The Savior's Farewell

Holding the paper airplane that had transcended dimensions in both hands, Lu Yan walked steadily into the living room.

Aemeath followed behind him, her eyes fixed on his broad back, filled with longing.

Lu Yan walked straight to the solid wood and glass display cabinet in the living room.

He didn't have any hobby of collecting anything, and the display cases here were always empty. He stopped in the very center of the display case.

He gently held the paper airplane with one hand and carefully opened the glass cabinet door with the other.

With a very slight click, Lu Yan placed the paper airplane, decorated with two kittens, one pink and one black, steadily onto the base.

"Alright." Lu Yan straightened up, carefully examined the location, and then locked the glass cabinet door again.

He turned around and pulled Aemeath, who was following behind him, into his arms, his deep voice carrying a sly smile and a solemn tone:

"Put it here, and this 'paper airplane' will be properly preserved."

"With constant temperature and humidity, dustproof and windproof, it will never have another chance to sneak away."

Aemeath leaned against his strong chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, and chuckled softly.

"Isn't this illegal imprisonment?"

"This is a legal way for me to take in the little pink cat who has wandered into my heart." Lu Yan affectionately rubbed his nose against Aemeath's nose.

The two embraced quietly in front of the display case for a while, enjoying the moment of peace.

Lu Yan's gaze passed over Aemeath's shoulder and inadvertently fell on the laptop on the coffee table that had been in standby mode.

"May 6th," Lu Yan read the date on the screen softly.

As if suddenly remembering something, he gently patted Aemeath's back and pulled her slightly away from his embrace.

"Speaking of which, it seems like we've been through so much; I've almost forgotten how much time has passed. Today is May 6th, Wuthering Waves should have had a major update by now."

Aemeath paused for a moment.

"Ever since you came into my world," Lu Yan took her soft hand, walked to the sofa and sat down, casually pulling his laptop in front of them, "I don't think I've ever really played that game again. Want to... take a look together?"

Aemeath nodded, leaning obediently on Lu Yan's shoulder, her gaze fixed on the computer screen. "Hmm, I also want to see what Rinascita looks like without me."

After entering the game, Lu Yan immediately clicked on the latest updated main storyline quest.

As the plot progressed, their initially relaxed expressions gradually turned into focused concentration.

Just as the new plot reached its climax, a stunning CG animation popped up.

In the endless void, a group of people radiating dazzling light appeared, without specific faces, existing only as pure energy entities.

Upon seeing this, Lu Yan subconsciously turned to look at Aemeath, only to find that Aemeath's body tensed up instantly as well.

"It's them..." Aemeath's voice trembled slightly as she instinctively gripped Lu Yan's arm.

These are the pioneers who, in the game's visuals, sacrificed themselves one after another to inscribe runes and illuminate coordinates.

It was the tragic history he had witnessed in his dream last night.

Lu Yan grasped her hand in return, continuously transferring his warmth to her.

He knew that this was not just the plot of a game, but also Aemeath's real past.

After the battle Tunneler Aleph-1.

Lu Yan gently comforted her, "Look, the crisis facing Rinascita has been averted."

Last night's stars have faded.

This is an epilogue to this major update.

When that familiar pink figure appeared on the rooftop.

She was a beautiful girl with long pink hair.

She was dressed in clothes that Aemeath once knew so well, and lay on a chair gazing at the sky.

But Lu Yan knew very well that the person on the screen was not Aemeath.

Because Aemeath crossed dimensions to come to Lu Yan's side.

In order to maintain logic, the world's will automatically initiated a repair.

All traces of 'Aemeath' have been completely erased from this world, and in their place is a girl named 'Aemith'.

She has a similar past to Aemeath, but she wasn't added to the gacha pool.

On the screen, 'Aemith' lowered his head and gave the player, the Rover, a resolute smile.

After a dialogue with audio ends.

The image freezes on Aemith's outstretched hand, the sunlight casting a long shadow over her.

A long silence fell over the living room. Only the faint hum of the laptop's cooling fan echoed in the air.

Lu Yan quietly watched the girl named 'Aemith' on the screen.

He reached out, turned off the laptop, and severed the ties that belonged to the past.

With a soft click, Lu Yan closed the laptop screen completely.

The faint hum of the radiator stopped abruptly, and the living room fell silent once more.

However, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible tension in the atmosphere on the sofa at that moment.

Lu Yan did not immediately let go of Aemeath's hand.

He turned slightly to the side, his gaze fixed on Aemeath's exquisite face, not missing a single subtle change in her expression.

The slight tremor Aemeath when she saw the CG was like a fine needle, silently piercing Lu Yan's heart.

Even though he had already obtained that paper airplane [Aemeath] that transcended dimensions, even though they had already achieved synchronization.

But facing the hometown that nurtured her, Lu Yan still felt a trace of panic, fearing that she would miss her hometown and leave.

He reached out his other hand and gently enveloped Aemeath's small hand in his warm palm, stroking the back of her hand.

"Little Aemeath..." Lu Yan broke the silence first, his voice trembling slightly, "After seeing those images, did you... want to Rinascita?"

Lu Yan paused, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down with difficulty.

He suppressed the agonizing fear of her leaving and tried to appear mature. "If you really want to go back and visit, or if you find it too boring here..."

What are you thinking about?

Lu Yan was interrupted by Aemeath before he could finish speaking.

She lifted her head from Lu Yan's shoulder, turned around, and faced him directly.

There Lu Yan no sadness or hesitation in Aemeath's eyes, only a sense of relief and clarity that came from having experienced many hardships.

Aemeath reached out and cupped Lu Yan's somewhat stiff face in her hands.

She could clearly feel that the moment her fingertips touched his skin, he subconsciously softened his breathing.

"Fool," Aemeath looked into his eyes, a gentle smile on her face, "I don't want to go back. Not because I'm sad, just... a little sentimental."

"A sigh?"

Lu Yan frowned slightly, letting Aemeath knead his face, but the worry in his eyes had not completely disappeared.

"Hmm." Aemeath nodded, her thumb gently tracing the corner of Lu Yan's eye. "A-Yan, the records here are quite different."

She released one hand and pointed to the laptop on the coffee table that was now asleep. "The game's storyline here is actually quite delayed."

It's only just been updated to the part about preparing to separate and finish their studies.

Aemeath spoke, a hint of genuine pride and satisfaction suddenly appeared in her previously calm tone.

She tilted her head back, her gaze passing over Lu Yan's shoulder, and looked at the azure sky outside the French windows.

"But by the time I truly crossed dimensions and entered your embrace, Solaris's crisis had already become a thing of the past."

Aemeath's voice became ethereal and distant. "Do you know, A-Yan. Solaris not only survived the threat of the Lament, it has now embarked on its journey into the Star Sea."

"Towards the Stars?" Lu Yan asked, puzzled.

"Hmm." Aemeath turned her gaze back, looking intently at Lu Yan: "No longer trapped in Lamentation, no longer needing anyone to sacrifice themselves."

"They built starships capable of traversing the universe, taking the civilization of Solaris into the vast cosmos."

"I'm proud of them, because my efforts played a part in their achievements."

"And I found you again." Aemeath looked at Lu Yan tenderly.

Aemeath spoke these words with great candor.

There was no lingering attachment, no regrets, only the relief of someone who experienced it all and saw it all completed successfully.

Lu Yan listened quietly.

He looked at the light in Aemeath's eyes as she spoke these words, and listened to her recount the prosperity of Solaris.

He took Aemeath's small hand, which was cupping his cheek, and pulled her closer to him.

The two drew closer, their breaths mingling.

"Now that Solaris has embarked on its journey into the stars, the crisis is over." Lu Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice brimming with barely concealed joy. "That means... my savior will never return to Solaris?"

Aemeath's heart skipped a beat at his sudden change in aggressiveness.

Seeing the gleam of amusement in Lu Yan's eyes, it was easy to understand what this reserved man was celebrating.

"What?" Aemeath raised her chin and gave a haughty snort.

"The Savior has retired honorably and is now homeless. Surely the great painter Lu wouldn't want to kick me out?"

Lu Yan chuckled softly, tightening his grip on her. "Trying to get rid of you?"

"How could I dare?" Lu Yan's tone suddenly became affectionate.

He wrapped his arms around Aemeath's waist, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

"You've already landed in my heart." Lu Yan lowered his head, his lips almost touching her earlobe, his warm breath spraying onto her sensitive neck, stirring a slight shiver.

"I've already locked that paper airplane in the display case."

"And you..." Lu Yan turned his head and gently bit that slightly reddened little ear, "I intend to lock you up for the rest of my life."

"If you're not going to be a savior, then stay here. No matter which galaxy Solaris goes to, your home will always be with me."

Aemeath's cheeks flushed from his domineering confession.

"You said it yourself." Aemeath reached out and hugged Lu Yan's broad back tightly.

Aemeath buried her face in Lu Yan's neck, inhaled his scent deeply, and said firmly:

"Then I won't be so polite from now on."

"Okay. Whatever you say." Lu Yan agreed without any hesitation.