"At this moment, the heroes had waited far too long. Let us declare our resolve with our swords."
"Fine." Yan Huan nodded without the slightest hesitation, casually drawing his gilded longsword. Dark golden light flowed along the blade, faintly resonating with the energy pulses of this space.
Seeing that Yan Huan was ready to fight, Hysilens took a deep breath. Her gaze fixed upon the Spiritwater Basin that bore the world's origin, as though making a solemn proclamation, and she intoned:
"Prisoner of the Ocean, Divine Audience burdened with the sins of thirty million ages, servant of [Erudition]—"
"Appear. The savior has returned. The time of execution has come."
"Heh heh..." Laigushi's familiar, calm voice rang out from the void nearby.
His figure seemed woven from streams of data as he slowly appeared before them, still wearing that unruffled expression.
He spoke blandly, his voice echoing through the vast heart of the vortex:
"I see: an awakened one who mistook falsehood for truth returned to the cave, attempting to lead his companions toward the sunlight he had once bathed in..."
"Unfortunately, a prisoner remained a prisoner, unable even to perceive the fact that he was imprisoned."
"As one of the only two beings in this world possessed of free will, I regret your choice."
"But I will preserve your right to speak. After all, every actor deserves a line for their final curtain."
"Why are you so damn talkative..." Yan Huan interrupted Laigushi's metaphor-laden speech.
"Have you been in Amphoreus for so long that you haven't had anyone from your homeworld to talk to?"
"Heh heh... perhaps." Laigushi did not get angry, merely accepting the remark calmly.
His gaze shifted to Yan Huan, his tone remaining steady:
"Sir, I have no desire to be your enemy. I understand you, but