...
“Who am I? Where am I?”
...
“Who am I? Where am I?”
In a world of pure white, flawless void, a voice echoed continuously.
“You may forget everything about yourself, but your soul is as indelible as the stars. Go, find yourself.”
Legend says that after people die, they become stars in the sky, shining under the night. All bonds turn into starlight, drifting forever in the starry sky, connected to everyone.
...
Under the night sky of the Ryan Continent, the air was clear for ten thousand miles, and the stars were like jewels in a brilliant jewelry box—countless meticulously carved gems flashing with a dazzling and mysterious light.
On the other side of the galaxy, one of the brightest stars was quietly changing.
It should have been like its companions, but it suddenly burst with a brilliant radiance, becoming as bright as a second sun. In an instant, it illuminated the silent night sky, waking countless creatures from their dreams.
This was a strange sight never before seen on the continent. From the tiniest insect to the humans sitting high upon their thrones, all looked up at the star beginning to shine in the sky, unable to look away for a long time.
Now, let us turn our gaze to the far southwest of the continent, the home of the elves—Sing-Song Forest.
The forest was peaceful and tranquil most of the time, and this night was no exception.
The elves, who believe in the Goddess of Nature, have a natural affinity for nature, so most of them prefer to build their houses on giant, towering trees, radiating outward in all directions with their World Tree as the center.
An elven girl dressed in a pale green gown sat gracefully on the broad branch of a giant tree. Her gaze pierced through the night, staring at the towering Mother Tree in the distance.
Her pale blue pupils looked past the constraints of distance at the massive Mother Tree; its presence seemed to ignore the vastness of space, appearing within reach.
The girl’s slightly damp, flaxen hair draped loosely over her shoulders, and a faint mist was emerging from her body. Her exquisite beauty made the surrounding flowers, leaves, and the starry sky pale in comparison.
If someone skilled in magic were present, they would find a rich aura of life gathering from all parts of the forest, circling slowly around the girl’s body like a living thing, making her surroundings even more hazy.
This ability to manipulate the power of life was one of the unique skills of the elven Nature Priests.
“Moen! Are you there? I’m coming up!” A clear, pleasant female voice rang out from the treehouse below, and in just a moment, she arrived at her side.
“You know I’m always here at this time, sister. You could have just come up,” Moen replied with a smile.
The elven girl called Moen turned her head with a gentle smile, her eyes meeting the slender figure that stepped lightly from behind the tree trunk, her eyes sparkling with warmth and joy.
“Oh my~ the busy person is finally home? Should I call you the Deputy Captain of Starlight Moon Shadow, or the Trade and Exchange Ambassador of the elves, Lady Xiadu?”
It was easy to see that the newcomer’s face and figure bore some resemblance to Moen’s. The only difference was her deep brown hair, tied in a high ponytail behind her head.
The dark green windbreaker she wore and her eagle-sharp eyes gave her a heroic and spirited aura, forming a sharp contrast with the gentle and quiet Moen.
“Moen, stop teasing me. Do you think I want to be running around outside every day? You have no idea how heavy the group’s affairs are, not to mention the constant contact between the kingdom and our tribe. If it weren't for Pokong helping me, I’d have loved to return to the forest and be a leisurely, hands-off boss.”
As Xiadu spoke, she jumped to the edge of the branch in a few quick steps and sat down lightly. Even though her movements were so large, she didn't even disturb a single leaf.
“Then you can just come back, sister. After all, you are a part of the elven race.”
Moen lightly covered her mouth, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes as she chuckled softly.
“By the way, where’s my brother-in-law? Didn't he come with you?”
“He’s here~ but on the way back, he said he wanted to race me to see who could get home faster. But obviously, I’m much faster than him, right? He doesn't even consider where we are... by my count, he should be arriving soon... there, he’s almost at the bottom of the tree. I can already hear his footsteps.”
Xiadu’s long, pointed ears twitched, and she looked down toward the base of the tree.
Before long, a tall figure arrived at the bottom of the giant tree.
With a slight bend of his legs, he jumped effortlessly from the ground. His figure passed through the thick foliage and landed directly beside the two women at the top of the tree.
“Little Shadow, you run so fast! Yo~ Little Crescent, long time no see! I didn't interrupt your sisterly reunion, did I?”
The man looked to be about thirty years old, with a sturdy build and handsome features—blond hair and blue eyes. A confident smile hung on his face, making him look calm and composed.
He casually brushed the dust off his clothes, pulled a few leaves from his short golden hair, and waved a greeting to Moen.
The newcomer was Xiadu’s husband, the Grand Captain of the adventure group Starlight Moon Shadow, Pokong-Mars, also one of the strongest Sword Saints in the world.
“You two still get along as well as ever, brother-in-law! So, are you back this time for official business... or a long-overdue vacation?”
Moen waved her hand, and a wisp of breeze appeared at the window below, carrying a teapot and three cups from the house. They flew out slowly and landed steadily beside her.
Then, that wisp of pale green wind began to twist in the air, transforming into a pair of nimble hands that started brewing tea for the three of them.
“A bit of both. There’s nothing major going on lately, anyway. It’s mostly because your sister wanted to come back and see you. Plus, she wanted to ask if you’d like to go out and stay with us for a while. You know, it’s been almost two years since we last saw you? The newcomers in the group barely recognize you as their Deputy Captain!”
Pokong took a cup from the air, took a large gulp of hot tea, and smiled slightly.
“But I made a bet with Xiadu. It won’t be easy to convince you. In my opinion, unless the sun rises from the west, you won’t easily change your mind.”
“That’s right. The last time you came to headquarters was when Aila came of age, and that was over a year ago. Although we know you like staying in your hometown, you should still go out more often. And you could help me share some of the workload, couldn't you, my dear sister?”
Xiadu picked up her cup and took a sip, looking sideways at Moen with clear blue eyes full of expectation.
Just as Pokong was about to say something else, Moen suddenly stood up and looked toward the west with a confused expression. She pointed in the direction blocked by the canopy of the World Tree and asked.
“What is that?”
The two followed the direction of Moen’s finger. Even though the canopy of the World Tree was so lush, and even though it was late at night, beams of light were pouring down from the canopy as if a sun were rising from the west.
“No way? The sun really is rising from the west? I just said that offhandedly!”
Seeing the sudden strong light, Pokong’s mouth hung open in surprise.
“No, that’s definitely not the sun! The color and brightness of the light are different! Come on! Let’s go to the edge of the forest to see what’s going on.”
At this point, Xiadu also stood up. As the one with the best senses among the three, she could tell at a glance that the source of the light was by no means ordinary sunlight.
Before her voice could fade, the breathing of the three hitched. They felt the magic elements in the air suddenly become violent, surging toward the sky as if being pulled by something.
The natural power being guided around Moen trembled slightly, like a frightened small animal, and began to scatter uncontrollably in all directions.
Even the hands condensed from the wind element lasted only an instant before they could no longer maintain their shape and dissipated into the air.
The teapot fell from Moen’s side, crashing hard against the branch and shattering into pieces.
“I feel every trace of mana in the forest being rapidly drained! This speed, this power—it’s unprecedented!”
Moen’s voice carried a hint of undeniable panic. She pressed her hands together and tried to gather mana, but it was to no avail.
“And it’s not just the wind element; even the natural elements are being sucked away! If this continues, the Mother Tree might be in danger! Sister, go notify the Council of Elders! Brother-in-law, go wake everyone up!”
Faced with this situation that had never occurred in history, Moen reacted quickly and shouted to Xiadu and Pokong.
“Alright!”
“Going now!”
But just as the three were about to move, the turbulent elements in the air suddenly went still, frozen in mid-air like blocks of ice.
At the same time, the sun-like light source in the west began to change. Accompanied by a slight tremor in the atmosphere, the position of the light actually began to move slowly.
From the appearance of the light source to the moment it illuminated the entire Sing-Song Forest, less than ten seconds had passed. By now, many elves had noticed the anomaly in the sky and walked out of their dwellings, looking up at the sky.
A massive meteor was moving rapidly from west to east across the sky. The brilliant tail it dragged behind was like a sharp knife piercing through the night of the entire continent, tearing the velvet-black night sky in half. Before long, it disappeared over the eastern horizon.
“So what we just saw was... a meteor? Or a meteorite? But how could there be one so large? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing? It... it won’t fall onto the continent, will it?”
The three stood frozen in place, looking at each other. Xiadu asked in a daze.
“Whatever that thing was, all I know is that our vacation is over before it even started.”
Pokong reached out and scratched his head, holding a milky-white stone the size of an egg in his other hand. The stone was flashing incessantly like crazy.
“I think everyone on the continent must have seen that thing. My communication stone is being blown up! Xiadu, yours probably is too. I advise you not to take it out! Ahhh! My vacation!”
Xiadu gave her husband a sidelong glance, pulled out an identical white stone from her pocket, took a quick look at it, and said.
“Then let’s set off now. Stop complaining, my Captain!”
“Little Shadow, you’ve snapped into character fast. Let’s go then. It’s just a shame we have to leave right after coming back. Little Crescent, thanks for the tea. Too bad we can’t stay to keep you company.”
Seeing the look of determination on his wife’s face, Pokong could only sigh and helplessly accept the facts.
“We’re leaving, sister. Are you really not coming with us? You’ve lived this secluded life for almost a hundred years now. It’s not good to keep yourself cooped up at home!”
Xiadu looked into Moen’s eyes again, seemingly still holding a sliver of hope.
Moen looked at the two of them, who were in a difficult position, then frowned and looked toward where the meteor had disappeared, answering softly.
“It hasn't been almost a hundred years. It’s been a hundred years, seven months, and twenty-eight days... But you’re right. This time, I plan to go over there and stay for a while.”
“Alright, looks like we failed to convince you again... Eh? Wait! You’re willing to go?!” Pokong was still fiddling with the flashing communication stone in his hand and was about to turn around when he suddenly whipped his head back toward Moen.
“Don’t you always dislike life over in Violet? Why the sudden change of heart?”
“I don’t know either. I just have a premonition—at least it’s not a bad one!” After Moen lowered her head and pondered for a while, a moving smile appeared on her face.
“Great! Everyone will definitely be surprised!” Xiadu excitedly pulled her sister into a hug, a brilliant smile on her face.
Not long after, once Moen had finished some simple packing, she left the tree canopy with the two of them and embarked on the journey to the Violet City-State at the southwestern corner of the continent.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, another scene was playing out.
In the eastern part of the continent, at the headquarters of the Magic Guild in the royal capital, Lionheart City.
“Master Kadeline, did you feel that? What happened! We couldn't even control our own mana just now!”
Several young mages in long robes ran down a long corridor and burst into a circular room, their faces panicked.
“Stay calm. Take a deep breath~”
A soft female voice came from behind a sofa in the room. A slender figure in a blue magic robe was leaning lazily against the armrest, quietly watching the piercing light outside the window.
“Now we just need to focus on what that orb of light will turn into. After all, there’s nothing we can do, is there?”
Through the curved window, Kadeline stared at the sun-like orb of light outside and spoke slowly.
“What else could it be? There are only two possibilities! First, we can only pray that the orb of light dissipates on its own. Second, if it falls, it could destroy half the continent, or even more!”
A gruff voice came from outside the door. The door that had just been closed was roughly pushed open again, and the young mages who had just rushed in scrambled to get out of the way.
A middle-aged man in a fiery red coat strode into the room. He had a head of red hair and a large beard that looked like a ball of fire, making him look like a living flame.
“Oh~ what a rare guest. You actually put down your work to come here. But Mr. Felmer, why didn't you just teleport directly into my room? In an emergency like this, etiquette can be set aside, right?”
When Kadeline saw the fire-like man arrive, a bright smile appeared on her face.
“Please, you have no idea how far I had to come from the south! After all, I’m not as good at spatial movement as you lot. I should be thanking the heavens I made it here in one piece!”
The man called Felmer rubbed the dust off his hands, his expression looking somewhat unnatural.
“Well then, it seems you two have already discussed it. So, is there a solution?”
With a faint sound of breaking wind, another figure suddenly appeared in the circular room.
The newcomer wore a green tunic, was a bit plump, and had the face of a friendly man. He greeted the two of them.
“No. Felmer just arrived, but as he said, that orb of light has absorbed the mana of the entire continent. If it can’t be controlled and falls, it might not be as simple as blowing up half the continent. I wonder how other places are doing.”
Kadeline glanced at the meteor, which was getting brighter and brighter outside the window, and looked seriously at the short, stout man.
“Rakol, have the people outside been settled?”
“Of course. Why else would I be later than Felmer? Are we the only three in the capital?”
The fat mage raised an eyebrow and also turned to look at the night sky outside the window.
“Yes. Muwei and the others must be staying at the school to watch over the children, right? And Maila hasn't contacted us for a while. To be honest, I don’t expect her, living in the heart of a mountain, to notice this celestial phenomenon immediately and rush here... On the contrary, I’m quite surprised Felmer arrived so quickly.”
Kadeline stood up gracefully from the sofa and picked up a fountain pen from the table, pointing it out the window.
“You know why I came. Surely you haven't forgotten what year it is!”
At this point, the silent Felmer suddenly slapped the table and said impatiently.
“Of course I remember. Today is the hundredth year of the Continental New Calendar—the hundredth year since the New Calendar began after the Sky Demon was defeated, right?”
Hearing this, Rakol paused, then seemed to realize something.
“You mean... he... is back? The Demon King has been resurrected? This...”
Before Rakol could finish, his voice was drowned out by the cries of alarm coming from outside the window.
The people in the entire city looked at the sky in panic. That meteor actually began to fall slowly, crashing straight toward the continent.
After a dazzling burst of strong light, it disappeared into the eastern sky.
“That’s it? It’s over?”
The three in the room stared in the direction where the meteor had disappeared on the horizon for a long time, unable to snap out of it. The massive explosion they had anticipated did not occur. It was as if the turmoil had never happened, and the starry night sky returned to its former tranquility.
“I feel like it won’t be that simple. It seems we’ll need to send someone to investigate. The place where that meteor fell should be the easternmost part of the continent... Hmm... I’ll send someone first thing tomorrow morning. Alright! I have to go now. With something like this happening, I’m going to be busy for a while again.”
Rakol rubbed his broad chin, and after nodding to the two of them, he turned into a breeze and disappeared from the room.
“Well! That brat actually just slipped away? It seems there’s no point in me staying here either... Dammit... If I’d known, I wouldn't have bothered coming all this way. Fine, fine... Teleporting again... Or maybe I should take a carriage...”
Felmer muttered as he looked at where Rakol had disappeared.
“Kadeline, remember to notify me if there’s any news.”
“I know. I have the same feeling, so you should head back quickly too!”
Kadeline gave Felmer a deep look and nodded slightly.
“Then I won’t see you out.”
...
This night was destined to be a sleepless one. In various parts of the planet, countless people were startled awake from their dreams, looking at the distant sky, not understanding what had happened.
The monks of the churches fell to their knees one after another, praying fervently toward the sky, whispering under their breath:
“A miracle... a miracle has appeared.”
Indeed, in their eyes, this was undoubtedly a manifestation of a miracle. Whether it was on the mountain peaks of the far north or the mysterious continents of the east and south, creatures of all kinds hurried to spread the news of this sudden anomaly. But one saying was the most widely accepted.
“The Radiant Falling Star, the Return of the Gods.”
Rate on N.U.
