Not long ago, when i was asking SAKURA about clues regarding the Deep, the other had already noticed it through her aura.
Elysia said: "How could that be~ Distinguishing those extrely subtle differences through aura is a talent exclusive to Sakura. As for … mm-hmm, it's more about a girl's little intuition~"
"Look at your expression right now—so eager to go there, so eager to see her again. All those complex and intense emotions are practically overflowing."
"…"
Elysia's approach still left i sowhat defenseless.
She went straight to the point: "So, what exactly is the Deep? Is that also part of Aponia's abilities as a MANTIS?"
Elysia replied: "Ah, no, that's not it. As I ntioned before, the Elysian Realm is a space constructed from the mories of the Fla-Chasers. Thirteen streams of flowing consciousness disperse and converge, weaving together such a vast and magnificent world."
"But so people… certain mories of theirs are simply too intense, their colors too vivid, to the point that they can exist independently without needing others' perceptions to rge with them."
"And the Deep that you saw is exactly such an example—it's a domain born solely from Aponia's own mories."
"That's precisely why everything in that domain is created by Aponia's subjectivity, and its appearance is far removed from the real Deep that existed in history."
"Rather than calling it a mory… the Deep within the Realm is more like Aponia's inner world."
i said: "Eden said you could take to the Deep."
Elysia covered her small mouth in surprise: "Oh my, i… that's quite a bold statent."
"…?"
i looked at her puzzled.
Elysia continued: "After Mobius and , now you want to walk into Aponia's heart too? I didn't expect you to be such a dangerous girl."
i imdiately denied: "That's not what I ant…"
Elysia said: "Even if that is what you ant, it's fine. I said it from our first eting—I don't dislike naughty girls."
"But… going to the Deep… mm, even for , that would be sothing extrely, extrely difficult."
"It might… require a little help from i."
i said: "My help? If it's sothing I can do, then of course…"
Her words ca to an abrupt halt.
Because she noticed Elysia's gaze turning toward her—as usual.
Then it slowly moved upward, upward… finally stopping at just the right angle.
There was nothing there except her twin horns.
"…?"
i stared at her in shock.
"Mmm-hmm~" Elysia made an adorable sound.
i couldn't believe it: "You…"
Elysia showed a cute expression and said: "Let think… this should count as… paying off foreshadowing?"
"…"
i was silent for a long ti…
From the clues she had gathered by asking the Fla-Chasers,
The Deep concerned the dark side of Fire Moth, and it was the final destination of the answers she had always pursued.
After so hesitation.
She still agreed.
So, she sat on the sofa in the lounge.
"Mmm…"
Elysia was carefully touching the horns on her head, occasionally letting out sounds of realization.
"…"
i could only endure in silence, but her breathing grew heavier.
"Mmm…?"
"…"
"Oh…"
"…"
Elysia sighed in wonder: "Wow… this is really… completely different from what I imagined…"
i imdiately said: "Have you touched enough?!"
Elysia smiled and said: "Alright, alright~ That's enough. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity—I'll be happy all day~"
i asked: "So, the thod to reach the Deep…"
Elysia said: "Don't worry, I'll do my very best. A promise is a promise—once you're ready, we'll set off~"
After she left.
i also looked around.
Thinking that the scene just now probably wasn't seen by anyone.
The viewers, seeing this mont, all wore doting auntie smiles.
"Hahahaha, as expected of Elysia—this woman is so naughty, I love her."
"Whether she's pink-cut-black or not, I'm already defecting."
"Hahahahaha, while Kiana's in Anti-Entropy, her beloved i is getting her horns touched by soone else—she's never even touched them herself."
"No way, this is making tear up. The Elysian Realm arc is actually so interesting."
"Gotta say, I love this fun and cheerful vibe. The Fla-Chasers are all really fascinating."
"What do I do? I think I'm falling for Elysia, but I'm also worried she's a bad guy."
"Don't be afraid—I love her naughty side. She's just too good at teasing."
"I want to know—is this the actor playing herself? Why does she look so genuinely happy laughing?"
"I feel like… when the actor was performing, she must have found it incredibly fun and satisfying."
"…"
In the Fla-Chaser lounge.
i watched the scene and blushed furiously.
Elysia sighed nostalgically: "Ah… back when we were filming, touching them really felt amazing. As expected of i's horns—so wonderful!"
i hurriedly said: "Ely! That was acting—just acting!"
Elysia laughed: "I know, I know. But I really like i a lot—scenes like this should happen more often."
Eden said with a smile: "For sothing like this, you just need to ntion it to your husband and it'd be fine, right?"
"Mmm…"
Elysia pondered for a mont: "I asked my husband. He said joy has its limits."
???
Everyone was confused.
What did that an?
Was the plot about to take so kind of turn?
Everyone turned to look at the TV.
And on the TV.
i entered the Elysian Realm.
Elysia was already waiting: "Hi, i. I've been waiting for you. I've found a way to open the path to the Deep. After crossing the golden forest, you should see the entrance."
"But… I rember I only promised you. A second guest will require an extra fee, you know."
i asked puzzled: "Second guest?"
Raven stepped out: "Sorry, Elysia. I don't seem to have horns for you to experience. Wonder if you're interested in my claws? They're red too."
i imdiately asked: "Raven? Why are you here?"
Raven said: "Don't forget—you're not the only one looking for that woman."
Elysia sighed in wonder: "Wow… what has Aponia done? How is every girl so fixated on her?"
"I feel like sothing really interesting is going to happen. If I keep prying… wouldn't that be a bit tactless? Then I'll make an exception."
"Enjoy yourselves in the Deep."
The two entered the golden forest.
i, who had been silent the whole way, couldn't help but speak: "Raven… back then… you saw it?"
Raven asked: "Saw what?"
i said: "Nothing, never mind."
Raven suddenly spoke: "I only saw the full process of you getting your horns touched. Nothing more."
i decisively drew her weapon: "Could you please forget about it?"
Raven said with a smile: "Co on, it's not that serious. I'm not going to tell anyone."
"Could you please forget about it?" i emphasized word by word!
Raven remained completely calm: "Hmm, let think about it carefully."
As they spoke, they arrived at the entrance to the Deep.
Here, the two encountered the silent boy Kosma, inscribed with Daybreak, and the painting girl Griseo, inscribed with Stars.
After obtaining their Signets.
i was once again proactively approached by Aponia.
"It seems you've already t those two children."
"i, you've done better than I expected, and you've truly brought changes to this Realm that shouldn't have existed."
"Changes?" i asked puzzled.
Aponia continued: "It was you who made those two children leave that dreamscape. Since the Elysian Realm was built, they rarely made such decisions. I think Griseo must have seen sothing in you… that made her want to leave."
i recalled what Griseo had said to her and replied: "New colors… I don't know exactly what she ant. And… I don't understand, Aponia—what does this have to do with the repeated conversations between you and ?"
Aponia sighed: "Alas, i… at first, I was simply curious. I wanted to see what kind of person the Herrscher who ca here as a successor would be… and whether the changes she brought to the Realm would be good or bad."
"I've already received my answer. At this mont, my heart is filled with… regret and sorrow."
i: "Regret… sorrow…?"
In the pitch-black cage, i could hardly see anything clearly.
But for so reason, she was absolutely certain that on the other side of the iron bars, she saw… a gentle smile.
"Please let hold your hand, i."
Her body responded before her will could.
Aponia took i's proactively offered hand: "Ah… so slender and delicate, so pitiable…"
"I can touch your resolve, your determination, and… the sorrow hidden deep within your heart… and the loneliness."
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes… how I wish that tragedy ten days from now could be avoided."
i asked: "…The tragedy ten days from now??"
Aponia said: "Yes… a tragedy no one could foresee and no one wishes to recall. Your arrival will bring destruction to the Realm, and none of us want to see this place reduced to rubble because of you. For that reason, ten days from now, I will have no choice but to…
"End your life with my own hands."
"What did you say?!" i was even more shocked.
Aponia let out a sigh: "Sigh… I don't want to believe it either—that the fate entwined between us would conclude in such a way."
"But that is a story already written, our… predetermined ending."
i said: "…Absurd! I don't believe in any fate. The future is decided by ."
Aponia continued: "Mm, hold fast to that conviction."
"But please understand—there is only one fate, and no one can escape it."
Aponia released i's hand, and the darkness separated them once more.
"I'm sorry to bring you such news, i."
"But I still believe… you have the right to know your own fate."
"…"
"..."
"Hey, wake up! i, wake up…" When i regained consciousness again, Raven's voice ca to her ears.
Seeing her awake, Raven relaxed: "You're finally awake…"
i said: "Sorry… I didn't an to…"
Raven said helplessly: "…It was her again, right? What did she say to you this ti—more of those incomprehensible words?"
i shook her head and said: "…No, this ti I understood perfectly."
"She told … ten days from now, I will die by her hand."
The Honkai Impact 3rd ending the suddenly played.
Leaving all the viewers watching the show completely stunned.
"It's over? Why did it end here?"
"No way… what happens next? What's this tragedy ten days from now?"
"Holy crap, is this necessary? Cliffhanger right here—clearly just trying to torture us."
"Damn director—still holding a grudge because we let Otto die earlier, now pulling this."
"I'm actually speechless. Right when it was getting good, it ends."
"What the hell is this director trying to do?"
"That's it? One of the Thirteen Fla-Chasers hasn't even appeared yet."
"…"
Just as viewers across the internet were suffering.
Kiana pointed at the TV and questioned Hessian: "Why did it end here? What does this tragedy afterward an? Is i going to be killed? Are you planning to knife i?!"
Theresa also asked: "What exactly is the Elysian Realm arc about? What's the answer? Why did Aponia prophesy like that? This whole episode was just planting flags, right?"
Hiko asked: "Director He, did you seriously not figure out the later plot? Makes sense—after the big villain Otto died, the rest is hard to plan, but you can't just half-ass us like this."
"Yeah, yeah! Ending here is way too painful."
The others all started heckling.
Hessian said: "Don't worry, I've already thought of the plot. I can write it out today—guaranteed to make you all watch it with satisfaction and enjoynt."
Hearing this, everyone relaxed.
Hiko even said directly to Eden: "Let's go drink, Eden. Tonight we won't stop until we're wasted."
Eden smiled: "Sure~ But I don't have any spare gems to give away casually anymore."
Hiko imdiately said: "Do I care about gems? I just purely want to drink with you and appreciate art."
Eden also invited Elysia: "Ely… co with us. I want to see the audience's reviews of you together too."
Elysia readily agreed: "Sure~ Let's go drinking."
Kiana egged on: "Right! That's how it should be. Let this guy who loves cliffhangers stay alone—we're all going to drink and party!"
Hearing the suggestion.
Durandal and the others all agreed, thinking it had been ages since they properly gathered.
Eden even called to have all the food and drinks for the party delivered to the Golden Courtyard and invited everyone… except Hessian… to join.
Officially calling it… as the director, he must quietly think through the rest of the plot properly—absolutely cannot end abruptly like this episode!
Hessian was annoyed and waved his hand: "Go have fun. I'll write the plot and send it to you guys soon. We'll start shooting tomorrow."
i: "Got it, Director He!"
Kiana: "Director He, good luck!"
Li Sushang: "Director He, don't worry—I'll send the drinking videos to the group for you to see."
SAKURA: "Director He, don't be scared. I'll lock the door—no one can sneak in and attack you."
Kalpas: "Don't worry about starving. There's still leftover food from lunch—heat it up in the microwave yourself. Write the script well and make look badass."
Kevin: "Can I bring I along?"
"…"
After the whole group grandly left the company.
Hessian decisively locked the company door from the inside.
As for the usual livestream, today he chose to take a break and go off-air for the day.
As ti quietly passed.
He figured their party should be about to start.
So he privately sent the already-written follow-up plot to each actor.
About half an hour later.
His phone exploded with ssages.
Except for i, every participating actor sent him the exact sa ssage: "I died?"
Then i sent in the company group: "Except for … they all died?"
Kiana imdiately followed: "Director He! Dog director! Just because we didn't let you join the party, you killed everyone off?"
Pardofelis sent aggrievedly: "And I died more than once"
Hiko's shocked ssage ca: "What? A character can die multiple tis? Director He, how twisted are you?!"
Hessian: "This is the script I just ca up with. Have fun, and rember to co early tomorrow for shooting~"
Kalpas in a rage: "Have fun my ass! How am I supposed to drink now? Dog director! I'm going to kill you!"
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