As soon as Ye Yan finished speaking, she froze on the spot in the trial space that belonged exclusively to the stars.
"What...?" Xing turned around stiffly. " Teacher Ye Yan, you really are... a hidden talent..."
Unexpectedly, Ye Yan started laying the groundwork for " Amphoreus " back in Jarilo-VI, when she had just boarded the train.
" Teacher Ye Yan, you are this..."
"You're too kind." Ye Yan steered the conversation back on track. "Now... how about we give it a try?"
"The name ' Hand of Ashen Gloom ' sounds quite unique, but Ye Yan uses it to Retrieving Objects from Afar, which is such a waste."
Xing clicked her tongue; she had a brilliant idea—to rename " The Hand of Ashen Gloom " to...
" The Invisible Hand!"
Although the name change lowered its pretentiousness a bit, it doesn't stop it from being useful. I'll use this trick to catch the enemy off guard from now on!
Meanwhile, in the Underworld where Antimone Flower bloom...
"The meaning of existence..." Thanatos looked at the Castorice.
"This sea of flowers grows in a dead land; you and I sowed its seeds with our parting, and watered it with our lonely tears..."
"Yes," death can create nothing more than flowers blooming amidst blood and tears.
Therefore, Thanatos cannot create all things at will, nor can the " Hand of Ashen Gloom " determine the fate of all living beings.
Castorice said firmly, "Because the life and death of mortals should not be controlled by any will."
"That sounds like a denial of the significance of Thanatos..."
"No. No one can stand alone on the scales of life and death, not even a god. The weight of life and death is equally heavy... You and I understand this better than anyone, don't we?"
"..." Thanatos's lips trembled slightly. "Your life must have been very difficult..."
"We... we've truly gone through an incredibly absurd journey together."
Thanatos's wheelchair moved forward automatically. "Even back then, I had a premonition: one day, we would meet again..."
"Not for a long-awaited reunion embrace, but for an eye for an eye, to exact retribution..."
"Tell me the answer I've already written... to put an end to this long and uncertain fate."
Thanatos suddenly stopped. "It's been far too long."
"I stand here alone, watching day after day as desperate souls are shut out of this desolate wasteland..."
"Among them, I always longed for your presence, yet I was also afraid to acknowledge you. I didn't know how to face you..."
"What I fear even more is seeing... my former closest relatives have long Enigmata my existence."
Castorice held Polyxena's shoulders and smiled slightly, "... I understand. But you see, Polyxena, I'm back here no matter what."
"You no longer have to bear the weight of 'death' alone. After all, it should be lifted up by both hands."
"Therefore, let the stars carry our Core Flame back to the human world, so that mortals may reclaim their right to life and death..."
"Our duty, Thanatos's duty, has never been to choose lives, but only to look after them."
Let us together... care for this warm sea of flowers that belongs to so many souls.
Castorice looked at the girl in the wheelchair, not calling her Thanatos, but uttering that familiar name:
"Is that alright, Polyxena?"
Polyxena nodded. "Of course. Now... only the final step remains."
"You will wither, but the dead will sprout from the remnants, and the fire that died with you will be reborn..."
"As the Prophecy foretold, the divine authority of Thanatos is destined to be held by only one person. The Chrysos Heirs of 'Death,' its demigod, the Titan..."
"... Our destined moment has arrived once again."
"Just like before..."
"Yes, just like before," Polyxena said calmly, "But, unlike that time... this time, both sides in the trial are well-prepared."
"You've... made up your mind?"
"Hmm... it's fate. But as long as you're here, I won't be afraid."
"Please complete this trial of life, grant me the embrace of 'death,' and ignite the flame of 'life.'"
"If it were you, after experiencing the trials of life and death, you would surely bring the first glimmer of life to this wasteland..."
"Like a butterfly heading to the Underworld, landing on a branch of death."
After a long silence, Castorice made up her mind:
"... I will."
"After that, I will dwell in the Underworld forever, letting the River of Souls return here, transforming into celestial rain, scattering souls across this netherworld..."
Life and death will turn again. This sea of flowers you planted with your own hands will henceforth bear countless souls, some joyful, some sorrowful, and will forever be full of life.
Polyxena looked up. "... Thank you. Finally, could you... grant me one wish?"
"Of course. What is it?" Castorice's tone was incredibly gentle.
Please... don't forget me.
"... I promise you."
Even if I cross the cycle of reincarnation again... when we meet again in the next life, I will surely be just as I was when I was first born...
Even if we don't know each other's names yet... I will hold you tight, very tight.
Polyxena smiled, " Castorice... Castorice..."
"Her name suits her perfectly... How beautiful she is."
Afterwards, Castorice pushed the wheelchair and led Polyxena on a stroll through the sea of flowers.
"I will bring peace to 'death'." She leaned down slightly and embraced Polyxena in her wheelchair.
"From this moment on, life, which had been stagnant... will begin to flow again."
"After the embrace, comes the ' Eternity ' separation."
Following the tide of " Remembrance," Anaxa's consciousness returned to that mysterious and unpredictable space and met her mentor, Empedocles.
"Very good, child... I told you long ago, you would achieve great things."
"My teacher..."
"What a strange turn of events..." The " School of Worship " has produced a Blasphemer, just like a little donkey that sucks its mother dry and then kicks her instead.
This is a marvelous metaphor from Empedocles.
I respect and love you, teacher. But you understand...
Empedocles followed his words, saying, "You love truth more."
"So, child, don't regret the criticism I've endured. Don't let that noise hold you back."
"As a sage of the ' School of Worship,' worldly demands prevent me from agreeing with you; however, as Anaxagoras ' friend and mentor, I will say..."
"Go and do it; the truth is now in your hands."
"... I will remember this."
"Alright, move forward, child. Your lonely journey of seeking is about to reach a new beginning—"
Empedocles patted Anaxa on the shoulder. "And when you reach the end, may we meet before the truth."
"I assure you, teacher, that Cerces will defend your principles."
May Cerces defend your thoughts.