If Line Ending 3: Traveler Gazing at the Star Sea

"At the end of this story, Elysia, did I... become a hero?"

On the moon, amidst the ruins of civilization, a silver-haired youth leaned against a raised throne, looking down at the warrior who had arrived before him.

"I never expected our final enemy... would be you, Feng," Kevin said, tilting his head up to look at his former comrade.

"Feng..." Elysia softly called the youth's name, but... there was no response.

He stood up from the throne, his gaze cold as he looked at the last warriors. He raised his hand, and twelve imprints appeared behind him, transforming into black wings that obscured the starry sky. A high concentration of Honkai energy erupted at that moment, engulfing the entire moon.

"Hi~ Hello, my name is Elysia, the one who saved you~" the pink-haired girl said with a smile to the bandaged boy sitting on the hospital bed.

The boy looked at her, then at his surroundings. After a moment of silence, he said playfully, "So... since I can't repay your kindness, can I offer myself in return?"

"Eh?!"

The girl was stunned for a moment, then coughed lightly to hide her embarrassment. She then said to the boy with feigned seriousness, "While it's true that I can't repay your life-saving grace except by offering myself, a trope often seen in novels, you can't just copy it. You can't say things like that so easily! And besides, this is our first meeting, isn't it?"

"This kind of meeting is indeed the first..." the boy said with a low chuckle.

What did he mean by that? Had he met her long ago?

The boy didn't say anything more. He turned his gaze towards the window. The weather was beautiful today, and the stars shone brilliantly in the night sky.

As everyone knew, Elysia, the outstanding warrior of Fire Moth, had a very unreliable yet dependable subordinate. This subordinate was a survivor she had rescued during a small-scale Honkai incident. Ever since then, the boy had insisted that he couldn't repay her kindness and had forcefully joined Fire Moth with Elysia. Through his own efforts, he passed the internal assessments of Fire Moth and, as he wished, became Elysia's subordinate.

Regardless of Elysia's own opinion, at least the higher-ups no longer had to worry about the "very simple" reports Elysia submitted every time.

"What do you mean, I didn't say anything wrong, it really was very simple," Elysia said, drinking her milk tea and looking somewhat displeased at Zhu Yufeng, who was writing a report for a new mission.

"It was indeed very simple, but that's only for you, isn't it?" Zhu Yufeng said without looking up. "If you swapped places with me in that situation, do you believe that Honkai Beast wouldn't have begged me to let it live with a single punch?"

Elysia thought for a moment, then said, "But, Feng, Honkai Beasts can't talk, can they?"

"Then... would you beg me not to die?" Zhu Yufeng tilted his head and looked at Elysia.

Elysia responded by gently tapping his head with her hand: "It would be better if you were a little more serious sometimes~ Besides, with me around, that kind of situation wouldn't happen~"

"Then how about I say this from now on: 'Elysia, don't always measure the difficulty of a mission by your own standards. You know that among the warriors of Fire Moth, you're in a league of your own'..." Zhu Yufeng changed his tone and said with a serious tone.

"Stop, just go back to your usual style," Elysia decided to put a stop to it. "Being too serious isn't good either!"

The two fell silent for a while, the only sound being Zhu Yufeng typing and writing his experimental report on the computer.

After a while, Zhu Yufeng finally spoke, "Is it possible..."

"Possible what?" Elysia tilted her head.

The boy's typing hand paused, then he said, "It's nothing, I myself think that situation is impossible."

You are the one who embraces the world, the flawless true self who loves all of humanity, how could you...

"That Kevin who recently joined Fire Moth is so amazing. I didn't expect him to break both my and your records so quickly," Elysia poked Zhu Yufeng's head as he was writing his report. "Now you've gone from second to third~ Speaking of which, it's a shame you missed the banquet a few days ago. I saw Kevin, he really is a handsome boy."

Zhu Yufeng's typing hand paused, then he raised an eyebrow and looked at Elysia, "You're not... interested in him, are you?"

Elysia narrowed her eyes at Zhu Yufeng, "You're thinking the wrong thing, aren't you?"

"After all, heroes admire heroes," Zhu Yufeng shrugged. "Before Kevin arrived, I was second, but the gap between us was still too large, like the Mariana Trench."

"It's not that exaggerated, is it?" Elysia said with her arms crossed, then suddenly showed a playful smile, "Could it be... you're jealous?"

"Yes, I'm jealous," Zhu Yufeng replied decisively.

This, however, caught Elysia off guard: "Feng, you..."

"He's just a rookie who joined Fire Moth not long ago, not only did his training results surpass the strongest Elysia, but he also gained her attention. Unlike me, I can only honestly do her work," Zhu Yufeng rolled his eyes.

"I... I actually pay attention to you too!"

"Then what kind of girls do I like?"

"Of course, it's someone smart and cute like me..." Elysia paused, then tapped Zhu Yufeng's head.

He was trying to trick her again!

"If you knock my head silly, who will write mission reports for you in the future? Kevin?"

"I can write them myself!"

"Do you think the higher-ups' heads aren't bright enough already? Think about their hair, which can no longer be saved!"

Elysia let out a "pfft" and laughed, patting Zhu Yufeng's shoulder: "Then you should say less of these things in the future, okay?"

"Ouch... What kind of cruel and inhumane request is this? Habits are hard to change, nature is hard to alter. This is just how I am, so tell me if you want it or not."

"Of course I..."

"Ouch! Why are you hitting me harder than before?!"

"Because I'm angry!"

The Moonlight Throne and all combat Divine Keys activated at zero nominal power, and the light from their full-power collision with the Herrscher of Finality's attack enveloped the entire battlefield.

Elysia slowly lowered the hand shielding her eyes. The youth, who had become the Herrscher of Finality, gave her a gentle smile, just as she remembered.

As the light faded, they found themselves in a corridor. The youth extended an invitation to her: "Walk with me?"

Elysia's hand, which should have gripped her weapon, relaxed. Her weapon also dissipated into particles of light.

She also smiled at the young man and nodded, "Of course I can~"

The young man turned and walked ahead to lead the way. Elysia reached out her hand but suddenly stopped mid-air. Her eyelashes drooped slightly, and she eventually lowered her hand, following behind the young man.

"Elysia, so you were here." Zhu Yufeng approached Elysia with a document in his hand. He glanced in the direction Elysia had come from and said, "Just got back from visiting Kevin? How is he doing?"

"He's as lively as ever. Here, I brought him fruits and he ate them all," Elysia said, lifting the fruit basket in her hand. "What document are you holding? May I know?"

"Of course, because I came to find you for your signature. Zhu Yufeng handed the document to Elysia. "I'm going to Europe. We probably won't see each other for a long time."

"Going to Europe? Why so sudden..." Elysia was taken aback.

"Because eggs need to be separated? I don't know either." Zhu Yufeng shrugged. "Europe is short-handed, aren't they? The higher-ups looked around and immediately chose me to go. Sigh, if I weren't here, your antics would have really messed up their hairlines."

I did hear that Europe was short-handed... but why would it be Feng...

Elysia put down the fruit basket and took the document to look at it. There was no prank; it was a genuine, unaltered transfer order.

Elysia signed the document and handed it back to Zhu Yufeng. "Why is this transfer order so sudden? If there were enough time, I would have wanted to throw you a farewell party."

"Who knows." Zhu Yufeng took the document. "Then I'll go pack my things and get ready to leave."

"Later I found out that you applied to go yourself," Elysia said, looking at the young man.

The young man looked at the past scenes and explained the reason. "Because Europe was indeed short-handed at the time, and they needed someone with experience fighting Herrschers. Both Kevin and you are the two main forces of this branch. Kevin had to stay by Mei's side, so I was the most suitable person."

Elysia shifted her gaze to the scene and said softly, "Yes, because you went there, the European branch's response and support during the Ninth Herrscher and Tenth Herrscher incidents were very swift, and they didn't suffer any major losses."

"It's not all my credit," the young man shook his head. "There's also Lilith and the others, especially Lilith. When I first got there, I couldn't handle many things, but thankfully I had her."

Elysia's hands quietly clenched.

"There were others in the main branch with experience fighting Herrschers who could have gone," Elysia said. "And why didn't you even discuss it with me..."

"You would have agreed, wouldn't you?" The young man looked at Elysia and said, "Indeed, I wasn't the only suitable candidate, but I was the most suitable. By going there, I could play a greater role, and the facts proved that, didn't they? Besides, we didn't stop contacting each other after that. You even sent me your rejected mission reports and asked me to rewrite them for you."

Elysia fell silent. Yes, they did keep in touch... but how could that compare to Lilith, who was always by his side?

The scene dissipated, and the two continued to walk forward.

More and more scenes passed by them. Elysia looked at them and said with an inexplicable emotion, "It seems you got along well with Lilith and the others during that time."

The young man acted as if he hadn't heard the emotion in her voice. He walked ahead and said without looking back, "Indeed, I dare say there's no better subordinate than Lilith. I really don't know how much hair I would have lost without her."

Elysia silently followed behind him, her gaze falling on the scene of Lilith confessing to the young man under the moonlight. She couldn't help but stop and watch for a while. Then she looked at the young man; he hadn't even noticed she had fallen behind. Elysia had to quicken her pace to catch up.

She inadvertently looked back and found that the path behind them had disappeared.

After walking together for a while longer, Elysia suddenly spoke, "Feng, did you... ever like me?"

"I still like you now," the young man stopped and turned back to smile at Elysia. "I've always liked you, Elysia."

"No... I mean... in your feelings for me, was there ever... that kind of feeling you had for Lilith?"

"Hmm... Didn't you reject me many times?"

When did I ever reject you? Many times? You never even confessed... Wait, could it be...

"You've almost knocked my brain silly," the young man turned back and continued walking forward.

"The way you talk, who would..."

"Because I'm actually a very timid person, I can't say those things properly... I also know that if I said those things properly, wouldn't you have to answer?"

"..."

"In that case, it would be difficult for me to even stay by your side, right? Once a confession is made, there's a risk that things can never go back to how they were. I... don't have Lilith's courage."

"..."

"Elysia, I once wondered, as a Herrscher, a born Herrscher, why would you like humans so much?"

Elysia's pupils contracted. This secret, she hadn't told anyone. How did he know... Moreover, it seemed he had known for a very long time.

The corridor reached its end, revealing a gateway adorned with stars. The two arrived at the door, which opened automatically. The young man walked in, and Elysia followed.

Behind the door was a boundless starry sky.

"This is..."

"Maybe you've forgotten, but I've never forgotten that night, never forgotten the starry sky we once gazed at together, and the people beneath this starry sky."

The young man looked up at the starry sky in his memory, his eyes filled with nostalgia. Elysia looked at him but didn't see herself in his eyes.

"You're here, Feng~" Elysia waved at Zhu Yufeng. "How do you like the place I picked? Here, we can see the starry sky above us and overlook the entire city!"

"Indeed, the weather tonight is also good, we can see the stars very clearly," Zhu Yufeng came to Elysia's side and said, looking up at the sky full of stars.

"Right? This is the highest point in the city. Not just the stars, look over there, that's a plaza. Seeing how it's lit up, it's very lively today too~ And there, the park at night is also very nice~"

Zhu Yufeng quietly watched Elysia lean against the railing, pointing out every part of the city. The city lights reflected in Elysia's eyes, just like the brilliant stars in the sky.

He watched Elysia like this and smiled helplessly.

This is Elysia...

He withdrew his gaze and, following Elysia's line of sight and introduction, began to appreciate the city he had never paid attention to before.

He suddenly understood Elysia's feelings a little. So, this era, which he had labeled "cold, heartless, and beyond redemption," could also have such warm moments.

His past views seemed a bit too narrow.

"Interested in hearing a story?" The young man retracted his gaze and looked at Elysia.

"Of course! I'll listen carefully to any story you tell," Elysia said with a smile.

There was a young man who loved a certain game very much. He loved the character named "Elysia" in that game. He was saddened by her story, and he also yearned for her perfection. He wanted to change her ending, to let her continue her story, to let her witness the beauty of humanity in the new era.

He also wanted to become a hero, a hero who could save those thirteen Fire Moths.

He didn't know if some high-ranking being in the heavens heard his wish, but one day, he woke up and found himself transmigrated into the world of the game. The only downside was that he started off pinned under rubble with some monkey.

It was at this moment that the girl he admired saved him from the ruins.

And so, his story in this world began.

In their daily lives, he spent his days and nights with the girl, laughing and playing. He gradually came to know her better than in the game, and he realized that he had truly fallen in love with her.

But she had already labeled him as "unreliable." Moreover, she was the "daughter of God" who loved all of humanity. His feelings were perhaps destined to be unrequited.

He had originally thought that it would be fine to continue accompanying her as her assistant, to experience and witness this journey of fire-chasing together.

However, the conversation under the starry sky that time changed his mind. For the first time, he started paying attention to the people he considered NPCs. For the first time, he looked at this world with genuine interest.

He began to learn to see the world as she did, to accept the world.

Finally, he came to understand the beauty of this world and decided to do something for it. This was not only his wish but also his way of protecting the world she loved.

Therefore, he proactively went to a branch that desperately needed talent, turning a new page in his story. There, he met a group of reliable new companions, who would become the future "Thirteen Fallen Angels," and more importantly, he met the girl whose soul resonated with his.

She had also hated this world before. Looking at her, he saw a reflection of his past self. He accepted all her sins and confessed his identity to her.

He was redeemed by Elysia, and through that, he redeemed Lilith.

Before the Eleventh Herrscher incident, Rovoc and Admiral deduced the specific time of Finality's arrival and found the path to the Imaginary Tree.

Finality's arrival was inevitable, but the vessel could be chosen.

So, after the Eleventh Herrscher descended, they made a last-minute plan. The Fallen Angels would use themselves as keys to open the door to the Imaginary Tree for him.

They would steal the authority of Honkai and forge a ladder to godhood for him.

"What was the success rate of that plan... at the time?" Elysia asked softly.

"Almost zero," the young man shrugged. "But I believed Lilith could do it. I believed in her more than any so-called data."

Elysia looked at the young man without speaking.

When did she start liking him? Was it when they were laughing and playing in their daily lives? Was it when they coordinated flawlessly, their minds in sync?

She had also thought that if he ever stopped joking around, she might have agreed to him.

But alas... she had only left a mark on the first half of his life. The second half did not belong to her.

After the Ninth Herrscher incident, he and Lilith publicly announced their relationship. Heaven knew how she had gotten through those days. She wanted to understand the details but found herself unable to ask.

During the Eleventh Herrscher incident, the Fallen Angel Squad was wiped out. It was only after that that she had another chance to spend time with him, but... their relationship seemed unable to return to what it was before.

The young man finished telling his story and looked at Elysia, smiling. "Congratulations. If Honkai is a test, then humanity has passed this test. From now on, there will be no more Honkai in your world. Congratulations."

"And you? Are... are you leaving?" Elysia asked.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she knew the answer. She was just clinging to a sliver of hope, hoping he would deny it, hoping he would stay.

"Yes, I... I have to leave soon," the young man nodded. "Lilith and the others are still waiting for me. The story of the Thirteen Fallen Angels will be concluded by me. From now on, it's your story."

"Can... you not go?"

The young man gently shook his head. "There's a price for deceiving 'It.' But this price isn't unacceptable for me. In fact... it's 'very simple'?"

That's only simple for you.

She wanted to say that, but suddenly she remembered that he had said something similar to her before. In his story, which she hadn't participated in, she had also done what she thought was simple and only she could do, paying what she considered a simple price.

"When you made that decision, were you... afraid?" Elysia asked softly. "Betting everything just to leave at this moment?"

"Of course, I was afraid, Elysia," the young man said with a smile. "How could I not be afraid? Once I die, I'll never see the people who love me and whom I love again. But... I wasn't that afraid, because this is something I must do for everyone I love and who loves me, for you, for the world."

But... I don't want you to...

The young man looked up at the starry sky again. In that distant place was the shore he was returning to. His body was gradually covered by light. He hesitated for a moment and looked at Elysia, asking, "Elysia, at the end of this story, did I... become a hero?"

"Of course, you are undoubtedly humanity's hero, our hero, and... my hero," Elysia replied.

"That's good then... Thank you, Elysia," the young man showed a relieved smile. "I think there's no recognition more pleasing than yours. It's good to have met you."

"Me too, Feng, me too..."

"Then... goodbye, Elysia."

"..."

She didn't want to say goodbye. She had so many things she wanted to tell him, but she knew it was meaningless now. In the end, she had... become a passerby in someone else's life.

She took a deep breath and forced a bright smile with all her might. "Goodbye, Feng..."

The young man waved at her. He turned into light and headed towards the stars.

The scene shifts again.

Elysia looked around. Eden and the others stood to her left and right, while Kevin stood quietly where Finality had disappeared, gazing at the distant starry sky.

"He's gone," Kevin said.

"Yes, he's gone," Elysia walked over to Kevin's side.

"He... never made an enemy of humanity," Kevin withdrew his gaze. "Yet, only at the very end did we truly understand his actions... There's no Herrscher of Finality here tonight. What lies here, sleeping eternally, is the noble and proud warrior of the Fire Moth, the first and last Fallen Angel, the traveler who gazed at the starry sky, our friend, Feng."

"When... when did you know?" Elysia asked softly.

"On the path to fighting Honkai, we constantly face choices that leave us with no other option," Kevin squatted down and placed a Fire Moth emblem on the ground. Its owner had already departed, but even now, it shone brightly.

"The departed pave the way for the living, and the living sing dirges for the departed," Kevin stood up and left. "His life needs no one's evaluation, nor can anyone evaluate it."

Elysia lowered her head to look at the emblem lying quietly on the ground. After a moment, she looked up at the starry sky and whispered another farewell to the young man, "Goodbye, the lover I missed..."

By the time she could only see him, he was already gazing at the boundless starry sky.