６☆ 2022 Birthday Date with Sariel: Oath of an Eternal Love || Light and Night 光与夜之恋 齐司礼【山海誓】

 

Note: This story delves deeper into his background and touches on the topic of death. It's not particularly fluffy, but it's my personal favorite birthday card of all time.

For context, please consider checking his 2022 birthday event:

Prologue | Part 01 | Part 02 | Part 03 | Part 04 + Phone Call

You may check this video for the recording, but it may contain ads from the music copyright owners:

- Intro -

Perhaps it was the wine from last night, but I slept very soundly and was still feeling a little dizzy when I woke up.

The yurt was very quiet. I massaged my temples as I got out of bed and found the space behind the curtains empty. Sariel wasn't here.

After getting dressed, I thought about looking for him, but just as I reached the entrance, I heard footsteps.

The heavy door curtain was lifted open, and Sariel looked slightly startled to see me.

Sariel: "Why are you up so early?"

After a pause, he frowned.

Sariel: "Why are you up so early?"

After a pause, he frowned.

Sariel: "Did I wake you just now?"

MC: "No, I just woke up naturally..."

I shook my head, and only then did I notice someone standing behind Sariel.

It was a middle-aged woman dressed in a long robe with a felt cape draped over her shoulders. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold, but she offered a bashful smile.

Lhadon: "Hi, I'm Lhadon, Jangji's A-ma."

So, this was the person we'd been waiting for. Now completely sober, I quickly introduced myself and invited her inside to sit and discuss the matter.

Lhadon: "There was a snowstorm in the mountains last night, so I couldn't make it back in time. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

MC: "Not at all. We arrived very late last night, too. Moreover, there are no streetlights here; it's far too dangerous to travel down the mountain at night."

Lhadon smiled, took a sip of warm tea, and the hesitation and nervousness in her expression greatly diminished.

Lhadon: "Thank you... Thank you for being willing to travel such a long way to come here."

She looked at Sariel, her tone sincere and serious.

Lhadon: "Mr. Ninetail, please, you must save Gammu A-pha... I've heard that the nine-tailed tribe possesses powers sufficient to restore vitality. You can definitely save him, correct?"

Lhadon's eyes gleamed with anticipation. It reminded me of the similar question Jangji had asked Sariel yesterday, his gaze just the same.

Sariel lowered his gaze and remained silent for a moment before speaking.

Sariel: "Jangji asked me the same thing. My answer remains: I don't know."

Lhadon's eyes widened in disbelief. It was as if her last hope had been extinguished. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but Sariel interrupted her.

Sariel: "But since I'm here, I will try my best to help him."

Sariel: "Let's go up the mountain and assess Gammu's condition."

Only then did Lhadon calm down, nodding with joy and eagerness.

Lhadon: "Okay, then let's depart right away... I... I'll get the horses ready!"

Sariel and I changed into warmer clothing and waited by the yurt. She soon returned with two horses for us.

Perhaps from living in the wilderness, the grey horse before me was very tall and didn't look to have a good temper. Its tail swished irritably back and forth.

I walked hesitantly towards the stirrup, unsure how to proceed.

Sariel: "Wait. You can't handle it."

Sariel signaled for me to step back. He then raised an arm to hold the reins, stepped into the stirrup, and mounted the horse in one clean, fluid motion.

He looped the reins around his palm and gave a gentle backward tug. The grey horse lifted its head, stepped around, and finally settled.

Sariel signaled for me to step back. He then raised an arm to hold the reins, stepped into the stirrup, and mounted the horse in one clean, fluid motion.

He looped the reins around his palm and gave a gentle backward tug. The grey horse lifted its head, stepped around, and finally settled.

I watched his smooth movements in surprise, only snapping back to my senses when I saw his arm extended toward me.

Sariel: "Hop on."

With Sariel's help, I slowly climbed onto the horse and settled in front of him.

Space on the horse's back was limited, so we sat very close. Even through our thick clothing, I could feel Sariel's warmth and heartbeat.

I lowered my head and touched my face; it felt a little hot.

Unexpectedly, Sariel noticed my small movement and leaned closer.

Sariel: "The winds are stronger in the mountains. Pull your collar up higher if you're cold."

Before he finished speaking, a fluffy cuff brushed past my cheek. He helped pull my collar up to its highest point, his warm breath falling near my ear.

I touched my earlobe and mumbled a response.

MC: "It's not because I'm cold..."

Just then, Sariel tightened the reins. The grey horse's neigh drowned out my voice. Amidst the sound of galloping hooves, he lowered his head a little closer.

Sariel: "What did you say?"

It was clearly his familiar voice, yet it felt different. Was it the vast sky and land, or the galloping horse? Even Sariel's breath carried a sharpness that brushed past my ear and plucked at the rhythm of my own breathing.

I quickly buried half my face into the collar and shook my head.

Thankfully, he didn't press further. Sariel held the reins tightly and caught up with Lhadon.

I gradually calmed down in the cold wind. As we journeyed, Lhadon took the opportunity to explain Gammu's condition to us.

Lhadon: "Since about a year ago, Gammu A-pha's health hasn't been good. He became very weak, tired from any effort, and even the power of his Talent is much weaker than before. But he was unwilling to speak of it, so no one noticed until a month ago... he found it difficult to maintain his human form."

Lhadon paused, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.

Lhadon: "For everyone's safety, Wonjin A-ma and I brought him deep into Kunlun. The vitality is richer there. I thought... he might recover better."

Sariel: "Did his condition improve?"

Lhadon shook her head, pursed her lips, unable to speak.

My mood grew heavier, but I managed to grasp something from her words. I turned to look at Sariel. 

Lhadon shook her head, pursed her lips, unable to utter a word.

My mood became a little heavier, but I could still grasp something between Lhadon's words, and turned around to look at Sariel.

You: Sounds very similar to Qi She's condition* in the past, is it deterioration?

*You can know more about Qi She's condition from his birthday card last year, read here if you'd like.

Sariel: "It's likely the case."

Sariel responded, but Lhadon looked at us in confusion.

Lhadon: "Deterioration?"

I recalled Dr. Huai saying that many Erdas were already facing Deterioration, and Sariel himself had once reverted to his fox form.

But if the Erdas in Kunlun had avoided deterioration due to the area's rich vitality, why was Gammu the only one so ill?

I looked at Sariel in confusion. He had clearly thought of this too, but he still explained patiently to Lhadon.

Sariel: "The weakening of one's Talent, the loss of vitality, causing one to revert to their original form, even losing self-control... This is what Deterioration is."

Lhadon: "A few years ago, I showed signs of Deterioration due to illness, but I was treated very quickly. That probably wasn't the Deterioration you mentioned, right?"

Sariel nodded, but his expression remained stern.

Sariel: "Many Erdas outside Kunlun are facing similar situations. I brought medicine from Rainy Island. If Gammu is truly deteriorating, this medicine should be able to soothe his condition temporarily."

Hearing this, hope reignited in Lhadon's eyes, and even her horse's pace seemed to lighten.

We ascended the mountain along the path. The forest grew denser, and a light snow began to fall.

There were indeed no grand structures like a "God Palace" in the mountains. We traveled through the forest for a long time before finally arriving at a small wooden house.

Although the house wasn't spacious, it was fully equipped. The charcoal fire in the center of the living room burned brightly, creating a warm atmosphere as soon as we entered.

Lhadon led us into a bedroom filled with the smell of herbal medicine.

Following behind Sariel, I covered the tip of my nose and curiously observed the room's furnishings—until I saw the person on the bed.

This was the first time I had seen the word "withered" depicted in reality. Gammu's eyes were tightly shut, his thin and frail body looking as if it could break in a breeze.

I subconsciously grabbed Sariel's clothes, my fingertips trembling slightly. It wasn't out of fear of Gammu's appearance, but... I was finally coming to a late realization of what "Deterioration" truly meant.

Sariel held my hand in return, his expression grim.

Seeing his somber expression, Lhadon couldn't help but ask in a trembling voice.

Lhadon: "Mr. Ninetail, is A-pha..."

I didn't know if it was my misperception, but even Sariel's breathing seemed unsteady.

He remained silent for a long time before finally forcing the words from his throat.

Sariel: "...I've never seen an Erda's power deteriorate to this extent. The medicine from Kui Mansion is likely useless to him now."

Like the Sword of Damocles finally falling, Lhadon's eyes widened in disbelief.

Lhadon: "W-would there be other methods, then? Don't the nine-tailed have Talents that can recover vitality? Could I trouble you to use your Talent..."

Sariel: "There's no Talent in this world that can bring the dead back to life. And, you can probably sense it too... my own Talent has already deteriorated."

He spoke in a calm tone, as if describing a trivial matter. I, on the other hand, was stunned, many fragmented memories flashing through my mind.

The broken leaf on the bird of paradise flower, the Princess of the Night in the basement that never blooms again, and how Jangji said "but you have a faint smell of an Erda*" when he saw Sariel.

*Refer here.

I had never seen Sariel use his Talent since he collapsed. I had already guessed a little, but my heart still ached unavoidably to hear him say it himself.

Lhadon also looked pale. Her lips parted, and it took her a while to recover her voice.

Lhadon: "There's another way... As long as we can find a goldfrost lotus! That's right, as long as we can find a goldfrost lotus on the mountaintop, A-pha can be saved!"

MC: "Goldfrost lotus? Does it look about the same as a goldfrost flower?"

I recalled the flower I saw with Sariel yesterday, but he hadn't told me that the little flower could treat illnesses.

*refer here

Lhadon: "It looks very similar to the goldfrost flower, but it doesn't radiate a gold sheen; it ripples with a silvery light. Do you remember what I said on our way here? I was seriously ill a few years ago. It was A-pha who found a goldfrost lotus on the mountaintop that saved me. He told me this type of flower grows by the Jade Lake, and only a single flower blooms once every thousand years."

Sariel: "Did he really say that?"

Sariel frowned slightly.

Sariel: "When I was in Kunlun, I never knew there was a Jade Lake on the mountaintop, nor have I seen that kind of flower."

Lhadon: "I found that a little odd, too... since no one had mentioned it before. But afterwards, I did find a record of the goldfrost lotus while tidying the study. A-pha probably saw it too, which is why he thought to search for it on the mountains. Although he said a single goldfrost lotus only blooms once every thousand years, what if there's more than just that one flower on the mountaintop..."

Lhadon's voice grew quieter as she spoke, until she was nearly sobbing. I couldn't help but softly pat the back of her hand.

MC: "Don't worry, we can take a look on the mountaintop later. Who knows, we might find it quickly."

She responded with a muffled sound, nodded softly, but then shook her head after a moment.

Lhadon: "There's a giant escarpment on the path to the mountaintop. Ordinary horses can't leap across it."

MC: "If leaping doesn't work, what about flying over? Could we ask Erdas who can fly?"

Lhadon: "We've tried. The snowstorm on the mountaintop is too violent; it's very difficult to even get close, let alone fly over."

MC: "In that case... how did Mr. Gammu cross the escarpment back then?"

Lhadon: "I don't know. He didn't tell me then, and there's no way to ask him now that he's so ill."

It sounded like a tricky situation indeed. I couldn't help but frown, considering if there were other possible solutions.

Just then, Sariel spoke.

Sariel: "I probably have a way to work around it."

MC: "Really?! Then let's depart for the mountaintop immediately—"

???: "There's no need to go anymore."

My excited words were interrupted by an aged voice. An elderly woman in a long robe had appeared at the entrance without us noticing.

Expressionless, she walked towards us and cast a faint glance at Sariel.

???: "Ninetails, you're here."

Sariel: "It's been a long time, Wonjin."

So, this was the "Wonjin A-ma" Lhadon had mentioned. She must be intimately connected to Gammu.

If that was the case, then why was she saying there was "no need to go"?

I was puzzled, and Sariel also seemed not to understand the situation. Skipping excessive small talk, he asked her directly.

Sariel: "Why are you stopping us from going to the mountaintop?"

Wonjin: "You've already seen Gammu's condition."

She looked at the shriveled elder breathing slowly on the bed and unconsciously lowered her voice.

Wonjin: "As things have progressed to this point, there's no need to waste your effort searching for something that never existed in the first place."

Sariel: "Something that never existed?"

Before Sariel could ask for details, Lhadon, unable to hold back any longer, intercepted the conversation.

Lhadon: "That's not true! When I was sick back then, A-pha definitely treated me with the goldfrost lotus..."

Wonjin: "I've told you many times, you remembered wrong because of your illness."

Lhadon: "How could I possibly remember wrong? I saw it clearly; I can still describe what the flower looked like even now. Moreover, you were there too, A-ma, so why do you always say you can't remember whenever I ask you about it?"

Wonjin: "No matter what, I've said what I needed to say. Stop looking for it. You won't find it."

She fell silent, and Lhadon did too. Judging by their behavior, it seemed similar conflicts had happened countless times before.

The atmosphere fell into a stalemate. I quietly looked towards Sariel and saw him deep in thought, his brow lightly furrowed.

What should we do next...?

- Choice: What should we do next...? -

Intimacy: Remain silent

Listening: Wait until Sariel speaks

Heartthrob (1): Insist to search for the goldfrost lotus

Heartthrob (2): Inquire on the cause 

- Do Nothing -

As the silent stalemate hung in the air, a low rumbling sound suddenly echoed from outside.

I immediately looked out and was shocked to see silvery light flowing across the sky like a meteor shower.

Just as I was about to ask Sariel what was happening, I suddenly heard Lhadon's panicked cry.

Lhadon: "A-pha? A-pha?! Are you okay?!"

The man on the bed breathed rapidly, only to fall completely silent a few seconds later.

I widened my eyes in disbelief. It was all happening too suddenly. Could Gammu have already...?

Just then, Sariel raised an arm and covered my eyes.

From this close distance, I could hear his heartbeat, which was anything but calm. A bitter ache seeped into my chest, but in the end, neither of us could say a word.

- Intimacy: Remain Silent -

Since I didn't fully understand the situation, I decided it was best not to interrupt.

After a silent confrontation, Lhadon was the first to lower her gaze, sighing tiredly.

Lhadon: "A-ma, why do you have to stop me every single time? Other than searching for the goldfrost lotus on the mountaintop, I can't think of any other way! Could you possibly want me to just do nothing but watch A-pha... leave?"

She uttered the final words with extreme difficulty. Wonjin's expression turned grim the moment she heard them.

I could see the inner conflict and grievance in her eyes. Her lips parted, her eyes glistening, as if she was finally about to confess something.

However, just then, a loud thud came from the door.

Sariel and I were closest to it, so we both looked over at the same time. Aside from a broom that had been knocked over, I caught a glimpse of the edge of a robe.

MC: "That robe is—"

Sariel: "It's Jangji."

Lhadon stunned as soon as she heard this, and instinctively moved to chase after him. But just then, a cough suddenly came from the bed.

Lhadon: "A-pha? Are you awake?"

She turned toward the bed, wanting to go to him, but then looked back at the door hesitantly, torn between the two.

MC: "We'll go after Jangji! You just focus on taking care of Mr. Gammu!"

Sariel and I rushed out as soon as I finished speaking. The moment we exited the wooden house, we saw a figure sprinting away with all his might.

MC: "Jangji!"

I yelled his name, but it was as if he didn't hear me, continuing to run forward.

Worried he would get on a horse and ride far away, I sped up and without hesitation, pounced on him.

Sariel: "Y/N!"

Falling onto the snow-covered grass didn't hurt, but Sariel immediately helped me up and looked me over seriously.

Sariel: "Are you alright?"

MC: "I'm fine..."

Even as I spoke, I kept a firm grip on Jangji's shoulder. Unable to break free, he could only cry out.

Jangji: "Let go of me! I'm going to search for the goldfrost lotus on the mountaintop! I have to... I have to save Gammu Pola... I don't want him to die..."

The more he spoke, the more panicked he became, until he finally began to shed tears.

MC: "Jangji, don't act on impulse. If you heard our conversation earlier, you should know it's impossible for you to cross the escarpment."

Jangji:  "How would I know if I don't try?! If Gammu pola hadn't found me in the wild back then, I would've been frozen to death! So even if I can't leap across, I'm not afraid of falling to my death—just consider it returning my life to him!"

Jangji: "... I can't just watch him die without doing anything."

The boy's stubborn gaze startled me slightly. He wasn't joking; he truly couldn't let go of even the slightest sliver of hope. He wouldn't hesitate or fear, even at the cost of his own life.

While I was still stunned, Sariel spoke.

Sariel: "Gammu just woke up. If he knew you ran off to the mountaintop and said you wanted to 'return your life' to him, what do you think he would do?"

Jangji's body froze. His lips parted slightly, but no sound came out.

Sariel, on the other hand, answered the question for him mercilessly.

Sariel: "He would definitely come looking for you. In his current condition, how far do you think he could get?"

The questioned boy finally sank into a deep silence, his shoulders slumping.

I, too, finally regained my senses and helped Jangji to his feet.

MC: "Let's go back together, okay? It's always easier to find a solution together as a family, isn't it?"

As soon as I finished speaking, Lhadon's calls could be heard nearby, along with her hurried footsteps.

The boy's tears, dried by the wind, began to flow again, and he couldn't help but run toward Lhadon.

I let out a sigh of relief. Just then, a hand gently brushed over the top of my head.

MC: "Sariel?"

Sariel: "Don't move. I'm getting the dried grass out of your hair."

He lowered his head with a serious expression, his fingertips running through my strands.

His warm breath cut through the cold highland air, lingering near my ear and making me instinctively lower my head.

As I did, I noticed some dried grass on Sariel's sleeve instead—probably from when he helped me up just now.

So I raised my hand, about to brush it off for him—

- Outcome 1: Touch anywhere other than his sleeve-

Tap on his hair: What's wrong? There's no dried grass on my head.

Tap on his chest: I know the fur on this collar is very comfortable, but there's no need for you to touch it so many times.

Tap on his shoulder: Did you hurt from the fall? If you really can't walk... I don't mind carrying you on my back.

Tap around his abdomen: ... Don't simply touch around.

Sariel: "What's wrong?"

I stopped, but Sariel remained looking down, leaning even closer.

Feeling my cheeks grow hot, I quickly shook my head.

MC: "There's also some dried grass on your sleeve. I was going to brush it off for you, too."

He glanced at his cuff and brushed the grass off with a light pat.

Sariel: "Is there any left?"

MC: "No more."

Sariel acknowledged with a soft sound. Just then, Lhadon's voice called out to us from a distance.

Sariel: "Let's go."

I nodded, took Sariel's hand, and we walked back to the wooden house together.

- Outcome 2: Touch on his sleeve-

Tap on his cuff: Hm? You're saying there's some on my cuff too?

Just as I raised my hand, Sariel unexpectedly reached for my cuff as well.

Our two fluffy sleeves pressed together, the dried grass tangling into a ball, making it impossible to tell whose was whose.

Sariel looked startled, as if he'd only just realized there was grass on him.

MC: "Pfft... I was going to brush it off for you..."

As I spoke, I reached out and brushed the messy grass from both our cuffs.

I then spread my arms and looked at Sariel.

MC: "Anywhere else that isn't clean yet?"

Sariel looked me over seriously and shook his head after a moment.

Sariel: "No more."

MC: "Good. Let's hurry back to Jangji, then..."

As soon as I finished speaking, I suddenly felt warmth envelop my hand.

Sariel: "Try not to trip anymore."

It took me a moment to process his words before I could respond.

MC: "I didn't trip! I just wanted to stop Jangji."

Even so, I didn't let go of his hand, allowing him to lead me forward.

- Listening: Wait until Sariel Speaks -

There was far too much about the whole matter that I didn't understand. After careful thought, I decided it was best not to join the conversation abruptly.

Just as I was about to whisper to Sariel and ask what we should do, he spoke as if reading my mind.

Sariel: "Didn't you say you found records on the goldfrost lotus in the study?"

Lhadon was startled for a moment before realizing Sariel was asking her, and she quickly nodded.

Sariel: "Can you show them to us?"

His words were subtle, but I knew Sariel also likely doubted the goldfrost lotus's existence.

Lhadon: "It's in the attic study. Let me take you there."

Just as Lhadon was about to lead the way, a dry, hoarse cough suddenly came from the bed.

Lhadon: "A-pha?!"

Gammu coughed a few times unconsciously but didn't seem to be regaining consciousness.

Seeing how worried Lhadon looked, I couldn't help but feel for her.

MC: "We can go up by ourselves. You should stay here."

Lhadon glanced at me with deep gratitude and told us the book should be on the left bookshelf with a red cover.

Sariel and I went up to the study. The room wasn't very large, and besides the bookshelves, many books were scattered messily across the table and rugs.

MC: "On the left... Red cover..."

Sariel and I stood side-by-side in front of the left bookshelf, murmuring to ourselves as we searched.

A splash of red caught my eye, and I immediately pulled the book out.

The red cover looked quite old, wrinkled, with all its corners slightly curled.

Flipping through it casually, I noticed illustrations of mythical creatures similar to those in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

This probably wasn't the right book. Just as I was about to close it, one illustration suddenly captured my attention.

MC: "Is this... a nine-tailed fox?"

Drawn in simple strokes, a fox was depicted lounging languidly on rocks, several of its tails draped casually by its side.

This couldn't be Sariel, could it?

My curiosity was instantly piqued. I couldn't help but read the descriptive text beside it, completely oblivious to the confused gaze from the man beside me...

- Audio starts here -

Didn't a certain someone say she's going to helping me with the search for the records of goldfrost lotus just a moment ago? Why is she now reading something else now? 

Hm? You're saying it doesn't count as "something else"?

Why are there manmade records in this place...

I know what you want to ask.

I'm not the one depicted here, it's probably... my family.

It probably happened one day when they accidentally let humans see their true forms while descending the mountains.

What's with that expression?

I wasn't hiding it from you. You just never asked.

You're asking now?

Your actions are really the epitome of spontaneity.

There's actually nothing much to say about it.

As I've mentioned before, Erdas are like humans. We're used to living together with family or tribes.

The same goes for the nine-tailed fox tribe.

Of course, there's more than just one nine-tailed fox in this world... At least, that's how it was back then.

My family? Other than my parents, I have an elder sister.

She yearned deeply for human life. That's why we eventually left Kunlun and lived among humans.

I don't remember how many years ago that was anymore, but we never returned to KunLun ever since.

Later, my younger sister became was added to the family.

Life as an Erda isn't so different from humans. And when your perspective stretches across time, even mundane days seem better than not living at all.

What I described was just the past, not the present.

Thanks to a certain clumsy bird, it's been a long time since I've had a 'peaceful and quiet' life.

Do you have other questions you'd like to ask?

It's rare to see you with such a conflicted expression, just ask if you want to.

You mean now? Yeah... They aren't no longer alive.

It's true that Erdas have way longer lifespan compared to humans, but it doesn't mean they're infinite.

The length of such duration is determined by oneself's 'vitality'.

Erdas have the ability to extract 'vitality' from various lifeforms, but the strength of this ability also differs by each individual, and would weaken over time.

Even the longest duration of time has its end.

So, occasionally, it's quite good to only see the "present moment" like a certain someone.

Only by being this happy-go-lucky can you always remain cheerful at any point of time.

Of course it's a compliment for you, forget it you don't believe it.

-End of audio- 

- Heartthrob (1): Insist to Search for the Goldfrost Lotus-

Although Sariel said he has never heard of the so-called goldfrost lotus, but the confidence in Lhadon's words does not sound like she remembered things wrongly either.

Moreover... even if she really did remember wrongly, nobody would be willing to give up easily on a the ray of hope that did not come easily.

You: Since there's a way to save someone, I think we should take a look on the mountain.

You: Even if we couldn't find the goldfrost lotus in the end, it's better than not doing anything.

I broke the silence in the room, and Lhadon glanced with me with a gaze filled with gratitude.

You: Sariel, what do you think?

Sariel: Mm, let's go and have a look.

Without further ado, we decided to depart immediately. There is only a single path to ascend the mountains, so we no longer needed Lhadon to lead the way, and she can also stay back to take care of Gammu anytime.

Wonjin glanced at us with a complexed gaze the moment we walked out of the room.

Wonjin: It's pointless.

I frowned, and couldn't hold myself back from letting out my question.

You: May I ask if you happen to know something, that you have been persistent in stopping us to ascend the mountains?

Wonjin startled slightly, and a hint of evasion surfaced from her expression. But she ended up saying nothing, turned around, and left.

By the time I rode the horse together with Sariel once again, I still couldn't understand why Wonjin acted that way while we're dashing in the mountains.

You: It feels so weird...

Sariel: Are you talking about Wonjin?

You: Yeah, why is she so certain that goldfrost lotuses don't exist?

You: Moreover, it's not just her words, even her attitude was also very weird.

You: If you were to ever become sick, and someone tells me there's a way to rescue you, even if the chances are the slightest, I would still give it a try with my all.

Sariel's hand that were tightly gripped onto the reins stopped, even his arm vaguely placed around my waist held me a little tighter.

I suddenly realized something just when I was about to continue speaking, and quickly turned around to look at him.

You: God forbid, I can't make such an example... Nothing bad will ever happen to you!

Sariel: ... Of course nothing bad would happen to me.

Sariel: As for you, however, move about again and you might fall.

Sariel raised an arm to hold my chin, and make me look forward once again.

Sariel: It's true that she's hiding something from us, but she probably doesn't have ill intentions.

Sariel: Haven't you thought it through just now?

Sariel: Whether there's goldfrost lotus on the mountaintop, it's better to have a look than doing nothing at all.

Facing the mountain snows as we move forward, the hand caressed over my cheeks felt exceptionally warm. I nodded, and felt the doubts and nervousness in my chest all being soothed out.

You: By the way, Sariel, how are we going to cross over the escarpment later?

You: Didn't Lhadon say that there's no way for general horses to even leap across it? Are you certain that our horse can do it?

Sariel: No, this is a very ordinary horse.

You: But didn't you say you have a way around it?

Sariel: I only said there's a way to cross it, I didn't say we have to ride a horse.

You: How else could we cross over then, we can't even fly...

Just when I was wondering, Sariel suddenly tightened the reins, and the grey horse immediately slowed down. I too, fell into the embrace of the man behind me from inertia.

You: W- what's wrong?

I straightened myself up again, and noticed Sariel is looking back along the path we walked. There's only a trail of horse trackway that is incomparably obvious in this snow-covered forest.

Sariel: Something's following us.

The golden pupils stared towards a certain area in the forest, as though they are observing a prey.

Sariel: It's the wolves.

You: Wolves?!

My eyes widened in shock, mind went completely blank in an instant, and I can only stare blankly at Sariel.

You: W- what should we do now? Do we run faster to get rid of them?

Sariel: It isn't just a single wolf, there are more in the forest ahead.

I became more panicked as I listened to him, but Sariel on the other hand looked almost emotionless. He then observes the surroundings, turned the horse around, and stuffed the reins to my hand!

I have no clue on what he's planning to do, but have subconsciously tightened my hold onto the reins, and heard a sound from behind on the next second.

Sariel took the quiver and bow from the saddlebag on his horse. After testing the bow with a casual flex, he drew an arrow and nocked it to the string.

"Whoosh!"—an arrow sliced through the air right past me, carried by a chilling gust, and thudded squarely into the trunk of a distant tree.

Snow tumbled from the branches with a soft thud, and a grey figure emerged from behind a tree. Immediately after, I heard a low, almost pleading whimper from the wolf.

I understood instantly. Sariel was trying to scare them off.

But just then, more howls erupted around us. Sure enough, just as Sariel had warned, there were wolves in the woods ahead too.

Our horses, clearly unnerved by the commotion, shifted their hooves restlessly.

My grip on the reins grew slick with sweat. I was just wondering if I should pull them tighter when a sharp, piercing howl cut through the air.

Before I could even cry out, the reins jerked taut in my hands. My spooked horse was bolting forward in a blind panic!

You: !

In the chaos, I desperately clutched the reins, but before I could muster any strength, the tension vanished. At some point, Sariel's hand had closed over mine, seizing control of the reins just in time—

The grey horse reared. I felt myself thrown backward, falling almost entirely against Sariel's chest.

His arm came up to steady me. My heart still hammering as I tried to turn and speak to him, only to feel emptiness behind me.

You: Sariel!!

Sariel: "Pull the reins tightly. Don't move."

As he spoke, he calmly, deliberately, drew a black-fletched arrow from the quiver on his back.

Nock, draw, and release—all in one fluid motion. In an instant, the black feathers shot straight towards one of the wolves.

The arrowhead buried itself in a rock right beside the alpha. But Sariel didn't stop. He reached for another arrow, paused, and then drew two more.

Gripping the bow firmly, he nocked all three arrows at once, his gaze lowered in determination.

I didn't dare make a sound. In the space of a single breath, I saw three arrows fly from the bow at once, streaking in different directions—

Three distinct sounds rang out in quick succession—into a tree trunk, into a stone, and into a snowdrift. The three wolves that had been growling behind cover instantly scattered.

My eyes widened in astonishment. By the time I processed it, Sariel had already stowed his bow and swung back up into the saddle behind me.

The trees around us blurred as we sped forward. Just as Sariel had said, several more wolves were hidden up ahead, but they shrank behind the trees, not daring to attack.

I turned around, trying to see if the original pack was giving chase, but my view was blocked by Sariel's figure.

Sariel: "They won't follow."

I nodded, calming my frantic heartbeat.

We encountered no more wolves on the rest of the journey, and it wasn't long before we neared the mountain peak.

The higher we climbed, the quieter it became. By the time Sariel and I finally reached the cliff edge Ladhon had described, the world was silent except for the howling wind and snow.

We dismounted. I walked to the edge and cautiously peered over.

You: "It's so high..."

If I fell, that would be the end. I swallowed the rest of my sentence and turned to ask Sariel how we were supposed to cross.

But when I glanced aside, he wasn't there. Pausing in confusion, I immediately looked around.

The moment I turned, a fierce wind swept across the cliff, and a blur of white invaded my vision.

Huh? This is...

I looked up, bewildered, and froze completely.

A white fox, taller than a horse, stood majestically before me, my own reflection mirrored in its golden eyes.

You: "Sariel..."

The realization dawned on me belatedly. So this was how he planned to carry me across the cliff.

The white fox didn't speak, only lowered itself gently, nuzzled my cheek with its nose, then lifted a paw, gesturing for me to climb onto its back.

The scene felt like an overlap with a dream I had in the past, but the softness of its fur, the biting wind and snow, and the landscape rushing past were far more vivid and real.

The moment we leaped into the air, I saw the bottomless abyss below the cliff. Strangely, I felt not a trace of fear.

However the blizzard raged, it could not block our path forward.

When we landed steadily on the other side, I couldn't help but look back at the cliff we had just crossed.

You: "Sariel, you're truly amazing..."

Sariel: "Stop looking around. Hold on tighter."

Hearing his familiar voice, I was startled for a moment, then obediently tightened my arms around the fox's furry neck and leaned close to its ear.

You: "Gotcha."

The snow-white ear tips twitched upright abruptly. After a moment, they silently swiveled back toward me.

I couldn't help but laugh, holding on even tighter.

By the time we reached the summit, the snowstorm had ceased, but stubborn clouds clung to the mountain peak.

After a brief discussion, Sariel and I decided to split up to search for the goldfrost lotus. But after looking for a while, aside from a few goldfrost flowers that hadn't bloomed yet, I didn't see any other plants.

But Ladhon had also said the goldfrost lotus looked very similar to the ordinary goldfrost flower. Maybe it was hidden among them?

With this in mind, I simply crouched down and began carefully examining the small flowers before me, one by one.

You: "Silvery light..."

I murmured Ladhon's description, and just then, my eyes caught a faint strand of silvery light!

I hurried over to that particular flower, excited to confirm it, when I suddenly heard a massive crashing sound.

I flinched slightly and looked up, bewildered, only to freeze solid once more.

A luminous dome, shaped like a vast tree crown, had appeared in the sky. Countless streams of silvery light were cascading down its curvature.

The silver light fell to the ground, seeping into the earth through the flowers and leaves. I finally realized—the silvery light I had spotted earlier was actually falling from the sky?

You: "... What in the world is happening?"

I looked around frantically for Sariel and saw him striding toward me, his brow furrowed deeply.

You: "Sariel, what's going on...?"

Before I could finish, a tremendous crack echoed, louder than the last, like something shattering.

The next second, the "canopy" enveloping the mountain peak collapsed in response. The flowing silver light all around fell and scattered like rain.

I was speechless with shock, but Sariel's expression shifted dramatically.

Sariel: "Let's go. We're heading back."

Even as he pulled me onto the horse, I was still dazed. Watching the silvery radiance fade and sink behind us, a vague sense of foreboding grew within me.

You: "What's wrong? What was that light? Why are we rushing back so suddenly?"

I could feel his grip on the reins was tighter than before. The horse ran faster, as if we couldn't afford to waste a single second.

Sariel: "Something has happened to Gammu."

You: "What?!"

Sariel: "That canopy-like barrier just now... it's likely that Gammu is its constructor."

Sariel: "For it to shatter so abruptly means he's in grave danger. He might even be..."

Sariel didn't finish, but I understood his meaning immediately.

You: "But are we just going back like this? Shouldn't we try harder to find the goldfrost lotus? Maybe—"

Sariel: "It can't be found."

Sariel: "Remember what Ladhon said? She told us the goldfrost lotus looks just like the ordinary goldfrost flower, but it ripples in silvery light."

Sariel: "The source of that silvery light... was Gammu's own vitality."

I nodded, finally understanding.

So that's why Wonjin was so certain we wouldn't find the goldfrost lotus. It doesn't truly exist. What I found on the summit were just ordinary goldfrost flowers.

It was probably through a form of spiritual communion* that Gammu had healed Ladhon, by imbuing the flowers and leaves with his own vitality.

*Note: Spiritual communion in its original text is "神交", while this term appeared in Sariel's QiXi card and people believed it to have implications of sexual exchange, but in this context we can see that it's also the transfer of spiritual energies between two individuals, and the energy source coming from a 灵族 ("Spirit tribe" or Erda, if you're reading from my blog).

Sariel: "Besides Gammu, not a single Erda in Kunlun has shown signs of deterioration."

Sariel: "I suspect it's because he used that barrier to distribute his own vitality among the other Erdas of Kunlun."

The cascading silvery light continued to fall all around us, reflected in Sariel's eyes like a shower of rain.

By the time we returned to the cabin on the mountainside, the silvery radiance in the sky had completely faded, replaced by fiery, crimson clouds.

The evening sun stretched the two figures inside the room into long shadows. Even before we drew near, I could hear Ladhon's choked sobs.

She leaned against the bedside, holding Gammu's withered hand, weeping uncontrollably. Wonjin also stood by the bed, her head bowed and eyes closed.

You: "I'm sorry... we couldn't find the goldfrost lotus..."

I stepped forward, wanting to comfort Ladhon, when I heard Sariel speak.

Sariel: "He used his own vitality to create a barrier protecting Kunlun. You knew that all along, didn't you."

Wonjin didn't seem very surprised. Perhaps she had expected Sariel to uncover the truth from the moment we left.

She looked deeply at Gammu, her eyes weary, yet also seeming relieved of a heavy burden.

Wonjin: "Ninetail, we have all lived too long."

Wonjin: "Decades, centuries... they pass in the blink of an eye. There's little difference between today and tomorrow."

Wonjin: "For us, time itself can be a form of torment."

Wonjin: "But for these younger Erdas, time still holds hope."

She paused, her gaze softening as it fell upon Ladhon's bewildered face.

Wonjin: "So when Ladhon first began to deteriorate, Gammu and I made a decision."

Wonjin: "To use the power we had left... to buy a future for them."

Tears still clung to the corners of Ladhon's eyes. She stared at Wonjin in astonishment, struggling to comprehend her words.

Sariel, however, frowned.

Sariel: "You shouldn't have made that decision for her."

Hearing this, Wonjin actually smiled.

Wonjin: "There are, in fact, many paths in this world, but not all of them lead towards the end."

Wonjin: "I can sense that you, too, are suffering from the affliction of deterioration."

Wonjin: "Wait until the day you truly approach your end..."

Her gaze swept over me before returning to Sariel.

Wonjin: "I believe, when the time comes, you will make the same choice we did."

The room fell into a deep silence. Sariel seemed to want to say something more, but the words died before they were spoken, leaving only quiet understanding.

Because he knew she was right.

In this world, it often seems there are many choices, but the ones that are truly "right" are few.

For instance... he glanced at the girl beside him... staying at Warson had been the most correct choice he could make for her. Beyond that, he should shield her from all the conflicts and troubles of the Erdas, and let her gradually get used to... a life without him.

It was only because he still clung to a sliver of hope that he kept acquiescing each time she sought him out.

But now, looking at Gammu on the sickbed, he felt he had finally glimpsed his own end.

He wasn't as composed as he imagined he might be, but he wasn't afraid either. Just one thought persisted in his mind—

If I leave, will she be able to live on, and live well?

His heart seemed to contract faintly, the blood surging with a surprising bitter ache.

He couldn't help but want to look at her one more time, as if failing to do so would mean missing something irreparable, a chance forever lost.

But the moment he lifted his gaze, his hand was suddenly grasped.

MC: "Sariel, what are you thinking...?"

Our touching hands trembled slightly.

I held Sariel's hand, but for a long moment, I couldn't form any more words.

From the first time I saw Gammu's dying state, a deep-seated fear had begun to spread within me.

And just now, as Sariel fell into silence, that fear had grown wildly, like unchecked weeds, threatening to consume me with a wave of overwhelming despair.

You: You are an Erda. You've lived so, so long... and you'll live even longer..."

You: "You mustn't... you're not allowed to think like that."

I've already had to accept so many things. I watched him collapse at the fashion show, saw him lie in a hospital bed day after day, watched his office become empty and still.

But the one thing I could never, ever accept was him disappearing from my life entirely.

You: "If it weren't for you, I simply couldn't..."

It was a simple sentence, but I struggled to get it out, my voice shaking uncontrollably.

You: "Deterioration isn't some incurable disease, right? There must be a way to solve it?"

You: "Let's go find Mr. Kui, help him research a new medicine."

You: "Or move away somewhere secluded, somewhere where the vitality is abundant?"

You: "Or... Spiritual Communion? I'll share my vitality with you."

You: "You're always complaining I'm too noisy, right? Then take more of it from me. You might even get some peace and quiet that way."

You: "I told you before... whenever you need it, I can give you everything I have."

When I could no longer speak, I heard Ladhon's muffled sobs.

Ladhon: "I also... So, A-ma, please don't say things like that..."

Ladhon: "So be it if we deteriorate, as long as we're together... It's alright."

Wonjin's expression softened for a moment. In the sunset light, her eyes also seemed to glisten with unshed tears.

No matter how many long years one has lived, surely no one in this world can truly face parting with perfect composure.

I suddenly remembered what I had said to Sariel on the mountain.

I told him that if anything ever happened to him, I would definitely be like Ladhon, sparing no effort to save him.

And he had replied, "Nothing will happen."

You: "... Sariel, nothing will happen, right?"

The girl stared at him stubbornly. Under that gaze, Sariel felt his heart contract.

He seemed to understand suddenly, the true nature of that sour ache rising in his chest.

It was resentment—a bitterness he was experiencing for the first time, only as his own life approached its end.

He couldn't help but raise his hand and pull the person before him into an embrace. Such slender shoulders, still trembling slightly, yet offering to give away everything she had.

The setting sun stretched their overlapping shadows. Feeling the dampness spreading on his shoulder, Sariel closed his eyes.

Sariel: "Nothing will happen."

He didn't know if he was saying it for her, or for himself.

But this time, his voice was exceptionally clear and resolute.

Sariel: "Nothing will happen. I promise you."

- Heartthrob (2): Inquire on the cause -

Wonjin seemed so certain we couldn't find the goldfrost lotus. Did she know something?

After careful consideration, I decided to press a little further.

You: "Since there's a way to cross the cliff, I think we should still take a look. What if we actually find it?"

You: "Or... is it that you know something else, something that makes you tell us not to go?"

Hearing my words, Ladhon quickly nodded in agreement.

Ladhon: "A-ma, every time I said I wanted to go to the summit, you refused. Why, really...?"

Wonjin: "As I've said many times, I just don't want to see you waste your effort. The goldfrost lotus does not exist."

Ladhon: "Then how did A-pha cure my sickness back then?"

Like a balloon pricked by a needle, the defiant strength in Wonjin's neck seemed to drain away. She turned her head aside, offering no answer.

Ladhon didn't push further. The two fell into a subtle stalemate, as if this situation had played out many times before, with neither able to convince the other.

I was pondering what to do when Sariel suddenly spoke.

Sariel: "What did you say the goldfrost lotus looks like?"

Ladhon was slightly startled, realizing he was asking her.

Ladhon: "It looks very similar to the goldfrost flower, but its petals ripple with a silvery light..."

Ladhon: "Just one glance is enough to feel the vitality contained within its blossoms and leaves."

You: "Have you thought of something?"

I moved closer to Sariel and whispered the question. He gave a slight nod and looked toward Wonjin.

Sariel: "Kunlun's barrier is different from before."

What did he mean? Weren't we just talking about the goldfrost lotus?

A bit bewildered, I simply blinked and turned my gaze towards Wonjin. She was frowning, a flicker of panic surprisingly flashing in her eyes.

Wonjin: "Ninetail, what are you trying to say?"

Sariel: "A millennium has passed, yet Kunlun's vitality is more abundant than before."

Sariel: "Aside from Gammu, no Erda here has shown signs of Deterioration."

Sariel: "It's because he used his own vitality to construct the barrier, isn't it?"

Ladhon: "...What do you mean?"

Sariel: "Your 'serious illness' back then was deterioration. It wasn't the goldfrost lotus that cured you, it was Gammu."

Sariel: "He gave his own vitality to you, and to all the Erdas of Kunlun."

Sariel: "You knew all along, didn't you, Wonjin?"

Wonjin's expression finally shifted. After a moment of surprise, she lowered her eyes.

Wonjin: "You—"

???: "You are... correct..."

A dry, weak voice suddenly spoke. Wonjin froze for a second before immediately looking towards the bed.

Somehow, Gammu had opened his eyes. With great difficulty, he turned his gaze, though his body remained stiff and immobile.

Ladhon: "A-pha!"

Gammu: "Ladhon... *cough*..."

Each word seemed squeezed from his chest. Gammu responded laboriously, his lifeless eyes slowly turning to settle on Sariel.

Sariel: "Why did you do this?"

Gammu: "It is my responsibility... and my destiny."

Sariel frowned.

Sariel: "... I never knew you to be one who believes in fate."

Gammu: "I truly did not wish to believe... but it was laid out before me... so real, so difficult to resist... cough..."

As he spoke, he made a tremendous effort to raise his hand, trying to sit up.

Ladhon rushed forward to support him. Gammu coughed twice more, his voice even hoarser than before.

Gammu: "Ninetail... You are deteriorating too."

Gammu: "This so-called natural cycle of life and death... it's simply how things are... No one can escape it."

Gammu: "Rather than just waiting... wasting away... it's better to leave something behind for Ladhon and the others..."

The emaciated Gammu managed a faint smile and seemed ready to continue, but Wonjin stopped him.

Wonjin: "Don't speak anymore."

Gammu: "Alright... no more talking..."

Breathing heavier than a harmonica's drone echoed in the room. Gammu laboriously turned his head to look out the window.

Gammu: "The wind and snow have stopped... I think... I'd like to go out... for a walk..."

I couldn't help but follow his gaze out the window. The clear sky was a奢侈的 blue.

Ladhon: "But you've only just woken up..."

Sariel: "Let him go."

Unexpectedly, Sariel interrupted Ladhon. The latter hesitated, looking at Wonjin. After a brief pause, Wonjin also nodded.

Gammu: "You see... they all agree... Let's go..."

Ladhon knit her brows, but together with Wonjin, she supported Gammu, inching their way forward.

You: "Mr. Gammu just woke up. Is it really alright for him to go out now?"

You: "I still think he should rest and regain his strength. He can go out later."

Sariel: "I'm afraid there might not be a 'later'."

You: "How can that be? He just spoke so much, and he seemed quite lucid—"

I didn't finish. A term popped into my mind: "terminal lucidity".

Did they see something I didn't? Is that why Sariel and Wonjin agreed so readily?

You: "Can... can Erdas also die?"

Sariel: "No one can live forever."

He watched Gammu's retreating back, his tone growing heavy.

Sariel: "Erdas who took form from plants... will revert to their original state after death."

Sariel: "Though they become soulless withered wood, they can 'exist' for a while longer."

You: "What about animals?"

My heart beat unsteadily, but I couldn't stop myself from asking.

Sariel's lips moved slightly. It was a long moment before he spoke slowly.

Sariel: "They are the same as other animals in the natural world... and humans."

Nothing more than returning to dust.

I didn't know what to say. I just silently followed behind Gammu and the others, feeling my own steps become incredibly heavy.

Gammu's condition was poor, so we didn't go far, just to the woods behind the cabin.

He had barely reached a tree before he could go no further. Leaning against Wonjin, he sat down and asked Ladhon to fetch him some water from the house.

After several worried glances back at him, Ladhon finally trotted off towards the cabin.

The moment she was out of earshot, Gammu lifted a hand and pointed to a nearby clearing.

Gammu: "When I die... bury me there..."

Gammu: "The summer sun is too harsh... the plants there never grow well... let me... *cough*... shield them a little then..."

I remembered what Sariel had just told me, and an indescribable gloom settled in my heart.

But Wonjin just blinked hard, forcing a smile.

Wonjin: "It's a good spot. One more tree next to you won't make it crowded."

Gammu, leaning on her shoulder, slowly acknowledged with a soft sound.

Gammu: "Just like at the very beginning... you were by my side then, too..."

He spoke wistfully, then seemed to remember something, looking up at Sariel.

Gammu: "Ninetail... do you remember those times? I heard you lost some of your memories..."

Sariel: "Only fragments."

Sariel: "It was too long ago. I can't tell if I've forgotten, or if it's due to other reasons."

Gammu: "Perhaps it's better to forget... Remembering too much... can be a burden..."

Just saying the word seemed to exhaust him completely, and he simply closed his eyes.

Gammu: "I remember, long, long ago... there was no house here, just a forest..."

Gammu: "Animals frolicking... leaves dancing in the wind... The goldfrost flowers bloomed all around us... It was beautiful... I'd like to see it again..."

Wonjin: "You've forgotten. Goldfrost flowers only bloom in spring."

Gammu's voice grew softer and softer. Wonjin unconsciously lowered her own voice. The scene before us was filled with immense tenderness, yet it was almost too painful to watch.

I lowered my gaze to a small, unopened flower bud on the ground, silently praying it would answer Gammu's wish.

Just then, a movement came from beside me. Sariel knelt on one knee, pressing his palm against the earth.

You: "Sariel?!"

In an instant, I understood what he intended to do.

Reason told me I should stop him. Sariel had so little strength left; he shouldn't strain himself to force a flower to bloom.

But looking at his furrowed brow and the thin sheen of sweat on his forehead, I ultimately said nothing.

A faint golden light glimmered in Sariel's palm. After a moment, the tiny flower finally began to bloom, little by little.

He plucked the small golden flower, its petals stretching in the breeze, and handed it to Wonjin.

Wonjin: "Thank you, Ninetail."

Sariel: "I am merely returning what I received from him."

He likely meant the vitality he had passively received from Gammu during their time in Kunlun.

Hearing this, Wonjin smiled and nodded, then held the flower before Gammu's eyes.

Wonjin: "Gammu, look. The goldfrost flower has bloomed."

The man leaning on her shoulder said nothing. Only the flowers and leaves danced on their own in the wind.

Wonjin's hand hesitated slightly. She pushed the flower a little closer, her voice beginning to tremble.

Wonjin: "Gammu...?"

As if answering her call, a sound came from the horizon, like rotten wood finally snapping under its own weight.

I looked up and saw countless silvery trajectories streaking across the sky, like meteors in the daytime.

You: "The barrier... it's gone?"

Almost simultaneously, I heard Wonjin's choked sob.

She tried to press the flower into Gammu's hand, then bowed her head, carefully leaning her forehead against his.

The scene was too painful to watch, and we were reluctant to intrude.

Sariel and I turned to walk back towards the cabin, wrestling with how to break the news to Ladhon, when we heard hurried footsteps.

Ladhon: "A-pha, I've brought the water!"

Her eyes were curved into happy crescents as she ran towards us. Seeing us, she stopped abruptly.

I didn't know how to say it. My lips moved, but in the end, I only managed to say her name.

You: "Ladhon..."

She seemed to understand something from my expression. With a thud, the water pot fell heavily to the ground.

Ladhon rushed past us. In the moment she passed, I reflexively caught a tear blown loose by the wind.

Watching her back, my heart grew even heavier. I turned to speak to Sariel.

But when I looked at him, I saw the fine beads of sweat at his temples.

Was it because of forcing the goldfrost flower to bloom?! I panicked, quickly reaching out to hold his arm.

MC: "Sariel, are you unwell?"

Sariel: "I'm fine."

Despite his words, his voice sounded weaker than usual.

The moment of Gammu's passing felt like it was still before my eyes. I could feel my hands trembling.

I glanced around but couldn't find anywhere to rest. The cabin was still some distance away.

Sariel: "I said I'm fine—"

Before he could finish, I simply sat down on the grass myself and insistently pulled him to lean against my shoulder.

Given our height difference, it seemed uncomfortable for him. After a moment's thought, I shifted sideways, letting Sariel pillow his head on my lap.

Perhaps he was truly exhausted. Sariel stared at me blankly, taking a few seconds to process the situation.

Sariel: "You—"

You: "Just rest like this for a while."

I raised my hand and gently covered those surprised golden eyes. My palm felt the flutter of his lashes, a little ticklish.

I could feel him blink a few times before he finally, as if giving up, closed his eyes and relaxed his body.

Just then, a gentle breeze rose, stirring the flowers, grass, and leaves around us into a soft, rustling symphony.

We silently sat in tacit, simply listening to the wind.

I don't know how long passed before I slowly moved my hand away. Sariel's eyes remained closed.

The faint sweat on his brow was gone. His breathing was long and even, as if he had fallen asleep.

My mood lightened somewhat. I reached out and softly stroked his hair.

The texture was lovely, very soft.

My fingers brushed through the short hairs behind his ear when suddenly, a hand came up to rest lightly on my wrist.

Sariel: "What's with all the... fumbling?"

Sariel opened his eyes, but just looked at me, not pushing my hand away.

So I simply pressed my entire palm against his skin, gently stroking, and lowered my voice.

You: "It'll feel better with a touch."

Sariel: "Still believing in such things, are you a five-year-old child?"

Sariel: "And I've already told you just now, I'm fine."

Even as he emphasized this, he still didn't push me away. So I smiled and went along with his words.

You: "Then just think of it as me feeling unwell."

I pointed to my own chest, where that lingering, bitter ache was still churning, refusing to settle.

You: "My heart... it's sore in bitterness."

Sariel was taken aback. He looked at me for a long moment before letting out a somewhat helpless sigh.

He covered the back of my hand with his palm, imitating my earlier motion, stroking it very, very gently.

Sariel: "Stroke it, and it won't feel so bad anymore?"

I was slightly startled. I was about to laugh and say his imitation wasn't convincing at all, but when I felt the chill from the back of his hand, the words died in my throat.

In my memory, his hands were always dry and warm. But now, the skin touching mine felt cool.

Was it because the plateau was just too cold? Or was it some other reason?

I didn't dare dwell on it. I could only avert my gaze, my eyes catching on a falling leaf.

You: "Sariel, how long do you think this tree has lived?"

Sariel: "Decades. Or perhaps a century."

You: "That long..."

Sariel: "Not really."

You: "I remember when I was little, the first time I saw the growth rings of a big tree, circle after circle."

You: "I heard that was the number of years it had lived, and I was so envious. I thought, if only I could live that long."

You: "But later I realized, no matter how long the days are, they eventually come to an end."

You: "Since that's the case, it's more practical to follow the natural order and make the most of each day."

The wind died down, leaving only my murmuring voice between heaven and earth.

You: "I always thought that way... until I met you."

The fingertips resting on the back of my hand tightened slightly. Sariel held my hand.

You: "You know, for a while before, I was always so afraid."

You: "The Erdas live such long lives. Then in ten years, twenty years..."

You: "By the time I'm old, my eyes can't see, my legs are unsteady... you'll probably still look just the same."

You: "Even after I die..."

Sariel: "Don't say it."

He wasn't someone who shied away from the topic of death, yet he cut me off without hesitation now, his brow furrowed.

You: "Then let's talk about something else."

You: "Actually, today, when I found out your power had weakened, when I learned that Erdas can also die..."

You: "Besides worry, I actually felt... a little bit of relief."

You: "I thought, then maybe we can grow old together, live an ordinary, common life, side by side."

I slowed my speech, as if the image of us walking hand-in-hand into the distance was truly appearing before my eyes.

A sudden warmth touched my cheek. Perhaps from holding my hand, Sariel's palm had grown warm too.

Sariel: "That's a good thing. Why are you crying?"

Tears I didn't know I'd shed were wiped away by his raised hand, but more fell because of his gentle tone.

You: "I've heard that some animals, when they're about to die, choose to leave, to hide in a lonely corner..."

You: "Do the Erdas have such a habit too?"

Before Sariel could speak, I rushed to give my own answer.

You: "No matter when, never leave me."

Sariel: "I won't."

Sariel: "So don't cry, Y/N."

I choked out an acknowledgment and nodded, but the tears still wouldn't stop easily.

Sariel sighed softly, sat up, and cupped my face, wiping my tears away for me.

Sariel: "Did you hear what Wonjin finally said to Gammu?"

Perhaps wanting to distract me, he suddenly brought up that earlier scene.

You: "I only vaguely heard one line, something about 'the firmament'... Why?"

Sariel: "She was reciting a soulmark oath."

MC: "Soulmark oath?"

I'd never heard the term. I dried my tears, curious.

Sariel: "Mm. Carving a mark upon the soul, guiding each other to meet again in the next life."

You: "...Does it really work?"

Sariel: "As you often say, where the heart is sincere, miracles happen."

Sariel: "If you are willing to believe in it, it'll work."

My heart skipped a beat. I looked at Sariel, feeling my voice tremble.

You: "Then... do you believe it?"

Sariel: "I do."

Those familiar golden eyes drew closer, bit by bit. Sariel held my cheeks and gently pressed his forehead against mine.

Our noses touched, like two fragile, soft animals exchanging each other's scent.

I couldn't bear to close my eyes, and he didn't either. As we confirmed each other's reflections in our eyes, I heard his voice.

Sariel: "Boundless is the firmament, infinite the chaos."

Sariel: "Unquenchable the rising sun, unceasing the dark of night."

Word by word, clear and solemn.

Sariel: "...Through the cycle of life and death, we will meet again."

Our mingled breath seemed to grow hotter. The moment our lips met, something deep within my soul seemed to tremble.

It was as if it was reminding me—this is a vow of the soul, a mark that even ten thousand cycles cannot erase.

When the plateau wind rose again, we finally drew apart.

...

The distant sky showed the color of fire. Unnoticed, evening had fallen.

You: "The sun is almost down."

Sariel made a sound of acknowledgment, held my hand, and watched it with me.

Sariel: "After the sunset, there will be a new sunrise."

Sariel: "Y/N, don't be afraid."

- Common Ending -

We rested in the wooden cabin for the night. When the first light finally reappeared on the horizon, Sariel and I mounted the horse, ready to descend the mountain.

Looking back, I saw Wonjin and Ladhon standing under a tree.

The newly risen sun outlined their figures, also illuminating the weight of time and change they carried.

I couldn't help but lower my head to look at the goldfrost flower seedling nestled in my arms—one I had specifically asked Wonjin for before we left.

Noticing my movement, Sariel hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.

Sariel: "Goldfrost flowers rarely bloom outside of Kunlun."

MC: "I know. You told me before."

Sariel: "Then why take it with you?"

MC: "Wonjin told me that while its blooming is a miracle, keeping it alive isn't a problem."

I lifted the bag to look at the seedling inside. Its petals were curled into a ball, and its leaves seemed to be shivering slightly.

Such a fragile plant was actually regarded by the Erdas as a symbol of life.

Perhaps it was because life itself was like this—vulnerable, yet tenacious.

MC: "...I don't need a miracle. Just it staying alive is enough."

MC: "I'll keep it on my balcony. I can see it every day when I wake up. That's enough."

Sariel's arm, holding the reins, tightened slightly, as if drawing both me and that small flower seedling closer into his embrace.

Sariel: "Since when have you become so easily satisfied?"

I laughed softly and looked up at him.

MC: "Just yesterday you said I was greedy. How can you change your tune so fast?"

Sariel also lowered his head. At this close distance, our gazes met and intertwined.

Sariel: "I didn't mean it like that."

Sariel: "Greed isn't a bad thing."

The smile on my lips stiffened for a second. I unconsciously leaned back against him, until, even through the thick layers of clothing, I could hear the steady beating of his heart.

MC: "Then let's raise it together, until the day it blooms."

MC: "And after it blooms, let's wait together for the next flowering season, and the one after that."

The horse's hooves trod rhythmically on the snowy path. In the steady clip-clop sound, I gazed at the streak of sunlight on the horizon and heard his reply.

Sariel: "Mm."

Filtered through the morning light, I watched the scenery continuously recede around us, suddenly reminded of a saying I'd once heard.

Whether it's scenery or people, often they can only accompany you for a part of your journey. Separation is the normal state of life.

But...

I closed my eyes, letting myself lean completely into Sariel's embrace, breathing in his familiar scent of sandalwood.

I couldn't help but hope, fervently, that at least this part of the journey could be a little longer. Just a little longer.

- Phone Call -

[Recording begins here]

Sariel: "You vanished first thing in the morning. Where did you run off to this time?"

MC: "I'm buying herbal tea! Didn't we talk about it yesterday? There's a super famous herbal tea shop near the hotel!"

MC: "So I thought I'd better come early. I didn't expect there to be a line already, though."

Sariel: "I can see you really want to try it, but was it necessary to go quite this early?"

Sariel: "Wait for me. I'll come down to you."

MC: "No need! There are only about two or three people ahead of me. Just wait for me at the hotel."

MC: "By the way, how's your throat feeling? Any better?"

MC: "I suspect you've gotten a bit 'heaty' since we arrived. I heard herbal tea is great for reducing internal heat. It should help, right?"

Sariel: "It's not that serious. I'm just not quite used to the weather here."

Sariel: "But... to go down so early just for herbal tea. It seems it wasn't solely because of a craving, after all."

MC: "Well... that is part of the reason..."

MC: "So, besides the one for your throat, I also got a cup of their special sweet flavor."

MC: "Should I get one of those for you too? It looks really good."

Sariel: "No, thank you. You can enjoy that yourself."

Sariel: "Only you would like such cloyingly sweet things."

MC: "What about the herbal tea with mint? Or the one with watermelon frost*? They have so many novel tea bag varieties here..."

*Note: 西瓜霜. A form of powdery thing that helps immensely with sore throats.

Sariel: "Don't tell me you're planning to grab two packs of each."

MC: "It's a rare opportunity! I want to try them all."

MC: "Besides, the descriptions say each flavor has its own unique benefits. It wouldn't hurt to have some on hand."

Sariel: "You're buying herbal tea, not a cure-all panacea."

Sariel: "Apart from the general benefits like reducing heat and dampness, the other effects are likely just marketing exaggeration."

MC: "I kind of think so too, but... watermelon frost mixed with tea? I wonder what fascinating flavor that creates?"

Sariel: "However 'fascinating', it probably can't compare to the 'remarkable' tea you whipped up in such a fluster last time."

MC: "Why are you bringing that up now! It was my first time making it, I was a little nervous!"

MC: "I'll try it again next time. I'm sure I can succeed in the challenge!"

Sariel: "Oh? I'll look forward to it then."

Sariel: "While I was speaking, didn't someone already pick up four or five tea bags?"

MC: "Huh? You can hear that over all this noise...?"

Sariel: "I didn't hear it. I'm just making a reasonable deduction based on my understanding of you."

Sariel: "If you must get them, one of each variety is enough."

MC: "Mmm, okay. You can just take a sip from my cup to try them, then."

MC: "If we find any really good flavors, we can buy a few more packs before we return to GuangQi—"

MC: "I'll take them back to share with everyone at the company~"

Sariel: "You said the same thing yesterday with the shaomai, and in the afternoon with the double-layer milk pudding."

Sariel: "At this rate, even if we had ten suitcases, you could fill them all with various local specialties."

MC: "The joy of traveling should be shared with everyone..."

MC: "Anyway, never mind that for now. Our tea is ready! I'll come back to you right away. Wait for me!"

Sariel: "Don't bother coming back. Weren't you saying last night you wanted to go for dim sum? There's a well-reviewed place nearby. We'll go directly."

MC: "Okay! Which one? Send me the link—"

Sariel: "I said, 'we' will go directly."

Sariel: "The pedestrian light is red for ten more seconds. Stay right where you are."

Sariel: "I'm coming to find you now."

Side Notes:

To be honest, I left translating this card halfway through in 2022. My arm muscles were severely overused (still is, but I'm recovering slowly), making it difficult to type for long periods, especially since my full-time job requires an average of 10 hours of typing per day. On top of that, other issues I'd rather not elaborate on led me to stop fan translations altogether, including for another title I was actively working on for my YouTube channel.

So yeah, that's why I abandoned this draft back in 2022. Now, on November 19, 2025, I've decided to finish what I started, and this is one of the things I wanted to do (and if there are typos, it's because I was too lazy to proofread). I know it took a while—three years, in fact. I'm also here to say that I don't really plan to return to full-time fan translations, as a lot has changed in my life.

This blog post is likely the last of my fan translations for the foreseeable future. You might also notice a switch in writing style throughout the post, as I now write a little differently compared to three years ago.

I'm no longer as active as I was in fandoms, so I'm not sure who else has been translating the content I didn't get to, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who love the game deeply on platforms like Tumblr. Feel free to support them if you'd like, or even better—start learning Mandarin for a more immersive experience with the world of Light and Night. If you're interested in Light and Night upon stumbling into my immaturely written translations, I am thankful for your support, and meanwhile I do hope that you will be mindful of fandom etiquettes, especially in CN Otome games.

Thank you for reading.