The battle was over.
The streets of Broken Wind City lay in ruins. Buildings were destroyed, the ground was stained with blood, and the air still carried the lingering heat of combat. The smoke of war had yet to fully dissipate, and the conflict between humans and merfolk had finally come to an end. Yet, the cost of this battle was unbearably heavy.
Luna's body lay still on the ground, her chest shattered, devoid of life. Her silver hair was stained with blood, yet her face remained peaceful, as if merely asleep. Leo knelt beside her, his hands trembling as he touched her forehead. A hoarse sound escaped his throat, but no coherent words could form. The fury and frenzy of battle had faded, leaving only a deep, hollow sense of powerlessness.
The merfolk warriors retreated into the depths of the Driftwind Sea. They no longer attacked, nor did they roar in defiance—for the Tide Sanctuary Tree had withered, their chieftain had fallen, and past hatreds seemed to vanish with the wind. In silence, they swam away.
Standing amidst the ruins of Tide Sanctuary Tree was the robed beggar—Dan's grandfather. His gaze was complex as he took in the aftermath of the battle.
As the former lover of the old chieftain, he had once left the merfolk behind, choosing exile in Broken Wind City because he could not accept the previous chieftain's stubbornness. Now, with the chieftain's passing, a new burden had fallen upon his shoulders. He let out a deep sigh, a flicker of remembrance and resignation in his eyes.
"From today onward, I shall assume the role of the merfolk chieftain," he declared, his voice steady, carrying an undeniable authority.
The merfolk lowered their heads in silent acknowledgment. No one objected. The battle had drained them, and at this moment, all they needed was someone to lead them forward.
As night fell, countless glowing lights surfaced on the sea—part of the merfolk's ritual to honor their fallen kin. Silvery radiance drifted through the water, reflecting their sorrow and remembrance. Dan stood at the shore, watching in silence, his eyes filled with complex emotions. At last, he understood that the answers he had long sought had always been there—he had simply failed to see them before.
The lord of Broken Wind City stood atop the crumbling remains of his city, gazing into the distance. He had lost his own child, a pain no one could truly comprehend, yet he still had a duty to fulfill. He began organizing the survivors, directing them to rebuild their shattered home. But before that, he made his way alone to the depths of the Driftwind Sea—to offer an apology to the merfolk.
The robed beggar regarded his former adversary in silence for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Let the grudges of the past end here."
The city lord remained silent for a moment before slowly nodding.
With the withering of the Tide Sanctuary Tree, all past grievances seemed meaningless. The merfolk had finally chosen forgiveness—perhaps because they knew that continued hatred would only plunge both sides into deeper suffering.
Leo gently lifted Luna's body. His movements were careful, as if afraid to disturb her slumber. Carrying her, he walked slowly into the depths of the Driftwind Sea, until he reached the withered remains of the Tide Sanctuary Tree.
At that moment, the wave-like patterns on his broken sword suddenly gleamed with silver light.
A familiar voice resonated throughout the seabed—
"My dear children, my time has come to an end. The future of the merfolk is now in your hands."
The withered branches of the Tide Sanctuary Tree began dissolving into silver particles of magic. One by one, the merfolk infants, once sealed in their icy coffins, awoke. The scales that had suffered from the wasting disease were now fully healed, their once-pale colors returning to vibrant life.
"From now on, no merfolk child will suffer from the scale withering disease. Embrace your lives… Farewell, everyone."
As the final words faded, the Tide Sanctuary Tree completely vanished, scattering as silver light across the seabed.
Leo stood in silence, watching everything unfold before him. Then, the tree's voice whispered once more in his mind—
"Thank you, Leo. I know you need my fruit… Farewell, Leo."
A streak of silver light gathered before him, condensing into a single fruit from the Tide Sanctuary Tree.
Without hesitation, he reached out, took the fruit, and placed it in his mouth.
The moment it touched his tongue, it dissolved instantly, and a surge of warmth spread through his entire body. Every wound left by past seals, every shackle that had bound him, vanished in that instant. He felt lighter than ever, as if the weight he had carried for so long had finally been lifted.
Leo lowered his gaze to Luna, his hand gently brushing across her face. His eyes held nothing but deep, aching reluctance to part.
Dan stood on a rock outcrop in the sea, gazing at the gradually calming Driftwind Sea in the distance. He took a deep breath, then turned to look at Leo, who was packing his belongings.
"What are your plans next?" Dan asked.
Leo gently touched the bundle on his back, inside which were Luna's broken body and pieces. His gaze was steady, his voice low yet filled with determination: "The city lord told me that on the other side of the Driftwind Sea, in the western mountains, there lives a group of dwarves. Their forging skills are unmatched. Perhaps they can repair Luna."
Dan nodded without hesitation: "Then I'll go with you."
Leo glanced at Dan, surprised. "Are you sure? Broken Wind City is at peace again. You can stay here or return to the merfolk."
Dan chuckled softly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Since we were once teammates, I am still your teammate. Besides, I have things I want to figure out too."
Just then, Dan's grandfather, the robed beggar—and now the newly appointed chieftain of the merfolk—slowly swam over.
"Your journey won't be easy," the beggar said, his voice deep, though his eyes held warmth. He waved his hand, and two large dolphins with smooth, mirror-like backs swam up to Leo and Dan.
"Ride on them, and you'll be able to cross the Windbreak Sea faster," the beggar explained.
Dan patted one of the dolphins on the head, and it let out a contented hum.
The beggar continued, "On the other side of the Driftwind Sea, there's another group of merfolk. Their customs are different from ours, but they do not hold hostility toward outsiders. When you reach there, you can rest and resupply."
Dan looked at his grandfather, silent for a moment, then softly asked, "What if, someday… I want to return?"
The beggar patted Dan's shoulder, smiling warmly. "The Driftwind Sea has always been your home. You're always welcome to return."
A flicker of emotion passed through Dan's eyes. He took a deep breath and turned to Leo. "Let's go. We still have a long way to go."
The two leapt onto the dolphins' backs, and with a sharp, clear cry, the dolphins surged forward, racing toward the vast expanse of the sea.
——
The sea stretched out endlessly, under a blue sky. The dolphins sped through the water, creating splashes that sparkled with silver in the sunlight. Leo sat on the dolphin's back, gazing into the distance, his mind gradually calming.
He couldn't help but ask, "Dan, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Who exactly is Orion?"
Dan paused, his smile fading slightly.
Leo continued, "Why does he know us? Why did he say those things? And… why did he seal my memories?"
Dan fell silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his words. Finally, he spoke slowly, "Orion is the mastermind behind all of this. He didn't just know us—he… was the greatest enemy you ever faced."
Leo furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
Dan sighed and looked out toward the distant horizon, his voice low. "Decades ago, we set out to find the legendary 'Ten Gates' challenge. It was the most difficult trial in the world. They say only those who pass all the trials can gain the truth of the world."
"And then?" Leo pressed.
"You were the only one to pass all the challenges," Dan said quietly. "But… the 'Ten Gates' trial was actually Orion's trap."
Leo's eyes widened in shock.
Dan continued, "When you passed the final test, Orion appeared. He sealed your memories and your power… and he released all the filth within human nature."
Leo's heart felt as though it had been struck by a hammer. He sat frozen on the dolphin's back, unable to speak.
"So…" he spoke slowly, his voice hoarse, "I… I've been through all of that?"
"Yes," Dan said softly.
The sea breeze ruffled, and the waves struck the surface with a low, rhythmic sound. Leo clenched his fist tightly, fragments of memories flickering in his mind, but he couldn't piece them together.
He took a deep breath and whispered, "Who am I…?"
——
Three days of travel at sea passed, with Dan recounting many past events to Leo. Yet, the memories remained fuzzy, like they were veiled in thick mist.
On the evening of the third day, a small island finally appeared on the horizon.
"We've arrived," Dan said, pointing to the island hidden among the waves.
The island was surrounded by sparkling coral reefs, and the sea glowed golden under the sunset. In the center of the island, a half-transparent blue city could be seen faintly.
"That's the territory of another group of merfolk," Dan explained.
Leo gazed at the approaching island and took a deep breath.
The new journey had officially begun.