Trinnon led Caelus and Phainon toward the bedroom.
Here, in the past, Tribios and her gentle mother began their final conversation.
Between the lines, one truth was clear:
Tribios's mother would not return tomorrow.
Watching from the side, Caelus and Phainon both understood—this was not a ritual. It was a sacrifice.
"This ritual may last a long time," the gentle mother said softly.
"How long?"
"My dear child… Tomorrow, Mother will come back.
But if tomorrow isn't enough, then the day after tomorrow. If the day after tomorrow isn't enough either, then wait for the next tomorrow. If a very, very long time passes and Mother still hasn't returned…
That means the ritual has succeeded. Mother has found a way to drive away the Black Tide and has gone to that brand new world on the other side. It's just that, for many reasons, Mother cannot turn back to take my good girl with her.
But Mother will be waiting there. As long as you grow up to be a brave and kind child, we will definitely reunite in that new world.
There, at the end of the west wind, beyond the Black Tide, is a sea of flowers blessed and protected by the gods, shining brilliantly.
In the rose-colored sky, you will see a silver-white shore. That is the end of the journey—no wind, snow, cold, or sudden rain. No one will be touched by sorrow… Mother will be waiting for you there."
[So "see you tomorrow" is the greatest prophecy!]
[And also the biggest lie.]
[If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute.]
——
"Wow, it sounds just like the little island in my dreams!" Tribios looked into her mother's eyes and said innocently,
"I understand—I'll ride the moon and raise a sail made of stars to find Mother! So it's a promise, okay?"
"Yes, it's a promise." The gentle mother smiled faintly. "As long as we head toward tomorrow, as long as tomorrow's sun still rises… our wish will come true together."
At this moment, Tribios's voice matured once again:
"If the whisper when a Titan falls is not just empty words…
If, beyond the Black Tide, at the end of 'Creation,' such a world truly exists…
Then our promise still remains… Wait for me, Mother."
After watching this segment of history, Trinnon led everyone through a bookshelf and arrived at the place where Tribios officially began her journey.
However, an obstacle appeared on this path.
Then, a rather montage-like scene occurred in the camera.
Caelus tried to control the omnipresent mechanisms of Amphoreus around him—
And it actually opened a path for Tribios.
Tribios even voiced her thanks.
"Eh? I was just trying it out. It actually worked?" Caelus replied in disbelief.
Trinnon explained, "No matter what we do, it won't change the past. In real history, someone else helped Tribios.
We can no longer remember the details. But the fact that the memory has taken this form must be because…
It is closer to the answer in our hearts."
They continued walking.
Caelus and Phainon watched the sights Tribios encountered along the way.
Finally, Tribios successfully arrived at the Janus Treasury.
Here, Tribios finally stopped. She looked at the Coreflame before her and smiled.
"Finally…"
Janus's voice echoed through the grand hall. "Tribios… you've come."
Tribios directly stated her purpose:
"I have come here… to take up your fate.
With the hot blood of a lamb and my right hand gripping a sharp blade as witness…
I am Tribios, the one who listens to prophecies, speaks prophecies, and verifies prophecies—the Saintess of Janusopolis, the Practitioner of Ten Thousand Paths. I have come to inherit your mission."
"Hehe…" Janus let out a soft laugh. "Those who guide the world shall have their souls torn apart by wrong paths, shattered into a thousand pieces like glass thrown to the ground…"
"That suits me perfectly. This is destined to be a long journey. With a thousand versions of myself for company, I will never be lonely."
"Even if you bear the Coreflame, you shall be far from the glory of godhood. The 'Paths' will always walk with dust and mud. Even a mortal's blade may threaten you…"
"It doesn't matter. My hands were not born to wield spears, and my feet were born to run for all living beings."
Janus continued to warn her, but Tribios remained unwavering.
"So be it… Very well…" Janus accepted Tribios's decision.
"Overturn the gods— / Return the Coreflame—
Bear divine authority— / Forge miracles—
Go forth and hunt— / Go forth and mourn—
Go forth and hunt our kin— / Go forth and mourn our fate—
Go forth and ferry the souls of the gods— / Go forth and nourish paradise with divinity—
However, you must remember— / However, you should remember—
Everyone will part with one person, and only that person shall behold the miracle—
This is—by the will of fate—"
In the end, the mature Tribios appeared on screen. She knelt on the floor, tears glistening in her eyes.
[What the hell!]
[Adult Tribbie?!]
[I want this!]
[Bring it on already!]
[The visual quality, this broken expression—unbelievable!]
[As expected, Tribbie once said she used to be a mature adult too. I'm sorry, Teacher Tribbie! I was blind before!]
——
"I understand, Janus… Thank you. And… sleep well." Tribios wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her voice choked with emotion.
"Mother… Did you see…? I have taken up the mission and am about to set off… I will wander among mortals, stepping over the remains of the gods…
In doing so, I will clear away Amphoreus's pitch-black fog… May we… may all the people of this world… be able to follow the countless paths we have walked and reunite at the fragrant end of the west wind.
Mother… see you tomorrow."
[Aaah!! miHoYo, you have no heart! Are you trying to kill me?]
[Sigh, this crying voice and the lines—such amazing performance.]
[The visual impact combined with the crying voice and dialogue is so beautiful.]
[See you tomorrow. See you tomorrow!]
——
At that moment, the voices of guards came from outside the door: "Whoever dares to touch the Coreflame—disarm immediately and surrender!"
Tribios stood up and looked toward the door. "As expected… they came after all."
When the guards pushed open the door and saw only the Saintess, they immediately understood everything. The one who had touched the Coreflame was the Saintess standing before them.
Facing their raised weapons, Tribios showed no fear. "…Do it."
"What…?" One guard's pupils shrank sharply.
Tribios continued walking forward until she stood directly in front of the spear tips. "Come closer, loyal guards. At least do this properly… Pierce my chest."
"What are you planning…"
"This is my final concession. If any of you want to achieve great merit and rise rapidly in rank…
You all know who I am. I am right here—do it! But if there are still loyal guards among you, then quickly clear a path for the Saintess…
Otherwise, according to the holy city's code, those who show disrespect to the Saintess or raise arms against her—shall be killed on the spot!"
However, the holy city's guards had been deceived and manipulated.
Phainon, watching from the side, could no longer stand it. Since his partner had been able to interfere with the past images earlier, then…
"How can we just watch this—Partner, let's go!"
Caelus nodded. He had already taken out his baseball bat.
Phainon raised his greatsword while Caelus gripped his bat, and the two proceeded to beat the guards mercilessly.
Tribios was surprised. The guards had been fine just moments ago—why were they now lying all over the ground?
She immediately realized that the nameless god was still helping her.
Without the slightest hesitation, she stepped over the guards and ran toward the exit.
More and more guards' voices echoed from behind.
Tribios had seized the Coreflame of the "Paths" and inherited Janus's divine authority.
Now, she had to escape the Temple of the Three Fates that had imprisoned her for decades and head toward her destiny.
Trinnon signaled to the two who were still fighting. "We should follow her too."
Along the way, the three followed behind Tribios.
Finally, they reached the last checkpoint.
Unfortunately, a ferocious strange beast stood in Tribios's way.
"This should be the final battle. We need to help her clear the way. But… I still don't understand something that's been bothering me since earlier." Phainon asked the question that had been on his mind. "Who exactly is helping Tribios escape?"
Caelus nodded in agreement. "I've been wanting to ask too… I'm also confused. From the way Tribios has been acting, it's like she knows we're right beside her."
"Although memories can blur history, looking at the city-wide pursuit, it doesn't seem like she had any allies…
If she did all of this alone, then our presence in the process… feels a bit too strong, doesn't it?"
"From the moment she entered the treasury, Tribios has been completely alone." Trinnon shook her head, denying the idea. "But what we mean to her… the answer to that question lies at the end of this memory."
Phainon drew his greatsword. "Since Teacher Trinnon said so, let's focus on what's in front of us for now. Everyone, let's go!"
[So, was it us who helped Adult Tribbie?]
[Trinnon already said it wasn't. The result is that Adult Tribbie received help, but who it was doesn't matter.]
[Are you even listening to yourself?]
After Caelus and Phainon beat the strange beast, Tribios successfully escaped the holy city.
Tribios looked at the towering mountains ahead. "Finally… behind this mountain gate lies the vast world.
My journey will begin from here.
God of Paths, are you watching me? The road you left unfinished… I will complete it."
Tribios fell silent for a moment. No response came.
"No reply, huh. Janus… I hope you have a good dream. This place isn't safe to stay. It's time to go."
With that, Tribios took a step forward—only to be frozen in that moment forever.
Watching Tribios's back, Phainon couldn't help but sigh. "It seems… the memory ends here."
"…No, not yet. The question that confused you… she is about to give the answer." Trinnon pointed ahead.
At that moment, the scene changed into a scroll painting.
Tribios's appearance finally became clear to everyone.
Phainon asked, "But nothing happened. She—or rather, you—what are you hesitating about right now?
If she already knew at this moment that this Flame-Chasing Journey would, as the Titan said, bring about a great catastrophe accompanied by countless sacrifices, including herself…
Would she still walk through this mountain gate and set off on her journey?"
"I think… you already understand the answer and have made the decision yourself." Tribios responded.
Phainon was startled. "What…? You… can hear us?"
Trinnon shook her head. "No… She cannot hear or see us. But she knew that one day, someone would return here and open these sealed memories.
We no longer know who helped her back then. But that kindness has always been engraved in her heart, encouraging us to keep moving forward. In order not to forget her original intention, time has shaped this memory into a special letter.
It was written by the past Tribios and sent to her future self. In this memory, the future Tribios clears all obstacles for her and sends her on the long journey… toward the tomorrow where we exist."
"Yes." Tribios slowly spoke, as past and future converged in this moment.
"Yes… You will remember, and then make up your mind to help yourself return to the original gate once more.
From here, I will set off on a distant journey. From here, you have already walked a long road home.
Fate's maxim reveals this to Tribios—'You shall be shattered into a thousand pieces and wither in foreign soil.'
So, if you ever feel lost, come back here. I have left my wish from the moment of departure right here, waiting for you—my future self—to pick it up once again."