Little Hero Aemeath

The Rover returned the standard-issue communication knife to the Pangu Terminal. With a faint blue light flashing, she turned her head and looked at the two people, one big and one small, who were still immersed in the heavy vow they had just made.

"Alright, that's enough training for today."

The Rover's voice broke the slightly melancholic atmosphere in the snow.

She brushed the snowflakes off her shoulders, her gaze lingering for a moment on Lu Yan's face, which still held a hint of heartache, before turning to Little Aemeath, her tone unconsciously softening:

"The snow is about to get heavier outside. Since A-Yan is here today, you should all go back inside."

"Little Aemeath, you can play games for a while. A balance between work and rest is also part of training."

Little Aemeath's eyes lit up instantly when she heard the words "play games".

The somber atmosphere vanished instantly, replaced by a natural liveliness and playfulness.

She released her arms from Lu Yan's neck and excitedly jumped on the snow.

"Yay! Playing games! Thank you, Sister Rover!"

Little Aemeath grabbed the small wooden sword that had fallen in the snow, pulled Lu Yan's hand, and ran towards the Glimmering Lakeside Lodge. "A-Yan, come quick! Let's go inside and play games!"

Lu Yan was pulled back by her, and as he watched her energetic figure disappear, the gloom in his heart was dispelled.

He followed in Little Aemeath's footsteps, glancing back at the Rover behind him. Their eyes met, and they both saw a relieved smile in each other's eyes.

With the familiar sound of the high-tech door opening, the heavy door of the Glimmering Lakeside Lodge opened and closed again.

Back indoors in warmth.

Little Aemeath immediately ran to the cabinet next to the TV and picked up two game controllers connected by cables.

"A-Yan! Let's play this!"

Little Aemeath excitedly shoved one of the controllers into Lu Yan's hand, then hugged the other controller herself, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and patted the spot next to her to signal him to sit down.

Lu Yan looked down at the handle in his hand, then looked up at the Rover was sitting at the workbench looking up information.

"This game console..."

The Rover didn't even look up, explaining calmly, "I bought it when I went to the Star Torch Academy. She couldn't sleep at night recently, so I kept her company a few times."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He knew that someone like the Rover, with his current personality, would never buy a game console just to pass the time.

It was clearly a clumsy yet well-intentioned way of comforting Aemeath, during the period when she felt most insecure, in an attempt to distract the child.

"Thank you," Lu Yan murmured softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear, before sitting down next to Little Aemeath.

Lu Yan shook the controller in his hand and asked with a smile, "What are we playing?"

"Let's play a role-playing RPG game! It's called 'Space Warrior Katya'!"

Little Aemeath skillfully pressed the power button, and the TV screen flickered twice, displaying a startup interface with a strong pixelated style.

A lively background music filled with electronic sound effects rang out cheerfully in the quiet little house.

Little Aemeath turned her head, her eyes gleaming with eager anticipation, and she began assigning roles to Lu Yan very seriously:

"A-Yan! In this game, I am Katya, the hero responsible for defeating the Great Demon King and saving the universe! And you...?"

She paused deliberately, pointed her little finger at the pixelated figure holding a staff following the protagonist on the screen, and announced triumphantly:

"You are Katya's most loyal companion! Your mission is to follow behind me, heal me, and witness me save the world!"

Hearing her passionate speech, Lu Yan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Okay~

Lu Yan's tone was full of indulgence and doting, "Then I will be the most loyal companion of the hero Aemeath. You will be in charge of saving the world in front, and I will be in charge of saving you behind. Wherever you go, I will follow."

"Hmph, that's more like it! Let the game begin!"

As Little Aemeath pressed the confirm button firmly, the two pixelated figures officially embarked on their journey.

In this world sealed off by ice and snow, a fierce battle is unfolding inside the Glimmering Lakeside Lodge.

"Left! Left! That green monster is spitting poison! Quick, give me a shield!"

"Received, the shield is on, Little Aemeath, you can attack with confidence."

Time slipped away quietly amidst the tapping of the handle and the crackling of the firewood in the fireplace.

Before I knew it, the gray sky outside the window had completely darkened.

Night fell.

"Yay! I defeated the final boss! Peace is at peace in the universe!"

As the screen erupted with dazzling fireworks effects to mark the end of the level, Little Aemeath threw away the controller, excitedly grabbed Lu Yan's arm, and jumped up and down with joy.

Lu Yan was about to raise his hand to pat her head and praise her when he suddenly sensed something was wrong with his body.

His arms felt unusually heavy, his eyelids felt like they were filled with lead, and an irresistible drowsiness swept over him like a receding tide.

Lu Yan's heart sank; he was all too familiar with this feeling.

He fought off the drowsiness that threatened to drag him into darkness, trying to keep his vision focused.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Little Aemeath was excitedly watching the game's completion screen.

"Aemeath." Lu Yan's voice had become somewhat ethereal.

He gave a gentle smile, extended his hand, which was beginning to shimmer with a faint translucency, and gently covered Little Aemeath's head, softly stroking her long, pink hair.

Did you have fun today?

Hearing that Lu Yan's voice sounded off, Little Aemeath turned her head sharply.

Little Aemeath placed the game controller on the cabinet, cupped Lu Yan's somewhat unreal large hand in both of hers, and gently pressed her cheek against his palm.

She raised her bright little face, her golden star-like eyes shining with a dazzling and resolute light in the glow of the fireplace.

"So happy! A-Yan, I had so much fun today!"

She smiled brightly, without the slightest hint of reluctance.

Looking at her strong appearance, Lu Yan felt a lump in his throat, but the smile on his lips deepened.

"I just hope you have fun." Lu Yan's body flickered more and more frequently; he knew he only had a few seconds left.

He gazed intently at the girl before him, etching her current appearance into his eyes, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze:

"Well... see you later."

"Um!"

Little Aemeath nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with trust, not tears. "See you later, A-Yan!"

Because she knew that the older brother who sang lullabies to her, played games with her, and made promises to her would definitely, definitely come back.

No matter how much time passes, he will always return to her side.

In the last instant before his consciousness was completely swallowed by darkness, Lu Yan struggled to raise his head and cast his gaze toward the Rover in front of the workbench not far away.

The Rover had already put down his book without anyone noticing.

She sat there quietly, silently watching Lu Yan dissipate.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Lu Yan looked at her, a grateful smile appearing on his lips, and nodded at her.

It was a silent plea: Thank you, I'm counting on you for the days to come.

The Rover looked at him, and a faint smile appeared on his usually expressionless face.

She nodded slightly in return, giving Lu Yan a nod.

With the Rover nodding, Lu Yan completely gave up resisting.

His body transformed into countless golden specks of light, which, like the melting of first snow, silently dissipated into the air beside the warm hearth of the Glimmering Lakeside Lodge.

Little Aemeath watched the scattering golden light quietly, her hands tightly clutching the luminous amulet to her chest, her smile still bright.

"A-Yan... goodnight."