I Don't Like This Ending

The order of the world seemed to be purged at this moment. Countless streams of light began to fly toward numerous hidden locations in the starry sky. A brilliant streak of light descended from the heavens to the ground; it was a brand-new set of tarot cards, engraved with different divine images and their corresponding symbolic meanings.

“The Authority of Fate... This is a world-class creation, nearly on the same tier as the Void Crown.” Li Yue’s body was being reconstructed bit by bit. She spoke softly, her form forced into stability even as it teetered on the edge of dissipating. “The last time I saw it, it was three lines of different colors. I suppose authorities change their appearance based on the user and the era.”

“It’s a gift for you. A reward for breaking the cycle of world annihilation. It couldn't be more perfect as the authority for you to ascend to godhood in place of Silver Bell.” Li Yue landed on the ground. Her pale hair regained a hint of luster as her flesh-and-blood body was rapidly reshaped. She steadied herself as the blood-colored phantom behind her quickly faded. Her blood demon traits were slowly vanishing along with that extremely powerful strength. To Clo’s perception, Li Yue seemed to have truly become an ordinary human.

Had she... hidden her mana again?

After a brief silence, Clo clearly felt that the world had changed. Beyond the world, where once there was only an unperceivable mist, the stars now shone brilliantly. Countless worlds were moving toward new life amidst their gestation. The Void Crown lay quietly at the center of the universe. The Supreme God who had created it was nowhere to be found—or rather, He, or She, had once again faded into the secular world.

Clo wanted to ask more, but Li Yue didn't explain much. She simply said softly that they would talk after going home, then led Clo toward the direction of their house. Her steps were very unsteady, as if she were still adapting to her body. The wedding was set for a few days later, though the preparations had already been underway for many years. There weren't many attendees, only a dozen or so people.

Everything seemed to return to daily life. Clo pushed back all her recent affairs; after all, having just survived a world-ending catastrophe, nothing seemed particularly urgent anymore. Those who had fallen into madness were completely cured the moment Li Yue returned to the secular world. Aside from the changed night sky above, everything else remained as it had always been.

But... this was for the best.

Having shed her divine raiment, Li Yue seemed to have set down all her burdens. She no longer used divinity to suppress her personality as she had in the past. It was only now that Li Yue realized there were still many commonalities between the ignorant girl she had been over a decade ago and her current self. Had she not gone through these decades of experience, simply giving up her divinity might have meant she hadn't changed at all.

Unfortunately... she couldn't go back to the past. She couldn't even go back to the previous moment. Life was a clock with a countdown; every second brought one closer to the end, and no moment experienced could ever be repeated.

Clo was tired of being the Prime Minister of the Royal Court. Who knew that a casual remark from Li Yue would make her work herself to the bone for over ten years? She gradually transferred her duties until she had fully resigned. She no longer had any desire to manage the world's trivial affairs. For some reason, she always found herself wanting to spend more time with Li Yue.

Sometimes, she even began to lose her sense of Li Yue. Although her vitality was still there and her body remained, her aura was constantly weak, like a corpse that had lost its soul.

Li Yue began to find herself unable to even hold a kitchen knife. She would smile and tell Clo she had accidentally sprained her wrist. Clo didn't think too much of it, or rather, she was unwilling to think too much. Under Li Yue’s guidance, she began to learn how to cook.

Li Yue's blood-red eyes weren't as dazzling as before. The crimson and gold light in her pupils had faded together. When she looked up at the starry sky, the brilliance of the stars would shine in her eyes, but she would always just smile and wave it off. She told Clo:

“These stars are all gifts for you.”

“From this day forward, the stars shall shine for you every night.”

The wedding was held as scheduled amidst a sea of flowers. The venue consisted only of a wooden platform and a few scattered tables and chairs.

At that wedding, everyone present sang a holy hymn together. Even without the blessing and witness of a god, everything proceeded in perfect order.

For the first time in a long while, Li Yue tasted the slightly sweet champagne at the wedding. A bit of alcohol brought a much-needed flush to her perpetually pale face. She took Clo by the hand and spoke with every guest about their story. Although the pitch-black wedding dress made it somewhat inconvenient to move, her silhouette remained breathtakingly beautiful. When Clo gently lifted the veil, despite having been together for so long, she was still rendered speechless by the sight.

She saw a pair of eyes filled with tears and tenderness. Yet she felt as if everything was numb, her reactions slow as if she were in a dream. She didn't know why she was like this; perhaps it was a traumatic aftereffect of that day, or perhaps she already had a premonition of what was to come, causing her body to subconsciously dull its response to the world.

“The weather today... there are so few clouds... you can see so many stars tonight.”

She blinked, feeling something warm press against her. She turned her head and saw Li Yue slowly leaning toward her.

“Even if you’re about to become a god, don't be so absent-minded while reciting your vows.” Li Yue pouted her lips slightly, expressing a hint of complaint in a cute and playful way.

Li Yue gently cupped her face and leaned in for a soft kiss. Although they had kissed countless times, Clo couldn't help but feel her heart race at this moment. Kelly and Ishtar entered from both sides, each carrying an identical ring. On this star-studded night, they exchanged rings with each other.

They danced gracefully in the center of the dance floor. Li Yue nearly tripped on her skirt several times.

As the long night neared its end, they lit fireworks. Amidst the brilliant light of the burning displays, they gradually left the venue. Li Yue scattered a handful of petals, leading Clo further and further into the sea of flowers accompanied by the blessings of everyone present.

“Do you remember? The first time we met was in a field of flowers like this.” Li Yue casually picked a flower. “I was reborn among the blossoms, and you came to investigate because of the disturbance. Thus, the wheel of fate began to... roll forward.”

“I remember. At the end of that journey, you experienced death again. I searched for so long before finally finding you once more in a dense forest.”

“I died and returned nine times, but it was on the ninth time that I met you. I’m truly... so lucky,” Li Yue said softly. Under the starlight, she gently took Clo’s hand.

“The wedding I promised you, I’ve done it.” Li Yue held Clo’s slender hand tightly in her own. “My promises... are they all fulfilled?”

“There’s still... being together forever.”

“That...” Li Yue sighed softly. “It seems... that might be a bit difficult.”

“What was the price... for saving the world?” Clo’s lips trembled slightly as she asked the question she had been too afraid to face.

“I didn't save the world. I only wanted to save you... my Clo.”

She hugged Clo gently, leaning the full weight of her body against her.

“I don't know what the price is either... I only thought about how to finish all of this...”

“It seems... my existence is becoming more and more blurred. I even had trouble recognizing the faces of old friends today.” Li Yue panted softly in Clo’s arms.

“I’m sorry, Clo... I think I’m going to die...”

“...” Clo was speechless. Her lowered hands were trembling slightly. Her mind was a complete blank, preventing her from any form of thought.

“I’m sorry... A Luo... You can live on bravely without me, right? You have the Authority of Fate... you can do anything. If you feel sad... then just forget me.” The life force supplied by the World Tree within Li Yue had finally reached its end. Her soul began to turn into radiance, slowly starting to dissipate.

“Clo, I’m so scared...” Li Yue whispered softly, her tears dripping down.

“Is that... the sound of music in my ears... I haven't played the piano in so long...” Li Yue began to softly hum a nursery rhyme from her memories, a sorrowful nocturne...

“A Yue... wait, wait!”

“Forget me. With the Authority of Fate, it will be very easy to do...”

The morning sun had just begun to illuminate the deathly silent night sky. The long night was finally passing. Like a stream of light, her body vanished from the secular world along with the radiance, leaving only the lingering silhouette of her form in Clo’s arms. Clo knelt on the ground, devastated. Even though she had prepared herself long ago, she still couldn't accept this reality.

That summer’s beginning had, in the end, concluded with a parting in death.

She clutched her own throat, trying to stifle her uncontrollable gasping. She looked at the deathly silence surrounding her and began to consider how to die.

But the Authority of Fate had been placed in her hands. She was destined to avoid any death. This was the loneliest gift Li Yue had left for her.

The set of tarot cards eventually transformed into an engraving tool, then a quill, and finally a fountain pen filled with ink. A slender hand paused at the final page.

She ran a hand through her navy blue hair, looking at the sunlight outside and the room full of books, murmuring to herself.

“I don't like this ending.”