Glimmer in the Rift

With her on my back, I stepped over charred rubble and broken stone pillars, avoiding the surging energy currents and the lingering might of the battlefield, until I found a relatively sheltered hollow embraced by mountain rock and finally stopped. The ground beneath my feet still trembled faintly, and the glimmer of spatial-temporal rifts could still be seen churning within the distant clouds, but the aura here was finally somewhat steadier. There was no longer any violent soul power capable of easily tearing flesh apart.

When I gently set her down, the girl still clutched my sleeve and refused to let go. A trace of fear lingered in her star-silver eyes, like a startled little beast unwilling to leave its nest. I raised a hand and brushed away the wisps of cloud and fine dust caught in her hair. Golden dragon power carefully enveloped her, as though I feared that her pure aura, still untouched by fate, would be disturbed by the bloodshed and weariness clinging to me. My fingertips touched the cool tip of her ear, and that familiar sensation tightened my throat and inexplicably made my eyes burn.

"What's your name?" I softened my voice, trying to make my tone sound gentler. I did not want her to notice the emotions churning in my eyes.

She tilted her head and studied me for a moment. The faint blush on her ears deepened, her long lashes fluttering lightly as she said in a small voice, "I... I'm Gu Yue."

Those two words struck my heart like a heavy hammer. I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms, before I could suppress the bitterness nearly spilling from my eyes. Not Gu Yuena—Gu Yue. The her who had not yet been swept up in the destinies of dragons and humans, whose eyes held only starlight and pure curiosity. The image of her I had carved into my bones and blood, repeated in my heart countless times.

"My name is Tang Wulin." I looked at her and spoke each word slowly, my voice low and firm. "From now on, I'll protect you. I'll never let you be alone again."

Gu Yue nodded as if she only half understood, her small hand gently taking hold of my fingertip. The Silver Dragon aura flowed across our touching skin, faintly resonating with the Gold Dragon power within me. Around us, it wove a pale golden membrane of light that shut out the turbulent energy currents beyond. That warm yet lively aura enveloped me, as if I had returned to the moment in the Star Dou Forest when she first took my hand in our youth. Even the loneliness deep in my heart was soothed into softness.

I looked toward the spatial-temporal rifts still churning in the distance, and the conviction in my heart grew ever clearer. I would not only protect her before me; I would also follow the resonant power of the Gold Dragon and Silver Dragon to knock upon time's gate and seek out the companions scattered through the years. Xie Xie's boisterousness, Ye Xinglan's scolding, Xu Xiaoyan lighting up the night sky with starlight, Yuanen Yehui's silent yet ever-reliable back, Le Zhengyu's warm holy light, Xu Lizhi's foolish grin as he held meat buns—scene after scene flashed through my mind. Every figure was so clear, as if it had all happened only yesterday. I had once believed they had become memories forever, but now, with the Silver Dragon aura at my side and the Gold Dragon's power roaring through my bloodline, I knew I had a chance to rewrite the ending.

I crouched down and laid the Golden Dragon Spear across my knees. My fingertips traced the mottled dragon patterns and bloodstains along its shaft as golden dragon power slowly flowed through it, gently yet resolutely intertwining with the Silver Dragon aura around Gu Yue. The two powers collided and merged, tearing open a small but stable rift before us. From deep within it came faint yet familiar fluctuations—the martial soul auras of Shrek's Six Monsters, sealed away by time. Weak, yet clear, as though they were calling to me.

"Hold on tight." I gripped Gu Yue's hand and shielded her firmly behind me. Gold Dragon power erupted, and a golden dragon phantom spread its claws and scales behind my back. "Don't be afraid. We're going home—to bring them home."

The rift's light grew brighter and brighter, gently swallowing our figures. I clutched Gu Yue's hand tightly, feeling the real warmth in my palm, while the laughter of seven people seemed to echo in my ears once more. It was the hottest and brightest time that belonged to Shrek—to us.