yet the words remained trapped in his throat.
Indeed, Keane knew better than anyone the profound depth of love and affection You’er had poured into Noelle Noah, into that girl.
Finally, as if in response to You’er’s fervent pleas, the Spirit Soul Tree stirred. Through You’er’s body, a tender, small sword-like branch emerged into the outside world.
In an instant, it captivated You’er’s gaze, stirring his almost desolate heart.
This was the first time the Spirit Soul Tree had encountered the outside air, and the small, sword-like branch appeared somewhat hesitant. It slowly extended down You’er’s arm, eventually touching the ethereal blue ice shield that was Noelle Noah.
Like a hand gently stroking the surface of water, a ripple of dreamy azure light spread forth as the Spirit Soul Tree branch merged with the shield, drawing out a cluster of ethereal blue light.
Bereft of that light cluster, the ice shield barrier fragmented into countless firefly-like specks, scattering and dissolving into the world.
“This… this is Noelle Noah’s soul?! Who told you to bring her soul out? I wanted her to return to normal!”
Staring blankly at the cluster of light, You’er’s face was etched with a deathly stillness. He roared at the Spirit Soul Tree branch, terrified and enraged, for this was not the outcome he desired!
‘Because wouldn’t this mean… wouldn’t this mean…’
Yet, the Spirit Soul Tree no longer heeded You’er’s demands. It acted on its own accord, guiding the cluster of light—Noelle Noah’s soul—into its fruit.
As Noelle Noah’s soul integrated within it, the fist-sized gray crystal gradually shrank, growing ever brighter, until it ultimately transformed into a thumb-sized, ethereal blue crystal pendant.
It then fashioned a small branch into a delicate, pale green string, tying it to the pendant. After presenting it to You’er, the Spirit Soul Tree became still once more.
You’er cradled the ethereal blue pendant, which held Noelle Noah’s soul, in both hands, his heart now overwhelmed by an even deeper despair than before.
‘What was this? A memento? A memory? A mere token of remembrance?’
“Boss…”
“Boss…”
Draping the pendant around his neck, You’er shakily rose to his feet, waving away Keane and Veron’s attempts to support him.
“Leave me be!” he choked out. “I… I want to be… alone…”