Zixin was dragged, taking a stroll amongst the fine luxury of the Chamber's halls. Hope stepped forward, pausing in her tracks before turning to glance back, giving Zixin a curious look.
She frowned momentarily before narrowing her eyes and asking, her voice a whisper, "Would you… consider yourself an emotional person?"
What a strange question to ask out of nowhere. She's probing, isn't she? But for what? I suppose giving an honest reply doesn't hurt. Zixin's thoughts continued: Let's see, I usually suppress my emotions, and if any slip through the cracks, they're mostly faint. I do believe that I'm not half-bad at it, although I lack more perspective on this topic. In other words, I am ordinary.
Zixin spoke, lifting his gaze and casting it upon her, "After a few seconds of deliberation, I could say with roughly seventy-eight percent accuracy that I'm above if not average in terms of the emotional spectrum."
Hope's lips curved upwards as she let out uncontrollable laughter. Almost losing breath after laughing so hard, she commented, "You didn't need to make yourself sound so formal, you know? You sure do love keeping that facade, huh?"
Waving her hands, she added, rubbing her cheeks, "Well, setting that matter aside, I have another question. It's kind of intimate, so…"
She darted her eyes around, eventually raising her hand and waiting for him to take hers. She continued, "We're basically friends now–no, we are friends! So, if I ever need help, would you be willing to take my side and lend a hand?"
Zixin sighed, staring deeply into her. A faint curve formed on his lips only to dissipate ever so quickly. He spoke, speaking honestly, "I can't trust that Future me will bother to keep promises, especially ones that involve heavy burdens."
Hope waved her hand, dismissing the idea immediately. She scratched her cheeks, shifting her gaze directly at him, and spoke, "Come on, I wasn't being one-hundred percent serious! I just wanted to feel comforted by knowing your answer. I barely know of anyone who can give me such peace."
"Then, why ask?" Zixin tilted his head, probing.
Hope smiled mischievously, raising her hand and pointing at herself before she spoke, "I trust you, and all I want is to gain your trust because shouldn't allies be–CO-O-PE-RA-TIVE?!"
"Anyways, understood?" She lunged forward, not giving him a chance to linger longer as she took him into her embrace. Zixin's consciousness began to fade, his thoughts coming to a halt.
…
Upon waking up, he pushed himself up, standing back up before promptly scanning his surroundings.
What he saw was a vast sea of grand flowers, reaching the horizon. Purple Husks bloomed nearby, their petals twisting and turning, emitting specks of light that shone brilliantly. Right next to them was a layer of Julian Hearts, their silver petals reflecting a faint glow. Beyond them were a batch of scattered Delates, intertwining like vines together, forming bushes with a dark hue.
As Zixin strolled across the garden, his vision shifted constantly, drifting from one flower to another. He thought, wondering: How odd, where could I possibly be? The last memory I had before coming to this place was Hope's sudden gesture. Either way, I must learn because my curiosity has been piqued.
Dragging himself further, his gaze drifted to a lone flower, a single flower that didn't belong to the group before him. He crouched down, leaning in and observing it.
Its soft blue petals drooped as though the flower itself was on the verge of falling asleep. A light blue bud sat at its center, forming something akin to a human-like feature–drowsiness, or, as Zixin recalled, sloth.
"Why is this flower here? It's already extinct, isn't it? Sigh, who could have thought that the once so-called most beautiful flower would lie here, of all places, the Heart of Fate." Zixin sighed, taking one last look at the flower before leaving it.
As he strolled further, his thoughts drifted: Strange, I have better knowledge regarding flowers than I expected. I guess reading biology books wasn't as unnecessary as I thought it'd be.
Not long after, Hope's figure came into view. She wore a light red dress covered with elegant linear patterns. Crouching down, she watched closely as the white orchid before her shone with the moon's radiance.
Hearing the sounds of footsteps, she shifted her gaze, standing back up and meeting Zixin face to face. She asked, gesturing towards the flowers, "How do you like this environment? Isn't it pretty? Like… me?"
"It's quite pleasant, although ever since being transported into this place, a question has been lurking in my mind. Where am I?" Zixin probed, casting a glance at the vast field in front.
"This is basically a small world where I have some resemblance to control. I made it all work with Fang Hau's help, who did almost everything because I'm an Unchosen. Don't worry too much, this is a one-time show I made just for you. I made it, intending to hope you would understand me better because shouldn't allies have invaluable trust?" She paused, staring at the field before continuing, "I just want someone to understand how much I've come to hate the shackles of my ancestral Contract."
"Isn't what you're after freedom? In that case, I already know." Zixin questioned, a flash of light illuminating them.
"You're correct, however, I still want more, something that I could call mine–creating my first happy ending by ending this Contract. Well, maybe I also wanted to get closer to you, after all, you're my most valuable asset." Hope smiled, gazing at the gentle crescent moon.
That sounds reasonable, I suppose, for someone who has experienced a lot; it wouldn't be a surprise that they might have ulterior motives, like the one she just said. I am an asset, huh? She's strangely open about this, but I suppose I started it first. Zixin slipped into his memories, recalling the time he told Hope his secret.
He sighed, shaking his head, but this only made Hope chuckle, commenting, "No matter how hard you try to keep a calm exterior, your emotions always find a crack to slip through."
Darting his eyes around, he asked, "I presume that ends the introduction, as I would call it. What now?"
Whilst his eyes wandered, his thoughts clashed: This place is strange, no matter how much I try, I can't seem to remember anything like this in those books that I've read years ago. This must be one of Fang Hau's trump cards; if not, it's probably a trap that hopefully wouldn't be used against us.
Hope stretched a hand forward, waiting for him to take hers. Zixin stretched his hand out, slowing down as it trembled. Shaking his head, he dismissed his thoughts, leaning forward and taking her hand.
Unexpectedly, Hope didn't resist gravity as she leaned forward, falling into Zixin's warm embrace.
Just as her body encroached on his, countless rays of light shot out, creating a brilliant wall. In a matter of seconds, the rays merged, forcing both of them to close their eyes.
A second later, Zixin slowly opened his eyes and saw the insides of the cabin. He scanned the surroundings but found no one. Brown wooden walls and floors were all that he saw.
"Haha!"
Hearing a voice, his gaze shifted to the door in front. Taking a step forward, he reached out, twisted the doorknob, and pulled the door open.
And upon opening it, his eyes widened momentarily before returning to normal.
A young girl stood before him, her hazel eyes glowing like the radiant sun. She spun around, playing with a grey ball. Her white dress clung to her every move. Stretching her arms and dropping the ball, her long scarlet hair followed her, like a trail of light. This was undoubtedly Hope!
"Dear, come on now. The ball fell. Here you go." A middle-aged man spoke from Zixin's right. A grand scarlet beard covered the edges of his face whilst his sharp golden eyes watched Hope with intent. Wearing a simple white shirt with his sleeves rolled up, revealing a scar on his arm, he crouched down, picked up the grey ball, and handed it back to her.
"Where am I? This should be the past, but–how?" Zixin's body trembled, his eyes shifting back and forth, but he found nothing.
"You appeared stressed out. Calm down, what you see bears no harm; it's just illusions used to recreate images of the past, according to my memories. Aren't I cute?~" Hope chuckled, watching the dream before her.
"Ehem, I suppose I should start telling the tale now," Hope said, her tone turning serious without a hint of her previous mischief.
"Roughly nine years ago, my Father and I would begin to travel the world around, but you already know this, so let's skip this part, shall we?" Hope waved her hands as the image before them shattered like glass, quickly melting into silver liquids. The liquid shot in all directions, shattering across like dust clouds before a spectacular sight was formed.
Zixin and Hope stood atop a majestic tower. Its jade white walls reflected the warmth of the sun as a dark wooden cone served as a roof, standing high above them.
Zixin's gaze drifted, landing on the warm sunset. Indeed, it was beautiful. Its rays shot across the land, lighting a tiny area that slowly succumbed to the shade of night. Orange hints reverberated throughout its surface, leaving a trail of stardust.
"Your travels led you to multiple cities, each containing its own traditions, specialties, and hardships. But eventually, the long journey met its end here at this City of Purity–Fournia. You attained your own realization and your love for endings." Zixin narrated, continuing her words with what he could recall.
Hope turned to gaze at him and her everlasting smile, she spoke, "Correct, but there are a few things I've left out. For one, it wasn't a one-time event but a long-term attainment that took me years to understand. I saw people die of poverty and hunger, but I also witnessed the rise of others, although they may already be forgotten."
She paused, placing a finger at her lips before asking, "What long-term think my idea regarding endings? How can you describe it from what you know now?"
Zixin stared at the sun's figure before returning his gaze to her, replying, "From what I understand, endings are what you wish to see the most, and I could only conclude that perhaps you love them not because they represent either a new beginning nor a definitive conclusion but because endings, by nature, a once in a lifetime event." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Let's say someone had an ambition to create their own Bloodline, and after decades of hard work, they managed to achieve it; that very moment can never happen again, and perhaps that's what you find so beautiful."
Zixin shook his head, heading off the rails, "Or perhaps I've begun rambling nonsense."
"No, no! Listening to you was quite entertaining. Well, your idea was definitely far off, but I appreciate the sentiment. In simple terms, to me, endings matter more than journeys because to me, each ending defines a person and each is a piece that completes them." Hope explained, laughing awkwardly before commenting, "Thinking back, my words kinda imply that if an immortal being ever existed, they would forever be incomplete without death."
…
Upon opening his eyes, Zixin recognized the surroundings and muttered, "We're back?"
"Yeah… You know, I'm so sorry for dragging you into that world!" Hope shouted, swiftly bowing down.
After a few seconds of silence had passed, she shot Zixin a glance, and her expression froze.
A stream of tears flowed from Zixin's eyes, but he quickly wiped them and spoke, "Apologies, I didn't intend to cry, but I didn't know why, to be honest."
She shook her head, reaching out to take Zixin's hand, and said, "Come on now, it's completely fine to cry. I shared my vulnerabilities, so you shouldn't feel the need to always act so tough."
Zixin muttered, "I suppose."