Chapter 17: Grand Finale

“Dad. Is Mom really in a place like this?” Anna perched on Eli’s arm like a sparrow, hugging his head with wide-eyed doubt.

“Mm. Of course.” Eli smiled and rubbed his daughter’s tiny nose, warm as sunlight on spring leaves.

“Daddy, that tickles~” Anna patted his cheek, giggling like creek water over stones.

“I want in too!” Alice puffed her cheeks, hopped onto his back, and wrapped his neck, like ivy climbing a familiar wall.

Eli laughed and tapped Alice’s head, a gentle drumbeat in a quiet house.

He lowered his gaze to his son, Yale, who had turned his head away like a stubborn cloud.

Eli bent down, grin flashing like a fox at dusk. “Kid—want a taste of your dad’s iron fist of love?”

Yale frowned, spun on a heel, and kicked straight at Eli’s crotch. “Stinky old man!”

Then he clutched his skirt and bolted, a gust tugging at ruffled fabric.

Eli didn’t mind; he doubled over, roaring with laughter like waves breaking. “Hahahaha! Why are you so cute! Hahaha!”

Right—Yale had been thrilled about going to bring Mom home. He’d rushed upstairs to change, opened a wardrobe, and found dresses blooming like a pastel meadow.

His “dear” old dad had said the good ones were tossed. Wear your sister’s for now.

Anna and Yale were twins, mirror-like in their looks. But Yale, that tiny rascal, was absurdly shy, and Eli had laughed all the way down the hall, like a wind chime in a breeze.

“Your old man wore this stuff back in the day. Don’t be that shy, seriously.” Eli shook his head, helpless as a willow, and followed his son’s retreating steps.

It had been five years since Eli defeated Zero. The Abyss carried him back from the depths of the cosmos, and he slept half a year, pale as moonlight.

When he woke, that familiar silhouette was gone. He went to Edlyn’s last known place, frost biting at hope.

Zero’s power had devoured everything there. Nothing remained but ash and memory. In despair, he still found a thread as thin as spider silk.

The Origin Tree stood unbroken, roots patient as mountains. Within it pulsed a weak, unmistakable ripple—Edlyn’s, a firefly in fog.

So Eli went home, raised the kids, and healed, like winter giving way to spring.

When his wounds knit, he led the whole family on the road to chase the Origin Tree’s shadow, step by step, like lanterns across dark water.

Now they stood at the sea. The Demon King kept a private beach here, silvered with salt and sun.

From Eli’s investigation, the next entrance to the Origin Tree would appear beneath the waves, a door of light in the blue.

Why could he tell? Defeating Zero had refined his soul, a blade honed in starlight. Maybe he was the next Zero. Who knew. Heh.

He could sense the entrance, faint as a heartbeat in a shell. Agents had searched for years and found nothing, only drift and foam.

“You two stay here, alright? I’ll bring Mom home.” Eli crouched and rubbed both little heads, palms warm as hearth fire.

As for Alice—no worries. She was already a poised beauty, steady as a lighthouse.

Anna pouted and hugged his leg, clinging like a tide at the shore. “No. I’m coming too.”

Yale looked up, words caught like birds in a net, but desire shone bright as stars behind clouds.

“This trip might get messy,” Eli said, helpless as rain. “I can’t watch you both and fight. Stay put. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay…” Anna muttered, sulking like a cloudy afternoon.

Eli ruffled her hair, then turned. “Alice, look after your brother and sister, yeah?”

Alice kicked off her shoes and flopped onto the couch like a lazy cat. “Yeah, yeah. Go already. I’m waiting for Mom too.”

Eli set down two swords, their scabbards whispering like reeds. Liqianyu and Yiyi drifted out of the blades, light as smoke.

“Finally going to see her, huh?” Liqianyu smiled, eyes bright as amber.

“Yeah. Finally.” Eli shrugged, relief like a breeze in summer fields.

“Our house can’t spare a person. Bring her back.” Liqianyu hooked an arm around Eli’s neck, playful as a hawk stealing hats.

“Got it.” Eli tilted his head, gaze steady as mountain stone.

Liqianyu grinned, teeth flashing. “Don’t worry about me. I like Yiyi now, not you, you crusty old relic.”

Eli sighed and rubbed her head, fond as rain on bamboo.

He stepped out and called to the kids inside, “If you need anything, ask the maids. They were your mom’s old hands.”

“Got it, got it,” Alice waved, casual as a gull.

Eli smiled, and his figure whooshed out of sight, a flicker like a fish in clear water. Liqianyu clapped. “Kids! Time to taste some Far East cuisine! What do you want?”

They thundered into the kitchen, feet drumming like rain on a roof.

Yiyi took the rolling pin from Liqianyu, smiling like dawn over dumpling steam. “It’s fine. I’ll keep you company.”

Liqianyu tipped her head, looked, and tears slid down like dew. “I’m so damn moved, Yiyi! I love you!”

“Ew! Lady thug, shoo!”

For Eli now, a single thought carried him anywhere—anywhere but the sealed realm of the Origin Tree, a pearl behind glass.

Why lie to the kids? He and Edlyn finally had a chance at a world of two. Bring the kids? C’mon—five years of lonely nights deserved a date under the moon.

Also—fear gnawed at him like winter frost. What if it wasn’t Edlyn at the end of the light?

The tension filled him, tight as a drawn bow. Nearing the place, his steps slowed, heavy as sand.

He moved along the seabed at a normal pace, bubbles rising like lanterns.

The glowing gate ahead was his destination, a sun under the sea.

He stood before the entrance for a long time, memories of him and Edlyn flickering like film through rain.

At last, he rubbed his hands, pressed the dread down like a lid, and walked into the light. “There’s always a chance, isn’t there?”

He hadn’t come here in ages. The sight took his breath like northern wind.

A slab of land floated over the void, roots of the Origin Tree spreading across the island like veins of jade.

The purple mist had thinned. Above, a sunlike orb shed warmth, light pooling like honey.

The place felt alive. That was Eli’s first impression—spring after a long winter.

He slipped free of the gate’s pressure and stepped inside, each footfall a drumbeat.

On the floating island, his panic ebbed, calm replacing it like lake water after storm. Joy followed, soft as a smile.

The Origin Tree stood only a few meters tall, leaves brushing the air, green teardrops swaying.

Under it knelt a girl with Angel wings and Fiend horns. Hands clasped. Eyes closed. Praying like a candle in a shrine. Twin tails swayed lazily in the air.

Eli smiled and leaned against a stone wall, watching her devotion with a quiet heart, steady as night.

After a long while, the girl opened her eyes, looked at the Origin Tree, and smiled, a flower after rain. “Thank you, Mother. But I’m leaving. He came to take me home.”

The Origin Tree gently shook, branches answering like wind-chimes.

She nodded. “Mm. I’ll take care of myself.”

She stood, took two steps, and stumbled, falling hard—shattering the sacred mood like a plate on tile.

Eli flashed to her side, a streak like lightning, and helped her up.

Edlyn pouted. “S-sat too long. Legs went numb.”

“Pfft… Honey, you’re adorable.” Eli chuckled, helpless as a tide, scooping her up in a princess carry.

“Hey! First thing and you tease me?” Edlyn pinched his cheek, playful as a cat.

“Don’t worry. I’m here. I’ll protect you.” His voice was steady, an anchor in deep water.

“You… you idiot.” Edlyn’s cheeks flushed, pink as sunset. She turned away, too shy to meet him.

Eli turned toward the Origin Tree, Edlyn in his arms, and bowed like a pilgrim. “Thank you. I know you paid heavily so Edlyn could break free of the rules. Thank you.”

The Origin Tree didn’t speak. A moment later two leaves drifted down, one to each of their hands, soft as feathers.

Eli smiled. “Thank you.”

He carried Edlyn out, steps light as birds.

Maybe after this, the Origin Tree’s space would never open again, a door sealing like calm ice.

The thought dazed him, a brief haze.

But.

Eli lowered his head, looked at the small person in his arms, soft as silk.

He had what mattered most, didn’t he?

They rose from the sea and stepped onto the beach. Home lay not far away, warm as a lantern in fog.

Edlyn wriggled free and landed lightly, then peered at him. “Why are you staring?”

“Nothing. I just think you’re more beautiful than ever. I can’t look away.”

“Ugh! Smooth talker!”

Eli bent and kissed the Demon King, gentle as rain on blossoms. Edlyn hooked his neck, answering with a quiet tide.

After a long while, they parted. Eli tightened his hold, voice low as a vow. “Edlyn, I love you.”

Edlyn tilted her face up, memories drifting like petals. Then she snorted, laughter popping like a firecracker. “You being this serious—so weird for you.”

“What do I do? It’s a heartfelt confession!” Eli shrugged, exasperated as a man scolded by a book. “Damn. Can’t trust what the manuals say.”

“Hahaha. You’re cute too.” Edlyn laughed again, a bell in a courtyard. “Hey! These five years—did you miss me?”

“Yeah. Badly.” Eli met her eyes, earnest as morning.

Edlyn’s smile went sly. She stroked his face, her voice deepening like wine. “Me too. I missed you—so—so—pffft! What’s that face? Constipated? Hahaha!”

Eli looked at the mood-ruining girl in front of him and shrugged, helpless as a flag in wind. Fine, fine. It’s her he fell for.

Then Edlyn sprang up and pecked his cheek, a sparrow’s kiss. “I love you too, you fool~”

Hands behind her back, she strolled the beach with a smug smile, like a queen inspecting waves.

Eli blinked, then chased after her with a smile, footprints trailing like cursive in wet sand.