You found Cipher buying things in the Black Market, and the two of you went to Ohema together.
Pushing open the door of the Weaving Workshop, you found the atmosphere unusually heavy. Aglaea sat at the loom, Golden Thread flowing through her fingertips, and Tribbie and the other two sat around her, all with serious expressions.
"You're here," Aglaea looked up, a trace of weariness in her green eyes.
"What happened?" You keenly sensed that sothing was wrong.
Trinnon spoke softly. "Yesterday, we received news... Aristia to the east was swallowed by the Black Tide."
"The entire city, overnight..." Trianne's voice trembled slightly.
Cipher gasped. "Aristia? Isn't that a big city with hundreds of thousands of people?"
"Precisely because of that," Aglaea put down the Golden Thread in her hand. "we can't wait any longer. The second Journey of Chasing the Fla must be launched as soon as possible."
She looked at you both. "I hope the two of you can join us."
Cipher imdiately beca alert, her cat ears perked up. "Wait, what Journey of Chasing the Fla? Aren't those so-called hero stories just myths and legends, lies?"
"Cipher..." Tribbie wanted to explain.
"Don't talk to about saving the world..." Cipher interrupted her. "I've seen too many people who claim to be righteous! They talk a good ga, but secretly aren't they just after fa and fortune?"
You silently watched Cipher, but your mind was on sothing else. Journey of Chasing the Fla... You had heard of the tragic first Journey of Chasing the Fla, where heroes fell one after another. If she participated, would Cipher...
"Orion," Aglaea asked you. "What do you think?"
"I..." You looked up, a hint of struggle flashing in your golden eyes. "I don't want Cipher to take risks."
"Then forget it," Cipher put her hands on her hips. "Little Wildcat and I are partners! If we take risks, we do it together; if we run, we run together!"
Trianne quietly interjected, "Actually... the Journey of Chasing the Fla is indeed very dangerous. Last ti, many heroes didn't return... If they don't want to, let's find soone else."
"Doesn't that just show there's a problem?" Cipher turned to Aglaea. "If it's really about saving people, why make so many people go to their deaths?"
Aglaea did not avoid her questioning. "You're right, there will be sacrifices. But if we do nothing, everyone will die under the Black Tide."
"That's none of our business!" Cipher pulled your hand. "Little Wildcat, let's go!"
You imdiately stood up and followed her out without hesitation.
In the following days, you found Cipher unusually quiet. She would secretly inquire about the Journey of Chasing the Fla and sit on the rooftop staring blankly late at night.
"Little Wildcat," One night, she suddenly asked you. "Do you want to participate in the Journey of Chasing the Fla?"
You shook your head. "No."
"Why? Don't you want to try what it feels like to be a great hero?"
"I don't want to be a hero," You looked at her. "I just don't want anything to happen to you."
Cipher paused. "But... if the Black Tide really cos, those Little Wildcat..."
"I only care about you."
"Little Wildcat!" Cipher looked at you. "Don't you worry about those children..."
"Those children have their own destinies," You interrupted her. "But you only have one life."
"I won't die that easily!"
"How many heroes were lost in the first Journey of Chasing the Fla?" You stared at her. "Haseon, Kerydra, which of them wasn't stronger than us?"
Cipher was silent for a mont, then said, "But, Tailor Woman and the others have been very good to us, and now they are in trouble..."
Your voice lowered. "That's not a reason."
"Cipher... In this world, I only have you."
"If sothing happens to you, I..."
You didn't finish, but Cipher already understood. Her eyes were a little red. "Stupid Little Wildcat..."
In the following days, Cipher beca even more silent. She would stand outside the Dolos shelter, watching the children play from a distance. She would look up at the sky and stare blankly when passing the city wall.
Finally, she found you again. "Little Wildcat, I've thought about it for a long ti," She sat beside you. "I... I still want to try."
Your body stiffened.
"Listen to !" Cipher hurriedly grabbed your hand. "I won't go to the front lines, really! I swear!" "I just... just want to help protect Dolos," She bit her lip. "If it's destroyed by the Black Tide, at least those children will have ti to escape." "And," She forced a smile. "maybe I'll regret it halfway through? Then you can just pull and run away, how about that?"
You looked at her, knowing she had made up her mind. Cipher had always been stubborn; once she decided sothing, it was hard to change.
"You promise not to go to the front lines?" You asked.
"Promise!" Cipher raised her hand. "I'll just help out in the back, absolutely no dangerous things!"
"If things go wrong, retreat imdiately?"
"Retreat imdiately!"
You were silent for a long ti, then finally sighed. "Then I will protect you."
Cipher froze, her face slightly flushed in the moonlight. "Stupid Little Wildcat..." She mumbled softly. "Who needs your protection..."
A few days later, news arrived in the city that another small town had been encroached upon by the Black Tide. This ti, Cipher voluntarily ca to the Weaving Workshop.
"I can participate," Standing in front of Aglaea, Cipher took a deep breath. "But I want to make it clear, it's not for so damn hero title!" "I just..." She clenched her fist. "just want to protect Dolos. If it's destroyed, those children..." "Also," She looked at Aglaea seriously. "I won't go to the front lines, nor will I take on overly dangerous tasks. If things go wrong, I will leave with Little Wildcat imdiately!"
Aglaea looked at her gently. "I understand. Everyone has different reasons for participating."
You walked to Cipher's side. "I will go with her to ensure her safety."
"Little Wildcat..." Cipher looked at you.
"Wait," Tribbie suddenly spoke, her expression very serious. "Fei'er, before you officially decide to join, there's sothing I must tell you."
"What is it?"
Trianne and Trinnon exchanged glances, and the three said in unison, "There is a prophecy about you."
"Prophecy?" Cipher looked at them in confusion.
Reviews
All reviews (0)